Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Smells Like Butterknife Spirit

Castle Moulbaix, Belgium

June 1st, 2014

Claire du Chasteler hummed thoughtfully to herself as she headed up to her room from the kitchen to change out of her pajamas.

As she entered, a misty rain pattered the window and she hummed a brief chordal sequence from Rossini's storm movement from William Tell as she watched the rain fall, turning the grounds outside to a monochrome gray.

She then frowned, for while Rossini was majestic and certainly gave meaning and color to such an event, this rain was not powerful and hammering, but just there. A melancholy rain that seemed to bleach out the world with its existence.

Confusing....

With that insight her face lit up and she dug through her dresser until at the back she found an old, worn white T-shirt. She gently stroked the faded image on it of a young boy in a swimming pool swimming toward a dollar bill.

Her mahogany eyes teared up as she remembered the first time that she had worn this.

Pukkelpop Music Festival

Hasselt, Belgium

1991

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to." Mother said in that Mother-voice filled with concern and care for her.

Claire shook her head, even as she shivered a little as a group of rowdy college students passed her, reeking of alcohol and some kind of acrid tobacco. "I do want to, Mother."

Mother sighed. "I don''t understand you sometimes, Claire." She paused to give a tattooed boy a threatening look as he made his way toward them. He changed course at the unspoken promise of trouble in her look.

Claire nodded. "I know, it's confusing me too." Her voice was small and shy and her fingers twitched as they finally found a spot to stand in the crowd. "People confuse me," she whispered to herself.

She wished that they came with musical notation, or at least spoke to her like the great composers did in their interpretations of the essence of what it was to exist.

A voice blasted from the loudspeakers, drowned out by the cheers of the crowd periodically. "For our nex--- ---band all the way from Seattl---- ----ive it up for Nirv----"

"Life's confusing, Mother...." Claire whispered as the guitars and then drums from the new band on stage started to play.

"Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word"

As the thunder of the instruments faded to a relative hush, the lanky blond-haired singer spoke words that somehow touched her very being. They were confusing, but life was confusing and messy. Somehow she sensed that this song spoke to her what confusion and uncertainty and not knowing what to do really was. That the seeming nonsense made sense of what she was learning about the world.

"I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end"

Swept up in the emotions of the moment she began to clumsily dance along with the song and the crowd as the chorus hammered her with harsh, almost violent chords and words.

"Hello, hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us

A mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido"

She felt confused and uncertain and alone, true.

But it was fine for she was not the only confused and uncertain and alone person in the world.

Others were like her looking for connections, for meaning, for what Mother had with her sisters Aunt Jackie, Aunt Del, and Aunt Zamarad.

Mother was so happy being a Big Sister, maybe she could be a Big Sister too someday.

She might like being a Big Sister if a suitable Little Sister could be found.

"And I forget, just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it's hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind"

Claire's hair flew around her face as she danced, one of the thousands engraving the memory on her heart.

She lost track of time, of everything around her, of all her shyness and worries and trouble communicating as a girl. The only thing that existed in her world was the music and her.

Her spirit was engraving each drumbeat, each guitar chord, each word on her heart to join the other great pieces of music collected there.

Each one speaking to the human condition. Each one speaking to her in its own way.

On the way out, Claire spotted a stall selling Nirvana tour merchandise. After one look at her joyfully smiling daughter's eyes, Colombe sighed and pulled out her wallet to buy Claire a Nevermind tour T-shirt.

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

Claire pulled on the old and worn T-shirt over her bra and tucked it into her blue jeans.
Spoiler: The T-shirt

She was much less confused now, and was a Big Piano Sister like she wanted to be.

And it was as fun as Mother's being a Big Sister was.

And she understood much more as she learned song after song.

Truly there was music to express everything in the world.

But sometimes you needed to return to your roots, return to your early moments to honor the person you were who became the person that you are.

And while she had outgrown her confused grunge phase, she could still pretend to be the young piano listening to the radio, and hearing of a rock festival nearby that mother could take her to.

A festival where she heard a song that spoke to her heart.

Her fingers found her keys and she began to play from memory as she stared at the falling gray rain spattering her window and thought.

Because while everyone died sooner or later, music and beauty would endure in some form.
Spoiler: Anthem Of A Generation

Ehren silently entered and sat in a chair, listening to her sister play the music written by a tormented young musical genius who in the end flew too close to the sun.

As she began the song engraved on her heart again, Claire gifted her beloved Little Dagger Sister with a warm smile, and began to sing the words for her.

"A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial...."

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

Despatch pressed her fingers against her temples as she stared blankly at the computator in front of her.

How could this have happened while she was gone?

How could America become so...so...lazy?

America was supposed to own half the world by now. After the Second World War, every civilized nation with half a mind was supposed to be at America's doorstep, hat in hand, asking politely to join the greatest nation in the world.

"Doesn't it frustrate you too, Alton?!" The ship girl asked.

"...No, not really," the former Chicago answered, turning a page in her book. "Food is a lot better. The Internet is so convenient. I actually freeze up a lot more when I have to choose something, so I don't really know how to feel about that. I mean, there's so much television shows, but I don't know what to watch."

"Not that." Despatch turned her laptop around to show the screen. "The United States is supposed to be the greatest in the world. Why are we kowtowing to the demands of other nations?!"

"...We have a three-week mandatory acclimation period and that's how you choose to spend it?!"

"I'm just saying. We are the biggest and the best in town. Why do we still have only fifty states and a small handful of territories?"

"Because we don't want to kick off a war where we'll be playing the role of Germany?"

"Don't be so dramatic. There's no way we could lose a war on American soil. Either way, I thought the Philippines would be the fifty-first after all I went through fighting the Spanish."

"We both know that the Filipinos hated us as much as Spain."

Despatch scoffed. "Since when did feelings have to do with anything?" She proudly waved her arms outward. "I overthrew the kingdom here, put it in American hands, and since then things have been better than ever! Aside from the Abyssals, of course."

Alton firmly placed her hand on her face. Of all things, why did she have to deal with this?

"You better not say anything like that in public when Admiral Settle finally allows us to leave the base."

"Don't worry, don't worry," the girl nonchalantly responded. "It's not like there's anybody still bitter about it."


On the other side of the base, Petty Officer Leilani Clark clenched her fist angrily, causing the man in front of her to flinch. Instinctively, the sergeant protectively hugged the horse behind him.

"I swear she's had her shots! She's well-trained! Honest!"

Clark turned back to the rider she pulled over and whipped out a ticket pad, the sudden anger leaving her face. "Sir, regardless of how well-trained your horse is, not wearing a helmet with a reflective vest or belt on-base is against regulations and you have none of the above. Furthermore, your horse is not registered with security or the stables." Before he could answer, she held up her hand to stop him. "Your cowboy hat does not count as a helmet. This isn't Texas."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Gently combing his girlfriend's hair best that he could, Eric softly smiled, "Almost done..."

A soft, but happy, sigh escaped the Kitsune as she leaned back her head, "Hai... Mmm... that feels so good to have my hair combed after so long. No more tangles."

Lips twitching, Eric chuckled a bit, "True enough." Placing his comb to the side, he ran his fingers through her hair, the strands parting, "That really does feel nice and clean."

From where she was, Samantha snorted some as she wrestled with another giggling Midget Submarine, toweling them dry, "Of course it does. I half expect that the two of you will spend a lot of time simply doing that." She then turned her attention to the small Submarine that she was toweling, "And you, little missy, need to comb your hair as well."

On said Submarine Neko's face was a grin as her tails swished, "Does that mean that Onii-Chan will comb my hair too? And brush my tail?"

Sharing a look with Sora, who giggled and got up, Eric patted in front of him, "Come on over and I'll give you a comb over."

Just throwing her hands in the air, the Midget Submarine cheered, "YAY!"

Watching this, Samantha rolled her eyes as she grabbed another Submarine and got to work drying her, "You're going to really spoil them, aren't you, Bro? Seriously?"

Unable to help himself as he combed the purring Subgirl, Eric chuckled as he gave a small shrug, "Yes, and? What's wrong with spoiling my little sisters? That is what the job of an Onii-Chan is after all."

That got him bright smiles from the other little Submarines there before the first Submarine was done and she went to throw on one of the small Yukatas there, while the next one came over and sat down in front of him for a little bit of pampering... Thankfully, for him and the time, Samantha was done drying and she started brushing and combing the others as did Sora. Which meant that it took a lot less time than they had feared it would to finish it.

Eventually, they were all done and he got up himself before rolling his shoulders a little under his Yukata, "Being this clean really feels nice..."

Beside him, Sora stretched happily, though she noted that Eric was watching with a slight smirk, "Mmm, hai. It really does feel nice to finally be clean. No more tangles in my hair, no more grime on the skin... everything finally clean."

Nodding, Eric gave a chuckle, "Agreed."

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Hinata also stretching, though it was obvious that she did not notice he was looking. When he looked back at Sora, his girlfriend had a slight smirk on her face and gave him a wink which he sheepishly grinned at. It said something that the Kitsune was not at all bothered by his wandering eye. Rather, she seemed amused by his reaction more than anything else.

Internally, she was just shaking her head in amusement. Oh, Sora knew that some girls would have an issue with their boyfriend watching another girl stretch. And, perhaps, in another life she would have as well. But after everything that they had gone through on the island? Sora didn't feel threatened in the slightest, despite what some might have thought. After all, the two of them had been together for years and she trusted Eric.

Granted, she had also given the Jorogumo a once over herself as the spider Yokai had stretched and simply nodded, since as per all the stories of her species Hinata was very beautiful, leggy and curvy.

Moments later though, she noted that one of the small Midget Submarines, a Tanuki one, was giggling as she looked at Eric. Raising an eyebrow, Sora looked down at her, "Something wrong, He-14?"

The Submarine giggled again and grinned behind her hands, "Um, it is just that Onii-Chan is all pink!"

Unable to help herself, Sora looked at her boyfriend and giggled as after the scrubbing that they had put him through, he was, indeed, somewhat pink despite his tan. Twinkle in her eye at the look he gave her, she grinned, "I suppose that he is at that."

Sighing, Eric rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes, pick on the only human without superpowers here."

However, that only got more snickers from Sora before she wrapped some of her tails around him and placed an arm over his shoulder, "Aw, I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Eric-Kun." Leaning down slightly, she nipped his ear which provoked a shudder from him, "Perhaps I'll just have to make it up to you later~"

At that, he gave her a look before shaking his head though he had a slight smirk on his face, "Perhaps." With a chuckle, he placed his hand over hers and gave it a slight squeeze, "Let's head out of here as I'm sure our parents are waiting for us..." Those words made his breath catch a bit and he could see the same on the faces of the Natural Borns. But then, Eric shook it off, "Besides which, we still got more checkups to do."

Grimacing, Yumiko shook her head, "And I am not exactly looking forward to that either... I mean, Repair Ships? What the heck is that and how does that even work?"
If she expected an answer though, she did not get one and the group just walked out.

Upon meeting their parents though, they were surprised as the adults looked at them in shock for a few moments before relaxing with smiles. Walking over, Ellen looked at first at Samantha, then Eric, and finally at Sora, "Well now, you all look much better with all that dirt finally off you. It looks less like you're trying to cosplay as Pigpen."

Turning from where she was examining her daughter, Yui frowned as she was unsure if she should be insulted or not, "Pigpen?"

Just blinking, Ellen turned to her and winced as she noticed the expression. However, it was her husband who came to her defense with a chuckle, "A character from Peanuts Comic."

All of the parents suddenly had a look of realization at that and chuckled some. Softly giggling, Noriko looked at her daughter with a small grin, "Hai, that name fit them quite well." Grin widening, she continued, "Though hopefully she does not attract dirt like him."

Lightly blushing, the Tanuki shipgirl's ears drooped a little, "Okaa-San..."

Hikaru shook his head before turning to his daughter and gently placing a hand on her shoulder, "Still it is good to see you clean, daughter. And while it was obvious before, you are truly your Okaa-San's daughter. Beautiful."

Blushing, Hinata twiddled her fingers a little before hugging him, "Thank you, Otou-San." Feeling a tug on her Yukata, she looked down at her younger siblings, "Hmm? Something wrong, Tsukiko-Chan? Natsuo-Kun?"

The two looked up at their older sister in awe before sharing a look. Bouncing around a little, they grinned, "Otou-San is right, Onee-Chan! You're really pretty!"

Needless to say, that made Hinata blush all the more, though she was also happy and softly smiled down at them as she patted their heads, "Thank you."

However, before anyone could answer, the sound of someone knocking made them turn to find a smiling Akashi beside the door to the Repair Docks. Bowing some, she straightened, "Hello, I'm the Repair Ship, Akashi. I heard that there are some shipgirls who need repairs or a checkup?"

Seeing as no one else quite knew what to do, Ellen bowed back, "Indeed, Miss Akashi. Those would be our daughters and the others here." With one hand, she gestured at the girls in question, "I am assuming that you have been told their situation?"

A small grimace on her face was all that Akashi allow be visible, but she nodded, "Hai, I was informed as to what had happened." She then smiled softly and stepped to the side, "If you'll just come inside the Repair Docks, I'll do my best to make it as quick as possible for all of you."

When both Samantha and Sora glanced at her, and she noticed that the other Natural Borns glanced unsure at their own parents, the English teacher cleared her throat, "Would it be possible for us to accompany our daughters, Miss Akashi? That way, we can ask a few questions for you?"

Understanding what was unsaid, the Repair Ship simply nodded, "Of course. And in the meantime, Eric-San can be checked over by Doctor Misaki at the same time."

Eric glanced at his father who gave a small nod and soon the two walked over to the door that lead to the small examination room. Before they went in, Ken softly spoke to his son, "Eric-Chan? Are you alright?"

The young adult sighed a little as he considered it. Finally, Eric nodded, "As much as I can be, I suppose." Looking at the door, he grimaced slightly, "Let's just get this over with..."

Just nodding, the two of them entered the small examination room to find an older man in a doctor's coat and with a piercing glare. For a moment, both men were reminded of the stereotypical 'Grumpy Doctor' from so many television shows back in the United States. But neither made a comment about it.

For his part, the doctor gave Eric a once over before frowning and shaking his head as he muttered. Patting the examination bed, he put on some gloves, "Okay, we're going to keep this simple since the Doctor on the Fubuki already gave you a brief examination. We're going over the bloodwork and such now, so expect something in a few days. Right now though, I'm just going to give you a physical and look at you for any obvious signs of injury or illness."

Bemused at how the doctor was acting, Eric only nodded, "Um, okay then. Do you want me to..."

Giving him a look, Doctor Misaki sighed a little, "Hai, I can't well give you much of an examination with you wearing that Yukata. But once I'm done, you can put it back on." After Eric slipped the clothes off, the doctor came over and began his examination. The first place he started, obviously, was where the young man's arm had been, ignoring the wince from Eric's father, "Hmm..." Examining it and fingers poking and prodding, Doctor Misaki frowned, "How did this happen?"

Unsure, the young man looked at the doctor and then his hand before taking a deep breath, "Do you want the whole story?" At the look, he shrugged, "Well... my arm got hurt during the sinking. Sora, who was my best friend then and my girlfriend now-" He didn't notice the grin on his father's face, "I guess became a shipgirl then, but... something went wrong and she nearly drowned. So I dove after her and my sister helped get her towards the surface when the... Abyssal aircraft fired into the water. Next thing I knew, my arm was hurting and the water was filled with blood."

Only nodding as he continued examining the amputation, the doctor looked at him, "I see... was that when it was amputated?"

However, Eric shook his head, "No, that was... two or three weeks after. My arm had some wounds on it and, well, the adults who survived didn't let my sister's medical fairies work on it. Instead, they washed it with seawater and used a bottle of peroxide or alcohol from a first aid kit they recovered after picking out what metal they could see before pouring the whole bottle on it. And they wrapped it up to heal."

Already knowing where this was going, Misaki scowled, "Idiots... you can always be sure about missing some. And using seawater to wash it. And let me guess... they didn't change the bandages that often due to a lack of them." At the nod, his scowl deepened, "Fucking morons. They should have let the fairies do their job... might have saved the limb since I am assuming that it went septic."

Shuddering, Eric only nodded, "I guess? That was what my sister said anyways... I don't remember much except it started to turn a funny color and there was this nasty smell from it. After that... I don't remember much as I got really hot and couldn't focus on anything. But... I remember my sister having enough and forcing one of the adults who had a penknife back."

That got him a look from the doctor who stared, "Do not tell me that said man was going to amputate with a fucking Kami damned penknife?"

Just wincing, Eric rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, "That... was what he was going to do. But Sam went and used one of her fairies after it knocked me out to do so. And when I woke up..."

He nodded towards the lost limb and Misaki shook his head, "It is a good thing that her fairy did so because otherwise, Kid? You would very likely not be among us anymore." That caused both father and son to wince. But the doctor ignored it and went back to examining it with a small frown, "Whoever the fairy is, though, did a damn good job of amputation. With how technology has advanced, perhaps one of the bionic prosthetics would work for you. They're advanced enough now that you would barely notice that it is not a natural limb..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Samantha had not been quite sure what to expect when she heard the words "Repair Docks" spoken. While, yes, it had been explained to her that it was where shipgirls went for "Repairs", which in her mind meant being healed, she was still confused about it. It just sounded... strange, somehow. And hence, she was not sure what to expect from the place in question, even as she walked through the doors to it...

What she definitely had not expected was what looked like a bathhouse with a bath more in common with a pool than anything.

Eyes wide, Samantha looked around the entire room that they were inside. Obviously, at some point it had been a simple warehouse, but it wasn't anymore. While she was half-Japanese and lived in Japan for a number of years before... the incident that left her, her brother, and others stranded, Samantha had not been to many traditional bathhouses. But looking at the area before them now, she had a very good idea how one would look.

It was also at this point that the Subgirl noticed that they were others waiting in the room. Two of them resembled Akashi with similar uniforms on them, though one had greyish, nearly steel coloured hair and the other had pink hair that was in a braided ponytail. There was also a pair of girls, Japanese Twins, watching them with interest though she noted that they kept glancing at Sora in thought. Unsure, Samantha looked at a smiling Akashi, "Er..."

Lightly chuckling, the Repair Ship gestured at the two who resembled her, "Let me introduce my sisters, Momotori-Chan, and Mihara-Chan. And beside them are the twins, Konohana Sakura and Konohana Ume, the spirits of an Installation."

And, sure enough, when Samantha looked at the twins she could see the massive Installation overlaying them. It was contained in some sort of Caldera, but she could make out slipways, foundries, and the like, "Huh." Bowing, she smiled, "I am Baker Samantha, Submarine I-354. And I am very pleased to meet you."

The gathered girls in front of them bowed back, "And we are very pleased to meet you as well."

Just looking around curiously, Hinata frowned, "Um... this doesn't quite look like how I expected it to..."

A light chuckle came from Akashi and she shook her head, "I'm not too surprised about that to be honest. It was something noticed after the first year or so of the war." Seeing the interest, she continued, "You see, no one was quite sure how to repair and heal us. At best, you might need specialists. But then, during a lull, some of the girls went to Furofushi Onsen, which is an iron hot spring... and when they came out, they were completely refreshed and, more than that, all the wear and tear was gone. Needless to say, we noticed and after some experimentation, found that waters similar to that had a rejuvenating effect on us shipgirls. No one is quite sure how, but it works, so we created a version... hence the Repair Docks, which uses a special 'Repair Fluid' based on mineral rich hot spring water." She gave a small shrug, "Works wonders, trust me. Especially with our fairies going to work."

Still unsure, the newly arrived shipgirls looked at one another. Finally though, Sora cleared her throat, "How... how do we do this exactly?"

Bemused, Akashi chuckled slightly, "It is rather easy when all is said and done. All you need to do and act like it was a normal bath and we'll do the rest. That's basically it."

Frowning, Hinata looked at the bath and chewed her lip, "Do we need to transform into our true forms, or..."

Lips twitching into an understanding smile, the Repair Ship nodded, "You're a Jorogumo, correct?" At her surprised look, Akashi shrugged, "We were informed ahead of time due to needing to know about our patient. But if your worried, see that spit where Momotori-Chan is standing by?"

Confused, Hinata gave a nod, "Hai? What about it?"

With a chuckle, Akashi looked at her, "That's the... deep end of the pool, if you will. Yamato can stand there and it would reach her chin, which should be, if you fold your legs beneath you, probably at your collar bone. Though we can try with you in your normal human form and see where that goes if you want."

Hinata wrung her hands some before nodding, "I... think that I want to try the second... if that's okay with you."

Not bothered at all, Akashi shook her head, "That is perfectly fine. Now... the buckets are for rinsing yourselves off first before you enter the Docks. Just like you would before entering a hot spring. If you need anything, including food while we work, just ask. Rose-San, who is a tea set Tsukumogami, provides refreshments for recovering shipgirls as sometimes they can be in the Repair baths for hours or days being repaired, though it should not take that long."

She finished up gesturing at a nearby door, and Ellen nodded some, "Once you start working, Miss Akashi, I'll go and get something to tide us all over."

The pink haired shipgirl merely nodded at that before turning to the others. Unsure, they obeyed the instructions and rinsed themselves off, though more than one shuddered at the tingle left behind by the repair fluid. With deep breaths, they all slipped into the waters of the Repair Docks and groaned as almost immediately, pains that they did not know that they had seemed to go away. Eyes widening, Samantha bit her lip before shifting, "How the heck does that feel so damn good...?"

Unable to help herself, Momotori smiled at her, "That's normal for the first time. Be thankful that we have not needed to use the Enhanced Repair fluid." Bemused, she shook her head and gestured at the rail in the ceiling, "Comes along there in these buckets that dump their contents onto shipgirls. They like to call them 'Instant Repair Buckets' because they get rid of a lot of damage that accrues."

As she listened, Hinata heard a small splash and noticed Sora smiling at her. The Battleship gestured to the small area next to her, "Come and lay beside me, Hinata-Chan."

Despite being unsure, the Jorogumo still made her way over and laid next to the Kitsune. Lips curling into a small smile, she glanced at one of her newest friends, "This is nice."

Humming, Sora sighed a little and gave her a smile in return before chuckling, "It always is with a friend."

Lightly blushing, Hinata twiddled her fingers a little, "Agreed... after all, I don't have that many of them." Her voice lowered a little as she glanced at her mother who was chatting with the other mothers, "Being what I am and all..."

Moments later, she found her hand being grasped by someone and looked up to find the Kitsune beside her smiling, "You got one in me than. And more in the others, which you should always remember. We're your friends now, Hinata-Chan."

That got her a happy nod from Hinata before the Jorogumo leaned back and hummed happily as she felt each lap of the small waves of the pool wash away more and more of the aches and pains she had felt build up for years. Not that she really noticed much until this point as they had never gone away. Yet now, with them slowly fading, she could realize just how much her body had ached. And looking around, she could see much the same from the others around her.

Yumiko then chose that moment to speak up and draw attention to her, "I... dont want to sound ungrateful, Akashi-San, but... is there anything else? Or do we just sort of float in the bath?"

Chuckling, Akashi shook her head with slight amusement, "As a matter of fact, that is part of what you will do. The rest is up to myself, my sisters, as well as Ume-San and Sakura-San." She held up her hand and a fairy appeared on it, "We're going to send out fairies over to you to examine your hulls and internals to make sure that there is nothing wrong and fix any issues that we can do so at this moment." Giving a slight nod towards her sisters, she continued, "Hopefully, you do not mind that my sisters will be helping as will the twins as they're learning and it is best done on the job. My own fairies will be supervising though."

From where they stood, Ume spoke up, "Actually, in the case of the Midget Submarines, we can handle those on our own." At the looks, she smiled, "Our... facility built many of them after all and all our fairies know how they operate. So we can handle them easily enough and fix them up."

The Repair Ship considered that for a few moments before giving a nod of her own, "That sounds fine, you would likely know more about such than I would anyways." She then turned to the shipgirls in question, "Would that be fine with you?"

Sharing looks, the group just gave shrugs with Samantha speaking for all of them, "Sure? You know more about this sort of stuff than we do."

Unable to help herself, Akashi's lips twitched into an amused smile before she summoned her rigging. And she was not the only one either as her sisters did much the same as did the Twins. But where the Repair Ships hung out along the edges of the pool, the Twins stepped onto the surface and kneeled as their rigging shifted. Softly smiling, Sakura gave a slight nod towards the Midget Submarines, "Now, if you'll come over, we can begin."

With a glance towards their "Onee-Chan", four of the Midget Submarines made their way over and laid down inside what looked like submerged trays. Oddly, they felt rather comfortable and the Twins eyes began to become clouded over. Unseen by everyone else, they found themselves beside one of their drydocks with four Midget Submarines inside as their fairies, now full sized to their eyes, went to work. They watched as they performed maintenance on the Midget Submarines, with one climbing inside the cramped quarters to work on the internals as the others did their work from the outside. Dents were smoothed out and any sort of corrosion was removed and new metal put in. Even new coats of paint was applied.

Meanwhile, Akashi placed some fairies onto the various girls as did her sisters, though they put more due to this also being a learning experience. Samantha and the others watched with wide eyes as the small beings stood on their stomachs with "Desus" before vanishing, seemingly disappearing into their skin within the blink of an eye. As well, they could feel the fairies moving through their corridors as they performed survey work for any damages.

As she got the reports back from them, Akashi began to nod as she had her crew go through any spare parts she had, in contact with her sisters as well as the Twins. She felt her smile grow a touch as Sakura and Ume released the Midget Submarines that they had been working on back into the bath proper. The hulls of said Subgirls looking nearly brand new, while their bodies had regained more of a healthy color. Even as she watched, the Twins took the next four Midget Submarines, 'Good, they're going to be able to get a lot of work done quickly.'

Then, Akashi turned back to her work with the others and grimaced some internally at the reports that she was getting, 'These girls... will take a bit longer...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

As always, the port of Yokosuka was in a state of constant motion. A number of shipgirls milled about on the docks and in the water, setting out or returning from patrols, as well as looking after the few ships still operating under the Abyssal threat. In all, it was business as usual… save for a recent arrival from the Bering Sea. The Omega stood out among the ships currently in port, for several reasons; for one, she wasn't a fishing boat or container ship. With so much of the world's oceans being contested by Abyssals, leisure ships in general had fallen out of favor with many people, which made a large, unarmed ship such as her a rare sight.

The second, slightly more unsettling reason, was that she was currently crawling with said Abyssals.

Off to the side of the ramp leading off the ship, one of the Omega's old dinghy hoists had been repurposed and reinforced to handle a slightly larger—and livelier—load. "Wow, everything is so tall and shiny here!" Marble exclaimed happily, wiggling in the air as she was lowered down to the ground. "I want to explore!"

Below her, Tanith chuckled. "We will get to that soon enough, Marble. Right now, let's get you fitted in your new harness." Sitting directly underneath the suspended Oku-class was a slab of metal and rubber resting on all-terrain tires. The rubber top of the slab was molded to conform to Marble's underside, and had straps to help hold her in place. The entire contraption was more or less an oversized dolly, thrown together on fairly short notice to spare Marble's underside from being worn down through constant land-based movement.

It was a good thing that they discovered her antifouling had been ground away when testing the hoists… that would have presented problems down the line if left unfixed.

After a minute of adjusting her seating and fiddling with the straps, Marble was ready to go. She tested the harness by pulling herself forward and back with her flippers, doing a little spin in place, before letting out a hum of satisfaction. "I like this!" she announced brightly. "It feels more like I'm sailing again."

"Just as it should," Tanith said with a nod. "This will be much better for your hull… and everyone's ears." She suppressed a shudder, recalling the grating screech of her daughter's shell dragging over solid rock and concrete. "Now, your older sister has been coming here often to be taught by Mother, so she knows her way around. Once they arrive, she can guide you and the others. Okay?"

"Okaaay."

After a quick hug, the carefree hatchling rolled away on her dolly, eager to check out the surrounding areas. With that done, Tanith turned towards the offloading ramp, where a certain pair was hesitant to set foot on the pier. "I hope you two are not too nervous. It would be a shame for you to come all this way just to stay on the ship."

Standing beside her flagship, Fluffy couldn't help but fidget. "I-I know that, Princess. It's just that this is… this is the first human settlement I've ever seen that wasn't an abandoned, bombed-out wreck. Seeing what humans are actually capable of building when nobody is trying to knock it all down? I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty intimidating."

"...I see." Tanith nodded slowly, pursing her lips. "In that case, what if I told you that you aren't the first?" Fluffy tilted her head slightly as the Princess continued. "Many of us were put off as well, when we first visited Japan. Unalaska is nothing like this—there are no skyscrapers, no trains or subways, no heavily-fortified naval bases. Just a small town of a few thousand inhabitants."

Fluffy lowered her gaze, her expression thoughtful. "Well… I guess you have a point about that. But what about all the people? The only human I've met up to now is Uncle Harry… I doubt they're all gonna be like him."

"And… and me…" next to Fluffy, Renita finally spoke up. "What if something happens? What if I freak out again? Someone might get hurt… or worse."

"I will admit, you both have valid fears," Tanith replied with a soft nod. "But... that does not necessarily mean they will come true." She reached out and rested a hand on both Fluffy and Renita's shoulders. "I think you two will handle this outing just fine. You are both thoughtful, good-natured girls; as long as you treat strangers with friendliness and respect, they will most likely treat you the same way. But even if they do not, or if something unexpected happens, you will not have to deal with it on your own—your family will be there in some form, to help you. Understand?"

"...yeah, alright," Fluffy agreed.

"Good." Stepping back, Tanith gave the pair a small smile. "You two have done well at home, settling into your new routine. Now, though, I think it is time for you to have some fun."

"Mom! Aunt Renita! Fluffy!" The trio turned around to see Regalia approaching, waving a hand over her head in greeting. "You all made it in one piece—GUPHF!" Focused on the Abyssals in front of her, the Re-class didn't notice Marble rushing towards her from the side, excited to see her, until they collided in a loud crash of metal hitting metal.

The momentum Marble had built up with her dolly was enough to carry her for several more meters after the impact. She looked around in confusion as she came to a stop. "Regalia? Where'd you go…?" She asked.

Behind the Oku-class, her sibling laid face-down on the ground, with her legs and rear end dangling in the air and her tail hanging down over her head. "I'm… 'm right here..." she said in a muffled, dazed voice.

Tanith struggled to suppress a giggle. Make no mistake, she was concerned for Regalia after literally getting run over by her little sister… but she just looked so ridiculous in her current pose. "Are you okay, Regalia…?" She managed to get out.

Still face-down on the concrete, Regalia gave a weak thumbs-up.

Fluffy snorted, before doubling over in laughter. In no time, the other Abyssals joined her in laughing their butts off at the Re-class's ridiculous pose; even Renita let out a small chuckle. As she picked herself up, Regalia giggled, too—she didn't mind the laughter from her family, since she knew it wasn't being directed AT her.

Standing a short distance away, Hoppou couldn't help rolling her eyes with an amused grin at the scene before her.

…

"Now, then… let this be a lesson for you, Marble. You need to be very careful when you are rolling around, or else you risk hitting something—or someone."

Sitting in place with some improvised wheel chocks wedged under her tires, wearing an expression like a guilty puppy, Marble nodded. "Yes, Mama." She glanced beside her. "Sorry, big sister."

Next to Marble, Regalia dabbed at her bloody nose with a paper towel. "It's okay, Marble, I forgive you. You didn't really hurt me… just popped a valve or two. No problem at all to fix."

Hoppou nodded. "Yep. Hoppou is confident Regalia can take care of her damage, now that she's been receiving medical training." Turning her attention to Renita, she stepped over and gave her a careful hug. "How have you been, Renita? Are things okay at home?"

Renita nodded slowly, returning her mother's hug. "I've… been doing a little better. I'm having an easier time sleeping… and I have a little more energy."

"Good. Good." Hoppou reached up and rubbed her weary daughter's cheek. "Any improvement in Renita's condition, no matter how small, is an achievement. Things will continue to get better as long as you keep moving forward… remember that, okay?"

The Re-class closed her eyes and nuzzled against her mother's palm. "Okay, Mommy."

"Oh! Did something happen here?" The girls turned to see Millie stepping off the ramp of the Omega, with Kora alongside. "I thought I heard some commotion, but I was busy with the engines belowdecks."

Kota nodded in agreement. "Yeah, sounded like some sort of scrape."

Regalia shook her head. "No, no, nothing like that. Just a little accident." She paused to pull the paper towel away from her nose and tap the back of her hand against it, to confirm her nosebleed had stopped. "Anyway, are you two looking forward to exploring a modern city?"

"You know it!" The Ko-class answered, puffing her chest out proudly. "This is gonna be great!"

Millie, meanwhile, rocked her head slightly. "Well… I'm kinda nervous, admittedly. But I'm sure everything will work out just fine. I'll just try to focus on enjoying myself."

"That's a good attitude to have, Millie," Tanith said with a nod. "Now, since she comes here often through the Cabinets, Regalia will guide you girls around, show you whatever you might be interested in. Mother and I will be busy with another matter in the meantime."

"What would that be?" Fluffy asked.

"Hoppou-chan, Tanith-san." Tanith turned to see Ooyodo had arrived, a clipboard in hand. "I've managed to set up a meeting for you two with some government officials. Are you ready to speak with them?"

Tanith held up a finger. "Just one moment, please." She turned back to the other Abyssals. "If we hope to enlist aid from the humans and Yokai, we need to work out the matter of salaries and benefits… which, in its current state, Avrora cannot really provide. As such, Mother and myself hope that the Japanese government might be able to pay any volunteers in our stead."

"We won't bore you by making you come along." Hoppou waved the young Abyssals away. "For now, just go out and enjoy yourselves!"

As Tanith, Hoppou and Ooyodo walked away, Regalia turned towards Fluffy, Renita and the fledglings. "Alright, everyone…" she said, clapping her hands. "Where shall we begin?"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

De Profundis: The Exploration And Research Logs of USS Trieste (DSV-0)

Entry #3

1558, 23 June 2014

US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
Spoiler: Trieste In Her Element

Trieste waved farewell to her current set of spotters as their relief descended to the bottom of the swimming pool where she was sitting cross-legged. She then returned to the waterproofed e-book reader (Castro's Advanced Marine Biology) and began to take notes on the chemosynthesis processes of Riftia pachyptila tubeworms that congregated around geothermal vents two thousand meters below the surface.

Truly the oceans were full of wonders. That thought caused a broad, happy smile to break out across her face as she held her breath from habit while submerged. Unlike her normal rigging, she was only wearing a midnight blue one-piece swimsuit with US NAVY in gold letters down the side and was concentrating on being as 'girl' as she could be.

Her machinery thrummed a pitch higher as she thought of her successor ALVIN submersible who had rolled back the curtain of ignorance to shine the light of understanding on something humanity never knew existed in 1977. Her eyes then widened slightly as she remembered minute temperature variations in the Marianas Trench during her dive.

Perhaps there were black smokers down there that could support chemosynthetic life. Life that could have sang the song that was calling to her. A hypothesis to collect evidence for once she got back to the depths.

She closed her eyes and listened to the melancholy sussurus of sound from the depths of the Pacific for long seconds then opened them and checked her dive watch.

Sixty-three hours, fifty-eight minutes, forty-three seconds and counting on this test of her diving endurance.

Her lips curled in a smile and she gave an OK sign to the pair of burly midshipmen in SCUBA gear who were her current safety spotters before returning to her e-book and her recorded observations of her functioning in a dive. One of her faeries alerted her to the time and she then flipped mental gears to begin to work on her correspondence using the [email protected] email that had been set up for her to keep in touch with the children who had witnessed her self-summoning.

As her Admiral had explained to her, her admirers were the future of the Navy. And the future was bright indeed.

"Dear Paul. The important thing in exploring is to always prepare and get ready for what you are about to do. Before I explored the deepest parts of the ocean, I was tested on lesser dives to find out if any problems existed in me and fix them. Likewise, for you and your science club friends one stept at a time will achieve all your goals. Always keep your ambitions in sight and reach for them as I have done, but also pay attention to the path between where you are now and your goal. Also pay attention to everything, some of the greatest discoveries have been sparked by someone just being in the right place at the right time, like the giant tubeworms I am studying now. No one thought that anything like them existed, and the expedition that found them in the Pacific in 1977 was so sure that the underwater volcano that they were examining was so inhospitable to life that they did not even have a marine biologist on board. Instead, they stumbled across a deep-ocean wonderland of giant worms like in the photo I am sharing with you that can reach the size of a man. All thanks to paying attention to other things than they looked for.

