Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

flet5110

Had this idea when reading HL's original Mayflower snip and the recent mentions of TOTEM prompted me to write it up. I thought it was a bit strange how this senior politician was buying everything TOTEM, of all people, were selling her.

***

Raven was for once thankful for the thick robes and mask that concealed her body. From the furtive slaps and fidgets that Chief of Staff Laird was indulging in the insects were hungry this evening. She, and her fellows, thankfully remained immune. Finally, a benefit to the stupid pageantry that they put on for outsiders.

The tour of the MAYFLOWER facility had taken hours, well into the evening, but as they trudged back to the hole in the teleportation wards the sun still shone down on them. Alaska in the summer, Raven mused, where the sun never sets. Mildly interesting, that. I wonder what the effect is on the local magical creatures. Not that she had the time, or opportunity to check. No, TOTEM's best Legilimens was in high demand during slow times. The current times were anything but slow. It had taken her a pair of time turners to carve this hole out in her schedule.

Laird was babbling again, wondering why it wasn't dark. Fool woman. As Bear began to lecture "As you certainly know, the Earth orbits the Sun..." Raven had to swallow a snort. Best not to let the woman hear an expression of her contempt. She'd long since stopped being surprised at finding a wizard or witch who didn't know basic information about the world or the solar system. No doubt it would come as a shock when the Statute fell that the American public school system wasn't the worst the country had to offer after all.

As Laird's eyes began to glaze over beneath the force of Bear's passionate exposition Raven almost felt pity. Normally she would have stepped in to stop Bear, but he'd given her another opportunity. Legilimens was barely a whisper in her thoughts before her mind joined with Laird's.

***

Sitting in a sinfully comfortable chair in front of the fire, a glass of wine in her hand, Raven would have been quite content if it had not been for the smugness radiating from the neighboring chair. Looking over at Owl's expression, Raven let out a sigh. Time to face the music. "Fine, you were right," she grumbled, "meeting Laird was worth my time."

At the sound of her voice Bear looked up from his chair where he'd been fidgeting with a set of interlocking rings. Owl, meanwhile, only radiated more smug, a Cheshire Cat grin splitting her face. Bear looked confused before speaking in his squeaky, high pitched voice that was completely at odds with his name, "You didn't want to come today? But my MAYFLOWER facility is amazing!"

"Bear," Raven relied gently, "you know what my schedule is like. However amazing MAYFLOWER may be, I don't have the time. Especially when it was Athena Laird we're dealing with. The woman has the worst Occlumency skills I have ever seen in a politician. Her mind is practically wide open. You could have handled the Legilimency today, let alone Wolf or Owl. You didn't need me there. However, someone," she turned a gaze on Owl, who managed to somehow look smugger, "promised that if I came I'd see a sign of the apocalypse. I was going to hold it over her head when she didn't deliver but-"

Bear still looked confused. No doubt he hadn't done any Legilimancy on Laird. Raven gave an amused snort, then looked over at Owl who began to laugh. "She trusts us Bear. For some damn fool reason that woman actually trusts us, the government's pet black mages. Truly," she too begins laugh, having trouble getting the next words out, "the end times are upon us." Bear's confused expression only made her laugh harder.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Be sure to read the spoilers for this one

A Belgian Butterknife's Japanese Vacation (IV)

11 July 2014

JNHRO Beach House, Zuchi, Japan
Spoiler: A Muramasa Beach Party

Ehren relaxed slightly at the smile on Claire's face. She had been as shocked as anyone when the tanned and gray-white haired young woman in the goldfish bathing suit -- Aunt Kyoshu, her mind helpfully provided -- had suddenly pounced, glomped, and hugged Claire, but she trusted Claire's instincts when it came to reading people. Judging by the way Claire was humming while Aunt Kyoshu nodded and bobbed her head as she hugged Claire, and the young lady in the wheelchair made answering musical noises, Alles ist in Ordnung.

With that, she shifted her hand slightly up her side to rest just above her right hip. That made her motion seem casual and not her actual reflexive shift to go for her true body to protect Claire that it had started out as.

Her eyes raked over the next two aunts coming down the path to the beach. Umitsubame was the tallest of the set, and was pinching her nose with a long-suffering expression on her face as she drank either a potion or high proof alcohol from a bottle that she offered Chisuheri.

Frankly, Ehren could not blame her youngest great-aunt one bit. She loved her family dearly, but with the exception of Claire and Delilah, and sometimes even them, they were a herd of cats.

Chisuheri took a long swig of the bottle and handed it back. "{Thank Kannon for Reparo spells, Umi-chan. I can't believe what Nori-chan pulled.}"

Ehren cocked her head and started to sidle closer to snoop as the two reached a pair of beach chairs and collapsed into them. Colombe walked over in that direction to talk to her aunts.

Then she nearly jumped out of her skin as a hand clapped her on the shoulder. "Oh hey, you must be Ehren!" A maniacally chipper voice spoke in her ear in accented English.

Ehren turned to see yet another aunt standing beside her who gave her a knowing grin as she ran a hand through her purple hair. "Ahh, Guten Tag... Aunt Akutoku?"

The Sword of Corruption nodded and the grin widened, "The one and only! Nori-chan told us all about you, you know."

"Ach... so..." Ehren responded, floundering slightly before latching on a safe subject of conversation. "That is an interesting swimsuit you have? Very nice."
Spoiler: Akutoku's Swimsuit

"I know! I actually drew that ahegao for one of my H doujins!:" Akutoku said, tapping one white-haired vacant-eyed face.

"Ahh..." Ehren blushed slightly. "You are an artist then?"

"Oh yes." Akutoku agreed. "I actually am published, especially 'I Can't Believe It's Not Love' under my pen name of Muramasa Courage. Mainstream manga, doujin, and H. It keeps me out of trouble."

"Sometimes it does." A fresh voice cut in. "Mind helping me set up the picnic, Ehren?"

Ehren glanced over to see the red headed form of Suisei giving her a significant look. "Jawohl."

"I need to talk to Claire anyway now that the Goldfish has let her loose, she's a musician right?" Akutoku grinned and rubbed her hands together.

"Ja, music is her life." Ehren said at Akutoku's back as her aunt hurried over toward Claire, purple hair fluttering behind her.

The Teutonic dagger blinked and shook her head. "Strange aunt." she said in an undertone as she began to unload enchanted containers with warming ofuda on them. The door to the beach house opened and a trio of figures emerged.

Suisei agreed in a quiet gentle voice, "Indeed she is, Ehren. Incidentally, right hip, thigh sheath, you gave yourself away when Kyoshu-chan glomped your charge."

Ehren's eyes narrowed at her aunt. She then looked into Suisei's eyes and spoke quietly. "... You are a dagger too."

Suisei gave a fractional nod. "The last line of defense for my family just like you are for yours. I'd like to have you over for tea, some of my muffins, and conversation about how best to keep our charges safe."

Ehren gave a small smile. "I would like that Aunt Suisei." She glanced over at the path down and her eyes widened.

Norimune was clearly recognizable in her red and white Rising Sun flag bikini. Ehren blinked at the clear black eye the Unrepentant Blade had, along with a shit-eating grin. Beside her Suisei sighed. "Oh Nori-chan..."

Behind the smirking blade, a young woman with knee length black hair, red eyes and a murderous expression was glaring daggers at Norimune's back as she clutched a beach blanket around her torso with a death grip. Finally, bringing up the rear with the attitude of a guard conveying convicts to jail was Kagotsuruhe, now dressed in CTHULHU 2020 Swim Trunks and a Black T-shirt showing a pale young man.
Spoiler: Kago's Tees

Ehren blinked and looked at Suisei. As she did, Colombe began to laugh and Claire grinned at a smirkign Akutoku. "Aunt Suisei, was ist los?"

The mildest Muramasa sighed. "Nori-chan threw a jinx on Tonbo-chan to get revenge for Tonbo-chan stalking her over her children and grandchildren. Tonbo-chan has very strong feelings about the importance of family and did not take us finding out that Nori-chan had your mother and abandoned her by accident well at all. So they have been squabbling about it for almost a year now and Tonbo-chan has been making it clear that if Nori-chan tries to run she will be hunted down and dragged back. Not that Nori-chan will, honestly, I have known her for over a century now and she really wants to do right for her family."

The tanto sighed, "Because you and the rest of us are all that she has ever had in her mind. She has had a really tough life, please don't hate her for it."

Ehren shook her head. "I won't. Family stands with family, such I have learned from Mutti, Aunt Del, and others. I have my own... issues.. to deal with. But what is this about a jinx?"

Suisei gave a small smirk. "Nori-chan enspelled Tonbo-chan to only be able to wear one thing until sunrise of tomorrow when we were getting ready for your arrival and changing clothes for the party. Akutoku-chan egged her on, I'm pretty sure. That started a pretty big fight between the two. But all Tonbo-chan can do..."

Norimune suddenly flash stepped to Tonbo and yanked her blanket off before running down the beach laughing like a madwoman (or aunt Jackie) as she waved her 'prize' like a flag.

Tonbo screamed in rage and took off after her, jiggling and threatening to spill out of the two sizes too small swimsuit that she was poured into.
Spoiler: Tonbo's Suit


Akutoku filmed the scene with her iPhone.

Colombe doubled over laughing.

Umi double facepalmed and groaned.

Chisuheri sighed and shook her head with an uncontrollable grin.

Claire launched into a rendition of a hit song from 1960 as she and Kyoshu clapped and smiled.
Spoiler: It Was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Butterknife Bikini...

Ehren grinned smugly and began to sing along with her sister and aunts.

"It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (III)

13 July 2014

Kingsport, Smuggler's Cove, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, Maine, USA

"Where does madness leave off and reality begin?"-H.P. Lovecraft, The Shadow Over Innsmouth
Spoiler: Assault Plans

Delilah de Breuil's eyes narrowed at the twin red-eyed and pale skinned women standing guard in her way. Her lips quirked behind her Invisibility Cloak as she recognized the ghost pale skin, eerie red eyes, and lanky white hair as a sign of the 'Kingsmouth Look' as her classmates at Ilvermorny had called it when they saw Obed Marsh, and his twin sisters Ariel and Dagon after they joined her school in 1869.
Spoiler: The Kingsmouth Look

She hoped that Dagon and Ariel Marsh's families were not wrapped up in what was going on here. She remembered them as quiet and reclusive girls but good children who she helped mentor for the last two years before she graduated.

With that she focused on the twin guards, as her brain computed fire lanes, approach paths, and how to break the tactical deadlock that she was in. A second lightning bolt hit the spire and the energies surrounding it increased noticeably. A shimmering line of glowing wards surrounding the church were now faintly visible to the unaugmented eye through the pouring rain and storm.

Delilah frowned as her Omnioculars examined them then smirked smugly as the pieces came together..

Gotcha.

She hopped onto the front porch to her right and then gestured for the other MIB agents to approach. She hissed as she watched the guards. "Michel, transform and scout the sides and back, then report back here with observations. Entrances, wards, guards. Goldstein, Antonelli, stand by here for orders and cover me."

The fourth member of her team nodded and then his form shook and writhed.

Presently a black raven stepped out of the puddle of his Invisibility Cloak and took flight, a darker spot in the midnight of the town.

Delilah holstered her revolver and then reached behind her into the warped space of her hauberk to pull out her .30-06 Springfield rifle. She carefully leaned it against the porch rail and reached into her robe, coming out with a pair of green-tipped bullets.

Another lightning bolt his the spire and yet again the energies built.

She flicked her wrist and her wand appeared from her wrist sheath.

She gestured with it and then carefully tapped the tip of both bullets which began to glow violet.

Touching only the brass, she set them on the porch rail and worked the bolt on her rifle twice to eject two shells.

The raven returned as she carefully loaded the two glowing bullets in her rifle.

Michel appeared next to her. "No exits, No guards, just windows. Powerful wards though."

A fourth lightning bolt landed.

Delilah nodded and spoke in an emotionless monotone. "Gear up, we don't have much time. Assault plan. I'll take down the guards on the next lightning strike. Antonelli take down the wards when I do, do it fast and hard. Michel, Goldstein, advance left and right, do NOT get in my line of fire. Once they drop, double-time to the door, secure, and rally there. Then we kick it in and sweep if they don't react to my sentry removal. If they react, hit them like a tornado. Weapons free. Got it?"

"Si." "Yes." "Roger."

Delilah nodded sharply as she rested the rifle on the porch rail for a firing rest.

"Execute."
--------------------------------

Spoiler: Go Time

Delilah breathed in and out slowly and evenly as she focused on the first figure.

The second was half covered by the pillar that she was behind, but this one was almost totally hidden.

Almost totally meant that a bare sliver of her torso was visible, and that was enough for the Muramasa revolver.

Time passed in a haze as the only thing in the world that mattered was the sight picture through the Omniocular scope of her rifle, the feel of the trigger under her index finger and the planned shift and snapshot to neutralize the second target.

Faintly Delilah was aware of her fellow MIB agent waiting with his wand in readiness to rip a hole in the shield.

Suddenly she felt the tingle of static electricity in her true body.

Her finger applied a fraction of a gram more pressure to the trigger.

The scope filled with light.

BOOM

CRACK

The sound of the thunder and the bark of the rifle were indistinguishable.

A violet glowing bullet streaked across the Village Common at 850 meters per second.

The top floor of the church was now sheathed in blue-white and red-black electrical discharges.

A contrail followed behind her bullet from the raindrops that the supersonic shockwave of its passage disintegrated.

The bullet slammed into the exposed side of the first guard, punching through her shields and skin as if it was paper.

In the storm-swept darkness of the bay, a pulsing glow began to flicker.

Delilah's hand flashed to the bolt like lightning and worked its glass-smooth motion as she dove to the right.

The first figure stiffened like a board and began to topple.

The second figure began to turn as her sister fell, magical energies glowing around her body.

The expended cartridge case arced through the air.

Delilah slammed the bolt back into place to load her second shot.

The bolt locked down as the cartridge case began to fall to the boards of the porch

Her finger found the trigger once more.

The image of an inhumanly-pale woman's face filled her scope.

Red-glowing eyes filled with hatred and anger narrowed as Muramasa and guard locked eyes.

CRACK

A second firefly streak of violet light linked revolver and target.

The wall behind the woman's head suddenly acquired a spray of black blood and tissue as she collapsed like an unstrung puppet.

Delilah worked the bolt as she leapt the rail like a cat.

There was a scream of magic and the ward line ripped like paper.

The second expended cartridge flew smoking from the breech of Delilah's rifle as she landed in a sprinter's crouch.

Delilah sprinted for the door behind the now visible forms of Tina Goldstein and Nicholas Michel.

She slung the rifle over a shoulder and her hands moved to draw her Ithaca shotgun from the holster on her hauberk.

Cold green eyes focused on the closed door as the owner's hands racked the first shell into the chamber and her personal shield spells flickered to visible life.

Tina broke right and Nicholas broke left to either end of the patio in unison, wands raised to cover the door.

Delilah took the steps to the church two at a time and slammed into the wall to the right of the door with a thump.

Enrico Antonelli flattened against the wall to the left of the door in turn with a Remington 870 shotgun held in his hands.

Delilah barked out orders in a calm voice. "Bag and tag, then stack. Antonelli Breach top and left. I have right. Michel, left. Goldstein, right. We go in hot. Shields up."

Michel and Goldstein slipped opaque bags with a spell to insure the wearer had enough oxygen to breathe along with a second spell to pump 125 decibel white noise into the wearer to incapacitate them and make it impossible to concentrate over the heads of the stunned young women. The bags shifted as the animated ball gags inside locked themselves in the mouth of the captives A moment later, strength enhanced zip-ties secured their wrists and ankles.

"Secure!" "Secure!"

Delilah nodded sharply and then blew out the bottom hinge on the door as Antonelli blew the top hinge apart with Reducto-enhanced slug rounds.

"GO GO GO!" Delilah called out at the head of her strike team as the door disintegrated and the first magically enhanced flashbang grenades flew inside from her trail positions.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Once more in his Yukata with Juuchi and Tsukiakari sheathed at his waist and Kenshō on his person, Harry along with the avatars for said blades and Natsumi were walking along when he spotted something. Raising an eyebrow, he nodded towards it as if to ask Natsumi, and she gave a slight nod as well. It did not take him very long to reach Shiromizu who looked somewhat tired, which made him slightly worried for her, "Shiromizu? Are you alright?"

Blinking, the Mizuchi looked up, "Hm? Oh, hai, I'm alright." Seeing the expression on Harry's face, she waved it off, "I'm fine, just a little tired from various things, Harry."

Eyebrow raising, the thirteen year old frowned at that. But it was Natsumi who instead spoke up, "Are you sure, Shiromizu-Chan? You look more than a little tired from things."

With a roll of her shoulders, Shiromizu snorted a little, "Hai, just still getting used to everything." Looking over the festival, she motioned with a hand, "Going from thinking that I was just a rat snake Yokai, to a Mizuchi, to... well, this? An entire festival mostly dedicated to me? Not to mention..." The Mizuchi turned and gave Harry a look, "A small palace for a home? And the cherry being that my residence on the other side is a massive mountain castle. Just overwhelming."

Gently, Natsumi placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a small smile, "Understandable, Shiro-Chan. A lot has happened in the past year after all."

Harry, meanwhile, walked over to her and gave her a small hug, "If you ever need to talk..."

Returning it, the Mizuchi smiled a little, "I know who to talk to." Pulling back, she heard bells and turned towards the town clock. Unlike most clock towers, it looked more like a pagoda with the clockfaces shining out to the world as the bells rang. With a sigh, Shiromizu shook her head a little bit, "And now I need to head to the central pavilion within the next hour. Because Onee-Sama has something planned and I'm needed..." Eyes narrowing, she looked at the black haired wizard, "You wouldn't know what is going on... would you?"

Only shrugging, Harry shook his head, "This time? I'm being left in the dark as much as you are, Shiromizu." Scratching his neck, he looked at the others, "How about we head over there to see for ourselves?"

Each of the blade avatars and one Kitsune looked at each other before nodding in agreement.

Thus, they found themselves about an hour later before the "Central Pavilion" which was mainly a temporary stage set up for performances and the like. Granted, from what Harry had heard from Shiromizu, they were going to build a permanent one nearby for bands and the like to play at. And from where they were, Harry could just see where it was as it was being built with carved blocks of stone from the mountain.

It was not the only thing he could see as Asuka was also in his view as Ai and Gyaru were giving odd looks to their fellow pilots. As if senseing him, the Tengu turned to look at him before walking over even as the crowd grew, though not before telling Ai where she was going. Upon reaching them, Asuka gave a small wave, "Hi guys."

A light smile on her face, Natsumi gave a nod, "Good afternoon, Asuka-Chan. Enjoy the day so far?"

Brightly smiling, the Tengu nodded fairly rapidly, "Have I ever! This..." Spreading her wings slightly, she floated a little, "This has been a great day!" At catching the looks of amusement her friends were giving her, she fluttered her wings and landed, "Um, well, it has. No one has been hiding what they are at all, so I don't. And you got entertainment of Yokai using their abilities and everything! Some of the exhibitions were awesome!"

Considering that, Natsumi smiled a little, "Hai, that is true enough." She glanced at Harry and pointed, "There's a small exhibition set up over there actually. It's being done by the grandson of the current head of the Takeda Clan of Kyoto."

Eyes widened, Asuka looked in that direction with interest, "The Takeda Clan? As in the famous Karakuri puppet makers?"

With a hum, Harry chuckled a bit, "One and the same." Shaking his head, he crossed his arms, "Pretty amazing to see how far magic has carried that, they're all so life-like and can give responses. One we saw actually walked over to some arrows, picked them up, and proceeded to fire them via bow into a target while another served tea. They looked so alive..."

Tsukiakari had a thoughtful look on her face, "Hai, they certainly did, Master. Granted, they still needed to be wound up to keep moving, but it was still very impressive. Master Ian once saw a performance put on by them back during the Restoration and it was... just amazing. They were able to move nearly as well as a human, without being operated by one." Softly smiling, she shook her head, "The Head of the Clan explained to Master Ian that when he was a young boy, he learned at the knee of Takeda Omi himself, and eventually was adopted by him before continuing his work. He wanted to perfect Karakuri puppets and make them as alive as possible."

Just shaking his head, Harry had a bemused look on his face, "Well, they seemed alive enough to me anyways."

At that, the others in their group who had seen what happened nodded in agreement which made Asuka curious herself before she internally decided to see if Ai and the others would want to go to see themselves. However, before they could get much further in their conversation, Juuchi tilted her head as she glanced at the Abyss Divers, "Any idea what happened to your friends?"

Blinking, the teenage Tengu looked over at the males who winced every once in a while, "Not really? From what I got they somehow got scratched up a bit and patched up in a clinic, but won't tell anyone why... And keep having these odd smiles on their faces, see?"

Everyone glanced at the male pilots in thought, and sure enough they had somewhat odd smiles on their faces. Tsukiakari and Juuchi, however, became amused and somewhat smug before looking at each other and shaking their heads slightly. They were not about to tell the teens, or one young blade, what those smiles meant after all.

However, they were distracted by a nearby shout and turned to find Nagato walking through the crowd, the Battleship easily being able to be seen due to her height. Much more amusingly, however, they spotted Hoppou on Nagato's shoulders with Rei and the Kitsune Asuka as well, the shipgirl not bothered in the slightest by their weight. Coming to a stop, Nagato gave them a smile, "Hello everyone, enjoying your day so far?"

Grinning, Harry nodded with a laugh, "We really are, Mum."

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Hoshi and the others who also arrived. They chatted a bit before the sound of someone tapping their microphone could be heard and they turned back to the stage. On it, Misa looked out onto the crowd with a smile, though she gave a different one to Akitsu Maru who nodded back. From where she was, Nagato nodded and gave the shipgirl a pleased look as she stood there in her full dress uniform. Though she did internally raise an eyebrow a bit in amusement at how the Unagi Hime kept shooting the former IJA Warship glances with a slight blush on her cheek, 'Kawaii...'

Meanwhile, also on stage, Shiromizu was frowning slightly before she narrowed her eyes a little and lowered her voice to a near whisper, "Onee-Sama... what have you done?"

Just giving her an amused look, Misa smirked, "You'll see, Lady Shiromizu~" Clearing her throat, she looked back out over the crowd as the three screens lit up behind her as projectors turned on, "Thank you all for coming for this truly momentous occasion! I can only hope that you have been enjoying the festival thus far!"

Even as the crowd roared with approval, the young Mizuchi was looking at the screens. They each showed a different place along her stream, with the middle one showing the current end point which she recognized. It was a small hollow near the base of the mountain which had been mostly filled. Even as she watched, she could see the dry dirt at the edge of the hollow slowly becoming moist as the water continued the path downhill...

And then she recognized that within a few feet was the beginning of the channel that had been made and she had seen the other day.

Her eyes widening, she slowly turned to Misa, 'ONEE-SAMA!? WHAT DID YOU DO?!'

Almost as if she sensed her little sister's eyes on her, the Unagi Hime glanced at her and smirked all the more before turning back to the microphone, "Last October, by Order of Ryuujin-Dono, Lady Shiromizu was given total dominion over all the waters of our lovely mountain! We have watched as she slowly grew from a small spring, to a hot spring, a brook to a stream! And now, after so much work by all of us..." Most of the crowd was cheering and grinning madly, "IT IS TIME THAT WE GAVE BACK TO HER FULLY AND HELPED HER REACH HER POTENTIAL!" Even more cheers met that and Shiromizu looked slightly confused and somewhat panicked. But Misa made a motion to Akitsu Maru, "AKITSU-CHAN! IF YOU WILL OPEN THE GATES!"

The shipgirl nodded and tapped her ears before smiling, "Open the gates, now!"

On either side of the stage, the screens changed to different viewpoints which showed fairies standing on what looked like small dams made of rocks. The cameras panned to show springs emptying into the hollows behind said dams, having filled them enough that the water was already trickling around the rocks. And in the middle were sluice gates with a sluice beneath them that looked like minature versions of the channel that Shiromizu had seen the day before... a channel that lead down to her river.

Watching, they observed the fairies grab ropes and pull them, lifting the gates free of the dam and releasing the waters inside. Waters that rushed down the channels until it entered Shiromizu's river, making her jerk straight. The screens changed again to two more fairies who did the same thing, freeing water from behind dams, which soon rushed into the young river. Some of the smaller streams, too, were also released from where they had been damed, the small ponds and hollows where they had terminated having had channels dug to Shiromizu's river.

Each gate releasing more and more water, that even now crashed down the mountainside.

Behind the stage, on the main camera, it switched to the hollow with the waterfall and showed the flash flood of water tear over it and into the pool below as Kappa cheered, and pulled their own ropes. Moments later, smaller waterfalls appeared around the pool, springs that had been tapped and were now being released. As the rush of water tore down the mountainside, other sluice gates were opened behind it, releasing more water as the flow increased.

Upon the stage, Shiromizu sucked in a breath as the red markings on her body began to glow brighter and brighter. And the antlers on her head also grew a nearly unnoticeable amount with each sluice gate as she shuddered, "T-this..."

Finally, the view switched back to the current end point of her river. There was a rumbling sound on the camera before the rush of water appeared, slamming into the pool which overflowed an instant, a wave crashing over the side as the waters entered the channel. Everyone there could swear that the white water at the head of the river looked like a Mizuchi's head, roaring as it rushed. Contained, the waters of Shiromizu's river continued their journey down the mountainside before reaching the full base, where upon, contained within the channel, they began encircling the mountain.

The back screen switched to a camera being used by one of Akitsu Maru's autogyros, showing other small streams entering Shiromizu's river from the springs that spawned them as the sluice gates were opened to release them, adding more water to her river. The stream that Jin had used the waters for gushed from the dam holding it, the new springs entering it until it entered the main channel of Shiromizu's. Eventually, the river passed under the bridge and entered the gravel pit with a loud roar, the headwaters looking just like a Mizuchi as they slammed into the floor of the pit and began spreading out, filling it.

Back in the village, the various villagers all cheered and leapt. On a roof of a stand, the leader of the Imori raised his small blade, "FOR LADY SHIROMIZU! BANZAI! BANZAI!"

His fellow Imori also called out as they raised their weapons in salute.

Meanwhile, Shiromizu's chest heaved as the red markings on her continued to glow even as the flow began to settle down, much greater than it had been before. Feeling the weight on her head, she reached up and her fingers traced the antlers there. Before, they were barely the size of her finger. Now? Now they were about the size of her hand as four point antlers, "I..."

Softly smiling, Misa walked over to the teary Mizuchi and gently took her hand in hers, "Lady Shiromizu... Imouto." When Shiromizu turned to her, she continued with a soft smile, "I remember when I found you as a hatchling. While I knew what you were at the time, I saw more than that. I saw... you, as you are. And as you grew, I continued to watch as you grew into the most wonderful young woman I knew." She made a sweeping gesture with her hands, "We all did. They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and perhaps... they might be right. I think that we all would like to think that we did a good job-"

Laughing even as she cried, the Mizuchi hugged her, "You did, Onee-Sama..."

Pulling away, Shiromizu's gaze was met with smiles and the like. It was then that it struck her... yes, she had thought that she was a rat snake, and later found out that she was a Mizuchi. Yes, things had become a whirlwind as she found herself brought higher than before, which had caused her to become lost somewhat as things changed. But in front of her, at this moment? She could see in the eyes of the people who lived on her mountain, who her, Natsumi, Harry, and the others had saved. Not one of them saw her as the Mizuchi...

They saw her as the hatchling that they had helped raise and protect, a little serpent named Shiromizu, a little sister who they watched grow.

If anything, that caused the tears to fall harder, but no one mistook them for sad tears. Not with the bright smile on her face that seemed to outshine the Sun itself. Her eyes meeting Harry's, she got a slight nod while Natsumi smiled back happily. Walking up to the microphone, Shiromizu paused for a moment as she swallowed thickly, "Everyone... thank you." Eyes trailing along the crowd, she continued, "Thank you all, each and everyone of you. I still remember when I was little, a hatchling. I remember Misa-Onee-Sama caring for me when I was hurt." The Unagi-Hime nodded and smiled, "I remember you, Mori-San, once travelling off the mountain and returning with some candy despite the danger for my hatchday."

Grinning, the Tanuki laughed, "And I would do it again, Lady Shiromizu!"

Lips twitching, Shiromizu nodded with her voice thick with emotion, "Hai, I know this." Slowly gazing upon the crowd, she sighed, "You cared for and helped me, protected me from Kuroshi. She, who I killed with my friends, to protect them and you, all of you. While others may have seen me as a rat snake or a Mizuchi, I realize that you all see me as... me, as Shiromizu. My home, both here and in the Spiritual Realm. What you have done with my spring and stream. You did not do it because I was a Mizuchi. Because you wanted to honour me for being such out of respect or fear..." Streams of tears ran down her face, glinting in the late afternoon sunlight as it began to set behind the distant mountains, "You did it... because of love. Because you love me, not just as your protector, but as a member of your family. To... to help me. All of you... you are my Nee-Sans and Nii-Sans, my Oba-Chans and Oji-Chans, my Ojii-Sans and Obaa-Sans. My family."

Slowly, she spread her arms out with the brightest smile on her face, "From your Imouto... thank you. Thank each and every one of you, I promise to protect you as much as I can as you once protected me, for I can do nothing else. Thank you."

Almost as one, all the villagers, with smiles on their faces bowed towards her as she bowed, deeply, back to them.

Misa, having straightened from her bow, walked over and placed a hand on the Mizuchi's shoulder, "Well said." Gathering her into a hug, she sighed with a happy smile on her face, "Well said, Imouto."

Head leaning against the Unagi Hime's, Shiromizu simply hummed happily as she closed her eyes, still crying in joy.

From where she was standing, Jin glanced around and smiled with an internal chuckle, 'You are certainly a special one, Shiro. Definitely different than most of us Mizuchi.'

On the edge of the crowd, a young woman lowered her sunglasses a little and smiled before glancing at her companion, "Well now, that was impressive, was it not, Ammy-Han?"

Just smiling as she took a bite of dango, Amaterasu chuckled a little, "It was certainly at that. And very well said on her part." Glancing to the side, she grinned slightly, "Wouldn't you say, Ryuujin-Kun?"

The Dragon King had a grin of his own on his face, which also contained pride for the newest member of his court, "I would go a bit further than that, Amaterasu-Oba-San, but..." He made a gesture to the stage, "We could be here all night in that case. However, I will say that I am extremely pleased with her. She is growing into the sort of Mizuchi that I feel we need more of. A role model for those to come in the future, and perhaps... a beacon for those here to realize they should be more like."

Voice soft from where they stood with the others, Inari, currently female, gave a nod, "One can only hope for such, Ryuujin-Kun. Back even a few hundred years ago, most would not have gone this far for the local Mizuchi, even if they were a protector. Not out of anything but fear... but they love her, and she loves them. And that makes all the difference in the end."

Kushinada-Hime chuckled from where she was beside her husband, "Hai, love is powerful... and she is going to be a force for change, positive change, soon enough." With a deep breath, she let it out and kissed her husband on the cheek before guiding him away, "Let's allow her this moment in peace before we go back to enjoying this festival."

Each of the other Kami there nodded before turning themselves and walking away. For a brief moment, Amaterasu turned and looked back at Shiromizu who was now being hugged by Harry as well as Misa. On the face of the Sun Goddess was not just joy, not just pride... but an almost motherly love, "Good job, Little One. Know that you have done a good job, and that your friends and family have as well. Take pride in that fact, for it will make you all the stronger."

With that, she bowed slightly to the stage and walked off to join the others as up on stage, Shiromizu hugged both Harry and Misa tightly as she cried happy tears, smile on her face.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (IV)

13 July 2014

Kingsport, Smuggler's Cove, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, Maine, USA

"From even the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent."-H.P. Lovecraft
Spoiler: Building Clearance

The pair of enchanted Mark 84 stun grenades flew through the shattered door of the church building.

As they landed, an amplified voice blasted through the area in stereo.

"AURORS! WANDS DOWN AND HANDS UP!"

Immediately afterward, every window on the ground floor shone with blinding white light as a pair of detonations thundered from inside.

A split second later Delilah de Breuil pivoted on the door frame, moving like a chameleon cloaked tiger to clear the 'fatal funnel' of the door.

Her Ithaca pump-action shotgun was as much of a part of her as her ice-cold green eyes that scanned the church foyer looking for targets.

"Clear right!" She barked out in her precise and emotionless diction as she advanced to the open double doors directly ahead which had smoke coming from inside.

"Clear left, stairs!" Antonelli barked out.

Delilah's brain moved like a madly racing infernal machine of cogs and flywheels, gears and cold ruthless logic.

The stairs were an unknown area that had to be cleared, but every split second was critical before the shock of her team's violent entry wore off.

"FOUR! Tanglefoot and block stairs! Advance Ahead! THREE, flash ahead! GO!" Delilah snapped out in an inhumanly calm voice as she covered the double door.

Motion raising a wand. Target.

BOOM.

A cone of buckshot slammed into the figure visible for an instant through the door as her finger caressed the trigger of her Ithaca.

The figure crumpled and fell.

Delilah slammed against the wall and pumped her shotgun.

"STAIRS LOCKED!" Nicholas Michel reported.

"FLASH!" Another explosion and flash of light punctuated Tina Goldstein's words as the flash-bang lobbed inside detonated.

