Admiral Katsumi Ito

Indie, semi selective, OC-friendly, OC, Kancolle, Crossover friendly. Please remember not all muses are played by the same Muns.

[gaming-admiral]

EMERGENCY NEWS BROADCAST: TURKU, FINLAND, BOMBARDED BY RUSSIAN NAVY, FINLAND NOW AT WAR.

“...What?” Really, the news came as more of a shock than anything. Another city bombarded, just like Auckland had been, only this time it was apparently the Russians, of all things. One would think, considering their humanitarian work in Auckland, that they wouldn’t pick a time like this to strike... it was confusing enough, and shocking enough, that she just stared at the radio for a few seconds, before she remembered something.

Svalbard was in the area. And she would probably never let something like this happen without her permission.

“Gott im Himmel, she had something to do with this, didn’t she?”

[hmshood51]

SIEG FEEL

[gaming-admiral]

hmshood51‌:

“Nothing as impressive as that, Frau Bismarck. But it is good to hear you are convoy busting like you were always meant to. I was doing patrols in the Atlantic… I do not know what my role in the new fleet will be yet.”

“Hopefully I when I do operations in the pacific we can meet up. I would like to see you at work. All that firepower.”

Already holding Prinz so close, it was easy enough for Bismarck to slide her hand up and give the cruiser a reassuring shoulder rub, even as she smiled down into Prinz’s glowing, happy eyes. Really, it was such a refreshing sight to see. “Heh, you always did seem to enjoy watching, didn’t you?” she teased, though gently.

“But as far as your role in the fleet in Penang, I know you don’t get too much of a say, but I do want you to let me know if you ever feel like you’re not living up to your potential. I’ll give you my personal number if you don’t already have it. Feel free to call me at any time, okay? For you, I’ll always be there to answer.” Another promise made - she just had to hope Prinz wouldn’t call in the middle of a sortie. “I don’t want your power and skill to go unappreciated.”

[thescharnhorsts]

A Meeting

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

“Come now, Cousine, surely seeing me is no great horror, hm~?” She laughed, the sound sonorous and lilting; she almost sounded insane from the layering.

“To even think that I would lay a finger on meine Schwester is more insulting to me than to think I would be so foolish as to engage two Schlachtschiffen at point-blank range. Seriously, Cousine, do you think I have been robbed of my senses?” Gneisenau had only just begun to move her mouth, finally processing the situation.

“Schwester, you’re… al-live? Why didn’t you c-come home? Why didn’t you tell me? Wh-what’s wrong with your voice and why…” Her hand reached out, gently caressing Scharnhorst’s cheek. For the first time that either Väinämöinen or Bismarck had seen, the battleship regent looked ever so slightly uncomfortable. Whether it was physical contact, shame, or something else is unclear. Realization dawned on Gneisenau’s face, tears welling in her eyes.

“are you so… cold? Schwester, are… you’re an Ab-byssal, aren’t you? She was r-right… That verdammten U-boot was r-right, you DID fall. Scharnhorst, how d-did this happen?” The Abyssal battleship gingerly removed her sister’s hand from her face. The pangs of guilt flooded her blackened heart, somehow expecting Gneisenau to take this… differently.

“You’re… right, of course. I am no longer Scharnhorst, Schwester. I am the Svalbard Battleship Princess.” Gneisenau took a step backwards, shaking her head, a hand covering her mouth. The tears streaked down her cheeks, her jaw quivering.

“Join me, Gneisenau. Come to me and we can be together forever! Come to me and we can rule the Arctic Circle as sisters! Together, Schwester, nothing will stand in our way. Not the Royal Navy, not the Americans, not the Russians, not even other Abyssals. Together we could be unstoppable!” The Abyssal reached her hand out to her sister, even pulling the sleeve back to expose the cold, ghost-white flesh. Through tears, the unturned battleship nodded ever so slowly, tentatively reaching an arm out to take her sister’s hand…

And then she backhanded her.

“How DARE you, Scharnhorst? How fucking DARE you come to me, words like honey dripped off of a silver tongue, luring me into your trap. How do you think I feel, huh?! You’re asking me to betray everything I know, everyone I love, just to be together with you!”