Your friend, Trieste."

She nodded in satisfaction at her response to this message and sent it on its way through the internet -- quite an amazing invention! -- before turning to the next message in her inbox. After all, since she was going to be down here until she reached her limits of endurance, she may as well be productive with her time. Idle hands were the Devil's workshop, after all.

"Dear Jennifer...."

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

0400, 29 June 2014

US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

Trieste gasped for air like a beached fish as she lay on the concrete lining the edge of the pool.

Finally she gave the concerned medics and divers around her a shaky smile and a thumbs-up as her crew reported that the CO2 levels on board her were dropping out of the red zone on the instruments.

One hundred seventy-one hours, thirteen minutes, twenty seconds without breathing assistance or stored gas.

Over a week underwater on her own.

She felt light-headed and dizzy as she was helped to a sitting position. The team who had assisted with her test began to applaud as she regained her strength and stood upright on her own on legs that firmed up more with each passing second. She raked her fingers through the sodden tangle of her hair and then gave them a much firmer smile.

"T-thank you." She coughed out in a hoarse voice. "Thank you all. What's the next test in the planned cycle?"

"Medical checkup next to make sure you didn't damage anything, Commander. You need to pack your bags for transport to Norfolk where Acheolus is waiting for you in the repair baths." The officer in charge responded. "Then sea trials in the Chesapeake Bay and off the Virginia Capes."

Trieste saluted. "Aye aye sir. Off to Atlantic Fleet I go." She chuckled as her stomach rumbled thunderously. "After I hit the chow hall to grab a bite to eat. I might not have fuel bunkers like the rest of the shipgirls, but I'm starving."
Spoiler: King Hall

"King Hall opens at 0630 and we notified them that there's a hungry shipgirl inbound while you were gasping for air. Breakfast menu all right for you?" The midshipmen around her grinned knowingly as they resolved to watch what would transpire.

"Lieutenant, right now I'm so hungry I could eat a full grown Physeter macrocephalus sperm whale raw with a little salt. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns is good enough for me. Add in a pot of Navy Coffee and I could kiss the cooks." Trieste responded as she licked her lips, perking up noticeably at the promise of breakfast.

Laughter greeted the next exchange as she made her way to the showers to change. "Some of the cooks are women you know."

"Don't care. Kiss 'em anyway. Mmmm.... Eggs, bacon, and hash browns with a cup of Black Joe to chase it all down." Trieste mumbled to herself as she headed in the general direction of terrorizing one of the largest dining facilities in the US Navy.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Climbing down into the Samantha's hull, one of Akashi's fairies looked around in interest before moving aside so that the others could come down. Noticing the Captain of said Submarine, he gave a small nod and saluted, "Sir!"

Lips twitching, the Captain saluted him right back, "Lieutenant. Welcome aboard our ship."

Simply bowing slightly, the Lieutenant noted that the Captain's XO had an otter tail behind him and similar ears, "Thank you, Sir." Glancing around, he chuckled, "She is a very good ship."

Unable to help himself, the Captain lightly laughed and gave a nod, "Indeed she is. Samantha-Chan is an extremely good ship."

Eyebrow raised at that, the fairy blinked, "You call her by her human name?"

With a small shrug, the Captain gestured for him to follow, "Hai, because that is her name. And in a way, it works better than calling her 'I-354' all the time." Scratching his chin as he walked through a hatch, he hummed, "A bit strange all that has happened, and never would I have thought that our ship's Kami would be half American, but... in the end she is our ship and that is all that matters."

Giving a slight nod as he ducked beneath a hatchway, Akashi's Lieutenant smiled a little, "That is true, I suppose, Sir." Glancing around, he was already making notes as small bits of wear and tear were visible to his sharp eye. For example, there were a few spots of corrosion here and there, the orange of the rust standing out, "Permission to ask a question?"

Already expecting the question, the Captain chuckled, "You wish to know how we managed for so long, I take it?"

Frowning, the Lieutenant just nodded, "Hai. No offence, but even shipgirls need repairs of sorts, even if that is just dipping in a hot spring to heal. A bit of professional curiosity on my part, if you will."

The Submarine's Captain stroked his chin a little before turning back to the personnel from the Repair Ships, "How much do you know of magic?"

Only frowning, the Lieutenant glanced at the others before turning back, "Not too much, Sir. For most of us, we're still getting used to it and even in the afterlife, well... we don't have much reason to come across magicals such as yourself." At the laugh, he blinked, "Sir? Did I say something funny?"

However, he was waved off, "Not at all, but if you must know, I'm a Squib. My parents were magical as was my older brother, but I was not. Joined the No-Maj Navy just before the First World War. Even served on one of the German Submarines we got as reparations." As they continued to walk, he continued, "Left the No-Maj Navy about 1927 to help train up Submarine crew for the Imperial Magical Navy. Ended up in command of Samantha-Chan at the end of the war." Gently, he stroked the metal of the hull, "We even managed to survive to the end of the war. Ourselves and five other Submarines..."

For several moments, he was quiet before sighing. Something that Akashi's fairy frowned at, "And then what happened?"

Not saying a word, the Captain had a far off look in his eye before turning back to him, "As I said, I'm a Squib. Myself and a number of others were out at sea when orders to surrender came through. Two days later, we hooked up with an American Submarine, the Foxfish and surrendered to her. Her XO though as soon as he found out that a number of us were Squibs, stated that Rappaport's Law had to be obeyed according to their orders. Which meant our memories being wiped of magic. Turns out, MACUSA wanted to impose that as terms of surrender. Don't know if they did or not, but the female Captain, a Jackie, shot that down. We had a talk and shared a dish of sake under the moonlight where myself and the other Squibs composed a poem. She then took on our crew who were going back, gave me my sword, and saluted us as we dove our Submarines to below crush depth." Lips pressed thinly, he shook his head, "She understood, I think. That we were going to die as ourselves instead of having so much taken from us."

Understanding, Akashi's Lieutenant simply nodded, "Hai."

After a few more moments, the Captain shook his head, "But to answer your question, Lieutenant, we do have two magicals on-board and made use of something called the 'Doubling Charm'. It creates copies of something, though they do not last nearly as long. We simply replaced the faster wearing parts with copies. Even if they lasted a few months, that stretched our ability to operate. Same with the other ships in our Flotilla."

Only chuckling, the Lieutenant shook his head before the tour continued. And, he had to admit, it was impressive. There was a lot on the ship including a small workshop that from the outside seemed about the size of a cupboard, but inside had tools and the like to effect minor repairs for Submarines. In one small area there was also trunks, apparently with expanded insides, which could hold parts and supplies in stasis spells. Even the kitchen was enlarged to the point where there were three cooks operating. There was also plenty of room for storage of torpedoes and other things that Submarines needed.

That said, he could already spot the various issues. Small bits of damage that had been repaired best that they could for example. Areas of corrosion on the hull and in parts of the machinery that obviously they could not fix with simple magic. He even found some fuel lines that that had been taped of all things due to leaks. Something that made him wince to no end. Once he was done though, he nodded and went back to Akashi to get together a work force who soon got started on their job.

Meanwhile, outside of the odd spiritual realm that the inside of their hulls were, the various shipgirls simply enjoyed the bath as they could feel the wear and tear wash away. Coming up to where her daughter was, Ellen gently stroked her head with made the Subgirl open her eyes, "How are you doing, Samantha?"

Humming, Samantha took a deep breath before letting it out, "A lot better now, Mom. Heck, I'm feeling aches that I did not know that I had disappear."

Lips twitching her mother chuckled, "That is good to hear, Honey." Gently kissing her daughter on the forehead, she happily smiled, "Really good to hear." Getting another hum, Ellen turned to Sora, "And how are you doing, Sora?"

Shifting a little, Sora gave her a happy smile, "Much better, Ellen-Oba-Chan." After a moment, she rotated her shoulder and nodded, "And it feels like my shoulder is not killing me anymore."

Confused, the American furrowed her eyebrows, "Your shoulder? Why would your shoulder hurt?" Her expression became one of concern, "Did something happen?"

Lightly blushing, Sora scratched her cheek some, "Um... sort of?" At the look she got, she continued, "There was a group of Abyssals that we're heading for the island and I killed a number with two salvos. Samantha-Chan and the Submarines took care of the others, but..."

Yumiko gave her friend a look, "Hai, and then you started to spit up blood."

Eyes widening, Akashi quickly made her way over and did an examination. Not even a minute later, she whacked the Kitsune upside the head, "Your turret is barely even braced! What were you even thinking firing it!?"

Just looking from one to the other, Ellen frowned, "What happened?"

Sighing, the Repair Ship rubbed the side of her head, "Okay, a bit of a lesson about turrets. Battleship ones in particular." When she got a nod, she continued, "In Battleships, the turret sits in the barbette. It is attached to the rest of the hull by a comparatively small piece of metal and sits on bearings, which is what allows for it to turn. Now, they got several decks which help secure it. Sora-San, here, doesn't have the decks all the way up as she should. So the first blast of her guns likely busted the bearings and the second nearly tore the turret out sideways and did a lot of damage to her internal structure." Akashi gave the Yokai Battleship a look, "Thankfully, as shipgirls that is repairable. Though she will need to be fully, ah, built as it were before she can fire her guns again."

With a sigh herself, Sora looked down before grimacing, "I... how are we going to do this then? I had to eat practically all the metal that was on that Container Ship that was not part of the ship itself just to get to this point."

Eyebrow raised, Akashi gave her an intrigued look, "You built yourself up by eating shipping containers?"

One of the small medium sized Submarines, Ho-32, chose that moment to speak up, "Hai. We tore apart the shipping containers and brought back the metal for her to eat. Same with anything inside like cans and stuff. Worked great and she got bigger."

From where she had been sitting beside the part that her daughter was in, Yui frowned, "How does that even work?"

Akashi gave a small chuckle and shook her head, "Very well, actually." Seeing the looks of confusion, she explained, "Shipping containers are about... let's say two tons. The Container Ship in question carried about fourteen thousand of them. About twenty eight thousand tons of steel, along with whatever was inside of them. One thing that we noticed is that if a shipgirl eats steel or what have you? They're able to repair a small bit. We actually feed Akagi-San as well as Kaga-San and the other Carriers aluminum cans which, when combined with a bath in Repair Fluid, replenishes their aircraft numbers. So steel is not that big of an issue and explains quite a bit as you would need a lot of steel for it without the Repair Baths."

Tilting her head a little, Sora chewed her lip as she felt hope rise in her chest, "So with the Repair Baths...?"

Gently smiling at her, the Repair Ship chuckled, "You would need less steel, but it would finish your construction quicker. That is assuming that other ways do not work out."

Looking out as she finished with the last Midget Submarine, Ume frowned, "We have been talking it over with our crews, Akashi-Senpai. But... we need raw materials for that. And a lot of them first."

Arms crossed, Akashi frowned, "What sort of materials? I can see what I can do after all, which might be quite a bit."

The Twins shared a look with each other before speaking, "A lot, the more the better. But we can make due with even low grade ore by using transmutation to make it nearly pure iron. It would also help us if we need to make more parts..." Pausing for a moment, they continued, "We also have the plans for the twenty inch guns that she should have had and can forge them for her."

It went went without saying that caused not just Akashi's eyebrows to raise, but the others as well. Finally, the pink haired shipgirl gave a small smile and nod, "Sounds good to me, I'll clear it with Teitoku and the others." A thoughtful look crossed her face, "And I think that I know where to go..."

______________________________________________________

Considering the folders in front of him, Goto hummed before opening the first. He scanned through it and then the next one followed by another. Finally, the Admiral was done and leaned back, "Your thoughts, Akashi?"

The Repair Ship tilted her head a little and then gave a nod, "Well, beyond everything else? That they are lucky to still be alive considering. Extremely lucky at that seeing as they have gone nearly ten years with no real maintenance."

Hands clasped in front of his face, Goto frowned, "That bad?"

Waggling her hand, Akashi shook her head, "Not as bad as you think. They had no real battle damage since, from what I have been told, they avoided fights outside of ambushes near Torishima. And those were always done with overwhelming force. No, what was the real issue is the wear and tear that they had. That is where they were lucky." Tapping her arm as she crossed them over her chest, she frowned, "In general, even with all that they were doing to slow down the wear? I'd estimate that they would have had five more years at best before the corrosion and such of their hulls got to the point of no return in that they would not have been able to really function. At which point? It would be a slow, lingering death if Abyssals did not show up to kill them."

Grimacing at the image, Ooyodo shook her head, "But are they fine now?"

Eyebrow raised, Akashi gave her a look, "Define 'Fine' for me." Getting a sour expression, she chuckled, "They're not fine yet, not by a long shot. But they'll be getting there. All the Midget Submarines are fully repaired, though I think that they should be given rest for some time."

With a small nod, Nagato frowned, "I don't think that anyone will disagree with you on that, Akashi. After all they have been through, they deserve to be given a nice, long rest before anything else might be asked of them." Internally though, she held back a small squee at the memory of seeing the small, cute Midget Submarines, 'So adorable..."

Unknown to her, the others gave her matching, knowing looks and smirks as they knew how she might react to the adorable Subgirls.

Clearing his throat though, Goto brought the attention back onto him, "And what about the others?"

Head tilting slightly in acknowledgement, Akashi frowned, "Honestly? They're all in somewhat worn shape. If possible, I think that they should all come for a daily visit to the Repair Docks for at least a week for us to work on them. Mostly in replacing and the like, thankfully, those parts worn out. Something that will not be too hard, though time consuming as we also need to get rid of any rust or corrosion that they also have. In that, Sakura-San and Ume-San are a Kami send in that their dry dock facilities can handle it and speed it up. They're also able to produce the parts needed as well quickly and efficiently."

Eyes narrowed, Ooyodo frowned and decided to confront the elephant in the room, "And Sora-San? I very much doubt that a week will be enough considering her current condition."

That brought a sour look to the pink haired Shipgirl's face, "And you would be right in that. She is going to be... problematic, to get up to a proper state. For Sachiko-San, we could rely on the fact that most of the work is in the spiritual realm as it is. But as shown by the Battleship, Jean Bart, a shipgirl who has been summoned or awoken incomplete is harder to get repaired. That said..." Akashi had a thoughtful look on her face, "Ume-San and Sakura-San believe that they can finish the job for the most part. Complete with having her gain the twenty inch guns she was meant to have from the very beginning."

Intrigued, Goto leaned forward, "Go on, Akashi."

With a slight nod, Akashi pulled out another folder, "As noted in the debrief, she did indeed devour all the metal containers on the Container Ship beached at Beyonnaise Rocks. This actually helped her 'Build up', as it were. The Twins believe that they can finish it, they just need the steel and such to do so."

At that, the lone Light Cruiser winced, "I am unsure as to where we might get the resources. Especially with how tight they are at the moment and the government will not be happy with the amount of steel that would need to be consumed." The sound of a chuckle made her turn to Akashi whose smirk had widened just a touch, "Unless... you have a better idea?"

Her arms crossed, Akashi gave a slight nod, "As a matter of fact? I do." Reaching into her clothes, she pulled out another folder and a map that she unfolded on the desk, "See, it was them and one of the things that they did which made me realize one of the things that can be done."

Eyebrow raised, Nagato leaned forward and frowned at the map of Yokohama, in particular where there was a circle drawn on it, "Oh? And what would that be?"
Tapping the spot in question, the Repair ship nodded, "Shipping containers."

Simply adjusting her glasses, Ooyodo frowned and shook her head, "That won't be too much help, Akashi-San. They're needed for shipping materials back and forth, and even then, the amount needed..."

However, Akashi shook her head, "Actually? Right here is where a shipping container graveyard is located."

Needless to say, that bit of information made all of them blink in confusion. Frowning, Goto leaned forward, "Shipping container graveyard? I don't follow."

Clearing her throat, Akashi took a deep breath before she began, "Despite what some think, shipping containers actually do have a useful lifespan. They generally are used for ten years and then basically tossed aside due to corrosion issues and the like. And some of them, well... the owners don't even wait for them to be completely spent before tossing them. That is not counting damage either, as one that gets rent or such is also tossed aside. So ports often have what amount to small graveyards of shipping containers that just... sit and rot."

Finger tapping her arm as she considered things, Nagato frowned, "I assume that the containers recovered from shipwrecks from Abyssal sunk ships are also placed in such places as soon as anything salvageable from their contents are done?"

Only nodding, Akashi hummed a little, "Hai, that is right." She frowned slightly a bit herself, "That is one of the duties of the smaller Submarines, right?" The Battleship gave a slight nod in answer which the Repair ship shrugged at, "Then, there's likely a number there as well."

A scowl on her face at the obvious waste of resources, Ooyodo leaned forward, "Should they not be recycled? The Japanese government did put forward such."

In reply, the pink haired shipgirl scratched the back of her head, "You're right, they should be recycled. But... issue is that many of them have hazardous materials that have been sprayed on them to keep the issues of corrosion down. Usually, before any recycling happens, they need to be sandblasted all the way down to bare metal, so they're not often recycled that quickly and pile up."

Goto did not say anything right away before he gave a small nod, "I see... and from what I know of, they can triple the amount that they take in, correct?" At the nod from Akashi, he gave a hum, "How much metal are we talking about?"

Frowning, Akashi considered things before glancing at the others, "I checked with the people who operate it and, according to them? Roughly about twenty thousand tons of scrap metal. And that is just one, there's another near to Tokyo with ten thousand tons and Sasebo has another fifteen. More than enough for them to fully build up Sora-San completely."

Silence was the only thing that could be heard as they considered things. Eventually, Goto became thoughtful and he started rhythemically tapping his fingers as he continued to think for another few minutes before he nodded, "Get me a cost estimate for this. Ooyodo?" The shipgirl in question nodded, "If needed, tap into the rainy day funds that we have. Because this could be useful for more than just Sora-San." At their looks of confusion, Goto smirked, "Hana-San is not quite complete herself, correct? Thankfully, she has less issues, but she wants to be a Carrier like Shinano-San. Also... from what I have been told, was not the Yamato class designed to be upgunned to twenty inch guns themselves?"

Eyes widening slightly, Akashi gave a nod, "Hai, they were. And since Sora-San has the plans for the guns..." Getting a nod, she continued, "I think in such a case, it might be best to use Musashi-San then as a test bed for such."

A small smirk on his face, the Admiral chuckled, "Well, looks like we have the beginnings of a plan..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Heart of Hunger

Castle Moulbaix

14 June 2014
Spoiler: Ying and Ehren

Ehren smiled at her oldest sister Wei Ying as the Chinese-Canadian RCMMP Auror walked alongside her to the Vanishing Cabinet. "I am glad that you were able to visit for Toku and Mutti's birthdays, Sister."

Ying nodded absently, looking at the castle with eyes that had seen too much recently. "Luckily we managed to deal with two nests before too much damage could be done. My task force needed a breather before tackling the larger ones further away from settlements, as well as to plot the data we gathered since they are acting with a controlling intelligence and purpose. It is... difficult to deal with. Especially since the Statute of Secrecy must take as little damage as possible."

Ehren stepped close and hugged her older sister. "I can tell that this outbreak is hard on you, Sister. If... if you need to speak of it, I shall listen. Family stands by family, ja?"

Ying paused, seeming to look through Ehren for long moments and finally sighed as she spoke slowly. "Wendigo are not just creatures of evil, cold, and hunger but also a body-less spirit, and a concept. The First Nations tribes had developed taboos to protect themselves from the Wendigo when they began to explore the North. Chief among them was not eating of human flesh, even when faced with famine, starvation, and the terrible cold death that the mid-winter brings when the snow is deep and game is scarce."

Ying's voice lowered to a quiet hush and became shadowed with dark memories. "But there is power in blood and flesh and some people, both First Nations and then Europeans have learned to wield that power, cultivate a taste for it. However, the taste of human flesh awakens an endless hunger as the wendigo spirit possesses the man or woman who consumes it, causing them to sink further into acts of depravity and madness as their abilities swell. That is bad enough, but it also awakens any latent magic when one is possessed. For normal humans, they can infect others through various means then, which I will not go into. Worst of all, for wizards and medicine men... it is truly terrible as they have made a literal deal with a devil. Ones that can be summoned and manifested to do the caster's malign bidding as not just cravings but also actual creatures like the Inferi save far faster, and deadlier."

Ying rested her forehead against the polished wood of the Vanishing Cabinet. Her voice was hushed and quiet. "In 1873 I was sent to infiltrate a suspected cult that was worshiping the Wendigo in the Yukon. We knew travelers and prospectors were going missing there, so I was sent in after the RCMMP investigation reports there were altered. What I found...."

She trailed off and swallowed before resuming in a pained voice, "The staff at the RCMP patrol post that I visited had been corrupted, probably by one of them being forced to eat man-flesh and then persuading the rest that they had killed an elk or caribou for meat instead of... what it actually was. When I found out, when I sensed that the stew being served that night was tainted...." She took several deep breaths and looked at the silently horrified Ehren. "One of the officers was a friend before... what happened. He cast a spell to isolate me, so that my screams for help or attempts to Apparate out of the deathtrap that the station now was would not work. Then he called forth his kin who had been summoned up to feast on me when I was still living, gloating how they would enjoy that the most."

Ying shook her head. "Too late did they find out that they had trapped a tiger in there with them and the isolation spell cut both ways. I fought my way to him somehow, and killed him in combat. That broke his minions, whom I then banished and slew with steel and spell. After the last of them fell, I was able to examine the spell trapping me among the cooling corpses and managed to master it and take it down, before alerting the RCMMP to what was going on. We drove them back from civilization once more, sealed them away, and now warn recruits as to the dangers. But it is a never-ending struggle, and now they are stirring once more."

Ehren stepped in and hugged her sister around the waist from behind. The Teutonic dagger's eyes glimmered with controlled tears as she whispered in Ying's ear. "Thank you for entrusting your pain to me, Sister. I... have my own traumas. When Vati and Mutti broke up, I was not yet what I am now. But... things went very badly at the end. They fought, and I was used on Mutti. I nearly disemboweled her when I was wedged in her pelvis by Vati. That... was the last time that I saw them together, and I often wonder if I could have prevented things going so wrong between them. I remember the good times they had, the love, the shared moments before... that."

Ying silently reached down and squeezed her sister's hand wordlessly as their mingled tears fell.

"I wish that I could speak to you more, Ehren, but I have my duties to attend to and they call to me. Canada needs me to protect it from the menace that is stirring." Ying finally said as she turned in Ehren's hug to look her half-sister in the eyes.

Ehren nodded sharply and released her sister, stepping back with a slap of leather on leather as she came to attention and saluted the Mountie. "Jawohl. Befehl ist Befehl. Know that my thoughts and prayers go with you, Big Sister, and that I look forward to speaking to someone who understands such matters of importance."

Ying returned the salute. "And thank you for opening yourself to me and giving me your trust. I promise that I shall be there for you and make you proud, Little Sister."

Ehren nodded, then watched Ying enter the Cabinet and close the door behind her. The dagger's hushed voice filled the silence as she laid her hand on the polished wood. "Shall I make you as proud of me as I am of you, I wonder?"

She then shook her head sharply as the silence lingered. "I promised Claire to be her Little Sister. I promised Mutti to be her daughter. I promised Del to be there for her responsibilities. I promised the family that I would stand alongside them. And I now promise Ying that I shall be her support, someone that she can confide in, and I can confide in her."

Ehren took a deep breath. "And next week I shall be introducing Mutti and Claire to our Malfoy cousins. Whose secrets I am honor bound to not speak of until released by Lucius, Draco, or Narcissa. Toku, meanwhile, will be going back to Japan to handle shrine business before returning. Del is dealing with problems of her own in America."

Ehren's shoulders slumped as she finished, "And as for me, I shall endeavor to train and study more to hone my skills and abilities further. Mutti was right that while I did some things well in Verdun, I was also a recipient of rookie's luck, and cannot expect to be so fortunate twice."

Her hand found the hilt of her dagger and her thumb traced the SS insignia. "And yet I am no closer to dealing with the evils of my nature. Perseverance is a necessary but difficult skill for me to practice. Still, Aller Anfang ist schwer. All beginnings are hard, and I am as of yet a beginner in my path to my goal."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Softly smiling, Ellen glanced towards her children who were walking beside her. Both Samantha and Eric, like the other "Castaways" were now wearing shirts and jogging pants given to them by the JMSDF to wear for now. At least, in the case of the shipgirls, until their uniforms were fixed up and cleaned. In the case of her son, part of Ellen suspected that he likely would be given one of the uniforms that were worn by her daughter's crew or one of the others. Something that, oddly enough, did not bother her too much when all was said and done.

Happily sighing at the return of her lost children, the English teacher turned to the others. Yumiko was currently talking to her own parents, who nodded and were talking back. Part of what was being said was, from what Ellen could tell, about what had happened to the relatives that their daughter had been staying with when Blood Week happened. Her gaze then went to Hinata, who was between her parents with her younger siblings hanging off her and giggling.

The young woman was not bothered in the slightest by the weight that hung around her neck nor did she really seem to notice. Ellen wondered, briefly, if that was because Jorogumo were that strong or if it was the fact that she was a shipgirl shining through. One thing that she did know though was that the three siblings were extremely happy and in a good mood with each other. All three wore smiles and laughed at various things.

Of course, seeing the Jorogumo made the American think about other things. Ellen had seen the look in the Yokai's eyes sometimes when she had looked at her son. She was no fool after all, it was easy enough to recognize what was going on there and it amused her slightly. Granted, she did wonder how her son and Sora might deal with it, but decided to leave what would happen up to them. After all, Ellen thought, she did trust them.

It was then that giggles drew her attention to the group of Midget Submarines. The smallest, the Ko-hyoteki Subs, all looked like little girls of around five or six with various Yokai features. Some had fox, dog, cat, Tanuki, or even otter and badger features. Said features having come from their crew. It had surprised her when she had been told about said crews, but in the end it did make some sense to her. A normal Submarine in WWII was cramped after all. A Midget Submarine? That had to be worse.

Meanwhile, Ho-31 and Ho-32 both the oldest looking Submarines after her daughter, being about twelve years old. Both of them noticed that she looking at them and frowned slightly, "Is something wrong, Okaa-San?"

Briefly, Ellen's smile brightened at that and she felt something flare in her chest, "No, nothing is wrong, you two. Just thinking how lucky I am and happy with everything that has happened."

That got her bright smiles and, when they turned back to a conversation with her husband, Ellen thought back to what had happened...

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

Sitting beside where her daughter was laying in the Repair Pool, Ellen blinked at the sound of a small voice, "Um... e-excuse me, Ellen-San..."

Just turning, the American noticed that it was one of the small Midget Submarines who spoke up, "Hmm? Yes..." Searching her memories for a second, she remembered what the Inugami's Subgirl's name was, "Ha-45?"

Eyes lighting up at her name being called, the Midget Submarine became slightly nervous and glanced at Samantha before turning back to her, "We... we were wondering something...?"

Her expression shifting naturally to the one she wore as a teacher when dealing with a nervous child, which seemed to work as the Midget Submarines relaxed, Ellen smiled, "Well, I don't mind answering any questions..." She shot a small glance at her daughter and smirked, "If you want to know embarrassing stories about Samantha as a young child, I got plenty."

Needless to say, that caused said Subgirl's face to go red and not from the heat of the bath, "M-Mom!"

Wagging a finger at her, Ellen grinned and snickered, "Mother's prerogative~"

That got her a number of giggles from the smaller Submarines before they all calmed down. After a few moments, they began to look nervous before Ha-45 twiddled her fingers, "Um... we-we were wondering about... well... Samantha is our Onee-Chan, right?"

Ellen's eyebrow raised and glanced at Samantha who shrugged some, "That's what they call me, Mom. And with how my job is a Tender? It's pretty much true... And they call Eric, Onii-Chan because he's the closest they have had to a big brother and he's my brother, so..."

Lightly chuckling, the American ruffled her daughter's hair and turned back to the Midget Submarines, "I see... well, I don't have much of an issue with you calling her or Eric that."

All of the Midget Submarines gave a happy gasp, even Ho-31 and Ho-32. But then, Ha-45 swallowed and hung her head a bit, "W-well... si-since Samantha-Onee-Chan and Eric-Onii-Chan are... are our Onee-Chan and Onii-Chan... w-we were wondering if..." Shrinking a bit, she chewed her lip , "I-i-if you c-could be our Kaa-Chan...?"

Shocked, Ellen stared at them for a few moments, which made them cringe and another of the Midget Submarines looked down, "B-but if you don't..."

Getting up, she walked over to them. Crouching down, Ellen gave them all a smile before gently patting the heads of those closest to her, "I'm sorry for not saying anything right away. I was just... surprised is all. But if you want to call me Kaa-Chan? Kaa-San? Okaa-San, or such? I don't mind it." Seeing their wide eyes, she glanced at Samantha and shook her head, "I always wanted more children. But... after Samantha and Eric went missing, I... I just could never bring myself to try."

Tears at the corner of her eyes, Samantha blinked, "Mom... I didn't..."

On her mother's face was a sad smile, "It's okay, Samantha. That is not something that should be unexpected and, well... you're not at fault." Wiping a little at her own eye, she gave a sniffle, "I'm just happy that my children are home, at last." Ellen then turned to the Midget Submarines and gave them smiles, "And that includes you, by the way."

It went without saying that all the Midget Submarines teared up at that even as Ellen softly smiled down at them. Ha-45 was the first one to launch herself at the English teacher, tightly hugging her as she cried, "KAA-CHAN!"

And this was followed by the other Midget Submarines doing much the same, none of them hugging her too tight considering their strength, but still tightly. And Ellen hugged them back as tight as she could, while kissing foreheads and the tops of heads. She did not care in the slightest about the repair fluid soaking into her clothes. Clothes could be cleaned or replaced after all. Instead, she welcomed them into her heart, her next words causing them to cry even more, "Welcome home... my daughters. Welcome home."

From where she was watching, Samantha was also crying in pure happiness. Tears that increased as her mother turned to her and opened her arms slightly more, the Natural Born Subgirl launching herself into the warm arms of the woman who had carried her for nine months and raised her for more. All Ellen did was welcome her daughters, the one that she gave birth to and her new ones, with tears in her own eyes...
________________________________________________________

Coming out of her thoughts, Ellen felt two small hands take hers and looked down to find two of the Midget Submarines there holding them. Both little girls brightly smiled up at her happily as they gave a small squeeze, which made Ellen laugh, "Hello there, Ha-56, Ha-77."

That, if anything, made their smiles brighten still further as they spoke, "Hello, Kaa-Chan!"

Lips twitching, Ellen shook her head as she noted her husband had one of the Midget Submarines on his shoulders as he walked, the little girl cheering. When she had told him, he had laughed and agreed with them, especially when they asked if that meant that he would be their Tou-San. It reminded the couple of when their children were five or six after all. Hence, they did not have much of an issue with it.

But now looking at them, she was reminded of one fact and she gave a small nod, "We're going to have a busy few days, I think." Seeing the curious looks given to her, Ellen continued, "After all, we do need to go and get clothes for all of you, beds, and the like..." Frowning, she tapped her chin in thought, "Though I suppose that we'll need to go house hunting. We won't have enough room otherwise and some of you will have to share a room."

Giggles erupted and at her confused look, some of the Midget Submarines chanted the same thing, "Like Eric-Onii-Chan and Sora-Onee-Chan~"

Eyebrows shooting up, Ellen quickly turned to her son and noted that he was, in fact, holding hands with said Kitsune. Both of the two young adults blushed as she gasped, only to blink as she smiled, "Eric? Sora? Is... is this true? Are the two of you together?"

Deeply blushing, Eric cleared his throat and nodded, "Um, yeah, Mom. Sora and I? We're together and have been for years now and... er..." Glancing at his girlfriend, he gave a small shrug, "We kind of share the same bed, if you catch my drift."

Rather than be angry, to his surprise, his mother simply smiled in acceptence, "I see. Though that is to be expected, I suppose, you were on an island for such a long time that sort of thing was bound to happen if you got together." Her eyes then narrowed in a glare and she gave a pointed look though there was a twinkle in her eyes, "Though I would ask that you not do such... lewd behavior as you are right now, young man."

Confused, Sora and Eric shared a look before they turned back to her with the Kitsune asking the question that was on both their minds, "Uh, 'lewd behavior', Ellen-Oba-Chan?"

Frowning, Ellen gave a short nod, "Indeed! Holding hands in public! Do you not have any shame whatsoever?" Sniffling, she turned to Ken who was trying not to laugh, though she could hear snickers coming from the others, "Wherever did we go wrong, Ken? I thought that we raised them better than this?"

In reply, her son gave her a look, "Really, Mom? I mean, really now?"

Her lips madly twitching, Ellen sniffled and made a motion as if she was going to cry, "Doing so very lewd things to your girlfriend in both public and before your Mother! Shameful! Simply shameful!"

The two Tanuki adults turned away as laughs broke free from them while Hinata's parents had massive grins on their faces, though Yui was hard to tell as she held her hand up to her face as she tittered behind it. Her daughter though was giggling madly as were the Midget Submarines, and Yumiko as well as Samantha were loudly laughing at it. Rolling his eyes, Eric turned towards Sora, "Could you?" Clearing her throat, Sora nodded before bringing up her free hand and placing it over Eric's face, "Thank you."

Unable to look at him, or Ellen, Sora simply nodded, "You're welcome, Eric-Kun..."

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

CFB Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
January 20, 2014

Over the years since Blood Week, the navies who had kanmusus became more and more dependent on their "shipgirls" to fight back against the Abyssals, gradually reopening some parts of the seas to human activity once more. At the same time, the navies learned how to support what had become an integral part of their forces. Indeed, it had turned out that kanmusus despite the complaints from secretary ships were relatively cost-effective versus their steel-hulled counterparts. Maintenance was completed in days if not hours via the repair pools, versus lengthly maintenance even for regular repairs at the dock.

Resupplying was no different. A steel ship needed supplies to feed and supply the crew, fuel, munitions which could include missiles each costing in the millions of dollars, as well as spare parts in case of mechanical failures. Shipgirls, and allied Abyssals as it turned out could be resupplied with food. Lots of food. While some shipgirls could eat a whole restaurant's worth of food, it was still considered cheaper than the resupply costs of a modern missile destroyer, plus it boosted the local economy.

The need for food was a problem for nations that relied on food imports. Japan for instance, still had some rationing as convoys and fishing expeditions guarded by kanmusus were the lifeline for the island nation. This was not the case for ships based out of North America, particularly the United States and Canada. Indeed, the arrival of the kanmusus helped alleviate some issues with overproduction in the agricultural sector. Grain products, meats, and even dairy products which weren't being diverted to aid other countries in need and would have previously been left to waste, were now being funnelled to the military to feed the troops and kanmusus. Some folks joked that the Iowa-class battleship Wisconsin, known in navy circles for being a "Cheeseweeb," singlehandedly made a dent in the surplus dairy production of the state of Wisconsin.

As a result, allied shipgirls visiting North America were often encouraged to dig in and eat up as much as possible before returning home. Over the years, these included ships like Yamato and Musashi. Both Japanese battleship indeed were often sent across the Pacific for training and other operations, as the Americans could afford to regularly supply their fuel tanks, sortie after sortie.

At CFB Esquimalt, repairing the damage caused by the abyssal attacks starting on Blood Week eventually led to a new mess hall, primarily used to support the Canadians' Pacific-based kanmusus. While regular personnel often ate at this new facility, the staff there specialized in making food in portions fit for reincarnated warships. Tonight, many of the tables had been reserved for special guests, some of whom still remembered the last time they set foot at the naval base, nearly a decade ago.

Following their ordeal, the crew of HMCS Regina were to be granted retroactive promotions, even those who were choosing to retire. This also came with compensation, as they were considered on sortie up to when the ship finally docked again in Esquimalt. Many of those who chose to retire were granted pensions and assistance with transitioning to civilian life, though they were also asked to be careful of what they disclosed to family and friends. A plurality of the crew had decided to continue service, albeit in other roles as it had been announced that their ship will be retired from active duty. Whether as a training ship or as a museum ship, she would be kept as a memorial to those lost on Blood Week.

