The ICW is gonna hold together once the statute falls about as well as humpty Dumpty after he slipped, IMO - too many conflicting opinions, too many violations of people's rights.
And ICW is being as useful as tits on a bull in both situations I imagine? Honestly, probably the only reason Egypt was able to interfere and not be in the same boat is because Cairo is quite far inland.
ICW: Okay, Egypt? You state that you can stop the Statute breaks in Libya? Magical Egypt: We can since we're right next door. Might get a bit messy though. ICW: Don't care, just prevent the fall of the Statute there. At least until the crisis is over, you're in charge of Libya. Magical Egypt: Thank you~ Non-Magical Egypt: So... we're good to go? Magical Egypt: We are so damn good to go. And don't worry, we might just have to, heh, attack 'Anti-ICW Forces' that just so happen to be close to the guys that could cause you, I mean us, problems... Non-Magical Egypt: *Grins widely*
But yeah, Cairo being inland is one reason, another being that there has been support for such a union in real life at various times, and Egypt is going with the idea that if they can settle the issue quickly, no one would complain...
It just seems so sad and wasteful, you know? That they were so close to completion but then scrapped because some bloody idiot decided that they were not good enough…
Mahoutokoro was chosen as the only ICW approved school in all of East Asia, especially with its pro-Statute and pro-ICW leanings and teachings as part of an effort to catch up with the rest of the world on the magical side.
Upon doing so, Harry did blink a little at seeing the bathtub, which resembled in many ways a barrel though bigger, filled with gently steaming water. Most of the floor itself was covered in tile and, off to one side, was a small shower unit. Looking around, Harry took in the bathroom and nodded some, "This… is really nice."
Well, I suppose this is a good time and excuse to ask: Do the Abyssals in this 'verse have anything like that Enemy Naval Mine as a living creature, or are abyssal mines just basically the usual metal bombs.
You know, I've noticed this resurgence of drama and derails on both threads of this story and have wondered why. Aside from the obvious problem posters, I think that part of the problem is that we have quite a few new posters who did not read all the story post* but still wants to impose their headcanon and views on how things will go down without consulting with the main authors.
This time was a little bit worse than usual as they actually argued that it was unrealistic to expect them to read all the sidestories to understand the lore. Then proceeded to argue with the lore even when outright told. Then outright accuse those that were trying to correct them on the lore of not giving constructive feedback, as they wrote a non-canon snippet and brought up writing a series of snippets intended to be canon. When they had been warned that the non-canon snippet in question was a bad idea, and the actual snippet was worse than expected in terms of being a bad idea. Yet when corrected on what the lore actually was, kept trying to insist on what they thought the lore should be being true, not the actual lore.
Yeah, and this went on for several days. Granted that they finally seem to be getting the message to catch up on the lore before sticking their oar in again, but it's been...irritating.
Well, I suppose this is a good time and excuse to ask: Do the Abyssals in this 'verse have anything like that Enemy Naval Mine as a living creature, or are abyssal mines just basically the usual metal bombs.
I think they were mentioned a few times by shipgirls (with the associated jokes) but I don't remember if those mentions were as part of canon or from omakes.
But yeah, Cairo being inland is one reason, another being that there has been support for such a union in real life at various times, and Egypt is going with the idea that if they can settle the issue quickly, no one would complain...
Well for most of the 80's and 90's 'Col. Gaddafi' 'sponsored' attacks on Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Chad, Sudan and the Niger with terrorists that had military training, equipment and ironically unofficial military bases (that were real military bases to "protect" Libya from "terrorists from other countries) and when said nations complained his reply was that any military coming across the border would be treated as an invasion and he would retaliate. IRL Pres. Reagan's was to eliminate 4 "terrorist" camps, 1 chemical weapons factory, and Gaddafi's residence - shockingly "terrorist" attacks on other countries subsided for quite a while...
Really nice snip, Harry. If it doesn't seem like I comment a lot when you put out consistent good, quality snips, what more can I say than 'Well Done'?
Now...
Nagato chan: "Harry? Why did you not mention this 'Emperor Norton' and her associates before? They would be quite useful to us! On the other hand, MORE Pocket Battleships? Like those Italian girls I heard rumors about... Well, I have to run, Harry. I'm expecting some guests from the Continent."
