Scene #8143: WCW: Naval Review

Owner	Pose
Midway	Sea of Okhotsk; Eastern Asia 200 miles off the coast of the Kingdom of Wilkia Mobile Harbor Skidbladnir The Skidbladnir is a massive seagoing vessel, currently in the expected shape of a warship with large pontoon-like extensions affixed to the hull. It is clearly designed to unfold itself to provide docks for multiple smaller ships at once. A true mobile logistics center. It even has its own airstrip and multiple helipads, all occupied with bringing guests on board, and a cavernous amidships hanger. Today, the Skidbladnir's flight deck is filled with bleacher seating and decorations in the aqua and silver hues of the Wilkian flag and naval ensign. A band in full uniform plays upbeat, well-practiced music with a heavy emphasis on brass, horns and trombone with a leading piccolo. It's the Wilkian naval anthem, rather than their national anthem. A colossal screen set behind a stage shows projected video from aircraft; highlighting in greater detail the formations of steel warships with tidbits of information provided at the top; currently highlighting the gunnery cruiser Ratatosk, under Commander Werner, and perhaps a dozen other vessels whose names are only listed as 'DD 1934 Type' There are quite possibly hundreds of people in attendance. A great number of them seem to be officials serving the Wilkian government, others being diplomats and ambassadors from afar as well as more local. Some occupy bleachers, others are clustered in groups having conversations or watching the maneuvering ships on-screen or through binoculars and telescopes.
Midway	King Heinrich is easy to pick out, standing in front of the screen, engaged in spirited conversation with an older (if fit) man in a Japanese naval uniform (identified as Admiral Tsukuba, Japan, by his name badge) and a German woman in a long white coat (Doctor Elsabeth Braun, Germany). "So you see," Heinrich states as he gestures out to sea, "The Heidrun assembles unmanned vessels based on existing blueprints. We call them 'Mass Production' warships. Arranged in squadrons and assigned to a commanded flagship; there," He points, "You can see the flotilla assembling with Ratatosk now." "Automated mass-produced warships..." Tsukuba strokes his beard, "It does sound fascinating. Undoubtedly a way to greatly increase naval power. But something about it makes me uneasy." "I would like to see how this is accomplished," Braun speaks up, "A construction vessel capable of this sounds like an incredible work of engineering." "Oh, it is," Heinrich beams, "Although you understand, the exact workings are top secret. And aside from that, I certainly don't grasp it enough to explain even if I was allowed to." Lifting a hand, he gestures, "Admiral Weisenberger is far more intimately involved with the project, but he couldn't be here-- he has to coordinate the fleet's activities for our demonstrations, you see."
Kirishima	Among the envoys visiting the assembly for the Wilkian Naval Review is a '''ninja'''. Rather than being clad in the stereotypical black and gray colors of the stealthy ninja or the commoner's clothing of one blending in, however, Kirishima has opted for a brighter white and blue approach complete with a mask that obscures her mouth partially. Also, a great red scarf that flaps dramatically behind her that only gets more wild when she leaps off a flag of one of the visiting nations to land in the classic three-point pose not far from where King Heinrich is speaking. Naturally, the scarf wraps around and flaps behind her right when Kirishima turns around to greet him and those with concerns he's addressing. "I expect great things from this fleet, King Heinrich! Having minds of their own even in this state, able to decide for themselves how to navigate and what to prioritize, even knowing when to preserve their own lives... This is how a ship should truly operate." Kirishima sounds thoroughly pleased, even if she's jumping to her own conclusions about it a bit too quickly. "Have they names of their own? Although... I suppose it's too early to ask that of them now. They will know when the time comes what names burn to be screamed out from within their souls!" She pauses, looking out towards the sea with another dramatic glint in her eyes. Beneath her mask, she mutters quietly to herself. "Screamed? Screamt? Screm..."