After the Wardens and the crew of HMCS Regina sat down, Captain (N) Wilson stood up to make a quick speech and led a toast to the crew members and those of the Fleet of Laughter that never returned. Soon the smells and sounds of food caused humans and abyssals alike to salivate as mess personnel rolled out carts loaded with food, placing them on the table. The Wardens were rather amused as the Regina crew members dug into their almost shipgirl sized portions of the greasy fries, cheese curds, and gravy, with some sailors having additional toppings like pulled pork or braised beef. One of the French-Canadian sailors jokingly complained that the extra toppings were heresy, while a couple of sailors trash talked about hockey. Plenty of drinks were also downed as the sailors and officers chatted amicably with each other, while others talked about what they planned to do afterwards.

As he ate, Commander Ferguson absent-mindedly stroked his wife's "antlers" as she took another forkful of poutine, as well as pondering what happened after they arrived. Commander Ferguson's parents, brother and sisters had been surprised to learn that he survived, and were understandably shocked when he revealed his marriage to Tandy. Despite some trepidation from his family, they were willing to give Tandy a chance, and the family was planning a dinner to welcome back Bruce and to welcome Tandy and the children to the extended family. Bruce and Tandy were a bit mortified when his mother gleefully proclaimed the fact she had more grandchildren and clearly planned to spoil them. The idea of Nathan and Natasha being corrupted by his mom sent shivers down Commander Bruce Ferguson. Today, Bruce was somewhat confused when Tandy came in asking what happened to her shorts. They were now plaid in red and green, and her shoulder pad was now starting to appear rounded off, like an oversized hockey player's shoulder pad.

Captain (N) Wilson was considering an offer to be promoted as Commodore in charge of the Wardens who were to be redesignated as a unit of the Royal Canadian Navy once all the necessary paperwork was completed and they were officially inducted into the RCN. Commander Ferguson was also likely to play a role, as his wife was to remain as the Flagship of the Canadian abyssals, and as a temporarily liaison between the RCN and the Fleet of Laughter before a long term volunteer is found. The Canadian government was entering talks to formally recognize the Fleet of Laughter in Avrora, given it meant that a friendly fleet would help protect the critical sea corridor along the Aleutians between Asia and North America. To the Canadian Government, it became a priority to make sure the Wardens felt welcome in their new home, and that included making sure they were on good terms with the Warden's matriarch and sister ships.

***

Greengrass Residence, United Kingdom

Cyrus Greengrass was finishing up the last rasher of bacon from his breakfast when the wards alerted him to an arriving delivery. He could see a European Eagle-Owl flying towards the manor carrying a large parcel. With a swish of his wand, the windows to the breakfast nook opened as the owl landed on the perch. The owl raised a leg, letting Cyrus detach the parcel, before making a beeline for the bacon set aside for the owl. "Ah, I was wondering when this was going to arrive."

Evelyn, his wife raised an eyebrow at the Canada Post postmark stamped on the massive parcel. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, my dear. My cousin's latest bundle of goods from the great white north." Taking a look inside, Cyrus grinned, "plus some gifts for Daphne and Astoria."

He mentally noted to himself to take some time to fill a number of forms as a contingency should the end of the Statute of Secrecy threaten the safety of the Greengrass family. Cyrus examined the cover of Jane's All the Summoning Pools, which was to be given to Daphne, as his eldest daughter was planning to work with Tracy Davis in finally summoning the family narrowboats. His smile turned into a frown as he spotted a plush doll meant for Astoria, made in the likeness of a certain blonde Japanese destroyer.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Once the laughter died down, Sora turned to Ellen and shifted a little, "Um, Ellen-Oba-Chan?" Getting a sound to continue, she did so, "Do... do you have any problem with how we're together?"

Eyebrow raised, Ellen gave her a look, "No? Why? Should I have an issue with you two together, especially when I've been expecting it for some time?" At her stunned look, she walked over and gave Sora a hug, "Sora, honey? This is not unexpected for me or... for your parents."

Her eyes widening slightly, the Kitsune stared at her, "M-my parents...?"

Slowly, Ellen nodded with a small sigh, "We could all tell that you and Eric had the biggest crush on one another, Sora. It was not that hard to see that, what with how the two of you acted." Both young adults in question blushed lightly at that being said, especially as they could remember when they were younger. A small, look of reminisce was on her face along with a fond smile, "Miho and I... we had actually talked about it."

Licking her suddenly dry lips, Sora looked into the other woman's eyes, "Y-you did? You talked with Okaa-San? About..."

Just smiling, the American chuckled, "About what to do? We did, and believe it or not, she was well in favor of it." Now looking at her son, Ellen continued, "As far as she was concerned, Eric, you were a fine man to become her daughter's husband. I admit... I'm actually happy to see that the two of you are together as well, as I always hoped for it to happen. You both just fit so well, even back then."

Bashfully smiling, Sora nodded at her, "Thank you, Ellen-Oba-Chan."

Waving her off, Ellen gave her husband a look at his next words after he chuckled, "Genji-San said much the same thing actually. We made bets on-oof!"

Ellen ignored how her husband was now clutching his stomach as she withdrew her elbow from his gut and smiled at Sora, "As I said, we talked about it. About the only question on our minds was when and how the two of you would get together, though... this was not one way that we expected."

Giving her boyfriend's hand a squeeze, the Kitsune shook her head, "We did not expect this either, Ellen-Oba-Chan. But... at least it is one of the few good things that came from what had happened to us."

At that, Ellen nodded some, "Agreed." Looking away, she chuckled some, "Miho even suggested that perhaps if you had not confessed by the time you were fifteen, we arrainge something between the two of us. Perhaps an Omiai... not that I really was all that interested in that as I wanted what would happen to develop naturally, without outside pressure."

Tears prickling at her eyes, Sora wiped at them, "S-so my Okaa-San and Otou-San... they would be happy? With Eric-Kun and I being together now?'

Only nodding, the teacher gave her a tight hug, "They would be extremely happy..." Glancing around, she took a deep breath and let it out, "And, I am certain, will be."

Now looking at her, Sora's eyes widened, "T-they're alive? B-but I thought... and the way that you talked..."

Eyes closed, there was an ashamed look on Ellen's face, "I... figured out that they were alive, Sora. But as for why they were not here... that is both mine and Ken's fault, I'm afraid." Blinking away some tears, she took a deep breath, "We were on Aogashima when the Abyssals arrived. But somehow wound up in Tokyo wandering around in a daze, with no memories. B-best that I figure, Miho and Genji m-must have used magic to get us back to Tokyo j-just ahead of the attack. And since I know that they're Kitsune..."

Very rapidly, the young woman connected the points in her mind, but it was a grimacing Yusuke who spoke, "You believe that the Diet arrested them and threw them in a Reserve." At her nod, he shook his head, "I... wish that I could say that you were wrong in that thought, but... it is not unlikely. And if you did make it via Floo from Aogashima to Tokyo, then you would have ended up in the main Floo office in the Magical Diet building as during the chaos, they were transferring it all there. Something that is standard during Natural Disasters or when large groups from one area are using the Floo to get somewhere else."

With a slight nod to him, Ellen turned back to Sora and bowed deeply, "Please... accept our apologies for this. B-because your M-Mother, m-my friend got us to safety, she is suffering now..."

She had expected more than a few things, but she barely had expected Sora to let go of Eric's hand and walk over before sweeping her up into a tight, warm hug. She even allowed her disguise to slip and reveal her Kitsune self before wrapping her tails around the American. In a voice thick with emotion, Sora sniffled even as she nuzzled the older woman, "You have nothing to apologize for, Ellen-Oba-San. Okaa-San and Otou-San... they would not care as long as you got to safety." Briefly, she tightened the hug, "And I don't care either..."

Arms coming up, the American hugged her as tight as she could and gave a small sob, "Thank you, Sora. Thank you..."

They stayed like that for a few moments before the Kitsune pulled away with a smile and headed over to her "Ken-Oji-San" and gave him a hug as well. When she was done, she gave a small sigh, "I hope that Okaa-San and Otou-San will see me one day..."

Now, it was Ellen's turn to hug her, which she did, "We're working on it, Sora. Trust me, I want nothing more than to see your Mother beside me as we watch you and Eric unite our families.

Only nodding, Sora gave a sigh, "That would make me happy too, Ellen-Oba-Chan... that would make me happy too..."

Eventually, the three adults pulled apart. Taking Sora's hand in hers, Ellen gave her a smile, "But... to get back to the point of our conversation, Sora? I don't mind at all that you and my son are together. Rather, I'm extremely pleased by that."

Blushing lightly, Sora gave a nod to that and another hug.

It was shortly after, when the tears had been dried and such, that they started walking again. Which was when a familiar voice called over to them and they turned to find Tenryuu, Tatsuta, and DesDiv6 walking towards them. The eyepatch-wearing shipgirl with a large grin on her face, "Hey there, Ellen-Chan." Looking towards the younger shipgirls there, she gave a nod, "We've been looking for you."

Cocking an eyebrow, Ellen frowned a little and was about to say something when Yui spoke up, "You... know each other, Ellen-San?"

With a blink, the American turned towards her, "Hmm? Oh yeah, I've known Tenryuu... or Ryoko as she was originally named before being awoken as a shipgirl, for years now."

Lightly laughing, Tenryuu grinned all the wider and gently punched Ellen in the arm, "Ellen-Chan and I? We're actually drinking buddies and sometimes go out to the local bars together. Gets us both out of the house and stuff."

The other adults shared a surprised look, but gave a nod nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Hinata's younger siblings came up to DesDiv6 with looks of awe on their faces. Shuffling a little, Tsukiko swallowed a bit, "Are... are you really shipgirls?"

Brightly smiling, Inazuma gave a small bow, "Hai, we are. I am the Destroyer Inazuma, with me is my twin sister, Ikazuchi." Said Destroyer grinned showing off her fang-like tooth, "And my other sisters, Akatsuki and Verniy... who was named Hibiki."

Reaching up, Verniy tipped the brim of her hat while Akatsuki bowed, "We're very pleased to meet you."

Lips twitching, Hinata placed a hand on her siblings' shoulders, "They were the ones who helped rescue us, by the way."

Eyes widening, the two children had their jaws drop and turned towards the three Destroyers, "Really?"

Puffing out her chest, Ikazuchi smirked, "That's right! And you can rely on us for that sort of thing."

Only shaking her head some, Inazuma sighed at her twin before turning back to the two awestruck children, "Well, your Onee-San was almost to safety as it was. So she likely could have made it without us helping, Nanodesu."

From where she was, Tenryuu glanced over at the children and smiled before turning back to Ellen. Said woman had her arms crossed and her eyebrows furrowed, "You said that you were looking for us, Tenryuu?" Getting a nod, she frowned a bit more, "Why?"

Tenryuu chuckled a bit before scratching underneath her eyepatch, "Actually? For a few reasons that are connected with each other." Seeing the confusion, she shook her head, "Long story short, Ami pointed out that it might be a bit... much... for all of you to go to the Mess Hall for the first day. A lot of shipgirls and such wanting to ask questions." Getting a nod, the Light Cruiser continued, "Right, well... there's a few shipgirls that want to meet you as well. So... we figured having all of you gathered in the same spot for now."

Blinking, the English teacher frowned as she considered that. Finally, Ellen nodded some, "I suppose that makes sense... but where? And who?"

Just jerking her thumb in a direction, Tenryuu smirked a bit, "Well, the place in question is Mamiya's, and she is one of the shipgirls in question." At that, Hinata perked up and looked in her direction, "As to who else? Taigei's going to be one with some of the Submarines, though thankfully I-353 is out on a training patrol for a few days yet, so she won't be there. And Yamato as well as her sisters as well. Mamiya told me that she's cooking up a storm for all of you."

Confused, Samantha looked between her mother and the Light Cruiser, "I-353? Why is it a good thing that she is out on patrol?"

Wincing, Ellen looked at her having already met the Submarine in question, "Samantha? Honey? The Submarines have a... certain reputation-"

At that, the fang toothed Destroyer chimed in, "Yeah, of being lewd." Seeing her mother's glare, Ikazuchi winced, "What? It's true!"

Still glaring, Tenryuu pointed at the two youngest, "And? There's children here, Aki! You should know better!" Ignoring her grumbling daughter, she turned back to Samantha who had an odd look on her face, "Anyways... while they have that reputation, it is generally not true. I mean, up to a few years ago, they could be a slight bit... suggestive, but not much more than that. Mainly so that they could actually get some attention, but they've pretty much stopped that now... issue is, well... Tanker Submarines like I-353... they're, um... not one of those who have stopped and it's not an act."

Pinching her nose, Samantha groaned, "Oh, sh-" Seeing the little kids, she changed what she was going to say, "Shoot. I'm going to have people think that of me, aren't I? And they're going to, um, be problematic..."

Tone dry, the Light Cruiser nodded, "To say the least." She then gave a shrug, "But Iku and the others aren't bad, so you should fit in fine with that bunch."
With a glance at her mother, who smiled and nodded, Samantha gave a small nod of her own, "I guess that I wouldn't mind meeting them then..."

Around her, the other shipgirls there also gave their own nods of agreement with that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Du Chasteler Road Trip

Castle Moulbaix

18 June 2014

Ehren du Chasteler turned to her sister and extended her hands. "Here, Claire, I'll pack the keyboard for you."

Claire smiled and blushed as she handed over her electronic keyboard, then smoothed out her black knee-length dress. "Thank you Ehren."
Spoiler: Claire's Outfit...

The piano paused as Ehren carefully placed the keyboard on top of the suitcases and hang-up bags in the magically expanded trunk of their mother's 1928 Mercedes limousine. "Do you think that they will like me, Ehren?"

Ehren turned to her sister and gave a smile as she opened the door to the back of the limo for her. "Of course they will, Claire. Everyone likes you. Cousin Draco and his mother both expressed interest in music as well. I am certain that they have a piano in their estate just waiting for you to make its acquaintance."

Claire's relieved smile lit her face up as she took a seat, joined by Ehren in her contrasting ivory lace dress.
Spoiler: ...And Ehren's Dress

The dagger reached behind her and adjusted her true body in the hidden sheath sewn between her shoulder blades. "I'll protect you, Big Sister."

Claire smiled and then tapped the leather seat that they sat on. "Thank you Ehren. I have not been in this car since you manifested. Before, Mother would take me to Brussels for concerts about once or twice a year. Just this year has been...." She trailed off and hummed a few bars from The Empire Strikes Back's "The Asteroid Field" in wordless explanation.

Ehren reached over and squeezed Claire's hand. "I know. There have been a lot of changes, and it concerns me too. But we get a vacation as a family out of it. Two weeks with the Malfoys, then you get to meet Ron and perhaps Jean Bart when we go to visit him."

Claire smiled shyly as her mother appeared at the castle door, clad in a blue motoring coat over her wine-red dress, blue suede gloves, and a beret with goggles straight out of the pages of a 1908 fashion catalogue.
Spoiler: Colombe's Motoring Outfit

Colombe grinned at her daughters as the rapier slid behind the wheel up front. "Ready to head to England and meet the cousins, girls?"

"Yes Mother." "Ja, Mutti."

With that the antique classic car headed down the driveway.

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

Wiltshire, England
Spoiler: A Du Chasteler Vacation

Colombe sang happily (and off-key) in time with the girls in the back of the car who were carrying her efforts to at least scare the notes as they went by. The day was not too hot and actually clear skies, and traffic was light as she turned off to the local roads leading to Malfoy House.

"Wam! Bam!
Mon chat, splatch
Gît sur mon lit
A bouffé sa langue
En buvant dans mon whisky
Quant à moi
Peu dormi, vidé, brimé
J'ai dû dormir dans la gouttière
Où j'ai eu un flash"

(Wow! Boom!
My cat, splatch
Lying on my bed
ate his tongue
Drinking in my whiskey
As for me
Slept little, drained, bullied
I had to sleep in the gutter
Where I had a flash")
In the back, Ehren gave Claire a grin which the Piano returned with interest as their road trip continued then launched into a enthusiastic chorus of the French drinking song that the sound system in the car was playing.

"Ça plane pour moi!
Ça plane pour moi!
Ça plane pour moi moi moi moi moi!
Ça plane pour moi!
Hou! Hou! Hou! Hou!
Ça plane pour moi!"

("That Plane For Me!
That Plane For Me!
It's high for me me me me me!
That Plane For Me!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!
That Plane For Me!")

Presently Colombe nodded as she sensed powerful muggle-repelling wards at a crossroads, and turned into the gravel driveway. A pair of high yew hedges flanked the drive and eventually it reached a pair of wrought-iron gates with the Malfoy coat of arms at the top above swirling and vaguely disturbing abstract decorations. Colombe slowed the car to a stop at the closed gates and then stepped out of the car after giving her daughters a look to stay in the car.

As her feet touched the gravel, the iron of the gate twisted and contorted to find a stern face. "State your purpose!" it spoke in a harshly clanging voice.

Colombe gave the guardian spirit a measuring stare as Claire gasped in musical shock at the sight and Ehren's eyes narrowed. "Colombe d'Aubigny du Chasteler and family to see Lord Lucius Malfoy. We are expected."

The gates silently swung open in response to her words.

Beyond the high dark green hedges the drive continued to a carriage house covered with ivy and moss. Colombe parked the car, and then looked at the girls. "Time to walk, girls. I'll manage the luggage."

Ehren nodded, her lips quirking as she sensed the eyes of the gargoyle rain spouts on top of the stone building follow them as they got out. Colombe opened the car trunk, then drew her rapier from her side and gestured with it, chanting in Greek under her breath.
Spoiler: Luggage Spells!

As the bags animated, Claire clapped in glee and began to hum The Sorcerer's Apprentice happily. Colombe's eyes sparkled and she flicked her fingers at the floating luggage as they began to walk and spoke in a commanding voice. "χορός!"(dance)

The bags began to dance along with Claire as the piano skipped up the cobble-stoned path to the manor house to the sounds of Dukas's music. Ehren's lips quirked in a happy smile at the sight of her sister's joy and she looked around her, admiring the magnificent grounds and the looming grandeur of Malfoy Manor.
Spoiler: Malfoy Manor

Ehren's eyes sharpened at the sight of lights glimmering from the diamond-shaped windows as they approached the front doors. Then she momentarily tensed as the doors swung inward at the touch of a unseen hand.

Colombe murmured. "Watch and observe how I introduce myself, girls." Ehren nodded as Colombe stepped inside with her daughters flanking her. The hall beyond was vast and gloomy with family portraits following them with sharp eyes. A red carpet covered the dark green and black serpentine marble floor and floating magical candles slowly drifted to illuminate the scene.

Colombe's focus was to her right where a silver tray rested in the jaws of a life-sized anaconda sculpted from iron with shimmering greenish gems for eyes. She smiled smugly, then flicked her hand, making a business card appear in it. Ehren blinked as she saw the House insignia of the Du Chastelers embossed into the creamy pasteboard, with a gold border and gold lettering showing Colombe's name and titles. Colombe bent the top left corner of the card over and then placed it in the tray, where it vanished in a puff of emerald flame. In the distance a bell chimed.

Colombe turned to her daughters. "Victorian etiquette. I am letting the lord of the household know that I arrived and wished to speak with him, hence the top left corner turned over. If it was the lady of the house, it would be the top right. Courtesy demands that I wait until a servant or junior member of the house arrives to escort us to where the lord of the manor awaits."

Ehren nodded, memorizing the explanation as Colombe gestured, separating their floating luggage into three groupings. With a pop a pair of wizened creatures half her height with bat-like ears and bulging green eyes clad in filthy rags appeared in front of them. The leftmost one spoke. "Masters Malfoys will sees you now, Missus. Follows."

Colombe nodded, and spoke with an aristocratic air. "I and my daughters shall. The center stack of luggage is mine, the right is Claire's, and the left is Ehren's" With that, she followed the first house-elf, trailed by her daughters.
Spoiler: Meeting the Malfoys

Ehren murmured to her mother as Claire looked around curiously. "Those are house-elves, ja? Narcissa spoke of them to me when we were shopping. Apparently they are common in wizarding families."

Colombe nodded sharply, "Oui, they are. Do not let the looks fool you, for they are unbreakably loyal to their family and the match of almost any wizard in magical power. I am unsurprised that the Malfoys have them as staff." She then paused at the door that the house-elf led them to and stiffened her spine minutely as she murmured to herself. "À vaillant coeur rien d'impossible."

Ehren mentally translated the words to herself, 'To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible', as she stepped inside and smirked smugly behind her cool mask at the scene presented.

Lucius sat enthroned in a chair carved from some shimmering dark wood carved like a dragon's body on the far side of what was clearly a study judging from the bookshelves, portraits, and ornately carved desk. To his left, Narcissa sat in her own phoenix-carved chair in an elaborate dress, while to his right, Draco stood in his dark Hugo Boss suit, flanked by Cleopatra and Niobe on either elbow. The surprise was the near-identical twin of Draco on Narcissa's elbow, clad in a green dress. Behind Draco, a older shipgirl in her mid-20s stood with a cool look on her face.
Spoiler: Nimue Malfoy Dressed Up

As Ehren watched with well-hidden amusement, the clear twin sister to the known Draco, and memories of Ehren carefully not telling her family about her while never mentioning that Draco was an only child versus just 'the firstborn' flashed through Colombe's eyes as she showed obvious shock. Colombe gave Ehren an accusatory glare that bounced off the Teutonic Dagger's coolly smug face like spitballs off a Panzerkampfwagen VI's turret as one pale-blonde eyebrow elevated in wordless response.

Got you, Mutti. You know how I keep my sworn word, and I did swear myself to secrecy in the matter of Nimue.

Claire, bless her heart, ignored the byplay between the rest of the family and gave a shy smile and wave to the assembled Malfoys.

Colombe recovered smoothly enough, curtsying in the proper style for one noble to meet a peer. "Greetings, Lord Malfoy. May I introduce my daughters?" Lucius nodded gravely, then Claire stepped forward and curtsied as the books on etiquette Mutti had had them learn dictated. "Claire du Chasteler, my middle child."

Next it was Ehren's turn and she curtsied to her cousins in greeting. "And you have already met my youngest and designated heiress Ehren du Chasteler. Unfortunately, my eldest daughter Ying is dealing with unavoidable important matters in the Americas and is unable to visit at this time."

As Ehren finished, Lucius stood and bowed to her. "Welcome to our manor, Cousins Du Chasteler,. I am Lucius Abraxus Malfoy, this is my wife Narcissa, my son and heir Draco and my daughter and second child Nimue. Draco is accompanied by his companions SMS Niobe formerly of the High Seas Fleet, USS Washington, and HMS Cleopatra of the Royal Navy. Please, sit, rest, and talk, for you have had a long journey to mend the division in our family tree."

With that and a wave of his wand, a trio of padded chairs slid across the floor for the du Chastelers to sit in. Colombe seated herself and nodded her head. "And I thank you for your hospitality, Cousin. Both given to my daughter Ehren at her first meeting as well as today and in the future. I also wish to thank you for your invaluable assistance in the matter of Verdun. I am led to believe that Ehren told you of who and more pertinently what we truly are?"

Lucius nodded sharply and gave a thin smile, leaning forward as the House-elf reappeared with two trays containing brandy decanters and snifters. "The spirits of enchanted items, yes?"

Colombe smiled in agreement as the brandies were served and then breathed in the aroma of her brandy with a happy sigh. "Fundamentally yes, although I was born the normal way with my rapier manifesting at birth. Ehren is the spirit of my master-crafted dagger that I acquired in the Second World War, or First Wizarding War if you prefer, while Claire is the spirit of Ludwig Bösendorfer's masterpiece of Piano crafting which I ordered in 1873. Claire manifested in 1990, and then Ehren a year and a half ago."

With that she glanced over at Claire, who was speaking to Nimue in a soft voice about musical bands that the Malfoy daughter liked. "I was unaware that your daughter would be present, so while I brought birthday presents for you and your family, albeit a bit belated to give to Draco, I shall have to make some arrangements to give Nimue one. Perhaps a shopping trip to London for her and then a night out at the Proms? Claire has been inquiring to me about their concert schedule." Colombe finished with a fond, indulgent smile directed at the brunette as Nimue's face lit up in response to Claire's comments.

Narcissa smiled happily and interjected herself, "That sounds like a lovely idea, cousin. We can use the family's private box at the Royal Albert Hall and give you both a taste of proper British society."

Colombe nodded in agreement, "Indeed, on the condition that when you visit the Continent next, I return the favor with my private box at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels to listen to the National Orchestra of Belgium." She smiled smugly and sipped her brandy. "Claire has all of their planned concerts memorized. She is both a musician in her own right, especially on the piano and other keyboards, and a connoisseur of music."

Ehren smirked to herself as the parents spoke then nodded to Draco, noticing that he was wearing the watch that was her present to him. "Guten Tag, Cousin Draco, Niobe, Cleopatra. A pleasure to meet you finally, Washington. It is good to see you and your family once more. I was hoping to speak to Nimue as well, but," all of the teens smiled at the sight of Nimue and Claire speaking animatedly about Northwest Pacific indie bands, "I fear that Claire has found a fellow enthusiast to speak music to."

Draco spoke quietly to Ehren as they sat in their own conversation circle, "Thank you for the birthday message. That was impressively done." Beside him, the shipgirls nodded as Washington sat down to silently observe the byplay, taking mental notes.

Ehren gave a small smug smile. "It was my pleasure. My eldest sister Ying, who played Darth Vader, has impressive skills at illusion magic. Claire did the choreography and music on her true body, of course, while I organized things and did the filming with my laptop. I trust that you did not get into too much hot water over our shopping trip?" With that she brushed back her hair from her ear to show that she was wearing the Annoushka pearl and brown diamond stud earrings that Draco had gotten her.

The girls giggled happily, showing off their own jewelry purchases as Draco smirked. "Not too much trouble. Father was upset when the bill came in, but then your mother's note and the brandy she gave him mollified him. All is forgiven now."

Ehren's smile grew happier. "Sehr gut. Mother had a litter of kittens when she read the receipts that I gave her upon returning home. She was not prepared for me to take advantage of Harrods to do all my shopping for family obligations so efficiently. She claims that I am as much a headache for her as she was to Grandpapa when she was a student at Beauxbatons."

Draco, Niobe, Cleopatra, and Ehren laughed in Schadenfreude at the thought of how their shared experiences impacted their parents. Washington gave a faint smile as she continued to take notes on these new players in the life of Draco Malfoy.

 

[darthcourt10]

Tackweld

Part 8.5
Have a silly that I thought up......
-----------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in Poland..........

Adm. Kazimierz Wawrzaszek did a double take when he saw the flag that the girl in his summoning pool was flying. It was not what he had expected with this summoning attempt.

Wawrzaszek had hoped he would never see the flag of the Imperial Russian Navy flown on his base. Even so, he had his duty.

The shipgirl announced her identity "Repair Ship Kamchatka of the Imperial Russian Navy, Glad to Serve the Tsar once more!"

The chamber went deathly quiet, even the murmuring of the lesser dignitaries in the gallery ceased.

" Welcome to the 21st century, Kamchatka. I am Adm. Kazimierz Wawrzaszek of the Polish Navy, we have much to discuss."

Thankfully, Wawrzaszek was able to have his aide delay the observers from the Sejm long enough that he could get Kamchatka to his office and lock the door. His sigh of relief as he slid the lock over did not go unnoticed.

"Sir?" Asked Kamchatka.

"Why did I lock the door?" finished Wawrzaszek. " Because I did not want this important meeting to be interrupted." Adm. Kazimierz Wawrzaszek walked over to his chair and motioned to the one on the opposite side of the desk to him. "Please, sit."

"Firstly," Began Adm. Kazimierz Wawrzaszek " it has been over a century since you were last above the surface. Many things have changed during that time, some may be shocking, but do not blame me, I am only the messenger."

"I promise to not be angry, Admiral."

Thus began Adm. Kazimierz Wawrzaszek's first post summoning briefing.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Subject For Conversations

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

18 June 2014
Spoiler: A Piratical Piano's Pipe Organ

The haunting sound of a pipe organ playing a medley of songs from Pirates of the Caribbean echoed through the stately ancient halls of the ancestral home of the Malfoys. Colombe du Chasteler shared an indulgent look and smile with her youngest daughter Ehren du Chasteler as the dagger spirit stood from her chair to walk to her side.

"I fear I should hunt down Claire and make my acquaintance of your daughter Nimue before dinner. Otherwise, I shall have to physically drag Claire off to get freshened up, and not for the first time, I fear." Colombe said with a long-suffering fond smile as Ehren nodded in support.

Lucius Malfoy gave an indulgent smile, "It is totally understandable, Cousin. She is certainly dedicated to her music. Nimue also shares interests in music from the muggle world, and your daughter does have quite a bit of skill."

Ehren chuckled with a lip-twitch. "Actually, just wait until you hear her playing piano or the keyboard that she packed. That is where her true talent shines through." The dagger cracked a fond smile and sighed happily. "Especially when she plays Wagner, so prächtige Schönheit."(magnificent beauty.)

Lucius laughed politely. "I'll have one of the elves show you to the music room then."

Cleopatra glanced at Niobe and Washington who both nodded to her. "Allow me please. I can navigate them to the concert hall to meet the musicians."

"Please do so then, my dear." Lucius graciously agreed, and escorted the trio of young-appearing ladies to the study door.

After bowing them out, as the door closed, he turned to his wife, son, and pair of shipgirls, then glanced at a portrait on the side wall. "You can come out now, Flynn."

The wall there shimmered and a dark haired and blue eyed man stepped out and waved a hand to dispel dust from the lapels of his Saville Row tailored suit.
Spoiler: A Conversation Of Serpents

Flynn nodded to the others as Narcissa, Draco, and Lucius inscribed privacy wards on the door, windows, and walls. "I can see why you wished to have me secretly observe the du Chastelers. Those two are dangerous indeed."

Lucius nodded in agreement to Flynn as the wandless magical specialist and Hit Wizard poured himself a snifter of brandy. "Agreed, and I would not have it any other way. So, your observations everyone? Draco, you first."

Draco magically expanded his chair into a loveseat and hugged Niobe around the shoulders with one arm as she joined him in it. "To start with, threatening Claire would be a monumentally risky ploy. Her mother and her sister both love her dearly and while that is a point of weakness for them, vengeance from both would be swift and total." The young heir spoke, then rubbed his chin. "I am unfamiliar with the language that Cousin Colombe used to animate the luggage, but she used wandless magic too when we observed her arrival."

Niobe then nodded and leaned into Draco's hug. "I agree with Liebchen(sweetheart). Attacking innocents to pressure someone is a bad idea normally but an exceptionally bad idea with the du Chastelers. As well, Ehren kept the secret of Nimue's existence from her mother after being sworn to secrecy. That shows the importance of her code of honor to her and the value of her word, something that her mother clearly supports. That is a definite point in their favor."

Washington nodded in agreement as she joined the discussion. "Trying to turn one against the other would be a waste of effort, and result in them banding together to fight anyone foolish enough to try. That said, as Niobe mentioned, both Colombe and Ehren have strong, in fact ironclad codes of honor. Very much a throwback to an older era."

Flynn favored Draco with a nod. "The school of wandless magic she demonstrated with that spell is not from the Order of Hermes. Similar in some regards, of course, but it diverges from our teachings in several key particulars. She is frighteningly proficient in it, equivalent to any mage of my acquaintance. The language was Greek, and not modern Greek, which may be the language of her Master or Teacher."

Lucius steepled his fingers as he listened to the observations and analysis from the others. He then glanced at Narcissa who had a thoughtful look on her aristocratic face. "Care to comment, dear?"

Narcissa rubbed her chin and sighed before speaking slowly. "One further point. Ehren's mention of her mother being an ally of Ian Potter and great-grandaunt Lyra Potter nee Black is probably true. After we met Ehren, I spoke to Andromeda and Sirius to try to mend fences with them. In the course of the discussions, the subject of Lyra and Ian was broached and they agreed with my memories of family stories about them. To wit, Ian served in the Great War, which hastened his death shortly afterward, and Lyra was," Narcissa nibbled her lip and blushed, shooting a glance at Draco, "quite a randy little minx. Black family tradition has long been that some of her lovers made their way into her writings as characters in her smutty stories. Most prominent among them is a blond-haired adventuress who carried a rapier and was a skilled witch named Lady Chastity Dovesworth."

Lucius gave his wife a shocked look. "You cannot be serious!"

Narcissa sighed and looked like she was biting into a lemon. "I am serious, dear. It hangs together well, especially since Cousin du Chasteler's first name is Dove in French and the ICW files suggest quite a bit of traveling similar to the fictional character. Furthermore, family folklore is that Lyra was involved in fighting Grindlewald and Hitler during the Second World War as part of a secret liaison with British Intelligence, and we know from their stories that Colombe was also involved with British Intelligence during this timeframe. Finally, Lyra was writing those smutty stories about Lady Chastity until she passed away in 1949, at which point in time my grandfather arranged to have the last story's unfinished manuscript quietly burned. Lyra was an embarrassment to the family for her whole life, you see."

Draco blushed scarlet, and looked over at the equally red-cheeked Niobe as he processed the words. Meanwhile, Lucius frowned thoughtfully. "I see. That would explain her interest in the Potters, since Harry is a direct descendant of Ian and Lyra. And she takes her obligations toward Ian's family very seriously indeed to keep her oaths of friendship over a half-century later to the point of sending her heiress alone to London to seek him out."

Narcissa's eyes glittered. "I would not be surprised if she swore an oath to protect their family, although that does raise the question of why she did not surface to stand against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named a decade ago in the Second Wizarding War."

Lucius sighed. "I will have to find out. According my contacts in Jardine, she was involved with helping them out of difficulty in Iran in 1979, and she seems to have much less contact with wizards than muggles, in part because she is a wanted ICW fugitive currently."

With that, Lucius sat up and surveyed the others in the room. "So. I would have your judgement on Cousin du Chasteler. Asset or Liability for us?"

Narcissa squeezed his hand. "Asset, although I want to know what she was doing in the Second Wizarding War."

Flynn spoke. "Too much unknown as yet. She might be an asset, but I am inclined to be cautious. Liability."

Washington tapped a finger against her lips. "Asset. The muggle world is growing more important, and she has assets there that will help. In addition, Draco and Ehren are getting along quite well and while Ehren is not her mother, she is considerably more powerful and dangerous than one would think from her appearance, especially as young as she is. Colombe will be backing Ehren up in her activities in any event."

Niobe nodded as Washington finished and then spoke in a precise measured analytical tone. "Asset. They are honorable, and know the importance of honor. That counts for much. In addition, Ehren's past and actions suggests that she will stand" Niobe sniffed disdainfully at the next words, "against the Death Eaters once she learns of them and her mother will stand alongside her then. Ehren will certainly view them as equivalent to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei who she utterly loathes. Their enemies are threats to our family as well."

Draco squeezed Niobe's hand. "Asset. Proceed cautiously and make sure that Ehren and Colombe have no reason to turn on us, because they are a double-edged sword, but the gains outweigh the risks in my judgement. We have not gotten where we are by forsaking risk, but managing it. While the next few years will be rocky as the Statute of Secrecy continues to collapse, the value of Ehren and Colombe's friendship will grow significantly over time. Ehren mentioned that she has sufficient natural magical ability to attend Hogwarts or another school in the future, and is being privately tutored by her mother and others to prepare her for that since she can conceal her nature like her mother did at Beauxbatons."

Lucius favored Draco with an approving smile. "Well reasoned, my son. I agree with Flynn that we need to know more, but until and unless that threatens us and ours, we shall treat them as valued allies and cultivate them." With that he stood and nodded to the others. "I shall see you all at dinner with our cousins. If asked, Flynn is the tutor for Draco in wandless magic."

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

Malfoy Manor

June 22nd, 2014

Ehren examined the precisely ordered hanging row of clothes in her wardrobe for the room that she and Claire were sharing and tapped her finger against her lip as she debated the selection that she would wear today, before picking out a light gray silk blouse and dark brown woolen skirt that she had bought at Harrods on her first trip to England.

A knock at the door interrupted her examination of her outfit in the mirror. "Komm herein!"(come in) She snapped out, turning to face the door.