A. N. -- As a note, chronologically a chunk of this takes place before part two. A look into Durmstrang. Prior snip here.
The Black Goat Of The (Croat) Woods (II)
Slytherin Head Boy's Rooms, Slytherin Dungeon, Hogwarts
Friday, November 28th 2014
Elspeth Alexdrina Crnokozic awoke in the predawn stillness.
For long moments, she stayed still, luxuriating in the solid, secure warmth of the massive young man that she was cuddled against.
Just listening to his breath causing her head, pillowed on his chest and shoulder, to rise and fall.
Just feeling the massive tree trunk of his arm wrapped protectively around her slender body, with one powerful hand covering her hip as he held her.
Her eyes opened so she could enjoy the sight of Vincent Crabbe's sleeping face illuminated by the dim phosphorescent light of the Black Lake illuminating him and her under the emerald bed-sheets.
He was not a conventionally handsome man, certainly. His friend Draco Malfoy had the aristocratic refined features that Vince lacked.
But she couldn't be happier with her betrothed.
'She couldn't be happier with Vince,' she gave a naughty little mental giggle when she amended that thought, 'until her wedding day and then wedding night when her oath to her rusalka 'cousin' and blood-sister Vesna would be fulfilled in the moment Vince claimed her virginity... and she claimed his. After all, the rusalka were, among other things, the traditional spirits of fertility for the fields, and the marriage bed. So propriety and tradition was quite important for them, as was only right and proper.'
Her first night spent alongside her Vince, her zlato, had been magical, and the future was bright even with the looming crash of the Statute of Secrecy that he had obliquely discussed with her. So many more nights like this one awaited her....
She had feared how he would react when she revealed her heritage, the pact that her family labored under, the secrets that he and she must keep among themselves for their family. And yet, he had not just accepted her confession without the violent outburst that she had feared -- for her zlato did have the capability to be violent in defense of her and his friends, she had no doubt of that! -- but he had in turn revealed some of his secrets to her.
'As was only proper for a husband to do with his wife.' Elspeth thought drowsily with a fond smile, while her eyes closed. She cuddled further into his solidity, pressing her slender form to his like flowing water would caress a stone in the riverbed.
Idly, her mind turned toward her memories of the day before while she began to dream once more....
She listened to the susurrus of water gently lapping at the boat, the creaks of enchanted timber in response, and the drowsing sounds of the other girls in the Durmstrang delegation for a long moment.
Then she roused herself fully on automatic instinct born from the last six years of having to endure Durmstrang. She checked the wards which she had cast upon the alcove containing her bed to insure none of the others, especially that bitch Kozma, had done anything to her while she slept.
Clear.
She then gently caressed her Grigorivich wand, running her fingers across the swirling patterns of flowing water carved into the black-varnished chestnut. She felt once more the slumbering rightness of Vesna's donated tresses as the core of the wand that her family had commissioned for her when she took it in her hand to begin her day's schooling.
Elspeth raised a mental eyebrow as she saw Viktor Krum in the entrance hall. She gave him a nod, and got the expected taciturn grunt back.
The mental eyebrow raised further when she realized that he was clearly waiting for someone. She mentally smirked and looked for an excuse to observe him. Assuming that Vince wasn't up early for a change to carry her away for a pleasant conversation while they waited for breakfast to be served.
The excuse she was looking for came when two more of her classmates walked inside, brushing snow from their robes. It seemed that Katrusia Pushkainichna Neschadymenko's ailment had finally tapered off, and the massive Russian girl was looking healthy for a change. She was chatting in Russian with her bosom companion Svetlana Pyotrovna Volkova.
While the Bolshevik Bitches weren't particularly close to Elspeth (or most of their fellow Senior Year girls), they weren't actively hostile like many had become thanks to her prickly defensive attitude driving her classmates away.
Plus she could stand to perhaps try to Reparo some of the bridges that she had burned with them during their past years together. With that thought, Elspeth headed to intercept them, craning her neck to look up at the massive Russian giantesses. Not for the first time, she wondered what kind of things they fed these girls at home -- clearly borscht and vodka couldn't account for it all.
"Katrusia, I am glad to see that your ailment has finally passed. Svetlana." She spoke in her best polite voice.