"GO GO GO!" Delilah called as she pivoted on the door and began her sweep front to right.

Targets. Priority as follows.

BOOM

Delilah's hands moved like lightning, spraying the pale figures wearing little more than strips of fabric with buckshot.

BOOM

She moved forward and right with the grace of a ballerina to clear the kill zone of the door for Enrico Antonelli.

BOOM

The first expended shotgun shell hit the floor of the room.

BOOM

Bodies dropped and fell like wheat before the scythe that was Delilah de Breuil surfing the wave of her Muramasa bloodlust and madness.

BOOM

Delilah's lips were set in a coldly vicious smug smile under her hood as another smoking shell flew from the breech of her shotgun.

BOOM BOOM

More movement among the worshipers packed inside. Pale skin, red or pale blue eyes, white hair in the Kingsport Look.

BOOM BOOM

Antonelli was firing to clear the other side of the room, some free segment of Delilah's mind noted with satisfaction, but she was a killing machine in her element doing what she had been created to do.

BOOM BOOM

Glyphs on the walls in fresh blood stabbing her sanity with their implications.

BOOM BOOM

Didn't matter. Unimportant.

BOOM BOOM

Only servicing targets mattered.

BOOM BOOM

"Accio Takedown!" Familiar weight of her Ithaca at full load as her enchantments flared to life to reload the magazine and she pumped a fresh round of enchanted buckshot into the chamber.

There.

BOOM BOOM

"Clear Right!" Delilah barked as she completed her sweep.

BOOM

"Stupefy!"

She pivoted to advance the length of the large room.

BOOM BOOM

"Clear Left!"

Movement at the far end in the smoke and chaos as a shark masked chalk-skinned albino figure in bloodstained aquamarine robes began to run for it.
Spoiler: The Cult Leader

Snapshot.

BOOM

A spike of irritation as the figure ducked behind some hideous squid-like idol on the altar as her rubber buckshot cone was soaked up by figures in her way that dropped as they absorbed the stunning spells.

BOOM BOOM

Targets in her way.

BOOM BOOM

Targets down.

"Two Clear!" "Four Clear!" "Three Clear!"

"Two! Four! Secure! Three! Cover the survivors!" Coldly precise orders as she moved after the fleeing figure of the apparent cult leader.

"Roger!" "Si!" "Aye!" Three affirmatives answered her as she moved forward toward the yawning hole of a door in the back wall, passing over limp and thrashing bodies.

Her eyes scanned the altar, and narrowed at the sight of five bodies with their throats cut. A sixth and seventh were bound and gagged next to the altar.

A brief instant of contemplation of the probable tactical situations caused Delilah to stow her shotgun, filling her hand with her revolver. Her free hand then flipped down her Omnioculars before drawing her wand.
------------------------

Beyond was a short unlit passage that led to stairs up. Delilah frowned as she looked through her Omnioculars at the fading footsteps illuminated by the enchantment. They were not using the stairs but instead stopped at the end of the corridor.

Her lips curled in a smug smirk as her wand moved in a triangle. "Bombarda!"

The hidden door at the far end of the corridor exploded in splinters and smoke.

Delilah flicked her wand as she sprinted toward it. "Nubes Fumi!"

Thick black smoke filled the room beyond. A shiver down the steel of her true body was warning enough and she dove low through the door in a somersault as a Killing Curse shot overhead.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Delilah snapped out as her wand leveled at the human shape in the smoke. The shark-headed human form who had just tried to kill her with Dark Magic stiffened and crashed onto her back.

Delilah spun in a clockwise sweep of the room as her enhanced eyesight cut through the smoke. Her lips curled smugly in triumph as she surveyed the hidden ritual room.

A clearly ancient human skull -- wait it had teeth of bronze and two pointed ebony-black horns coming out of the forehead -- daubed with symbols drawn in blood floated above on a map of the Maine coast with icons moving on it. A magic circle with seven black candles surrounded the map and abyssal skull.

Five of the candles were burning with an eerie blue unwavering flame.

Delilah's lips drew back in a vicious snarl as the pieces fell into place. Her wand waved as she snapped out 'Expecto Patronem' in a emotionless voice. Her ocelot Patronus formed and she stared it. "Notify Two to take charge, bag and tag the cultists in here and transport them to the Common to be taken into custody. Then tell Alondra to move in to pick up the captives, this Abyssal cult is broken."

The paralyzed shark-masked witch's eyes widened at the familiar voice. The eyes widened even more as Delilah pulled her hood down to expose her face for the first time.

Delilah's wand flicked out as she approached to reinforce the paralysis and capture charms, and then vanished into her sleeve.

Delilah's hand grasped the mask and yanked it roughly from her head. Ice cold leaf-green eyes stared into the pale blue in the colorless face of the albino witch.

Delilah tossed the mask aside with a spasmodic jerk.

"Adept Lavinia Whateley of TOTEM. What the HELL are you playing at?" Delilah's voice was cold with killing menance under the iron control.

Unseen by the Muramasa, a pair of carvings on the discarded mask began to glow a cold-blue-white.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

The group sitting at the outdoor bar was an eclectic one to say the least. Among them under the hanging lanterns (some of said lanterns having eyes open and tongues wagging in other conversations), Jin and Carnwennan were very recognizable as were the pilots of the Abyss Divers. Andraste as well as Sabah were also there, but the Arabic blade was currently enjoying a glass of plain sparkling fruit juice while the shield had a tall mug of beer in her hands that she sipped while listening to the conversation and adding her own bits every once in a while. Rounding out the group were Akitsu Maru, Misa (who it should be noted was very close to said shipgirl), Haru, Siusan, and Haruka. Over the past hour, the conversation had went in various directions as the younger members listened to stories from the older ones.

Granted, the current subject was one that had more than one eyebrow raising in disbelief.

Kudzu just stared at the Arthurian dagger in disbelief before motioning with his hand, "Wait, wait... just wait for a moment?" Furrowing his eyebrows, he frowned as he scratched at his head, "So... there was an incident in Camelot where Guinevere was replaced by her evil twin sister... Guinevere?"

With a hum, Carnwennan took a sip of his beer, "That's right, their father did not have the best naming skill." Briefly, he frowned, "Well, to most Gwenhwyfar, which was Guinevere's actual name, is quite similar to her sister's, Gwenhwyfach. Old bastard didn't quite understand why people gave him looks over it or why the mothers had problems."

At that, Ai raised a finger, "Mothers... as in plural?"

Nodding, the Dagger chuckled a little, "Yes, they were half sister twins. Conceived on the same night, hours apart to two different women, born the exact same day and hour, and looking exactly like identical twins." Shrugging, Carnwennan shook his head, "Which is quite strange."

Only shaking his head, Boke snorted at that, "I call bullshit on that."

Meanwhile, Taikomachi had brought out his phone and was looking through it, thankful that there was now cell reception on the mountain. Upon seeing said pilot raise his eyebrows, Kero groaned, "Don't tell me..."

Raising a hand, the pilot pointed at an amused Carnwennan, "He's right. They were twin sisters born to different mothers according to the myths."

Lightly laughing, Carnwennan grinned, "Quite." Taking a sip, he continued, "Anyways, she showed up and claimed that she was the actual queen, had an identical ring to Guinevere's, which was to belong to the queen, and so forth. Claimed that if Arthur did not take her in, he would need to return the Round Table, which was a wedding gift. They only had until the Solstice to prove who was the real one and who was not. If you listen to the stories... Arthur was ambushed in the forest by Gwenhwyfach's conspirators and fed a love potion. Result was that he declared his actual wife to be the false one and ordered her imprisoned and executed. Really though, he was not planning on it with a number of his Knights 'Protesting' his decision."

If anything, that made Ai raise an eyebrow as she sipped her own beer, "From what you are saying, I take it that was not what actually happened?"

Giggles made them turn towards Siusan who coughed and looked away with a blush. Seeing the looks, she grinned a little sheepishly, "That was not what I heard happened from forest spirits."

Just smirking, Carnwennan raised his mug to her, "No, no it was not." Turning to the others, he continued, "Yes, he did meet with the conspirators in the woods, but was not fed a love potion, though he claimed such later. Him and Guinevere had... issues, to say the least as it was an arranged marriage. And he had some suspicion that she was eyeing some of his Knights. He originally wanted Gwenhwyfach as his wife, but she was not legitimate due to being born to her father's mistress, not his wife. Thus it would have looked bad for him to marry her."

Placing her face in her hands, Jin cackled, "Oh my fucking God... Are you shitting me!? He was in on it the whole time?!"

Carnwennan waggled his hands a little bit, "Hmm... maybe. The ring and other proofs he knew were faked as he knew his sister's, Morgana's, work. He also knew that Morgana did not approve of Guinevere at all as she was something of a... what you might call now a Bro-Con."

Even the bartender stopped what he was doing to stare at him for several moments. Finally, Haru cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow, "Wat."

Humming, the Arthurian Dagger nodded a little, "Quite, she was a Bro-Con." Taking a sip, he continued, "All her plans to depose him as ruler? Partially out of jealousy, yes. But also partially because she did not like how it wore on him apparently and was planning to, uh... make sure he had a position at her court, if you catch my drift."

At that, Jin started banging her head on the table, "Fuck... what the fuck..."

With a shrug and gesturing at the air, Carnwennan shook his head, "They were half siblings, so... Well, so she produced the items in question for Gwenhwyfach, quite possibly as I believe they had come to a deal. Guinevere would be gone, and Morgana could visit whenever she wanted for... sister time." Seeing the looks, he gave another shrug, "Different time and culture. Not that odd when one gets down to it. Besides which, Morgana liked Gwenhwyfach better than Guinevere, something that was returned, trust me."

Rubbing his face, Kudzu groaned a little, "Right, so basically this... uh..."

Smile on her face, Andraste spoke up, "Gwenhwyfach?"

For a moment, the pilot paused before pointing at her, "Yes, her." Clearing his throat, Kudzu continued, "So she was generally a better queen for Arthur, and the like. So... how the hell did Guinevere get back into her position?"

Carnwennan had a thoughtful look on his face before frowning, "Well... part of it, you must understand, is that Guinevere had some of her own supporters. And the meeting where Arthur declared Gwenhwyfach as the true queen had... issues." Taking a drag of his mug, he held it out for a refill, "Mainly, Guinevere got very pissed and started calling her sister names, who promptly got pissed herself but Gwenhwyfach was able to keep her cool while dismissing her, resulting in Guinevere slapping her in the face, and then they fell to the floor and started attacking each other. Guinevere's supporters did not like how 'Their Queen' was treated, while those against her only saw it as further proof that she was not fit to rule alongside their King. Mordred being one of those actually..." Rubbing his chin, the dagger spirit frowned even more, "Which, now that I think about it, might well have been one of the first real cracks that lead to Camlann."

Scratching his head, Kudzu frowned at him, "Right, so... how did she, Guinevere, become Queen again?"

Arms crossed, Carnwennan hummed, "Well, she was imprisoned at the time, but... that was when Lancelot arrived from a mission-"

Kero interrupted at that, "Wait, Lancelot? I thought that he was added on later?"

Just accepting a new mug of beer, the dagger took a sip, "Mmm... he was added back to the stories later by French writers as he was not too popular among the Britons... for obvious reasons, and so was left out. I will state that he did not do most of what was claimed to be him in later stories, however. Bloody French." With a shrug, Carnwennan scratched his chin, "As to why? Arthur knew that he needed a connection, at least politically, with some of the Kingdoms in France. If only to prevent have the Franks as a possible ally against the Celts, which they had little issue with. Lancelot was the go between... though the rumour was he was sent mainly because he kept being found in bed chambers and they wanted him out without the issues that killing him would have had due to his popularity among a subset of the population."

Simply sighing at that, Ai shook her head, "And so, after a few hundred years, he was added back to the stories because he was popular among said population and they likely disliked he was not part of the Arthurian stories to begin with."

Raising his mug, Carnwennan nodded, "Exactly." After having a sip, and grabbing a small bite of food, he swallowed and continued, "Right, well... so Lancelot came back from his mission and found out about the whole thing. When he challenged some other Knights for what had happened, and Arthur told him to stand down, Lancelot resigned from the Round Table in order to fight them and free Guinevere, which he did and then ran away with her." Larconic look on his face, he snorted, "Now, he claimed that he was doing it out of honour and such. Personally? I know that Guinevere's father truly disliked the Franks and how Arthur was courting them as allies. Most likely, he would have turned down any marriage to Lancelot and also prevented them from seeing each other. And to said knight..."

Now Boke banged his head on the bar, "Fucking... you mean to tell me, he fought for her because he wanted to get into her pants eventually and if she was sent away, he would never get the chance? Fucking seriously!?"

With a sigh, the Arthurian dagger grimaced, "That is my theory and what some of the survivors of the court thought later when thinking about it, yes. I overheard them believe such. He was 'In love' with her after all. The fact that what he did made her fall for him in return was completely unexpected for him, I assure you."

Lips curling a bit, Sabah gave him a look, "The sarcasm in those last words were quite cutting, you know."

In return, Carnwennan smirked before turning back to the story, "Things happened and Guinevere and Lancelot hid, but eventually, Gwenhwyfach grew ill as did her fellow 'Conspirator'. Quite odd how nothing that was done seemed to help at all, and eventually they passed. But not before having 'written a letter' confessing all her sins and the love potion. A letter written in handwritting very similar to Guinevere's own as a matter of fact. However, Arthur was unable to actually state the truth due to the political explosion, and thus accepted it with gritted teeth."

Eyebrow raised, Jin drained her own mug, "In other words, she was poisoned and Guinevere was likely behind it just to smear her sister's name in death and take back her position." Furrowing her eyebrows, she frowned a little, "Though why since she ran off with Lancelot and could have married him..."

Rolling his eyes, the dagger snorted, "Unfortunately, she could not marry him. Firstly, she would have needed permission from her father or else war could have resulted. Secondly, the Frankish King was rather pissed the fuck off that he was being dragged into this by someone he sent there, thus Lancelot likely was told not to do it and that his neck was likely on the line if he did do something. Thirdly? It was something of a black mark against both Guinevere and Lancelot... though I will admit that I am not sure if it was Guinevere who poisoned her sister or one of her own supporters in the Court."

Considering it for a few moments, Gyaru scratched her nose, "So... that happened, I guess. And eventually Arthur caught Guinevere and Lancelot having sex with each other?"

Carwennan sighed a little, "Not quite. See, at one point, Lancelot was captured by Morgana for a time and held in a cell. Pretty sure that Arthur was in no real rush to save him and that she did it to try and piss Guinevere off. Some time after Lancelot's release, Arthur went to visit his sister. While officially 'Enemies' they had buried the hatchet long ago... and she showed him the cell where she kept Lancelot. A cell whose walls Lancelot, who was something of an artist, had carved mention of how beautiful Guinevere was, including aspects of her body that he could only have known if he saw her naked, as well as a portrait of him and her naked in bed as well as other drawings done in charcoal of their liasons. Arthur... was rather pissed the hell off and his sister got him back as quick as possible. Being as he was early and snuck in using me, he found the two of them, in his bed, fucking. The fact that she was verbally telling Lancelot how much better he was than Arthur as she was being screwed into the bed was just the cherry on the sundae, as it was."

With a hum as she took a piece of meat, Haruka turned towards Siusan. Said Irish fox gave a small nod, "Aye, that was how I heard it had happened. Though the whole Mordred thing was partially because no one was able to be sure whom among Arthur's other children were legitimate and he claimed he should be heir because he was Arthur's 'Nephew'... and then someone came out with how he was actually Arthur's son by Morgana, his sister and things went to shit as Arthur needed to deny him."

After a moment of thought, Andraste frowned a bit and sighed, "Things were truly complicated..."

Gyaru shrugged and popped a nut into her mouth, "I don't know, this sounds better than one of those soap operas..."

Everyone considered that before nodding and the conversation continued...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Giggling, Kenshō held both Harry's and Natsumi's hands as they walked through the festival. Paper lanterns above glowed softly while the stone ones at the side of the roads had magical flames in them. Glowing orbs also wove between the various lanterns, adding their own lights to the festival with some being from fireflies. The group passed one Kitsune performer who was performing a dance, Kitsune Bi flowing around him in various shapes as the watchers clapped their hands and dropped coins into a container close to his feet. And above, the stars and the crescent Moon shone down on everyone.

For a time, the three stopped to listen to a group on one of the stages playing music for a few songs before moving on. Eyes wide as she took everything in, Kenshō let out a squeak of excitement, "This is so amazing, Master! It's such a great festival!"

Lightly laughing, Harry smiled down at her, "Well, I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself, Kenshō-Chan."

That got him a happy smile and Kenshō turned before chattering with Natsumi who smiled down at the blade spirit. Briefly, the Kitsune shot him a soft look before turning back to the child-like spirit. Watching them, Harry found his breath nearly taken away from what he was seeing. The warm, gentle glow from around them seemed to brush against Natsumi's skin as she spoke to Kenshō, highlighting the developing beauty that was there in an almost magical way. And, for a moment, so very brief in time... it was as if the veil between the past, present, and future lifted.

Rather than see just Natsumi and Kenshō, Harry could see an adult Natsumi overlaying his friend, something beautiful to his eyes though also... familiar. Said older Kitsune was talking to a young Kitsune with messy black hair and green eyes who had a happy smile on his ghostly face who overlaid Kenshō. Said boy looked up at him with an expression so bright, it made his heart hurt in that moment. All Harry did was slowly nod, which made that smile brighten.

Meanwhile, also within his sight, the nearly fourteen year old could see a younger version of himself and Natsumi. Just two children, laughing as they wove in and out of crowds, sometimes holding hands. Both of the ghosts of the past that could never be returned to giving each other smiles as they enjoyed the festival. Innocent and without the weight of the future upon their shoulders, no knowing of what was to come and enjoying the moment. Something else that made his heart ache, the fact that was the past and there was no going back to it. The past version of himself and Natsumi seemed to look at them and smile as they faded away as did the future version of Natsumi and... their child, which made Harry sigh.

Unknown to him, he was not the only one who saw it, but also Natsumi and she felt the ache as well within her heart and blinked a bit as to not cry.

Just a short time later, however, the two teens and one blade spirit blinked as two Tengu flew down out of the sky and hovered before them. One with a normal camera in her hands and the other using a video camera. The one with the camera took a picture of the three bemused people before Kenshō faded out of view and reappeared beside the tengu with the camera, "Hi! I'm Kenshō!"

Startled, the Tengu squawked a bit and flew back a touch, "I, uh, what..." Blinking for a few moments, however, she shook it off while ignoring her friend's snickers and bowed, "Um, right, I'm Kazane, Akamine Kazane and this is my friend-"

The other tengu gave a wave, "Haneyama Miku here, reporter extraordinare with my friend!" Flapping her wings as she brought her camera up, she grinned, "How are the three of you enjoying the festival?"

Amused, and hearing Natsumi try not to giggle, Harry grinned, "Honestly? I'm enjoying it greatly." Head tilted to the side, he raised an eyebrow, "So the two of you are reporters?"

Kazane hummed a bit as she wrote down what he had said in a small notepad, "Well, for the local school paper." Seeing him about to say something, she blushed a little, "The school is going to open next year, but... we want to get a start on it before it does. And what better way than a special edition talking about the festival and the like!"

Beside her, Miku shook her head as she continued to take video, "We also run our own little blog together. Since the Statute is going to fall, we'll be able to get our own YouTube channel and everything!" Pulling her face away from the camera, she clenched her fist and gave a sharp nod, "We want to do for our home what Hokubu Kariudoku has for Yamainutaira!"

Waving her hand, the other Tengu gave a small shrug, "Same with our friend, Sasayama Aimi..." A small frown on her face, she looked around, "Um, she's somewhere around here so you might meet her. She's really great with computers and runs our blog despite being a witch, but her father's a Tengu and mother's a human."

Somewhat amused, Harry and Natsumi shared a look of amusement before turning back to the interview. If anything, they became more amused as the two Tengu realized that they were talking to two of the "Heroes of the Mountain" and asked a number of questions. Eventually though, both flying Yokai flew off to find their friend leaving the three alone.

Just chuckling as he shook his head, the black haired teen gave Natsumi a grin, "Well, that was interesting."

Only shaking her head, Natsumi smiled a bit, "That's one way of putting it, Harry-Chan. But I hope that they manage their dream." Nodding, they continued to walk along, though at one point the Kitsune blinked as she noted one stand where there were two women sitting next to one another at a stand proclaiming itself as an information booth belonging to "Ginzan Combined School". One of two women had two long horns on her head and her face had an exasparated look as she looked at her fellow.

Mainly because the silver haired woman was leaning back in her chair with her hands behind her head and a bored expression. Of course, something else that caught Harry's and Natsumi's attention were the two red wings behind her which made the Kitsune frown, "I... think that I know who those are." Seeing the interested look, Natsumi motioned with her hands, "They're Principal and Phys-ed teacher for the school, Shiromizu-Chan pointed them out earlier. The one with the horns is a Hakutaku hanyou who leans more towards her father and the other is Suzaku-Sama's daughter, also a Hanyou. From what she told me, the Pheonix of the South had a child with one of the Fujiwara centuries ago and she mostly just wanders around."

Head tilted to the side, Harry considered that before nodding though he did wonder what they were doing here just the same...

It was not long after that the nearly fourteen year old wizard spotted movement out of the corner of his eye and turned in time to see Hoppou flying towards him, "BIG BROTHER!"

Just barely catching her, Harry gave a laugh as he swung the squealing little Abyssal around, "Hoppou!" Moments later, he stumbled as Natsumi's little sisters, Rei and Asuka, collided with his legs, "Oof!"

Both little Kitsune had large grins on their faces, "Harry-Nii-San!"

With a sigh, Harry looked over at Natsumi only to see her giggling behind one hand and sighed as there would be no help from there, obviously. Instead, he turned to the two small Kitsune, "Asuka-Chan, Rei-Chan..." Looking at Hoppou, he continued, "Hoppou, I take it that the three of you are enjoying the festival?"

Letting go of him, and sliding to the ground, Hoppou nodded some with a bright smile on her face, "Hoppou is, Big Brother! Hoppou is really enjoying the festival, especially as she can share it with Asuka-Chan and Rei-Chan!" Looking over at Kenshō, she smiled and gave the blade a hug as well, "Hoppou wants to know if Kenshō wants to join them though?"

Only humming, the teenage wizard looked down at Kenshō who seemed torn between being hopeful and unsure, "Well, I don't mind too much though perhaps we should join you as well." He gave a small wink, "Just to be safe."

Much to his amusement, that seemed to releave Kenshō before the four children began giggling and hopping around as they hugged each other. After a few moments, Natsumi cleared her throat, "Where's Haha-ue? I thought that she was watching over you?"

The two young Kitsunes and one Abyssal looked at each other before shrugging as Rei answered for them, "We found Taichi-Nii-San along with Kaga-Nee-San and Akagi-Nee-San over that way." She pointed in a general direction before getting an odd look on their face, "They were all kissy kissy with each other too!"

Rapidly nodding, Asuka had wide eyes, "Hai! It was like..." She turned away from the two teenagers and wrapped her arms around herself before rubbing her hands up and down, "Muh! Muh! I love you Kaga-Chan! I love you, Akagi-Chan! Mwah!"

Natsumi had to turn with her shoulders shaking as she tried her best not to laugh, "I-I see..." After a few moments, she got herself under enough control to turn back to the three girls, "And I take it that Haha-ue, after hearing you tell her that, went off to find him?"

Both twins nodded, "Hai!"

It was then that Hoppou pointed towards one spot nearby, "But that was okay, because Mommy took over to keep an eye on us."

Eyebrows raised, the two teens turned to find Nagato there with a blush on her face as she took pictures of the group of children. With a look towards Natsumi, Harry gave a small sigh, 'Should have expected that, I guess...' Feeling a tug on his hand, he looked down at Hoppou, "Something wrong?"

However, Hoppou just shook her head, "No, Big Brother, nothing's wrong. But Hoppou found someplace that she wants to show Big Brother..." A few minutes later found them in front of a stand with various stuffed toys in it, "See, Big Brother?"

For several moments, Harry just sort of stared at the stand and knew that Natsumi was as well. Not just because they had the usual stuffed toys though, such as a bear with various bandages on it. But because some of the other toys... such as a plushy that looked just like him with messy felt hair, green eyes, and a lightning bolt scar on it's brow. There were also two versions of Natsumi, one being of her near human form with two fox ears and tails, and the other being a two tailed fox with versions of her aunt Haru alongside. As well, one could see plushy versions of the F-15JS done in the colors of the Abyss Divers, plushy versions of the pilots beside them, as well as plushy Hoppous and Nagatos.

Rounding them off were plushy white snakes with red markings on them and what could only be plushy versions of Jin, with pink "Scars" crisscrossing the plush.

Much to his amusement, he watched as one of the Ta-Class of the Cult of the Dark One won a stuffed toy and took one of the Jin ones. She proceeded to hold it above her head triumphantly, "BEHOLD THE DARK ONE! SOFT AND PLUSH!" Reaching into her shirt, she pulled out a worn teddy that she held alongside her new plush and walked off, "See, Mister Bear? This is your new friend..."

Just narrowing her eyes, Natsumi remembered something that she had heard, 'I wonder if that is the one that Mary-San saved when those bastards tried to trick her into starring in an adult video...?'

Harry, meanwhile, was looking at the various toys with a thoughtful look on his face, "Hmm..."

Before he could do anything, however, Kenshō tugged his hand and pointed, "Look, Master! Goldfish!"

With a blink, the teenage wizard looked and chuckled a bit as there was a plush goldfish there, "Hai, I take it that you want it?" When she shyly nodded, he patted her head, "Then I'll try and win it..." As he walked over, Harry internally smirked, 'Along with a plushy version of myself and Hoppou for Mum...'

About a half hour later found them walking away from the stand with Kenshō hugging two giant goldfish plushies to her, with the blade chattering about how she was going to give one to her mother alongside the stuffed Mizuchi. Meanwhile, Nagato was sighing as she happily rubbed her cheeks against the plushy Harry and Hoppou... while Natsumi had one of the Harrys for herself and Harry had gotten both versions of Natsumi, much to the Kitsune's embarrassment and bemusement.

___________________________________________________________________________

Softly sighing, Natsumi slipped into the hot, mineral rich water of the hot spring with the heat seeping into her tired body. As the water reached her shoulders, she hummed even as a shudder went through her, "Mmm..."

Lips twitching, Louisiana smiled down at the Kitsune in question, "I do not think that I need to ask if you are enjoying it, ma chérie."

Chuckling, the Kitsune shook her head, "No, you don't, Louisiana-Chan." Closing her eyes briefly, she sighed, "No you don't... my feet and legs are so tired from all the walking I did."

Gently, Louisiana placed an arm around her shoulders and was rewarded by Natsumi shifting until she could lay her head against the shipgirl's chest, "Oui, I can imagine. But just rest now and relax a little."

One honey colored eye opening, Natsumi smiled up at her, "Hai, I will." Getting a nod, she looked over at Harry who was also in the hot spring which currently contained just the three of them as the others had gone to bed already, "But this was a fun festival, wasn't it, Harry-Chan?"

A smile on his face, Harry looked over Natsumi from where he was on Louisiana's other side, "It really was, to be honest." Stretching, he gave a small groan, "But... I'm looking forward to going home just the same. Still..." The nearly fourteen year old gave a shrug, "I am coming back next year."

That got a nod and chuckle from Natsumi as she smiled, "Same, Harry-Chan."

With a sigh, she closed her eyes once more allowing the heated water to relax her as the three of them enjoyed the hot spring. Head pillowed on the Battleship's chest, Natsumi found herself slipping into a bit of a doze, lulled by the sounds of Louisiana's boilers as they worked. It was, she felt, quite comfortable to lay there up against Louisiana.

Dozing, her mind went back over the past year, and in particular the past few months. Since their combined date with Harry to Hogsmeade back in October, she found herself getting closer to the Battleship as they spent time together. After all, she had felt that it was only fair to give Louisiana a chance. Much to her surprise, however, Natsumi found herself enjoying it. But it was when they had went mountain climbing together that really brought it home to her. And after that, she found the two of them growing closer. Perhaps not as close as her and Harry were, but... not that far either.

It was a bit of a shock to the Kitsune when she found herself actually being attracted to the Battleship.

But some thought, Natsumi came to the realization that perhaps it should not have been such a surprise. She had already been close to Louisiana after all and cared deeply for her. It helped that said shipgirl had never hidden her feelings either. There was also the fact that, looking back, she had been attracted to Harry even when he crossplayed. The recent event when Harry had been cursed to wear female clothing for a week had given her some interesting dreams after all.

Yet, it had still left Natsumi confused about herself at the same time, her being attracted to both Harry and Louisiana, a man (which was what Harry was in her mind) and a woman. Really, really confused about how she should react and feel about it. It also frustrated her as well about it.

So much so that one day, she sought out Hoshi herself to talk to about it. The older Kitsune had listened carefully, not judging or teasing her, until she was done. Nor had the Kyuubi dismissed her issue. Rather, Hoshi had given the matter some thought and nodded before talking to her.

According to her, there was nothing wrong with such a thing, being attracted to people of both genders. In fact, it was perfectly natural for her to feel like that. Hoshi had gone on to admit that she, too, had been attracted to women in her time, including Chiyo, Natsumi's grandmother, though that had gone no further than a close friendship that she treasured. And it was something not uncommon among Kitsune and other shapeshifters as well due to their nature. When one could change their appearence to look like the opposite gender, such barriers were much less of an issue.

Embarrassed, the older Kitsune had admitted, in a whisper to Natsumi, that she had taken on the form of a man to visit a brothel back in the 1500s to enjoy herself, which had caused the teen to blush deeply at the thought.

When she had asked Hoshi how she should react and what she should do, the Kyuubi had thought about it before answering. She had stated that perhaps, Natsumi should explore her feelings a little and see where it would take her. After all, she was still young and so it was part of her growing up. Her voice did gain a slight teasing tone, however, when she pointed out that she had the perfect way to do so with Louisiana, which had caused Natsumi to blush from the tip of her ears to the tip of her tails. Not helping was some of the comments that the older Kitsune had made about said Battleship. Not one single bit.

That was not to say that Natsumi had dismissed it either. Because she could see under the amusement and teasing, that Hoshi did mean well and was trying to help her out of love and care. Hence, she decided that it was pretty good advice after all and had given some thought as to how to persue it. Her decision was to go out on small dates, much like her and Harry had before and Harry had with Louisiana. Going to the movies and the like for example, or having some quiet time together at Rose's tea shop.

Oh, the young Kitsune was certain that her aunt, mother, and father knew. But none of the three ever did anything but smile and ask if she enjoyed herself. Never was there any actual judgement in regards to it. And she always answered with a smile that she had as a matter of fact. Her feelings still confused her, of course, but...

But...

She felt like she was slowly getting a hang on them. Perhaps someday, she would fully come to understand them. But until that day, she was willing to just see and explore a little.

Feeling Louisiana's body shift, she came out of her doze and opened her eyes to find the shipgirl in question looking down at her with a small, gentle smile, "Ma chérie, I think that we as well as mon chéri have spent enough time in here. We don't want to overdo it after all."

Just groaning a bit, Natsumi stretched before sighing, "Hai, don't want to be too relaxed and fall asleep." Getting out, she glanced back to see both Harry and Louisiana also get out, giving them a look over which made her lips curl into a slightly bigger smile, 'Perhaps...'

It was not long after that all of them were dressed for bed and were laying down in their shared room. Much to Natsumi's amusement, a sleeping Kenshō scooted over to snuggle against Harry's side, which made her smile because it gave her the image of Harry as a father with a daughter. An image that made her happy and thoughtful for the future.

Laying back on Louisiana, she gave Harry a good night kiss before pulling back some, "Good night, Harry-Chan."

Slightly blushing, the nearly fourteen year old nodded, "Good night, Natsumi-Chan." He then moved slightly and gave Louisiana a kiss, "Good night, Louisiana."

Cheeks slightly red, Louisiana smiled back at him happily, "Good night, mon chéri." Turning to Natsumi, her smile grew a touch as she leaned in to give the Kitsune a kiss on the cheek, "And a good night to you as well, ma chérie."

Much to the shipgirl's confusion though, Natsumi moved away from the kiss. Before she could feel any hurt though, the Kitsune leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips and pulled back with a heavy blush, "Good night, Louisiana-Chan... sweet dreams."

For a few moments, the Battleship had a stunned look on her face while Harry blinked owlishly. Then, Louisiana gave the brightest smile that they had seen as she nodded, "Oui, I believe that I shall have dreams sweeter than honey."

Not long afterwards, the three drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces and very pleasant dreams.
____________________________________________________________________________

Akitsu Maru was currently enjoying the quiet night as she sat on a log on the shores of Misa's lake. Most everyone else had since turned in for the night, but the two had gone for a walk along the lakeshore together until they reached Misa's own house, which was a Minka style home. Having seen the inside of it, the former IJA shipgirl thought it a beautiful home. According to the Unagi Hime, it was newly built on the same spot where her original home had been before she had needed to flee Kuroshi and into the safety of a den at the bottom of her lake.

Just the reminder that Misa had nearly been killed multiple times by the psychotic Jorogumo made the shipgirl clench her fists and wish that the Yokai was there in front of her.