John Doe	John is here. Why? Because this was one of these big shindigs, and they always have good food to eat. John, when the time is right, will just steal some food and hang out in an obnoxious place for people who can't perceive him to deal with. Then there will be a show, probably, and loud explosions and neat shit going down. Until then, he was hanging over a railing and watching the ship in the distance. Of course, he was overhearing the king talking to some talking heads. Automated, eh? Surprised that the Americans weren't trying to send spies to get this kinda crap. With a yawn, he slides over to look back at the people around him themselves. Really just looking for anyone interesting to hang out with, even if they couldn't see him. Sometimes being in your own prison sucks, but other times it gives you some degree of freedom.
Midway	When Kirishima drops in out of nowhere, the officials around Heinrich respond in different ways. Heinrich himself jumps with a shout, throwing up his arms defensively while leaning back on one foot. Very quickly, he recovers and clears his throat, "--Ah. Miss Kirishima of the Paladins, was it? Please excuse my surprise." Doctor Braun's reaction is to shift into an unambiguously hostile stance, reaching into her jacket. The pistol she's quite clearly reaching for is abandoned only when Heinrich introduces the woman. Relaxing back into a neutral stance, the doctor closes her eyes and pushes her glasses up her nose, "Wilkia and Germany have a research treaty, but certain things are well within the bounds of secrecy between nations." Admiral Tsukuba...towers over Kirishima with his arms folded, the brim of his cap concealing one eye while the other catches light from within the shadows cast over his face. After a moment, his lips split into a broad, honest grin, "Ho, 'Kirishima', is it? You share a name with a fine ship I served on, once." A hand unfolds, cradling his chin as his eyes close, "A handsome and willfull lass, that one. Survived some tough battles below those decks." His gaze lifts to the ships in the distance as they execute a synchronized turning maneuver, "Ships, like all things, have a soul of their own. Maybe that's what's bothering me about this mass production business. Without a crew to steer and guide her, to impart their wisdom and care, how will her soul develop?" "Screamed is correct, by the way," Braun offers to the ninja. She flips a hand in a gesture, "On an unrelated matter, I understand the presence of a Paladin. I recognize many diplomats here, but why is there a schoolchild here?" She gestures towards John against the railing, there. "Hmm?" King Heinrich follows the gesture, then returns his gaze to the Doctor, "Forgive me, I must not be getting the joke, Doctor. German humor often escapes me, please be merciful."
John Doe	John opens his eyes, head under a rather large hat that helps keep both rain and sun out of his eyes. Over that is an overcoat, obviously, he's more traveler than a high schooler. A finger moves up to flick the hat slightly up so he can get a better sight of someone who said 'what is a high schooler doing here'. Oh, she sees him. Huh. Well, it wasn't /impossible/, but it's rather improbable...though it means she's an elite. The Ninja who is anything but a ninja is an elite too, he remembers her voice from the radio. It's hard to not remember that voice and someone who has no idea what a ninja does. He's not even the right nationality. "That's because he can't see me, ma'am. Don't mind me, I'm just a tourist. It's a curse if you belive in these kinds of things."
Kirishima	Looking completely unflapped by Doctor Braun's pistol and Admiral Tsukuba's general height, Kirishima holds her position as she dips into a brief curtsey that's decidedly more modern than the ninja-y attire she's wearing (and despite the lack of an actual skirt). "Indeed. I am Kirishima, agent of the Paladins, leader of the IFAS, and...!" She doesn't actually have a third thing to introduce herself with. Instead, she turns to Tsukuba with a polite smile of her own that's kind of hard to see, but easy enough to hear even through her mask. Her gaze softens slightly when he mentions having fought on her namesake, then clears her throat to put on that boisterous tone again. "I've been told as such! I can only hope I can live up to that legacy, even if I do not share the same memories of her battles and her tribulations." Following his gaze to the ships, Kirishima strokes her chin lightly as she considers his concerns. "That's certainly fair. I've known some that indulged in the worst of excess when left to their own devices, others that have thrived without a hand to control them, and even more that have remained with their crews to live more predictable lives." There's a somewhat somber tone in that last part, but she shakes it off quickly once Braun gives her the right word and also directs her attention towards John. Squinting briefly at him, Kirishima raises a hand towards him in a rather unambiguous greeting. "Greetings, fellow envoy! There's no need to be afraid, as we're all spectators alike here. Come, come. There's sure to be more excitement to be had as a group."