Colombe entered and closed the hardwood door behind her. "Good morning, dear. You look quite beautiful. Where is Claire?"

Ehren smirked slightly. "Still in the tub. She is enjoying the enchanted bubble bath salts and hot water, so I bathed first to give her time to enjoy herself."

Colombe smiled. "Bon(good). Are you enjoying your vacation, Ehren?"
Spoiler: Privatgespräch von Buttermessern

Ehren nodded, then raised her eyebrows as Colombe inscribed symbols with her fingertip, and the noise around them was muffled. "I am, Mutti. I take it you wish to speak to me in private?"

Colombe nodded and sat on the four poster king-sized bed that the sisters shared, gesturing Ehren to sit beside her. "Indeed I do. What are your impressions of our Malfoy cousins and their staff?"

Ehren nibbled her lip as she sat, then slowly spoke. "Lucius seems to be a devoted family man, certainly the patriarch of their branch, and rules them with a steel fist inside the velvet glove. While I have not spoken to him like you have, he strikes me as a dangerous man to cross."

She frowned. "Ambitious, certainly, but less for himself and more for his children and family. Intelligent and ruthless, but with a moderate leash on his ambitions, knowing when not to push."

Colombe nodded along. "And Narcissa?"

"Narcissa is," Ehren paused to put her thoughts and observations in order before resuming the speech more slowly, "a mother bear. She is devoted to her children, greedy and ambitious as well as enjoying the fine things as her husband does, but under control. She has her appetites but is their master, they do not master her. Clever, and dangerous, but devoted to the cause of her family's well-being."

"And now we come to it." Colombe said thoughtfully. "Your opinions on their children and those advising Draco."

Ehren again paused. "Draco is ambitious, and deeply cares for Johnston, Cleopatra, and Niobe. They have influence with him, and I would say positive influence in the main. He is willing to make the hard decisions if needed to protect them, and in that vein there is nothing that he would not do to protect what he sees as his."

Ehren smugly smirked as she continued, "that said, while he is not intimate with the girls as of yet, that is only because of his age and matters of propriety. Once he is of age," her smirk grew smugger as she blushed, "Johnston plans to give him a special birthday present when the time is right in three years, and I suspect that Niobe and Cleopatra will be right behind her in some fashion. I saw it in their eyes when they shopped with him, that while he is unaware of the impact of his words and deeds, all three of them are head over heels in love with him and have plans to persuade him to give them wedding rings one day. Washington is less that of a future wife and more that of an aunt and advisor. Hers is a debt of honor of some kind. I did research and she is the spirit of a warship that was sunk before completion because of the naval treaties of the 1920s, perhaps she wishes to prove herself?"

Ehren shook her head, "She is quite intelligent, as is Flynn. He is close to Nimue, almost a father figure, and a very capable man. His suits are cut to hide it well, but Aunt Del taught me to look for the signs and he is carrying at least one concealed pistol in a shoulder holster at all times that I have seen him. Also... he has a killer's eyes. A dangerous man, and no humble servant."

"As for Nimue, she reminds me of Claire. A precious flower to be protected, and a rather sweet girl. We spoke over dinner yesterday and she mentioned that she grew up in the States, near Del's ranch. She is a bit of a -- what is the word? ah! -- tomboy, used to the outdoors, cheerleading, hunting, and fishing, in addition to music. I think that she is somewhat ill at ease being here," Ehren waved her hand at the polished wood paneling of the bedroom. "since it is not what she is used to. She is more down to earth than her kin, although she is clearly Draco's twin sister."

Colombe nodded and then gave Ehren an approving smile as the dagger finished. "That matches my opinions of our hosts. Please get to know them, enjoy your time with them, and just be cautious when talking about Del and Ying. Lucius has skirted the law a few times and your big sister and aunt are what they are. No need to make them think that we are looking to entrap them. Also, you and Claire could stand to have them as friends, Ehren. They have been trustworthy with a little, so you should be able to trust them with more of your secrets in due course."

Ehren nodded sharply in acceptance and then smiled briefly as a towel-clad piano appeared in the bathroom door. Claire squealed musically in happiness before running to hug Mother. Ehren's eyes watered slightly as she watched the two people in her world that she was closest to start the day in the best way possible.

Family.

"Jawohl, Mutti," she responded before joining the hug.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Aaaaand it's back! Oh, that took forever.
The Battle, and Thereafter
The War Sword pushed the American away—persistent, not a bad quality but one she often found misaimed—and turned to focus on the boy who was currently breaking the last glass in the window as he came through, rolled, and surged towards her. A glint in his hand turned out to be a Japanese short sword… a wakizashi?

Apparently, the Japanese boy had seen fit to wield Tonbo personally. The War Sword smirked as he approached—accelerating his reflexes in order to counter her planning abilities. He'd actually managed to figure her out. Such a pity that she needed to kill him.

Sidestep the first strike, a stab directly at her face, duck under the resulting slash to the right, raise hand and punch…

Nothing?

The boy had jumped forward again, turning the momentum from the previous strike into a stab at an unexpected angle. The War Sword leaned back, away from the strike and he pressed forward, stabbing one, twice, she shoved past him and allowed him to stumble forward—except he went low, turning it into a leg sweep that she jumped over, turning it into a kick that she aborted, destabilizing her—he would have turned into another slash—rolled and came up to dodge another strike, push in close to push back against air, he was flipping backwards, swinging upward—

For a moment, their eyes met.

The Japanese boy was near expressionless, eyes void of emotion except for an overwhelming, unnatural calm. Human eyes were not supposed to look like that.

Then she leaned back, away from the slash again, went with a leg sweep of her own that turned into a bastardized spinning mule kick kind of thing as he went low with his sword, ducking, going in again. She jumped, flipping over his head, knocking Tonbo off course only for him to turn it into another slash that he abandoned as she got in close, instead hooking his arm over hers and trying to push her to the ground. She pulled her legs in, kicked off, pushing him down but knocking him away as he brought the blade up again, around towards her throat—

A clever, somewhat skilled boy with reflexes bordering on precognitive. He could read her even as she read him.

This might actually be difficult. Wasn't that lovely.

She snapped her knife from its holster, sinking into a ready position. It would be far more convenient if she had her true self, just a little more reach would go a long way, but parry strike to the head, duck in close but miss as he uses your arm as a step what the hell kid, lean aside to avoid knee she'd stopped carrying herself around decades ago for practical reasons—and the one person she would actually trust herself with was kind of busy at the moment as well.

Actually, the American had joined the Japanese girl in their struggle. Xiang was experienced, skilled, intelligent, ancient by the standards of the two, but they were good enough to give her pause, slow her down—wait, the American hadn't joined the Japanese boy in attacking her? Some reason not to—perhaps a drawback Tonbo incurred? Could she draw him punch missed, kick, wait don't kick towards them? No, bad idea, it risked Xiang too. That option was out. And with them stalemated as it was—

Stalemated.

Not losing either way.

The fight was perfectly balanced. Both the War Sword and the Japanese boy were in a position where they could equal the other perfectly.

The boy was smart, had to be in order to keep up with her. So why hadn't he tried something like simply blowing up the building with her in it? Granted, it wouldn't have worked, but if he were lacking the resources to do so he probably would have hung back longer, trying to find a way to tip things in his favor dodge, dodge again, kick at ankle—the boy had called backup. Had to be. One of the harder things to anticipate, especially considering get in close, try to stab how frequently she didn't know the type of people he knew—someone he thought could beat her, all things considered, but if the boy was anything like McKay and actually sane enough to care, he'd have figured that there wasn't much that could take her on after all this time—what did he think he could call?

Something under the kick, swing at his leg, he flips that the War Sword had been avoiding, something powerful and almost guaranteed to be unsympathetic towards her despite that power, something like—

Oh, fuck me.

"XIANG!"

The moment her voice rang out, the immortal caught two punches headed straight at her head. The girl and the American redoubled their assault, keeping her from focusing the split second she needs.

Which meant they were deadlocked until a god damn shipgirl arrived, which was very much a worst case scenario. This day was just wonderful, wasn't it?

One last backup plan. Couldn't use it until the Shipgirl actually arrived.

Duck.

Dodge.

Stab.

Slash.

Lock.

Palm heel.

Straight kick.

Stab.

Everything was fading away as she put her all into trying to move just a little farther ahead than he could counter. Just a tiny bit. Time, location, anything other than the boy and Tonbo was pushed to the back of her mind. Everything except—

With a deadly crunch, the door behind the boy shattered.

—the—

With a flick of her wrist, the War Sword sent a phial spinning into the air. It shattered against the ceiling, setting off a blazing light that sent everyone but the boy recoiling—

—Plan.

Xiang's feather-light touch on her wrist, and they were gone.

-----

The moment that Tonbo appeared, pulling herself from Tatsuya's hands, he stumbled, shaking himself awake as if he had been sleepwalking. Benio watched as he surveyed the room, glancing down at the shredded mess the floor at his feet had become.

"She got away, then," he grumbled before turning blinking. "Benio? Why do my eyes burn?"

"The sweatsock set off some kind of flashbang," she explained in reply. "Bright enough that you could see it through your eyelids."

"Makes sense," he said, turning his attention to the Shipgirl who had exploded through the door and not paying any heed to Benio's ingenious nickname for the HWSotS. So he was going to be all business then, was he?

DuBois nudged her. "Sweatsock?" She grinned.

"Well, she's the Holy War Sword of the Scythians, right?" she counted each word off on her fingers. "So if you just take the acronym and say it, it sounds kind of like…. Hwiissosss." She was quite proud of that bit, it came across extra swooshy. "And that sounds like Sweatsock."

"Makes sense to me," Sam cut in over the radio. DuBois's expression fell slightly, the kind of want-to-deny-it-despite-its-truth-but-my-precious-younger-sibling-is-wiser-than-me face that could only be created by family members… and if anything needed a better acronym or name, it was that face.

"Is that so," he said grudgingly. "I… in that case, I'll go pick up Sam."

"I'll leave you to it," she replied, turning and watching as he jogged from the room, pausing to nod to the Shipgirl who was still talking to Tatsuya. Benio nodded firmly and turned her attention to the motionless lump on the floor not far from her.

Walking over and kneeling in front of McKay's prone figure, Benio placed a hand on her shoulder, preparing to check her vitals… wait. She was breathing, but it was… shuddering. Not painful, but… she was going to say troubled? Tatsuya had had his share of days like that, especially before Reiko and telling his parents what was going on.

So she was…

"Where's Ma?" the Scottish girl's voice came, almost a whisper.

"Huh?"

And now Benio wanted to put her hand through her face. That was just a brilliant response, wasn't it.

"Where's Ma?" McKay demanded again, pushing herself up and staring right into Benio's eyes, so close that she could feel her breath. "She was right 'ere a moment ago, an' noo she's nae! Where'd she goo?"

"I-I don't know," Benio replied, resisting the urge to jerk away from the disturbed girl. McKay's expression turned from distraught to outright horrified.

"YE DON' KNOO? 'OW CAN YE NOT KNOO?" she shrieked, shaking the hanyou frantically. "SHE WAS 'ERE! RIGH' IN FRON' O' ME! YE CAN'… SHE CAN' 'AVE LEFT AGAIN! Ye've gotta knoo SOMAT! PLEASE!!"

And a single shuddering breath pushed the fight from her. McKay lost her grip on Benio's shoulders, flopping against her like a ragdoll, forehead pressed against her collarbone.

"please," she whispered.

Inside Benio, something clicked.

She leaned forward, and wrapped her arms around the fallen child.

-----
For a moment, Gil's reflexes kicked in, pushing her to break away, out of the crushing… grasp…

But she wasn't crushing her. Wasn't strangling her. This… Gil knew what this was, she couldn't name it, a little bit off of a bearhug—so a hug? A hug was…

Warmth. Safety. The nightmares won't get you now, I'm here. Don't worry, I'll be back in a little while. I'm not going away forever. Here, nothing can hurt you. I love you. I love you. I love you I love you I love you IloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyou

Hard lessons and hard nights had taught Gil very thoroughly that crying was something that wasn't done, and by the hard old age of five her grandmother had excised the bad habit from her entirely.

Somehow, this time, Gil just couldn't help herself.
-----

Tatsuya watched Benio embrace the crying girl a few moments longer with a smile, then turned his attention back to Phoebe. "So where were we in the lecture?" he asked humorously. She huffed, glaring at him.

"In short, you are extremely lucky that Miyuki was as insistent as she was, and that she got her Admiral to confirm with mine," she finished. "What you did was… clever, I'll admit. But don't ever bank on things coming through like that again."

"Mmm." Tatsuya nodded. "I guess I am a little too used to high risk, uncertain plans."

"And I'm telling you not to be."

"That much I gathered."

Phoebe groaned and shook her head. "That aside… That was really the Holy War Sword of the Scythians? You're sure?"

"Bit of a mouthful, but if I recall correctly she confirmed it herself," Tatsuya replied. Phoebe looked through the room with a wistful sigh.

"She's probably forgotten more about history than any of us have a chance of seeing," she said sadly. "Heck, she's lived history."

"And if you tried to ask her about it," Tatsuya pointed out helpfully, "she would probably stab you."

The Shipgirl snorted. "She'd try," she boasted. Tatsuya had to snort a little at that one himself.

"Hey, Tatsuya, you've got a message or something!" Tonbo called, looking up from the floor and holding his phone aloft. It must have fallen out of his pocket? Tatsuya checked, then sighed in relief—nothing torn, fortunately. He excused himself for a moment, walked over to the Muramasa, and accepted his phone, unlocking it and—

In old man house. Weird lady friendly. Laying down anti-teleports. TRACK PHONE.

—turning it so that Tonbo could see Reiko's message.

The Muramasa was silent. The moment, as they are want to do, stretched.

"You need to make a phone call," she said quietly.

"You're damn right I do."

-----

HOW THE HELL DOES IT KEEP DOING THAT? SERIOUSLY!

Argh.

Repeated accidental posting before finished editing aside, there's that. I wasn't sure whether to end with Gil or the message, but I figured since everyone was so engaged with the later... yeah.

And Gil.

I realized when I was trying to make this happen that Gil isn't... Or rather, she's...

Basically, deep down inside, once you strip the violence and the insanity away, she's still that three-year-old who was taken from her father when she needed him the most. The fight, the one that I had planned for forever and ruined the first try... well, it was never going to work anyway. This took it's place.

Gah fixing this is so frustrating.

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Weasley's Warship Workshop 10

Jean Bart waited at the front gate of HMNB Portsmouth, her BMW murmuring beneath her as the gate guards checked her ID. It had been several weeks since Ron had visited her and though Portsmouth was not as bad as some places, the late October chill was quite different than Toulon's moderate Mediterranean climate. Glancing back up at the guards, she saw the one with her ID on the phone, the man's head bobbing several times before he finally set the handset down.

Coming out of the gatehouse, the man impressively managed to keep his eyes on hers instead of anywhere else as the gate opened. "Just head down the main road to the docks Ma'am," he said somewhat formally, a courtesy to her nominal rank of Capitaine de corvette, "Lady Warspite will be waiting for you."

Jean Bart nodded. "Thank you Sergeant," she said, slipping her ID back into her hold. The man remained quite professional the entire time, stepping back from her bike as she revved it slightly and got moving towards her meeting.

Though it was only a couple minutes for her to maneuver through the traffic, her mind still wandered. A formal request for a meeting from an Ally was uncommon enough, as such things usually went through back channels and friendships. She supposed it made sense, as she'd done the same to meet Ron and everything she'd seen on SGO said that Warspite and Ron had been close for quite a long time.

Finding a parking spot near the docks, she secured her bike and then went looking for Warspite. It wasn't hard to find her, as the blonde battleship was standing at the end of a pier. Making her way down towards her, Jean Bart went over what she knew of the British legend.

If you simply looked at the specs, the difference clearly showed. Twenty five years of development between Warspite and Jean Bart meant that quite a lot. Their main guns were perhaps the closest, with Warspite's eight 381mm guns a close cousin of her own (nominally) eight 380mm guns. She had a range advantage of some 6,000 meters but long range fire at such distances was almost more based on luck than skill.

In speed there was no comparison at all, with Warspite's top speed being a mere 24 knots. Fast back when she was commissioned, the Queen Elizabeth class was the forerunner of the idea of the fast battleship. Yet Jean Bart could make 32 knots when her equipment was fully installed, meaning she could leave the elder battleship in her wake if she was so inclined.

In armor there was another difference that again showed Warspite's age. Their conning tower and belt were similarly armored 330 mm in the belt and tower for Warspite, an additional 10mm on Jean Bart's conning tower being the only difference there. It was the deck armor that showed progress, with Warspite's being a mere 125 mm at best, with hers being 170mm. Plunging fire had turned from a hopeless endeavor to what was expected of a battleship as time went by.

In secondary and AA capability there was no comparison at all, with Warspite's eight 152mm guns being the old casemate type, with her nine being turreted and having much better capability outside of dead calm weather. In AA firepower the weren't even comparable, with Warspite's four twin mount 102 mm guns losing out to her more advanced radar and twelve 100mm guns. The close range guns were similar, with Warspite having four octuple 40mm pom poms and her having twenty eight 57 mm guns.

In every spec thinkable Jean Bart had the advantage. So why was she so nervous?

Aside from the fact that she wasn't at spec, she knew why. In terms of experience, of legend and honor she was a swaddled babe standing next to the greatest hero of an age. One that had gone away battered but undefeated, spitting in her enemies face until she had stepped aside due to wear and old age. The most decorated veteran of a navy which had ruled the waves for centuries, only to come back and win more honors in this new and uncertain age, keeping her status of the most battle honored ship despite her supposedly inferior characteristics compared to her newer sisters.

Jean Bart had no true honors to her name. A single battle when she wasn't even complete, stuck in her berth with a jury rigged fire control when she was a ship. A few measly salvos fired at shore targets when she was in commission. Then mothballed and scrapped as carriers dominated the seas. A single battle to her name after she returned, one which she'd won more due to her enemies incapability than her own capability. She'd been heavily damaged anyway, thanks to her incomplete state.

She was stepping into the presence of a living legend, someone she admired despite their nations differences and past enmity.

And she had feelings, however nebulous they might be, for that legends boyfriend in all but name.

Steeling herself, Jean Bart walked the rest of the way up the pier, the tapping of her boots drowned out by the noise of the busy dockyard. Portsmouth might not be on the front lines of the war anymore but it was still one of the beating hearts of the Royal Navy and there was no sign of any slack in its operations.

When she was only a couple meters behind Warspite the blonde turned gracefully, allowing Jean Bart to get her first proper look at her. There was the dignity that one expected from a British battleship, poised even standing still. Her sky blue eyes met Jean Bart's and she was surprised that the first thing she saw in them was levity, though it quickly disappeared into a more formal and polite manner that matched the small smile on her face.

"You must be Jean Bart," said Warspite, "I'm HMS Warspite, a pleasure to meet you."

"It's an honor to meet you Lady Warspite." Jean Bart couldn't help but tilt her head slightly in acknowledgment.

"Oh I don't think we need any of that," Warspite said as humor danced behind her eyes, "Please, just call me Warspite."

"Very well." Jean Bart paused for a moment as the two took each other in, taking the measure of the other. "Your message said that you wanted to speak with me about something?"

"Yes, yes I do." Warspite smiled slightly wider for a split second and then gestured behind her. "Nothing of great importance but I thought we could get to know each other a bit. Ship to ship and woman to woman if you would. I've reserved the closest battleship firing range for a couple hours if you don't mind indulging me."

Jean Bart felt something prickling at the back of her skull, her bridge crew whispering amongst themselves. Warspite had to know about her status. It wasn't exactly top secret and with Ron… Her eyes widened slightly as it finally clicked what this actually had to be about. Warspite must have spoken to Ron about their meeting. If she was displeased…

No, no that was silly. They hadn't done anything inappropriate. Nothing she could be upset about unless she was irrationally jealous to a degree that made absolutely no sense given her known personality.

As Jean Bart took a few seconds to process, Warspite's mouth quirked slightly more in an amused grin.

"Just some friendly shooting I promise. Nothing official."

Right, nothing official.

"Very well, I accept."

"Lovely." With that Warspite turned gracefully on her feet and stepped off the pier, her rig summoning around her only a split second before her feet touched the water.

Jean Bart followed after her, rig summoned around her in a similar manner as she followed Warspite out of the harbor at a steady 5 knot pace.

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

Warspite glanced back at Jean Bart, the French battleship keeping formation a few yards behind her. There was a tenseness in the girls face despite the easy pace Warspite set, fifteen knots was economical for the both of them despite Jean Bart's incomplete status. It wasn't hard for Warspite to guess what might be on her mind but she waited until they were out of the harbor and into the clear sailing lanes for several minutes before she fell back beside her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" She kept her voice level for the moment, glancing over as Jean Bart's long brown hair fluttered behind her.

"I..." Jean Bart paused, glancing over at Warspite for a split second before focusing forward, "I'm simply wondering what caused your sudden interest in me."

Warspite kept her own smile inside for now. Jean Bart was doing an admirable job trying to keep her feelings from showing on her face but she wasn't very good at it. Instead she looked forward, letting Jean Bart stew for just a little bit longer.

"Well you are going to be taking up a good deal of my Captain's time in the coming months, so I thought it only appropriate that we meet."

Jean Bart blinked at that, swiveling her head around to stare at Warspite. "Your Captain?"

Warspite let her lips spread wide, smiling openly at Jean Bart. "Yes. You did spend time with Ron a few weeks ago did you not?"

Warspite was rather surprised when Jean Bart nearly tripped despite both of them being underway. It made for an amusing surprise as her nearly red eyes widened for a moment at the near stumble, only what looked like excellent reflexes keeping her upright.

"H-he's your Captain?" Jean Bart finally said, clearly trying to compose herself.

"Yes. I had him sign my crew manifest the day he repaired me." Warspite let her gaze go back forward to let Jean Bart compose herself. "I don't think he would have put anything other than his name unless I told him to despite him earning it."

"I… I see." Jean Bart's voice wasn't quite as brazen as it normally was, though Warspite couldn't detect any resentment in it. That was good. She turned her head to see Jean Bart looking down at the water.

"Duke of York is likely to do the same soon." Warspite's words drew Jean Bart's attention back to her face. "She's quite eager to have him sign as well. He simply… understands battleships like us."

A flash of recognition in Jean Bart's eyes, a very slight coloring of her cheeks and Warspite knew. Ron might not but when Jean Bart's eyes remained on hers for that extra second before looking away, Warspite knew.

"It seems like you two are very close then, sharing the same Captain." Jean Bart's voice had regained a bit of its lost pep.

"A good Captain would have a number of ships to his command before he became an Admiral," Warspite's voice was carefully modulated to be just on the positive side of neutral as she spoke.

"Not in another fleet though." Jean Bart's voice was carefully probing, like a fencer feeling out her opponent's defenses.

"Not in normal times no." Warspite looked out of the corner of her eye at Jean Bart. "I don't think either of us would call these "normal" times though." She gestured down to herself, white dress fluttering around her as they approached the range.

"No. No they are not." Jean Bart looked at Warspite for a moment longer, then turned forward once more.

Warspite let the silence last the few minutes it took to get into the range, her guns starting train out as she launched one of her spotter planes.

"How about a friendly competition?" She radioed to Jean Bart as the French Battleship trained her own guns out towards the floating targets just visible to the both of them.

There was silence for a moment and then Jean Bart replied. "What odds?"

Warspite smiled as her loaders rammed shell and powder home, gunners aiming her massive cannons.

"One small request either way. Your best three salvos verses my worst three."

Another few seconds for a response, though Warspite kept her head forward to allow Jean Bart to process what she needed to.

"You better not go easy on me."

"I'd never dream of it." Warspite's smile intensified, the spirits of some of the best gunners in the Royal Navy grinning with her.

Then she fired, the boom of four 15'' cannons ringing through the air, the ripping sound of the shells screaming across the sky following after. Four shells splashed near the target, showering it with water.

A moment of silence as the water splashed and then a volley of 380mm from behind her. The shells sounded similar but not the same to her trained ear, Jean Bart's higher muzzle velocity changing the pitch of both firing and flight. The four splashed down near the target, not closer than hers but better than Warspite expected.

The grin on her face now was not one of a Lady. It was that of a master with a promising pupil. This was going to be fun.

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

As Jean Bart sailed back into Portsmouth with Warspite, she couldn't help but shake her head. She'd been trounced, as expected, in the gunnery contest. Warspite was just as good if not better than her reputation indicated. If it had been a normal competition she would have stood no chance.

It had taken most of an hour, her gunners and loaders getting a hefty workout in the process, but she'd managed her three salvos. Three salvo's out of the dozens they'd done, struggling to keep up with Warspite's rate of fire with her single turret. Her crew had cheered with her when the final tally came back and Warspite granted her victory.

Stepping back up onto the pier, Warspite still looked the picture of a British Lady and Jean Bart wondered if she looked as ragged as she felt when she stepped back onto the pier and dismissed her rig.

"I know I said it before but congratulations." Warspite said with that polite smile on her face. "Did you have an idea for your request? No rush of course, I do think we'll be seeing each other again."

Jean Bart did in fact have an idea… but she wasn't sure how Warspite would take it. Still, no risk no reward.

"Does Ron have a mobile phone?" she asked Warspite.

Warspite's eyebrow quirked upwards, her lip curling in amusement at the same time.

"I don't believe so, may I ask why?"

"I… uhm… wanted to ask you for his number if he did."

Warspite's smile widened even more and she let out a chuckle, shaking her head.

"Well, let it be known you certainly aren't shy about what you want," Warspite said, the grin remaining on her face as she gestured Jean Bart after her and turned towards the shipgirl dorms, "I can't provide something he doesn't have but I do have the Passel House number for when he's around. Will that do?"

"Yes, that will do." Jean Bart said as she fell in beside Warspite.

"Good." Warspite looked over at Jean Bart once more. "I hope you don't mind eating lunch with me."

"No." Jean Bart shook her head back and forth. "I'd be honored."

Warspite smiled again before turning her head forward. "It will be my pleasure Jean Bart. We have much to discuss after all."

Jean Bart couldn't help but gulp slightly at the tone of Warspite's voice but despite that her boilers were soaring. It had been a good day and now she would have Ron's phone number.

Along with what she thought was Warspite's approval.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
AN: Hope you all enjoyed this one, I enjoyed writing it. Questions, comments and concerns welcome as always.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Hero's Reward

Bristol Channel, Irish Sea

Western Approaches

30th June 2014
Spoiler: USS Johnston

USS Johnston ran her fingers through her salt-caked peach colored hair to rake strands of it out of her eyes as the dawn sun stabbed daggers into her eyes. The last two weeks had been rather taxing for her,

She was well aware that the tin cans such as she and her 174 other Fletcher-class sisters were the do-anything workhorses of the US Navy. In her first life, she had done everything from anti-submarine patrols to shore bombardment, to plane guard for the carriers, to fighting half the Jap fleet off Samar single handed. With that thought and her trademarked cocky grin, she brushed her fingers across the Medal of Honor proudly displayed on her left upper arm.

Or, in this case, convoy duty from England to Gibraltar, rest at the Rock, and then escort a convoy for the return trip up the Atlantic coast of Europe to England. Her lips quirked and she zeroed her rangefinders on a smaller Destroyer Escort in position off her starboard quarter as they listened for submarines.

Most people would discount the Destroyer Escorts as a tin can's tin can. They were even less armed, and smaller than her own workhorse lines, so they seemed to be something to discount.

Not Johnston.

Not after watching USS Samuel B Roberts fight like an enraged mother grizzly bear off Samar and lock horns with the Japanese heavy cruiser Chikuma, who was a full twelve times her size. Sammy had died in the doing, just like she had, but she had given better than she had got in mauling her vastly superior opponent. Superior in armor, in firepower, in speed, but not in guts and determination.

No one was superior to a Taffy in those qualities, although some did approach them from time to time.

Fortunately, this cruise had been, while not boringly trouble free, certainly less desperate than her Pacific Fleet service in her first life. A small Abyssal hunter-killer convoy raider group fleeing the chaos in the Equatorial Atlantic had made the mistake of deciding to try to take a swing at them one foggy overcast night off the coast of Portugal.

Unfortunately for them, Johnston was part of the Radar Master Race, and the first indication they had that their sneak ambush was known was when her torpedoes, alongside that of the other destroyers had screamed in on their prey. Johnston was convinced that her fish were the ones that had blown the bow off the lead heavy cruiser, leaving it crippled for Émile Bertin to light up from stem to stern with shellfire as the escorts opened fire.

Meanwhile, thanks to her radar she had bagged herself an I-Class Abyssal destroyer during the nighttime melee. She smirked at remembering how her destroyer division had left the burning oil slicks and floating debris that they had turned the Abyssals into with little more than scratch damage.

All in all a good night's work.

With that she looked over at her blonde haired and blue eyed convoy escort group leader. "What now, bosslady?"
Spoiler: Baguette CL

Émile Bertin gave her a saucy grin. "Once we hand this over to the Limeys? Why we have shore leave until the Admiralty calls for us again!"

Johnston gave a razor-edged grin. Shore leave meant that she could visit her boyfriend. While she had celebrated his birthday, before her turn in the barrel, she began to eagerly anticipate the trip to Malfoy Manor.

Seeing Muffin again was always nice, but she had another personal reason to visit him now.

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

Malfoy Manor

30th June 2014

Johnston pedaled her electric bicycle up the driveway with reckless abandon as her telegraphs were set to flank speed. Braking to a halt in a spray of gravel, she hastily returned the vehicle to her hull before heading up the drive at her maximum controllable speed.

Aboard her, her spirit materialized on her bridge. As always, she snapped off a sharp and heartfelt salute to the faerie of Commander Evans. Her Chief, as he was lovingly called by all and sundry on board returned the salute, the Medal of Honor gleaming proudly at his throat.

After that necessary step, she flipped the switch on her Talk Between Ships system and broadcast. "Johnston arriving. What is going on?"

A crackle of static sounded, followed by the precise Queen's English of Cleopatra. "Draco, Washington, and I are with Ehren and Nimue in the music room listening to Claire play. Niobe is running a coastal convoy to Belfast and will be back tomorrow night."

Johnston's eyes gleamed and she licked her lips with anticipation. "I'll meet you there. Relay targeting data for me."

With that she walked inside and shifted to one-third speed. Inside her bridge, she opened a folder marked with Office of Naval Intelligence stamps and surveyed the photograph and news clippings inside.

Would not do to misidentify her targets.

In the music room, Claire finished the most recent request and then looked over at her audience. Ehren looked over at Draco as Cleopatra snuggled into his other side from Nimue, who was happily humming along and grinned. "Sabaton please, Claire. Something challenging to show off your abilities."

Outside the half-open door, Johnston watched as the brunette girl who Ehren had called Claire grinned smugly at her sister and then began to glow silver as she cracked her knuckles before turning to the piano. Suddenly her fingers moved in a blur across the keys in a almost savage hammering tempo.
Spoiler: Sabaton!

Johnston's boilers picked up a notch as she whispered to herself. After all, before giving Draco the latest Sabaton CD for his birthday, she had to listen to it. Just to make sure that it was up to the proper level of Badassness, of course.

"War is coming swiftly,
The border's closing in
We're a company of soldiers,
Mere forty rifles strong!"

Slowly her hand eased the door further open and she crouched in a sprinter's pose.

Unsuspecting, Ehren tapped her foot and swayed. Her black long sleeved dress with white lace at the neck and accenting the hems swished as she sang along with Claire's blurring fingers as her sister played a song about brave men doing their duty honorably in the face of impossible odds.

"All around!
Hold your ground!
Fight for eighteen days of battles,
No odds are on our side
Few will fight for all, until the bullets are gone"

To her side, Cleopatra slipped out her cell phone and zeroed in on Ehren as the chorus reached its climax.

"We, we will resist and bite!
Fight hard, 'cause we are all in sight!
We, we take up arms and fight!
Fight hard, resist and do what's right!"

As Ehren lifted her voice in song, Johnston sprinted for her, emitting a piercing Cherokee war whoop as her hands found Ehren's sleeves at the shoulders and pulled with all 60,000 horsepower in her frame.

RRRRRIIIIIPPPPP!!!!

Ehren blinked in shock as her sleeves fell to her elbows. She turned almost mechanically to see the smirking face of Johnston. Slowly her eyebrow began to twitch as Cleopatra, Nimue, and Draco all began to laugh.

"Johnston. Was ist das für Quatsch(What nonsense is this)?!" Ehren barked out as her voice cracked.

Johnston gave her a cheeky shit-eating grin. "I read what you and the rest did at Verdun. You put your ass on the line for family and innocents against impossible odds. That's the essence of being a badass like me and my sisters in the Taffies. Badasses don't wear sleeves."

The eyebrow twitch intensified as Ehren slowly stood, trembling visibly. Draco doubled over with tears in his eyes and pounded his knee as Johnston finished. "Now, where's your mother? Got to desleeve her too."

"Sterben! Du kleine Scheiße(Die! you little shit)!!" Ehren ground out as her face turned red, then she leapt for Johnston's throat.
Spoiler: ButterKlavier Gonna Butterknife

Johnston, with long practice thanks to New Jersey at dodging swings at her from people calling her a little shit, ducked away from the fuming Teutonic dagger, who began to chase her around the room.

Claire finished Resist and Bite, then immediately segued into Yakety Sax. Cleopatra was just glad for her design's gyro-stabilization allowing her film of the chase to be remotely usable as she howled in amusement.

 

[darthcourt10]

wildredlifer

Sunlight streamed through the Canopy as a battle-worn carrier walked underneath the boughs of ancient trees.

A child of the Northern Ocean granted leave to settle here after her Joyous reunion with her.

From humble shack to nice new digs, a gift from a loving uncle the Carrier goes about her self appointed rounds to study and care for the wildlife for her new home.

Birds have always fascinated her perhaps it is the Sheer freedom of the skies that they enjoy that calls to her.

Though she is a Carrier and her awareness rides along with her planes.

She longs to Ride the currents of wind to see the boundless sky spread over the earth.

Her form and function though lovingly shaped and given life are bound to the vast Abyss.

She doesn't fault her Mother for this longing, though sometimes she wishes it didn't exist.

The day My sister and I both felt the Wave that rippled though the Abyss and Mother's response to the Challenge issued from it.

We knew sadly that our respite on our humble Island may be coming to an end.

Ah, Who am I you ask to ramble on So, Forgive me My name is Kyuu Sister to Wo and together we are Wokyuu.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Softly smiling, Yui took in the group around them as they walked towards this "Mamiya's". At the head, speaking with the shipgirl know as Tenryuu, was Ellen. Already, despite only having met her that morning, Yui considered the American woman a friend. Partially because their children had gone through shared experiences and both sets of parents had, for ten years, thought that their children were dead. But also because the other female had accepted her as a Jorogumo without any issue.

People like that, in Yui's experience, were rare and precious indeed.

And from what she could see, and heard, Ellen's children shared much the same view as their mother when it came to such things. From what Hinata had said, he had not attacked her when he came across her. More than that, he had invited her along to escape from the wreck and get to safety. She had even seen him hug her shortly after arriving when she had been in her Jorogumo form and there had been no hesitation whatsoever. If Ellen could raise such children even in the short time that she had? Yui had no doubt that she would become a good friend.

Granted, she was slightly concerned for her daughter. Hinata had all the signs of a crush in her actions and the like. Every once in a while, her daughter would glance towards Eric and Sora with an odd smile. One that was somewhat thoughtful if also a little sad. And when Eric looked at her and gave her a smile? The young adult Jorogumo would lightly blush and smile back. All the signs of a crush were there before her eyes, not that she could blame her daughter considering everything that she knew that had occurred. It was... sweet, in a way. Seeing such reminded her of her first crush, a young woodsman she often watched. Until, one day, she came home to find her mother and sisters feeding on his corpse and mocking her for her weakness in not having killed him right away.

Needless to say, shortly after she ran from the mountains and was glad that she heard some wizards had killed them and torched that forest to make sure of it.