Still, Akitsu Maru had to admit that Misa was right however, it was lovely as it was, mixing modern and traditional. And she had seen quite a bit of it as she had often spent the night there. The thought of which brought both a smile to her face and a small flush to her cheeks. It was so peaceful that she did enjoy spending her leave time on the mountain after all... and in the company of the Unagi Hime.

Right then, almost as if the thoughts had summoned her, Misa opened the doors to her home and walked out with a bottle of sake in one hand and two dishes in the other. Having twisted around, Akitsu Maru watched other female walk towards her, eyes trailing along the Unagi Hime's "Human" form. Up the very long, toned legs, small waist, past the nearly flat chest, and the long, graceful neck, to the warm brown eyes and slight smile, "Misa-Chan."

Lightly laughing, Misa gave her a look, "Akitsu-Chan." Sitting down on the log with her legs stretched out, the eel Yokai smiled, "Hopefully I have not kept you very long."

However, the shipgirl shook her head with a smile of her own, "No, not at all." Accepting the dish, she held it out as Misa filled it with sake, "It just gave me some time with my thoughts is all."

Only nodding, Misa chuckled a little, "Yes, I suppose that it is a lovely night for it." Filling her own dish, she tapped it against the other woman's, "Cheers."

With a slight nod, Akitsu Maru hummed, "Cheers." Taking a sip, she gave a soft sigh, "Now this is good sake."

Amused, the Yokai shook her head, "It should be considering the person who brewed it has done so for about three hundred years so far." Sipping her own, she hummed as she felt the slight burn, "Ah, nothing quite like having a good drink with someone you care about on a quiet summer's evening."

Head tilted to the side, Akitsu Maru glanced out of the corner of her eye, "Speaking from experience?"

For several moments, Misa was quiet before giving a small nod, "Hai... many, many decades ago, I once had a lover. Neither Katsuhiro-Kun or myself married each other, but we deeply cared for one another. We used to spend nights on the shores of my lake, just passing the time as we watched fireflies dance above the waters as they do now, and the stars and Moon in the sky. Until he was old and grey when one winter's night..." Voice choked a bit, she closed her eyes as slight tears gathered there, "He passed, and I grieved. As I grieved when our children and grandchildren passed, as they were human." Bringing up a hand, the Unagi Hime pointed, "Their graves are in that wooded area, all of them. When Kuroshi came, I was unable to tend to them and she damaged some out of her rage. But I have fixed that and once more their rest is peaceful."

Eyes gazing in the same direction, the shipgirl's voice was quiet as her eyesight could just barely make out the grove in question, "If you had needed help..."

Nothing else needed to be said, but Misa turned to her and had a sad smile on her face, "Hai, I know, Akitsu-Chan. But it was something that I needed to do myself, you understand."

Gently, Akitsu Maru placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze, "I do, understand I mean."

Lips curled into a smile, the Unagi Hime placed her hand over Akitsu Maru's, rubbing a thumb along the knuckles, "Thank you." Turning her gaze back to the lake, the stars and crescent Moon reflected as it was nearly like a mirror with barely any ripples, Misa sighed, "But... it has been nearly two centuries since my last great-grandchild with Katsuhiro-Kun passed. The rest of my family moved on to other parts of Japan well before Kuroshi arrived and perhaps... it is time for me to move forward as well."

Her gaze meeting Misa's, Akitsu Maru nodded a little, "I see." With a deep breath, she let it out as a soft sigh, "I'm in the military, you know. There is always the chance..."

Misa chuckled a little and shook her head, "I have lived for a long time, Akitsu-Chan. I remember days when one could never be certain that they would live to see the next sunrise, let alone the next week. When war and disease ravaged the land. This? What you describe to me? It is not new to one such as I who lived through such days. But that also has given me a bit of wisdom if you wish to hear it?" Getting a nod, she smiled, "One thing that I have learned is that such days pass, and peace will come. And one day, you will have peace that you will be able to enjoy."

Several moments passed as the shipgirl considered that before chuckling, "That is something that all us shipgirls look forward to, I suppose." Leaning forward, Akitsu Maru sipped her sake and glanced at the Unagi Hime, "But it will be years before that happens though."

Just spreading her arms, Misa grinned, "And I have lived nearly five centuries, Akitsu-Chan. What is a decade or two? Or even three or four?" Her expression softened a little, "I can wait for as long as needed. We have time, I think."

To Akitsu Maru's gaze, she could see the soft light of the fireflies around them gently illuminating the lines of Misa's face. For a brief moment, she had the amusing thought of how different the two were. Both were about the same height, but where she was busty with curves, Misa was slender. Oddly, it reminded her of how Haruna and Rose were different from each other before she shook that off.

Instead, she smiled softly before her hand gently grasped the Unagi Hime's. Misa gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled at her as Akitsu Maru nodded, "I think... that you are perhaps correct, Misa-Chan. Besides which? This place would be nice to settle at."

Humming happily, Misa nodded before turning her gaze to the stars, "I have always wondered... the stars at sea, are they as beautiful as they are here?"

Now turning her own sight to the stars, Akitsu Maru smiled, "Hai, they are, though they are the same stars. But sailing on the sea at night, especially when it is calm? The stars stretch out to the horizon without end, and reflect on the water. And as I move, wisps of greenish light can be seen trailing behind. It is... beautiful."

Blinking, Misa sighed softly, "It does sound amazing to see, especially for one such as I who has spent their entire life in the mountains. Perhaps, one day, I will see it for myself."

Hand coming up, the shipgirl gently cupped her cheek, which Misa leaned into, "And I would love showing it to you, Hime..."

With that, Akitsu Maru leaned in and gently kissed her as the two enjoyed the quiet moment under the stars on the shores of a mountain lake that reflected the sky back, fireflies dancing through the air around them...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (V)

13 July 2014

Kingsport, Smuggler's Cove, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, Maine, USA

"Politics is tricky; it cuts both ways. Every time you make a choice, it has unintended consequences."- Stone Gossard

"Adept Lavinia Whateley of TOTEM. What the HELL are you playing at?" Delilah's voice was cold with killing menace under the iron control.

The Muramasa's eyes narrowed as she scowled at the albino witch. "No, you are no doubt geased to not reveal it. I'll come back to you."

With that she reached into the pocket of her robes. She pulled out a olive drab Motorola handheld radio and switched it on. "SAMSON to GOLIATH, do you copy?"

Whateley gave Delilah a hate-filled glare promising endless suffering.

A crackle of static emitted then Alondra David's voice sounded. "GOLIATH here, I read you three by five SAMSON. Sitrep?"

Delilah grinned smugly as she holstered her true body. "It was cultists. I have approximately Three-Zero folks in custody and will need pickup and handling for them while we sort out what is what. Please relay to AHAB and IRONSIDES that report, and that we have a big fish."

She turned to look over the ritual chamber, then blinked at the map that had the abyssal skull over it. Three separate sets of black tokens had appeared offshore and were converging on the coast. "GOLIATH urgent request. Have one of your patrol groups do a hard port turn for me now! I need confirmation ASAP."

"Affirmative SAMSON. Relaying now."

As Delilah watched, a trio of white icons offshore suddenly turned left in column. "Ibne-sharmouta!" she swore vulgarly in Levantine Arabic in and mashed the transmit button hard, "GOLIATH, we have a big problem. I have a map showing fleet movements and there are three, no FOUR Abyssal groups heading for the coast. I think the ritual that I broke up is calling them in from the Atlantic. I need backup and evacuation of the noncombatants I have in custody and I need it yesterday." Her voice was cold and precise.

"SAMSON, do you have a place that can land helicopters?"

Delilah bit her lip. "The village common, affirmative, GOLIATH. I'll have my team set up a signal flare from there for pickup and sweep the locale for anyone to evacuate them." She glanced at the map again. "Make that five groups heading my way. I'll try to shut this down before we get buried here."
---------------------------------

Spoiler: Death From The Sea

Portsmouth Naval Air Station, Portsmouth, Maine

"Understood, SAMSON. The Navy is on the way." Alondra David said into her radio as her captain snapped out orders on her Talk Between Ships system. "Hold out till we get there."

"Understood, GOLIATH." Delilah's static filled voice sounded. "Over and out."

David turned to the hangar full of FBI agents and shipgirls. "Bruce, Charles. Get the civvies evacuated and we transport them back here. Us shipgirls will buy time," She looked at the force of Spanish-American War and World War I ships seconded to her for magical operations, "until the modern girls can arrive and crush them."

USS Olympia spoke to her over the scream of the turbines as the helicopters rocketed toward the defenseless village. "We'll hold, Pillsbury. We'll hold."
---------------------------------

Kingsport, Smuggler's Cove, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, Maine, USA

Delilah looked at the TOTEM researcher and took a deep breath and spoke in a calm voice. "I just hope I'm around to witness your execution by MACUSA when they find out what you did. Human sacrifice and attacks on No-Maj? Did you go insane?" She waved her wand, casting a charm to allow Lavinia Whateley to speak soundlessly while keeping her paralyzed to prevent spellcasting. She then propped Whateley up against the wall. "But we have a greater crisis here than what you have been doing."

The albino gave her a glare of hatred. "Because you had the nerve to interrupt an authorized and licensed MACUSA classified operation. You had no idea what we were accomplishing here! Decades of work wrecked!"

Delilah nodded slowly as she watched the icons drawing closer. "I suppose ignorance is bliss. Tell me how to shut this off and I'll testify on your behalf at your trial, Lavinia. You know my word's good."

"Without additional life energies to shift the beacon nexus to a suitable location for culling, it is impossible, de Breuil. The Tomb does not have enough power to self-initiate." The albino admitted to the Muramasa as the Abyssal icons drew closer.

"The skull there is your focus item then." Delilah thought out loud, noticing Lavinia's eyes widen. Maybe..."

She suddenly grinned smugly as the first icons for the shipgirls appeared at speed from the southwest. "Got it. Zamarad, I need you!"

The candles flamed brightly and the Ifrit stepped out. "Delilah what is it?'

Delilah handed Zamarad her true body butt-first. "Take this and handle calling in the reinforcements on the radio. Your code name is SAMSON here, call for GOLIATH. With luck, I'll manifest again if this plan works. If not... I love you."

She kissed the Ifrit hard and passionately and grabbed the skull. The TOTEM researcher's eyes bulged.

"Delilah, where are you going?" Zamarad said as Delilah released her.

Delilah de Breuil grinned. "I'm going to see some wendigos about a fight. Try to get what you can out of Lavinia here and don't let her escape. If they get past me..." Delilah pulled out her wand and her shotgun, pumping it rapidly to empty the chamber. "Accio Slug." She then slung it and took a deep breath as her jaw set in a hard line.

"Burn the town down to delay them." With those words Delilah vanished in a crack of displaced air.
---------------------------------

On the beach outside, Delilah grinned at the bound pair of Kee-Wakw wendigo spirits on their patrol route. Her wand moved and she flung a fireball at them to enrage them. "Incendio!"

The twin spirits roared at her and grew to five times that of a man as they charged for her with endless savage hunger in their eyes.

Delilah laughed smugly and began to sprint toward the ocean as the ground behind her shook with their hoofbeats. Behind the chase, a golden beacon of light sprang up to show the landing zone for the reinforcements.

"Mache dlo!" she cast in Lakota as her wand flicked and her feet glowed with an aquamarine aura.

With that she began to dash across the water as if it was land toward the glowing, pulsing beacon of the Wood Island lighthouse three quarters of a mile offshore. Green witchfire formed in the eye sockets of the Abyssal skull she held like it was the Quaffle on a breakaway scoring try.

The flashes of lightning ahead showed the dark figures of the Abyssal tide approaching from the sea to crash onshore like a tsunami of death. Behind her the bay froze solid under the hooves of the Kee-Wakw chasing her.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Fubuki hummed a little as she waited for the video call to connect. Glancing at the time on the clock, she did a few calculations and nodded, 'It's just after seven in the evening, so... it should be around eleven in the morning back home.' Suddenly, she noted that the call had connected and called out, "Guys! I got the connection!"

The others in her fleet moved in and got there just in time to see the video light up to reveal Fu-Chan and the others. Upon seeing Fubuki, the Kitsune's expression lit up with joy that made the Destroyer smile, "{Fubuki-San!}"

Hers was not the only voice as the various others tried to crowd the screen to look at the shipgirls, which made Yuudachi calm down, "Relax, Poi. We have plenty of time to talk and such."

From where she leaned against Fubuki's shoulder, Mutsuki also had a smile on her face, "Yuudachi-Chan is right. So relax and we'll all talk."

Just taking a seat and placing Ayame on his lap, Yoshi grinned as his monkey tail swished, "{Not a problem, Yuudachi-San, Mutsuki-San.}"

Clambering up into Fu-Chan's lap, Akane gave a yawn before rubbing her eyes which made Kisaragi coo a little, "You still a little sleepy, Akane-Chan? Or have you not been getting enough sleep?"

Only blinking, the Neko shook her head, "[Um... just a bit tired, Kisaragi-San...}" Shaking her head some as her ears twitched, she frowned some, "{When are you coming home?}"

Softly smiling, Mutsuki shared a look with her sister, "We'll be heading home on the next convoy which won't be long." Then she blinked seven times to tell them how long, which they nodded at. One thing that their new guardians had taught them was that they could not say when the convoys would happen over the Skype and the like. Which they understood when it was explained to them as keeping the Abyssals from knowing, "But when we get back, we'll have a lot of treats for you."

At that, all the children perked up some with Akari leaning in some, "[Treats? For us?}"

With a hum, Kana gave her a smile, "Hai, we'll be bringing treats from America and Canada back. And some other items as well..." She made a motion with her hand, "Our holds are all full of goodies."

Fubuki smiled and gave the two squirrel Yokai a wink, "And yes, that includes things like nuts and maple syrup. We got them cleared for customs and the like." She gave a small shrug, "Hopefully you'll like the tins of mixed nuts for you two and other treats."

Bouncing on her sister's lap, Yomi gave a squeak, "{Do you hear that, Hitomi-Nee-Chan! Fubuki-San and the others are bringing us nuts! Lots and lots of nuts!}"

Unable to help herself, Yuudachi laughed, "Not just nuts, but other things." She patted her stomach a little, "I got an entire trunk filled with potato chips, chocolate bars, and the like, Poi! And those really big peanut butter jars."

Kana raised her hand a bit, "And I got honey jars as well."

Various giggles came across the computer as the Yokai all looked towards an embarrassed Onikuma. Scratching his cheek, he gave them a small smile, "{Thank you, Kana-San. I appreciate it...}"

Smiling, Kana waved it off, "I don't mind at all, Daichi-Kun. There's lots of food and such that we can grab after all." Then, she gave a small shrug, "Also, we have plenty of other foods as well. I have bison and elk meat in my lockers as well as turkeys!"

Eyes wide, the children started chatting at that before turning back as Kisaragi spoke, giving them a wink, "Also plenty of ice cream from America and such." At their wide eyes, she gave them a thumbs up, "We're bringing back plenty of treats for you all."

Just staring, Kasumi had a stunned look, "{A-ah...}"

Noticing how they went quiet, Fubuki frowned a little, "Are you all alright? Did something happen?"

Much to her confusion, some of the children wiped at their eyes and shook their heads. Natsumi sniffled a little as her ears twitched, "{S-sorry, Fubuki-S-San... it's just...}" Swallowing, she looked at the shipgirls on the otherside of the connection and curled up a bit, "{W-why are you getting so many things for us?}"

For several moments, the shipgirls were quiet before Fubuki spoke in a soft, gentle tone, "Why are we getting so many things for you?" At their nods, she shook her head, "Because we care for you, and want to shower you in love and joy. You, all of you, deserve to be taken care of and to be the children that you should have been. Leave it to us to take care of you, just enjoy being children."

If anything, that made the children tear up all the more before Fu-Chan gave a sad chuckle, "{I wish that you were here, Fubuki-K-San...}"

Puzzled by what she was about to say, Fubuki only shook it off before smiling a bit sadly herself, "Hai, and I wish that I was there so that I could give all of you hugs."

Beside her, Yuudachi gave them a nod, "And she's not the only one, Poi. If I was there right now, I would sweep all of you up in hugs! Lots and lots of hugs, Poi!"

At that, some of the children giggled as they stopped crying and told the shipgirls that they would have returned those hugs. Mutsuki then gave a look towards Fubuki before turning to the screen, "Now, how have things been at home? You all been doing good?"

Hitomi gave a smile as she hugged her little sister to her, "{We've been doing good, Mutsuki-San. Yomi-Chan, Akane-Chan, and Ayame-Chan have been doing good in their studies, so they should be able to start school next year. The rest of us...}" The older of the two squirrel Yokai paused before shrugging, "{We've been doing good as well with our studies.}"

Right then, Akane spoke up, holding her hand in the air, "{Oh! Oh! We've been keeping the house all nice and clean, too! Ayame-Chan and myself have even been helping do dishes!}"

Eyes wide, Kisaragi leaned in, "Really now?"

When she glanced at him, Daichi gave a small shrug, "{Um, we let them pick up the forks and spoons to rinse under the water before we clean them. And sometimes we let them wash the plastic cups, but nothing more.}"

Head tilted to the side, Ayame frowned before perking up, "{Oh! And Takao-Nee-San has been dropping by as well!}" Arms crossed, she had a serious expression on... which only made her look utterly adorable, "{She helps and with clothes and stuff though...}" A confused expression crossed the pink haired Neko's face, "{Daichi-Nii-San likes to watch her lots for some reason.}"

Sensing a chance for teasing, all the shipgirls fixed their range finders on a blushing Onikuma. Eyebrow raising as she smirked, Fubuki leaned in, "Reeeally now? Daichi-Kun likes to watch Takao-San whenever she is over?"

Not understanding what was happening, Akane nodded and raised a hand as well, "And sometimes, he transforms to lay in her lap as well! Oh! And he is always red when she compliments him and says that he's a good Nii-San."

Internally, Daichi groaned at seeing the grins being given to him, 'Great...' Looking away with a blush, he huffed a bit, "{L-look, Takao-Sama is just, um... a role model! Yes, a role model for me...}"

Under his breath, Yoshi snorted a bit, "Yeah, a role model for something alright for you." Moments later, he gave a laugh as he dodged a punch to the arm from his fellow male Yokai, "Ha! You'll have to do better than that!"

Growling, the Onikuma glared at him through his blush, only to groan as Fubuki wagged a finger at him with an amused look on her face, "Now, now, Daichi-Kun. Besides..." There was a twinkle in her eye as she continued, "I don't blame you for watching Takao-San~"

All he did was hold his face in his hands and groan.

Roughly an hour later, they all said goodbye and Fubuki turned off the connection followed by the computer which she stowed back in her holds. Stretching a bit, she gave a small groan, "Ah... That was nice."

Placing a hand on her shoulders and rubbing them through her shirt, Mutsuki nodded with a happy smile, "It was, Fubuki-Chan. Especially with how much happier they all seem to be."

With a hum as she look over her shoulder, the first Modern Destroyer smiled back at her, "Hai, they seem a lot happier." Sighing, Fubuki shook her head some, "Though I can't wait to get back home after this."

Lips curling into a bigger smile, Mutsuki leaned in, "Same here, Fubuki-Chan." Giving her fellow Destroyer a kiss on the corner of the lips, she nodded, "But it will be a few weeks yet."

Yuudachi then pumped her fist a little, "Besides! We haven't told them all of the surprises that we got for them, Poi! The game room we're setting up downstairs will be awesome for them!"

That got her nods and giggles as they all nodded. Stretching her arms back, Kisaragi hummed as there was a series of pops, "Hopefully, Ooyodo-San is happy with all that we're bringing back to the base."

Cocking her head to the side, Kana frowned a little, "I hope that she is, especially with all the items in our holds." Eyes furrowing, she shook her head, "Though I'm happy that, um, Costco has that deal with the USN where every shipgirl, visiting from other nations or not, counts as members." Tapping her chin, the Battleship hummed, "Though we got a lot of those chips and sodas..."

Just shrugging, Yuudachi grinned a little, "It is just going to go into that shop along with all the other treats. Though we got what other shipgirls wanted as well, like that Canadian whiskey and wine from Califonia."

Having gotten up, Fubuki patted her knees a little, "Hai, but then, that is what any shipgirl on convoy does when given the list of items to pick up from overseas. I'm just happy that shipgirl customs makes it easier for us to transport food back and forth." Each of the others nodded at that before they began to walk out of their temporary quarters, "I'm really happy that the magical ice boxes were done before we headed out. I was not looking forward to transporting all those frozen items and neither was Hikari-Kun."

Needless to say, that got understanding nods from the others.

Eventually, they made their way down to the firing range where various shipgirls practiced their aim. Currently, it was various Battleships who were doing such, all of them under the watchful eye of Washington as they took aim at targets out on Puget Sound and fired. Mainly because the Battleships practicing were all "Never-Builds", ships never built in the first place. Three of them had Native American looks and were from the "Montana Design" studies, which made them half-sisters to the Iowas and Montanas.

It was two of the others that caught their attention as they came from an earlier design study from 1934, though the Destroyers winced a bit at the booms from the twenty inch guns carried by said Battleships. Shaking her head, Yuudachi leaned forward a bit as they switched to radio to be heard, '{Poi... that's impressive.}'

Watching one shell come down and detonate with a massive plume of water as it struck the target, Fubuki could only nod, '{Hai, it is.}' Shaking her head, she glanced at the others, '{Could you imagine if the Americans built them during the war?}'

All of the shipgirls shuddered a little at that thought before shaking it off.

Finding a seat, they sat down and watched, with Washington glancing at them and giving a slight nod before going back to instructing the other Battleships. Once they were done and the range was able to be used, Fubuki and the others walked over to one of the Native American looking ships. Smiling, Kana gave her a wave, "Sequoyah-San, you did great out there."

Her lips twitching, now named Sequoyah turned towards them, "Ah, thanks Miss Kana, I would like to think so." Rolling her shoulders, she shook her head, "I'm just happy that I'm about done with my training and so is Kanawha."

Said Battleship waved towards them before going back to chat with their fellow sister before Fubuki turned back to Sequoyah, "Have they decided on where they're going to send you yet?"

Just shaking her head, the shipgirl crossed her arms over her chest, "From what I have heard, Okinawa is one possibility, Guam is another." Then, she shook her head, "Though I think that they might send one of the small Battleships up to Hawaii since they have less area to patrol."

That only made them all nod, though Mutsuki placed her hands behind her head, "So, I noticed that you placed the shield for South Dakota on your hull?"

At that, Sequoyah sheepishly scratched at her cheeks, "Ah, well... Miss Dakota did help me out a lot when I was first summoned. So I thought that it would be nice if I honoured her in such a way." Placing a hand on her hip, she chuckled, "Right, I said that I was going to show you this nice little place I found for pizza, right...?" Upon seeing the grins, all the American did was shake her head before gesturing to her sister and beginning to walk, "Well, if you'll follow us, we'll show you where it is..."

Much later that night, Fubuki was asleep in her assigned bunk in a cuddlepile with the others as she slept off the big, even for a shipgirl, pizza. Within her hull, however, she was looking over the Captain's Cabin before turning as the door opened and she bowed, "Yamashita-Kun."

Bowing back, the ghostly apparation smiled at her, "Fubuki-Chan, shouldn't you be sleeping?"

Lightly laughing, Fubuki shook her head, "Maybe, but I..."

His lips twitching, Lieutenant Commander Yamashita Shizuo understood what she wanted and walked over to her and placed a hand on the Destroyer's shoulder, "We're still working on it, Fubuki-Chan, so don't worry. We've already found some of them, but... it will be a bit of time before we can find all of them, but the crew are looking throughout the Afterlife." At her nod, he tilted his head a little, "I must ask, once more, are you certain about this? There could be changes after all."

Not answering him, Fubuki looked into the distance for a time before nodding, "Hai, I am. I'll do them right, and they deserve this."

Softly smiling, the man who commanded her when she sank bowed, "Of course, as expected of you, Fubuki-Chan. No matter what you do, you do your best at it."

All the shipgirl did was chuckle and nod.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (VI)

13 July 2014

Saco Bay (Just North Of Kingsport) Maine, USA

"You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass." -- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Spoiler: Delilah's Run

"Oŋšimala yo..."

Delilah ran.

Her breath hissed through her avatar's clenched teeth in a rictus grin to prevent a scream of agony from leaking out.

Her connection between her avatar and her revolver body was stretched even further like a rubber band torturing her further with each step that she took away from where it should be.

"Oŋšimala yo..."

Delilah ran.

Lightning flashed ahead of her showing the corpse-pale shapes of the Abyssals approaching the defenseless magical community behind her.

Dozens of shapes of madness and metal, dead shark-like eyes and chitin.

Mankind's evil and hatred returned to destroy that which gave it birth.

Death from the Sea.

"Oŋšimala yo..."

Delilah ran.

Thunder sounded behind her as the twin Kee-Wakw wendigo spirits began to close the distance, for as the legends said, they were swifter than the fastest warrior.

Great taloned hands reached for her and they licked their lips in anticipation of the feast that she was as their hooves closed the distance between themselves and her.

Ice and rime followed in their wake for were not they the terrible cold ever-empty insatiable hunger of famine and winter?

Death from the Land.

"Héya hoyéwayélo..."

Delilah ran.

The Abyssal skull under her arm grew ice cold to the touch and her fingers numbed painfully as frostbite formed.

Witchlight built in the eyesockets of the skull and crackled from the granite tower of the lighthouse ahead erected above the grave of the Abyssal Elder Princess as a focusing mechanism.

"Aŋpétu kin lé makakijélo..."

Delilah ran.

Flickers of light ahead and the first shells screamed in as the Abyssals opened fire on the trio of running figures.

Spray spattered Delilah and then sand, mud and rock chips from the explosions around her as the shore of Wood Island approached with each agonizing movement of her legs, her heart, her mind, her spirit.

"Waní wačhíŋ yé..."

Delilah Naomi de Breuil-Muramasa, adopted as Kills Many the medicine woman and warrior of the Oglala Lakota, ran as she sang her death song.

"Héya hoyéwayélo!"
------------------------------

Kingsport, Smuggler's Cove, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, Maine, USA
Spoiler: Zamarad's Choice

Zamarad stared at the captured TOTEM researcher with fire in her emerald eyes. One hand gently caressed Delilah's revolver body before sliding it through the waistband of her skirt.

"You will tell me now how to shut this down and save Shaelat ruwhi. Where are your research notes?" The Ifrit's furious voice was the roar of a burning oil refinery the moment before it exploded.

Lavinia Whateley's eyes widened in alarm as she realized that Delilah had summoned up this enraged nonhuman spirit to interrogate her.

She remembered the whispers about the respected and feared Agent Ocelot of MIB, and how that she could be as coldly vicious and ruthless as any Dark Lord when required. The whispers about how many enemies of MACUSA had been rumored to have died at her hands over her long and storied career.

"I... I cannot say without authorization." She choked out.

She then gulped as the eyes of her interrogator narrowed to burning slits. A hand grabbed her cheek and she whimpered mentally as she felt the skin contact, just below the level at which her flesh would burn.

"I do not need you to talk to reveal the location." Zamarad hissed like a steam boiler pressed well beyond its design limits as she touched the cord of fate of the TOTEM mage with her powers.
------------------------------

Tina Goldstein poked her head through the shattered door. "Del... Oh Emma, where's Del?"

Zamarad turned and surveyed the MIB witch. "Del is buying time to evacuate. Take this one and keep her safe. She is a key to many locked doors."

Tina nodded and floated Lavinia with a flick of her wand. "Beacon's up and we have the others assembled for evacuation. Helicopters are coming."

"Good." The Ifrit handed Tina the radio and Delilah's revolver as she stalked past the witch. "You are SAMSON, call GOLIATH and get them down."

"Wait, where are you going, Emma?" Tina said as she followed on the Ifrit's heels through the wreckage of the ritual area.

Zamarad's smile showed all her needle-pointed teeth. "I know where their secrets are kept now. Do not follow me." With that she took the stairs down to the village green two at a time. Thunder both manmade and natural boomed as the Ifrit headed to a nearby building through the rain which flashed to steam around her.

Tina raised the radio to her lips. "GOLIATH, this is SAMSON. We are ready for evacuation, over."

As the witch watched in shock, the door to the building suddenly burst into flame and burned to ashes in a split-second as Zamarad approached it.
------------------------------

Alondra David's radio buzzed as they approached the pillar of gold light. Beyond it in the bay, flashes of shellfire illuminated a swarm of misshapen figures fighting around the greenish-glowing beacon of the lighthouse offshore.

"GOLIATH, this is SAMSON. We are ready for evacuation, over." The voice on the radio was different than Del's Alondra noted as she responded.

"GOLIATH here. I see your LZ. Landing now." the shipgirl responded as the pilot cut forward momentum.

Scant seconds later she leapt to the grass and ran toward the figure with the radio.

Behind her her team piled out with the shipgirls running toward the battle raging offshore.

The FBI agents hastily helped the civilians and captives on board her helicopter before running to the nearby houses to evacuate anyone there.

Wind lashed Alondra's hair as the first helicopter took off to make room for the next helicopter's landing from the holding pattern overhead.

To her surprise, the figure waiting for her was not Del, but an elderly witch with her hair in a pageboy cut. "FBI Special Agent Alondra David here, we're your backup. Del's not here, so where is she?"

The witch grimaced. "Tina Goldstein, MACUSA Auror. The one at my feet is the ringleader of this clusterfuck. Delilah is busy out in the bay buying time according to Emma."

Alondra blinked. "Emma, who's Emma?" She asked in curiosity as another helicopter landed and shipgirls boiled out of it to run to the sound of the guns.

Tina shook her head as the helicopter took off and another landed.

Cannon fire from the bay began to pick up into a thunderstorm of noise as she shouted over her head. "Delilah's friend, she went in there."

The witch pointed at a white frame house.
Spoiler: Tunin Alnaar

A split second later the house erupted like a volcano into burning fragments of timber that pinwheeled through the night to start smaller fires across Kingsport.

A monstrous dragon formed of living white hot magical flames reared up from the smoking glass-bottomed crater where the TOTEM Secure Vault had been with a scream of triumph that shattered glass all over town.

"oh...." Alondra whispered in shock.

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

This is more of a recap than anything, but we need a distraction.
____________________________

"Unryuu-nee! Amagi-nee!" Katsuragi called out as she held a printout in her hand. "We got a letter from Aso-neechan!"

Looking up from the shogi board in front of them, the two carriers glanced at their younger sister.

In truth, it had been almost a week and a half since they saw their youngest sister off with the Hawaii-bound convoy.

"To Houshou-san, Unryuu-nee, Amagi-nee, and Katsuragi-nee,

I just arrived safely in Hawaii. I wish I could video call you, but for the sake of operational security, I have to wait. The trip was rough since I had to stay onboard the transport ship most of the time, but thankfully we never ran into any Abyssals until I was let on the water.

I will have to thank some of the Allied Abyssals for that later.

Near the end, Missouri-san came out to greet us after Guam-san forgot to tell me the password to let us in. She's nice and all, but I would hate to get on her bad side.

When I went to the armory to leave my gear, I met a few Filipino sailors.

Did you know that my name means "dog" in Tagalog? I didn't. Some of the non-Filipinos said things about the Filipinos eating me because of it and everybody laughed except me. I don't get it at all.

They also called me 'Anak' or something like that. I don't know what that means, so I'll ask them later.

I met the admiral after that and he seems nice. I took a selfie with him and attached it to the email."

Curiously, Unryuu took a look at the picture that Katsuragi set down in front of them.

Houshou suppressed a giggle while Unryuu and Katsuragi both snorted in amusement. Meanwhile, Amagi stared in bewilderment at the picture and her family's reactions.

"Am...Am I missing something?" Amagi asked, holding up the picture. "It's just Aso-chan and Admiral Smith, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is," Houshou responded, "but Admiral Smith just so happens to greatly resemble a very famous American celebrity. Come to think of it, you've never seen any movies since you were Summoned, correct?"

Amagi shook her head in denial.

Pressing her hands together, Houshou flashed a gentle smile. "In that case, let's make tonight a movie night. I can rent a copy of Pulp Fiction and Snakes on a Plane at the base library."

Amagi nodded, turning back to Aso's letter.

"He looks exactly like Samuel L. Jackson! He even named the Air Force's Anti-Abyssal strike force The Motherfuckers!

Anyway, he assigned Bowfin-san to be my battle buddy while I am here. I don't really like that system, but it can't be helped. I will be staying with her and Tsushima Maru-san in their dorm while I am here.

Tsushima Maru is around Katsuragi-nee's age, I think. I still don't understand how she and Bowfin-san have a mother-daughter relationship, even after the incident, but I suppose it's not my place to judge.

Anyway, in the morning, I have to go to a briefing about disaster relief and sustainability. I hope to learn a lot from it so I can help everyone. I also heard from the grapevine that two ship girls named Alton and Despatch are going to be there too. I hope we all can get along.

When I'm cleared for social media use, I'll be sure to contact you on Skype.

Your sister, Aso."

Looking up from the printed email, Unryuu glanced at Houshou. "Houshou-san, would Aso be all right?"

Houshou smiled at them. "I think she'll do fine. It seems she's doing well so far, after all. Now, would you two like some dinner? Katsuragi-chan helped make nikujaga tonight."