The brunette of the pair gave her uncharateristically mild words a somewhat suspicious look. "Da. Now I am to be catching up on missed classwork," a heavy sigh punctuated Katrusia's cool statement, "again."
For Katrusia to speak that way toward her... that was actually quite warm. She must be in a good mood thanks to finally getting out and about from her sickbed.
Elspeth nodded sympathetically and took advantage of the opening. "I can share my Advanced Divination notes with you. Professor Trelawney covered British-style Ornithomancy while you were unable to attend her classes." She took a deep breath and played her final trump card. "I... felt bad for you missing the First Task so I helped prepare some of the poultices to alleviate your condition."
Which was true, but not the whole truth, since she had mainly taken the chance initially to learn under a well respected Medi-witch in Madam Pomfrey as they treated Katrusia as best they could. But she had felt sorry for Katrusia and that had factored into her helping with the treatments to ameliorate whatever magical curse that was.
Katrusia glanced at Svetlana, who gave a barely perceptible nod between puffs of her ever-present cigarette.
"Ahh. I may take you up on it. Are you waiting for your man then?" Katrusia finally said slowly.
Elspeth lowered her voice and watched out of the corner of her eye as a pretty brunette witch in a Gryffindor uniform approached Viktor, who subtly perked up as she walked toward him while holding a note. "Indeed I am waiting for Vincent, but I'm also watching Viktor. It seems that romance may have finally cracked the Great Bulgar Seeker's Stone Face."
All three girls watched the byplay between Krum and the girl subtly. Finally Svetlana stubbed out her cigarette. "We should go in before it fills up. That way we can save a seat for your man, Elspeth."
Elspeth blinked as the witch gave a visible double-take at the sight of her and the Russians walking past them before returning to her conversation with Krum. Sadly, the conversation in Russian between the two was about book suggestions rather than anything more spicy.
'How interesting. That sullen Slav actually had cracked a small smile at the girl when she arrived. But doesn't he...?' Elspeth frowned in thought while she walked inside.
Her frown turned into a smile instantly at the sight of Vince along with some other Slytherins that she had been introduced to.
It didn't escape her notice either that Svetlana promptly passed a banknote to a smirking Katrusia at the sight of her warm and welcoming smile.
'Those Bolshevik Bitches....' She thought with a mental laugh.
Elspeth handed over her copies of the last few weeks' Divination notes to Katrusia as they left Professor Trelawney's classroom. "{There you go.}" She spoke in her fluent but accented Russian.
"{Thank you.}" The Russian girl gave her a coolly calculating stare as they began to walk downstairs to change for dinner. "{You are being uncommonly nice. Not normal bitchy self like a female Manticore with a toothache on period. I am wondering what provoked this.}"
Elspeth paused and leaned on a balcony overlooking the lake. "{Honestly?}" She sighed and looked at the snow covered shores and patches of ice dotting the water. "{Blame Vince for the change in my attitude. Being betrothed to a man like him, getting to know him after we arrived....}" She trailed off and chuckled wryly, shaking her head. "{All that has has made me realize that I... needn't be so hostile to those around me all the time. I shouldn't have been so standoffish to you and Svetlana the last few years. I'm sorry for that. Not sorry for being a bitch back to Kozma and her pals, though.}"
Katrusia took up her own spot on the balcony and nodded. "{You lost me money, you should know. Considering your,}" the brunette chuckled, "{loud and violent reaction to the news of your betrothal last year, especially when you saw the photograph of your man enclosed in the letter announcing it, I put fifteen hundred rubles on you killing him then. Now? Nichego}" She finished with a sigh and shrug.
Elspeth chuckled once more, then looked at the gray cloudy skies. "{I was tempted to react violently toward him, believe me. But I'm glad that my parents argued me into this trip over the summer and I promised them to give Vince a fair chance to show what he was made of. Now? Now I wouldn't trade my zlato for anything. Anything.}" Her lips quirked and she finished with the same Russian word that Katrusia had used to show her acceptance of the inevitable. "{Nichego.}"
Katrusia hummed to accept the point while they watched the clouds slowly move across the winter sky
A companionable silence developed.
Finally Katrusia spoke quietly. "{To my friends, I am Katya}"
Elspeth responded equally quietly. "{And I'm Elsica to my friends, Katya}"
Katrusia hummed once more and returned to looking at the scene.