That said, she did worry a little bit. Not that she was worried about her daughter doing something like her... family would have done, or the Jorogumo of old. After all, if she had not done such a thing after being stranded for ten years and meeting a young, and Yui would admit, handsome man in the form of Eric, she was not worried that she would start now. And she was oh so very proud of her for not giving into that sort of thing. It had to have been hard, especially with how he had accepted her whole heartedly. Not to mention the... issues, that came with being a Jorogumo when it came to certain basal urges. Her own husband never complained about that, not in the slightest. But they did have the name that they did for a very good reason.

No, what she was worried about was her daughter becoming heart broken. Though she was extremely glad that she understood that he was spoken for in the form of a Kitsune. And an apparent nine tail at that! She was also proud that obviously Hinata was not about to try and break them up. That much she could tell, which left a possibility in her mind, though she hoped that her daughter came to her first in regards to it...

But still, come what may, Yui was proud of her daughter and happy that she was back in the first place.

It was shortly afterwards that they came into view of their destination. Crossing his arms, Hikaru considered the building in front of them before slowly nodding, "Hmm... I'm going to guess that this is one of the places that you'll be working at when on the base?"

Frowning slightly, Hinata gave a small nod, "That... does seem about right. Though I think that I might also do some work in the Mess Hall..." Playing with her shirt, she chewed her lip some, "And I'll come home and work in our restaurant as well, when I am able."

Gently smiling, her father chuckled as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry about it too much, Hinata-Chan." At her inquiring look, he made a gesture, "This seems like a nice enough place, and I am certain that you would do well here." Unknown to her, Hikaru continued the thought in his head, 'Which means that you will also be far from the front lines as well...'

Smiling, Hinata hugged him a little, "Thank you, Otou-San." Pulling back a little, she gave him a slightly bashful smile, "Though I do hope to be able to work in our family's resturant as well if I have a chance..."

That got her a soft snort from Hikaru, "You will have more than a chance, Hinata-Chan." Shaking his head, he continued a little, "After all, I missed having you work alongside me while cooking."

All the Jorogumo did was nod to that though there was a slight blush on her face as she was reminded of when she was a little girl helping her father cook, days that she had missed and looked forward to once more.

Her attention was caught though as Tenryuu walked up to the door and knocked. After a few seconds, the door was open and a young woman stood there that caused Hinata's eyes to widen at the similar features to her own. Not having noticed her, the shipgirl who had to be Mamiya, turned to Tenryuu, "Hmm? Tenryuu-San?"

Rather amused, Tenryuu smirked at her and jerked her thumb, "I brought the guests of honour to this little shindig."

Blinking, Mamiya looked up and looked over the group. As soon as her eyes fell upon Hinata, she sucked in a breath. To the non-shipgirls watching, there was a lot of similarity in their features. Not just in their figures, but their faces were somewhat similar as sisters were, they had similar hair as well as the same ribbon. Yui's eyes widened briefly as did her husband's before they looked between the two girls in surprise. The resemblence between them was uncanny, after all. It did not help matters that Mamiya also wore clothes identicle to the ones that Hinata had, though hers were much, much cleaner and not as frayed.

For the shipgirls though, they could see the ghostly hulls that overlaid the two. And, once more, the hulls were extremely similar to one another. They had a single funnel as well as a turret fore and aft, as well as smaller boats ready to be launched. As well, they both had three masts that rose upwards and cranes.

Obviously, they were sisters.

Mamiya opened her mouth to say something, only to pause and think before closing it and taking a step forward. Soon enough, she was standing in front of Hinata and glanced at said Natural Born's parents and her younger siblings before bowing a little, "I... I am the Food Ship, Mamiya."

Bowing back, Hinata straightened and gave her a shy smile, "And I am Hanai Hinata as well as the Food Ship, Hōyo... the second of the Mamiya Class, I suppose."

Lips twitching a bit, Mamiya gave a small nod, "I see..." Trailing off, she looked slightly confused, "I... I do not quite know what to do. It's funny..." The shipgirl chuckled a bit, "I have, I suppose, half sisters in the form of the Ondo Class Oilers. Never did I think that I had... had an Imouto."

Softly smiling, the Jorogumo shipgirl took a step forward and hugged her, "And I never thought that I would have a Nee-San."

Arms shaking, Mamiya brought them up before hugging her tightly back, the sister that she never knew that she had. Inside of her engine room, she could feel her boilers ache. But not out of a physical pain, but of a hurt that she never really guessed that she had, "Imouto... my Imouto..."

The two Food Ships did not cry, though tears prickled in their eyes. When Hinata pulled back, she gestured at her parents, "These are my Okaa-San and Otou-San, Hanai Yui and Hikaru." She then motioned at the two children watching, "And these are Tsukiko-Chan and Natsuo-Chan..." For a moment, Hinata seemed lost before glancing at her parents, who only nodded and smiled, "Our Imouto and Otouto."

Eyes widening, Mamiya looked at the two adults who smiled back at her. Feeling a lightness in her chest, the Food Ship crouched down to be closer to their level, "Hello, Tsukiko-Chan, Natsuo-Chan."

Both children narrowed their eyes and thought about what they had just heard. They knew that Hinata was their Onee-Chan due to what their mother was. But... said Onee-San also said that this woman was her Onee-San. And their parents had nodded, which only meant one thing... thus, they hugged her around the neck, their next words causing tears to drip from Mamiya's eyes, "Onee-San!"

Hugging them gently, Mamiya swallowed thickly, "Hai... my Otouto and Imouto..." After a few more seconds, she picked up both with the two children nestled in the crooks of her arms easily. Smiling, she gestured with her head towards her small resturant, "How about we go inside?"

With a hum, Hinata gave a small nod, "Sure." As they were walking towards the door, she looked at the other Food Ship, unsure, "Do you know about..."

Slightly bemused, the Food Ship looked at her, "That you are Jorogumo as is your mother?" At the surprised nod, she gave a small shrug, "Hai, but it does not bother me too much, Hinata-Chan. After all, I was a ship and now a girl. And after reading up... Jorogumo are no longer what they were. Besides..." Slowing, Mamiya turned towards Hinata, "You're my sister, and that is all there is to it."

A bright smile on her face, Hinata nodded, "Hai!'

Meanwhile, at the same time inside Mamiya's, Yumiko came to a stop as she caught sight of another shipgirl. Said shipgirl also had wide eyes as she boggled at the Natural Born. Yet again, to those around them, there were in fact a number of simularities between them. They had somewhat similar looks in some ways to one another, and their hulls were, once more, very similar.

Just swallowing, Hayasui took a deep breath before walking forward, "Um, hello? I'm... the Oiler Hayasui, of the Kazahaya Class. Are... are you...?"

Lightly smiling, the Tanuki shipgirl nodded with a hum before answering, "I am Yamada Yumiko, the Oiler Karasaki of the Kazahaya Class... and these are my parents, Noriko and Yusuke."

Seeing the shipgirl chuckle, not sure what to do or say, Noriko gave her a once over before smirking a bit, "I have to ask... are you sure that you're not a Tanuki?"

Confused for a few moments, Hayasui blinked before glancing down and remembering that she was not wearing her usual clothes, having changed out for more casual wear in the form of a black shirt and a skirt. Which meant that without her usual jacket hiding it, one could see that she truly was an oiler, which made her blush slightly, "Um, hai?"

Their lips twitching a bit, the two older Tanuki shared a look before chuckling and giving Hayasui a hug, "Welcome to the family."

Grinning herself, Yumiko laughed a bit, "Yeah, Imouto. We're glad to see you."

Said words made the Oiler go a bit misty eyed before she relaxed into the hug, 'Huh... guess I got an Otou-San and Okaa-San now...' Bringing up her arms, she hugged them back, "Thank you..."

Elsewhere in the small resturant, Sora was standing before the gathered Yamato Class as well as Megumi and Kokoro, though the younger of the two Neko looked somewhat unsure. Giving her a small smile, Sora bowed best that she could, "Hello, I'm Tsukuda Sora and..." She grimaced a little, "Um... I'm of the A-150 Project."

Rather than say anything, Yamato smiled softly back and bowed before placing a hand on her shoulder,"We already know of your shipname, Sora-Chan."

Wincing, the Kitsune cleared her throat, "So you know that the name I was given as a ship is..."

Musashi gave a small nod and adjusted her glasses while her voice rumbled a bit, "Onogoroshima, hai." At her wilting a bit, the tanned Battleship smiled at her, "But that does not matter, as we also heard that once you are built they will change it."

Beside her sister, Shinano frowned a little, "Um, do you know what sort of name you might like?"

At that, Sora blinked and considered the question, "W-well... I've been thinking maybe... Izu? It was the name of a Province and, um... to also honour what we went through and survived."

Each of the Yamatos as well as the two Nekomatas nodded at that. Of course, White Plains gave a bright smile and bounced a bit, "Well, welcome to the family!"

Giggling, Hoki gave a bright smile as well, "As Okaa-San said, welcome to our family."

Unable to help herself at the odd look, a snicker escaped from Megumi before she leaned in, "Don't worry too much about it, White Plains is basically the Kaa-San, somehow, for the entire Yamato Class, though one of them, Hana-Chan, is also a Natural Born with her own Okaa-San." Giving a small shrug, she smiled at the Kitsune, "Anyways, welcome to the family."

On Sora's face was a small smile, "Thank you, though I wish..."

Two arms wrapped around her in a gentle hug and she looked up to find two understanding eyes looking at her. Yamato tightened the hug a little before shaking her head, "We will be getting your parents out of the Reserve, trust me. And it will not take us too long to do so, or else I will be quite cross with the Diet."

Eyes widening slightly, Sora then relaxed and returned the hug, "Thank you."

Not far away, the Baker family had just finished their own introductions to the group of Submarines in front of them. Turning away from where the other Yokai Midget Subs were giggling and playing a bit with her own, Samantha turned to the purple haired girl in front of her in curiosity, "So, you're a Submarine Tender?"

With a small nod, Taigei gave a small giggle and smiled, "Hai, that's right." Looking over the teenage girl in front of her, she nodded, "And I can see that it is going to be great working with you."

Blinking in surprise, Samantha felt her eyebrows raise, "Really?"

Simply shrugging, the other Tender shook her head, "There's not enough of us for all the Submarines that need to be cared for. So any others in our sisterhood is appreciated."

A small smile on her face, Samantha patted the head of one of Ho-31 who looked up at her with a smile, "I suppose, though I don't know how much help I can really be..." Noticing RO walk up with a raised eyebrow on the German's face, she trailed off, "Er..."

The Uboat crossed her arms and gave her a look, "Nein, you would be a lot of help." She made a motion with her hand before nodding, "You are like one of the Type XIV, but made for Japan. And I can tell you, those were extremely useful for Germany, so I can just imagine how much good you'll be able to do for us."

Placing her arms behind her head, Imuya gave a small nod, "Hai, I mean, no offense to Taigei-Nee-San..." Glancing at said shipgirl got her a smile and a shake of the head, "But she can't really head all that far out to resupply us with what we need. You? You can resupply us in the middle of Abyssal territory. That's... that's pretty much amazing to be honest."

Lightly blushing, Samantha nodded at her even as she noted her mother's wince out of the corner of her eye, "Um, thank you." Then, she gave a shrug, "Hopefully, my other sisters come along too... there was supposed to be a couple of us made for Submarine resupply."

Sighing, the blue haired Submarine of the group shook her head, "Hopefully, they are more like you, than your older sisters..."

Yet again, Samantha winced as she realized that she may have a few issues with the "Tanker Submarines" of the group.

It was shortly afterwards, that they were all seated as Yamato and Mamiya brought out food and placed them before the various people and shipgirls. Sora's eyes widened at the absolutely massive hamburg steak that was placed in front of her. Meanwhile, Hinata drooled a bit at the giant plate of Hayashi rice placed in front of her as her parents also thanked the Food Ship. One by one, they all got food and then sat down for a noisy, though friendly, dinner.

At one end of the table, Yumiko grabbed some tempura and bit into it before humming happily, "Mmm..." Swallowing, she turned to the Oiler next to her, "You made this?"

Hayasui rubbed the back of her head before nodding, "I mostly work in Kure, but... I'm great at stuff when it comes to frying." She pointed at one basket filled with fried chicken, "Those are some of mine as well."

Eyebrow raised, Yusuke took a piece and had a bite before chewing it. Once he was done, he shook his head, "This tastes amazing." Turning to his wife, he nodded towards it, "You have to try it, Noriko-Chan, our newest daughter's cooking is amazing."

Unable to help herself as she saw the blush on the Oiler's face, the older Tanuki nodded with a chuckle, "Sounds good to me."

Of course, when she had a taste, she fully agreed with her husband about the food.

With happy sounds escaping from his oldest biological daughter and his wife, Hikaru turned away from his own meal, "This is amazing, Mamiya-Chan. Definitely good cooking."

Lightly blushing, though pleased, Mamiya smiled and gave a slight nod, "Thank you, Otou-San. I will admit, there's still a lot more for me to learn when it comes to cooking, though I have been learning myself food from all over the world." He gave her a nod and she continued as she smiled at the two youngest of the family eating Yakisoba-Pan, Yakisoba noodles in a hot dog-style bun, "But I owe a lot to my crew."

Head tilted to the side, Yui swallowed the food in her mouth and gave the Food Ship a blink, "Oh? How so?"

The Food Ship scratched her cheek a little before making a gesture though she could tell that the others were listening in, "I... am not sure how much you know, but us shipgirls can have the skills of our crews. The more common the skill among our crew, the more we know it. Some for example can play instruments as if they have been practicing for years within a few months."

Slowly chewing as she thought it over, Hinata frowned, "That seems... a bit cheating."

With a slight shrug, Mamiya shook her head, "You will get no argument from me, Hinata-Chan. But... it is still true." Placing her hand onto her chest, she continued, "When I was built, one of the things that the Navy made sure to do was have many of the best chefs and bakers in the service on me. And during the war, that included cooks and the like that they impressed into the military." She grimaced for a moment, "But I was around for nearly two decades, so when I came back..."

Just nodding, Hikaru scratched his chin a little, "You came back with all the knowledge to be a top rated chef and baker. You simply needed to practice a little to refine what you knew." At her nod, he glanced towards Hinata, "Does that mean that Hinata-Chan also has that ability?"

Frowning, the Jorogumo shipgirl considered it before nodding, "I think so... I mean, I had a large number of Yokai chefs, cooks, and bakers. Some of them having been working on such for decades, or centuries in the case of one of the Oni I have onboard. And there's one Inugami who was a cook for the Tokugawa and, after their fall, opened a resturant and worked there until he was impressed by the Kamo Government in... 1941." Looking up, she frowned, "He wants me to go and see if his family is still around."

Unnoticed by her, her parents looked at her wide eyed before her father chuckled, which turned into a laugh. At the looks, he waved them off, "Just realizing that my little girl outstrips me when it comes to food."

Wide eyed, Hinata waved her hands around, "N-no! Otou-San, I'm not as good as you, far from it! You're much better than I am..." He placed his hands on hers which made her blink, "Otou-San?"

Softly smiling, he shook his head, "I'm not angry, the opposite. The fact that you have such a chance makes me happy for you, Hinata-Chan." Hikaru's smile grew slightly, "Happy... and oh so proud."

Looking down with red cheeks, Hinata shifted a little, "Otou-San..."

All he did though, was smile more at her.
_________________________________________________

With a soft giggle, Ellen helped guide the small Midget Submarines to their futons. One by one, she helped them in and placed a blanket over them before kissing them on the brow. Ha-41 smiled up at her and hummed a bit, "Good night, Okaa-San..."

Gently ruffling said Subgirl's hair, the American smiled, "Good night, Ha-41... and pleasant dreams, I'll see you in the morning." Not getting much more than a murmur, she continued her work before walking out of the small room. She knew, soon enough, Samantha would be joining them in there as would the rest.

Yes, there would not much room in there, but... for the first night at least, and most likely for many others, Ellen wanted to sleep in the same room as her children.

Stretching a little as she walked out, she groaned as there was a pop or two before looking at her husband, their children, and Sora. All of them were standing around with cups of hot chocolate in their hands. An old tradition of theirs before they went to bed. Getting closer, she could hear Kensuke speaking to Eric, "... Of course, once everything checks out, I'll take you out. There's this one bar I know with great drinks."

Tone dry, Ellen gave him a look, "You are not already talking about taking Eric out for drinks, I would hope. Not so soon after everything that had happened." She then gestured at Samantha, "Besides which, your daughter won't be able to go out."

A chuckle from said Subgirl made her give her daughter a look, which got a shrug, "I, um... asked Iku about that. Apparently there's a bar or two here on base for shipgirls which allows for even someone like me to have a drink or two." Samantha made a motion with her fingers, "Old enough to fight and die for my country, old enough to drink."

Grimacing slightly at that reminder, Ellen shoved the thought away, "Then you'll be taking me to it." All her daughter did was shrug with a small smile. Taking her own hot chocolate, she took a small sip, 'I've missed this...'

Samantha glanced towards the door to the room her mother had left in the temporary quarters and turned back to her, "Mom? How did they do?"

Lips twitching, the older woman chuckled, "They did fine, Honey. I may be getting old, but I can still handle little ones or else I would not be a teacher."

That caused Samantha as well as Sora and Eric to grimace. Yes, they had grown older themselves, but it was small things with Ellen and Kensuke that brought it home how much time had passed. A grey hair here, a slight winkle there, it all added up though the Subgirl and her brother had to admit that their mother still looked a decade younger than she was.

But still, they did not want to be reminded of that.

However, thankfully, Ellen changed the subject without knowing what they were thinking, "So... I guess that we'll be looking for a house soon." Thoughtful, she glanced at Samantha and Sora, "Though I think that maybe we might be able to get one of the residences here on the base."

Stunned, Eric stared at her, "A house, Mom?"

With her hands wrapped around the mug in her hands, Ellen gave a small shrug, "Yes, a house. I am not letting my newest daughters be crammed into the small apartment that we have. Besides which?" She gave a look to Sora and her son, which made them both flush, "After all, you both will need your own private room, I am guessing."

Neither young adult could look at the amused older woman after that.

And soon after, they all went into the room with the sleeping Midget Submarines and laid down. The last to fall asleep was Ellen who looked over the tableau before her with tears in her eyes,. Closing her eyes, she took a breath and let it out as she softly whispered into the night, "Whoever it was that took care of my children, and made sure that they were safe and delivered them back into my arms... thank you. Thank you from the depths of this Mother's heart."

Opening her eyes, she smiled before snuggling into her husband, her son sleeping behind her and Samantha on the other side of her husband. With her drifting off with small tears in the corner of her eyes. Tears of joy.

Elsewhere on the base, Hinata adjusted the sleeping Yukata that she had before stretching after brushing her teeth. Walking into the room, she nodded at the large web that stretched across it with her father in the middle with his wife standing beside him in her true form. Her younger sister was also there, skittering to and fro as her younger brother giggled in amusement.

Amused, Hinata climbed up onto the web and made her way over to her mother, "Okaa-San."

The elder Jorogumo kissed her brow gently, "Hinata-Chan..." She gestured at the part of the web beside her husband, "Just lay down dear, Natsuo-Chan! Tsukiko-Chan! Come and lay down as well, it is time for sleep."

Both children either shimmied over or simply walked until they were in the proper spot. Natsuo, for his part, climbed right between his older sister's legs and snuggled into the small cage that they formed, the Yokai shipgirl smiling as she shook her head. After all, it had to have been what he grew up with. Her sister, meanwhile, climbed on top of her and yawned before closing her eyes as their mother turned out the light. Moments later, Yui joined them beside her daughter. As they all snuggled in for the night, Hinata bent enough to look at her little brother, "You look comfortable."

Said boy gave a small shrug, not afraid of the spider legs all around him, "Hai..." Looking up, Natsuo met his sister's eyes, "Kaa-San spins webs for us when Summer comes by. So that we can lay on them and not get our futons all sweaty and stuff." A disgusted expression crossed his face, "Because that is pretty gross." He then grinned, "But sleeping on webs is so neat, Onee-Chan."

Lightly laughing, Hinata patted his head some, "Hai, it is." Glancing around at her family, easily seen due to her better than human night vision, the Jorogumo nodded, "Well, good night, everyone."

Getting similar replies, the shipgirl laid herself down best that she could and slowly went to sleep with a smile on her face.

Roughly the same time, Yumiko was already asleep herself, kept between her parents who were also asleep. All of them with identical happy expressions.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Matter of Blades and Bourbons

Malfoy House

June 22nd, 2014
Spoiler: A Du Chasteler Workout

Colombe snapped her wrist in a throwing motion and a trio of flaming discs spun from her hand at her target. She repeated the process, sending a steady stream of flaming missiles across the warded area of the pasture toward the young girl on the far side.

Across from her, steel-blue eyes narrowed as Ehren du Chasteler ducked under the first one, and flicked her fingers in a precise pattern as she knelt. A heater shield formed of shimmering silver energies and quartered by a black cross with a gold stripe in the middle and a smaller gold shield with a heraldic eagle in the center formed on her left wrist and she ducked behind it. She grunted at the impact as the next two slammed into her shield and ricocheted away in a shower of sparks.
Spoiler: Ehren's Shield

A fresh volley of missiles hammered her, then she smiled smugly and got to her feet, crouching as she advanced crab style behind her shield toward her mother.

In a safe area, protected by their own personal shields and wards, Lucius Malfoy and Flynn murmured observations to each other as they watched the duel. At Lucius's elbow, Draco stared impassively at the battle as Nimue whistled in awe.

Colombe paused in throwing flame at her daughter and instead began to move her rapier point sinuously, chanting in Arabic. Ehren's eyes widened as Colombe was surrounded by a howling tornado and her right arm twitched in a throwing motion before she braced her shield with both her arms as she dug her heels into the scorched and torn-up ground.

"Zawbieat Alghadab!" Colombe barked out, slashing her blade horizontally. A scimitar-shaped arc of nearly visible air hammered into Ehren's shield, sending her skidding backward a dozen yards with her teeth gritted. Suddenly her heel caught a rut and she lost her balance. Ehren flipped head over heels, flying through the air like a rag doll, then crashing and rolling to the torn earth and lying limp.

Colombe lowered her sword and began to walk toward her unmoving daughter. "Point to me then, dear."

Suddenly Ehren vanished and reappeared next to Colombe low to the ground, leaping into a tackle that got under Colombe's lowered guard as both the spirits crashed to the ground. A bloody and battered hand holding her dagger body placed the flat of the blade against Colombe's throat.

Crystal-blue eyes full of approval met steel-blue eyes in a blood-covered face. Ehren smiled smugly and and whispered viciously. "Nein. My kill, Mutti."

Colombe smiled proudly. "Your kill and well done. Seven to two then in my favor."

"Ja." Ehren untangled herself and got up. Colombe followed suit, and then clapped her youngest daughter on the shoulder before turning to their audience.

Colombe gestured and the blood and dirt covering her daughter and herself vanished, and a second spell repaired their scorched and torn clothing. "And that is that."

Lucius dropped the shields that he and his family had been watching from and approached the pair as they cast healing spells. He leaned on his cane as he reached his cousins. "Impressive. And you do this regularly?"

Colombe smirked smugly and sheathed her sword. "As regularly as we can, yes. It is not just myself and Ehren, of course. My butler Kasuyu and maid Miho also participate, along with Ying and my sisters Del and Jackie when they visit. As well, I have been regularly sparring with Masamune-no-Tokunotakai when Toku visits us every now and again."

At that Ehren grinned behind her impassive face, since she knew that once the Masamune blade touched base with her sisters in Japan and caught up on her shrine duties, Toku planned to return to Moulbaix to spend time with Colombe.

Ignoring her youngest daughter's well-hidden amusement, Colombe finished. "I found that while academic dueling is useful to learn as a foundation, you should always train like you fight. I have learned in a very hard school indeed that there is a difference between the battlefield and the dueling hall. Hence all my training matches are only limiting the power and pulling fatal blows once the foundations are learned."

She glanced at Ehren, who nodded. "To quote a wise man describing the Roman legionaries, 'Our drills are bloodless battles, and our battles are bloody drills'. Also, we do dissimilar style and weapons sparring frequently because that bit makes a fatal surprise less likely, and also gives us flexibility by not restricting ourselves to one set of tools."

Lucius nodded approvingly. "Hence why I hired Flynn to tutor my children in wandless magic. I noticed several different styles in your spell craft all blended together."

Colombe smiled happily. "Indeed. I have found that certain magical traditions are better at certain things than others in my travels. As an example, I learned that fire disc spell in India in 1766 from a Brahmin magician and mystic who I had helped with a minor spot of trouble. Powerful, versatile, and I can use my blade in my primary hand while casting them to give me ranged options. In any event the most deadly weapon on the battlefield is an experienced and creative mind, I have found."

Lucius glanced meaningfully at Draco, who nodded with clear interest in his eyes. "While my own experience is somewhat less storied than yours, Cousin, I must agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal. Thank you for the demonstration of your prowess."

Colombe bowed her head. "And thank you for supplying us with an area that we could get a proper workout in." Ehren nodded her assent as she watched the byplay.

Colombe glanced over at Draco and Nimue and a thoughtful look entered her eyes. "Speaking of that, may I inquire if you have some time to chat with me on a subject that might bear fruit for both our families?"

Lucius smiled magnanimously. "Oh most certainly. I have a bottle of fine American bourbon in my study that is calling our names."

---------------------------
Spoiler: A Conversation Between Cousins

Colombe sipped the amber colored whiskey and smiled happily. "Merci. Del is American and is a fellow connisseur of fine liquors. When I speak to her next, I shall see about arranging a gift for your hospitality. She introduced me to the pleasures of a fine Kentucky sour mash and has an eye for quality vintages." The rapier then gave a slightly disdainful smirk. "Unfortunately, Jackie's tastes are much more plebeian with that horrible rum she drinks. Del and I have been working on her for decades to try to instill appreciation for the finer things in life, although with little success alas."

Across from her in a matching leather chair Lucius nodded in agreement as he savored his own drink. "I found that the muggles have produced some amazing vintages. I certainly anticipate seeing what your American sister has discovered."

Colombe shook her head in agreement, then leaned forward with a serious look on her face. "Oui. But, to the heart of the target. Ehren plans in a decade or so to attend one of the ICW licensed schools, although we have not determined yet among Ilvermorny, Beauxbatons, or Hogwarts. Both because of the superior training that they offer, as you are aware, but also it will allow her to practice magic openly as a known witch."

Lucius nodded gravely. "I take it that you do not worry about people connecting her name with yours?"

Colombe smirked smugly, "By the time that Ehren is of age to attend, even if the ICW survives the collapse of the Statute, they are highly likely to view me with different eyes than currently. At least such is what I have been led to believe, barring unforeseen problems cropping up."

Lucius rubbed his chin and his eyes glittered, "Ahhhhh.... Then Verdun?"

Dark memories flickered in Colombe's shadowed eyes. "Is proof about silver linings in storm clouds. I was partially responsible for sealing it the first time in 1919, and was alerted when the wards snapped. Since I was about the only living expert that is still around from then, the French Ministry of Magic agreed to close down a few old cases that had been opened at the prompting of," Colombe scowled murderously at the names, "Maximilien de Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte. Any damage to the Statute of Secrecy back then is a historical footnote now, non?" She finished with a smug smirk.

Lucius gave a matching smirk, "I can certainly see the merits in such an argument."

Colombe smiled, "I thought that you would. Mind you, not all such matters are resolved, I am led to believe neither Iran nor China look favorably on me to this date," she quirked an eyebrow at Lucius, who shook his head no, "but the ICW shall be reappraising if there is need for a more general arrest warrant considering events."

Lucius poured more whiskey for them both. "Just so, I have had my own headaches with some ICW policies and personnel in the past. They can be quite unreasonable in such matters."

Colombe smiled in agreement and took a swallow of alcohol. "Quite. That said, I am minded to speak to your son's tutor, both to share a few useful tips and enchantments that I have come across, and also see if he has any techniques in exchange that I am unaware of. I wish for your permission to approach Mr. Flynn and also to have Ehren join her cousins in a few lessons. I would be delighted to teach Draco and Nimue what I can as well if you so desire."

Lucius leaned back and drummed his fingers against his chair. "A favor for a favor then, Cousin. I noticed that the ICW files are strangely reticent in your role in events during the Second Wizarding War when He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named was active. I confess curiosity there."

Colombe nodded, "A valid question indeed, and it actually goes back well before then. As Ehren mentioned to you, I was a close friend of Lyra and Ian Potter." Lucius nodded, his eyes intent. "After Lyra's death in 1949, I withdrew myself from much contact with the magical world." Colombe's voice was hoarse with emotion. "I had known Lyra quite well for a half-century and owe her a debt that I can never truly repay if I lived a thousand times as long as I have. Her son Henry knew me as a bit of an aunt, but her death was very painful, so my contact with the Potters lapsed when Henry died. Trust me, immortality can be a curse when it comes to such matters."

Colombe took a swallow of the liquor and then resumed. "I also have other commitments and obligations that I accumulated during my travels. Shortly after the rumors of the group that would be known as the Death Eaters reached my ears, an African ally of mine who I was indebted to requested for me to stand as witness to his assumption of power in what the muggles call Rwanda." Colombe sighed, "As it turned out, shortly after I arrived there in 1994, the country went mad with one ethnic group trying to kill another ethnic group with mob violence. That complicated matters for me, and I also suffered some injuries in the process of defending my friend and his extended family from those madmen."

Lucius rubbed his chin, "I see."

Colombe nodded, "As you are no doubt aware, the Daily Prophet was downplaying the magnitude of events then. Since I was getting my information from the papers, I thought matters were under control as I convalesced, well, until the news arrived that James and Lily Potter had been killed and their son Harry was orphaned. That stirred me to action and I started hunting down Death Eaters in Europe until Del notified me that Harry had in fact survived, but had been hidden away. I felt quite responsible for not being there for Lyra's great-great-grandson Harry, and resolved to keep a closer eye on matters when I could spare time from my other sworn commitments."

Lucius murmured, "Quite understandable."

Colombe slowly swirled the alcohol in her glass. "Merci. When I was notified about the Basilisk incident at Hogwarts and then the Dementors in the Daily Prophet, I sent Ehren as my deputy to make contact with the Potters and let them know that I would stand alongside Harry and his allies." Colombe chuckled and downed more alcohol, "Of course, the rest you know since she instead made contact with family."

Lucius leaned back in his chair and sipped the whisky. "I see. We were concerned because should the rumors of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named being seen again be true, our family is in danger from His agents and powers."

Colombe made a sound of agreement. "Indeed, we must hang together or all hang separately. Considering Nimue, I certainly understand your causes for concern for our family. I can supply myself, Ehren, and my allies to assist you in any direct confrontation, plus Moulbaix is quite well fortified as a bolthole, plus I have several other refuges if needed. I fear I have little to contribute in the way of political contacts or information in such matters, since those contacts are handled by my daughter Ying who resides in the Americas."

Lucius raised an eyebrow and Colombe elaborated. "Ying is my oldest daughter and Ehren and Claire's half-sister. She spends most of her time assisting her mother's family of witches and wizards while tending to my American and Asian interests and liaising with Del, who is plugged in with MACUSA."

Lucius smiled knowingly. "I see. While we are mainly concerned with the British Isles and Europe, and of course the current political situation is unsettled, I would like to meet Cousin Ying some day."

Colombe nodded in assent. "I will make it happen when the schedules permit. As the ICW files have no doubt told you, I elected to make my fortune outside Europe in the main. Arabia, Africa, India, China, Japan, the Americas. Higher risk, but fewer entrenched interests and higher returns on a few ventures. That said, right now, I am more concerned about fortifying the gains that I have and placing myself in a good position to take advantage of the post Statute of Secrecy world. Something you no doubt understand considering your interest in Jardine."

Lucius grinned and leaned forward, resting his hands on the head of his cane. "Oh yes, and with your interests and mine following a similar goal, things can be accomplished..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly waking, Sora blinked a little bit as she looked around her. At some point during the night, the various Midget Submarines had moved their futons closer to the adults before abandoning them for the most part to cuddle. There was at least three of them holding her tails like stuffed toys, which made her smile a bit before she turned the the young man in her arms. As expected, Eric was sound asleep which made her smile as all the years of stress seemed to have melted away in his sleep.

Currently, he had a small smile on his face which made her wonder, was he having a good dream? Because it looked like he was, and, perhaps, it was a dream of her? Something that made Sora softly sigh in happiness before her mind turned back to the dream that she had just had herself. In it, she had dreamed of her wedding to Eric, an official one. Ellen and Kensuke was not the only parents who were there, as her own were as well. Both of them looking extremely happy and proud of her in that moment.

As well, Samantha was not the only other girl there besides the mothers. Sora could spot Yumiko as well as a happy Hinata there. And the Midget Submarines as well. Something that, even now, made her smile happily before she turned her attention to her boyfriend and she gently stroked his cheek, "Hopefully it won't be a dream for much longer, Eric-Kun." Getting a murmur, she gently kissed him before her ears twitched some at a few sounds, "Hmm?"

While it was a bit of an issue getting herself untangled from the rest, she soon got to her feet and walked towards the entrance of the room when she spotted something. A sigh escaped from her at that and she shook her head before walking out of said room silently. As it was more a small two bedroom apartment, what Sora saw as she left the room confirmed her thoughts.

Mainly, at the counter, Ellen hummed "Take me out to the Ballgame" as she worked at a large mixing bowl.

For a few seconds, Sora simply took in the image before her. It was a familiar one that she had seen often enough when she was younger, as a young kit. Sometimes, once her own parents had become friends with the Bakers, she had stayed overnight. Which meant that she came across Ellen often baking things as well. And the treats she got from the older woman were always ones that she greatly enjoyed getting.

Lips curling, the Kitsune took a deep breath and let it out as a soft sigh, the familiar smell of baking spices tickling her nose. Granted, she licked her lips at the smell of one particular ingredient which made her hope that her stomach did not rumble. On the third sniff, however, she caught another smell. One that made her blink and frown...

The slight smell of saltwater.

Pushing away from the doorframe, Sora softly called out as to not startle the other woman, "Ellen-Oba-Chan? Are... are you alright?"

Despite attempting not to surprise the older adult, the Kitsune could still see her jump slightly. Turning, Ellen gave her a smile, "Sora!" Both of them winced at her volume and they looked back at the room. At the shake of the head from the shipgirl, she relaxed, "Sorry about that, Sora. You surprised me a little."

Sheepishly smiling, Sora gave a small shrug, "Sorry about that, Ellen-Oba-Chan." Her expression fell a little as her sharp eyes noticed small signs, like dried tracks on Ellen's cheeks, "Ellen-Oba-Chan? Were you crying?"

About to say something, Ellen paused as she considered her answer. Remembering that the younger woman had the senses of a fox, she sighed and gave a slight nod, "I was..."

Frowning, the Yokai stepped forward, "Why?"

Gently, Ellen placed the mixing bowl down and looked towards the window. The horizon was barely lighter than normal at night, showing that it was still some time until dawn. Crossing her arms, she closed her eyes, "I woke up about an hour ago, I think, Sora. Almost jumped out of bed... because I thought that this was all a dream."

Eyes widening, Sora realized that, no, Ellen had not crossed her arms, she was holding herself, 'Ellen-Oba-Chan...'

Lightly laughing, though part of it sounded broken, the American turned to her, "I... I thought that it was all a wonderful dream. That I was going to wake up in my apartment with just myself and Ken... A-and that..." A tear slipped out and she wiped it away, "That you were all going to still be gone..."

Head tilted to the side, Sora softly smiled as she took slow, measured steps towards the woman who was an Aunt figure to her, and perhaps a second mother, "But you didn't wake up like that. Instead..."

Sadly smiling, Ellen nodded, "Instead, I woke up with my son, my daughter..." Looking at her, her smile softened still more, "And the young woman who I considered my second daughter in a way."

A soft smile on her face, the Kitsune nodded, "And I consider you another Okaa-San, Ellen-Oba-Chan."

Voice nearly a whisper, Ellen gave her a look full of thankfulness, "Thank you, Sora. You have no idea what that means to me..."

Only shaking her head, the other woman chuckled, "I think that I do." That got her a small smile before it fell, "But what happened to make you cry?"

With a deep breath, Ellen let it out, "I... it's silly. And I don't know why, but... I had to get out. Get out of the room... out of the residence... j-just get out." She nodded towards the window, "So I went outside to a bench and... and I just started crying. I don't know why, I just did. And it wouldn't stop, no matter what. For some reason, I just could not stop crying, a-and even now..."