Midway	"I don't believe in curses," Doctor Braun states with a shrug, "Which doesn't make them not real, I will admit. Especially with this expanded horizon." Resting a hand on her hip, she locks eyes with the young man, "You could do worse than a naval review, I suppose. Allow me to welcome you aboard." Heinrich seems flabbergasted at the idea that the Doctor is talking to nobody, but Tsukuba simply nods once, "Aye. It pays to be open-minded, these days. Even an old fool like me can see the wisdom in that." His gaze rests on John for a moment, then lifts to the ships in the distance when the rumble of gunfire reaches the Skidbladnir, "Hoh. Something's happening. An artillery drill? You spoil me, King Heinrich." Something about that frazzles the King, though. He checks his pocketwatch, then excuses himself and steps away from the group towards the Skidbladnir's bridge tower. Those with a sense for it can pick up that the vessel has begun to move. A subtle, deep vibration of the engines turning over, though the sheer size of it makes it less obvious that the ship is moving beyond that. It's Tsukuba who notices it. Of course an old sailor would pick up on that right away. His eyes shift towards his feet, then up towards the superstructure at the smoke starting to billow out of the paired funnels. All he lets out from this observation, though, is a 'hmm' as his gaze returns to the activity out at sea. "IFAS, I've heard of that. Independent Federation of Autonomous Spirits, isn't it?" the Admiral folds his arms, "I will admit I had never met a tsukumogami in person before. Though I have heard of them, and treat my tools with the care and reverence they deserve. To think there is more to it than superstitions... As the Doctor says; broader horizons. Even this old dog can learn a thing or two." While the Ratatosk and her mass-produced escorts perform a gunnery drill perhaps a mile away, another destroyer pulls up much closer to Skidbladnir, accompanied by another half dozen 'DD 1934 Type' mass production models. It is perhaps the most obvious indicator that Skidbladnir is now moving, with these smaller ships keeping up. They also serve as a healthy indication of how massive Skidbladnir actually is, dwarfing the destroyer Authumla.
John Doe	John just stares at Kirishima, just staring at her for the longest time. "And here I thought /I/ was a show-off. I ain't an envoy, I am just here because I was bored and this looked interesting to do at the time. Also learnin' about the Multiverse and all." Seems Tsukuba can see him too. Funny, you'd think the King would be elite, but apparently /not/. He turns his head towards Braun again, shrugging. "Well, a curse would be inaccurate too...it's more the result of a wish, but what is a curse but a wish for someone at the expense of another, eh?" "Simply put, a malformed wish made it so I don't quite exist. The world attempts to enforce that, and it still has yet to put me out," a pause, "As for the review. I don't live near the water, but I have always had a fascination. Though I'm not one for regulations and hierarchies. Though the king's sudden dismay and leaving, followed by the ship moving gets a curious 'hm' from him. "What's got him all disturbed? Also, are we supposed to be moving?"
Kirishima	"An open mind helps to see everything and anything, it's true. I never imagined I would become a leader of anything a scant few years ago, and yet that's just what happened. And now..." Kirishima goes quiet as she listens to the gunfire in the distance, letting out a long wistful sigh at that. "That certainly takes me back to simpler times. I wonder if they're still using the same munitions these days..." Noticing the king's shift in mood, Kirishima just sort of turns slightly to keep him in her peripheral vision without calling him out just yet. She's still on heightened alert after that, though, and there's a moment where it looks like she might leave to keep an eye on him right up until Tsukuba gets her attention by actually recognizing her group. "T... That is, yes." It takes a moment for her to force the surprise out of her voice, and to shift right back into that very convincingly ninja-esque tone. "Let me be the first, then! You'll see that we're not quite so different from regular people, even if our creation isn't quite the same. We still have hopes and dreams of our own, minds and hands to pursue and mold those dreams, and things to teach and learn from both the older generation and the youth such as..." She doesn't actually know John's name, but she's staring right at him. She listens closely to his story about the wish-turned-curse affecting his ability to be perceived, and that in turn gets Kirishima to approach him head on. She raises a hand, then clasps his shoulder firmly with an intense look in her eyes. "This curse will not defeat you. You've been able to make it this far, and your spirit shall serve you well. I know you will prevail." She states confidently, then takes note of the approaching destroyer along with John's own question about the moving ship. Without another word, Kirishima leaps from there right off the edge of the ship, landing not too far on the water besides the destroyer and the MP models. Gliding across the water to join them, she raises her hand in a quick salute. "Greetings, friends! Where shall we be going today?"