Finally Elspeth glanced at her watch. "{We should get ready for dinner, Katya. Preferably before Svetlana comes looking for you. Probably to take blackmail pictures of you cheating on her with your Elsica.}" She finished with a teasing tone in her voice that showed that she didn't mean the joke.
Katrusia boomed a laugh and stood. "{Nyet! She and I are good friends, sisters from different parents, Elsica. Nothing more. I prefer boys myself, as does she. Was wondering.... Former Queen Bitch of Durmstrang has found Prince Charming, and wondering where mine is, Elsica. If he exists....}"
Elspeth patted Katrusia on the shoulder (and had to stand on her tiptoes to do it). "Relax, Katya. The right man's out there for you and you'll find him. Ahh, what do you want in a man?}"
"{Must be clever, capable, daring, and have willingness to go the extra mile for me.}" The Russian girl responded as they resumed their walk downstairs. "{Know anyone who fits, Elsica?}"
Elspeth shook her head. "{Sadly, no. Vince is taken by me, and Draco is VERY taken by three shipgirls after him. Plus he's being pursued by Kozma and some local twin bitch like her named Parkinson. Not that they will catch him; he can't stand them and they pissed him off. You didn't hear this gossip from me, Katya, but Draco's also got a fair bit of interest in his cute blonde Hufflepuff cousin according to Vince. Greg....}" She frowned. "{Kozma got to him and wrecked him. Plus he's not the smartest guy around. Sorry.}"
"{Nichego. Cannot be helped. Was worth shot in the dark. So what do you plan doing after dinner?}" Katrusia inquired.
"{I'll be spending time with Vince and his friends, getting to know them. I might be very late coming back to the ship, or not at all. I plan to cuddle with him in bed.}" Elspeth admitted with a blush and small smirk as they reached the second floor.
Katrusia blinked in surprise and stared at her classmate. "{I am of understanding that Hogwarts has similar enchantments to the Ship and Dorms back home that prohibit 'cuddling' between unchaperoned boy and girl, Elsica. Cannot even be in same non-public room, much less in bed together.}"
Elspeth's smirk filled with anticipation. "{Oh, I have arranged a workaround for that....}"
You know, I've noticed this resurgence of drama and derails on both threads of this story and have wondered why. Aside from the obvious problem posters, I think that part of the problem is that we have quite a few new posters who did not read all the story post* but still wants to impose their headcanon and views on how things will go down without consulting with the main authors.
*But I don't feel like I can really call them out on this because I myself have skipped some storylines that you wrote because I don't find them interesting**. Sorry SisterJeanne.
**But even then I still try to get the gist of those storylines so that I don't get blindsided by new snippets that builds on the previous storylines. It is also why I rarely comment on your stuff because I know that I'm not knowledgeable enough in your storylines to give a good feedback.
That's Ok. I understand that my snips, writing style, characters, themes and whatnot aren't for everyone (and vice versa, there's some HatSG sidestory authors and some character's plots that I just skim since they just don't interest me). I do appreciate that you try to keep abreast of my stuff even when it's not to your tastes, since one of my bad habits is that I go big evolving plot thread rather than stand-alones (generally).
Yeah, that's Seiche for you. I suspect that when the SoS falls, she will make a deliberate appearance to pose for the cameras. Cue poor Charlie facepalming as his girl becomes a celebrity.
ICW: Okay, Egypt? You state that you can stop the Statute breaks in Libya? Magical Egypt: We can since we're right next door. Might get a bit messy though. ICW: Don't care, just prevent the fall of the Statute there. At least until the crisis is over, you're in charge of Libya. Magical Egypt: Thank you~ Non-Magical Egypt: So... we're good to go? Magical Egypt: We are so damn good to go. And don't worry, we might just have to, heh, attack 'Anti-ICW Forces' that just so happen to be close to the guys that could cause you, I mean us, problems... Non-Magical Egypt: *Grins widely*
But yeah, Cairo being inland is one reason, another being that there has been support for such a union in real life at various times, and Egypt is going with the idea that if they can settle the issue quickly, no one would complain...
I have to say, I love this (and Del probably placed some private calls to people she knows in Egypt to let them know MACUSA would be hands off or remind them about some things to insure are covered).