Taking a few steps forward, Sora pulled Ellen into a gentle hug, her tails coming up and wrapping around the blonde, "I think that I can understand..." Looking down at her, she continued, "I... it just hit you, right then. That we were back and everything will be okay."

Kitsune tails wrapped around her, as well as said Kitsune's arms, the older of the two relaxed slightly, "Has it..."

Understanding the unasked question, Sora gave a slight nod, "Hai, it did, Ellen-Oba-Chan. Yesterday, when we were in the shower and feeling the hot water run down us. We... we all sort of broke down. Because we were finally home... but we all helped each other with it and, well..." Helplessly shrugging, she shook her head, "We kind of dealt with it."

Lips twitching, Ellen nodded, "I suppose that you did." Sighing at the warmth surrounding her, she shook her head and wiped at her eyes slightly, "As for myself... I did stop crying, eventually. But I didn't feel quite ready so I... headed to the newest store and bought some things."

Just lightly chuckling, the younger of the two shook her head, "And so you decided to start baking some treats."

Shaking her head, Ellen chuckled, "I did, because I knew that it would help me sort everything out in my head doing so. My family name is 'Baker'. after all." That got the American a chuckle, so she continued, "And... it reminded me of earlier times." A grin crossed her face, "I just hope everyone enjoys my applesauce cupcakes as much as you did."

It took everything for Sora not to give a bark of laughter at that, and she just managed it. But she still snickered a bit at the thought of the Midget Submarines still asleep, "I don't think that will be much of an issue, Ellen-Oba-Chan. And if they're anything like me? They're going to devour each one that you give one." Licking her lips, she shook her head, "I remember that... and your crumb cake and the strudels."

Amused, the English teacher shook her head, "Well, I've always been proud of them. After all, I learned from my own mother and grandmother. It was something that my grandmother was rightly proud of, being from Germany."

Knowing this, but still interested, Sora's ear flicked some, "You've mentioned that before, that she was from Germany. But..."

Ellen gave a small shrug at that, "My grandpa found her as she was fleeing Soviet forces, he was an American GI. Helped her out and the like, with both of them falling in love, though she was barely out of her teens at the time. Brought her over from Europe with the end of the war too..." A far off look on her face, she continued in a soft voice, "She used to tell me tales of Germany, sitting in her rocking chair. From what she told me, all she had was the clothes on her back and the book of family recipes that she managed to save as well as a few pieces of jewelry. That was it. But she was proud of the food she cooked and taught all of us how to do so." Shooting Sora a grin, she snickered, "I've always thought that one of the reasons Ken fell in love with me was due to my cooking and his sweet tooth. Something that Eric and Samantha both inherited."

Her lips twitching, Sora shook her head, "Hai, Eric-Kun did inherit a sweet tooth, though..." Lightly blushing, she shook her head, "I will admit that I enjoyed the food that you made as well, especially the sweets."

For a few moments, the American looked at her before softly smiling and gesturing to the sink, "Go and wash your hands, Sora. I think that it's time that I teach you how to make my applesauce cupcakes. A recipe passed down in my family from when we first stepped off the boat to America before it was America."

Surprised, Sora boggled at her and stared for a few moments. Especially as she remembered that this was a family recipe. Swallowing, the Kitsune gave her an unsure look, "Are... are you sure, Ellen-Oba-Chan?"

Lightly smiling, Ellen chuckled, "I am, Sora." Reaching out, she placed an arm on the younger woman's arm, "You're practically my daughter now. And soon, you're going to join the family, I know it. Just pass it down to your own children when it comes time."

Quickly nodding, the shipgirl nodded, "Hai, I will! I promise!"

With a chuckle, and shaking her head, Ellen smiled and waited as Sora did as asked. Once she was done, she motioned her over a little, "Now, since we've got so many, we're going to be making more than one batch. First..."

Two hours later, the others began to slowly stir. And one by one, the Midget Submarines had their noses twitching at the smells that reached them. Sitting up in her sleeping Yukata, Ha-56 sniffed a bit with her otter tail twitching, "Mmm smells good?"

Beside her, Ha-45 also sniffed, her dog tail wagging, "Hai, it does smell good." Seeing Eric sit up, she blinked some, "Onii-Chan? Is something wrong?"

Grinning, the young man shook his head, "Nope! Far from it! Because Mom is making her applesauce cupcakes!"

Confused, the various Midget Submarines glanced at each other. But they did note that Samantha was also grinning, with a happy look on her face. Raising her hand, Ho-32 frowned, "Onee-Chan? Applesauce cupcakes?"

Just reaching over, Samantha gently patted her head, "Yup! Mom makes the best applesauce cupcakes with cream cheese and honey icing. They're amazing, trust me." Licking her lips, she swallowed even as she felt like she was moments away from drooling, "It has been so long..."

Each of the other Submarines blinked at that and shared a look. Was it really that good? After a few moments, they stood up and walked out the door, following Samantha and Eric. Outside the room, they found Ken sipping his coffee with a small smile on his face as he watched his wife and Sora put icing on another batch of cupcakes, the Kitsune happily smiling as her tails weaved through the air.

Stretching some, Eric walked over and gave his girlfriend a kiss before hugging her from behind. Something, he noted, that made his mother giggle a bit, "Mmm, helping Mom ice the cupcakes?"

Lightly blushing, Sora shared a look with Ellen before turning back to him, "Actually? Ellen-Oba-Chan was teaching me how to make these."

That made his eyebrows raise and he glanced at his mother, who nodded. Something that made him smile and kiss his girlfriend on the cheek, "Sounds good to me."

Giggling, Sora gave a small nod before pointing to a group of applesauce cupcakes, "Those are ready to eat, if you want them. We'll be bringing some so that Hinata-Chan, Yumiko-Chan, and the others can have them..." For a moment, she considered things before glancing at Ellen, "And maybe bring some to the JS Fubuki as well."

Her eyebrow raised, Ellen blinked at that, "Oh? I don't mind giving some to the sailors..."

Much to her surprise though, the Kitsune shook her head, "Actually? Some of the sailors mentioned that they leave cookies and such for the ship's spirit, and that she eats them. There's also Utsuho-Sama since she helped guide them to us. So I thought that it might be nice to leave a few for them."

Slowly, Ellen nodded as she thought it over, "That sounds alright to me, and hopefully she'll enjoy them." Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Ha-45 was sniffing one of the cupcakes and she smiled, "You can have that one if you want, they're really good." Seeing the questioning glance, the American pointed at Samantha who had already grabbed one and was eating it, "They were a favorite treat of Samantha's when she was younger."

Around the food in her mouth came a mumble that might have been words, but at the look she was given by her mother, Samantha swallowed before trying again, "Was? Try is one of my favorite treats."

Glancing at her, Ha-45 took the one she was offered and sniffed it. She could feel herself drool a little as it really did smell delicious, the scent of apples and spices. Unwrapping it, she licked her lips before biting down, "Umphf!" After a few moments, the Midget Submarine bounced around, "Mmm! Ish good!"

Eyes wide, the other Midget Submarines took one and soon enough exclamations rang out that told how good they found them, which was a lot and made Ellen and Sora giggle at the reactions. Though the Kitsune blushed a little at Ken commenting with amusement that it reminded him of a certain young Yokai who did much the same the first time she had one. Which was returned when Ellen stated that she was reminded of a young, teenage boy when he had tried one of her mother's, which brought the giggles back.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Who Is That Butterknife At The Proms

Malfoy House

28 June 2014
Spoiler: Trip To London

Nimue Malfoy looked at Colombe and Claire as they walked down the driveway to the waiting antique car. "Ehren is not coming with us to London, Colombe?"

Colombe gave a smug smile. "Non." Her eyes flickered to Narcissa Malfoy who was leaving the house with Cleopatra next to her, then Colombe tipped her head at the pair. "Ehren went to Harrods on a shopping trip earlier this year when she met your brother and picked up presents for all of us. So I am going to be buying her Christmas and birthday presents along with your presents. As well, Ehren does not care for some of the music scheduled for tonight, so she agreed to keep your brother and Niobe company while we enjoy London."

Nimue nodded her head thoughtfully in response and touched the long red, green, chestnut, purple, and gray knitted scarf that she was wearing. "Oh, too bad for her then." Meanwhile Claire smiled and waved at Narcissa and Cleopatra who were walking to join them as Nimue continued to speak. "Her loss then. It is just... it is difficult to know what's up with Ehren."

Colombe sighed in agreement and nodded sadly. "Unfortunately yes, and it is my fault in part. Ehren is terribly conflicted over her past and her heritage. Claire, bless her," Colombe smiled at her daughter and gave the brunette a headpat, "is able to get through to her and help her when I so often cannot."

Claire spoke musically as she opened the car door for the Malfoys. "It is because you and Little Sister are so much alike, Mother. Nimue, Ehren likes you, she just has trouble showing it to some people."

Nimue gave her cousin a relieved smile. "I see, and thank you."

Claire returned the smile as Cleopatra and then Nimue slid into the back of the Limo, followed by her. Narcissa glanced at the excited girls and smiled fondly. "I shall sit up front with Colombe."

With that the car pulled away from the carriage house and headed to London.

In the back of the car, Nimue glanced at Claire and grinned mischievously. "Your mother agreed?"

Claire nodded energetically and gave a matching smug smirk. "Mother agreed to visit a music shop of your choice and pay for our purchases. I told you that I would be able to persuade her to finance this. So the plans are a go?"

Cleopatra giggled evilly as she joined her co-conspirators. "Now we just need to get everyone else on board for their roles. Johnston is easy once she comes off duty, and I was able to talk Niobe in with a minimum of bother. We just need a vocalist."

Claire's smirk grew smugger. "Ehren sings Wagner's Sieglinde and Brunhilde from the Ring Operas in the shower when she thinks no one can hear her. I'll be able to get her on board when we return." With that she extended her hand for the other girls to shake.

Nimue smiled back while shaking Claire's hand. "I remember Uncle Dalt always singing 'Nessun Dorma' in the shower on the occasions when he would come back to Idaho on leave. Daddy was usually working on a job, so Uncle Dalt would stay with us during those times." She paused in thought for a moment then continued, "Uncle Dalt's favorite was Pavarotti, even though Uncle Dalt was more like Placido Domingo, being more of a baritone approaching tenor."

Cleopatra snickered, soon joined by the other girls.

Up front, Narcissa glanced back at the giggling girls sitting in the enclosed cab behind her and Colombe and leaned in. "What do you think that they are laughing about, Colombe?"

The blonde rapier shrugged expressively. "Childhood mischief, probably. I can remember leading my older half-brother François Gabriel Joseph du Chasteler de Courcelles and my beloved sister Marie-Claire du Chasteler in childhood antics and pranks as we grew up together. You have siblings too?"

Narcissa nodded and spoke quietly. "I am the youngest of three sisters. My eldest sister Bellatrix was a nasty sadistic bitch even as a girl, so I tried to avoid her as much as possible. I was close to Andromeda, though, until the family disapproved of her marriage."

Colombe spoke quietly with a distant look in her eyes. "So you know how it is with children and their friends. No doubt they will see fit to inform their mothers when their plans for mischief mature. Claire is a very good girl, so I am confident that she shall not do anything too outrageous." Colombe grinned smugly in memory. "Unlike her poor aged mother, who caused her Papa to pull his hair out a few times when she was her age."

Narcissa leaned in as they turned onto the road to London. "Oh do tell!"

Colombe chuckled, "Well, do you wish to hear about how I was expelled from Beauxbatons for being quite a noble hellion?"

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

Harrods, London

28 June 2014
Spoiler: Birthday Shopping Trip

Colombe parked the car and then looked at the others. "So, ladies, where do we start?"

Narcissa smiled at Colombe. "Well Nimue needs a nice new dress for our trip to the Proms tonight. So we begin there, and we can get Claire one as well?"

Colombe smiled back. "Well, I am sure that we can find something nice for our girls. Dolce and Gabbana?"

Narcissa nodded and guided Nimue gently through the doors toward the ladies' formalwear section. "Yes, let's see if they have something that suits."

Nimue's eyes widened in shock at the displays of luxuries and brand-name upper-class goods and she sucked her breath through her teeth. "Wow, I never imagined anything like this," she whispered in awe. Beside her, Claire nodded in agreement with wide eyes.

Colombe spoke in response. "And that is why I insisted on coming here for your birthday, Nimue. We are nobles and while from us much is demanded, much also to us is given."

With that she glanced over at the thoughtful Narcissa. "So, Perhaps the rose pink silk with her blonde hair and pale complexion? See how how that looks on her?"

Narcissa nodded as the sales associate approached them. "I think that might very well work for her."
Spoiler: Nimue's Proms Dress And Accessories


Claire meanwhile looked at the dresses on display and then blushed and pulled on the sleeve of her mother's blouse. "That one with the flowers is very pretty, Mother. Can I see if it fits?"
Spoiler: Claire's New Outfit


Colombe smiled at her daughter and nodded indulgently as the Dolce & Gabbani sales associate began to mentally count his commission bonus from these customers.

Following the purchase of $9090 worth of dresses for the two girls, the next stop was to get matching shoes and handbags for them. Claire chose a black leather handbag with a embroidered musical motif while Nimue picked out a white calfskin bag.

Narcissa nodded at Claire as they headed up to the Shoe Heaven. "Surely you can get her a better necklace than that locket, Colombe?"

Colombe shook her head. "Actually not. For one, it is sentimental, since I gave her that locket for her first Christmas. The other reason is that she needs to have part of her true body in proximity to her avatar to manifest. For Ehren and I, our true bodies are portable." She tapped the handbag with subtle space expansion charms that contained her rapier body. "For Claire not so much, so that locket contains one of her strings and some other small parts of her piano case."

Narcissa made a thoughtful sound. "I see. I suppose that makes sense although I am surprised that you are so open with that information."

Colombe shrugged, "I had to reveal it under oath as part of clearing my name because I used that property of myself to escape confinement of my avatar in Sarajevo in 1914 in a classic locked room mystery scenario. So it will be in the Wizengamot's records soon enough, especially once they figure out that I am what I am. So I am just hastening the release of that information somewhat."

Narcissa nodded thoughtfully as they headed to the Malfoy townhouse to change clothes before the Proms. "Clever of you, Colombe," she murmured under her breath as she watched Claire and Nimue chatter excitedly about the upcoming show, "I can see why Lucius was so adamant about getting you on our side."

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

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gardens, London

28 June, 2014
Spoiler: The Proms

Claire's eyes sparkled as she made her way from their parked car toward the concert hall ahead of Nimue and Cleopatra, all wearing evening dresses. The delighted brunette piano hummed the Doctor Who Theme to herself as she almost skipped to the music.

Nimue glanced at Cleopatra and fingered her scarf absently. The young Malfoy daughter then took a deep breath and asked her friend curiously, "so, why are these concerts called 'Proms'? That sounds like my high school dances."

Cleopatra grinned at her as she responded. "Actually it is short for 'promenade concerts'. This tradition started in 1895 with outdoor concerts in pleasure gardens to introduce people in London to quality music. You could listen to the orchestra and walk around and enjoy the garden. Over time, it went indoors, but it is intended for everyone to enjoy. The Malfoys are financial supporters of the orchestra and the Proms so they have a private box alongside other members of the nobility, but the general tickets are intended and sold to the common folk."

"Ohhhh!" Nimue made a sound of understanding as Narcissa guided them to a private side entrance that led to their box.

Narcissa gently hugged Nimue around the shoulders as they entered their box. "And now, you get to experience something special. Say what you will about the muggles, but they do produce some great works of art."

Colombe nodded as she sat behind Narcissa in the second row inside their box just behind Claire, who was almost vibrating with excitement. "I agree, which is why my family has supported the fine arts for almost a century. Sadly, I am a talented amateur at best when playing piano. Ehren is my equal, I fear."

At that, Claire turned and hugged her mother, saying in her gentle voice, "but Mother, you play me with such love and emotion, that I don't care about your technical skill. Music is passion given life."

Colombe returned the hug as the curtain raised. "Toi, vraiment, tu es adorable, ma fille bien-aimée,"(You, really, you are adorable, my beloved daughter)
she whispered thankfully in a voice choked with emotion. She then released Claire so that they could begin to enjoy the show as the video screens started to show a flying blue police box.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking away from the line, Ellen giggled a little at the sight of the piles of food on both Samantha's and Sora's trays. It did not help matters that the Kitsune was slowly eating a piece of toast held in her mouth that was smeared with a lot of peanut butter. All the while making very happy Kitsune noises as it slowly vanished. Only shaking her head, Ellen then glanced at her son's plate, internally nodding that it was enough for one his size.

After all, she noted that the night before that he nearly made himself sick from eating too much. Thankfully, he managed to keep it all down, but it was as a close thing. Just the same though, both her and her husband were keeping an eye on him. While the shipgirls could easily eat plenty of food, he was a normal human with all that involved. There was only so much that he could eat and not make himself sick. Something that she suspected could be blamed on the fact that he had to deal with eating as much as he could, when he could on the island.

Just internally sighing, the American straightened her back and gave a small nod. It was going to be a long, hard journey, but she was more than willing to help as possible. Deciding to get her mind off such things, she turned to the Ha-47, who stood beside her. The little Midget Submarine looking at her plate of food in happiness as her cat tails swayed behind her, "Excited to get a nice, big breakfast?"

Rapidly nodding, the Neko smiled up at her, "Hai, Okaa-San!" Looking at her plates once more, she licked her lips, "I can't wait to eat! And same for my crew!"

Lips twitching, Ellen chuckled some and had to fight the urge to ruffle her hair. Mainly because she needed to keep her hands on her own tray. Remembering what she had heard from other shipgirls, she gave the various Midget Submarines a considering look, "If you don't mind... could you tell me how much crew you had? From what I overheard Samantha say, you all have diesels, but... I could have sworn that you all should have run on just batteries?"

Blinking some, Ha-45 answered for her sisters, "Hmm... we had six crew and a small diesel, Okaa-San." Slapping her tail against her leg, she continued with pride in her voice, "Our engine room was a bit bigger due to expansion charms. And with six crew members, we could run shifts of two people each!"

Slowly, Ellen nodded at that, "I see..." A thought occurred to her and she frowned, "Wait, if you had six on you... then where would they rest?"

Mouth opening for a moment, the otter Subgirl shook her head, "Um, we had this little spot just behind where the torpedoes were. Since our crews were in animal form, it was big enough that they could just curl up there and sleep. And beneath the conning tower was where they could eat and such with a kind of small potty that vanished anything in it."

Grimacing a bit, Ellen shoved that last bit out of her head. Not what she needed to hear before her own breakfast. Clearing her throat, she gave a nod, "Sounds like it was harsh for your crews."

With a small shrug, Ha-45 shook her head, "Um, it wasn't much worse than those who served for the Imperial Magical Army on-board those armoured gunships."

Eyebrow raised, the American turned to her daughter who shrugged, "They were small ships less then half the displacement of a PT Boat. But... they used tank guns as their main weapon and had the same steel as used in tanks to protect themselves. Pretty damn small..." Furrowing her eyebrows, Samantha shook her head, "They had expanded fuel tanks to give them better range too. Mostly used for supporting landings and stuff, but really cramped, and I had to supply a few that were returning back to Japan near the end of the war. There was a lot of them because they were going to use them against any landings near the end."

Nodding slowly, Ellen frowned, "I see..." However, internally, she was thoughtful, 'I wonder how many will return and in what form...?'

But shortly afterwards, her such thoughts were shoved to the back of her mind as she sat down alongside her family across from Yui and her family. Said Jorogumo glanced at her and smiled before bowing slightly, "Good morning, Ellen-San. How has the day been for you?"

Lightly chuckling, Ellen shook her head, "It's been going well enough." Noticing the red rimmed eyes that the Yokai had, which was mirrored by the Jorogumo shipgirl, the teacher simply nodded in acknowledgement. Something that got her a thankful look from the other mother, "I hope that there has not been much trouble here?"

Yui gave a chuckle before sipping her orange juice, "Not at all, Ellen-San. While busy, it is not as much so as our restaurant has been at times. And, thankfully, no one has done much more than give us nods or the like."

Relaxing, Ellen sighed some, "That's good to hear." Unseen by her, that got a smile from the Jorogumo as the American took a bit of bacon and began to chew. Once she was done, Ellen made note of the amount of food on Yui's plate as well as Tsukiko, "Hmm? That's quite a bit. And a lot of meat as well."

With a small hum, the older of the Spider Yokai shrugged as she stabbed a sausage with her fork, "We are Jorogumo, Ellen-San. As whole, our species are big eaters due to our... physiology. One does not have bodies as big as ours and eat little after all." Getting a nod, she continued, "These forms just make it easier on us since we need less food than in our true forms. As for meat..." Yui grinned and showed off her sharp teeth, "We are predators, after all."

That got a laugh from Ellen and she agreed before turning back to her own meal.

Once they were done, however, Samantha reached into her pocket, "Oh! I almost forgot!" Pulling out a small box, she set it in front of them, "Mom and Sora made these earlier..." The Subgirl then opened it to reveal a bunch of cupcakes inside, "Her famous Baker Applesauce Cupcakes."

Cheeks pinkened, Ellen gave her daughter an embarrassed look, "They're not that good."

However, the shipgirl in question snorted some and shook her head, "Mom? Yes, they really are that good." Turning back to the rest of the group, she smiled, "Go ahead and take some."

Reaching over, Yumiko smiled a bit, "Thank you, I heard all about these from you Samantha-Chan as well as Eric-Kun and Sora-Chan." Looking at Hinata, she gave a wink, "Those three liked talking about them at times on their birthdays. About how Ellen-San would bake a cake for them before we were stranded for their birthdays."

Intrigued, Hinata's father took one and looked at it before biting into it. Slowly, he chewed before giving a nod and swallowing, "The applesauce must make the cupcake more moist than normal, yes? And the icing is... hmm... cream cheese with a hint of honey? Interesting..."

Eyebrows raised, Ellen then chuckled and smiled, "That's right, Hikaru-San, on both parts. Though I won't give out the recipe to just anyone..." She winked some, "Family secret, you know."

That got a chuckle from Hikaru before he shook his head, "Hai, and I can understand. Still, this is quite good... and you make full cakes as well?"

Brightly smiling, the American scratched her cheek, "I do, yes. And sometimes I let it sit for a day or two for the flavour of the apples to come out more. Still, I thought that making cupcakes would be better in this case as it gave everyone some." Then she shrugged, "I'll be bringing some to the Fubuki later so that her spirit can have them as can Utsuho."

That got her nods of understanding from the other parents. Hikaru glanced at his wife and frowned in thought, "Perhaps I should cook up some food as well and bring it to them..."

While the adults were talking, meanwhile, Natsuo and Tsukiko were looking at the cupcakes that they were given. Glancing at each other, they took a deep sniff of the confections and could smell the apple in them as well as a whiff of spices. With another, shared look, they each took a bite before happily smiling, "Mmm..."

After everyone was finished with their treats, Ellen took a look at the time before nodding, "It's getting a little close to when we're supposed to head out to shop..." Frowning, she considered it, "Does anyone know how we're supposed to do this? After all, we need full wardrobes for Eric and the others."

Frowning himself, Yusuke furrowed his eyebrows, "I will admit that I have wondered much the same thing myself. But... I have not yet received a full answer as to how it will be handled. Just that we shall not need to worry about it as it will be on the JMSDF's bill."

None of the parents were quite sure how to handle that, but simply nodded before they stood up and gently cleaned the faces of the younger children. All of whom smiled and giggled at the attention. Thankfully, Ellen had her daughter's help with the Midget Submarines, but it still took some time.

Eventually though, they made their way outside and to where they were supposed to meet their minders for the day. Much to their surprise, Mamiya, Hayasui, Taigei, and Yamato were waiting for them as well as a girl who bore some resemblance to Ooyodo, but with red hair. Said girl took a few steps forward and bowed to them, "Good day, I am the Light Cruiser, Niiyodo, second of the Ooyodo class. I'll be helping with the others for today's shopping trip."

The group bowed back to her before they stood up and thanked her. Noriko then cleared her throat a little, "We do have a question for you..." At Niiyodo's nod, she continued, "How are we going to pay for all this? While myself and my husband do get payed well, we only have our daughter which is enough to put a strain on things. And we were told that it was to be handled else wise."

Simply smiling, the Light Cruiser nodded, "Hai, we will be handling that." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a number of what looked like prepaid credit cards, "These are for your use, each card contains ¥900,000."

Mouth dropping open as she was handed several of the cards for the Midget Submarines, Ellen swallowed as she realized that at that moment, she held more money in her hands than she made in an entire year. Taking a deep breath, she released it and glanced at the others who were also shocked, "This... is quite a bit."

Chuckling, Yamato shook her head, "Perhaps, but once you are in the JMSDF, each of you will get paid the same amount as someone who commanded you for about the same amount of time you were afloat. So, for instance... Hinata-San?

The Jorogumo blinked and nodded, "Hai?"

Yamato's lips twitched some, "You would be paid as a Commander who has been in the JMSDF for the same length of years that you were afloat as a steel hull. In your case, I believe it was... seventeen years, correct?" Blinking, Hinata nodded, which made the Battleship smile, "Which means, of course, that you would have seventeen years worth of experience under the payment method." She nodded some towards Sora, "Meanwhile, Sora-San would have the equivalent pay rank as a Captain, but one just starting out."

Now curious, Kensuke crossed his arms, "Are there other examples you could tell us? And what about the others here?"

Just chuckling, the Battleship smirked a little, "Nagato-San, for example, has the pay rank of a Rear Admiral due to her experience and with twenty two years worth of experience as a ship with eight more tacked on giving her thirty years. Fubuki-San, a Destroyer, has the pay of a Captain who has been in the JMSDF for twenty years." She then nodded a little at the others while ignoring the stunned looks being given her, "Yumiko-San would be much the same as Hinata-San, with the pay of a Commander, but one with only three years worth I believe. Samantha-San would be a Lieutenant-Commander with two years, and the Midget Submarines would be Lieutenants with varying amount of years under them." Glancing at Niiyodo, Yamato frowned slightly, "I... am not sure, but I believe that there has been some talk as well that the time spent stranded would count towards the pay grade..."

With a frown, Niiyodo adjusted her glasses, "That has been discussed, yes. But no decision has been made quite yet..." She then turned back to the others, "As for the amount given to you, it is normally given to newly summoned shipgirls to get them everything that they need to start out with in their new lives. Clothing in the form of a full wardrobe, personal hygine products, even bits of furniture that they may need such as futons and the like. Usually, there is some left over, but it is all part of the normal budget. Consider it a..." The Light Cruiser smiled a bit, "Consider it a signing bonus, if you must."

Sharing a look, those there simply nodded before Taigei spoke up, "Now, we rented a bus so that everyone can go and begin to shop. We'll also show you some of the shops on the bases where you can buy various things. Most of them have payment plans for JSDF personnel that will allow for you to handle such things..."

Each of the group shared a smile before they headed onto the bus. Granted, Ellen asked for them to stop by where the JS Fubuki was currently docked and she went on board before leaving a few cupcakes on a plate, though she gave some to the Captain and the like who thanked her. Before she left, she also placed one in front of the Yatagarasu who called the ship home. Said bird grabbing the cupcake and flying off with it.

Unseen by any of them, it landed next to the spirit of the ship who had a cupcake in her hand and a bright smile before she bit into it happily, with Utsuho joining her shortly after as they watched the bus leave.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Storm At Malfoy House

Malfoy Manor

28 June, 2014
Spoiler: A Stormy Evening

Thunder rolled and boomed in the distance as an Atlantic storm approached from the Irish Sea. According to the meteorologists, strong rain and heavy weather was expected. The trees bucking and heaving in the faint light of the waning crescent moon proved the truth of that prediction as the ink-black rolling clouds of the storm approached to snuff it out.

Draco hummed thoughtfully to himself, realizing how the house seemed a little more somber without the sounds of his cousin Claire playing the pipe organ, piano, or her keyboard filling the house. With that insight, his thoughts drifted to his memory of watching the shopping trip to London depart. He had briefly considered going along, but then thought better of the idea, especially considering the strong possibility of getting sucked into another exhausting experience such as the earlier one when he had met Ehren.

As the du Chastelers' antique 1928 Mercedes limousine had started down the driveway of Malfoy House, Draco had watched it go from this very window, paying special attention to the blonde head, a literal twin to his own, in the rear window sitting between his girlfriend Cleopatra and the inkblot black of his cousin Claire.

At least this time his family was not having to pay for the planned shopping trip to Harrods. Instead his Aunt Colombe had organized it as a birthday present to his heretofore unknown to her twin sister after the du Chastelers met Nimue the first time.

Draco smirked smugly as his thoughts then wandered to the memory of the poleaxed look on Colombe's aristocratic face when they first entered his father's study. The rapier had been visibly shocked at the presence of Nimue, then turned to glare at her youngest child Ehren who merely raised one eyebrow coolly in response. Ehren's clear refusal to break her sworn word of secrecy that protected his sister, even to her own mother, had warmed his heart as Colombe sighed and shook her head with a 'what can you do' expression before turning back to him, his sister, and his family and then introducing herself and her family.

Claire, of course, was waving shyly at her new cousins behind Colombe's back before asking in the piano's gentle, musical voice who Nimue's favorite composers were. Draco was still not sure who or what 'The Screaming Trees' were, or how a piano could play their musical creations. Meanwhile Colombe had just sighed with an indulgent smile when his sister, Cleopatra, and Claire decamped to the music room shortly after meeting while Ehren gave a small smug smirk at the sight.

A soft hand caressing his shoulder caused Draco to turn to see the platinum-headed and violet-eyed form of SMS Niobe. The Kaiserliche(Imperial) Marine protected cruiser's spirit spoke in her sweet soprano voice and leaned against him gently. "Kiss for your thoughts, Darling?"

Draco smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the lips before responding. "I was just thinking about my cousins and my sister. Specifically how we were sure as we prepared for the meeting that Ehren would tell her mother everything she knew about Nimue since Ehren was clearly on a fact finding scouting mission according to Cleo and you. But when they showed up at our house, Colombe was surprised by Nimue and clearly was blaming Ehren for that surprise."
Spoiler: The Storm Arrives

Thunder rumbled louder as Niobe smiled. "I am not surprised by Ehren's actions, which is why I said nothing when the subject was raised by your father. Better to be safe than sorry, and I could have been in error. As for Ehren... You must understand, Darling, that while she was forged by the," scorn and hatred filled the shipgirl's face and words, "Nazis to serve them, she actually hearkens back to an earlier, cleaner era of Germany in what she strives for. If I did not know differently, I would have thought her the Prussian Junker sister of several of my officers from the era before the Great War."

"Junker?" Draco asked in a curious voice as the first drops of rains pattered the pane.

"Ja, Liebling(Yes, darling)." Niobe responded, slipping briefly into her native German. "It comes from Jung Herr, or 'young lord'. The Junkers were the country farmers and squires who were the backbone of Prussia. One of our poets said it best when it came to them. 'Üb' immer Treu und Redlichkeit / Bis an dein kühles Grab; / Und weiche keinen Fingerbreit / Von Gottes Wegen ab.' Practice always fidelity and honesty until your cool grave and never stray one fingerwidth from the Way of the Lord."

The shipgirl's eyes gleamed and her voice was filled with quiet pride at her heritage. "Duty, honor, fidelity, self-control, doing your utmost at all times, faithful service to God and Kaiser no matter the self-sacrifice's cost to yourself. 'Wer je auf Preußens Fahne schwört, hat nichts mehr, was ihm selbst gehört.' He who swears on Prussia's flag has nothing left for himself."

Draco nodded along at the description as the rain picked up and distant lightning flashed through the window. "That is Ehren. Obviously her mother drilled it into her from birth, but I wonder where else she got it from?"

Niobe sighed deeply before answering the question in a pain-filled bitter voice, "unfortunately, that kind of loyalty can be -- and was -- perverted when it was given to those unworthy of it. Such as Hitler, which seemed to have happened to her father. The more I see her, the more I am assured that her Vati was Prussian, you can see it in her. She is probably right by saying that he was a man of honor, just... misled." She scowled murderously at the memories of what she had seen and experienced. "Not the least of the Third Reich's unforgivable crimes. I am glad that Ehren at least saw what she was forged to become and rejects it utterly."

Draco blinked as a closer crack of lightning split the skies as they walked along the corridor. "What do you mean by that rejection, Niobe?" He asked curiously after the clap of thunder rumbled.

Niobe's voice was sadly compassionate as she spoke. "In Harrods when I realized that she was the spirit of an Ehrendolch, the Honor Dagger only given to SS officers, I confronted her to protect you Liebling. She revealed to me that after awakening she looked up what happened with the Nazis," Tears glittered in Niobe's eyes as she continued, "and saw the truth of their madness, depravity, and evil. She then took an angle grinder to herself to try to deface the insignia of the Nazis and the SS on her hilt, and it nearly killed her in the doing."

Draco's eyes widened in shock and he swallowed, remembering his own struggles with turning away from what he had been becoming to what he was now. "That's... That is something, Niobe."

Niobe wept openly as she responded in a somber pain-filled voice, "In her eyes, I saw not just the shame and anger directed at what she had rejected, but also hatred directed at herself because she was too weak to manage to break the enchantments that her mother had placed on her to protect her before she awakened. As she told me, her eyes failed her and her blood made the grinder too slippery to handle before she could do the job right to redeem her honor even at the cost of her life. Ihre Ehre heisst Treue."

Draco shuddered at the image conjured up by Niobe's words, speaking louder to be heard over the pounding rain and booming thunder outside as the storm's full fury vented itself upon Malfoy Manor. "I wish that I could help her. Family looks after family, and she is family and should not have to suffer alone."

Whatever Niobe was about to say about that was drowned out as a bolt of lightning hit the lightning rod on Malfoy Manor's roof, shaking the house to the foundations with a deafening clap of thunder and knocking out the magical and electrical lights with the backlash of energies. Instantly, the house was plunged into pitch black darkness broken by periodic flashes of lightning.

As Draco pulled his wand out, Niobe grasped his hand desperately in a trembling grip. He heard the nearby sound of a girl crying out as he cast a spell. "Lumos!"

A green-white sphere of light formed over them, illuminating the hallway as Niobe clung to him and swallowed nervously, remembering the crash of bomb explosions in the dark as the Allies hit the Italian port that she was unable to defend with a night air raid. Suddenly Niobe's wireless room crackled with static from the storm's electrical discharges, and then she heard Washington's voice. "Head--ng to ma--- -uit bre--k--r box." She nodded and informed her radioman to send the reply that she would keep Draco safe and repeat the message until Washington acknowledged.

The whimpering cries grew louder as they approached the opened door to the library as the storm lashed the house with its full fury. Peeking inside, they saw Ehren curled up in a miserable ball on a sofa, hugging herself desperately. Her white blouse, dark skirt, and white stockings were faintly visible in the dim magical light as she trembled disturbingly with her eyes wide and unseeing. A discarded book lay on the floor nearby.
Spoiler: What You Are In The Dark

Another nearby crash of thunder rocked the house and Ehren screamed in terror, shaking uncontrollably. Before Draco and Nimue's shocked eyes, her clothing flashed and blurred, reforming into a jet black SS uniform with silver buttons and trim. She began to chant half-incoherent words to herself in German as she shook and shuddered violently with tears of fear in her eyes. "k-kein T-t-t-trommel-l-llfeuer-r-r-r me-e-e-ehr, kei-i-in Trom-m-m-melf-f-f-eur mehr..."(Gunfire like thunder - Verdun trauma)

Niobe's face turned ashen as she dashed to the side of the tormented dagger spirit and hugged her thrashing form."Draco, cast a spell to drown out the sound of the storm!" She snapped out at her boyfriend.

Draco ran to their side and waved his wand over the two girls clinging together. "Muffliato!" The sounds of the booming thunder and pounding rain suddenly faded to a dull incoherent background buzz as if cut by a knife.

Ehren burrowed deeper into Niobe's embrace as the German cruiser held her protectively. Niobe's eyes found Draco's and she nodded at the vacant spot on the sofa. Taking the hint, he sat on the other side of Ehren and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder, feeling her muscles strain and flex under stress.