Midway	Doctor Braun rubs her chin in thought, "A malformed wish, is it... Interesting." Closing her eyes, she shrugs, "I'm hardly an expert on such matters, but I can imagine it being more than a little troublesome." She hadn't noticed the ship is moving until others draw attention to it, though, glancing up towards the bridge and the funnels, then out towards the escorts as they form up alongside, "Hm?" Shifting, Braun produces a notepad, flipping a few pages, "It appears there was a change in schedule, I suppose the King is simply wanting an explanation for it. The gunnery demonstration wasn't meant to be until much later." "Mmm," Tsukuba lets out that noise of Deep Thought while listening to Kirishima's thoughts on the experiences of tool spirits. After a moment, he simply nods once, "Yes, of course. While you may say you are a spirit, you are every bit as human as I can tell and I see no reason to change that impression." He steps up to the railing when Kirishima goes overboard to join the smaller vessels, folding his arms and addressing John directly-- though without looking at him, "A fascination is a healthy one, boy. What I overheard tells me you've been through a lot. And you have struggles ahead of you. Don't forget moments like this. You'll fight, and fight hard, I can tell. Just don't let fighting become all that you can be. Even if it's sitting on a bench feeding the birds, those small moments help keep us human." Tilting his head slightly, he at last makes eye contact, then glances back to the nearer of the ship formations. Someone leaping off the Skidbladnir has the Authumla's crew in a tizzy. The Man Overboard siren even goes off, only deactivating when it's obvious Kirishima is standing on the water rather than sinking into it. This does get a bunch of sailors on deck to greet her, though, and several wave empty hands or remove their hats and wave those at the ninjaboat's passing, with some awed cheers at such a stunt. Her question gets an answer from a man in a tan uniform; a Chief, by all measures. He shouts back, "We're to escort Skidbladnir to a safer distance during gunnery operations! Orders straight from the King!" On Skidbladnir's deck, though, Tsukuba's eyes narrow, "Something's wrong." Braun glances at him, then back to the escort formation, "...Are they aiming at each other? No," She leans forward, placing her weight on the railing, "They're aimed at us!" Except for the manned destroyer in the lead, the Mass Produced squadron opens fire, pelting Skidbladnir's broadside with low-caliber ammunition. It's not enough to pierce the massive ship's hide, and impact so far below the deck that fragments aren't a threat to those topside, but the shock and noise causes a proper panic amongst the delegates occupying her flight deck. It also causes quite a panic amongst the men on Authumla's deck. The Battle Stations klaxon sounds and deckhands scramble back inside to their stations while the ship starts turning away to bring her own guns to bear.
Kirishima	Although Kirishima certainly wasn't intending to cause a scene by jumping onto the water, she's certainly enjoying the attention. She waves in return at the sailors on deck and even does a few standing front flips and back flips to show off how much of a ninja she is while in the midst of doing her ninja water skating to keep up with the destroyer. "A noble pursuit! Keep up the good work, soldiers. THe King will most certainly recognize your-" Her words of recognition and puffery don't last long, though, as she sees and hears something rather concerning from the nearby MP squadron. "What are you...? Cease fire, cease fire!" That's a quick way to get the ninja into a more pronounced fighting stance. Breaking into an outright sprint, she aims herself at the nearest offending destroyer and slams into it head on. True to her namesake's designation as a fast battleship, she forgoes subtlety in favor of just charging into the squadron directly, trying to shove them off course and into each other to arrest further attempts at firing as well as buying time for those on deck to get out of harm's way.