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

Random Short

CFB Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Admiral Diana Lombard was reviewing a morning brief as she drank a cup of coffee. She hummed as she read a report about preparations for a new offensive operation in the Pacific. She shrugged as a B-25 Mitchell bomber flew past her office window.

"Merde de Tabernak!!!!"

Said window was promptly dripping with coffee as Diana scrambled to an adjacent, clean, window, and watched as the medium bomber circled around. She quickly sent a message to Admiral Settle, asking if Hornet was in Bremerton. A few minutes later, he replied that Hornet was still training folks in California, but was reported to be grinning like an idiot. She looked closely at the bomber overhead and groaned. Over the American roundels were hastily painted RCAF roundels, with the Maple Leaf in the centre.

"BONAVENTURE!!!!!!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Appearing outside a mountain Colorado, the young woman nervously rubbed her hands on her jeans as she looked around. Granted, part of that was due to how beautiful the surrounding countryside was. The Rockies were not far off after all and rose majestically upwards. After a minute or two, she jumped a bit at a voice in a slight Scottish accent, "You look a bit out of sorts, m'dear. Are you Miss Abagail Stevens?"

Whipping around, the young witch swallowed and nodded, "Um, yes? Mr. Mulberry, I presume?"

Lips twitching, the old man smiled broadly and walked up before shaking her hand, "Yes, and I am always pleased to see someone new out here. Lovely spot after all."

Somewhat unsure, Abigail gave a slight nod, "I... see?" Glancing around, she cleared her throat some, "I was told to report to my posting at the Ark? But..."

Chuckling, Mulberry simply shook his head some, "Ah, I can tell you are at a loss. Please, lass, follow me." As he walked with a cane and a slight limp, said cane capped with a yellow gemstone, he noted her look of confusion and patted his leg, "1903, was on a hunt with an old friend of mine, Delilah de Bruil and Theodore Roosevelt himself. Unfortunately, the big horn didn't quite agree with me. One of the very few that skelegrow won't work for, but it is a hazard in this line of work."

Considering that, the witch gave a small nod, "I suppose so..."

Despite his age and wound, the old man easily kept up a good pace, "Oh yes! But it is our duty to Mother Earth as her caretakers, as much as some might think otherwise, especially among the No-Maj."

Frowning, Abagail gave him a look, "They have gotten better."

Only shaking his head, he raised a finger, "I never said that they have not, something that I am thankful for. Nor did I say that it was only them as there are some among us magicals who should be reminded of such as well." After a few moments of thought, he shook his head, "Still! That is what our job is here and I for one am happy that they sent someone to give this old man a hand."

Not quite sure, the witch frowned and looked around, "Is it just us out here?"

Lightly chuckling, Mulberry gave her a smile, "No, there's a few others. But we were never really all that important and Magical Department of Fish, Aerial, and Wildlife has never really been considered all that important." When she grimaced and nodded, he continued, "So I have been told that you got a No-Maj education? In regards to... Zoology, I believe that they call it?"

Blushing a little, she nodded, "That's right, with a minor in Biology and Botany."

Moments later, she jumped as the old wizard clapped his hands, "Excellent! Always stated that the No-Majs knew quite a bit when it came to such things. Did you hear about how they sort out life? Absolutely splendid really. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, makes things easier for us if only more decided to actually pay attention."

A frown on her face as she remembered his earlier boast, she raised an eyebrow, "Did you really run in the same circles as Teddy Roosevelt, Sir? Because since that was the time of Rappport's Law..."

Pausing, he turned and gave her a measuring look before digging in one pocket. Moments later, he removed his wallet and removed a photo that he held out. To her stunned amazement, there he was with said President as well as a woman with one of the biggest handguns she had ever seen. Seeing her expression, he grinned a little, "Perhaps you can tell me?"

Now really blushing for doubting him, she coughed a little, "I-I'm sorry.."

To her confusion though, he just held up a hand, "Don't worry about it, when you get to my age, such things are not worth being insulted over." Once more starting to walk with a grunt, Mulberry shrugged, "As for your question? It was indeed against the law at the time. But I was young and filled with piss and vinegar! And because of Delilah, I adored nature. Her stories of the plains when she told us younger years at Ilvermony... they were enchanting. So when she asked for my help? And for what? Why, I had to go along with it." He gestured around them, "And now, the wild places are kept for the next generation to enjoy. Also..."

Frowning, Abagail leaned in, "Also?"

Mulberry turned and gave her a look, "His name was Theodore, not Teddy. Hated the name from most people and very few were allowed to call him that. Most certainly not either I nor Del and we were good friends!"

A little bit lost, the witch just nodded a bit, "Um, right..." Wanting to change the subject, she looked around, "Where is the Ark, anyways?"

Humming a bit, as if he did not hear her, the old man came to a rock face with a pictograph carved into it, "Ah, yes..." With a nod, he brought up how cane and tapped various places, the rock seeming to melt away. Walking inside, he was followed by the young woman who stared at the sight before them, "Why, right here." Turning, Mulberry gave her a smile, "Miss Stevens, welcome... to the Ark. A place where our Heritage is held safe and sound."

Eyes wide, she took in the rows of shelves lined up all the way to the wall. Mouth open, she stared for a few moments before looking at Mulberry, "Is this?" He gave a nod and she laughed, "I don't believe it!" As the two walked down the stairs, Abigail looked at him, "Doesn't anyone know about this?"

Bemusedly shrugging, Mulberry chuckled, "Know? This isn't a secret facility, my dear. In fact, it is wide open, just... not really paid all that attention to." Scratching his beard, he frowned a little, "I wish that Delilah would take me up on coming here as I know she would love it, but... she's more interested in running around the world than seeing a 'Collection', especially the part that I know she would be interested in. You would think that she thought that it was a museum collection or something."

Glancing at him, Abigail shook her head, "Her loss." Coming to one row of what looked like display cases, she looked inside and looked at the still birds that filled the space, "They look like... pigeons?"

With a hum, the old wizard nodded, "Passenger pigeons as a matter of fact. Roughly about fifteen thousand in this facility, all in stasis thanks to Deathless Sleep Potion. Recently we've been talking with a former member of ALADDIN about a personal project of theirs. With their help, we've increased our numbers still further." Pausing got a moment, he rubbed his beard, "I'd much rather deal with ALADDIN than TOTEM. At least ALADDIN actually does useful things."

They were walking along when Abagail paused at another tank which seemed to be filled with toys. Raising an eyebrow, she glanced at the smiling old man, "Whales?"

Only humming, he walked up and tapped his cane against the glass, "Indeed! North Atlantic Right Whale as a matter of fact, about six thousand. We've been adding a whale or two each year, using shrinking potion to get them down to this size, and then Deathless Sleep potion to place them into stasis and allows us to use less stasis potions. We also have six thousand humpback, two thousand sperm whale, and the like." Further on, he came to a stop again and nodded towards another display, "This... is what I would like to show my old friend, Delilah if she ever visited. Plains Bison, roughly twenty thousand. All shrunk and placed into a suspended animation." Eyes trailing along each of the still bodies, he hummed, "She always did go on about how much she missed the great herds that thundered across the plains."

Mouth dropping, Abagail boggled for a moment before she turned to him, "Where did you get enough for all these?!"

Amused, the old man chuckled, "As a matter of fact? We make most of the potions we need over time. The higher ups know that most of these can have materials that can be used in potions, and so allow it. Bison, for example, in traditional Native American rituals. We don't gather them all up at once though, we do so with a dozen or so across the species we collect a year. Some have gone extinct though, but others are near to it or have come back. I have been working here for... almost a hundred and thirty years. Each one I save from Death's cold grip, I count as a victory. And perhaps one day soon, they can be released once more."

For several moments, the two stood there, quietly thinking. Eventually, Abagail cleared her throat, "Um, Sir? You mentioned ALADDIN, right? The research group?" At his nod, she frowned, "One of my friends said that it was basically magical DARPA for MIB. But, um... does that mean that we might work with TOTEM?"

Blinking for a few seconds, Mulberry laughed loud and hard for five minutes before calming down, "No, no, not at all. Well..." Stroking his beard, he frowned, "Not unless something has gone really badly wildlife wise anyways... like back in 1983."

Confused, the witch blinked, "1983? What happened then?"

Glancing at her, he gestured for her to follow, "What almost happened, my dear Miss Stevens. And that would be nuclear war, which scared a number on the government." Seeing her wide eyes, Mulberry nodded, "One thing that you must understand, ALADDIN and TOTEM, while externally similar, are highly different. While some of ALADDIN's projects are classified, they're done in such a way to limit effects and have large amounts of oversight. They don't do anything unless they have had permission and explained it with a good chance of success. They'll experiment, of course, and try to find the edge of knowledge. TOTEM, on the other hand? No one but perhaps the highest offices knows what they do and one must be careful around them."

Scratching her head, Abagail frowned, "Yeah, I can guess why..." Then she turned to him as they reached a door in the back and he opened it to reveal a forest, "But... what does this have to do with something that happened in 1983?"

Turning to her, Mulberry chuckled a little, "Well, both ALADDIN and TOTEM had different ideas of how to handle a nuclear exchange in the case of magical areas. ALADDIN had come up with a method to speed up time in a particular area. Hundreds of years passing in a matter of days, which would lead to lower radiation levels. Meanwhile, TOTEM's idea was to use a temporal version of a switching spell to switch the burnt out land with the land moments before destruction. I was one of those called when one of their tests went... awry due to them misplacing several decimal points."

Just about to ask, Abagail froze and stared as Mulberry smiled at her.

The old wizard took in her paling face, and reached up to scratch at the lower jaw of the animal, "Yes, they got something a bit... further back." Looking up at the massive head and yellow eye looking down at him, he smiled, "This is Roxanne, I named her after my wife... the No-Maj's call her species a 'Tyrannosaurus Rex' or 'Tyrant Lizard King'. But she's more of a queen, aren't you?"

Abagail twitched a bit as he leaned up and gave the T-Rex a kiss on her lower jaw and was answered by a rumble that made her bones shake. Swallowing, she gave him a look, "That's... a dinosaur."

With a nod, and ignoring the massive predator, the old wizard nodded, "Oh yes, that is what the No-Majs call them. Though they thought that somehow they had a flightless dragon when their experiment brought back an area of ten square miles. Thankfully, the spells around kept anything from escaping and we transferred as much plant life here with other animals as we could after putting out the fires that were going on before they had to sterilize the area. Even had found a hunk of some piece of space rock that interested TOTEM. Had the idea to use a phantom island and had one chosen, but then Blood Week happens."

Eyes still wide, Abagail looked along the body of the creature from the past and took a step back, "I-I think that I can see why people think TOTEM is nuts... but, uh, isn't she dangerous?"

That got her a snort from Mulberry, "Of course she's dangerous, all wildlife is. But I know her after all and her cues. Also raised her from an egg as a matter of fact as her mother died from a bird flu. Thankfully, there's spells and rituals to make it where despite coming from the same egg clutch, the hatchlings will be diverse enough that inbreeding wouldn't be an issue. The others are in stasis so we could have a breeding population."

The Tyrannosaur gave another rumble and licked him which brought a laugh from the old wizard. A few minutes later, he left the forest behind with Abagail and closed the door. Though the witch noted the golden eye watching her closely...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Bull Moose and Butterknife

Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, New York

March 5th, 1900
Spoiler: TR

"Hello Theodore, Edith." A woman's voice caused the middle aged man to turn and adjust his pince-nez glasses. A broad smile showing his white teeth underneath his bushy brown mustache split his face in a grin.

"Delilah de Breuil, as I live and breathe! Bully! What brings you out here?" Theodore's voice boomed out to fill the parlor where he had been writing while his wife taught his youngest son the alphabet.

Edith politely nodded, getting a return nod from Delilah, who was well aware of the woman's preference not to shake hands with anyone but the closest of friends. Which Theodore was to her, she mentally added as his firm handclasp and squeeze caused her eyes to water with the vitality and force in it.

Delilah returned the hand-grasp as best she could while wondering -- not for the first time! -- if Theodore one day would leave dents in her steel body with one of his handshakes.

She glanced briefly at Edith. "I just got back from handling some business in the Dakota Territory, and thought you would like to see a daguerreotype of my most recent trophy. Also I wanted to stop by and meet your youngest. Hello Quentin, I'm Delilah de Breuil. Your father and I met out in the Dakota Territory in 1883 and we have been friends ever since."

"Just so, just so!" Theodore exclaimed as his son looked at the auburn-haired woman. "I was surprised to meet someone from society out that way, much less an equestrian and crack shot. Those were the days, weren't they... our first buffalo hunt."

Delilah smiled wistfully as she accepted a glass of apple cider from the servant. "Indeed they were, Theodore, indeed they were. Days that made us all realize what a wild and wonderful country that we have been given by a gracious and generous God. A land that we are called upon to be good stewards of."

The adults nodded as Delilah leaned forward. "I know other members of the Republican Party have spoken to you about taking up the open Vice-Presidential spot on the ticket beside President McKinley since poor Hobart died of a weak heart in office four months ago. I know that you have publicly said that you shall not pursue or accept the nomination. And I know how stubborn you are about your word, you bull moose. All I shall ask of you as your friend is when you go to the Party Convention as a delegate, keep an open mind about events. Nothing more, nothing less. If you are called upon to serve by your fellows, well, God calls us to our roles and His ways are always to the benefit of us all."

Theodore Roosevelt stared into her eyes, bright blue meeting leaf green then nodded slowly. "'There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.' I'll go with an open mind, Delilah."

Delilah's lips curled in a smug smirk. "Shakespeare has a way of cutting to the heart of matters. Now, you have to see the size of this she-grizzly that came out of the Black Hills to prey on my cattle...."
-------------------------------

Gardiner, Montana

February 19th, 1903

President Theodore Roosevelt stepped away from the cornerstone of the new entrance arch to the world's first national park that he had just laid. Flashes and smoke showed the photographers practicing their craft. He gave his patented broad grin underneath his graying mustache then walked over to the group of friends and dignitaries who had taken the new rail line to the entrance that was being constructed under his watch.

Delilah winced once again as he clasped her hand hard enough to produce a pained hiss. The man that the papers called the Human Dynamo, The Lion, and the Rough Rider grinned and leaned in. "A good start, Delilah. Those laggards in Congress will pass the bill to expand our conservation and protection programs of the wilderness and Mother Nature for generations yet unborn to enjoy and profit from as we have if I have anything to say about it. And I do!"

Delilah gave a matching smug grin as she thought of the talisman that she had persuaded Theodore to include as part of the time capsule that was now buried at the entrance to Yellowstone. A talisman that was not just a 'gift from an Indian friend who was my ranch manager in the Dakotas' but also the keystone of the wards that she was going to activate tonight to conserve and protect Yellowstone's magical places as well.

Another small step for MACUSA alongside the no-maj efforts that her friend was pioneering to one day make America the great and good nation that it had the potential to be. For all its people, black, red, yellow or white. Man or woman. No-maj and wizard. Human and nonhuman one and all.

Tears of joy filled Delilah's eyes and voice as she responded, "A good start indeed Theodore. A very good start on the great task remaining before us all that we so far have nobly advanced."

Theodore looked as if he was going to ask her a question, but then shook his head, gave her a smile filled with respect, and moved on to the next person.
-------------------------------

Rio da Dúvida ("River of Doubt"), Amazon Rain Forest, Brazil

March 17th, 1914

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree; In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree; In Xanadu...." The words spilled forth in a broken endless torrent of phrases from the rail thin man who thrashed by the dying campfire. A jaguar's scream from the darkness of the rain forest punctuated the feverish babble of maddened words. Another thrash of his gaunt body in the throes of the fever that was eating him alive showed his injured leg, the gash crudely bandaged with angry red and purple streaks runnign the full length along with the myriad of mosquito bites from that had given him and the others malaria and yellow fever.

Delilah de Breuil, equally haggard, exhausted, starved, and sick wearily crawled over and grasped Theodore Roosevelt's skeletal hand. She choked out in a hoarse croak. "I'm here Theodore. Just as I promised you and your son Kermit when you decided on this expedition." Her thin fingers squeezed the burning feverish flesh loosely hanging from the bones of the near-dead man.

Delilah's tears filled in her eyes as Theodore Roosevelt gasped out once more, "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree; In Xanadu..." An endless stream that was all that he could comprehend as the fever baked him alive as it had for the last nine days. Even her subtle spellcasting and her last healing potions could do nothing more than give her great friend a fighting chance as he wrestled with Death.

She pulled out a canteen of water from the uncharted river that they were mapping and tapped her wand to it to purify the life-giving fluid, before raising it to his lips. "Here, drink, Theodore." She whispered. "Please, do it for me, old friend. Please."

Automatically he swallowed and his hand squeezed hers briefly in wordless thanks as fresh tears trickled from her eyes. Then his hand relaxed as she tore a strip of cloth from her tattered safari uniform to dab warm water on his forehead to try to cool him.

He coughed and then fever-bright blue eyes focused on her face. "D-- Del?" His hand grasped hers with a tithe of his normal crushing grip and she gasped.

She wept in relief and covered her mouth with one dirty hand as his fever finally broke. "H-hoow..." he gasped out as he looked at her. "It was... wasn't it?"

She hesitantly nodded.

He nodded once in understanding then grasped her hand with all the strength in his body. "W--when you go f-f-f-orward..." A gasp and he pinned her with his stare. "Remember me."

She squeezed back in an unbreakable grip. "Always, Theodore. Always."
-------------------------------

Roosevelt Family Cemetery, Oyster Bay, New York

January 6th, 1947

"Edith." A quiet voice from one of the two veiled women approaching the elderly lady in a wheelchair sitting alone next to a tombstone.

"Delilah." A nod from Edith Kermit Roosevelt as the black wool of her mourning garb rustled. "Who is your friend?"

Delilah knelt and laid a bouquet of lilies on the grave. "Zamarad. She is... well..." A brief hesitant smile. "Special to me."

The Ifrit nodded politely and laid her own bouquet down on the snow-covered grave.

"Ahh..." Edith said. "How Progressive of you. That explains a few things. I always wondered why..." she trailed off.

Delilah nodded and spoke in an emotion-filled hushed voice. "This is part of why. Also I knew him when his first wife died. I was -- am -- unsuited to fill the hole in his heart that he had then. But you did what I never could do for him."

Edith spoke quietly in turn, "So you brought her to meet him then?" She shook her head with a small fond smile."Twenty-eight years gone today and yet he looms large over all our lives."

Delilah wiped tears from her eyes. "You, and he, deserved to know the truth about me, or as much of it as I can reveal without breaking my oaths. Zamarad came over to America after the War, and I'm teaching her to love it as I do, as you do... as he does. We honeymooned at Yellowstone and I explained about his dream there when I showed her what we all saw."

Edith spoke reminiscently with a smile that illuminated her aged face. "He dreamed large and well and then surpassed his dreams. The saying about him was right. 'Death had to take him sleeping because if Theodore was awake, there would have been a fight.'"

Delilah laughed in agreement. "Just like the Old Lion fought off Death in the Amazon before my eyes."

Edith looked at Zamarad as her maid approached to wheel her inside the house. "It is pleasant to meet you, dear. Take good care of Delilah when we are gone into the dust."

Zamarad nodded. "I have been exceptionally blessed to know her, Edith."

Delilah linked her hand with Zamarad's, their wedding rings glinting and looked at the grave of the 26th President of the United States. "and I am exceptionally blessed to know you and Theodore, Edith. Rest assured you will be remembered for all that you were and did."

"Always."

 

[darthcourt10]

Gmergurrl99

Knock, knock.

The President of the United States looks up from files he is reviewing.

Aide: Sir, the Secretary of the Interior is here.

Prez: Let him in Simmons.

Secretary of the Interior walks and greets President

Secr. Int. : You look like hell (insert name here).

Prez: Well yeah. With the way the war's been going and the emergencies going on 24/7, working late nights and early mornings managing crisis after crisis isn't conductive for one's beauty sleep? Especially that last clusterfuck up in Maine... (Snarky and dry tone).

Secr. Int: (Secr. sighs) Well, what was so important that it couldn't wait until the next scheduled meeting? You know my department is running ragged making sure that we have the materials we need for the war effort, especially with coordinating with the other departments and dealing with contractors.....

Prez: Well, you know how we've been working on the SoS collapse? Apparently your MACUSA counter parts have been busy on the conservation end themselves. (Slides over files he's been review to Secr.).

Secr. reads special Eyes Only black-level classified documents. Then facepalms.
Secr: Why? Why do we have a Noah's Ark in our own backyard filled with dinosaurs of all things? I understand that our counterparts contributed to the conservation effort on their end due to economic incentive and resource management, given a part of our job is management of natural resources and assets and making sure that we have something to use in the future. But seriously? Dinosaurs?

Prez: I was flabbergasted too. But the dinos were the consequence of experiments trying to figure out how to deal with radiation during the Cold War. One of the research groups mucked around with time space and tried to do a magic switcharoo of the contaminated land with some of it's pre-irradiated state, but ended up with something out of the 1632 and Ring of Fire series when they did the land swap, only with more fire round the edges and several million years off course. Apparently, they did their math wrong, and ended up with 10 miles of prime prehistoric real estate filled with bunch of prehistoric critters and plants. Those eggheads were clueless about what to do with "wingless dragons" and called ARK to deal with the mess. For now, what I need you to do is to put together a team in the know to take inventory of ARK's collection and to contact experts to look at the specimens and to come up with some kind of action plan so we can set up breeding and reintroduction plans for several of the critters back to the wild, and how to deal with the dinos and the like.

Secr. : I need a drink.

More discussion, Secr. leaves while pulling out cellphone to make calls regarding bombshell that dropped in his lap, and the Prez is humming a hauntingly familiar tune as the door shuts.

 

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

Sadly, this isn't the next entry to Porta Conquers the Atlantic (yes, very sad, I know), but it's still something everyone loves: Another episode in the lives of Hachiko and Moriko. Specifically, it focuses on Hachiko's little brother Aki. Something that Yellowhammer was sadly unable to adequately show was how much of a budding Tech-Head Aki is - his agreed basis for inspiration was Episode 1 Anakin and Izuku Midoriya: mechanically gifted, sweet as a cherub and with a good heart from the former, and maybe just a little awkward and very nerdy from the latter. Something you'll notice is how Aki has already adopted Moriko as his mother figure, just like how Hachiko is "tou-san" to him.

Enjoy!
------

Hobbyist

Aki Miyata absorbed the information he read like a sponge. Tou-san couldn't afford many toys, so the Inugami had to make due with whatever amusements he could make for himself. Often that meant the other kids either at school or in their apartment. But sometimes Tou-san would bring home a book to read to him. The usual stories of adventures and quests were all well and good, and Aki enjoyed them, but the books he loved the most were the ones about how things worked. Tou-san was a little surprised at seeing him gravitate to science and mechanic-themed books, but he was happy to provide. And it was in one of these books that he found something that immensely interested him: Steam engines.

Kaa-san was a shipgirl, same as Sachi-oba and Suzu-chan. And shipgirls were steamships. But shipgirls also got hurt. And Aki didn't want them to be hurt – he wanted to make sure they were helped! And though Aki was a boy of barely nine years, he was smart enough to know that he would need more than a want to help to actually do that. He needed schooling. Tou-san always said as much. And that lead to the book in hand. It was more than a little to advanced for him, but it had plenty of pictures for him to follow.

And in a fit of excitement over-riding his good sense, the boy ran off to collect supplies. Burnable Trash Day was tomorrow, so finding some cork wasn't difficult. The metal tubing though was more challenging to find. Fortunately, Mister Amaki's shop was just down the street. The man and his employees were always nice to him, and were more than happy to talk to him about how the scooter engines worked, the even let him help sometimes! Mister Amaki laughed out loud when Aki told him what he was doing.

"Well sure kid! I've got some scrap tubes that should be just what you need. OI! Tenchi! Watch the front would ya? I'll be busy for a minute."

Aki was a little irritated at Mister Amaki taking over the job. He was nine years old! He wasn't a baby! He could cut metal just fine; he'd seen the grown ups at the shop do it all the time! But Mister Amaki just laughed and went about cutting the copper tube. But the old man let him bend the metal into a loop and all was forgiven.

That part done, Aki ran home and gathered his remaining parts: A pot for the engine to sit in, a big rubber band, two wheels – one big and one small – from his LEGO sets, a tea candle, a motor he salvaged from a busted drill he saw in the trash once, and the only tools he required: A glue gun and a pack of matches. As the boy put the odds and ends together, his eyes glowed with the gleam seen in many figures when they were his age. The likes of Isambard Brunel, or Thomas Edison, or Guglielmo Marconi, men who saw the potential of what could be, and how to do it, even if they were doing little more than looking at a bodged together monstrosity and saying 'seems legit.'

Fortunately, Aki didn't need to start from nothing. He simply took advantage of little nuggets of information he had learned from a disparate collection of sources, and finding a way to take advantage of them. Things like how one book about electricity Tou-san read to him said that an electrical motor and an electrical generator were one and the same, it just relied on where the energy was coming from. Or a blurb from his science text book at school explaining how Pulleys and Gears worked, and how a big gear connected to a smaller gear – like, say, by a rubberband – would turn the smaller gear much faster, making many turns in the time it took the big gear to make one turn.
------

Hachiko sighed as he made his way up the steps. Another long day. Not as bad as some – especially compared to before he met Moriko – but a long day was still a long day.

"Welcome home Miss Miyata!"

Hachiko suppressed a long-suffering grunt. After all, Hasegawa-San was pushing ninety, and judging by the coke bottle glasses was legally blind. He had long resigned himself to being thought of as a single mother by his land lady.

"Thank you Hasegawa-san. Thank you so much for keeping an eye on Aki for me."

"Oh it was no trouble at all! Aki has always been such a sweet boy. Though I think you should know that I think I caught him rummaging in the trash again."

Hachiko groaned again. 'If I've told that boy once I've told him a thousand times.'

"I am so sorry Miss Hasegawa. I'll send him out in a few minutes to apologize."

But the old woman laughed and waved her hand as if the notion was so much smoke.

"No no, boys will be boys, and he made sure to clean up after himself – such a considerate little boy. I just wanted to let you know that he may need a bath."

Hachiko pinched the bridge of his nose and took a breath. "Right. Thank you Hasegawa-san."

Hachiko tried to think about what to do with his little brother as he rummaged in his pocket for his key. But when he walked into the apartment he barely got half-way through the first half of 'tadaima' before getting tackled in the gut by a dog-eared Aki, his tail a blur of excited happiness.

"Tou-san tou-san! Come and see! Come see!"

Barely able to voice a complaint, Hachiko was physically dragged by his little brother into the kitchen… And gawked at what he saw.

On the table sat one of their cooking pots, filled with water. And on that water was a mat of cork, on which sat a lit candle, and over that was a small coil of copper tubing, the whole affair spinning contently like a little top. And on the top of that coil was one of the large pulley wheels from Aki's building toy sets, hot-glued on. That wheel was connected by a rubberband to a small wheel that was similarly hotglued onto the spindle of the drill motor he was sure he had told Aki to throw out months ago. And trailing from the moter were a pair of wires connected to a bare lightbulb.

A glowing lightbulb.

"Wh-what is that?"

The lightbulb was nothing compaired to the beam of wholesome pride in Aki's joyful face.

"It's a steam generator Tou-san! I made it!"
------

Yes, that steam engine is base on a real thing. I found it on YouTube, and it fit my criteria for "small project a bright 9-year old could conceivably build without much adult supervision or complicated/dangerous tools.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Well, I apologize for my writing slowing to a crawl. Just find myself distracted by so much nowadays, it's hard to find time to devote to my snippets. I'll try my hardest to get a scene for Regalia out next... in the next couple weeks...

XXXXXXXXXX

"Four years. Four... years." The Demon drew in a shaky breath. "We all thought you were dead."

The defensive fleet had dispersed. The sirens had been cut off. The shipgirls, sensing that the situation had just become personal, quickly threw their hands up and abandoned the pair of Abyssals to the new fleet… their lost sisters.

The Tsu-class struggled to find her voice to respond. She was just as stunned by this discovery as they were. "You're… you're alive. H-how?"

"We fled west," the Airfield Demon—Nuri—said simply. She reached out, cupping the Tsu-class's cheek in her hand, as a tear rolled down her face. "My god… you two are an absolute mess." Nuri gazed to Tampa… her features twisting in horror and pain and grief, as she took in her sister's cobbled-together hull. "Tampa… what have you done to yourself…!?"

The Demon could only stare back at her sister in shock, standing utterly still. "It… it wasn't her choice," the Tsu-class answered in her stead. "She told me that… that Hawaiian spirits did this to her."

"Hawaiian…?" Nuri trailed off, jaw briefly hanging in confusion, before she shook her head. "No, no. That doesn't matter right now. You're alive… and we have to let Mother know!" She took her sister's bolted-together arm and started to tug her forward, as she turned to the others. "Someone get back to the base, set up a FaceTime call! Mother will want to see them with her own eyes!"

On hearing that last statement, the Tsu-class felt her boilers skipping a beat. She and her sister had put their lives on the line… and it paid off. They found more than just mercy… they found their long-lost sisters. They were finally going to be reunited with their mother, their family. But to face them so soon...

She wasn't ready.

The Tsu-class tried to pull her hand from Nuri's grasp. "W-wait, wait!" She exclaimed. "This… this is all happening so quickly! I have so many questions! L-like… how many of us are left? Where's Mother right now? What are you all doing so far south, and… and cooperating with… with… ohh..."

The Tsu class suddenly stumbled and fell back, her free hand against her chest. "What... what's happening…?" She gasped as Nuri rushed to her side. "I… I feel strange…"

Nuri called on her DC team, letting a handful of her imps clamber into her sister's hull to assess the situation. For several long seconds she was terrified by the possibility of her sibling's body shutting down right in front of her—just like Renita—but as information slowly trickled back to her, she felt that great weight lift from her chest. "...she's alright!" She called out. "One of her boilers just blew a valve and shut down. The rest are holding steady."

There were deep sighs of relief from the others. "Oh, thank god. I don't think I could handle another race against the clock," Sunny said. She sailed forward and hooked an arm under the Tsu-class, pulling her to her feet, and helping to support her as they began to make steam for dry land. "You're right, Hatsumo. Talking can wait. For now, let's get the two of you to the baths—you've done well to take care of yourself for this long, but you need repairs now..."

XXXXXXXXXX

It was sometimes unsettling, how utter silence could feel so deafening.

Tanith sat behind the office desk, nervously looking over her hands. To cut down on her intimidation factor, she'd gone through the effort of removing her massive, spiked metal claws and covered up the skeletal frame underneath with a pair of white elbow gloves. Without the thick latex support Ruadri's arms enjoyed, her hands remained unnaturally thin and bony in appearance… but she'd rather come across as creepy than threatening, when faced with potential instructors and business workers that could help develop her family's island. She honestly hadn't been expecting to receive responses so quickly, when she worked with the Japanese to set up recruitment flyers over the region. But here she was, waiting to meet with four potential trainers to determine if they could help her family develop their island home further.

The kicker? Three of them were Yokai.

A small part of Tanith pondered that disparity. Of course, she wasn't about to be nitpicky—in her eyes, four candidates was a lot. But what could be the cause for that disparity? Were Yokai just less afraid of them? Or was their offer of a safe haven far away from any Reserve really that enticing?

"Princess." Tanith looked up to the woman standing in the doorway. "The first applicant is here. They brought their family."

She nodded hesitantly. "Okay. Okay, you can let them in."

The woman dipped her head, before vanishing from sight, leaving Tanith alone to stew in her nervousness and worries once more. Finally, after a pregnant pause, the door cracked open... and what came through was a surprise to the Abyssal.

A small, furry snout poked into view at the foot of the doorway, its little whiskers twitching. It took a moment to sniff around a bit, then poked out further, revealing itself in full—bright, intelligent eyes, a slender body, short limbs with webbed paws, and a long, powerful tail.

An otter.

Tanith blinked, tilting her head inquisitively at the animal… then gasped, as it made a beeline for her desk and leapt up into her lap. "O-oh… hello there, little one..." Tanith said slowly, holding her hands up as she stared at the furry critter that had come out of nowhere. "What are you doing here...?"

The otter spent a few seconds sniffing her legs, letting out little chirps, before looking up at her with an almost curious expression. Seemingly taking Tanith's stunned state and lack of action as permission to remain, it kneaded its paws on her thighs a little, nuzzled against her midriff, and curled up in her lap.

Tanith couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the ridiculousness of the situation. "Well, you just make yourself right at home, don't you?" She asked playfully, stroking its smooth fur. "I heard of Japan having some domestic otters, but I didn't expect to see one up close…" She leaned over a bit, looking down at the critter. "Do you have an owner, little one? Or did you just happen to find your way in…?"

"KIKI! GET DOWN FROM THERE THIS INSTANT!"

The little otter's gaze snapped to the doorway. It quickly hopped down from the Abyssal's lap and scampered out of the room, leaving her a little bewildered. "Ah… thank goodness," she sighed, relieved. "For a moment, I was worried a wild animal had gotten into… the…"

Tanith's words trailed off as another, larger otter came into the room… this one standing on its hind legs, wearing a simple hakama, and carrying a satchel on its back. "I apologize for my youngest daughter," the otter said with the voice of a middle-aged man, dipping its head. "She has very little self-restraint . Always trying to pose as a pet to get treats from unsuspecting strangers…"

Tanith sat back in her seat staring at the otter for several seconds, stunned. "You… you talk," she eventually said, pointing at it.