Gradually Ehren calmed down and took a deep, shuddering breath, before blinking her steel-blue eyes as she returned to herself from whatever waking nightmare that she had been reliving. Her face flushed in shame as she realized that at some point during her flashback that she had loosened the iron control on her darker aspect.

"Don't... please." Ehren choked out hoarsely, shrinking into herself.

Draco leaned closer, cupping her chin forcefully and forcing her to stare into his concerned eyes. "None of that nonsense, Cousin. Family supports family. We are here for you."

Ehren whimpered miserably. "Even when I am like... this?"

Niobe hugged Ehren tighter. "Especially when you are like this, Ehren du Chasteler. What happened to put you in such a state... It was Verdun, ja?"

Ehren blinked in surprise as she stared at Niobe and then spoke slowly, "You know. How do you know?"

Niobe gave a sad smile as tears slid down her pale cheeks. "Some of my medical orderlies were reassigned to support the Army in the Great War in shore-side hospitals. They saw the shell shock that you now suffer from firsthand, Ehren. When we found out from the photographs in the papers that you stood alongside your mother to deal with Verdun's awakening..." She hugged Ehren closer as her voice trailed off and she swallowed nervously.

The protected cruiser then sighed deeply and bitterly as her own voice came out in a pained whisper and her saltwater tears flowed. "I know what it is like to be helpless under fire. I watched the High Seas Fleet and some of my sisters go to war when I was not permitted to go. Frauenlob and Ariadne sailed out and never returned as they died alone and helpless under the Royal Navy's shells at Helgoländer Bucht and then Skagerrakschlacht(Heligoland Bay and then Battle of the Skagerrak). Then later in the Second World War, I served in ports that came under air attack and had to cower and listen to the whistle of the falling bombs, able to do nothing but endure as I waited for the next endless moment to become my last."

Draco surprised himself with his own words as he shook in unquiet memory and tears filled his eyes. "Just over a year ago in Hogwarts, a Basilisk was released in the school. It petrified me, trapping me inside my immobile body. I was unable to act, unable to move, unable to do anything but scream alone inside the silence of my own mind as I could only wait helplessly for the end. The worst part was realizing all the mistakes I made and flaws in me that had led me to that point and how wrong I was to look down on those worthy of my trust. After I was freed, I have tried to make the best of my second chance for life."

Ehren reached over to Draco and pulled him into the group embrace. "Ja. As I endured under fire following Mutti up the slopes of Le Mort Homme. I still cannot remember much of that night, just flashes that I make little coherent sense of and do not want to examine. But the noise of the thunder... I thought that the Mill was pulling me back into its maw to be devoured." She shuddered in fear as horror filled her eyes.

Niobe held Ehren to her breast. "Not if we shall have anything to do about it. Although... What happened to cause your clothing to shift to this SS-Dreck?" She tapped a finger on the silver double sieg runes on Ehren's right collar tab.

Ehren winced at the reminder and spoke in a miserable voice filled with self-hatred. "It is part of my nature forged into me at my creation. I keep that part of myself walled off... generally. In Verdun, I had to release it to get the strength to protect Mutti and the others. Since then... it has become harder to control and cage Grendel. Perhaps I was damaged by what happened there, by what I had to do there."

Niobe shook her head in negation and responded sharply. "Don't think such Quatsch(Nonsense), Ehren! I believe in you, and know that you will triumph in your struggle for mastery over yourself." She looked deep into Ehren's vulnerable eyes and tapped the double sieg runes again. "After all, you were forged to embody victory and honor. No matter the cost to yourself, no matter the difficulty, I know that you shall prevail over the evil inherent in your soul."

Draco joined in, his own voice commanding as he tried to share what he could with his tormented cousin. "We know, Cousin Ehren. We know. And know that your family stands with you every step of the way to support your battle."

Ehren swallowed the lump in her throat, fresh tears trickling from her vulnerable eyes as she looked between shipgirl and wizard.

For long moments, the darkened room was still save for the muffled sounds of the passing storm. Then the lights flickered to life as Washingon reset the house's electrical grid that had been knocked out. Niobe breathed a sigh of relief as Washington radioed her "Go go Turbo-electric propulsion! I'll stay by the breaker box in case the power goes out again."

Ehren nodded sharply and decisively at them before speaking in an emotion-filled choked whisper as fresh strength and determination filled her soul. "And I swear that I shall be there for you both in my turn as family should. Life is struggle, yes, but it is a struggle worth the winning to master one's self. Vielen Dank, Gleichgesinnte(Thank you, like-minded people)."

Niobe explained the meaning of the final word as she pulled handkerchiefs from her hold to hand to Draco and Ehren. "Gleichgesinnte are those of like mind and spirit. Family not just by blood, but also by belief and the brotherhood of shared labors."

Author's Note: I'd like to give a public shout-out and thank you to Magister Aurelius for allowing me to play with the Ship of Fools cast here. Greatly appreciate being allowed to use one of my favorite HatSG characters (Draco).

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

We're On A Mission From (Butterknife) God...

Malfoy Townhouse, London

29 June 2014
Spoiler: A Piano's Preparations

Claire happily hummed "Think" by Aretha Franklin as she got dressed. Her shy smile got a a distinctly smug edge as she remembered one of her favorite movies about musicians. She brushed out her hair and whispered at the reflection in her mirror. "We're getting the band together."

The brunette girl in the mirror in the black blouse and white skirt with musical notation (Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca) gave her a knowing grin back and a wink.
Spoiler: Claire's Outfit


With that she grabbed her new handbag and headed for the door.

Outside, she smiled and gave Mother the requisite daily ration of hugs and kisses on the cheek from her Best Piano Daughter. As was her due, she received a kiss on the forehead back and a gentle hair ruffle. "Ready to go shopping, Claire?"

Claire nodded enthusiastically. "I am! Ehren said Diagon Alley was out of this world! And the music store we are going to afterward used to be a recording studio where the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, and the Who all first recorded some of their hits!"

Nimue smiled at her cousin as she joined the conversation. "I see that you really liked my Herman's Hermits MP3s to add them to that list."

Mother shrugged as Narcissa and Cleopatra appeared. "I shall take your word for that. I confess that Claire is the expert on post World War II music in our house. My heart rests with the seventeenth through nineteenth century classical composers in the main. Although Toku does some amazing things with traditional Japanese compositions for her shakuhachi bamboo flute, and some of the movie composers like John Williams are geniuses."

Nimue and Cleopatra chorused: "John Williams is The Man, Aunt Colombe!"

Mother shook her head as Claire nodded enthusiastically. "Claire certainly agrees with you, girls."
Spoiler: Shopping Trip To Diagon Alley

Claire smiled and joined the other girls in their nice but casual outfits, then pulled on a borrowed wizarding robe from the townhouse's wardrobes over her 'muggle clothing' along with Cleopatra, Nimue, and Mother as Narcissa clapped her hands. "We shall be taking the Floo to Diagon Alley, ladies. To travel, Nimue, Cleopatra, Claire, take one pinch of Floo Powder and throw it into the fireplace. When the flames turn green, speak the name of your destination clearly and distinctly."

All the girls nodded and took a pinch of powder from the elegant vase next to the fireplace. Mother raised an admiring eyebrow at it as she followed suit. "That is a very nice wucai Ming vase there, Narcissa. My compliments to whomever acquired it. I shall go first to show how it is as done, if you want to bring up the rear?"

Narcissa nodded and Mother's fingers on her free hand flicked. Mother's eyes darkened from crystal blue to steel gray, her facial features became clearly Asian, and her hair darkened from its normal gold to a dark blonde. Claire leaned close to the others and stage whispered. "That's Big Sister Ying's face."

Mother nodded. "Better to not show up in public among other wizards as myself until my name is cleared so I will not be arrested on sight." She threw the Floo Powder into the fireplace and the flames turned jade-green. She then spoke in a commanding voice. "Diagon Alley!" as she stepped into the center of the flames.

"Oooo!" Claire squealed in delight as the flames died down. "Me next!" Narcissa nodded and Claire threw her powder into the flames. She stepped into them with only a little hesitation, since she trusted Mother's Fireproofing Charms to keep her safe, especially after the accident in 1884 when a candelabra got tipped over on her with no damage.

"Diagon Alley!" With a whoosh, she rocketed through fire past other fireplaces and hearths. Enthralled, Claire began to hum the theme from Superman as she flew for a wonderful timeless moment. All too soon, Claire popped out of a fireplace in some kind of pub where Mother disguised as Big Sister Ying was there to brush the soot off her robe. Nimue joined her and Mother a moment later, followed by Cleo and then Narcissa.

Claire smiled happily at Nimue, who returned the smile. "That was fun!" Claire said with her eyes twinkling. Nimue and Cleopatra nodded in agreement.

As the entrance to Diagon Alley formed, Claire clung close to Mother, holding her hand tight. The sights, sounds and all the people were a little overwhelming, after all. She was very glad that Mother was here to keep her company in this new place. Although she felt a musical composition to describe what she was seeing and feeling was tickling her heart as it asked to get out once she got back to her keyboard.

Sugarplum's Sweets Shop

Claire's eyes got very wide as she looked at the display of hopping Chocolate Frogs in the window. She turned to look at Mother, who was absently adjusting the hem of Mother's new dress robe that she had just purchased from Twilfitt and Tatting's as they walked down the street. Clothes shopping was fun, especially with Musical Cousins and friends.

She gave Mother her best Needy Piano Eyes as she stopped by the candy shop. "Can we, pleease?" Claire begged in her best Mother's Good Little Piano Daughter tone.

Mother winced as if Claire had stepped on her toes again while learning how to dance. "This is Nimue's present, dear. You have to ask her." Under her breath, she muttered something about "such a handful" and "fucking lethal, watch where you point those, Claire". Mother was being silly again, Claire realized.

Claire turned to Nimue, who nodded enthusiastically in agreement with an ear-to-ear happy smile. Mother shook her head, mouthing "I just knew that would happen!" silently as she did another silly thing. Mother then looked at Aunt Narcissa, who had an amused look on her face, shrugged, and changed direction for the shop door.

Mother gave a theatrical long-suffering sigh ruined by her fond smug smirk as she opened the door for Claire, Nimue, and Cleopatra to charge inside. Narcissa stepped close as Claire examined the selection of Licorice Wands and murmured to Mother, "I remember my first time coming here as a young girl. My parents had the same look on their faces as you did when me and my sisters stormed inside."

Claire blinked and wondered why Mother blushed at that comment. She then shrugged, since it was just a Mother-thing anyway, and decided on the original flavor of Licorice Wands for her purchase. Good Little Piano Daughters were allowed to indulge their sweet tooth after all, and she just knew Best Little Sister Ehren and Little Sisters Misaki and Chi-chan would like those magical chocolate bars.

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

Regent Sounds of Denmark Street

London, England

29 June, 2014
Spoiler: Forming The Band

Colombe gave a slightly pained smile as the girls approached the music store. She knew quite well after decades of hard-earned experience exactly what kind of damage Claire could -- and did! -- do to her bank account in a music store. At least she had made a quiet phone call to Jardine yesterday morning to ensure that she could afford the ensuing damage.

She shook her head in memory of Claire speaking to her about the planned shopping and music trip after she agreed to treat Nimue for the Malfoy daughter's birthday.

Against what one might call her better judgement, she was not able to deny her beloved daughters much if anything. So Claire asking to visit Regent Sounds with those damnable big pleading eyes was setting up a hopeless last stand for her anyway. Especially when Nimue gave her the blond-haired and blue-gray eyed version of the 'But Mother....' look as she joined her partner in crime.

Claire making friends with her cousins was wonderful to see. Expensive, but wonderful.

Colombe breathed a sigh of relief as she entered. Judging from the guitars and drum sets on display for purchase, this was a more modern store than Claire's norm. For a second, hope flickered in her breast that all Claire and Nimue would do involved asking to tour the recording studio area where some bands had recorded hit songs in the 1960s.

Then Colombe saw Claire making a beeline for the display of keyboard synthesizers and her heart hit the bottom of her boots and kept sinking rapidly. The squeals of joy as the excited piano spirit found a seat and began to try out a Minimoog Limited 60th Anniversary Voyager synthesizer and the knowing chuckle of the bearded sales clerk heading that way were a suitable epitaph for the death of that faint hope.

Whatever a 'Moog synthesizer' even was.

Merde!(Shit)

Cleopatra and Nimue, meanwhile, had made their own way to the electric guitar display and had grabbed the attention of another clerk. Colombe's hand found her face in response to the oncoming disaster whose dimensions was becoming more and more apparent.

Bon sang!(Damn it)

Colombe glanced over to see Narcissa with a stunned look on her aristocratic face. Colombe leaned close and spoke in an undertone as the noise of the girls trying out the instruments echoed through the store.

"I think that we can maybe keep them from playing in taverns for fun?"

Narcissa twitched and muttered something under her breath about 'American upbringings' that caused Colombe to wince in sympathy.

"I mean it won't be too bad if they restrict it to family only. Right?" Narcissa gave her the kind of look Colombe normally associated with shipwreck survivors looking for rescue.

Colombe bravely pressed on as a smile lit up Claire's face as she adjusted the electronic musical sounds that she was producing. "I mean this is a phase that they will outgrow? Right?? Like Claire's grunge phase right after she manifested. They will go back to classical music soon enough."

Narcissa gave Colombe a sympathetic look. "I don't know how I will break this to Lucius, dear."

Colombe shrugged expressively as the guitar clerk set aside Cleopatra's pick of a Fender Stratocaster in electric blue as the first purchase. Nimue followed with a Rickenbacker 1993 Plus 12-String Electric Guitar before heading to the Bass Guitar section to select Niobe's instrument. "If all else fails, blame me. I'm used to that when it is not my fault."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Okaa-San! Okaa-San! Look!"

Turning, Ellen had to smile at the small Midget Submarine. Like the others, she looked a lot like a five year old. And at no other time was that apparent as now when she stood in front of the American with a bright smile wearing a girl's suspenders along with other clothes.

Crouching down, Ellen hummed a little as she closely examined the young shipgirl, "Hmm... how does it feel, He-39? Too tight? Not tight enough?"

Just twisting this way and that at the older woman's direction, He-39 shook her head, "Nope! It feels really good, Okaa-San!"

Bemused, the teacher crossed her arms in thought, "It looks good on you as well." Slowly, Ellen nodded some, "So? Do you want it?"

Rapidly nodding, He-39 grinned, "Uh-Huh! I like it a lot!"

Finger tapping her chin, Ellen took her in before nodding, "Just one test left... transform so that we can see everything fitting right."

Not needing to be told twice, the Midget Submarine let her Yokai features out. Two floppy rabbit ears appeared on her head and Ellen could see a small tuff of fur at her back for her tail. Wiggling her nose, He-39 was about to say something when one of her ears fell over her face and covered her eye. A pout on her face, she blew at her ear, which did nothing. Then, with a huff, she flung her ear back, "Get out of my face!"

Of course, the other ear chose that moment to fall over the other eye, with the first going back and doing the same.

Her lips madly twitching, it took everything for Ellen not to laugh. Especially when the frustrated He-39 pushed her ears out of her face and gave her a glare as she puffed out her face. Not that said glare did anything but make her look all the more cute. Pouting, He-39 looked away, "Don't laugh."

Simply holding her hands up, Ellen smiled, "I'm not laughing, see?" She pointed at her face, "Completely serious."

For a few moments, the bunny eared Submarine looked at her with narrowed eyes and a suspicious gaze. Then, He-39 gave a shrug, "Okay." She bounced a bit in place and went back to smiling, "What do you think, Okaa-San? Does it look good?"

Giving a thumbs up, Ellen smiled, "Looks very pretty on you. And everything seems to fit well, which is good."

Brightly smiling, He-39 gave her a hug, "Thank you, Okaa-San!" And, with that, she rushed off, "I think that they have more like this!"

The teacher shook her head, but before she could get much further, another voice called out, "Okaa-San! Okaa-San! Look!" Turning, she noted that He-45 was in a small dress and blouse. One that, Ellen noted, was not much different from her own if only sized for a child, "Do I look pretty, Okaa-San?"

Coughing in order not to laugh, Ellen gave a small nod, "You look very pretty, He-45. Extremely pretty, though..." Bemused, she glanced at herself, "It does look awfully familiar..."

Sparkles in her eyes, the Otter Subgirl proudly puffed out her chest, "That's because I wanted to look just like Okaa-San! Because then I would be really pretty!"

Ellen just shook her head and patted the Subgirl on the head, "Why thank you. And yes, like I said, you look very pretty indeed."

Right then, another Midget Submarine came up, "Okaa-San! Look I found this pretty dress! And it fits!"

Turning, Ellen gave a hum and a nod as the Neko Subgirl held the skirt of her dress and swished it back and forth, "It is a very pretty dress, He-47. And it looks very good on you as a matter of fact." Walking over, she examined it, "Hmm... a very nice dress."

Behind her, He-45 nodded as she looked at her sister, "Hai! It makes you look like a princess!"

Noticing what the Otter looked like, He-47 gasped, "Oh wow, Nee-San! You look just like Okaa-San!" Tilting her head to the side, she walked over, "Can you show me where you found it? Because I want to look like Okaa-San too!"

Head rapidly nodding, He-45 grabbed her sister's hand and began to drag her off, "Hai! As long as you show me where you got that dress! I want to look like a princess too!"

Giggles escaped from the two girls as they rushed off into the store.

With a sigh, Ellen shook her head though she had a slight blush on her face. Mainly at the thought that the two little shipgirls wanted to dress like her. Granted, that also brought a fond smile of remembrance to her face as well, 'It has been years since that...' The shuffle of feet made her turn and smile as a Kitsune Subgirl came put shyly from behind some clothes, 'When did she...' Putting that aside, Ellen tilted her head as she looked at the clothes in the girl's hands, "Hmm... that is a very cute shirt, He-59. Very, very cute and would look nice on you."

He-59 blinked at that and looked at the shirt, which had a cartoon fox on it. Voice soft, nearly an whisper, she nodded, "I really like it, Okaa-San. Like you said... it is very cute." Then the Kitsune Subgirl looked up at her, "Um... Do you really think that it would make me look cute as well?"

Gently ruffling her hair, the American laughed, "No, it would make you cuter, Cutie-Pie. Because you are pretty cute as it is."

Much to her amusement and happiness, that got her a bright smile and a hug before the Kitsune rushed off to get some more clothes.

Once she was done, Ellen glanced around and straightened her back which got a small crack from it. Sighing, she shook her head some before chuckling, "I'm getting too old for this..."

A snort made her turn to find Yui there holding a can of coffee, "You're not that old, Ellen-San. In fact, your still very young compared to me."

Softly snorting herself, Ellen gave the Jorogumo a look, "And I always will be." Taking the offered can though, she gave a sigh, "Ah, just what I need."

Extremely amused, the Yokai shook her head, "I can just imagine that is what you need." Unable to help herself, she chuckled a little, "I've got two little ones and they're enough of a handful. Thankfully, Hikaru-Kun and Hinata-Chan are giving me a small break, though..."

Understanding the unasked question, Ellen sighed a bit, "Samantha is currently getting her own clothing right now. Trust me, if I did not handle the little ones, than chances are that she would not be able to find anything for herself." Amused lilt to her voice, she continued, "I remember when my own children were that age after all. Shopping for myself was so problematic."

Lightly chuckling, Yui nodded slightly, "Yes, that is true enough. The Kami know that I love my own children, but when it comes time to finding something for myself... more often than not they would be underfoot and distracting me. Hopefully, Samantha-San will be able to find something."

Just shaking her head, the American snickered, "Most likely, though she is finding a few issues due to the family curse, if you will."

Confused, Yui tilted her head until Ellen gestured at her own chest and she gave a nod, "Ah, I see. That sort of problem then?"

With a slight shrug, the other mother nodded, "Pretty much, yes. I wear baggy clothes so it is not that noticeable. Which is why I feel for Samantha as I know the issues that come with that." Looking back at her own chest, Ellen shook her head, "Damn things grew a bit when I became pregnant though, so..."

Grimacing, Yui shook her head some, "Trust me, I know the feeling. Much the same happened to myself when I was pregnant with Hinata-Chan." A smirk then crossed her face, "Though my husband did not mind all too much when it came to such things." Both women shared a giggle at that before she continued, "And better than Noriko-San."

Now curious, Ellen raised an eyebrow, "Oh? How so? Unless..." Considering things, she frowned, "Tanuki females are the, ah, somewhat like the males?"

Voice dry, the Jorogumo gave a nod, "Hai, they're like the males in that manner." She shook her head, "From what I gather, Noriko-San uses sarashi and sports bras." That got Yui a nod from the other woman. After a few moments, the Yokai cleared her throat, "It... may not be my business, but about your son..."

Much to her surprise, Ellen proudly smiled, "That is being taken care of." Glancing around, she leaned towards Yui, "Each of the girls is donating a small amount of money for him to use to buy his things. It helps that Samantha already stated that she does not mind if some of her clothes go to Ho-31 and Ho-32 as they are about the same size she was before... you know." Yui gave an understanding nod to that, "Anyways... at least we don't have to pay for them all, that would be..."

Softly snorting, Yui shook her head, "Troublesome, to say the least. One or two, sure, I think that we could handle, but not all of them..."

Both women continued to chat until a throat being cleared made Ellen turn to find Sora there. The Kitsune seemed embarrassed about something and chewed her lip, "Um, Ellen-Oba-Chan...? I, er... could use a little help for something..."

Needless to say, the blonde woman was confused at why the twenty year old was acting all shy and nervous. Or why she kept glancing around, "Sure, Honey. What do you need help with?"

Rather than say, Sora shifted from one foot to the other before taking a deep breath and letting it out, "W-well, I... need a little help." At the curious look, her face became bright red, "I, um... need some help with... you know." She gestured at herself, in particular her chest, "B-before, I... never really did that and, well..."

Understanding on her face, Ellen just smiled, "Yes, I suppose that could be an issue." Frowning for a moment, she furrowed her eyebrows, "How did you...?"

Completely mortified, Sora looked at her feet, "I went, um... traditional... for the most part. Especially when my... um... you know... got too small and..."

As she covered her face, the older woman frowned, "Traditional..." Eyes widening as she realized, she winced, "Traditional as in..."

Nodding, Sora mumbled a little, "H-hai..."

Instead of saying anything, Ellen looked at Yui who simply smiled and nodded as an unsaid conversation passed between them. The American then placed a hand on Sora's shoulder, though she noted that the twenty year old was taller than she was, "It's fine, Sora." When the Kitsune pulled her hand away from her red face, steam coming from her ears, Ellen continued, "If your mother was here, she would handle it. But she is not, so I will have to show you the ropes, hmm? Now... just follow me and we'll see what we can do for you, okay?"

Relaxing a little, Sora said goodbye to the amused Jorogumo, who hid that fact well, and followed Ellen towards a different section of the store...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Heavy Metal Butterknives

Malfoy Manor

1 July 2014

Nimue looked at the other five girls who had taken over the music room for the last few days. "Ready?"

Cleopatra gave a thumbs-up from her lead guitarist position by the amplifiers that they had used for their rehearsals. "Sounds good to me, Nimue."

Johnston grinned ear to ear through her authentic Cherokee warpaint and swigged a bottle of beer from where it rested next to her drum set. "Locked, cocked, and ready to rock Muffin's world, Nimue."

Nimue grinned and looked at the others. "Thanks again for writing down all our instrumental parts after listening to the songs, Claire."

Claire smiled shyly and blushed. "It is easy for me to pick apart the various instruments in a song, Nimue. So I was happy to help with the ones that you picked out. Adding in keyboards and other instruments is fun for me to determine how to do."

Ehren hugged Claire then looked at the others. "We could not have done this without everyone's work and talents. This is a team effort and we are greater than the sum of our parts after all."

Claire nodded with a shy smile, then adjusted her new T-shirt from her position at the keyboards. "Ready here. Thank you again for picking up our band's T-shirts when you were on that convoy run, Niobe."

The platinum-haired bass guitarist grinned at her friend. "Ehren did the hard work of doing the online ordering of the costumes. I just was the delivery woman, after all."

Ehren blushed and adjusted her sleeveless black leather motorcycle jacket (which HAD sleeves before Johnston got to it) with the custom pattern of a blonde witch casting a spell in front of a gray Iron Cross. over their band's name. "It was my contribution to the band's success. So, it is time to play our set for real, ja?

Nimue nodded. "Showtime, ladies. Radio Washington to collect by brother and our parents to head on in."

Johnston placed two fingers by her ear, rubbing her platinum anchor earrings with aquamarines that Draco had gotten her. "Washington is gathering them. Battle Stations, girls."

Cleopatra turned the lights down and then scooted back to her place in the band. Meanwhile Ehren breathed in and out deeply, controlling her Qi like Miho Fujii and Wei Ying had taught her to layer a weave of illusion over them all.

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

Draco Malfoy followed a smirking Washington to the music room. For the last few days his girlfriends, sister, and cousins had been up to something, and judging from the giggles, knowing glances, and smiles, it was aimed at him. Not to mention them taking over the music room, throwing up privacy and sound muffling charms and locking the doors.

He walked inside, noticing with surprise that his parents were waiting him on a couch, as was Aunt Colombe. Their seats were placed to face the empty space of the room where the pipe organ made up the wall.

As he took his seat, suddenly low female chanting sounded around them.

"From the depths of Hell in silence, cast their spells Explosive Violence..."

The sound of distant air raid sirens sounded, making Colombe visibly jump in her seat as her eyes widened.

"Russian night time flight perfected, Flawless vision, undetected!"

Suddenly with a flash, a set of gray-white Fraktur letters appeared in an arc overhead.

STAHLHEXE

With that, suddenly a full six young women clad in black and gray camouflage pants, silver jewelry, black motorcycle jackets, Stahlhexe T-shirts, and combat boots appeared in front of him.
Spoiler: Stahlhexe's First Cover

The harsh, pounding sounds of one of the Sabaton songs on the CD that Johnston had gotten for his birthday sounded as Ehren locked his eyes with her burning gaze and began to sing in her soaring soprano voice.

"Pushing on and on, their planes are going strong
Air force's number one
Somewhere down below they're looking for the foe
Bomber's on a run
You can't hide, you can't move, just abide
Their attack's been proved
Raiders in the dark
Silent through the night the witches join the fight
Never miss their mark!"

Ehren danced and sang back and forth with a happy smile, belting out the lyrics. Behind her Johnston and Claire headbanged with matching maniacally smug grins as they played drums and keyboard backing for Niobe, Nimue, and Cleopatra's guitar chords.

"Canvas wings of death
Prepare to meet your fate
Night bomber regiment
Five Hundred Eighty-Eight!
Undetected, unexpected
Wings of glory
Tell their story
Aviation, deviation
Undetected
Stealth perfected!"

Draco's lips curled in a gleeful smirk and he raised his hand to throw the horns as they reached the guitar solo portion of the song. Beside him, Washington gave a small thin smirk at the scene.

Colombe was shaking her head with an fond, happy smile at the antics of the younger girls. Narcissa was laughing behind her hand as Lucius' disapproving face was cracking badly as his heel tapped. Flynn in turn was banging his head along with his adopted daughter's chords.

"Beneath the starlight of the heavens
Unlikely heroes in the skies
Witches to attack, witches coming back
As they appear on the horizon
The wind will whisper when the Night Witches come!"

A part of Draco noted idly that Cleopatra, Niobe and Johnston were favoring him with smiles every time they saw him looking at them specifically. The rest of him was caught up in their song and the fact that they had done this in part because Johnston knew that it was one of his favorites.

As the song finished, Ehren curtsied to them, followed by the rest of the band. The German dagger spoke as her eyes found her mother. "Our next song is for Colombe du Chasteler, without whose financial support, Stahlhexe would never have come to life. Mutti, thank you for everything."

With that she nodded, and Nimue began began to play a simple, somber solo guitar piece.
Spoiler: How Many Roads Must A Butterknife Walk Down?

Ehren's song was full of compassion and love as she began to sing with tears in her eyes.

"How many roads must a woman walk down
Before you call her a woman?
How many seas must a white Dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?"

Colombe covered her mouth with her hand and gasped as tears trickled slowly from her wide, vulnerable eyes as she stared at her daughters and her family sing for her.

"Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a woman turn her head
And pretend that she just doesn't see?"

Claire's own face was full of love and compassion as Colombe began to weep. The piano gave her mother a love-filled smile as the song that she had picked out reached through the walls around Colombe's heart.

"Yes, and how many times must a woman look up
Before she can see the sky?
Yes, and how many ears must one woman have
Before she can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til she knows
That too many people have died?"

Colombe's lips moved and she whispered in the pause before the last chorus. "Je vous remercie du fond du coeur, ma fifille." (Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my girl)

"The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind."

Ehren finished the song, and then nodded to the rest. Nimue smiled at her parents both biological and adopted, and then stepped forward to sing the next song backed by Claire, Niobe, Cleopatra, and Johnston.
Spoiler: Mr. Malfoy, You've Got A Lovely Daughter...

"Mister Malfoy, you've got a lovely daughter...."

A.N. Stahlhexe is 'Steel Witch/Steel Sorceress' in German. Fitting for a band with two female magic-users (Ehren and Nimue), and the other four members (plus Ehren) are literally made out of steel to a large degree, nein?

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord Khuzdul

"Come in, you old goat, and have a coffee. Heard you were awake, but I was expecting you much earlier."

The old man, with his long beard and long snow white hair in a ponytail, shook the waters of the mild rain shower from his coat and gave the grinning Hızır the gimlet eye. "Well, when Khan Ulgen gives you a swift kick to 'get up and make yourself useful', you do not refuse. I thought I'd get here earlier, but well, I touched base with Baba Erenler. They are out in force, and rightfully so. If they weren't, I shudder to think how much of a mess we would have at hand."

Hızır scratched his short beard in thought. "I know, who do you think told them to get their asses moving? Take a seat and have a warm drink. We will have more guests tonight."

The old man walked to the table set up far to the back of the small cafe, while grumbling about untimely rain. Ilyas poked his head from behind the counter and smiled. "Vay, Korkut Ata, long time no see. What would you like?"

"Coffee, and a stiff one. I really need something to wake me up fully. How are you doing? This whole mess is more your bailiwick after all."

Ilyas shrugged, taking down one of the copper coffee pots to start brewing. "Well, not that I really saw it coming, but things worked out better than I hoped. I never thought that old crone up north would actually be helpful. Still, it was a troublesome time for all."

Hızır slipped behind the counter himself to start preparing a new pot of tea for the expected guests. "Well, that front is working out, but we have trouble on my side."

The old shaman sat back and gave a long look at the ancient prophet. "I heard about all the activity and troubles, but what do you mean? You seem to be suggesting something bigger."

"Let the others get here first, then I will explain. We have immediate concerns and later concerns, and we cannot actually hope to have the various Ministries help. They are completely swamped with the low level stuff."
The bell at the door jangled again, as another old man, this time with a short beard, walked in. Hızır smiled. "Lokman, good to have you here." He quirked an eyebrow when he noticed the small snake poking its head from his sleeve. "And who is your friend?"

The old physician smiled as he looked down. "An old friend. This is Ayla, she is an emissary of Shahmaran. Sultan of Snakes apologizes for not being here, but she has some trouble to handle in her area, as you may guess. Korkut? You finally woke up, huh? Didn't think even this would get you out of that river."

Korkut grumbled about impatient divinities as Lokman laughed. As he sat down, Ilyas brought Korkut's coffee.

The door jingled again, with a middle aged man with the leathery, wind-scoured skin of a sailor walking in sheltering a slight, beautiful woman with his jacket from the increasing rain. The black haired woman had dark and ageless eyes, and her smile brightened as she spotted the old shaman among those gathered.

Korkut grinned and inclined his head. "Welcome, tale spinner. Didn't expect to see you today."

Ilyas, meanwhile, laughed as he took away the sailor's jacket. "You old pirate. Still cannot stay away from it all, huh?"

The sailor, helping the woman to a seat, grinned. "You know me. I swear everytime, and everytime I break my oath. I thought I was completely screwed this time when the damned demons almost caught me off Cyprus, but managed to make it to Alexandria a bare hour before them. Lost the boat again in the bombardment, though. Knowing the entire Sea of Levant like the back of my hand helps, but not when the poor thing is caught in harbor with battleships turning the whole thing into a funeral pyre. I had to get back to Beirut overland, can you believe that?"

The entire party laughed at that. Lokman slapped the sailor on his shoulder. "You should consider yourself lucky. Heard what they do to people they catch. I don't think even I can put you together after something like that."

Hızır looked up as the door opened once again. "Ah, seems our last guest is here." Another old man stood at the door, shaking off an umbrella. He had a small, sand colored bird with a distinct crown of black tipped feathers on his shoulder. "So Simurgh decided to send an emissary in the end. Welcome, wise Hod. And welcome, old friend. I am assuming by your appearance that Enlil decided to keep his attack dogs at home for now?"

The wizened old man smiled thinly. "Barely, but yes. But well, we better get a handle on things quick to his satisfaction. You don't want those damn legbreakers unleashed after all."

--

I wrote this after a brainstorming session with a friend who is far more knowledgeable about the old stories than I am. I might even convince him to write some bits himself, he is intrigued with the idea. I decided to let you speculate for a while regarding some of the names. Second part, the actual meeting, will not be long now.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking into his office early in the morning, Goto sighed as he sipped his coffee, Kongou bounding in behind him. Already, both Nagato as well as Ooyodo were there and working. When the two shipgirls looked up, Goto gave them a small nod, "Good morning."

Lightly smiling, Nagato nodded slightly, "And a good morning to you as well, Teitoku."

Once she had said the same thing, the Light Cruiser turned to her monitor and was obviously checking over various things that needed attention. For his part, Goto savoured the early morning calm. Because, he knew, far too often it was often shattered in some manner before the day was out. Sitting down at his desk, he went through the process of booting up his own computer and signing into the local network.

As he scanned through what was there, Goto glanced at Ooyodo, "Anything new that I should know about, Ooyodo? Any surprises before they catch me off guard?"

Frowning, Ooyodo adjusted her glasses and considered things before nodding, "There are a few things. Some are more immediate than others, of course. But nothing that is of the sort that we need to move things aside right at this moment in regards to them."

Goto gave a small hum at that, "I see." Slowly nodding as he started his paperwork, he frowned, "Anything of note then?"

This time, it was Nagato who spoke up, "There is one thing that will come up in a few months, Teitoku." Seeing his raised eyebrow and nod, she continued, "In about seven months, the Philippine Navy's Helicopter Carrier will set sail from the United States. From the new schedule, it will visit Yokosuka about a month or two later so we will need to make some preparations for it."

Leaning back, the Admiral considered what he just heard, "Hmm... isn't it one of the modified America class from memory? The ones that they enlarged the hull to make it a Light Carrier?" Getting a nod, he tapped his fingers on his chair's arm, "I remember reading about that about a year or so ago. I take it that they're undergoing sea trials right now?"

With a glance at her computer screen, Nagato nodded, "Hai, that is correct, Teitoku. The Philippine Navy is having it undergo sea trials with the crews being trained up. They want to make sure that it will be completely ready before they set sail for the Panama Canal and up the West Coast." Finger rubbing her chin, she shook her head, "That includes the air compliment of helicopters and tiltrotors."

Head tilted to the side, Kongou blinked, "Wasn't there some talk of them buying Harrier IIIs for it? Or those F-35s VTOLs?"

Simply waving a hand around, the other Battleship shrugged, "Hai, but they have not made a decision and likely won't until they decide that they want a second one or not. Still... they have been looking forward to it."

Clasping his hands on his desk, Goto gave a sharp nod, "Very well, start making some preparations for when they come and visit. Low level for now, of course until we get closer to the date, but they are allies and will be given all consideration due."

At that, Nagato sharply nodded, "Hai!"

Right then, a thought occurred to the Admiral and he raised an eyebrow before checking a sheet and reading through it, "Ah, here we go... it will be travelling across the Pacific with one of the American's own Helicopter Carriers, the USS Ranger."

Bemused, Nagato chuckled and shook her head a little, "I remember the argument that came out when they argued whether to call them CVLs or CVEs..." She then tilted her head some, "Though from memory, they are working on VTOL Carriers."