John Doe	John's taken by surprise by Kirishima's earnest, and overly direct attempt to cheer him up. He laughs a little, "I suppose you're right about that because I'm too stubborn to back down easily...though you might want to have words with that Lilian fellow in your employ. She seems to think this kind of curse isn't worth getting involved in my world's problems for. Also, totally has her head somewhere the sun don't shine." With the Paladin off, Braun gives her opinion on the matter. "Yeah, it's very isolating. Honestly, the Multiverse being a thing has been the first real contact with other people I've had in years...and it's not completely foolproof." Tsukuba gets his attention and another laugh. "I can't be that transparent, right? Look, I like sitting around and watchin' the birds and flowers and stuff. I ain't a meathead completely, but I getcha. Eyes on the prize, but don't forget the stuff around ya. Don't worry, I still try and act my age sometimes, heh." Though with the two adults said something was wrong, followed by the shots shaking the ship and scaring everyone on it. "You guys might want to try to get people to cover, I'll keep you and the ship covered," he says, and stands up to stand on the railing. "MAN IN THE IRON MASK, COME FORTH!" he booms. Above him, the fluorescent light of the mask of the Iron Mask is revealed. Chains in various colors including argon and neon rise up. The ship he is on would be /him/ for now. Chains move out to try and cover the deck and the people there. The SECOND part is that the area around the ship would now radiate his aura. Meaning that metaphorical chains would start wrapping around ships that got too close, ones firing on them, and start reducing their movement severely. "I ain't a professional in a naval battle, so if someone can tell me how to set up roadblocks for their ship that'll be helpful to you and harmful to them, that'll be great. Otherwise, if anything that isn't us or an ally gets too close, they'll be pretty slow."
Midway	Braun's already stepping away from the railing when John advises evacuation, taking control of the various delegates. The sailors who made up the band join in, ushering ambassadors and diplomats to the far side of the ship and below decks. Admiral Tsukuba stays near John, though, hanging on to the railing. John asks about a roadblock, and the sailor advises, "You use chains, boy? A ship is like a building, it'll plow through most things you put in front of it. But--" Raising a hand, he points, "Below the waterline, astern. Tangle up their propellers. Yank on their rudders. You can stop them in their tracks like that. Make them run in circles. Get to it!" Skidbladnir's armored flank takes further gunfire, though not in the same place thanks to Kirishima's interference. Several of the MP models break away in an effort to attack her directly, though such a small target is inarguably difficult for naval guns, especially that close to whatever passes for a control system classifies as an ally. Some give up on her and begin shelling Authumla, who has begun to contribute her own firepower. At this point it becomes clear that a ship built by human hands is some degree superior to the mass produced vessels pouring out of the construction ship King Heinrich called Heidrun. Authumla takes more of a beating and dishes out more punishment than the 1934 types, despite appearing to be about the same size as they are. It's quite clear that the advantage of mass production models is in numbers, not quality, as the flotilla is soon disabled or foundering in Skidbladnir's wake. In the distance, the Ratatosk has rendered her own attackers in a similar state and is now rushing towards the harbor ship at top speed, with mass produced stragglers in half-hearted pursuit. The screen, showing the Ratatosk in motion, flickers out to black. After a moment, it switches over to a balding man in a Wilkian navy uniform standing at a podium, before a stark white curtain. He immediately slams his hands on the podium, leaning forward, "Today is the end of our wasteful monarchy-- and today we give rise to a new Wilkian Empire! It is our destiny to rule, and I am the hand that shall guide Wilkia to her rightful place in the world!" He leans back, "With the power that is now at our command, I-- Karl Weisenberger-- shall stand at the forefront and lead us to glory!" Raising a hand, he slams it down with a loud thump against the wood, "Rebel forces have stolen the Skidbladnir, but worry not for our future, my friends, for we have yet greater weapons at our fingertips! We will reclaim what was stolen, and more! For the Empire!" Somewhere in the upper right, above the edge of the curtain, two red lamps open up. Almost like eyes. But that would mean the curtain must be the dress of some giant woman reclining behind him and that would... just be absurd.