“And there is nothing I want more in this world! There is nothing I want more than to be by your side, to have you at mine! There is nothing I want more than to sing with you and tell you my jokes and live and laugh and love like sisters!”

“But I can’t, Schwester. Not like this. Not even for you.”

Well, there it was. This was hardly the time that Bismarck would have wanted to meet Scharnhorst, especially with Gneisenau next to her and getting to see what she had become. She bit her lip as Gneisenau stepped forward and reached out, watching her carefully to see if there were any signs she might fall. This was going to be a critical moment, and Bismarck only wished she had had more time to push her cousin in the right direction and try to stabilize her... well, there wasn’t anything she could do now.

The slap was surprising enough that even Bismarck’s eyes widened in shock, and Gneisenau’s words to follow brought heart to the battleship that had begun to doubt, for the first time bringing a smile on her face. There was nothing more difficult than standing up to your sister, especially when they were on the opposite side, but she was doing it wonderfully, and Bismarck was swelling with pride in her. That was how a German should act.

“Well said, Cousine,” she told Gneisenau, taking a step forward herself to reach out her own hand for Gneisenau to take, just in case she needed it. “And as for you, Scharn... no, let us be honest. Svalbard Princess, I think it’s time that we took our leave. Unless, Gneisenau, you have something more you need to say. You shall have all the time you need.”

[thescharnhorsts]

A Meeting

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

“Jawohl.” A one word answer was all that was required, the turretless battleship falling into battle line behind the lead. They would have a few minutes before they could visually confirm the contact, which was, to everyone’s surprise, a surface ship.

FNS *Väinämöinen* cruised along at her top speed of 14.5 knots, bearing her usual serene expression and effortlessly playing her kantele. Scharnhorst lay in hiding beneath her, following directly beneath the defense ship’s draught; they’d never see or hear her coming, even with sonar.

When the distance was closed enough for a greeting beyond signal flags, the defense ship bowed in her traditional manner.

“Bismarck, Gneisenau, I am the Finnish coastal defense ship Väinämöinen. Though the Barents Sea is sovereign territory, you two are welcome within. Tervetuloa.” That threw Gneisenau for a loop more than seeing the Finn out here in the first place. Wasn’t the Barents contested waters between Norway and Russia, and… who the Hell claimed it and welcomed them specifically? It just didn’t make sense.

“Exp-plain yourself. Who do you s-serve, Väinämöinen? Who has l-laid claim to these w-waters?” Instead of responding, Väinämöinen merely gestured behind Gneisenau. Slowly turning around, the battleship looked confused, then shocked. Directly behind her was someone she had not expected to see, ever. Especially not like this. Triple triple 11″ turrets arrayed behind her, the Svalbard Battleship Princess stood, as smug as ever.

“Guten Abend, Schwester. And of course you too, Cousine. It wouldn’t do to welcome one member of the family and shun another, hm~?”

Bismarck was just as surprised as Gneisenau to see an unfamiliar surface ship all the way up here, and for all the same reasons. A Finn sailing the contested waters of Norway and Russia and… welcoming them? As if they belonged to her… but it all made sense when Scharnhorst made her appearance, as dramatically as ever. Bismarck wasn’t as shocked as Gneisenau was, for obvious reasons, but she made up for it with a grim glare, crossing her arms as she nodded in a return greeting.

“Scharnhorst. I suppose I should have guessed you’d be lurking somewhere around here.” Her voice gave no hint that she was surprised at Scharnhorst’s presence, but also - and Bismarck was careful - no hint that she knew about it already. She had a balancing act here. “If you came here to battle, you made a big mistake getting so close. You’re within secondary range of both of us. But I get the feeling that’s not the case. Just here to say hi, is that it?” It would be just like her, after all.

[thescharnhorsts]

A Meeting

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

Gneisenau merely nodded, eyes on a swivel. Their hydrophones hadn’t picked up anything but their own engines through most of the trip, and things in the Barents were eerily quiet. Certainly any other vessel should have been intercepted by now. Rounding North Cape, they approached the destination; the final resting place of Scharnhorst.