The otter cocked his head. "Of course I do. Did the ladies we spoke with not warn you we were Yokai?"

Tanith's eyes widened, her brain finally making the connection. This was the first applicant—a Kawauso. "W-well… yes, they did. They told me several Yokai clients were supposed to be coming, in fact. It's just that… I was not expecting something as mundane as… intelligent otters."

The otter waved his paw. "We can shapeshift, too. There's just not much use for it in today's society."

"...I see." Tanith coughed lightly. "A-anyway… I am Tanith… nominal leader of the Fleet of Laughter. And if I might know your names…?"

The otter nodded. "Of course, of course…" He patted his chest with a paw. "My name is Tarou. You've already met my youngest daughter, Kiki…" the otter pup in question rose up on her hind legs, sulking as she moved to her father's side, while he turned back towards the door. "Come in, everyone. It's alright in here."

The door creaked open a little wider, and three more dressed-up otters trotted in. One of them was dressed in a basic hakama like Tarou, with the addition of a little ponytail and an adorable little finger-length knife at its hip. The other two, however, were instead garbed in little yukatas and had what almost seemed like eyeliner marking their little face. "This is my wife, Ayana..." Tarou continued, gesturing to the taller of the (apparent) females. "Beside her are our two other children, Miki—"

"I'm the oldest," the other female said, holding up a paw.

"—and Riki."

"No relation to that video game character…" the smaller male huffed.

Tanith chuckled, feeling a little more at ease. "Well, then… you have a very nice little family here, mister Tarou," she said. "So, you came hoping to apply as a tutor for myself and my sisters?"

"Among other things, yes…" Tarou said with a nod.

"Alright, then." Tanith clasped her hands together. "In that case, I am quite intrigued to hear what sorts of skills you could bring to the table, considering your… smaller stature." After a moment to think, she shrunk back a little bit. "I mean…"

Tarou shook his head. "Relax. We get those sorts of comments all the time. Sure, we don't get much taller than a meter, but that doesn't mean we can't be productive members of society. After all, the No-Maj's have those reality shows about… er, what was the socially-accepted term for them again? Dwarves?"

"Little people, I believe," Tanith corrected.

"Right, little people. Anyway…" Tarou rummaged through his satchel, producing several sheets of paper, and set it on top of the desk. "My family's most prominent skills are water diversion and irrigation. As otters, we make a lot of our living off rivers and streams and whatnot; sometimes, though, we need the water to flow a different way. To avoid predators, hide from humans, that sort of thing. So our clan took a few lessons from our cousin, the beaver, so we could make that happen… and while we were at it, we learned to funnel some of the water into crops."

Tanith picked up the papers and examined them. They were sketches of river damming plans, routes for digging new streams, runoff for irrigation systems. Looking over all of it, she gradually perked up. "That… is actually quite impressive," she said with a hint of awe. "We could really use your expertise on Avrora; my daughter handles a farm there, and we recently uncovered an underground spring deep in the woods that we want to funnel to our residential area. Your knowledge would be invaluable for both of those."

"We also know how to make sake, if any of your brethren are interested," Ayana added. "It's practically common knowledge for Kawauso like ourselves."

At this, Tanith shrugged. "I cannot say for certain if any of my sisters would be interested, but it is a generous offer regardless." As she handed the papers back, the Princess thought to herself. "...I take it you were hoping to apply for permanent residence on our island?"

The otters glanced between one another briefly, before looking to her and nodding. "The river we called home is no longer safe for us," Tarou explained solemnly. "Humans are developing land further upstream, and the sediment it's released into the water is starting to contaminate everything downstream—the fish, the soil, our crops. The only other rivers close enough for us to relocate to, already have human visitors on a regular basis… so trying to move to them risks our family being exposed, possibly even captured and thrown into a Reserve."

Tanith considered asking why the family couldn't just stay away from the rivers altogether… but she quickly squashed that thought. Otters were aquatic animals. Swimming and hunting in water was integral to their way of life… much like Abyssals. "I understand…" she said. "As long as the Statute remains intact, you're in danger… but on Avrora, you believe you would be safe."

"To some degree, yes."

Tanith was quiet for several seconds, thinking. Finally, she spoke. "Alright, mister Tarou. I think that both our families will benefit from cooperating on this matter." She gestured to a nearby window. "We have a cruise ship docked at Yokosuka's port undergoing some finishing touches. You'll be able to meet some of our family, and get to know one another once we're ready to make the trip back to our island."

The younger otters' eyes lit up with excitement and joy, and they began to bounce and skitter around making delighted noises. Tarou and his wife, meanwhile, gave little bows. "Thank you, Princess. We will do our best not to disappoint you."

Tanith simply smiled. "I'm sure you will not. If anything, I think my family will be delighted to have you around." She gestured to the door. "Now, if you would kindly step out of the office, so I can start on the next applicant?"

"Of course."

With that, the couple herded their three kids out the door, out of sight. Tanith sat back in her chair, letting out a small sigh. That had gone a lot easier than she had expected it to; she supposed it was due to the otters being small and cute. It helped put her a bit more at ease when she wasn't being faced by something big or imposing, like one of those spider-ladies...

"My, oh my… what do we have here?"

Occupied by her thoughts, Tanith almost missed the fact someone had entered the room. Standing in front of her was a tall, voluptuous woman. She had her long, silk-like black hair woven into a braid over her shoulder, with a few stray locks hanging over her forehead, and was dressed up in a form-fitting professional business suit, complete with short-cut skirt. If she had any interest in romance or sex, Tanith might have thought her quite attractive… but the way the woman was eyeing her with an almost hungry look was a little unnerving.

Tanith opened her mouth to speak. "Ah, hello the—"

"Shh…" the woman silenced Tanith, holding up a finger. She slowly stepped forward and around the desk, looking the Princess over carefully. "...nice full figure besides the arms… no need to go overboard accentuating her curves…" she could be heard muttering to herself. "But the fur is gaudy, the hat is ridiculous… saw the reports from way back, so I KNOW the gown is purely for showing modesty in public… the boots work, at least." Making a full circle back around to the front, the woman pulled out a small notepad and began scribbling something down. "Just need a few hours on the drawing board—and maybe a White Russian or two to get your hull out of my view—and I can turn you into a right bombshell…"

"Ahem…" Tanith cleared her throat. "Can I help you?"

In response, the woman looked up. "Oh, right! Sorry. Got caught up in my thoughts for a moment. Allow me to introduce myself properly…" She reached up and brushed some of her bangs out of the way...revealing three extra sets of eyes. "Kaori Fujioka, Jorogumo and professional tailor. I'm here to make you an offer: hire me, and we'll do away with the cookie-cutter outfits you and your followers wear all the time, and make each and every one of you uniquely fashionable!"

Ah, hell… Tanith thought to herself, suppressing a grimace. This one is going to be a trial.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 166: Harry Leferts

The Sun had barely risen above the horizon in the Ryukyus, and already the temperature was hot. Wiping his forehead as he cooked some breakfast, Haruto grimaced a bit, "It's going to be another scorcher..."

Stretched out in jean shorts that left little to the imagination for her legs and a canvas tank top, Haruhime sighed a bit as she fanned herself, "What did you expect, Haruto-Kun? We're not far from Okinawa and the area is tropical."

When he glanced at her, the teenage Healer blushed a little which seemed to amuse her if the wink she gave him said anything. Rolling his eyes, Haruto sighed a little, "I know, I know... but still."

Raising an eyebrow from her she laid, Ichika gave him a look, "Don't they have air conditioning up at the fort though?"

That got her a look from Haruto, "They do as a matter of fact, but if you think that I am going to leave all of you here to suffer from the heat while I stay cool..."

A soft smile on her face, Mie hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek, "Something that we are all thankful for." Brushing some sweaty hair from her forehead, she shook her head, "I wish that we could do something about the heat however."

Just snorting, Mikage jerked her thumb in a certain direction, "Well, we got the fan going..." Suddenly, she smirked a bit, "But there seems to be a blockage."

Everyone turned to where the solar powered fan was to find Chikako looking at them, "Nya? What?" When they shook their heads, she turned her head back to the fan and closed her eyes as the wind blew past and her voice became distorted, "Nyaaaaaaaaaa~"

It took everything for Haruto not to laugh at that as he grinned, "I suppose so." Finishing breakfast, he placed the food onto plates and reached into the icebox to pull out a pitcher of water to which he added powdered juice and stirred it. That juice was then poured into glasses for everyone, "Okay, breakfast is ready."

Moments later, everyone made their way over to the table, with Hachimitsu sitting in his lap. Granted, Haruto cast a spell to conjure a block of ice in front of the fan, the breeze coming off of which cooled everyone slightly and made them happily sigh. As they ate, however, the blonde haired Kitsune hummed a bit, "You know, it is really hot out so maybe we should do something."

Her eyebrow raised as she looked at her sister, dressed in similarly skimpy clothing, Haruhime blinked, "Like what? It's too hot to do much." She grimaced a little, "And going to be worse in August."

Nodding, the Healer frowned some, "Hai, hopefully I won't have to worry too much about heatstroke or sunstroke from people on the island."

For a few moments, Hachimitsu was quiet before humming, "Actually, we might want to go down to the ocean pool." Everyone blinked at that and turned to her, at which she shrugged, "What? The water might be warm, but Haruto-Kun could use some magic to cool it off enough for us."

When they turned to him, Haruto was tapping the top of the table as he chewed before giving a small nod, "I guess that I could cast an ice cube conjuring spell to create ice to float around. That should be enough to keep it nice and cool..."

As the others nodded, Chikako frowned, "Swimming? But... I don't know how... and I don't have a swimsuit..."

Reaching over, Mie gently rubbed her head, "Don't worry, we'll drop by Ayane-San and pick one up for you from there. She's made a couple after all."

Head tilted back and forth, the little Neko hummed a bit with a smile on her face and eyes closed, "Nya... nya... nya..."

It was a short time later when they entered into a small store with a bell above the door. Almost immediately, the Jorogumo everyone knew as Ayane appeared with a smile, one that grew a slight bit wider as she recognized who it was, "Haruto-Sama, Hachimitsu-Sama, Haruhime-Sama, Mikage-Sama, Ichika-Sama, Mie-Sama, and Chikako-Chan! How are you this fine day and how can I help you?"

Lightly laughing, Haruto scratched the back of his neck, "Sorry to bother you, but... Chikako-Chan needs a swimsuit and I was wondering if you had any in stock?"

More than a little amused, Ayane giggled some and shook her head, "I take it that it will be a beach day than?"

With a hum, the Healer nodded, "Hai, I already left information at the clinic letting everyone know where they can find me. It should be spread fast enough anyways..." He gave a sigh and shook his head while wiping his forehead, "It is just too damn hot out at the moment."

Chuckling, Ayana gave a small nod, "Yes, it is quite warm today, I suppose for most."

Head tilted to the side, Chikako blinked a bit as she noticed something, "Aren't you hot, Ayane-San?"

Lowering her body down, the Jorogumo bent her top half enough to look the Neko in the eye as she patted her on the head, "I'm a Jorogumo dear, we actually like hot weather. Comes from being part arachnid, I suppose." Straightening back up, she gave a small shrug, "But I do like how many people like buying swimwear here."

Placing her hands behind her head, Haruhime had a grin on her face, "True, and your bikinis are pretty good..." She gave a leer towards Haruto who looked away, "Especially for some~"

Unable to help herself, Ayane laughed a little, "Yes, I do suppose that there is that." Then, she shook her head as she gently guided the young Neko further into the store towards the changing area, "Now, I do have some swimsuits that should fit you..."

It was only a few minutes later that they returned, with Chikako skipping as she had something in her arms. Coming to a stop, she held it up, "I found a swimsuit, Haruto-Nii-San! It's cute!"

Eyebrow raised, Haruto noted that it was a indigo one piece, likely dyed using the indigo plants that grew on the island. With a small nod, he smiled down at her before patting her head, "Hai, it looks like it would be very cute on you."

Winking, Ichika gave her a thumbs up, "Super cute even."

That only got a happy smile and nod from the young Yokai as she enjoyed the headpats, "Nya... nya... nyaaaa~"

Once he was done, Haruto reached into his backpack and pulled out some cans of spam which he placed onto the counter, "This should do it for cost, right?"

Giving him a look, Ayane shook her head, "You know that you don't need to pay, Haruto-Sama. Not with everything that you do on the island after all."

However, she was already placing the canned meat into a drawer to be kept safe for later, even as the teenage boy shrugged, "And like I told you before, I get paid by the Diet to be a healer here. I will pay my way for the rest just like anyone else will." Reaching into his backpack, he took out some lollipops and placed them onto the counter with a small smirk, "Or perhaps you think I should pay more."

That got him an unamused look as the Jorogumo crossed her arms under her bust. Somewhat to her disappointment, he only gave her a raised eyebrow in return, "You know what I mean, Haruto-Sama. You don't accept payment as a Healer from any of us, or for supplies. Also..." Ayane pouted some as she pushed up her breasts and still got nothing more than an amused tilt of the lips, "Whatever happened to you? It used to be so fun getting you flustered."

Mikage grinned a bit and grabbed Haruto's arm and held it to her chest, "Mainly he got five very beautiful girlfriends, Ayane-Chan."

All Ayane did was nod and sigh, "I suppose." Then, she smiled and took the lollipops before placing them in the same drawer, which also held things like dried fish in a basket, "Thank you anyways, my Imoutos will enjoy the candy."

With a nod, Haruto smiled at her, "Good to hear, Ayane-San. I hope that you have a good day..."

From where she stood, the spider Yokai watched as he left and walked down the street. Leaning forward, she propped herself up with one arm in a pose that would have given anyone walking in a view that would have likely made them stumble into things as she wore a loose tanktop, "A shame that you're taken and not taking on anyone else, Haruto-Sama..." Shaking her head, she hummed some before smiling, "Though a spider could still dream~"

It was a twenty minute walk before they reached their destination, but when they did, Chikako's eyes lit up as she clutched at her straw sunhat, "Ooooh!" Running forward, she stopped at the water's edge on the white sand beach and pointed at it, "Look, Haruto-Nii-San! Nee-Chans! It looks so nice!"

Lips curled into a smile, Hachimitsu nodded some, "It certainly does at that!" Chuckling slightly, the Kitsune shipgirl looked at the Neko, "Do you know why they call it the Ocean Pool?"

Confused, Chikako shook her head, "Um, no? Why do they call it the Ocean Pool?"

Smile on her face, Ichika crouched down and pointed, "There's a wall of coral that stretches across this area right over there. Waves can get over it at low tide if they're big enough, and at high tide, the ocean comes in." She made a motion with her hand, "Also? There's small tunnels in the rock that lets water in and out. But it's popular for swimming because there's no currents here and the waves are small ones usually."

Eyes wide, the young Yokai stared, "Oooh! That's so cool, Ichika-Nee-Chan!"

Glancing at her friend, Hachimitsu shook her head for a moment. Humming, she looked around the beach. As it turned out, they were not the only ones who had decided to come and swim to beat the heat. But there weren't that many there either. Spotting a place, she made a gesture, "How about we set up over there?"

Throwing her hands in the air, the Neko rushed over, "Nya! I help! I help Haruto-Nii-San and Nee-Chans set it up!"

Unable to help herself Mie giggled softly, "That does sound good, Chikako-Chan. Now..." Gently taking Chikako's hand, she led her over to the spot before pulling a blanket out of a pocket which belonged to her crew, "You can unroll this while we set up the shade, okay?"

With a sharp nod, Chikako performed a salute, "Haaaai!"

Needless to say, it did not take them long to set up an awning up to shield them from the Sun. After that was done, the girls retreated behind some rocks to get changed, though not before the older ones teased him a little bit which made him blush slightly. As they got changed though, he motioned with his wand and a stream of ice cubes shot out and into the water. It was not a whole lot, of course, and they were already melting... but they did cool the water slightly.

Of course, he heard a throat being cleared and turned around to find that Mikage was poking her head out from behind the rock, "We're done, Haruto-Kun~ Here we come~"

Moments later, she stepped out followed by the others outside of Chikako and Haruto felt his face grow hot as all of them stood there in bikinis for the most part. He was unable to stop staring as his eyes went from one to the other, though he noted that Mie had a sarong on, "Um..." Noticing the amusement from the Kitsune, he coughed, "You all look really good."

Slowly walking up to him, Hachimitsu smirked as her tail wagged behind her even as she trailed a finger down his chest, "Is that just so? We look just good, Ha-ru-to-kun?"

Closing his eyes, Haruto took a deep breath before letting it out before grabbing Hachimitsu and pulling her into a tight hug that made her squeak and blush, "Well, that is a mild way of saying just what I am thinking."

For her part, the Kitsune had a deep blush on her face, "I-I, um..." Looking away, she cleared her throat, "I am glad that you think so, Haruto-Kun."

Now smirking himself, Haruto let go and nodded towards the rocks, "Where's Chikako-Chan?"

Sharing a look with her Mikage, Haruhime grinned, "Well, we didn't want to take any attention away from our Chikako-Chan!" Stepping back, she gave a nod, "Drumroll, please!"

Highly amused, Ichika began to pat on her stomach to produce the sound even as Mikage spoke up while holding out her hands as if presenting a grand prize, followed by her sisters and Mie as the Inugami and blonde Kitsune got down to one knee, "Introducing... the ever cute and lovable Neko that is our Chikako-Chan... in her new swimsuit!"

Jumping out from behind the rock, Chikako smiled brightly as she thrust her hands in the air, "Funya! Here I am!"

While extremely amused by their antics, especially Hachimitsu and Mie, Haruto didn't laugh. Instead, he smiled and nodded with a wide eyed look, "Wow! You really look cute in that swimsuit! Great choice of one!"

Brightly smiling, the Neko twirled which allowed the light purple skirt attached to her one piece, which itself was a deep purple, to swish in the air, "Thank you, Nii-San!" Running over, she hugged him around the waist as he patted her head, "Mmm... nya... thank you for buying it."

Glancing at the other female Yokai, who seemed more amused than anything else, Haruto gave a small nod, "You are very welcome, Chikako-Chan. Now... it's my turn to get changed."

Unnoticed by the young Yokai, the older female ones all got hungry looks on their faces as they heard that, which made the Healer weakly chuckle...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Well I got argued into posting this here so as not to let the bastards win (you know who you are). Please don't make me regret this decision, guys?

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (VII)

13 July 2014

Saco Bay (Just North Of Kingsport) Maine, USA

There was the first of those special messages to the troops. These were printed on sheets, some 11 inches by 8 inches, and were widely circulated. The first gave the gist of the famous address to the staff. We were going to fight where we stood. There would be no withdrawal, no surrender. We had to do our duty so long as we had breath in our bodies. -- Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
Spoiler: Advance To The Bay

The blond haired and blue-eyed shipgirl of USS Olympia leapt to the grass of the village common from the helicopter. Automatically she ducked her head and grasped the dark green wool of her walking dress to raise her skirt above her ankles for ease of movement.

Inside her power plant the reciprocating engines hammered faster as her stokers, stripped to the waist, moved like automatons of living bronze while they shoveled coal as fast as was humanly possible into her fireboxes in a mad rhythm.

Her Marconi wireless operator tapped out the dots and dashes of Morse to USS Pillsbury as the Natural-born shipgirl commanding the FBI portion of this operation hurried to the side of a witch -- a witch -- to liaise with their magical allies.

"MOVING TO POSITION, GODSPEED PILLSBURY"

Her signalman snapped off blinker light commands to her small squadron. Automatically they shook out into line ahead.

Chester, the first light cruiser of the US Navy, took the lead position and pushed herself to her -- fast for her day -- flank speed of 24 knots. The small shipgirl's twin Five-inch Mark Six 'popguns' that were her main armament sought targets as worried faces watched her pass from a window as they waited for evacuation.

Behind her Olympia belched coal smoke and embers from her stacks as she pushed on at twenty-one knots. Directly astern was Delaware, followed by her younger twin sister North Dakota. Contemporaries of HMS Dreadnought, the third and fourth American dreadnought battleships trained out their five twin turrets containing twelve-inch Mark Five rifles and loaded armor-piercing. Aboard them, faeries stood to their stations grimly as their newfangled forced lubrication and more powerful triple expansion engines allowed them to keep pace with the elderly protected cruisers screening them.

Bringing up the rear was San Francisco. Two years older then Olympia, she was also a Spanish-American War veteran, although she had never fired a shot in anger in the 'Glorious Little War'. She had been overlooked in favor of her more famous namesake who had won the Presidential Unit Citation on the hellish night of November 13th, 1942 in Ironbottom Sound off Guadalcanal. That would change tonight, her captain promised his crew, as he ordered her casemated six-inch rifles to be loaded.
-----------------------

Inside Olympia's conning tower, the faerie of George Dewey, Admiral of the Navy and a veteran of the Civil War and the Great War, glanced at the captain standing silently next to him. He stroked his bushy mustache and chuckled. "Long way from Manila Bay, Gridley. No?" He said in his nasal Vermont accent with a twinkle in his eye before packing tobacco into his pipe.

Beside him, the pale-faced officer chuckled hollowly. "At least this time I am not dying of cancer and having to argue with you to keep you from relieving me of duty before my boys went into action."

"True, true, Gridley." Dewey responded as he lit the pipe with a lucifer wood match. He squinted at the gun flashes ahead as the first shells screamed in as they hit the water around them. "Reminds me of running past the forts of New Orleans under Farragut in '62. Now he was a hard one, could chew iron and spit out nails. When we reach Fiddler's Green again, I'll introduce you to him. Speaking of, time to open this dance. Squadron turn to five points starboard."
Spoiler: The Battle Of Saco Bay

As the line shifted to clear their broadsides for action the first shell slammed into Olympia.

White hot splinters scythed across her decks and Dewey's eyes narrowed as he heard the screams of the wounded.

He took a pull on his pipe and then nodded.

"You may fire when you are ready, Gridley"

The rifles of the veterans of the Great White Fleet roared as their first salvos hammered into the mass of Abyssals ahead surrounding two misshapen giants. Torpedoes followed, fired blindly into the thick of the mob by all the ships.

Explosions blossomed and pale forms turned from fighting each other and the Wendigo to attack the new threat.
-----------------------

Dewey gave an impressed whistle as a deer-headed giant grabbed a screaming Abyssal and used her as a living flail on her distracted sisters. "Hot work tonight, Gridley."

Olympia shuddered as more shells slammed into her coal bunkers and belt and Chester staggered ahead of her then gritted her teeth and returned fire with her small guns at a destroyer coming for her. "Hotter than the devil's frying pan, sir."

"Sir, wireless message from Admiral Thomas, he's on the ground and hastening to our aid." The white faced midshipman trembled as the boy relayed the message over the mad thunder of the guns and the screams of the wounded and dying.

"Well done lad, wireless him to move Maine and Minnesota astern of San Francisco and engage at will." Dewey looked through the smoke from the cordite of his red-hot guns and the fires burning amidships in the smashed superstructure. "Enough work for all of us tonight."
-----------------------

An explosion turned night into day as astern of Olympia, Delaware's number one turret lifted off on a volcano of flame as a shell found her forward torpedo room, blowing the front quarter of her hull into scrap metal.

The crippled shipgirl screamed in agony and then roared her defiance with her three remaining turrets at a Ru-class Battleship in the point-blank savage death grapple.

Alongside her the Great White Fleet's obsolete shipgirls stood and delivered like women possessed as they held the Abyssals away from the town with desperate courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Slowly Delaware turned away to limp toward shore to beach herself before she foundered so she could fight as a shore battery as long as she drew breath.

Dewey puffed his pipe. "Signal North Dakota and San Francisco to tighten up and close that hole!"

The boiler explosion of the Ru punctuated his next words. "Hotter than the devil's frying pan indeed, Gridley."
-----------------------

"Sir! Urgent signal USS Pillsbury! 'MAKE A HOLE!' Message ends sir."

Dewey turned to look at the town and his pipe fell from nerveless fingers. "Good God," he whispered from an ashen face.
-----------------------

Spoiler: Fiendfyre

"oh...." Alondra David, natural born shipgirl of USS Pillsbury, whispered in shock at the creature that had just turned the seemingly innocent frame house into burning debris still falling through the night.

Beside her, Tina Goldstein turned ashen as the dragon formed of living white-hot flame screamed triumph in the voice of an inferno. The Auror gasped in terrified shock "Fiendfyre..."

As Alondra watched in awe, the fires set in town by the explosion suddenly shot tendrils of flame linking them to their monstrous parent. "Fiendfyre, what's fiendfyre?" she screamed half hysterically at the witch.

Tina gulped and licked bone dry lips, "Powerful Dark Magic. Those flames can't be extinguished, even with magical water, and if their caster loses control it will burn everything in it's path. Everything."

As if summoned by her words, the dragon looked their way with twin burning dark emerald eyes for an endless moment then cried out once more in a voice like molten bronze in agony. "DELILAH!!"

With that suddenly it flowed in a tsunami of flame in a direct line toward the lighthouse in the distance, avoiding the occupied houses, helicopters, and refugees. As it did, the lesser fires suddenly extinguished themselves, leaping to the body of the monstrous dragon as it shifted between serpentine and avian forms like a chimera, growing in strength and size to a skyscraper-sized mass of flame. "DELILAH!!"

Alondra gasped as she realized that this thing was being controlled by an ally and screamed at her radioman to order the shipgirls in its way to let it pass.

"MAKE A HOLE!"
-----------------------

Spoiler: The Love Of An Ifrit

In the bay, the combat tapered off as shipgirl and abyssal alike stared in disbelief at the battleship-sized flaming serpent-dragon coming through the night like a runaway train.

The flame spirit slammed into the ocean water and steam rose in a dense cloud obscuring vision as it headed toward the island

A cry of flame in mortal agony sounded and fresh tendrils of flame leapt to the fires burning aboard the battered shipgirls. "DELILAH!!"

Aboard Maine, her faeries watched in disbelief as the roaring coal bunker fires threatening to ignite her magazines suddenly snuffed themselves in an instant, cherry red-hot bulkheads starting to fade to normal under the streams of water from her hoses.

Abyssal shells screamed in and detonated on the dragon approaching as it came on unstoppably. Fresh billows of steam erupted and it began to visibly shrink. Then a tendril of flame leapt out to a nearby Chi-class cruiser who was burning from a shell hit from San Francisco.

A split second later, a firestorm enveloped the Chi from bow to stern and she detonated like a firecracker as every flammable substance aboard her flashed over.

The Abyssals broke and fled screaming as more tendrils lashed out, exploding them like popcorn.

On the island, the one surviving Kee-Wakw wendigo staggered toward a pile of corpses at the base of the lighthouse as it regenerated. Barely visible on a limp hand protruding from the bottom was a blood-covered platinum wedding ring with a Imperial Topaz glimmering with the same light as the fiery dragon that was approaching.

The dragon, now merely the size of a large house, staggered ashore on Wood Island. "DELILAH!!"

The Kee-wakw pulled the unmoving and blood-covered body of Delilah de Breuil out in its taloned hand and licked its lips.

For a brief instant, emerald eyes of flame met cold black eyes filled with insatiable hunger.

Then Wood Island exploded in a mushroom cloud of flame that rocked Kingsport.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Upon seeing his girlfriends' expressions, Haruto's went blank, "Somehow, I feel more in danger now than I have ever felt when crossing between the mainland and the island."

Smirk still on her face, Haruhime raised one eyebrow as she practically purred, "Is that so, Haruto-Kun~"

Before anyone else could say anything, Chikako stepped between the girls and Haruto with a huff before crossing her arms, "Don't worry, Haruto-Nii-San! I'll guard you!"

If anything, that made everyone amused and it took almost everything for the girls not to coo over the "Serious" expression the Nekomata had on her face. Lips twitching, and coughing to cover up a laugh, Haruto looked down at her, "So you'll guard me while I get changed and make sure that your Nee-Sans can't bother me while I do so, then?"

With a sharp nod, Chikako puffed out her chest before thrusting her fist into the air, "HAI, NYAA!"

Lips still twitching madly, Haruto patted her on the head, "Thank you, Chikako-Chan, I know that you will be able to keep them from doing anything with me while I get changed."

Giving them all a wink, he went behind the rock to do exactly that as Chikako stood in their way. With an amused look at the others, Hachimitsu stalked forward, only for the Neko to step in her way, "Come on now, Chikako-Chan, let Hachimitsu-Onee-Chan past? She needs to peek in on Haruto-Kun after all."

All Chikako did was narrow her eyes some, "No! I'm guarding Haruto-Nii-San!" She then wagged a finger at the Kitsune, "So you're not going to get past me!"

Unable to help herself from giggling madly, Mikage moved to the side, only for one of the Neko's tails to move in her way, brushing under her nose. Sneezing a bit, she blinked, "Hey now."

Hopping over, the Nekomata stretched out an arm, "No!" When Haruhime tried, she got Chikako leaping in front of her and bopping her on the head, "You too, Haruhime-Nee-San!"

Just rubbing the top of her head, the red haired Kitsune pouted, "Now that is being mean..." Then, she grinned, "But you shall fail just the same!"

Each of the three Kitsune tried to get past the smaller Yokai, only for Chikako to block each one. Glancing at the pouting fox Yokai, Mie stepped forward, "Chikako-Chan, if you let us by, I'll make sure to get you plenty of fresh fish, right from the ocean. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Chikako swallowed some as her ears and tails twitched, "M-munya? Fresh fish?"

Slowly grinning, Mie nodded, "That's right, fresh fish. Right from the ocean too, as much as you might want. You just need to let your Nee-Sans get by to see Haruto-Kun."

Beside her sister, Ichika wagged a finger, "I'll even make sure to throw in that rock candy that looks like gems you like so much. All you need to do is let us by, that's all... You can even tell him that all five of us ganged up on you..."

On the young Nekomata's forehead, sweat began to gather. It was true that she adored and loved fresh fish. And the rock candy that she really liked looked just like gemstones of various kinds. Haruto sometimes got her to do things, like helping clean up the hut, in exchange for said candies. But being reminded of that...

She was also reminded of what she was doing.

Quickly, she crossed her arms with a scowl, "No! I won't let you past! Not even for fresh fish and gemstones, nyaa!"

Despite their cajoling, their attempted bribery, and the like however, none of the older girls succeeded and Haruto called out before Chikako gave in, "Thank you, Chikako-Chan." Stepping out from behind the rocks, he looked down at the Nekomata and rubbed her between the ears, "I was safe because of you."

Brightly smiling, Chikako gave a sharp nod, "Hai!" Then she blinked and cocked her head to the side, "What's with them, Nii-San?"

With a glance at them, he gave a slight chuckle, "They're just being really silly, that's all, Chikako-Chan."

More than a little confused, the Neko shrugged it off even as the older girls continued to look Haruto over with slight blushes on their face. Mainly due to the fact that all he had on him was swim trunks, with the rest showing that he lived a very active life. Between running back and forth over the island with his healer's bag, helping out wherever needed with various things including helping to lift cargo off his boat, he had gained a wiry physique that got looks from the opposite sex.

Inside Hachimitsu's head, she giggled a little, 'Oh yes~ We are very, very lucky vixens...'

Glancing at the older girls, Chikako blinked before frowning and leaning towards Haruto. Placing her hand beside her mouth, she glanced back at the other female Yokai, "Haruto-Nii-San, are they hungry? Because they're drooling, Nya..."

Just patting her on the head, he gave an unsure chuckle, "Um... maybe?"

A giggle escaped from Haruhime as she leered and gave him a once over, "Oh, we're hungry alright, for some real meat."

Not impressed, Chikako frowned before wagging a finger, "Lunch time is in a few hours though, so you'll have to wait."

Coughing into his hand, Haruto looked away, "Uh... how about we get some sunscreen onto you? That way, you don't get sunburned."

That got him a pout from the Nekomata as she allowed herself to be lead away, "I don't like sunscreen, it smells funny. And makes me sneeze..."

Mie shook her head a little before wagging her hand, "Perhaps, Chikako-Chan. But better that than getting a sunburn after all. And sunburns are not fun, are they?"

Rapidly shaking her head, Chikako grimaced, "No, they hurt, a lot."

Having sat down, Haruto pulled out a bottle of sunscreen roughly the size of a large shampoo bottle. As he squeezed out a little, Mikage sat down next to him as she glanced at it, her tail swishing behind her, "You handed out a lot of those this year again."

With a glance at her, he gave a small nod, "Hai, I have. But they help stop people from getting sunburned, especially the children, Mikage-Chan." As Haruto began to rub the sunblock onto Chikako's arms, he continued, "Besides, its not that much work for me. All I have to do is buy those travel size tubes of sunscreen the No-Maj have, cast an engorgement charm, and there's enough to do the entire summer."

Simply giving him the point with a nod, Mikage shook her head, "True, Haruto-Kun. And it does help out a lot with the children." Watching as he moved on to Chikako's neck and shoulders, while having given the little Yokai some to put on her legs, she smiled, "Less sunburns at least."

Only shrugging his shoulder, Haruto shook his head, "Which means less work for me. Granted, I have that aloe plant to make some burn soothing cream with, but still. Best to prevent it to cut down on the amount that I need."