Distracted as he made some notes, Goto frowned, "Hai, that is correct. Said ships are bigger than the America Class, but will mostly use the F-35 VTOLs for air power. A few nations are also looking at buying some, like Mexico depending on the cost." That got him some nods, "Hmm... anything else?"

Getting up from her desk, Ooyodo walked over and placed some folders on his, which he opened and began to read through, "It is in regards to the Torishima Survivors."

Lips twitching a bit at the nickname that the group of stranded shipgirls and one boy had gotten, he hummed, "I see. Has there been any real issue regarding them since they came back? From memory, it has nearly been a week."

Frowning, Ooyodo shook her head, "Not in regards to them, no. We are currently keeping them separate from Hoppou and her daughters though. They have seen them at a distance, so it will only work for so long. But Ellen-San is helping there. However... some of the media has been circling around asking for interviews as well as explanations as to why they had not been found before now. Some politicians are also doing much the same thing."

Still going through the folders, Goto read each bit slowly, making sure that he understood. Yet, he did not reply to Ooyodo, who knew that he was deep in thought as the gears in his mind turned. Finally, the Admiral gave a slight nod, "The questions as to how we missed them will be left up to the Chief of Staff as he is already preparing statements now that the preliminary investigation is up. As for interviews? Liason between the survivors and our PR department. I am not going to make any decision right at the moment as they would both need to be consulted."

Making some notes, the Light Cruiser glanced at him, "That could still be problematic. It has already been leaked that they are shipgirls..."

To her slight surprise, Goto smirked, "Which is exactly what we wished as I spoke with the Chief of Staff. Just like how some of the rumours that will be reported on is that one of them might be a Natural Born A-150 as we cannot hide it."

Eyes widening, Kongou stared at him before laughing some, "Brilliant! I suppose that might well light a fire under a certain group to release a couple." Expression falling, she frowned, "And how have that been going?"

Hands clasped in front of him, the Admiral sighed, "Better than expected, worse than hoped. Some of them, it seems, are rather stubborn. But it is moving along which is about all that we know. The wheels of bureaucracy, as you all know, turn slow indeed. I have been told that it might be a few weeks yet unfortunately since we don't want to tip off anyone who does not need to know about matters."

That got him a series of understanding nods as the last thing that anyone wanted was possible persons within the Magical Diet finding out why and... acting without any forethought.

Right then, there was a knock on the door and Goto called out, "Come in." Upon seeing who was there, he raised an eyebrow and smiled a little, "Naka."

Grinning, Naka shot him a salute before walking towards his desk, "I'm here about our talk earlier, Teitoku, and I think that I might have a solution..."

For a few moments, Ooyodo furrowed her eyebrows in thought before remembering, "Ah, yes, about the issue of how to handle the Yokai shipgirls when it came to PR. Especially since..."

Naka gave her a look, "Especially since one is a Jorogumo." When the other Light Cruiser nodded, she turned back to Goto, "Anyways, like I said, I have a solution in regards to the issue of Yokai shipgirls when the Statute falls sometime soon." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a number of papers, "It's really simple really, we bring back the 'Meet the Shipgirls' series."

Cocking an eyebrow, Nagato hummed, "I remember those... the short specials with interviews and the like, correct? With us and showing scenes from our lives."

With a nod, the orange clad Light Cruiser tapped one of the papers, "They were originally twenty minutes long. An interview, a short bit of history about them, and then showing them about their daily lives or doing things such as PR. All in order to get the public used to them as a whole, to humanize them."

Arms crossed, Kongou frowned a little as she thought back, "I remember that, Dess. But they stopped it because there were so many shipgirls..." Eyes narrowing some, she gave a slight nod, "You want it for the Yokai shipgirls to both get people used to magic and to help get used to Yokai."

Snapping her fingers towards the Fast Battleship, Naka grinned, "Correct! We basically film them and get it all ready to release once the Statute falls. Strike fast, strike hard while the iron is hot to show people that we have Yokai defending us." Seeing Ooyodo open her mouth, she shook her head, "Some of my counterparts in the JASDF are doing so with the Yokai there such as Ai-San, while the JGSDF is going to put together a special regarding the Yokai who fought and sacrificed themselves during Blood Week and beyond, including the First Oni Guard. While they are not officially onboard yet without approval... MEXT has hinted that they are willing to help out as well."

Not saying anything right away, Goto considered what he had just been told, "Example?"

The JMSDF Idol gave a slight nod as she understood what he was not saying, "Hinata-San is the most likely. While spider girls are a... thing... in anime and such, a real life one might not catch the same amount of, shall we say, positive PR. So the special in her case would mostly work by showing her at work cooking and the like for her daily life. Possibly with a recreation of how she met Eric-San and the group leaving the wreck she was in behind. But most of it would be her going about her day and showing that she is no different than anyone else." A slight smirk crossed Naka's face and she crossed her arms, "One of the ideas that I considered is that I found out that her mother sometimes took her fruit picking in some of the wild orchards in Japan. Seeing a Jorogumo using silk and such to pick apples instead of people? And gathering them to be used here? That would go quite some way."

Very slowly, Goto nodded in agreement, "Hai, that does sound like something that could well go a long way..."

For the next hour, they discussed it with a rough plan being hashed out before Naka left. After all, she needed to confirm with the rest of the PR department as well as the Yokai shipgirls who were going to be interviewed. It was still productive though as they had a skeleton framework of how they were going to be doing it.

While they were eating lunch though, Kongou swallowed and looked at Nagato from her place in Goto's lap, "By the way, Nagato?" Getting a hum, she continued, "Is Harry coming tomorrow? To go to Wanko's territory?"

Looking up, Nagato gave a nod, "Hai, Regina is getting her rebuild and so she wants Harry there." She rolled her eyes in fond exasparation before shaking her head, "After that... Regina is going to be performing sea trials until next week when she goes to Hogwarts alongside Shinano for a time in Hogsmeade with Harry."

Eyebrow raised as she chewed some food herself, Ooyodo frowned, "I am surprised that they are allowing Harry-San so much time away from Hogwarts..."

With a small shrug, the member of the Big Seven shook her head, "There's apparently a few rules in the Hogwarts Charter that allow for him to do so as he's Heir to an important family. As turns out, it used to be rather common for students to have trips to Hogsmeade outside the Hogsmeade Weekends as long as it was cleared by the Headmaster and their guardians. There's reasons why when his parents were in school, no one commented about them going on dates in the village."

All of them shook their heads at that and chuckled.

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Launching Day

Tirpitz lazed in the noon sun. Her little destroyers occupied the beach next to her, snoring cutely.

Suddenly, the I-class brought her radio to life. "Flagship," she began. "It is time," she added.

Tirpitz groaned a bit. "Yes, you're right," she muttered. "Well, we have had enough sun," she added.

They set out to collect their towels, Tirpitz grumbling all the way. Everything had been planned. Her and her DDs were set to visit the Party.San Black Metal festival, and then her sister announced her due date. As in "it will happen on that day" with clear finality. It also meant that Tirpitz had been basically ordered to be there, much to her chagrin. While she could well refuse it if Hartmann ordered it, Bismarck had used Elder Sibling Privileges and it had been very effective.

So now she had to get into town, take a car to Hamburg, fly to Aberdeen and then take a car to her sister's recluse. Thanksfully her little ones had their rebuild, and hadn't that been two rather nerve-wracking weeks for her. Having them go completely silent, only construction sounds echoing out of their hulls and the pure helplessness of having to wait. While the three repair ships who monitored the situation had kept watch around the clock and reassured her that things were going well, it had still been harrowing. Over the months she had gotten used to the little ones being around and their chatter here and there. It was jarring in its absence.

Now she would have to be present for her sister spawning. She didn't look forward to that. Babies were small, fragile, annoyingly loud and looked like Winston Churchill. She didn't understand the appeal at all. Even Wandering Princess had tried to explain motherhood to her and that was a discussion she'd rather forget. Abyssals had some seriously wonky definitions of what constituted cute or endearing. She had seen it with her own girls as well. One of the biggest pretty boy skirt chasers on base had been devastated when her girls had turned him down for being revolting.

Idly Tirpitz wondered if she should send something to cheer up the ensign, then again, he was a flag virgin, pain and suffering was what they were there for. All the responsibility, none of the pay.

Still, it was a good insight into abyssal thought processes, thought processes that were ultimately non-human and things humans cosidered positive tended to revolt abyssals.

The trip to England was ultimately a boring affair. The little ones had gotten second and even third glances at the airport, after all, their abyssal nature was rather easy to spot. Unnaturally white skin, unnaturally white hair and glowing green eyes. The little ones in turn had been quite amazed by the proceedings. They weren't used to travel over land, either. So far their humanoid forms had been mostly confined to the base and trips to the beaches. Several hour drives through the countryside were completely new to them. And Hamburg was simply more impressive than Wilhelmshaven or Rostock. And then there had been the flight itself. The little ones had been very excited, barely able to stay in their seats.

At least the movie had been a fun classic. There was simply something hilarious about watching Airplane! on flight. It was a movie that reminded one why one loved Leslie Nielsen. Unfortunately, the little ones hadn't been too impressed. The implied and shown violence had gotten them to chuckle, but overall, they prefered American slasher horror and gorn. Things like Hostel and Saw were considered hilarious entertainment.

Tirpitz really didn't look forward to eventually having to explain to concerned parties that Abyssals generally had no regard for human life as valuable. Wandering Princess had inquired why keeping the scientists studying the abyssal structures on Heligoland was important, why they weren't expendable. Having to explain the value of human life to someone who didn't get it, for whom humans were basically mini blobs making up real life forms aka shipgirls was quite difficult. She suspected she had managed to explain it to Wandering Princess, but she doubted that it would ever be more than an active consideration. She needed to remind herself that humans had value and were needed. Shipgirls were different. They sought to protect humans. Abyssals sought to kill them, it was almost nature to them. Of course, this wasn't a hard rule, Hoppou and Wanko were prime examples of Abyssals that were quite content with live and let live. It wasn't a compulsion, either. Merely a lack of consideration of human value.

It was with these thoughts that she realized the plane was on the final approach. Her little ones were extremely excited, pointing at the city below them. Tirpitz grinned. "Yes, we're here. Hopefully we don't have to use our secret weapon," she chuckled.

The little ones nodded, their eyes flickering with eldritch fire.

Upon leaving the terminal, Tirpitz saw her fears confirmed. Ark Royal stood there, waiting and grinning.

"You. Why can't you leave Kanzlerchen alone?" Tirpitz groaned.

"I am the huntress and she is the prey. Hunting her is my great joy!" Ark Royal stated pompously.

"Well, great huntress, do you know who we brought with us?" Tirpitz wanted to know.

Ark Royal's cocky smirk froze as existential dread filled her. "No!" she whispered. "You wouldn't have!" she continued. "NO! NOT HER!" she finally wailed.

"Run, my pretty lady!" a new voice demanded. "I am the huntress and you are the prey!"

Ark Royal squeaked and ran away. U-81 in hot pursuit.

Tirpitz grinned. "Well, that should keep her busy for a few days and paranoid for a few more," she said chuckling.

Inferno looked after the two retreating figures. "Am I seeing things or does Ark not really try to escape?" she asked slowly.

"It's not just you. It looks like she wants to be caught. Desire for a knight in shining armor?" Tirpitz mused.

Atrocity shrugged. "Maybe? Or she wants to be caught by the ork and have unspeakable things done to her?" she suggested.

Tirpitz turned to the Ro-class. "..." Her deadpan reaction said everything. "Where did you read that?" she finally wanted to know.

"Danbooru. A funny story about a lewd and completely perverted elf and a celibate ork. Friden and Libe, I think," she gave back.

Tirpitz just pinched her nose. That was the downside of her little ones having humanoid forms. They had found the internet.

Nachtmahr shrugged. "They're gone, though," she remarked idly.

"Let's go see the spawning ship!" Nihilistin asked excitedly. Of all the destroyers, she was the most excited for Bismarck's daughters.

"Pipe down, will you," Harpyie grumbled. Of all the DDs she was the least enthusiastic about the prospect.

Car rental was a surprise, though. Bismarck had a Bulli parked for them. Tirpitz was almost touched. It was adorned with tons of band logos and symbols associated with the black scene. She wasn't touched because she knew her sister would want something from her in return. Why else go through the trouble of giving a Bulli a Metal makeover?

Still, it was a Bulli. With a massively upgraded engine. Tirpitz found she didn't care what Bismarck would want. This was what the doctor prescribed. A roaring Maybach engine that guzzled fuel like there was no tomorrow. And some Death Rock to make the journey shorter.

The journey to Bismarck's mansion was uneventful, even if driving on the wrong side of the road took some getting used to.

A few hours later they reached the mansion, seeing other cars in the driveway already. Tirpitz groaned. "Great, it will be crowded. On the plus side, no reporters are allowed here," she said, not entirely happy.

"Who else will be there?" Atrocity wanted to know.

"Prinz and Lützow most likely, they want to have Lützow as a gouverness. Maybe another Hipper is here as well," Tirpitz listed off. "Then there will be Prince of Wales, because she won't leave Hood alone. We hopefully have distracted Ark Royal long enough. Then again, I promised U-81 one thousand liters of finest Scotch if she keeps Ark Royal busy until at least the twelth," she added. "We'll have some mechanics and engineers, I think two midwives are here, Hartmann sent his second in command, Rear Admiral Tarkan, don't know who the British sent. Some others may well turn up as well," she concluded.

Hood let the group into the manor, showing visible signs of both stress and the fervent desire to strangle several someones.

Looking behind Hood, the source of the aggravation became clear. The mechanics and the midwives were arguing. It also didn't sound like something that had started recently.

"Welcome." Hood groused.

Tirpitz grinned. "Sounds like a chronic argument," she observed.

Hood grumbled. "Oh you have no idea. It all started with the first ultrasounds and spiralled from there. We are a product of both magic and science, which means there are bound to be oddities. Like for example ultrasound showing either growing babies or a dockyard with construction going on," she laid out. "First time that happened, the ObGyn demanded we add a mechanic, because as far as he was concerned, seeing the construction pictures told him exactly nothing. Of course, he wasn't wrong, but this meant the next time mechanics and engineers were there," she continued.

Tirpitz slowly shuddered. "Let me guess, your own engineering crew started weighing in on things," she deduced.

"Yes. Now, it wasn't as bad as your sister's engineers, they had already overhauled the plans for the G3s, now they overhauled them even more. Hydrophones, torpedo tubes, a plane, moving the X turret, there were quite some modifications," Hood laid out.

"And what modifications did your engineers bring in?" Atrocity wanted to know.

Hood chuckled. "Well, sonar, depth charge rails, hedgehogs, improved fire directors," she said slowly before falling back into a scowl. "The downside was that the little ones grew," she added.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that something babies do naturally?" Tirpitz asked.

Hood shook her head. "Well, yes, but what I meant with grow was that by the time the plans were finalised, the girls had received extensive modifications and thus the size of their hulls and the weight of the hulls increased. Also, if I have to never again eat Krupp armour steel, it will be too early," she groused.

Tirpitz shook her head. "Well, I know that no ship leaves the slipway the same way it was initially drawn, but hearing it...," she trailed off. "Say, where is Kanzlerchen anyway?" she wanted to know.

Hood pointed upstairs. "She's buried herself in manuals the last few days. It's a whole library of how-to books, mostly concerned with parenting," she explained.

"A sensible choice," Tirpitz commented.

Hood missed a few beats, before groaning. "Of course. Nothing a German officer can't do, as long as he, or well she, has a manual," she grumbled.

Tirpitz patted the grumpy battlecruiser on the back. "Don't worry, I'll see about dragging Kanzlerchen out of her manuals," she promised.

"You can try," Hood gave back dryly. "I'll show the little ones their room in the meantime," she added, waving for the destroyers to follow her.

The little ones fell into an arrow formation behind Hood. Tirpitz grinned when seeing it. The little ones had come a long way from their first weeks, where they needed Tirpitz to be constantly present. They still preferred to follow their flagship everywhere, but they would also follow other shipgirls they knew and trusted.

Following the sounds of rustling papers, Tirpitz soon found her sister. She sat in a veritable nest made of manuals, dozens of notebooks filled with notes laying around. "You're worse than I was with the little ones," Tirpitz snarked in greeting.

Bismarck grumbled. "Parenting is hard work," she declared. "I have to plan everything out in advance for them to have the best possible childhood and future," she declared stiffly.

Tirpitz chuckled. "Oh, relax, Kanzlerchen," she gave back. "The little ones aren't even born and you're looking into..." she grabbed one of the discarded manuals "how to teach them advanced physics," she said. "You can't plan to send them to university before they've even been born," she declared.

Bismarck deflated somewhat. "Maybe you're right," she admitted very slowly. "Still, there was so much I had no idea about," she added.

Tirpitz shrugged. "There's lots you don't know," she countered with a grin.

Bismarck slowly got up. "Care to repeat that, bathtub admiral?" she asked dangerously low.

Tirpitz grinned. "You shouldn't strain yourself," she gave back with a teasing grin.

"Oh, that won't be straining at all!" Bismarck declared. "Now stand still so I can kick your ass!" she demanded.

Tirpitz started laughing. "Oh?" she asked. "Engines not up to their standards?" she wanted to know.

"Just you wait until you're in the same situation," Bismarck gave back, while closing in on her sister.

Tirpitz shuddered in disgust. "Nah, thanks, pass. Never going to do that to myself," she gave back.

Bismarck had used the time to close up to her sister and with a quick grab, she pulled her into a sleeper hold, rapping her knuckles on her sister's head. "Very obliging, little sister," she mocked.

Tirpitz laughed and slapped her sister on the arm. "Okay, okay, you win, that really wasn't straining," she admitted.

Bismarck released her sister, who was quite red in the face. "Let's see how your wife deals with the little ones," Tirpitz suggested.

A few of her fairies stayed back to attempt to clean up all the manuals.

Hood had shown the little ones the big guest room. Tirpitz was an oddity among shipgirls. Many were happy to sleep in cuddlepiles, especially with dedicated escorts. New Jersey had gotten cockblocked by the Taffies more than once. It didn't help that Professor Crowning found it hilarious, especially when Jersey went into momma mode and arranged the little ones between her and Crowning.

Tirpitz on the other hand had laid down ground rules early on. Same room yes, but everyone got their own bed. Then again, from what she had heard, Tirpitz tended to hog everything in a bed to herself. Pillows, blankets, space. How had Renown put it so aptly? "If you have to share a bed with Tirpitz, take the couch. Take several chairs put together. Take the bathtub. Take the floor. Don't take the bed as it's a trap. She hogs everything and kicks out everyone."

So, this room had been prepared for the Tirpitz-class destroyers. The destroyer leader had a big bed in the middle of the room and the other beds were arranged around it in a pentagon formation.

The destroyers were happy with their beds. Hood couldn't see the appeal. Black, metal frames adorned with silvery spikes, pictures of death and destruction on the blankets, it was all very alien to her. She preferred her bedding with the cute kittens on it. She'd also worry about injuring herself, an unfounded worry, but one that wouldn't go away. She had no idea why Bismarck went out of her way to acquire beds that would make the destroyers return here.

Thinking about it, an idea formed. It was exactly the sort of plan her wife would come up with to get her sister to come visit more often. Make the destroyers do the prodding for her. Underhanded, but so many interactions of the sisters were quite underhanded.

The destroyers beelined towards their beds, dropping their rucksacks on them. "Those beds are awesome," Inferno finally declared, after flopping backwards.

Hood smiled indulgently. "Well, Bismarck thought you'd appreciate such bedding, seems she was right," she gave back.

Atrocity grinned, all spiky teeth showing. "Oh yeah, this is great. We have to get such beds for our home," she declared.

"Make yourself at home, come meet me in the entrance hall and I can show you around some more," Hood suggested, before leaving the little ones to their devices. She needed to see that the dinner would be served and she really hoped that there wouldn't be any schedule slips. The girls were due the day after tomorrow, just enough time to get the last arrivals settled in.

Hanna was a great help in that regard. She would have to learn to tell people to shut up more often, but that was something that came with time.

With a smile she saw one of the few cats that had started living around the property. It was a semi-feral colony. Some of them only came for food and otherwise roamed around the property, others preferred to stay close. There was an old stable that had lots of save shelter for the cats where they tended to hang out. And thanks to Bismarck getting the older German girls to call up a few dozen soldiers of the Marineinfanterie, the colony and the property was also save from predators. And if the amount of fancy fur hats among the fairies was any indication, the local population of American minks had taken a serious hit.

Something Hood was especially happy about was that the various queens always brought their offspring here. But the one she really wished to see wasn't coming this evening, it seemed. An old tom, worn from years of life and fights. Hood was certain he had either been abandoned or run away, as discounting the scarring he looked like a pedigree breed.

With a smile she watched Jervis and Janus put out the food for the cats. Two of the queens had their kittens with them, they'd need to watch for a good moment to either catch them and have them neutered and released back into the colony or maybe someone would click with one or more of the kittens.

With a fond smile she turned from the window and went towards the dining room. Prinz Eugen and Hannah had laid out the evening meal and had just rung the dinner bell. Hood was sure those two were looking forward to when the food wouldn't have to be prepared in those massed quantities.

The table was positively sagging under the weight of food, but with how many people there were right now, it wasn't going to last.

Hood surveyed the offerings from the head of the table. Around two dozen types of sausage, another dozen types of cheeses for those who wanted a simple fare. And then there were the things that always baffled Hood. Hedgehogs formed from ground, spiced meat and with onion slices as their spikes. Not cooked or anything. Just meat and spices.

With a smirk she watched Tirpitz and Bismarck enter, the Tirpitz-class DDs in a pentagon around the sisters. Bismarck was exceptionally smug, so she must have scored a victory over her sister. Hood chuckled softly as to how easily her wife could be read sometimes.

The destroyers made a beeline towards six black chairs, adorned with skulls. Now granted, the sixth chair was bigger and more thronelike. Tirpitz cast her sister a short glare, promising retribution, before sitting down on the big chair, her destroyers sitting right and left of her.

Thankfully, the glare relented considerably when she realized that it was a really comfy chair. Suddenly she started smirking. "Say, Kanzlerchen, you do realize that you invited the Evil Queen to the birth of your children. Placate me or by the magic of frost and ice, I shall curse you!" she declared loudly.

Bismarck smirked back. "Oh, your majesty, I have nothing to placate you. Will you be content with my firstborn daughter?" she asked theatralically. "I trust you to raise her well, as you did with your own daughters," she continued.

Tirpitz was caught flatfooted. This had not gone according to the scenario. Her sister had outmaneuvered her, plain and simple. Leaning back she made a show of contemplating things.

"Your hospitality shall have to suffice," she finally declared full of magnanimity.

"We are humbled by your grace and mercy, your highness," Bismarck gave back, giving her little sister a tiny smirk.

Amidst this all, the other guests had arrived and taken their seats.

Food was reached around the table and conversations started up. Much laughter was had when Janus reported that the last sighting of Ark Royal had been her running straight to Portsmouth with U-81 in pursuit.

Hood turned to her wife with a grin. "Look at your sister," she said slowly.

Bismarck laughed lightly. "Yeah, she'll be a good aunt," she gave back.

Together they watched a smirking Tirpitz telling impressionable destroyers stories that likely shouldn't be mentioned around them.

Later in the evening, Tirpitz sat outside, lazily smoking a cigarette. With a smirk she saw Eugen marching over the property. The tom was getting on in years, but she suspected that the same magic that affected shipgirls affected Eugen as well. And if not, well, he was a tom that hadn't been neutered for several years, Tirpitz was sure that the line of Franz continued in Wilhelmshaven and Rostock.

Something did raise her interest, there was another tom coming. And while Eugen himself was a relatively lean cat, this one was big. Huge by cat standards. A large orange tom.

Tirpitz watched the two toms silently sizing the other up before the bigger one moved towards where she sat. Eugen had sat down to watch it.

Tirpitz looked at the old tom. He wore the scars of many fights. The tom looked back at her with the inscrutable stare only cats could truly master.

After a while, he seemed to have come to a conclusion and jumped on the bench. Close enough to say "You may stay here," but also far enough to say "Don't touch me," which suited Tirpitz just fine.

Eugen came over as well. Tirpitz put out her cigarette and looked at the smaller tom. "How have you been?" she asked, scratching the tom behind his ears.

A content purr was the only answer, but it seemed like Eugen had things well enough in hand. "Well, I'm going inside, you coming?" she asked the tom who did get up with her. The orange tom got up as well and made his way over to the stable.

The next day saw the last preparations. Baby clothing and other utensils were arranged in the most accessible way, the midwives talked to the nervous battleship and battlecruiser.

It was something new for them as well, after all. Usually, they could give a rough date, but that was that, a rough estimation. It didn't have to come true, babies usually came on their own schedule.

With shipgirl babies there were differences. Partially the need to include mechanics and engineers because neither the midwives nor the ObGyn could make heads or tails of the progress reports delivered by the engineering fairies of the shipgirl mothers, nor could they make sense of ultrasound pictures that showed a construction dock. The biggest difference however was that the babies had a keel laying day and from that point onwards the launching day was calculated. And, as far as the engineering fairies said, the launching day was absolute.

Tirpitz saw the activities and the last-minute preparations and could only shake her head. Some of it seemed like make work to her, designed to dispel the worries of the mothers.

The battleship was grateful when the evening came. All she had heard about what babies were like suggested to her that the following days would see endless running by pretty much everyone in the house.

She followed Janus and Jervis outside as the two destroyers set out the food for the cat colony. There were roughly twenty cats, excluding the nine kittens.

One of the kittens came over to her, looking her over and obviously more interested in the strange big cat than in food.

Tirpitz crouched down and held out her hand for the kitten to sniff. "Curious little one, aren't you?" she asked slowly.

The kitten sniffed her hand for a bit before turning away and joining its siblings.

Janus pouted a bit when seeing it. "Unlucky," she said slowly.

Tirpitz shrugged. "It's fine," she reassured the destroyer. "Not every cat will like you, after all," she continued.

Janus nodded. "Still, we're currently looking for homes for them," she explained. "Giving a cat a home is only right," she added.

Tirpitz smirked. "Don't they have a home here. They have the stable, they have other cats, they get fed and thanks to the perimeter guards, they're also safe from predators," she laid out. "Doesn't that sound like a home?" she wanted to know.

Jervis nodded. "Sure, but we want each of them to have their own, dedicated caretaker. They need their personal personnel," she said with a smirk.

Tirpitz laughed. "Heh, keep it up and you might find people for them," she said before getting up. "Anyway, I have to look after the little ones," she excused herself.

The next morning the anticipation was palpable. They had the date, now it was waiting.

Tirpitz watched as her little ones helped put out food for the cats. Everyone was on edge. The representatives had retreated into the library, while they would have their parts to play, currently, they were not needed.

Prince of Wales was making a good attempt to pace a hole into the entrance hall rug, Prinz was in the kitchen and cooking and most others were killing time in their own ways. Like her littles ones playing with the cats.

Aboard Hood's bridge, a message came up from engineering. The bosun turned to the captain and saluted. "Sir, it's time," he reported stiffly.

The captain nodded. "So it would seem," he agreed. "You may tell the men that it is now time to panic and to run around like headless chicken," he ordered.

The bosun saluted. "Yes, sir, I shall see to it," he agreed.

"See that you do," the captain dismissed him. "We'll have an orderly panic attack, we're not Bedlam after all," he finished. Then he turned to an ensign. "Go to the radio room and alert Bismarck of our condition," he ordered.

The ensign saluted and ran off.

The captain smiled before taking off his cap. "Men, it is time to panic!" he told the bridge crew, before starting to pace like a caged tiger.

Bismarck, who was currently reading manuals again, perked up. The message from Hood had arrived and she had to make her way to her wife.

On Bismarck's bridge, the status was controlled chaos. "Captain, we need orders how to proceed," the bosun reported.

The captain turned to the bosun with a surprised look. "Orders?" he wanted to know.

"Yes, captain. We have nothing for this situation in our manuals," he gave back.

The captain boggled. "Well, then find those manuals and bring them to me, they have to be somewhere," he ordered.

"Yes, captain, we'll find them," the bosun declared.

Soon, the ship was a hive of activity as the manuals were searched for.

After a few minutes, someone found one in engineering and delivered it to the bridge.

The captain opened it and began reading. "Well, that doesn't seem to complicated," he mused. "It says here that we have to pace nervously, smoke lots of cigarettes, look at the clock ever so often and wait for further developments. Very well, bosun, tell the men what to do," the captain ordered, before another runner came up from engineering.

"New development, captain. Our ship has gone into labour as well," he reported.

The captain leafed through the manual frantically. "Nothing in here. We need the right manual for that situation, so go an find it!" he ordered before starting to pace. No one had told him how to do this, he hadn't signed up for this. But, in this situation all would be well, once the manual was there. Everything would turn out well as long as you had your manual, after all.

Outside, Tirpitz grimaced. She had gotten the broadcasts from both Hood and Bismarck. This meant that the launching had finally commenced. She shuddered some. The descriptions she had overheard had been ample evidence for her to decide that she would not subject herself to that.

Janus and Jervis were busy petting the old tom, who evidently really enjoyed it.

Inside, Hood and Bismarck were busy cursing their life choices. The midwives helped where they could, a sea of calm in the rather hectic environment.

Several hours later, Hood had exhaustively cursed whoever came up with the H-class designs.

"You're doing well, dear," the midwive reassured her. "I can see the head already," she added.

Hood gave a grunt of acknowledgement. She had to concentrate and really didn't want to lose the rhythm she had fallen into now.

Bismarck brought her radio to life. She would need her sister now. The launching of her first daughter was not far out, either and she wanted Tirpitz to be present.

Tirpitz heaved a sigh when she got the message. "Yo, Kanzlerchen has called me, you should be able to come in there with me," she told her little ones.

Reluctantly the destroyers stopped playing with the cats and made their way over to the flagship. Those furry balls of claws, teeth and murder were exactly after their black hearts. But they had come here to see the spawning of their flagship's nieces, so they would follow. The cats would still be there later on, after all.

Entering the entrance hall, Prince of Wales was still nervously pacing. "You're wearing down the carpet," Tirpitz commented idly.

Prince of Wales shot her a glare. "It's your sister in there as well," she gave back hotly.

Tirpitz nodded. "Pacing won't change anything," she countered.

Prince stopped. "Well, yes," she agreed. "It just feels natural," she admitted.

Tirpitz shrugged. "Maybe," she gave back. "Anyway, my sister called, have to see what she wants," she added.

Prince fell into the formation next the bigger battleship. "One thing does interest me. How did you manage to dodge becoming the flagship?" she wanted to know.

Tirpitz laughed. "That wasn't hard, really," she gave back. "I simply told Hartmann that I wouldn't do that and that was it," she laid out.

Prince boggled. "Just like that?" she asked.

Tirpitz shrugged. "Sure. You see, unlike most other nations, Germany doesn't have the big continuous ship for its navy. Even the first Gorch Fock is an interwar ship. You have Victory, the Americans have Constitution, the Japanese have Mikasa, Russia has Aurora. Germany's closest thing would be SM-U 1 and she's way too busy to momboat all her U-Boats. Especially now that magic is a factor. All those planned boats? Plus whatever the magical side may have built? We may be looking at well over five thousand boats," Tirpitz laid out.

Before they could enter the room where the two mothers were giving birth, a loud scream was heard.

Prince grinned. "Looks like the first one is out," she said excitedly, pushing the door open.

Prinz Eugen helped one of the present midwives bathe the newborn.

Tirpitz stood in the doorway, observing the ongoing chaos. While the first of it looked like Hood's daughters was getting wrapped in blankets, the first of Bismarck's daughters announced her presence with a scream.

Prinz came over, carrying the newborn and handing it to Prince. "Here, could you hold her until her twin is out? Hood is in no state right now," she asked.

Prince nodded and gently took the offered infant. Holding her close, she went to one of the armchairs next to the window and sat down gingerly.

A third scream announced that things were close to being over. Hood had fallen back into the cushions, spent. Her second daughter had been brought into the world and the difficult part was finally over.

Prinz carefully took the infant and washed her as well.

Next to Prince of Wales, Invincible sat and held Bismarck's first daughter. The latest addition to the battlecruiser family.

When the fourth scream finally sounded, Bismarck too could finally rest. Invincible and one of the midwives carefully placed the newborns in their mother's arms.

Hood had the same happen to her and Invincible took memorial photos.

"What are their names?" one of the midwives asked, holding the forms needed for newborns. They had gotten the measurements already, now they needed the names.

One of Hood's engineers climbed out and began talking.

The midwife looked to Prinz next to her. "What is he saying?" she wanted to know.

Prinz looked at the midwive in surprise, before slapping her forehead. "Right, no long-term exposure to shipgirls," she said. "Anyway, the firstborn is the battleship Götz von Berlichingen," she translated.

The midwife looked at the shipgirl, before sighing. "Could you write that?" she wanted to know.

Prinz smiled reassuringly at the Scottish midwife. "Of course," she agreed.

The midwife gratefully handed over the paperwork.

The fairy continued reporting. "And the second one is called Ulrich von Hutten," Prinz announced.

"What's the story behind these names?" the midwife wanted to know.

Prinz grinned. "Those were the names of knights that fought on the side of the peasant revolt in the direct wake of the reformation," she explained.

The midwife chuckled. "Well, that's some names," she said slowly.

Prinz nodded, while one of Bismarck's fairies came out to give a report. "So, the firstborn is called Indefatigable and her sister is called Indomitable," she translated while noting down the names. Pennant numbers would have to be assigned by the admirals at a later point.

In the meantime, the last act of giving birth had finished, the placentas were out. The midwives carefully collected the sheets and moved them into prepared hazmat sacks, as the blood on them also contained bunker oil.

The various godmothers held the babies as Tirpitz helped Hood and her sister into the wheelchairs that would move them to their room where they would rest for now.

Jervis and Janus carefully pushed Hood while Tirpitz pushed Bismarck through the hallway.

The godmothers carrying the infants followed behind, followed by the abyssal destroyers.

Tirpitz carefully moved the two mothers into the bed while the godmothers placed the babies into the big crib.

Suddenly, Janus pointed to the door. "Look who's here!" she said excitedly.

The old tom stood in the doorway and slowly made his way in. He made his way over to the crib and jumped up and in. Looking over the babies he carefully rubbed his head on each of them, declaring them his.

It seemed that this had been what the others had waited for, the queens with their own young came in as well.

Prinz hastily went and fetched a few baskets and blankets, which she then put down for the queens.

"Looks like the old tom brought the ship's cats over," Bismarck joked as Eugen came in himself and sat down, watching things.

The old tom went and laid down in one of the baskets while Eugen jumped on the bed and laid down for a cat nap.

And this was what would be the order of the day. Rest and recuperation. Tomorrow, enough things would happen. A press release to announce the births, the representatives of the German and British admirality officially recognizing their names and organizing the ceremony for their official naming.

The babies were sleeping soundly. It would be the last night of full sleep for a long time to come after all.

One by one, people filtered out of the room, until only Tirpitz and her destroyers remained.

"Was it worth it?" the battleship finally asked.

Bismarck looked over to where her daughters slept. "Yes," she simply gave back. "I am happy," she added.

Looking at her sister, she grinned. "Some would expect me to tease you how you will understand when you have children yourself," she said slowly. "But I can spare us both the indignity. We both know you don't want children on a fundamental level. I wanted children, you don't. And that's perfectly fine," she laid out.

Tirpitz shrugged. "Yeah, it's okay that you have your happiness," she said. Looking over to where the various cats and kittens were resting. "Seems like your girls will have their dedicated cats as well," she remarked.

Bismarck grinned. "Freyja does protect," she said while holding one of the charms of Freyja the vikings had given to her when they had learned of her pregancy.

Tirpitz grinned. "Well, I'll see what Prinz has cooked up, you want anything?" she wanted to know.

Bismarck and Hood shook their heads. "No, thanks," Bismarck finally said. "We're going to sleep, as that will be a precious and scarce commodity soon enough," she laid out.

Tirpitz shrugged. "Oh well, good night then," she said, before closing the blinds and switching off the lights.

Followed by her destroyers, she made her way to the dining room. Tomorrow would be hectic in its own way. Having a full belly would definitely help with coping with that.

x-x-x

Well, that's that. About 1 year late story-wise, but it was a fight to hammer this into form. Oh well, better late than never.