It was just then that the battleships would catch a ping on both surface radars simultaneously.

“Bismarck, ein Schiff auf Seetakt, achtzehn Kilometer, möglicherweise ein Kreuzer, Haltung drei-vier-drei. Was ist es, denkst du?”

zProbably a cruiser. That in itself was odd, given that Bismarck knew there shouldn’t be any friendly ship up here. At the same time, that meant it probably wasn’t Scharnhorst, who would surely be reported by Gneisenau as a battleship if she saw... but then, what did that make it?

“Weiß nicht,” she told Gneisenau, turning towards the heading that the battlecruiser had given her. “Nähern wir uns. Wenn es ein Versunken ist, dann feuern wir und züruckziehen. Kapiert?” Not that she had a worry that Gneisenau wouldn’t retreat. She was without her main guns, which was not a pleasant place for any battleship to be in. With the orders given, Bismarck skated forward ahead, knowing her cousin would be able to keep up.

[thescharnhorsts]

A Meeting

@gaming-admiral

Unfortunately for Gneisenau, the mechanic denied her the refit of USS Louisiana’s 16″ guns on the basis of ‘improper fit’ and ‘do you even know what the hell goes into mounting these things anyway’. Despite this, the battleship was determined on her mission to investigate her sister’s final resting place, and Bismarck was along for the ride. Though the gaping holes where her 11″ gun turrets should be bothered her, Gneisenau was certain her secondaries and Bismarck’s help would be enough to see her through any issue. The pair had pushed out of British territorial waters, and were approaching North Cape.

“Es ist kalt, Cousine. Lass uns das hinter uns bringen.  Lasst uns das fertig kriegen.”

[gaming-admiral]

Gneisenau wasn’t the only one who was cold, of course. Up here near the Arctic Circle, the battleship accompanying her was shivering, deeply regretting her uniform’s lack of a skirt or some equivalent. There wasn’t much that she could do about that right now, though. And she had to occupy Gneisenau, just in case...

Just in case Scharnhorst was there.

“Stimmt, aber sei vorsichtig, Cousine. Die Versunkene lauern immer. Sie könnten überall sein.” With the warning delivered, Bismarck skated forward, taking a point position in front of Gneisenau. It only made sense - the Pride of Deutschland was more heavily armored as well as armed, and so she’d want to be the one most in the thick of fighting. She kept glancing over her shoulder periodically, though, making sure Gneisenau wasn’t under attack. It wouldn’t be long now, for sure.

[gaming-admiral]

A Visit

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

The longer Bismarck thought, the more Gneisenau giggled. She was at her breaking point, almost smiling with mirth.

“A fsh!” Raucous, unfettered laughter left the battleship, head against the table and tears streaming from her eyes. She really, really thought that was a funny joke.

And Bismarck had better laugh.

Instead of laughing, Bismarck would simply pause for a moment as the joke trickled past the language barrier. Gneisenau hadn’t been quite right when she said the joke worked in German, but given a moment to see it in English, the Pride of Deutschland was quick to burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha, I see, I see!” she nodded, crossing her arms. “That is a clever one, Gneisenau.” Once she was able to figure it out, at least. “I’m glad to hear you’ve managed to adjust enough to learn some good jokes. If that’s the case, then I’m sure we’ll have no trouble holding out until Schwester arrives.”

“...That said, let’s find something more productive for you than practicing with your knife. I’m sure the two of us can think of something.” She had no idea just how useful that knife might be, of course.

[gaming-admiral]

A Visit

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

The news that Bismarck would be staying for a while did improve Gneisenau’s mood markedly.

“It’ll be nice to have another German around. I definitely appreciate the gesture.” The battleship took a seat on a chair that appeared to bear a worn plaque saying SMS Kaiser, but who could be sure.

“If you go pay the High Seas Fleet a visit, let me know and I’ll go with you. I’d been avoiding them for the time being, but maybe I should pay my respects.”

“The on-base… Well, I don’t know if I’d necessarily call her a psychiatrist, but she’s certainly psychiatric and therapeutic help unlike any other. Apparently she’s the old pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Redoubtable. Quite the, erm, accent to trudge through, but the advice she gives feels sound enough.”