Listening with half an ear, Chikako scrunched up her nose as he rubbed some there before sneezing, 'I hate this, Nya...' Once it was done though, she jumped up and looked back, "Are we going into the water, Haruto-Nii-San?"

About to answer, the Healer was stopped as Haruhime placed her arms over his shoulders with a grin, "Only after he puts sunscreen on us and we get to return the favor, Chikako-Chan. But it will be a few minutes, so you can have a look around."

Confused, the Neko tilted her head and blinked before shrugging it off and running off, "Okay!'

Lightly blushing, Haruto chuckled a little, "Haruhime-Chan?"

Still grinning, the Kitsune in question leaned more into him which made him blush a bit more due to how her front pressed into his back, "Don't worry, Haruto-Kun. We're going to do exactly what we told her, though it should be... enjoyable, for all of us." Nipping his ear lightly, she let out a low growl, "But seeing you with Chikako-Chan and how you treat her... it makes our boilers run hot. I cannot wait for the day when we have your children, Haruto-Kun. Because you will be a great Otou-San to all of them, no matter what."

Twisting his head around, Haruto cupped her chin and pulled her into a kiss that deepened for a few seconds before pulling away, breathless, "And I can't wait for that day either..."

As promised, it did not take long for the others to put on their own sunscreen and soon they joined Chikako down at the water's edge as the Neko would walk forward until a wave washed up, and then back up only to repeat. Not a single one of them did not find that cute and adorable. Leaning forward, Hachimitsu smiled at her which was partially because she could feel Haruto's stare behind her, "Scared of the water?"

However, Chikako shook her head, "No." Looking at the water, she placed it in and smiled a bit before frowning, "But... I don't know how to swim or how to have fun at the beach..."

Coming up on her other side, the teenage boy crouched down, "Well, that's easily fixed. I can teach you a little about swimming if you want. And then we can have some fun on the beach as well."

Eyes widening, Chikako nodded, "I would like that, Nya."

In reply, Haruto held out his hand which she took as he lead her further into the water, the warm water lapping at his shins, "Okay, we'll start with the basics then, just floating." Roughly an hour later found him basically sitting down in the water holding out his hand as Chikako swam towards him in the shallows, "Almost there, Chikako-Chan!"

Narrowing her eyes a bit, the Neko swam a bit faster until she lunged the last few feet into his arms, "Munya!"

Unable to help himself, Haruto laughed as he held her, and gave her nose a nuzzle which brought a blush to the young Nekomata, "Great job, Chikako-Chan! Excellent even!" Looking towards the others, who were lounging in the shallows, he grinned, "What do you bunch think?"

Clapping her hands together, Mie smiled, "That really was a great job, Chikako-Chan!"

Beside her twin sister, Ichika grinned and gave the younger Yokai a thumbs up, "Wicked! Soon you'll be swimming like you were in the Olympics even! Just you watch and wait!"

With a smile on her face, Chikako gave a thumbs up back, "Hai, I'm wicked!"

Meanwhile, Hachimitsu flicked the grinning Inugami's ears, "Don't be teaching her that language." ignoring the grumbling, she turned back to Chikako and clapped her hands followed by the others, "You did a great job though, Chikako-Chan. A natural, you really are."

That made the Nekomata blush as she buried her face in Haruto's neck, "Thank you..." Feeling Haruto's fingers go through her wet hair as he patted her, she blinked and looked up, "Haruto-Nii-San?"

Looking down at her, he smiled and his next words got a gasp from her, "I'm really proud of you, Chikako-Chan."

For a few moments, Chikako just stared at him before sniffling as she felt tears prickle at her eyes and hugging him even tighter, "Nii-San..."

Softly smiling, he looked at the older girls, and they nodded at him. Haruto then turned back to Chikako and hummed, "Chikako-Chan? Do you trust me?" At her blink and nod, he began moving backwards, "Okay, we'll go a bit deeper. Just trust me, I won't let you go, okay?"

Noticing the water getting deeper, she nodded, "Mm-hm..."

Haruto continued backwards while keeping an eye out for any deep spots in the cove, not that he expected there to be much. The water was only deep enough that when he measured the deeper areas, it was eight feet deep. And it was kept that way via aquatic Yokai dregging it using buckets they filled with sand and transported elsewhere. Hence, it was a very safe area for children to swim in.

Once he was deep enough that the water lapped at his neck as he stood up, Haruto came to a stop. Feeling the Nekomata tightly holding onto him, he rubbed her back a little, "Hey, look at me, Chikako-Chan." When she did so, he smiled, "It's fine, I'm right here, okay?"

Yet again, she buried her face in his neck as she held on tightly, "Hai..."

Between the feel of the warm saltwater around them, him holding her as he rubbed her back, Chikako closed her eyes and let out a purr as it felt nice and safe.

After a minute or two, Haruto smiled at her, "Chikako-Chan?" When she opened her eyes, he continued, "Now, I'm going to duck under the water with you, okay? Nothing will happen and as soon as you want, we'll surface."

Getting an unsure nod, he took a deep breath with her following before ducking under the surface with her. Blinking her eyes, Chikako looked around as a bubble or two escaped her mouth and nose, only to turn back to find Haruto smiling at her as the sunlight danced from above. Despite being underwater, she felt... safe, 'Haruto-Nii-San...'

It was only a minute later that he rose back up and the two broke the surface. Blinking away seawater from her eyes, the Neko whipped her head back and forth, which made Haruto laugh, "Hey now!"

However, all she did was smile back at him and close her eyes, "Nya..."

Both of them swam around a bit before he brought her back to shore where the others were waiting and clapping, which made Chikako blush. Then, Ichika brought out a beachball which she tossed up and down in one hand, "So, whose ready for some beach fun?"

Shooting her hand into the air, Chikako smiled, "I am!"

Lips twitching, Ichika bouced the ball off her wrist towards the Neko who caught it and stumbled back into the water before falling onto her behind. Rather than be angry or hurt, she giggled and got to her feet before tossing the ball to Haruhime, who bounced it towards Mie. Soon, the air filled with laughter and the like as they bounced the ball back and forth in the shallows.

Shortly after lunch, however, Mie took Chikako off to explore a bit and see what sort of interesting shells they might find near the seawall, which had a beach on the other side of it. Haruto, who was standing ankle deep in the water, did not have long to ponder on it when a Kitsune leapt onto him and the two tumbled into the shallows. Spitting out some water, the Healer blinked and flushed some at Hachimitsu straddling him as his hands went to her sides, "Hachimitsu-Chan?"

Humming, she pressed herself against him before kissing him and pulling back, "Mmm... now we have some our time..."

With a glance towards where the Nekomata had gone, Haruto winced, "Sorry about that, I know that with her around-"

Finger pressed against his lips, Hachimitsu leaned in, "Don't ever say you're sorry about it, Haruto-Kun. Firstly, because we all know that you are not. And secondly..." Her expression softened as she pressed herself into him, "Secondly, Chikako-Chan is a precious member of our family and we will not hear for such, you understand?"

Chuckling as he gave her a soft smile, Haruto gave her a soft kiss, "Hai."

Quirking her lips a little into a smirk, the blonde Kitsune shook her head some before kissing him again, almost immediately deepening it with a soft growl. Breathless, the two pulled back a minute later, only for her to snort, "There's only one thing that could make this better..." At his confused look, Hachimitsu reached down and took his hands off her sides and placed them lower, so that he could feel both fabric and skin under them, "There."

Flushed, the teenage boy looked up at his girlfriend, "Hachimitsu-Chan? B-but..."

Just shaking her head, she chuckled, "Haruto-Kun, you're our boyfriend. And we already told you that you can touch us where and however you want." Pausing, Hachimitsu gave a shrug, "Well, at least when not around Chikako-Chan, she's too young to see that sort of thing."

Stealing another kiss, which deepened, Haruto hummed, "True enough..."

Upon feeling splashes against him, he found that Mikage and Haruhime had leand down beside him, while Ichika kept a look out and a grin on her face as the three Kitsune enjoyed the private time they had. Though she did snicker a bit when Haruto groaned as Mikage gently scratched him as the two made out.

Later, when Mie returned, both her and her sister walked off with Haruto as the Kitsune played with Chikako. And when Haruto got back, he had all sorts of red marks on his neck and shoulders, which he explained were insect bites. The Nekomata had wagged her finger at him and, much to his embarrassment and the amusement of his girlfriends, told him he should have bug spray. Of course, Chikako followed that up by using his lap as a pillow as she dozed off in the Sun with a happy smile.

_______________________________________________________________

The group had stayed at the beach until the Sun began to set, upon which time they returned home. After a quick, simple dinner, they all went to the bath and washed off the accumulated salt and sand from their bodies. With that done, they all had entered the bath together as the stars came out above.

Leaning back in the bath, Haruto smiled a little as the tired Chikako sat in Mie's lap, eyes half closed before he blushed as Mikage then sat in his lap, "Mikage-Chan!"

The bluette looked over her shoulder with a slight smirk as she giggled before whispering, "Don't worry, Haruto-Kun, nothing else is going to happen as I know your rule about nothing like that before marriage. But... that does not mean that I can't enjoy some things~"

Just softly groaning as he pinched his nose, Haruto sighed, "And frustrate the heck out of me." That got giggles from the others which made him smile as well before a soft 'Eep' came from Mikage as he slipped his hands around her midsection and held her close as he growled into her ear, "Really frustrate me."

Giggling a little, Mie shook her head as she continued to gently pat Chikako's head as said Nekomata leaned against her, "Speaking of, Haruto-Kun... when do you think that you might, um..."

With a soft sigh, Haruto leaned back and looked at the stars, "I... don't know, but it will be pretty soon." His mind went to the rings he had already bought for them before he shook it off, "Most of Kyushu has already thrown in for Kyoto-"

Ichika brought up one hand and shrugged, "Actually? Word came over the wireless that all of Kyushu just voted to secede from Tokyo and join Kyoto."

That made him blink a little, "Really?" At the nods from the others, Haruto frowned a little, "Huh... guess that means that the full collapse is coming sooner than expected." Shaking his head, he sighed, "Anyways, once Kyoto takes over... then I'll be able to ask you all for your hands in marriage. And we can get married, Otou-San and Okaa-San both said that they approve."

A soft look on her face, Mikage reached down and placed her hand over his, which laid upon her stomach, "Hai... and we can't wait." Leaning back into him some more, she sighed, "Seeing you with Chikako-Chan, well... it makes us look forward to when you give us children. Because we know that you will be a wonderful Otou-San for them."

From where she sat in the slightly cramped tub, arms over the sides, Haruhime nodded, "Hai, Nee-San is right about that."

Humming, Mie gave a nod of her own, "Our pups will be wonderful and have a wonderful Otou-San."

Lightly blushing, Haruto smiled a bit, "Thank you." Hearing a soft murmur from Chikako, he smiled a bit at her, "Poor thing... she's all tuckered out."

A smile on her face, Mie cupped her hand into the water before bringing it up and releasing the water on Chikako. Smoothing out the Neko's hair, she leaned down and gently kissed her on the head, "Hai, but then she's had a very busy day. At least she will sleep well tonight."

With his eyes meeting hers, Haruto was once more struck with how lucky he really was. And later, when they got out of the bath and laid down to sleep, he gave each of his girlfriends a goodnight kiss, which they returned, followed by kissing Chikako between the ears and making the ten year old purr in her nearly asleep state. As he closed his eyes, he wished them all the happiness he could and once more thanked whoever allowed them into his life...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-I may regret this snip, but there are necessarily some MACUSA/TOTEM segments covering the fallout of Kingsport and also showing what the No-Maj USG is doing to make ready for the Statute. Since that is a hot-button item in the past for some people's revenge porn fantasies, but is a necessary step in the world-building, I'm letting it known right now that any kind of ITG behavior or similar actions will get reported by me as soon as I see it. FFS keep the criticism constructive, think twice before you post on that subject, ask yourself how it will look to other people, especially if it might be seen as touching on RL issues with the US/US policies, and don't try to back-seat author me here, folks.

(Also regarding MACUSA's reaction, Obliviations and memory fuckery to keep the Masquerade up go both ways. Keep that in mind when you read Raven and Laird.)

A Winter's Shadow Over Kingsport (Epilogues)

13 July 2014

Wood Island, Saco Bay, Maine, USA

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Alondra David stared as the dragon made of flame passed them to head to the sound of guns, the heat radiating from it causing her to shudder. She then looked at Tina Goldstein and at the paralyzed and staring form of Lavinia Whateley at their feet.

"Good God in His Heaven," she whispered in awe at the trail of destruction that the Fiendfyre construct left as it burned everything save the people and helicopters in its path in instants, leaving smoking ash and cinders in its wake.

"Impossible...." Came the shaken mental voice of the wide-eyed TOTEM researcher. "Our spell... no wizard could do that...."

Pillsbury looked at the ringleader of Project LORELEI. "Andrews, get her out and under shipgirl guard! We need information and she is our best lead. You have a way to restrain wizards, right Tina?"

Tina nodded and then slipped another enchanted bag over Whateley's head, producing a squawk. "Just cuff her so she can't run or remove this. She won't suffocate and spell-casting without sight is tough enough without a gag and distractions. ALADDIN did good work with this setup."

"ALADDIN?" Alondra asked as they followed the trail of utter destruction that the dragon had left.

"Our... My agency's in-house R&D unit. New spells, potions, and enchanted items don't grow themselves on trees. That came out of a no-maj book about police that Del gave them back... in 1994 I believe. Lone Star?" Tina explained as the firing ahead began to slack off.

Alondra began to laugh hysterically, remembering her time in the Marine Corps and then the FBI, with a fair amount of hurry up and wait as she and her unit waited for orders or data to come in. Role playing games were one of her hobbies and ways to pass the time while on alert and she had game mastered Shadowrun. "No fucking way! Wiz, chummer, you crazy fuckers actually made a magemask!" A pause as they watched the Dragon reach the island. "I wonder how I can get Accounting to sign off on a couple dozen for the Hostage Rescue Teams as part of our kit."

A split second later the Dragon erupted in an explosion that devoured Wood Island to the granite bedrock.

Tina suddenly screamed in pain and grasped her waist where Delilah's revolver was glowing red hot. "shitshitshit... OW!"

Alondra grabbed the smoking handgun and stepped to shield the witch if it exploded. Black powder popped and smoked in the chambers but somehow did not detonate. "What the hell was THAT?"

"I don't know, Delilah's no-maj revolver never did that, although she has had it enchanted to a fare-thee-well," Tina hissed between swigs of a healing potion for her burned hip and leg, "she loves that thing, she really does. Hell of a shot with it too, really any kind of nomaj firearm."

Alondra squinted at the revolver in question. "1847 Colt Dragoon." Tina looked at the shipgirl and got a shrug. "Assistant Engineer was a major firearms collector, crew called him 'Nine Mill Bill' behind his back. Really rare gun, wonder when she got it. Beautiful one though, that damn cowgirl Houston would be drooling all over it if she was here. Wait...what the hell? It's got an incorrect serial number for the production run, must be MACUSA fuckery for some reason. Here you go."

Tina took the revolver back like she was handling a hatchling Basilisk thanks to her husband Newt. "Thanks. In fact," the witch paused and resumed in a slower thoughtful voice as the smoke and steam ahead began to clear, "I have never seen Del in all the decades I have known her to be without this gun around her. I wonder..... Dammit, I wish Newt was here, he's the Magizoology expert."
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Spoiler: Wood Island

"...For about twenty feet aft of Mount No. 3 the main deck is like a sieve with many small holes and 24 holes at least one foot in diameter. The same is true of the superstructure deck in the vicinity of the after 40mm mounts..." -- USS Laffey (DD-724) excerpted from damage report April 16th, 1945

Alondra stared in disbelief at the carnage in the bay.

Oil patches burned, dead Abyssal bodies were floating, and four Viking-looking Abyssals were kneeling under guard of the shipgirls. All of whom looked more like barely floating scrap piles than anything else. The only thing that Alondra could think of that approximated was seeing USS Laffey after the destroyer had somehow survived twenty-two kamikaze attacks during eighty minutes of hell off Okinawa on April 16th 1945. Behind them all Wood Island smouldered and steamed like an active volcano

Then Alondra stopped dead and snapped to attention before saluting the seven bloody and battered shipgirls ahead. Beside Alondra, Tina followed suit. "I... don't have words to say that can give you the honor that you have all earned tonight." she whispered with tears in her eyes as Olympia gave a vacant stare as she returned the salute automatically like a broken puppet. "Stand down, the Little Beavers are on the ground now and half of LANTFLEET's hot on their heels."

Alondra looked at the near-dead members of her shipgirl command. "We have a team behind me to airlift you to Boston and Nestor's waiting at the repair docks. I need a triage for who medevacs first. DESRON 23 radioed me to tell you that the Taffies are so taking your sleeves for this." Alondra swallowed around the lump of pride in her throat the size of one of her boilers. "And I'll take it all the way to SECNAV Almighty Himself to push for the Presidential Unit Commendation."

Olympia looked through her with a thousand-yard stare. "The town?" she spoke in an exhausted hoarse voice.

Alondra spoke with quiet pride. "Safe now. Thanks to you."
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Alondra gave a low whistle as she surveyed the island.

The waves were still steaming in places where they broke against the red-hot rocks on the shoreline.

Her faeries played their fire hoses to cool down their path ahead as she and Tina picked their way forward. Beside her, the witch cast fire suppression and cooling charms.

"Del! Emma!" The two called through the smoke filled air.

Only the pop and hiss of dying fires answered them. Those and the Abyssal corpses littering the shore and the land.

Tina paused several dozen paces in and whistled. She then cast a spell to cool down a Re-class corpse. The tail and torso was missing chunks thanks to heavy-caliber shellfire from other Abyssals... and apparently shotgun blasts, and her head was impaled by a Bowie knife that had been slammed through her brainstem from behind and left in the dead Abyssal. Tina looked at the corpse with an awed expression. "Del's knife. She made it this far at least."

Alondra removed the knife from the corpse with some difficulty. "I'll keep this till I can give it back to her."

Tina nodded. "I hope so... if not?" The witch and shipgirl detoured around a pool of still glowing granite lava. "She took one hell of an escort to Valhalla with her tonight. Both of them did."

Alondra gave a sober nod as they continued their walk through the aftermath. "That one... got eaten."

Tina shuddered and clutched her wand tighter as they followed the trail of carnage and destruction.
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Presently they reached the half-melted granite stub of the lighthouse. It drooped and slumped like a wax candle model of a lighthouse that had been attacked by a maniac with a blowtorch.

Alondra's eyes widened in shock. To one side was the outline of a massive horned and hideous giant the size of a house that had been charred into the very stone itself by the force of the flames.

Next to it, in a pool of their own blood, two bodies lay unmoving.

"Del! Emma!" The witch and shipgirl rushed there and then stopped.

Delilah lay like a broken toy with an arm and both legs clearly shattered and torn. Her torso was blood-covered with pink-white ribs showing and a bloody froth covered her coldly smiling lips, barely distinguishable among the bleeding and torn flesh of her head. Delilah's broken arm still clutched in a severely frostbitten hand her emptied shotgun with shattered stock and scorched barrel.

The other hand was clutched by Zamarad in an unbreakable death grip. A wedding ring of goblin silver and fire agate clutched one of orange topaz that weakly shone in the light of the nearby fires in a platinum and diamond flame setting.

The Ifrit was smoking and steaming and covered with terrible third-degree burns from head to toe. Alondra swallowed down bile at the memory of a drug bust gone bad when a meth lab in Illinois exploded and killed the cartel members manufacturing. This was far worse than what had happened to them.

Beside her, Tina took a deep breath. "I hope this works. I really wish Newt was here to let me know if my guess about Emma is right. Alondra... please don't stop me."

She waved her wand over the Ifrit "Incendio!"

Before Alondra's shocked and horrified eyes, a rope of flame leapt from the tip of Tina's wand to Zamarad's body and was absorbed. "What are you doing!?!?" she shouted, barely restraining herself from grabbing the witch and shaking sense into her with her full 6,000 horsepower

Tina continued pouring fire into the body. "I think she is a jinn. Arabian fire spirit. Newt told me about them once; he's the premier expert on Magizoology. He has branched out from the study of Beasts to sentient non-humans in his studies like Centaurs and Merfolk."

Alondra blinked. "Then the dragon?"

"Was her, yes. It all fits, she's from the Middle East, you saw what she did, and jinn are known to be 'the rulers of flame' according to the local folklore Newt studied." Tina responded. "I'm trying to reignite her so she can draw power from the fire. If she didn't get extinguished by the water and how much of her essence she expended doing what she did."

Alondra nodded and then pulled a jerrycan of diesel fuel from her stores. "This is no crazier than anything else tonight. Let me help." She carefully poured the petroleum fuel over Zamarad's body and Tina ignited it to try to revive her as Alondra's medical faeries tended to Delilah's wounds aided by healing spells cast by the witch.
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16 July 2014

MACUSA Headquarters, Woolworth Building, New York City

Athena Laird stared at the Raven-masked mage who was the only other person present in her office. "Repeat that?!" she said with a glare at the TOTEM researcher.

"We were running another test of the LORELEI system that is intended to buy time for PILGRIM tokens to be manufactured and distributed. The spike of magical energies attracted some Abyssals that penetrated the obscuring wards around Kingsport and attacked the town. Casualties were heavy and the town was severely damaged in the fighting before a shipgirl patrol arrived offshore and the Abyssals withdrew to engage them." Raven sighed. "Also Shark or someone tripped the Fiendfyre security measure for LORELEI and the discharge rampaged through town in the confusion before dissipating. Hence many of the bodies were burned to unrecognizable remains when we surveyed the scene this morning."

"Shark..." Athena thought out loud, "that was... is... your researcher there? I remember that in the brief unclassified summary you gave me for authorization right after Blood Week and then the verbal after you opened up MAYFLOWER."

Raven nodded. "Yes. She was brilliant really; one of our best and brightest. There's no field of knowledge that she would allow to remain unplumbed. LORELEI was based on a nexus of power on an island near Kingsport similar to Crater Lake. When it was settled in 1698, we determined that the nexus was some form of an ancient weather control device. Which we used to protect Kingsport by summoning storms to discourage no-maj shipping. Add in the land approach is trackless forest which is both warded heavily with the usual concealing charms and very rugged to boot and it was perfect for the village to remain unobserved."

Athena nodded along, "And this would buy time HOW exactly? No bullshit, Raven."

"When the Abyssals appeared, fascinating creatures really, we realized that the nexus could be used to pacify them and cause them to visibly work together with the right raw materials used in the activating rituals. A larger and more dangerous Abyssal presence off the coast of New England would force no-maj eyes outward to the seas as they thought a second Blood Week was nigh. Also that points the Scourers at the shipgirls as they become more prominent in no-maj eyes as 'their line of defense'. So while the no-maj cat is away, us magical mice will play." Raven shrugged as he continued, "we even had hopes that we could turn the Abyssals to our will to use as protectors similar to how the no-maj claim the shipgirls are. Plus duplicating the LORELEI Nexus effect on other sites of power we control such as Crater Lake, Mesa Verde, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, Mammoth Cavern, or use it to control the shipgirls alongside Abyssals. They are, after all, just spirits."

Athena looked hard at Raven. "So now what?"

Raven sighed. "Between the damage to the wards and the damage to the town, plus the destruction of the LORELEI nexus, we shall have to inactivate the project until after MAYFLOWER runs its course. The survivors can be relocated to Cahokia, Roanoke Colony, or other hidden villages easily enough, there are only about thirty of the hundred and ten souls present. As for the Masquerade? If the no-maj stumble across one more small seaside town destroyed by Abyssals and then abandoned, it will pass unnoticed."

"Good. We dodged a Killing Curse here. Now, what is the status on PILGRIM's progress?"
----------------------------------

17 July 2014

Cactus Forest Subdivision, City of Florence, Arizona
Spoiler: A New Life Of Freedom...

"And here is your new house Ms. Marsh." The olive skinned and dark-haired small town realtor gave the pale skinned and red-eyed albino witch a friendly smile as he opened the front door on the tidy house in the exurban subdivision. "don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or worries about your new life. Also, we have a 'Welcome to Arizona' barbecue laid on at the school two blocks down the road there at noon, and my wife Dagobert makes potato salad to die for. I hope to see you there before it is all gone."

Ishtar Marsh blinked at the man as her two small children dashed inside to examine their new life. "I don't believe this, Mr. Lysander. What brought this on?"

Alexandros Lysander walked her to the pre-furnished family room and guided her to a new sofa. "Back in the 1980s, when Uncle Sam became aware that the statue of secrecy was coming down, we started a program to help people like you transition to what you call the no-maj world. At first it was Squibs who our allies on the magical side lied about Obliviating and sent to us. So we established these safe communities as a halfway house where you are surrounded by magical neighbors and those of us like me who know about the existence of magic. It was an outgrowth of the means we, and by we I mean my old job in DEA, did to hide witnesses who the cartels wanted dead. But instead of a narcotraficante hit squad or Mafia assassins for the FBI, we conceal you from the Scourers -- yes we know about those domestic terrorists! -- give you federal funds to buy the necessities of life initially, job training and schooling, and then let you live the American Dream."

The witch followed along, "I suppose as a Mediwitch I will wind up helping heal people?"

"If you have the calling, yes. Meanwhile your two sons will go to school with both magical and non-magical children. Just don't be surprised to have one of them get interested in non-magical girls in a few years if they stay here. That's what happened to Dagobert after she moved here in 2006 as a Squib. Eight years happily married next month." Alexandros said with a happy grin. "The FBI said your two are six and three?"

Ishtar smiled, "Yes, yes they are. Their father died last year. Storm at sea got his fishing boat." Her face dimmed.

"Ahh, well when they enroll in kindergarten, I'll call Ms. Varnell and see if your oldest can get put in my daughter Aphrodite's class. Ms. Varnell is a great teacher." Alexandros spoke sympathetically. "And I can relate, before we came to America, my family lived on Delos and we gave our own sacrifices to the sea then according to the old family stories from my grandmother who heard them from her grandmother."

Ishtar sighed, "And those of us who... well...?"

Alexandros became more solemn, "That's sticky since the Sixth Amendment gives us all a speedy and public trial in front of a jury of our peers. never mind it could be argued -- and no doubt will by the lawyers! -- that your home town of Kingsport was part of a different sovereign country than the US and therefore not inhabited by citizens under the Consitution. So the workaround is holding those of you accused of federal felonies under US law in pretrial detention until the Statute collapses enough that we can then go to the other part of the executive order, which is impanel a grand jury within 15 days and begin criminal proceedings then with all due process rights and all defense lawyers of the defendant's choice paid for by Uncle Sam. The detention is cross-checked by sworn officers of the judicial branch who record everything us in the excutive branch does while this goes on. We had the Executive order signed and then confirmed by the Supreme Court in closed special session after they were briefed in on magic, so it is Constitutional. Barely." He thought about the Federal Magical Supermax prison that had been constructed on the far side of Florence to hold the thirty-three individuals arrested by the Kingsport Raid until their trial.
----------------------------------

Spoiler: ...Can Only Be Purchased In One Coin

16 July, 2014

Zuchi, Japan

"Letter for you, Norimune!" Akutoku called. "Owl Mail no less."

Norimune blinked and examined the return address. "New York, it must be from Delilah."

Akutoku muttered something nasty under her breath that Norimune elected to ignore as she broke the black sealing wax.

14 July, 2014

Dear Norimune,

Our daughter had asked me not to write you until you were ready to initiate contact with me, but Man Proposes and God Disposes.

You should know that yesterday Delilah led an Auror raid on a magical terrorist cell. During the fighting, which was complicated by an Abyssal attack on the magical village where the action was going down, our daughter and daughter-in-law were critically injured saving innocents from a terrible fate.

I do not know when or if either will ever awaken from the comas that they are currently in.

I shall write you immediately to inform of any change in their condition. I just pray that you are reading my letters and not returning them unanswered as what had happened before.

I am sorry that I must speak to you after so long with such ill news, you truly do not deserve for me to redouble the wounds upon your heart. Truly we hurt that which we most love.

I close with my prayers for your health and healing as I have prayed every night since we spoke last.

Your humble servant,

Jézabel de Breuil

Akutoku, looking over Norimune's shoulder, whispered."Fuck me, I never wanted THAT for that little car-stealing bitch." She then grasped her sister in a crushing hug as the Unrepentant Blade cried in heartbroken grief.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Moving quickly, though not running, the shadow made its way along the dirt road until reaching a hut in the village. For a brief moment, they grumbled about being out of shape and how much Sensei would be disappointed in them for that before raising their hand and knocking. Inside the hut, ears twitched at the knocking and several pairs of eyes opened. A frown on his face, Haruto muttered a spell and his wand lit up with numerals appearing above his hand. For several seconds, he blinked as he stared at the numbers, the ones at the far end moving upwards, "It's after twelve? Who..."

When the knocks came again, the others moved to let him up even as Chikako sat up and rubbed at her eyes, "Who is that, mmnya? I was having a nice dream with Nii-San giving me lotsa tuna..."

That got her looks of amusement from the others as well as head shaking before Haruto patted her on the head, "I don't know who it is, but I'll go and find out." Throwing on a cloak, he walked to the door and opened it before blinking, "Sunada-San? What are you doing here?" Eyes narrowing, the Healer frowned, "Did something happen?"

Glancing past him, Sunada raised one eyebrow at the female Yokai before turning back to Haruto. Internally, he gave a low whistle without it showing on his face, 'Very good taste...'

Then, he gave a mental shrug and shake of the head. After all, the old Auror unlike others was not a pervert. Which was not to say that he could not appreciate the female form like the piece of art he considered it as, but go no further than giving the odd look and perhaps nod. He did have a wife after all and he was loyal to her.

Besides, he was here because he had a job to do.

Clearing his throat, Sunada nodded a short distance away, "Something came up, Haruto-San. Rather important as well... mind if we take a few steps away."

Suspicious, Haruto narrowed his eyes some, but when he got no reply gave a nod, "Very well, Sunada-San." Once they were a few feet away, he watched as the older wizard pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the tip glowing orange in the darkness, "You realize that those will kill you one day."

With a shrug, the older man chuckled, "Maybe, but other things have tried and failed, so it has as much chance as anything else." Pulling it from his lips, he let out a stream of smoke, "Besides, it is pretty much my only vice and we're not in your clinic, Kid."

Only shaking his head at that, Haruto frowned, "What's going on that is so important that you would come to see me this late at night? And want to speak to me privately?"

For a few moments, Sunada stood there as he took another long drag of his cigarette with the tip glowing. Once he was done, he let out a soft sigh, "You hear about what happened earlier today? With Kyushu going fully for Kyoto?"

A frown on his face, the Healer nodded a little, "Hai? I did hear about that... Does this have to do with this?"

Chuckles escaped from Sunada before he grunted, "You could say that." Shoving his hands into his pockets, he looked at Haruto's hut. Oh, he was no idiot, he knew that they were listening in. Yokai senses were not to be trifled with after all. But... the distance was enough that most would understand the meaning. Turning back, the old Auror looked all his nearly seventy years, "We just got orders from up on high, Haruto-San."

That made Haruto blink a little, "Orders? What sort of orders...?" Furrowing his eyebrows, he gave the other man an unsure look, "And why do you keep running around telling me what is happening?"

Pulling a scroll from his coat, the old wizard handed it to him with his next words hitting the Healer like a punch to the gut, "We're pulling out. Everyone is back at the Fort packing right now and getting ready to leave in an hour." He gave a small shrug and shook his head, "I don't have much shit up there so I was able to pack quick and come see you."

Utterly stunned at what he was hearing, Haruto boggled at him before quickly opening the scroll, "What the fuck?! They're pulling out?"

Taking another drag, Sunada hummed a bit, "Hai, they are as a matter of fact. Everyone is to be off the island in one hour. We're not the only one as the other Reserves in Kyushu are in the same situation." Letting out another stream of smoke, which curled around his head like a cloud, the old Auror grunted, "Hence why I came to see you and not one of the others." Glancing at the hut, he grimaced a bit around his cigarette, "For obvious reasons."

Still reading for a fourth time, Haruto ran a hand through his hair, "What in the hell... when is Kyoto supposed to arrive then to take over? There's nothing here about a hand over..." Having spotted the expression on the Auror's face, he paled, "Please don't tell me..."

Sunada growled softly and the smoke cloud around his head seemed to become more of a thundercloud, lit from below by the orange tip of his cigarette, "Kid, I'm going to level with you, this whole thing? It pisses me the fuck off." Letting out another stream of smoke, he glared at the Fort, "I've checked and made a few calls best that I could. No one seems to know if there is going to be a handover. There is nothing about an official handover of the Reserves to Kyoto."

If he was pale before, the teenage Healer was practically transparent at this point, "There isn't one, is there? They're just abandoning the Reserves..."

With a grunt, Sunada took the stub of his cigarette from his mouth and crushed it under one foot. Pulling out another, he placed it between his lips before snapping his fingers and creating a hovering flame over his thumb which he used to light it, "No, pretty sure that there isn't. Orders from nowhere in the Kami dammed middle of the night? And for them to be basically pack up everything not nailed down and take it back to Tokyo? Even if I did not have my years of being an investigator behind me, I could smell the rat." Angrily puffing, he snarled, "I have seen a lot of acts of spite in my day, but this? This takes the fucking cake. They're creating one hell of a fucking mess and leaving it to Kyoto to solve. Hell, I would not be surprised if there was not an owl just now being sent out the slow route so that it arrived sometime after dawn."