This time was a little bit worse than usual as they actually argued that it was unrealistic to expect them to read all the sidestories to understand the lore. Then proceeded to argue with the lore even when outright told. Then outright accuse those that were trying to correct them on the lore of not giving constructive feedback, as they wrote a non-canon snippet and brought up writing a series of snippets intended to be canon. When they had been warned that the non-canon snippet in question was a bad idea, and the actual snippet was worse than expected in terms of being a bad idea. Yet when corrected on what the lore actually was, kept trying to insist on what they thought the lore should be being true, not the actual lore.
And he's not admitting that he was int he wrong beginning to end there, despite multiple people telling him that he was at the time and afterward. And that snippet was... yeah. Words fail me. It's not just the lore, but the overarching 'theme' of the universe. This isn't a grimdark fic, although he was trying to have it be.
Yeah, and this went on for several days. Granted that they finally seem to be getting the message to catch up on the lore before sticking their oar in again, but it's been...irritating.
Well for most of the 80's and 90's 'Col. Gaddafi' 'sponsored' attacks on Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Chad, Sudan and the Niger with terrorists that had military training, equipment and ironically unofficial military bases (that were real military bases to "protect" Libya from "terrorists from other countries) and when said nations complained his reply was that any military coming across the border would be treated as an invasion and he would retaliate. IRL Pres. Reagan's was to eliminate 4 "terrorist" camps, 1 chemical weapons factory, and Gaddafi's residence - shockingly "terrorist" attacks on other countries subsided for quite a while...
IIRC one of the F-111s cycled the crosshairs over a nearby tent where Gaddafi was supposedly sleeping (according to US intel) before hitting his target with a laser guided bomb. That tape was then sent to the Libyans.
Really nice snip, Harry. If it doesn't seem like I comment a lot when you put out consistent good, quality snips, what more can I say than 'Well Done'?
The Diadem Horcrux is already being handled (in fact, Dumbledore and company have it) and Greg's in a different place. The canon plotline has well and truly jumped the tracks.
Yeah, Draco's loyal to his people. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have done jack shit for Goyle when Kamilla ripped the poor guy's heart out*. Instead of comforting him and arranging for a date for the Yule Ball so he won't be humiliated (OK a shoggoth date as it stands, but still...).
*If Draco hadn't intervened, there's good odds that Greg would have wandered out one night into the Forbidden Forest looking for some hungry Acromantulas....
And he's not admitting that he was int he wrong beginning to end there, despite multiple people telling him that he was at the time and afterward. And that snippet was... yeah. Words fail me. It's not just the lore, but the overarching 'theme' of the universe. This isn't a grimdark fic, although he was trying to have it be.
This is kind of why I just stopped following the SB thread altogether, even though it means missing out on some snippets. The crowd over there can get really nasty.
The Diadem Horcrux is already being handled (in fact, Dumbledore and company have it) and Greg's in a different place. The canon plotline has well and truly jumped the tracks.
Yeah, Draco's loyal to his people. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have done jack shit for Goyle when Kamilla ripped the poor guy's heart out*. Instead of comforting him and arranging for a date for the Yule Ball so he won't be humiliated (ok a shoggoth date as it stands, but still...).
*If Draco hadnt intervened, there's good odds that Greg would have wandered out one night into the Forbidden Forest looking for some hungry Acromantulas....
I suspect this is another case of someone skimming, and assuming that canon characterizations apply. Much like how it took a while for people to accept that Draco in HatSG got a wakeup call early enough to be a far better person.
I suspect this is another case of someone skimming, and assuming that canon characterizations apply. Much like how it took a while for people to accept that Draco in HatSG got a wakeup call early enough to be a far better person.
Heh... I can see that Elspeth knows how to apologize (something that many people never learn) and has the intelligence to know when to (which is just as important).
Sorry, Katya currently Ron has his hands full (though as she's unawakened...) Her ship may or may not need repairs (can't remember off paw) at last count 2 brit BB's 1 french BB, 1 installation, 1 Abyssal BB (still learning to human) and 1 possible captive of DOM ass's.
And I'll note that unlike many other departments/ministries/governments the various special project departments (Department of Mysteries, TOTEM, other research departments) will need review (75% to 95% chance the reviewer/s go "THEY DID WHAT!!!" several (hundred) times).
terrorists 