The news that Gneisenau had been avoiding the Hochseeflotte was unsurprising, to say the least. If even Bismarck didn’t like going near them, then surely no one else would either - except maybe Tirpitz, but she was nigh on homicidal. “A pre-dreadnought battleship? I never would have imagined someone like that to be a psychologist,” Bismarck admitted, blinking in surprise. “That’s probably a good choice, though. Only a shipgirl can really understand how shipgirls feel, right?”

Now that she was settled in, Bismarck could finally relax, at least as much as she could relax on Scapa Flow. “I’ll admit I didn’t arrange any lodgings yet,” she told her cousin, leaning back in her chair a little bit. “But I’m sure that won’t be any trouble. Tell me, what are you doing while you’re waiting here? I hope you’re keeping busy - I know how you get if you have nothing to do for a while.”

[hmshood51]

SIEG FEEL

[gaming-admiral]

hmshood51‌:

Hugged close and reassured that even after everything things were still good the cruiser smiled, the uncertainty taking a massive blow.

“They probably just know that their national pride would be destroyed if they let a German outperform them, better not give us that chance…” she laughed. “My area straddles the pacific and Indian oceans but it’s a much smaller base than here or Singapore, but it does have an entirely German compliment, even a German admiral! You should come and visit us.”

“But I want to hear about you, what i your kill count so far, Frau Bismarck?”

“Ah, right. Penang, yes? I’d heard about it, though I haven’t had the chance to visit quite yet. That sort of official business is not really something you can arrange easily, you know. It takes months and a lot of preparation... but don’t worry, it’ll happen, Schwesterlein. That’s a promise.” And since it was a promise to Prinz, it was naturally a promise Bismarck would keep, and handle quickly.

“But as for kill count, I do at least have good news there. I’ve been faring far better than I ever have in life. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but with the way these abyssals keep coming back, I believe I’ve sunk over three dozen warships and at least a few score of transports, including two Ru-class battleships. The fact that I only go out on major operations does sort of bring it down a bit, but I have been here for quite some time, you know. I’m guessing you might be earning quite a few already yourself, right?” 

[gaming-admiral]

A Visit

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

Gneisenau retrieved her mug off of her desk, pouring herself a lukewarm cup of coffee and taking a tired sip. Her shoulders slumped a little, appearing both saddened and relieved.

“I see. It was too much to hope that she would come back first. On the note of High Command, why haven’t they reached out to me? The only words I’ve heard was the news of KMS Tirpitz being assigned to my retrieval and reassignment to the pacific, but not even any word on when that would be.”

“I should be bothered by the spirits of the Hochseeflotte, but in honesty I think they enjoy having me here. Things seem to… happen that just turn out fortunate. Tripping and catching myself, something I was looking for turning up while I’m looking for it… I’m not one for superstition, Bismarck, but I think the old guard is trying to keep me sane.”

“The psychiatric help here is capable, if unorthodox. It’s been helping keep me under wraps, even if I don’t think it’s actually going anywhere.”

Well, she’d calmed down at least. That was in itself a start, as Bismarck walked over to the table where the mug had been sitting down and took a seat herself, gesturing for Gneisenau to join her. Whatever was going on that Scharnhorst had planned, Bismarck had to find some way to stop it in its tracks. She knew that much.

“That’s a very good question, Gneise. I don’t really know the answer to it myself - unfortunately, German High Command doesn’t really keep me briefed nearly as much as I think they should. I’m sure they must have some sort of good reason, though. Probably something to do with the fact that you’re in a British base, or something like that... just sit tight until Tirpitz gets here, that’s all I can recommend. I’ll be able to stay here for at least some time until it gets figured out, so you at least won’t be alone.”

“What you said about the Hochseeflotte is really interesting, though. I never would have thought they’d be any sort of conscious, but I suppose given what we are, it’s only natural. Do you think they might be awakening to being shipgirls as well? I know there’s Kaiser down in Penang, but aside from that I haven’t heard of any of the Imperial ships rising up. Maybe that might change... well, in any case, as long as they’re not harming you, that can only be good. I’ll have to pay them a visit, though.” Bismarck did not like doing that at all. She knew she was the face of something that they despised - the Nazi Kriegsmarine. But if she had to, she would do it.