Blinking slowly, Haruto groaned and ran his hand through his hair, "Fucking great, I would say that I am surprised at this, but really?"

Softly snorting, the Auror grinned around his cigarette, though there was nothing in it that showed he was amused, "You really aren't? Neither am I, Kid. Shit's going down to say the least."

Right then, a thought struck Haruto and he looked at the older wizard with a frown, "Wait, they want to take everything? Records up at the Fort and everything?"

With a grunt, Sunada scowled, "Got it in one, Kid. Nothing is to be left behind that could be of use besides the Fort. Which is why I was supposed to come and get you." Frowning, he looked towards where he knew the clinic was, "I was supposed to come, grab you, and all your shit. Notes, potions, everything, and get it back to Tokyo. Nothing could be left behind. And better me than some of the other assholes." Narrowing his eyes some, the old Auror frowned, "Some of them might just burn down your clinic so there is nothing of use."

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Haruto clench his fist, "I see..." Taking a deep breath, the Healer let it out, "I'm not going."

Rather than argue, Sunada nodded in understanding, "I figured that you would say that, which was another reason why I came." Giving him a long look, he frowned, "You do realize what that would mean, right Kid? Right? You'd be going against direct orders from the higher ups. Automatically they would fire you and I would not be surprised if someone pulled your Healer license. Complete and utter blacklisting. There's a possibility that Kyoto won't touch you either."

Just staring ahead, the seventeen year old shook his head, "I know. But..." He looked out onto the village, "When I became a Healer, I swore an oath. To heal any that come to my door, to stand between them and Death. To provide succour whenever I can. Some Healers mouth the words, not caring... I'm not one of them."

For several minutes, the two stood there silently. Finally, Sunada let out a chuckle, "Kid? Don't let anyone ever say that you are not a man. Because that is all that I see standing in front of me." With a sigh, he looked up at the stars, "We need more people like you in this damn world of ours, though we don't deserve them."

Nodding, Haruto gave him a smile, "Thanks." Voice lowering, he gave the other man a look, "What about you? What are you going to do?"

Bemused, Sunada gave him a look, "Me? I'm going to follow my orders to the letter and nothing more." With a sigh, he shook his head, "I would have gone to Kyoto before now, and maybe once the Diet collapses fully... but the Missus and I needed the pension. Neither of us are getting any younger and my job payed well enough that I could help support my kids some alongside her own pension from the Diet. Not much, but... both myself and my wife lived through the end of the last war. We can deal without a lot of shit if it means our kids and grandkids can be happy with the little ones getting tutoring in magic."

Eyes softening, Haruto gave him a nod of respect, "I see..."

Scratching his grey, thinning hair, the Auror shrugged, "Life's shit and then you die. Nothing more for it than that... But then, I'm a cynical old shit anyways." Glancing at him, he raised an eyebrow, "You wouldn't have any copies of your notes, right?"

Lost at the change in conversation direction and at the question, Haruto gave a small nod, "Uh, yeah? Of course I have multiple copies. Why would you even ask that?"

Somewhat amused, Sunada chuckled a bit, "Give me some copies to take back and I'll state that I got them from your clinic. I'll also claim that I was going to take the rest, but that it would take too long to break through the spells shielding the medicine cabinet and would be too noisy doing so that the Yokai around would wake up." He nodded towards the scroll itself, "I'll state that I barely caught you running for some medical emergency or another. Maybe some old fuck like myself was having a heart attack because he was having sex with a young thing. I'll come up with something..." He nodded towards the scroll, "But I still gave you that scroll and you opened it before shoving it in your bag as you took off. Give your ass some cover for a few days, anyways. After..." The older wizard gave him a thin smile, "Ain't much to cover your ass, but... you're a good kid. And with how the Diet is falling apart? It might last long enough that things will get to the point that no one in the Diet will give a flying fuck about some Healer in a Reserve in the ass end of nowhere."

The two shared a look of understanding and Haruto left for the hut. Returning, he had a several notepads which he held out, "Here. They're not patient records, but..."

With a shrug, Sunada took them and shoved the books into his pocket, "Eh, they won't give a shit and likely think that this is it." Taking a long drag, he let out the smoke which, Haruto noticed, took the form of a serpent flying through the air, "I suppose that this is it, Kid. Might not see each other after this."

Slowly nodding, Haruto smiled slightly, "Hai, it seems so." Holding out a hand, he gave a chuckle, "Thanks, for everything."

Grasping said hand, he pulled the Healer in for a manly hug, patting his back before stepping back and giving him a shake, "You're welcome, Haruto-San. Like I said, you take care of yourself and your girls. We need more people like you in this world. Maybe... it will make it a better place."

With that, Sunada tipped his hat to both Haruto and the girls in the hut before walking off towards the Fort.

About to go in, Haruto paused as he heard his name and turned to find Sunada smirking at him from a distance, his face lit by his cigarette and showing a grin, "Oh, just one more thing, Kid? I'll be looking forward to your girls when I get to see them cruising and protecting all our collective asses out on the sea with their guns and such."

Upon seeing them stunned, he laughed and turned, throwing a wave over his shoulder towards them. Coming up behind her boyfriend, Hachimitsu stared first at the old wizard and then at Haruto, "Did he... all this time he knew and..."

Sighing, Haruto chuckled and shook his head, "Somehow, I'm not too surprised he did. He is rather observant..."

Mie walked up and gave him a frown, "Haruto-Kun? What are we going to do now?" She gestured towards the Fort which, we they watched, had a few lights turn off, "They're abandoning us here."

For almost a minute, Haruto looked at the scroll in his hands and frowned. But, finally, he took a deep breath and nodded, "Mie-Chan? You stay here with Chikako-Chan. Mikage-Chan? Haruhime-Chan? Ichika-Chan? I need you three to head to the other villages and get the local leaders together as well as Riki-San up at the Shrine. Give them, briefly, what is going on in private and tell them to come to my clinic. It has the most room and privacy. Myself and Hachimitsu-Chan will head into town and grab the Headman and help him gather up anyone else that needs it.

Each of the girls nodded and went off to their individual tasks with Haruto and Hachimitsu making their way into the village.

Both of them kept an eye out for anyone, but this late, everyone had gone to bed some time ago. Hence, they saw no one at all by the time they reached the Headman's hut in the same village as their own fifteen minutes later. Knocking on the door, they were greeted by an old Tanuki, "Haruto-Sama? Hachimitsu-Sama? What seems to be the trouble?"

Glancing around, Haruto lowered his voice, "Something is happening up at the Fort tonight. And I think that you should know about it..."

As he was told, the Yokai's expression became more and more grave. Finally, he gave a sigh and shook his head, "We should have expected this, I suppose." He gave a look towards Haruto with a small frown, "Are you..."

Understanding the question, Haruto shook his head, "I'm staying. Might get me in some trouble, but this? This isn't right."

That got him a slight smile from the Tanuki, "I see, that is to be expected, I suppose." With a sigh, he considered things before nodding, "I shall send some of those who are best at stealth to observe the Fort. They'll be able to tell us when and if they are leaving. In the meantime, let us go to your clinic as you are quite right in how private it is..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Shinr

Kiba Residence

Kiba slept, the occasional nearly quiet ambient sounds of passing far away vehicles nowhere near enough to wake him up.

Then his phone came to life, the loud ringtone pulling the Okuri-Inu out of his slumber. As the grumbling Kiba reached out for his smartphone on the nightstand, the tengu with whom he shared the bed tonight slowly roused as well.

Grabing the phone and inspecting the caller ID, he grew concerned and accepted the call.

"Koga, what is goin-?" he asked.

"They're pulling out of the Reserves." The Okami interrupted him.

"W-wha?" The Okuri-Inu eloquently asked.

"Tokyo is pulling out of the Reserves." Kogamaru repeated "Without informing Kyoto."

"...They can not be that stupid." Ai said in disbelief.

"Ai, you're with Kiba? Good, it will save time." The clan head stated "Osamu-san just informed me about this, it seems the Diet wants the reserves to become Kyoto's problem in the worst way possible."

As if to punctuate the point, Ai's smartphone gave a ringtone that identified the caller as the JSDF.

Hashida Automative Garage

"Yes, I need all hands I could get and I need them half an hour ago! Don't worry about costs!" Kensuke finished the call, just in time for his smartphone to ring again.

"Suigetsu-san, I was expecting you." Kensuke greeted.

"Hi and I assume that Kiba already told you?" The kappa responded "I will be in your place with the Scubaru and few others in ten minutes."

"What do we need to do?" Kensuke asked. "I assume that speed and carrying capacity is a priority here?"

"You got it."

"Should we completely get rid of stealth features?"

"Yes and no." The kappa responded "Keep the minimum amount of stealth spells, just in case."

"Got it. See you in eight minutes." And with that the Tanuki ended the call and turned to the workers in the garage "All right people! Get ready to modify at least a dozen cars with Speed and Capacity spells!"

Nakano Seed, Venture & Hedge Offices

<Yuno and Kiba are on their way.> Moreau stated.

"Good." said Long-Wen-Shi "What resources we can immediately use right now?"

"<I already compiled the list just for this occasion.>" The french vampire said while giving the a of documents to the Dragon "<But from my calculations, it will not be enough. We will have to burn more if we want to avoid a worst-case scenario.>"

"I don't think we have any real choice here." Long-Wen-Shi stated "What of JSDF?"

"<Kiba told me that Ai was urgently summoned.>" Moreau responded "<Considering the timing, I doubt it is a coincidence.>"

Long-Wen-Shi's smartphone started ringing, showing a caller ID of Admiral Goto.

Somewhere in one of many reserves

A smartphone ringed, and a woman promptly picked it up.

"Kurosawa speaking." the woman responded.

"Miki, have you noticed any strange Auror movements?" Suigetsu cut straight to the point.

"If you call a complete withdrawal 'Strange', then yes." Miki responded.

"Shit." the kappa cursed "Miki, a question, about the people you smuggled INTO the reserves."

"Yes?"

"Can they run things, become de-facto authority, until either Kyoto or the No-Maj restore order?"

"They will try, but don't expect miracles."

Hokkaido, Hokubu Clan Compound

Kogamaru puts the phone down after a series of emergency calls, and tiredly rested his head on his hands and taking a chance to rest a little.

Urgent messages were sent to various magical community leaders closest to the Reserves, and right now all he could do is wait until they replied back.

Not for the first time and definitely not the last, the (relatively) young head of the Hokubu clan prayed to all the Kami for any blessing he could get.

----

A/N: Small snippets of what JNHRO members (click here for the character list) are probably experiencing right now.

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

Today I bring you the start of another story, I hope you like it.

-----

The sea, often seen as whimsical, it was mostly safe to travel until recently; now you need to be escorted by shipgirls if you don't want to risk an hostile encounter with Abyssals; but here, between Scylly Islands and Cornwall, it was secure as the line where the shipgirls patrol was further offshore.

But a lonely Abyssal submarine was exploring the seabed, having eluded the patrols.

In there she found some ruins, which caught her attention.

'Hmm, this ruins are interesting, this would be an impressive construction in its prime.' thought Sofia, taking notes of the sea floor she was investigating.

She dived to the bottom, where she took land and began to travel between the ruins, a pile of stones there and the remains of a wall suggested she was currently in what in its prime was a big construction.

'I have to pinpoint this location as a point of interest, like all the wreckages I found earlier, they may come in handy later. Luckily I have that big island as reference.'

But at one point she felt something.

'What is this feeling? It seems like someone is calling me... from below?'

She was confused, this ruins were sunk a long time ago, and they seemed undisturbed for the same amount of time, so what was what was calling her like a tug on her sleeve?.

She went down to the sea floor and wiped the sand from it, under the sand she found a stone floor that obviously meant that the ruins had an underground level. She could burst open a hole in the ruins floor, but she didn't like to tamper with what was left of an human construction, so she began to search for an entrance to go down, after a bit of time she found what it seemed an iron rusted door; breaking the lock she opened it and discovered stairs going down.

'I wonder what I'll discover down there, and who or what is calling me' she thought descending into the depths of the ruins.

Using her spotlights she began to explore the area, slowly she saw holes in the walls that she suppose it were used to hold some font of light, when she reached the bottom, she passed an archway, opening in a big chamber that in its walls were niches, a lot of them were empty but some of them were closed and others had crumbled and she saw skeletons inside, discovering that is was a crypt, where the owners of the ruins were buried when it were over the sea a long time ago. In there she felt the calling again, more powerful, drawing her to the other side of the stairs, to a door across the room.

Opening the door, she encountered another room, but with a single tomb inside.

'The calling comes from the inside' thought Sofia, approaching the tomb, she traced her fingers across the stone. 'Hmmm, as far as I know, this is a resting place for the humans when they got wrecked, I'm not sure if I want to disturb it' She remembered the times she had to enter the wrecks of some ships to get fuel first for her fleet, and lastly for herself as she ditched them, always saying sorry for intruding and trying not to disturb it more than neccesary, as she felt respect for the ships and the humans that built them and travelled with them, unlike the rest of her fleet that only wanted them dead or for materials.

'I'll try to not disturb it more than neccesary when I open it' she thought reaching for the lid of the stone tomb she carefully opened it to take a look inside, revealing an human skeleton dressed in the remains of an ancient armor with its hands crossed upon its chest, and between them a sword was lying.

'Is the sword the source of the calling I'm sensing? That's strange.' she thought as she pondered what to do. 'I better get it and find the cause later, I'm reaching the safe limit to go back.'

She carefully took the sword from the skeletons dead hands and she felt something in the sword.

There was no doubt that the sword was made of abyssal steel, and that it was calling her.

'Hmm, interesting, but I need to go now, I'll check it later in the isle.'

After closing the tomb, she exited the underground and immediately went west to reach her refuge as soon as she can; but in her haste she didn't notice her movements had been monitored.

The submarine shipgirl that was monitoring her went inside the underground, and after confirming that the abyssal didn't left any nasty surprise, she returned east to report.
As she reached her destination, she emerged to the surface.

"HUZZAH!" she exclaimed to the shipgirl in waiting. "Knight of the sea Upholder ready to inform to the dearest of Troy!"

Sighing Hermione asked "So she did the same again?"

Getting serious, Upholder answered "Almost, she explored the seabed same as the last times, but this time she discovered a gate in some ruins with stairs going down, which was an old crypt, after that I confirmed that she only tampered with a tomb in there."

"It seems that this abyssal is only exploring, but for what motive?" pondered Hermione "And why did she open the gate and the tomb? The next time we find her we will surround her and ask for her reasons."

"Why don't we sink her?"

"She hasn't attacked any humans or shipgirls." explained Hermione. "So she hasn't done any hostile action, and she saved one transport from sinking by running the ship on rocks."

"But have we confirmed she is she same one?" questioned Upholder.

"We haven't seen any other red-headed abyssal submarine around here, right? Anyways we're going to resume our patrol" said Hermione as she prepared "I'll write the paperwork for this encounter." then she and the others began to move in formation to make sure no hostile abyssals were around.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Since I paused this arc for a week to do Kingsport, Chapter 4 is here: https://forums.spacebattles.com/thr...ppet-collection.772633/page-642#post-64220919

A Belgian Butterknife's Japanese Vacation (V)

11 July 2014

JNHRO Beach House, Zuchi, Japan
Spoiler: A Family Dinner

Ehren sipped her cup of Sapporo Yebisu Premium beer and her pale blond eyebrows visibly raised. She took another sip, swirling the liquid slowly in her mouth to savor the taste then swallowed with a thoughtful hum.

Next to her, Umitsubame looked at her niece. "Is there a problem, Ehren-chan?" The Su Yari spear spoke before taking another takayoki octopus ball from the bounty on offer at the family picnic.

"Nein, Aunt Umi. Quite the reverse," Ehren said slowly and thoughtfully, taking another sip, "this is quite good beer. I would almost think this was a Bavarian or Franconian Dunkel brewed under the Reinheitsgebot beer purity laws."

Past Umitsubame, Tonbo leaned over to speak with Ehren "I remember hearing that the brewery hired a German master brewer to train them back.. around 1890. That is probably it."

Ehren smiled slightly and drained her glass before picking up an onegiri rice ball. "That would make sense. One should learn from the best in the world, after all."

Umitsubame nodded after she refilled Ehren's glass with more Yebisu, "Germany is known for beer, are you a connoisseur?"

Ehren shrugged slightly after taking a bite of the tuna-filled rice ball, "Somewhat I suppose, Aunt Umi. I have not been manifest very long, but Vati left a strong impression on me, and he was interested in sampling different beers. So I suppose that I am, although I have not been outside Belgium until very recently."

Umitsubame made a sound of agreement. "Our families are like that. I can remember the first samurai who held me as if it was yesterday."

On the other side of Ehren, Kagotsuruhe spoke in her emotionless voice. "And I remember Lord Urabe-dono as well. I have realized that I was blessed to know him and have his imprint upon my soul. Not all of us were so lucky in our First Masters." Her eyes turned to the squabbling pair of Akutoku and Norimune on the far side of the picnic as they fenced with their chopsticks over the last pickle.
Spoiler: Vati

Ehren blinked, "I see. I miss Vati even now in some ways." She said with a quaver in her controlled voice that she hid with another drink of beer.

Umitsubame leaned in curiously. "What was he like? Nori said very little about you. She... said it was not her place to talk about your past and your mother has not said a word."

Ehren closed her eyes and breathed in and out. "A man of honor. He," her voice cracked and she bit her lip, reflecting on how her family deserved to know, that Norimune had told her that all of the aunts next to her had their own inner dark secrets and traumas. She finally spoke again in a quiet hesitant voice, "you know of my origin?"

Kagotsuruhe spoke in a grave tone as she placed an unnaturally cold hand on Ehren's and squeezed, "yes, but I am the only one here tonight among us." The most feared of the Demon Blades paused and then pinned Umitsubame and Tonbo with a cold gaze to warn them not to press the issue, "suffice it to say that Ehren's past, in her eyes, was as dark and traumatic as Chisuheri's deeds before she found religion, or elements of my own. She was created by evil men for evil ends and fears that part of her locked deep inside her soul that forever rattles at the cage of her will."

The Sword of Hopelessness surveyed her Ehrendolch niece who nodded silently in agreement, then she continued in that solemn voice. "Her father left his marks upon Ehren for good and for ill for those with eyes to see as I have when I tested her alongside her family. He was a man of great honor, as much as her mother is perhaps, and he had as much courage and strength of will and determination as the men who have Mastered me. All things that could be used for great deeds... or deeds equally terrible as we all know from our past experiences. We are all given gifts and abilities and what we make of them define who we are. Ehren has much of her father in her, she is indeed his daughter in spirit, but the seeds of his gifts and talents in her soul and what she makes of them when she calls them forth to bear fruit.... That I cannot say. Not yet."

Kagotsuruhe gave a hollow chuckle, "After all, If you had asked me, or any of us a year after manifesting what we would turn into, this would not have been in any of our dreams." She released Ehren's hand and gestured at the family picnic as a driftwood fire popped and crackled, sending sparks to join the stars above.

Ehren took a deep breath. "Vati was a candidate at SS-Junkerschule, first in his class when I was awarded to him. I served him faithfully and well and truly as," her face twisted in icy hatred and disgust, "he was tricked to serve the madmen and monsters who led Germany during the darkest chapter of our history. He was a soldier and officer as his father had been in the Great War and Opa had been fighting the French in 1870. He was on duty in France when he met Mutti in 1941."

The dagger sighed as she looked across the picnic to where her mother was talking to Chisuheri, "They were so wonderful together. A perfect match, and loved each other deeply. Then... something happened between them. Aunt Del said that it was duty, since Mutti and Vati were on opposite sides of the war..." She broke off with a stifled sob in her voice.

Umitsubame embraced Ehren around the shoulders. "I know what that is like. I fought in the Jidai when families of samurai were torn apart by honor and duty. Including branches of my own Clan."

Ehren nodded and leaned into her Aunt's embrace as Tonbo moved over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Danke. It was a bad falling out, and Vati changed. He became harsher, darker.... But I could still see the good man in him when he tracked down Mutti. They loved each other so very very much."

A unnaturally cool hand touched Ehren's wrist as the dagger swallowed and finished. "They fought one last time and.... Vati died while Mutti was wounded. She claimed me and I served her honorably and well until I manifested."

Tonbo leaned in to give Ehren a fiercely compassionate hug and whispered in her ear. "I know how traumatic that can be. My enchantments let my wielder fight in ways impossible for even the most skilled swordsman... but they cannot tell friend from foe in the grips of my power. I... know."

Kagotsuruhe squeezed Ehren's wrist. "My own powers when unsheathed affect my wielder as much as my foes. Some... have not survived the terrors I inflict when manifest."

Ehren looked at her aunts with suspiciously shiny eyes and then nodded sharply. "How are you so insightful?"

Umitsubame chuckled harshly, "Centuries of hard-earned experience. You learn the most from the mistakes and bad times, I have found."

Tonbo nodded in agreement after she released Ehren from the hug. "Oh yes."

Kagotsuruhe flipped her face to a 'wise sage' expression. "In order to fear, one must understand first. For fear is a mirror held up to a soul to show the truth of what lurks within. Courage, true courage, is comprehension of the fear of the darkest part of oneself."


A.N.-This...went places on me.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Haruto took the kettle off the small heater he had and brought it over before pouring the steaming water into the waiting cups filled with green tea, which he proceeded to stir. With that done, he set out the cups with a small nod, "Sorry that it is not much, Iwao-San."

The Tanuki Headman of the village smiled and waved him off, "It is fine, Haruto-Sama. Better than fine." Iwao took the cup and blew on it gently, "Besides, I think that we could all use a drink to calm us down."

Lips curling, Haruto chuckled a little, "I would recommend some medical alcohol, but..."

With a snort, Ayane motioned with one hand, "We need to be as sober as possible right now." Sighing, she shook her head, "Kami, I need some caffeine, but that would be the wrong decision."

Murmurs came from the other community leaders as they accepted their cups. One of them, a Kawauso, grimaced a little, "I just want to know if what the Auror said to Haruto-Sama is correct. Haruto-Sama, I trust, and while Sunada-San is better than most guards... he is still a guard and not one of us."

Various nods met that before Iwao frowned some, "Hai, I agree with that my friends. But we must still prepare just in case. It would be better if this was all some false alarm rather than actually true. But if it is..."

It went without saying that a number of grimaces met him at that as they all gave nods.

Sipping her tea, one of the kijimunā on the island, frowned as she kicked out her legs with the grass skirt she wore swishing as she did so, looking like nothing more than an eight year old girl despite being one of the oldest Yokai there, "Who did you send to check?"

Iwao gave a small sigh, "I sent Kohaku-Chan and Naoko-Chan to go and keep a watch out. They would be the best ones to do so after all."

For a few moments, the kijimunā considered that before nodding, "I see, yes that does make sense. Kohaku-Chan is the lone Uwabami and Naoko-Chan is Nure-Onna. Both of them would be able to see into the Fort without needing to go in thanks to having heat vision."

Various others gave nods of agreement as they made their own comments.

The clock continued to tick by and Haruto watched it until it reached the point where Sunada told him they were all to be gone by. Half an hour later, they could all hear noise from outside and a tall, thin woman stumbled into the clinic out of breath before looking at each of the island elders there as well as the human Healer. Hand to her chest, Kohaku took several breaths before shaking her head, "They're gone, neither I nor Naoko-Chan can see any heat signatures from the windows and all the lights are off. I even took a chance to look inside where the Floo fireplace is and that's dark as well, no fire."

Everyone started murmuring at that in shock and dismay before the kijimunā slammed a staff down on the floor, "Enough!" She gave them all glares, "I swear, each of you are acting like children! Yet I am the one who looks like one." Getting sheepish looks, she sighed and ran a hand through her reddish hair, "This is... unfortunate in the extreme, I will admit."

A frown on his face, Haruto looked at the others as he leaned forward in thought. He was not quite sure why they wanted him there, after all these were all the leaders of the community and he was just a Healer. Yet each one told him to stay there and acted like he was an equal for some reason. Shaking that off, he frowned a bit, "How much food do we have?"

Blinking at that, Iwao considered the question before turning towards Taiki, who was a squirrel Yokai. Said Yokai considered the question for a few moments before letting out a sigh, "The next shipment of food was for tomorrow. Without that? We have... maybe two or three days worth if we stretch it out at least."

Haruto gave a small shrug at that, "If you want, I can increase the amount of food with magic. With the Guards gone, I can at least do that now."

Moments later, he blinked at the smiles and such he got from the various Yokai, with Iwao placing a hand on his shoulder and nodding, "Thank you, Haruto-Sama. That... that would be very much appreciated." Pulling back his hand, he gave the Healer a look of respect, "Just like you staying is much appreciated. We all would have understood if you had gone with the others as the Diet is not forgiving of people who disobey them."

Lightly blushing to their amusement, the Healer scratched his cheek, "I swore an oath as a Healer, and I stand by it. Besides..." Shrugging, Haruto shook his head, "You're all friends and I couldn't just abandon you all like that."

If anything, the looks of respect only increased at that to his utter confusion.

Clearing her throat, however, the kijimunā frowned, "There is still what needs to be done next. With that, we should send a message to the JNHRO and to Kyoto from them." Upon hearing the chair scrape, she turned to find Haruto standing up, "Haruto-Sama? What are you doing?"

Jerking his thumb towards the back of his clinic, Haruto shook his head, "Going over there so that I won't hear something that I shouldn't-"

The kijimunā gave him a small glare, "Stop acting like a child and instead like the man that we all see you as. You do not need to worry about such as Kyoto would not care one way or the other." Much snickers were to be had as Haruto did exactly as she told him to, being reminded of one of the grandmothers... which, he mused, she actually was with a grandson according to her. Ignoring that, the kijimunā turned to the others with a frown on her face, "With that out of the way, we'll use our methods to contact the smugglers and the like to get the word out. But we should double check first."

Near the door, Hachimitsu spoke up, "We'll handle that." As she pushed off the doorframe and stood up, she smoothed out her clothes, "Our human fairies can go and check the entire fort within an hour or two. Being human, they won't show up on the spells that would detect Yokai entering it."

Various elders nodded at that and she gave Haruto a kiss on the cheek before leaving to check as Haruhime continued watching from the door.

Over the next hour, the elders discussed what they should do even as the other two Kitsune shipgirls alongside Ichika and Haruto added their own opinions from time to time. The first thing that they decided to do was perform a check on everyone as soon as day broke to make sure that there was nothing wrong. The second thing was to take stock of all their supplies they had on hand as it would be a few days until Kyoto likely arrived. Not that anyone could blame them as the other two big reserves on Kyushu and five smaller ones needed attention and securing first. It just made sense as they were more isolated after all.

Before anything else could be said, however, Haruhime perked up and placed two fingers just below her ear and pressing against her temple. After a few moments, the red haired Kitsune nodded, "Hachimitsu-Chan is done with her inspection of the Fort using her fairies. They confirm that everyone is gone, the Floo is shut and sealed, and they took practically anything not nailed down."

Grimaces met that announcement, but Haruto turned to the map with a frown, "If they shut down the Floo... that would mean that Kyoto would need to reach via either apparation or flight to get close. Flight would be too dangerous from the mainland though..." After a few moments, he placed his finger on a spot, "Which means that they would need to base from a nearby island to reach here. And with the anti-apparation wards over the island for the most part? The closest point would be here, Kikaijima. It is out of range of the wards, and they could fly the rest of the way in or boat as it would take an hour."

Leaning forward, one of the Oni stroked his beard before grunting, "Hai, you would be right, Haruto-Sama. They would need to base themselves from there to reach us by going West-Northwest. Most likely via broom, I would think, and at night. But it is still going to be at least a day, most likely three as they will be busy covering the other Reserves and securing them."

A cough made them turn to Mikage who gave a small shrug, "Hachimitsu-Chan's fairies also checked your office, Haruto-Kun."

It went without saying that Haruto blinked, "Checked my office? Why? I haven't used that place in... nine months? Maybe?" Scratching his head, he furrowed his eyebrows, "And even then, it was more for a meeting with Head Healer of the Reserves on his rotation as he wouldn't come down there. Why they kept it..."

Much to his confusion, that seemed to amuse the others there. Haruhime had her lips twitching a little before she coughed, "Well, there was nothing there but an envelope from Sunada-San to you, Haruto-Kun." At the nod, she continued, "He stated that since you were likely to leave the island via boat due to being left behind, you should check your boat for any stowaways."

Utterly confused, Haruto frowned, "Are you sure that it is from him? I told him that I wasn't leaving. And even if I did, I wouldn't bother as I would have no issue with it as long as they kept out of my sight."

Once more, that got him grins and smirks to his confusion. But he shrugged it off as Mikage spoke up, "That was what it said. Hachimitsu-Chan is having one of her broom riders bring it and they should be here in a minute or two."

Sure enough, three minutes later the tiny broomstick rider came through the door and landed there in front of them before dropping an envelope much bigger than he was, "Desu! Desu desu desu desu-desu!"

With a nod, Haruto took the envelope with a smile, "Thank you, Takashi-San." Opening it, he read the letter and frowned, "Weird, this is his writing. But why would he..." Suddenly, the Healer trailed off, "Wait, the way he said it..."

He got up and made for the door with the others following. Frown on her face, Ichika looked at him, "Haruto-Kun? What's wrong?"

Glancing at her, he gave a slight nod, "Nothing. But if what I suspect is right..." Not saying anything more, Haruto continued to make his way quickly to the docks where his boat was tied up. Sure enough, the Kudagitsune was there. So very we one of the Nekomata patrolling along to make sure that none of the boats drifted away or were damaged, "Takato-San!"

Blinking, the Nekomata turned towards him, "Ha? Haruto-Sama? What seems to be the issue."

With a deep breath, the Healer came to a stop, "Was an Auror by the name of Sunada here just a few hours ago?"

That got him a nod from the cat Yokai, "Hai, he was here actually and went to your boat. Didn't seem to care that I was watching and left some box behind. Why?"

Just shaking his head, Haruto smiled, "Is it still here? The box, I mean?" Several minutes later found him opening said box and grinning, "Records... he must of copied most of the records and hid them on my boat."

Even better news arrived fifteen minutes later as they were informed that Kyoto along with others were securing the other Reserves, but that they would send help to them as soon as possible.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Belgian Butterknife's Japanese Vacation (VI)

12 July 2014

Tully's Coffee, Kamakura
Spoiler: Vacation In Kamakura

The bell rang as Colombe opened the door to the coffee shop. She grinned at her two daughters as Claire stepped inside, with the grin widening as she saw what her middle daughter had decided to wear for her visit to the shrine. Jackie, Jackie, Jackie....
Spoiler: Claire's Shirt

Ehren, also dressed casually in jeans and a black T-shirt, brought up the rear with the squinting eyes of the caffiene-deprived. The blonde dagger nodded thanks to her mother before she headed to the counter to order a double espresso.
Spoiler: Ehren's Shirt

Colombe followed Ehren and then bought a bottle of green tea and a muffin. She chuckled at the glance the cashier gave her, clearly trying to puzzle out the Belgian coat of arms on her shirt (a Christmas gift from Ehren).
Spoiler: Belgian Rapier Pride!

Colombe sat at the table next to Claire, who was musically humming as she sipped her hot chocolate with whipped cream. She then glanced over at Ehren who was methodically increasing her caffeine to blood ratio with each sip of the espresso. "Didn't sleep well, Ehren?"

The dagger shook her head which caused her blond ponytail to swish. "I was unused to the futon, Mutti. Also," she paused for a swig of the black brew of life before resuming, "I had several things to think on about our aunts."

"Oh!" Claire interjected, giving her sister a smile. "Aunt Kyoshu and Aunt Akutoku are nice and funny, and Aunt Chisuheri said that she would send me some Buddhist meditation chants to help me unlock my insight. She really liked the introspective piano pieces I recorded for her. Do you want another cup of espresso, Ehren?"

"Ja, bitte. A muffin as well?" Ehren responded as she finished her drink, then focused on her mother. "Thank you for inviting us along for this trip."

"You're welcome, Ehren. So what do you think of Japan?"

Ehren frowned thoughtfully as Claire paid for the muffin and espresso, and the door opened to let Toku inside. "It is... different. I did not expect Japan to be so crowded, and yet for all the hustle and bustle, I feel if I could step around the correct corner and emerge centuries in the past in some ways."

"Good morning, Co-chan, Ehren-chan." Toku said as she walked to their table. "That is quite insightful. I apologize for not seeing you yesterday but matters came up."

Colombe's eyes widened at the sight of the miko's fading black eye. "To-chan, what happened?"

The Masamune shook her head slightly. "Musashi-oneesama happened. My sister stopped by with a freshly carved bokken."

Ehren blinked in bewilderment as Claire returned. "Oh, hello Toku!" the piano said as she set down the muffin and espresso before giving Toku a hug. "It's good to see you!"

Toku returned the hug. "And it is good to see you all. Musashi-nee is perhaps the greatest living master of The Way of the Sword and strives to continue her understanding. One way is for her to spar with other masters to learn from her victories, or far less frequent defeats. " The Muramasa gave a small smile. "She said that I showed some improvement, which for her is praise indeed. She also wishes to meet and learn from you, Co-chan. She heard of Verdun, you see."