John Doe	"Something like that, I use a Persona," he thumbs at the Iron mask floating beside him. "He uses the chains. I'm more of a hand-to-hand fighter," he comments, a grin on his face. He's got to say this is exciting for him, and it's not as often as he'd like to get a chance to go all out against warships far larger than he is. John cracks his neck and throws his hands out. Chains from Iron mask aim for rudders and propellers. Aiming to bend up rudders, tangle up and then RIP out propellers. Anything he can rip off is tossed at another auto-ship, aiming to try and put a hole in its hull. Surprisingly, John is quite capable of this. "Who is this asshole, old man?" he asks Tsukuba. "Though if he's looking to do a coup, it'd make sense he'd try to sink this ship...but with the diplomats on board? He didn't think this very through, did he? You're also being branded rebels...staying here might not be an option."
Kirishima	"Youngsters have a lot to learn about the world, but their will shapes it for the future! hold onto that, and... Hm? Words with Lilian? I... Recall hearing you speaking to her, yes. Her confidence isn't unfounded, although I imagine she's got plenty on her plate already. If I wasn't already..." Whatever it is that Kirashima's thinking regarding John's world will have to wait, as her attention is soon snatched right back up by the battle with the seemingly rogue squadron. "Stop this at once! What's gotten into all of you?!" She shouts as though the mass produced machines might actually understand her, jostling them and slamming into them while weaving through the bulk of their shots as true ninja would most of the time and withstanding them as also a true ninja would the rest. She doesn't look any worse for wear despite the few direct impacts she sustains, either, apparently wearing those scorch marks and the occasional tear in her outfit as badges of honor while continuing to smash right into them as though she wasn't human-sized. Seeing those chains bursting out of the Man in the Iron Mask, she even joins in with some of her own chains from her chain sickles, and she only allows herself a breather once the mass production models have been routed. "How did this happen? What kind of...?" Kirishima's unfinished question is answered rather quickly when the screen shows the Ratatosk being pursued, then the balding man announcing his claim to the throne. Putting two and two together between the earlier footage and John's suggestion, she takes off after the Ratatosk, doing the classic low to the ground/water surface ninja-sprint. "Assistance is on the way!" She bellows out as her hands come together in a series of rapid hand seals, continuing even while Kirishima leaps into the air to get a better visual on the ship's pursuers. Once she sorts out who's actually trying to shoot who, her hands come up to her face, and an entire barrage of fireballs seemingly explode out of her mouth towards each of those pursuers. A keener eye will notice that their arc, impacts, and explosions are suspiciously like those of coming from a battleship cannon rather than magical ninja fireballs.
Midway	Skidbladnir has weathered the attack particularly well. Her manned escort Authumla is a bit more worse for wear, but chugs along beside the larger logistics ship, lobbing shells in long arcs towards the Ratatosk's pursuers. A destroyer is hopeless at these long ranges, though, and it's a battleship's shells that punch through brittle hulls at long ranges. A smoldering Ratatosk passes Kirishima going the other way, making all steam to meet up with the Skidbladnir and Authumla. John successfully blenders the remaining active vessels within range of the Skidbladnir itself, until all that remain are battered hulks. None of the mass-produced ships answer Kirishima's objections and questions, though. They don't even feel 'alive' in the way a ship tends to. An empty, automated shell without much in the way of personality. Whether that's because they're so new or due to how they were constructed is ambiguous though. Admiral Tsukuba claps a hand on John's shoulder, a firm and meaty grip and a sincere, "Well done, lad. I can't say I've ever seen a defense quite like that and I certainly can't criticize how effective it was." His head tips forward, "We'll make a sailor out of you, yet." Releasing, he "turns towards the screen, which is now re-playing Weisenberger's speech, though someone has muted the audio after the third repeat or so. "Admiral Karl Weisenberger," Tsukuba's voice takes a darker tone, "Wilkia's commanding admiral, answering only to the King's authority. I suppose he saw how weak Heinrich is and thought he could do a better job." His face turns into a severe frown, "But to make enemies of the entire world, I can't call that strength, either." Eyes narrowing, he mutters, "What are you thinking, Karl...?" Head shaking, Tsukuba turns and steps away, raising a hand, "I'll be on the bridge. They're going to need a Japanese official to authorize entry into Japanese waters once we pass the strait and enter the Pacific."