Colombe nodded. "I'd be honored if such can be arranged while I am in country. Ahh... I must ask, your last message mentioned Fudo was in some distress...?"

Toku sighed and then cast a privacy ward. Colombe's eyes narrowed and she followed suit. "What's wrong, To-chan? You know that I'll help you with it."

Toku grimaced. "The day after I returned to Japan from Moulbaix, a group of schoolchildren stumbled across a bunker complex from the Pacific War outside of Yokusuka, across the peninsula from us here. It was part of a mad scheme to use powerful undead to fight the Americans if they had invaded here. Extremely powerful undead."

Ehren blanched and Colombe's eyes narrowed. "I see, Judging from your tone, matters went poorly then?"

Toku nodded. "Fudo-nee was also on the scene and saved the children from what was inside until rescue could arrive, including Norimune-san and myself, among many others. However Fudo-nee was injured physically... and spiritually."

"Spiritually?" Colombe asked as she leaned forward, her eyes intent. "How did that happen, To-chan?"

Toku made a face. "You must understand during the 1930s when Japan slid into madness, Fudo-nee was a vocal supporter of the Kamo government before the war. She... was not alone, Kotegiri-oneesama was a fervent supporter until quite late in the war." The Masamune sighed deeply, "She was ignorant of the truth then, and the Kamo government lied to her about some of their activities. I was unable to convince her until after the Marianas fell late in the war, to my eternal regrets."

Colombe reached over and squeezed Toku's hand. "You did the best that you could. As much as you may wish otherwise," the rapier looked at Ehren, who was sipping her espresso as she listened with an intent look on her face, "you can't shield people from certain truths. Everyone must experience some things for her own, I've realized."

Toku gave a thankful smile, "Domo arigatou, Co-chan. The information in the bunker that was discovered ripped the comforting illusions from Fudo-nee's eyes and the insight hit her very very hard. The days immediately after the rescue happened were difficult for her."

Colombe winced and then spoke quietly, "I am sorry to hear that, To-chan. Would... would it help if we visited her?"

Toku nodded, "I shall ask her, although there are some others among my family who wish to meet you when their schedules permit. Also, you mentioned wishing to meet the Arashi clan?"

Colombe smiled and nodded, "I do. I gave Ian my word of honor to help his... ahh... other wives." Colombe's lips curled in a smug reminiscent smile, "he rescued several dozen ladies from," she glanced at Claire and hastily and visibly edited her choice of words, "a house in the floating world and assisted them and their children in making a new life for themselves. They were Yuki-onna, Hone-onna, and Tsurara-onna so this was an exceptionally good deed to help them."

Toku blinked, "I... see. I wish that I would have met him, that was an exceptionally good deed to help them in their distress. I would like to meet them myself, in fact, if you do not mind another coming with you then."

Colombe grinned smugly, "Not at all, To-chan. Whatever we do here, you're of course invited. That said, I am looking forward to you showing my... our daughters the shrine complexes here."

Toku blushed slightly then looked at the younger spirits. "It would be my honor."

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

Moving along......

*********

The young couple watched in surprise as a group of Abyssals casually walked down Georgia Street, escorted by men who looked too much like sailors in civilian wear. Some of the abyssals were dressed up in their recent purchases, while what some knew as a Wo-class, was enjoying a stack of pizza slices, her hat also joining in. Some of them were dressed in hockey jerseys, either from the Canucks or Team Canada.

The couple looked at each other.

"Goths?"

"Sure, let's go with that. Coffee?"

"Let's."

*********

The Cashier looked astounded as the tall woman pulled out stacks of bills and placed them on the counter.

"Uh... keep the change."

"Er.... okay Miss Habbukuk, thank you."

"Thanks!"

The towering carrier shipgirl cheerfully took a gulp from her slurpee cup. Which was actually a sports water cooler, with a PVC pipe used as the straw.

Habbukuk carefully opened the door as she continued to drink from her "cup" while carrying a ton of snacks and drinks.

The cashier sighed as he went to the door and stuck a sign up. Not the first time this sign was used.

"Sorry, out of Slurpees."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Rubbing his eyes, Haruto looked out the window of his clinic at the Sun which had risen over the roofs of the village before biting back a yawn. However, he was not quite quick enough as Iwao gave him a look, "Haruto-Sama, maybe you should head home and rest a little."

Just shaking his head, the Healer smiled a little bit, "I'm fine, Iwao-San, just a little bit tired is all."

With a snort, the kijimunā gave him a smirk, "I think that is putting it rather mildly, Haruto-Sama. You seem a bit more than a little tired after all." Her expression became one of concern as she hopped off her chair and walked over before placing her hand on his shoulder, "You can lay down for a few hours and we'll inform you of anything that might happen if needed. Right now, we all need to be as ready for anything as possible." Eyes narrowed, the small being continued, "Which means being as rested as possible in your case as you are our only Healer."

About to say something, Haruto looked around at the others and noted their expressions before sighing with a wry smile on his lips, "I take it that this is one of the times when I can't say no?"

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Ayane shook her head with a small smirk, "Nope, not at all." She patted his should a little bit while smiling, "Go and lay down, Haruto-Sama. We'll handle things here and that way you are rested in case anything does happen."

Just sighing, the young Healer gave them a nod as he got up and stretched, "Fine, I know that I have been outvoted."

Mikage walked over and slipped her arm into his before giving the others nods, "I'll make sure that Haruto-Kun gets home and actually sleeps before I come back with Mie-Chan. My Nee-Sans will inform me of anything that might happen on the way."

That got her nods, though the Healer blushed at some of the comments that it better just be sleeping and not sleeping as it would not do for him to be exhausted. A glance to the side showed him that Mikage herself had a slight flush to her cheeks. Something that amused Haruto, but he placed that aside and stretched a little once they were outside and walking back towards their hut, "I cannot believe what's happened in the past few hours."

Only shaking her head, Mikage sighed a little, "It is the same for us." Despite not saying more than that, Haruto knew she meant her and her sisters before she continued, "I would like to say that I am surprised at this, but..."

Voice soft, Haruto nodded, "You are not."

Shaking her head, the Kitsune growled a little, "No, no I am not. We all knew that they could be petty and spiteful, but this?" Her shoulders slumping, she ran a hand through her hair, "This just goes beyond what we could have expected from that bunch."

Haruto reached out and grasped her hand with his before entwining their fingers, "I'm much the same way, Mikage-Chan. Them doing something petty and spiteful? Not surprising, it is just the plain range that is what is surprising, that is all."

Thumb gently rubbing along his knuckles as she wrapped her tail around his waist, Mikage grimaced a little, "That is true, I suppose." Then, her lips curled into a small smile, "I am glad, however, that Kyoto was prepared for something to happen. That speaks well of them at least."

With a slow nod, the Healer made a sound of agreement, "Hai, but that does not surprise me." At the look, Haruto gave a grim chuckle, "Most of Kyoto did come, originally, from Tokyo after all. If there is anyone who knew how spiteful the people in the Diet could be, it would be them." His thin smile disappeared, however, "Still, they were not ready for something quite this big or idiotic. They need to secure the other Reserves fully which, according to them will take at least three days before they can arrive here." Tons dry, Haruto looked around, "Can't get much more secure than an island three hundred some odd miles from the mainland after all."

Eyebrow raised, Mikage gave him a small look, "Yet, they stated that no later than tonight, they're going to have food transported to the island for all those here. I wonder how, but... I suppose that is ultimately not that important in the end."

That got her another nod and soon their conversation drifted to other subjects.

Upon reaching their hut, however, the male of the two found his arms full of young Neko as she glomped him. Looking at Mie, he sighed a little as he stroked Chikako's hair, "I take it that she knows most of it?"

With a slow nod, Mie sighed as she walked over and joined him as she patted the Nekomata's hair, "Hai, she does. I wasn't going to keep this from her after all. That would... likely not be the best idea, to say the least."

Understanding, Haruto nodded before turning to Chikako, "Chikako-Chan? It's fine, everything is just fine."

A sniffle escaped from Chikako as she looked up at him, "Really?"

Lips curling into a small smile, Haruto chuckled, "Really. There is enough food for us in our hut to last for at least two to three weeks if needed, we have plenty of clean water and fuel. We're well prepared for this sort of thing, so you don't need to worry."

Happy hums escaped from the young Nekomata as she enjoyed the headpats. Nodding, she looked up at Haruto with a small smile on her face, "Okay, Haruto-Nii-San."

Nodding slightly, Haruto yawned before shaking his head, "Now, I'm going to go and get some sleep, okay? You go off and have some fun and I'll see you in a few hours."

That got him a nod before Chikako gave him a hug and ran off to find someone to play with.

Once inside, Haruto gave a kiss to both Mie and Mikage before laying on top of the futon and stretching out. Not long after, he slipped into a doze as his tiredness caught up to him. How much time passed, the teenage Healer didn't quite know. It seemed like only an hour after laying down that he could hear the floorboards creak which brought him out of his slumber...

But it was the harsh kick to the side that fully woke him up.

Hitting the floor, Haruto gasped and held his midsection before he was hauled up to see Ichiro sneering at him moments before another blow hit him in the stomach. Nearly puking, he pulled in a breath and coughed, "Ichi-Ichiro..."

Another blow caused him to nearly fall to the floor if not for the hands holding him up. Just adjusting his glasses, Ichiro glared at him, "Hello, Otouto."

Moments later, Haruto was punched in the face and he spat out some blood. Coughing, he gave his older brother a look, "What the fuck... is this... for...? I already told you that I don't know about the smugglers."

The breath was driven from his lungs by an kick to the stomach as his brother sneered, "That does not matter! Do you have any idea what you have done!? To our family?!" Grabbing the Healer's hair, Ichiro yanked his head up, "I found out last night that you stayed here. Oh, apparently you missed the last ones out... But then, one of the Guards told me the truth, that you were involved with some of these fucking beasts! And that you likely stayed behind for them." Pulling out a photo, he shoved it into his brother's face. Said photo showed him kissing Haruhime, "How dare you...?!"

Completely nonplussed, Haruto gave a coughing chuckle, "I didn't know that you cared."

However, that got him another punch as his brother snarled, "I don't give a damn except for how it affects our family image. If you wanted beast pussy, you should have gone to a brothel. But no, you instead fucked them here. And more than that, you are involved with the same creatures that I had sent here in the first place!"

Eyes meeting his brother, Haruto narrowed his eyes, "The only beasts and creatures here are you and your two goons. Haruhime-Chan and the others? I couldn't say that even a thousand of backstabbing bastards like you are worth even a fraction of them."

And, to empathize, he spat in Ichiro's face.

For several moment, the older sibling looked stunned before wiping it away and then punching Haruto several more times, "HOW DARE YOU?! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?! BECAUSE OF YOU, OUR FAMILY'S HONOUR HAS BEEN BESMIRCHED! IT WILL TAKE ME YEARS TO FIX THE DAMAGE YOU HAVE CAUSED!"

From the door, the Auror standing there glanced outside before turning back to Ichiro who was panting, "Sir? We, uh... should hurry up just in case. I mean, we're running on a set amount of time."

Running his hand through his hair, Ichiro turned to him, "I know, and we'll be done here soon. Besides, we have silencing charms up. Now, keep watch out." Turning back to his coughing brother, he snorted at the glare, "What?"

Despite the pain he was in, the Healer glared back, "Just a few things... you go on about 'Family honour and reputation', but you just mean yours." Grunting at another punch, he continued, "That is all you fucking care about."

Pausing, Ichiro gave a shrug, "And? In the end it is the same thing. Otou-San is a fool as is Okaa-San. Do you know how much trouble I have had climbing the ranks." Lashing out with another kick, he gave a bitter laugh, "Too much trouble because he is a bumbling fool who has not ambition, no drive. One day, I will be at the top. One day, I will be the Japanese Minister Of Magic. And you? You won't even be remembered." Yanking his brother up by the hair, he gave Haruto an expression like he was an interesting insect, "But that does not mean that you cannot be of use."

Ribs aching something fierce, Haruto internally frowned, but said nothing, 'Now what is he talking about...?'

Moments later, he felt coldness at his brother's smile as Ichiro spread his arms, "Such a scandal it will be for Kyoto! A young, promising Healer who was unfortunately left behind... beaten to death by the beasts he tended. They even torched the home he stayed in to try and hide evidence of their crime! A tragedy, truly... and a black mark against the 'Kyoto Magical Government'. One that will cause an outcry and a turn back to the proper Diet, as things should be."

Noticing the uneasy expressions on the two Auror's faces, Haruto gave his brother a look, "Somehow, some people don't seem enthused about this as much as you are. And to kill your own brother..."

Ichiro simply shrugged without a care, "They know their duties and what is good for them. In fact, they understand that they will be Obliviated after this. As for the second?" Adjusting his glasses, he kicked out again, "Sacrifices must be made for the good of all. Unfortunate, but you threw everything I gave you back in my face in disrespect. Be thankful that your tragic death will clear the way for better things for others."

Suddenly, the Auror near the door noticed something and shot out with his arm. Haruto felt like his heart had stopped at the sight of Chikako in the man's hand struggling, "Hey, look what I found!"

Thrashing, Chikako tried to break free, "Let go!" However, seeing Haruto, she gasped, "Haruto-Nii-San! Let him go!"

Disgusted, Ichiro looked at his younger brother who looked shocked, "'Nii-San'? Really? Just when I thought that you could not get any lower."

Meanwhile, the Auror continued to hold the struggling Nekomata who called out for Haruto, "What should we do with her?"

Once more turning, Ichiro gave him a look of disbelief before shaking his head, "Get rid of her." Turning back to the Healer, whose eyes were widening, he snorted, "One less animal in the world."

Uncomfortable, the Auror winced before giving a sigh, "Sorry, Kid. Bad luck for you, I guess."

He brought up his wand and pointed it at Chikako who froze in fear as he began to pronounce the spell that would end her life...

But something else happened instead.

Gritting his teeth, Haruto pushed back until his palms were flat against the chest of the Auror holding him. Ignoring both the pain he was in as well as the question of what he was doing, he focused and then... released a pulse of magic that sent the man flying back causing the other Auror to stop in shock. Before any of them could react, Haruto was already running, lashing out at his brother and sending him crashing to the floor before tackling the Auror that had Chikako to the floor and making him let go of the young Yokai.

Snarl on his face as he wrestled the older, larger man, Haruto turned to Chikako, "RUN! CHIKAKO, RUN!"

Unknown to him, those words stirred something deep inside Chikako, an old memory from years and years before. An female Nekomata carrying her as explosions rang out all around them as people screamed in panic. Distant sounds like blasts, with buildings being shattered and craters dug by shells. An older, male Nekomata behind them was shouting at them as they ran, "AMI-CHAN! GET CHIKAKO-CHAN TO SAFETY! RUN!"

Then... an explosion consumed the man before his family's horrified eyes. A building then began to topple with Chikako's mother shifting to her true form of a giant cat, her kitten held in her mouth as she tried to outrun it... only to fail and toss her child to safety as tons of concrete and steel landed on top of her.

In the present, Chikako relived her parents deaths with her father's face overlaying Haruto's as both voices shouted for her to run. A spell lashed against the Healer's back, sending blood splashing. Right then, Chikako knew that he was going to die for her. That the man who had cared for her when no one else would, had healed her wounds, had taken her into his home and family... was about to die for her, just like her parents.

Within her chest, her heart was pounding when it suddenly stopped, never to beat again... and her boilers roared to life.

Everyone else froze as sparkles came into being around the young Nekomata, surrounding her in a glow that was hard to look at. Until it burst apart revealing her in a one piece white dress that had sleeves a bit too long, and a red ribbon tied in a bow around her neck. But what truly caught attention was the parts of a ship around her including the gun at her waist, the cranes over one shoulder, and the giant one across her back.

However, they only had a few seconds to notice before she was grabbing the Auror in top of Haruto, the one who was going to kill her, "LEAVE HARUTO-NII-SAN ALONE!"

Said man was lifted into the air as if he weighed next to nothing and thrown across the hut at the other Auror. They collided with the sound of breaking bones before slamming into, and through, the wall. Almost immediately, shouts and screams could be heard outside.

But all Ichiro has eyes for was the snarling Chikako who turned her attention into him. Paling, he whispered the words that he could not believe were true, "A... a Yokai shipgirl... that's... that's not possible..."

His arm with the hand holding his wand was grabbed though and he was twisted around by Haruto. Said Healer had a snarl on his face as he pulled with one arm, slamming his other fist into Ichiro's shoulder with the crunch of his older brother's joint becoming dislocated as the older wizard screamed, "Don't you-" Lashing out with his foot, he snapped Ichiro's knee, "Ever dare-" His fist buried itself in his brother's gut, driving the air from his lungs, "Threaten Chikako-Chan-" The same fist slammed into his jaw as he bent, shattering it and snapping his head back, "AGAIN YOU BASTARD!"

A final blow hit Ichiro in the side of the head, whipping it around. Said wizard only felt a burst of pain and saw stars before darkness enveloped his vision and he fell unconscious before he even hit the floor. Breathing hard, Haruto looked down at his brother before he was tackled by a crying Chikako, "Haruto-Nii-San!"

Despite the pain he was in, and that was a lot, he still patted the Neko who was currently sobbing into his shirt, "Shhh... shhhh, it's okay, Chikako-Chan. I'm..." About to say he was fine, Haruto paused and thought otherwise, "I'm alive."

It did not take long before various Yokai showed up, Ayane being one of the first on the scene. At seeing Haruto's state, she was utterly horrified and, at his word, quickly tied up the three other wizards though none too gently. She was followed by Haruhime, Hachimitsu, and the other shipgirls, who were stunned to find the awakened Chikako there. Shaking it off, Haruhime looked at Ichiro and growled, "What is he doing here?!"

About to answer, Haruto was cut off as Chikako, whose medical fairy was healing him, spoke up with a shaky voice, "H-he was beating u-up Haruto-Nii-San a-and w-was going to... to..."

She was unable to continue as she burst into tears with Haruto holding her close. There was still disbelief in his voice as he closed his eyes, "He was here to kill me. And, when Chikako-Chan stumbled across us, he was going to add her to it..."

Continuing the story of what happened even as Chikako continued to sob into his chest, Haruto noted that the crowd of Yokai, originally shocked, turned horrified and angry. Very, very angry, at what they were hearing. Eyes ablaze, one of the Oni grabbed the groaning Ichiro and lifted him with a snarl on his face, "Do not worry, Haruto-Sama... these... rabid creatures won't ever harm anyone again."

Much to their surprise, however, Haruto stood and shook his head, "Please, don't." Signing, he looked at his brother and grimaced, "Despite everything, and my own feelings... I don't want to be party to his death. I'm not him."

Voice soft, Hachimitsu sighed, "No, you're not. You're a far better man."

To her confusion, however, Haruto had a dark smirk on his face, "Don't mistake me, Hachimitsu-Chan. I'm not doing this out of mercy, trust me. No." Looking at his brother, he narrowed his eyes, "I got a far better punishment for him. One that would have made him wish for death instead."

Searching the Aurors, including invisibility cloaks, Ayane blinked as she pulled a vial from one of them. Inside were three strange balls that looked like they were made from tendrils and covered in slime, "What the hell are these...?"

Not saying anything, the Healer held out his free hand, the other rubbing Chikako's back, and took it when handed over. Looking at it, he grimaced, "That explains how they got in and were going to get our unseen." At the looks of confusion, Haruto held up the vial and shook it, "Gillyweed. It would grow them gills and they could sneak in and out underwater, completely undetected."

Murmurs met that pronouncement before Mikage crossed her arm, "Haruto-Kun? We still got a problem..." She nodded towards the Nekomata shipgirl, "They saw her awaken, so they know that Yokai shipgirls exist."

Chikako froze at that and hung her head, "N-nya... I-I'm sorry..."

Just crouching, Mie gave her a hug, "You have nothing to be sorry about, Chikako-Chan. Because of that, you saved both yourself and Haruto-Kun's life."

Patting her shoulder, Ichika nodded, "Nee-San is right, Chikako-Chan. That was the right thing, nothing will change that, okay?"

Their attention was grabbed, however, as the only conscious wizard got to his feet. Haruto waved them off, but allowed for Chikako to keep a hold on him as he walked over to where the three other humans were. Pulling out his wand, he took a breath before casting a stunning spell at each one, hitting them in the head. He followed up with another spell, this time silver, that settled around their heads. Confused, Iwao frowned at him, "Haruto-Sama? What was that? That was not an Obliviation spell..."

Haruto smiled a bit thinly before going to sit back down as Chikako's medical fairy was joined by ones from Mie and Ichika, "Because it wasn't." At their looks, he shook his head, "When they're brought in by Kyoto, they'll be scanned for any spells. A recent Obliviation would be picked up on and questions might be asked. The spell I used? Helps with concussions... but interacts with the energy of a Stupify oddly." Reaching up, he tapped the side of his head, "It basically scrambles short term memory pretty badly for a few weeks at least. Not badly enough that they would not be able to remember what they were doing, but the closer the time to when the spells are cast, the longer it takes to remember, if ever, specific details. Such as, say, seeing a shipgirl awaken?" His expression changed to one of fake sympathy, "Unfortunately, the only Healer available was myself, and in the state I am in, I made such an obvious mistake."

Snickers and dark chuckles met him at that before Ichika frowned a little and crossed her arms some, "Won't people wonder about who took them out though? I would..."

Ayane then raised her hand, "Blame me." When everyone looked at her, the Jorogumo grinned, "After all, I am already the hot, sexy, home-wrecking Yokai who was the source of the heart attack that was the cause of Haruto-Sama getting stuck behind when they cut off the island after leaving." Leering, she gave him a look up and down before licking her lips, "Obviously, I came by to, ah, thank him, when I noticed Chikako-Chan in the hands of that Auror and charged in to save the day! Hoping, of course..." Leaning forward, Ayane once more licked her lips seductively, "For a little, ah, reward~"

Unable to help himself, Haruto coughed and looked away with a blush much to the amusement of the Yokai there, even his girlfriends, "You, uh, don't need to do that. It might get you into trouble."

Her expression softening, Ayane shook her head, "I don't mind at all, Haruto-Sama." The smile on her face became a little brittle, "At least this time I would be blamed for something that I want to be blamed for." Glancing to his girlfriends, Haruto got nods and got up. He then made his way over to her and gave the spider Yokai a hug. One that she smiled appreciatively over and returned before they broke apart, "Thank you."

Just shaking his head, the Healer smiled back, "No, thank you." Wincing a bit at the pain in his side, he took a deep breath, "Anyways, we should heal these three up and take them to the Fort. They can go into the cells there and cool their heels until Kyoto shows up to get them." A small, vicious smirk crossed Haruto's face, one mirrored on a number of the others at his next words, "Of course, without the keys it will take a few hours to get them out of said cells..."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Three days...

Three whole days since Kyoto got them off that island, which itself had taken hours as they needed to break the locking spells on the cells that had held them. Those two days on the island were some of the worst that Ichiro had ever had. Not once were they alone in their cells as there was always Yokai standing outside. Part of him suspected that the horrific nightmares were caused by some Baku from the Reserve eating their good dreams and only leaving the bad. Granted, he found himself hating that Jorogumo, 'Ayane' the most.

Not only did she claim that she had been the one to knock them all out, but there were other comments that damn spider had made. Due to the design of the cell, the toilet was fully visible to those outside. Partially for a safeguard, but mostly to embarrass any Yokai in said cell. Except in this case, it was not Yokai as it should have been to his mind, but himself. And hearing that fucking Jorogumo comment that he was rather on the small side while his brother was at the other end of the spectrum not only hit him in the pride, but also pissed him the fuck off.

Enough to try and attack her, much to the Jorogumo's high amusement, when the Kyoto Aurors had finally gotten the cell door open.

It did not help that the other Yokai had, over the two days there, made comment after comment. Each one making him hate them all the more as they needled at him and his pride. Comparisons between him and his bastard of a little brother, and how much better Haruto was, human traitor, compared to him. It only fueled his hate and anger.

He had thought though that he would be sent on his way, but oh no. The Aurors from Kyoto had frogmarched him into old cells in their "Diet" building under Kyoto, which dated back to the Second World War at least. Cells that they commented had been used to hold Kamo and the like while awaiting trial. Words that sent a shiver down his spine no matter what he tried to portray.

Stewing in his cell, however, Ichiro didn't notice the man arrive at his cell door until the clearing of a throat made him look up to find his father there, "Ichiro-San."

With a sigh, Ichiro finally stood up and walked to the cell door, "Finally, Otou-San. Now get them to end this farce and open that door."

Much to his shock, however, his father shook his head with a sigh, "I can't do that, Ichiro-San." His gaze, when they met those of his son, contained shame, anger, and sadness, "You're being charged with assault, assault of a member of Reserve Personnel, assault with deadly intent, breaking into a Reserve with the intent to commit a crime, two counts of Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to commit Murder, and a number of others." Frowning, the older wizard frowned, "You're not leaving here until you go to trial, and likely straight to prison afterwards."

Completely and utterly shocked, Ichiro boggled at him before shaking his head, "No, no! You're wrong, I am not going to prison." Glaring, he scowled, "I have friends after all, powerful ones, and there's no real proof."

For a few moments, Hiashi looked down at the papers on a clipboard before closing his eyes with a sigh, "No, you don't have any friends, Ichiro-San. All those you are counting on? They're too busy at the moment attempting to save their own skins. At best? You're going to be made into a scapegoat. I would not be too surprised if you have already been made one. As for proof? Not only is there evidence from your brother, such as pictures taken of his injuries and scans showing that he had them at the time, but also the eyewitness accounts of the Yokai themselves. Also, the two Aurors already told the investigators everything. It seems that they hold very little loyalty to you."

Paling, Ichiro boggled for a few moments before taking a deep breath, "T-that does not matter!"

Once more, his father shook his head, "No, it does. Because the weight of evidence is such that you will be in prison for a long time." Closing his eyes, he sighed, "Why? Why did you do it?"

Hands clenched in rage, Ichiro twisted around and paced a little, "Why?" Suddenly, he faced his father through the bars, "Why!? Do you have any idea how much work I have put into my career? Rising in the ranks as I have!? I started from almost nothing!" He pointed his finger at Hiashi, "Because of you and how your career has gone! Like a fumbling fool, you don't understand how things work! Hence I needed to build everything myself! My reputation, my alliances, favors... everything!" Still snarling, the younger wizard faced his father's bland expression, "I was not going to lose all that because of a foolish Otouto who does not understand a single thing about this world!"

With a hum, Hiashi looked at him, "Is that so?"

Just snorting, his son gestured at him, "He could have gone far if only he listened to me. I had a job, a proper one, lined up under Healer Yamahara. But what does he go and do?" Turning, Ichiro sneered at his father, "Throws it back in my face like the idiotic, ungrateful brat he is! Instead, he goes into the Reserves as a Healer, a dead end job with no prospects. And out of what?"

Frowning, Hiashi slowly blinked, "Out of kindess, humility, and a want to help his fellow being. A calling to help those that need it."

Eyes rolling, Ichiro shook his head, "Spare me. Those creatures don't need it..." He tapped his own chest as he continued, "But no, just so that he could find those damn monsters that you and Okaa-San allowed for him to call 'Onee-San'! And even worse, he began a romantic relationship! It's sickening!" Smacking himself on the chest, the younger wizard continued, "HE WOULD RUIN OUR REPUTATION... MY REPUTATION! RUIN EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BUILT BECAUSE HE IS SOME SORT OF DEVIANT!"

Raising an eyebrow, his father frowned slightly, "A... deviant. Is that what you think he is for having a relationship with them?"

In reply, Ichiro threw his hands into the air, "Of course he is! It is like having sex with a dog you picked up at the pound!" Kicking the bars, he turned, "I would have thought that he would have forgotten about those creatures after I got them taken away. Become a proper wizard. But no..." Pointing in no direction in particular, the younger of the two growled, "That is why I did what I did! Because he is a stain on our honour!" Once more, he tapped his chest, "On my honour! And I was willing to do what was needed to remove it!"

Pain was on Hiashi's face as he closed his eyes, "I see..." Opening them, he gazed at his son with shame and agony, "Where did I go wrong as an Otou-San..."

Snorting, Ichiro shrugged and waved him off, "Who knows, Haruto was likely always a deviant, twisted by those creatures."

Moments later, he was brought up by his father's next words, "I didn't mean Haruto-Kun, Ichiro-San. I meant you."

Utterly stunned, Ichiro twisted around, "Say what..."

Only shaking his head, Hiashi sighed, "Whatever happened to that young boy I once bounced on my knee. Who used to bring flowers to his Okaa-San. What happened to him, and where did I go wrong..." Lips pressed thinly, he looked at his son for a few seconds before shaking his head, "Do you know why, Ichiro-San? Why I never got into bribes?"

Confused, his son blinked, "I... because you are a fool. Everyone knows this and says it."

His confusion increased as Hiashi snorted, "No, because I was too smart." Now it was his father's turn to roll his eyes, "Do you know what happens when you take a bribe to do something? Or accept doing something for a little, ah, favor?" Crossing his arms, he continued, "You now become caught with a stone around your neck. Because those people that bribe you? They know that they bribed you, and can use that against you. Yes, you can move up the ranks and such. But if you don't have lots of blackmail yourself, or powerful patrons? Then those that bribe you can hurt you such as when they get pulled in for an investigation on 'Corruption', like what happens every couple of years. Do you know why so many get charged? Because the others will take a plea by giving up information on those they bribe. And so they move down the chain until they come to people like you... who are then given the axe and charged fully, just to be seen to be doing something."

Mouth opening and closing, Ichiro stared at him, "I... no! You're wrong!" Shaking his head, though there was some unsureness in his eyes, he pointed at his father, "You're wrong! And even if that was so, somehow, I was rising up through the ranks quickly! I am a rising star!"

Slowly, the older of the two raised an eyebrow, "And you think that makes you safe? Because I can assure you, it does not. Quite the opposite." Stepping closer to the bars, he stared at his son, "Let me give you a piece of information, something that you have obviously ignored. Those who climb upwards quickly? Often step on the heads of those they pass. And those people remember, and look forward to the day when they can knock the ones who stepped on them down. I, perhaps, have risen very slowly, but I have not stepped on anyone. Perhaps I do not have connections with those higher ups, including politicians. But that does not mean that I do not have friends, ones who can pass things on and know that they can trust me not to stab them in the back. Despite everything that I tried to teach you... that is something that you have never understood."

Boggling, Ichiro stared at his father for several moments, "Y-you..."

For several more moments, Hiashi stared back at him, right in the eyes. Then, slowly, he turned to the papers on the clipboard, "Do you know what these are, Ichiro-San?" Getting the shake of the head, he sighed and continued, "These papers will make you dead to us."

A choking sound came from Ichiro as he realized what that meant.

Disownment.

Shocked, Ichiro shook his head, "N-no... you can't be serious!"

Not making any sign that he had heard him, Hiashi gestured with a hand and an ink pot floated up with a brush in it. Taking the brush, he sighed, "You will no longer be part of this family, of my family, as you wanted. No longer will you be burdened with being my son, Ichiro-San."

Hitting the bars, the younger wizard grabbed them, "You can't... YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!"

Eyes meeting those of the man on the other side of the bars, Hiashi's voice was filled with emotion, "I came here today to see if there was anything of my son left. If there was something of the young boy who once loved his Otou-San, Okaa-San, and adored his Otouto. But I see now... that my son died long ago without me noticing, and I shall live with that shame for the rest of my existence." Before Ichiro's disbelieving eyes, Hiashi took the brush and dipped it into the ink before slowly writing on the forms. Closing his eyes, the older man had a tear run down his cheek, "It is done."

Still gripping the bars, Ichiro slid down them until he was on his knees, "No..."

With a sigh, the older of the two shook his head, "There are some things that even family cannot forgive, Ichiro-San." Turning, he felt another tear leave his eyes, "Now, if you will excuse me... I must leave for home and tell my wife that not only is her eldest never coming home, but that he has now died. We shall grieve long and hard for him and hope, perhaps, he shall find peace of some sort. Thankfully, we can take solace in that we have one son left alive, who hopefully will gift us with grandchildren in a few years with fluffy tails and ears. Goodbye, Ichiro-San... I wish you a long life."

Ignoring the shouting and screaming behind him, the crying Hiashi left the jail behind him, knowing that he would need to comfort his wife in her own grief later.

 

[darthcourt10]

Shinr

Harry Leferts said:
Snip​

Sometime later, officials came to holding cells for a routine inspection of the detainees, and in very rare cases to determine if they were more valuable in Kyoto's shackled employ than being left to rot.

Ichiro was determined to be among those to get out, for he recognized one of the officials, a witch of a prestigious family he was courting once in pursuit of her family power with her beautiful body as a bonus, but failed at the time because of, in his mind, Haruto's shameful refusal of a prestigious healer position making him look bad.

As Ichiro was about to speak to her as she was passing by to the exit, hoping to reignite the fires of passion between them, blossoming into his ticket out of here, he was preemptively silenced by the look she gave him:


"You're so lucky, kid." One of his more....peculiar cellmates said "That was the 'Even-before-this-you-were-gutter-trash' glare. What would I give to be on the receiving end of it~"

Ichiro wanted to cry.