John Doe	John grins at the old man and looks at his work. He turns his head to face the Admiral. "Thanks, old man. Guess I'm stickin' this one out for a while, bein' a sailor sounds interestin'. Also..." he pauses, "I don't like to keep things half-finished." Though he listens to what Tsukuba has to say about Karl. "So a military coup, eh? I mean, I dunno about /weak/, the King didn't come off as weak as he did come off as common. Though this is...or was a time of peace right? I think this is more ambitious than that..." "Also, for a weak king, he did see the writing on the wall faster than we did. Not exactly a bad quality, but I guess he has no choice but to grow a bit now.." "Alright, I'll stay on deck for now. In case flies come after us...okay let's be real, I wanna ride at the front of the ship as it gets some good speed going. I think the Paladin can figure out stuff with Japan here. Though.." he thinks. Maybe he should call up some Concord contacts, and see what they can do.
Kirishima	With the threats to the Ratatosk shot down in short enough order, Kirishima has time to ruminate on the answers (or lack thereof) she receives from the unmanned ships. Their silence is enough to get her hackles raised (figuratively), although there's a clear fire burning in her eyes (figuratively) that's all the more evident when she returns to the Skidbladnir with her fists clenched hard enough to whiten her knuckles (literally). At least the mask is hiding her scowl, and her voice is kept in check well enough once she walks back on board by just walking up the side of the the massive ship. "He claims that he's got power at his side, but those barely-developed ships... They didn't even truly have minds of their own, and he's already sending them out to be destroyed like this?" Breathing in slowly, Kirishima nods towards John and Tsukuba while she presses two fingers against her horn. There's no earpiece or anything on it. It just looks cooler than talking into an earpiece. "I'll see if I can't get a connection with Japan's navy to authorize your entry into their waters. An alleged rebel might have trouble getting through, but I can't imagine they'd reject such a request from an envoy of the Paladins." She pauses, then raises an eyebrow at John. "Speaking of that... Are you with any factions yet? I'd hope not, considering your age, but those powers..." She shivers briefly, as though she's uncomfortable even continuing with her train of thought. "... Your powers may draw unwanted attention even with your curse. We may be able to help you, if that's your wish, Mister...?"
John Doe	"I am, actually," John says with an even tone. "I took my time picking out who I thought would be best suited to my outlook, and the Concord were the ones that I felt closely aligned with it," John continues. "They've already supported me with Lampport stuff already, and together we've already dug a lot more into what's going on." "Also, it's John. As in John Doe."
Kirishima	"The Concord? That's... Not too surprising, actually. They do have an eye for people with unique powers, even if there is a... Notable amount of friction between your number and some of ours." Kirishima admits with a slow nod, stroking her chin thoughtfully again. Once John finally gives her his name, she nods once more, approaches him again, then claps a hand on his shoulder firmly. "Whatever the case may be, let us work together to ensure this conflict doesn't claim more lives needlessly. And..." She hesitates again, and her tone actually shifts briefly to one that's less 'boisterous ninja' and more 'concerned office worker'. "... Be careful. Not just around the Concord, but around all of this." She steps back, and the overly loud ninja voice comes back on. "Now! Let's get these people back to safer waters, and we'll figure out the rest from there!"
John Doe	The boy shrugs back at Kirishima, "If it's something something Lilian, something something...then I mean, with her attitude I'm not surprised. Fortunately, I'm an open-minded kinda guy. Everyone has their own actions and such, so judging the group on a bad experience is kinda toxic." John grins at the desire to work together, "Sure. Though I think it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better," he shrugs. "Yup, I'ma hang out here for now, in case we get overtaken or ambushed."