“What sort of psychiatric help are you getting, though? I have to admit I’m a little curious.”

[gaming-admiral]

What would The Great Bismarck do

If she was here right now? She'd make a plan and he'd follow through That's what The Great Bismarck’d do

When The Great Bismarck was in the Denmarck strait Shootin' for the gold Shee did two Shots and did detonate While wearing a blindfold

When The Great Bismarck was in the Alps Fighting grizzly bears She used her fifteen inch armament And saved the ities's fair

So what would The Great Bismarck do If she were here today? I'm sure she'd kick an ass or two That's what The Great Bismarck’d do

[gaming-admiral]

kantainofunallowed‌:

“Do all of our practice sessions have to be at 3 in the morning?”

“Nani...? You complained when the were at night and now you are complaining when I moved them to morning...”

[gaming-admiral]

fubsquad‌:

“And that’s where I should have done better. I don’t think I can feel romantic love to my fellow fleet girls. It’s always more out of respect. I might have grown up, but that’s still the Fubuki that I am. A big old dummy that just wants to have close friends that want to support and care for each other. Try to do our best with what we got. God…I’m still such a dork.” Kigiku sighed. 

“You did well. I think we tried our best with the issues we had. I mean, we both travelled through the depths of your soul to remove that Abyssal that took over your mind. It’s not as lovely sounding as being a couple…But I’m glad. That I had someone that cared to at least try and help me.” 

There was one way to test just how much of a Fubuki Kigiku was and the admiral would have her her stolen and her head patted.

“On the subject of abyssals it seems my predecessor is up to something. I’m guessing that’s why you are here.”

[gaming-admiral]

electricboatss-315‌:

“Well it’s easier to find that needle, when you have more than one pair of eyes looking for it.” Sealion responded, he took his rank seriously and knew that being a Chief meant he needed to not only lead others but teach others to lead. The hardest lesson was being humble and asking others for help. A LOT of admirals had their egos brutally murdered when they came down to the CPO mess when they couldn’t get a handle on their fleets.

”As long as you don’t mind sharing a table with a bunch of first class petty officers, I think you could learn a lot. Plus since I’m stepping down as the base Master-At-Arms, I would really like for you to take up the job. I can coach you in running the brig and Shore Patrol units, you have done a decent job thus far. You just need to work on holding back brute strength unless its life or death.” Sealion handed Bismarck the card with the necessary information. 

“Meet at the US Detachments CPO Mess at 1230. Don’t worry about lunch, we’ll have it covered. If you have any questions, the door is always open.” 

“Ahaha, I see what’s going on now,” Bismarck laughed. “Looking for a successor, are you? I should have guessed there was something like that going on.” Yes, she’d heard about his recent promotion - Bismarck was often enough on the base that she had plenty of time to read local news, after all. “I suppose I’m already working on it in an unofficial capacity, so I may as well take up the job officially. I’m sure the admiral won’t have any trouble with that.”

“As for the meeting, I’ll have no trouble attending, don’t worry. One of the nice things about being a battleship is that you have a lot of down time. They don’t send me out unless something major is going on, as you can imagine... well, it has its downsides, but it also means I’ll have no trouble making it there. I’ll see you then, Sealion.”

[gaming-admiral]

A Visit

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

Despite these checks, the battleship was still suspicious. She removed her hand from her knife, begrudgingly opening the door.

“Fine, come in. I’m not getting more dressed than this; if that makes you uncomfortable you may leave. If you act threateningly, I will not hesitate to call security. That said, it is wonderful to meet you.”  She closed the door behind Bismarck, remaining on her feet.

“I can offer you coffee or water, and I’m afraid the coffee isn’t terribly good. Schwester’s was always better. Speaking of…”

“The battleship Scharnhorst hasn’t risen from the deep blue, has she? No one at Scapa knows or will tell me, and I am beside myself with anxiety over her potential whereabouts.”

The question came just as Scharnhorst had predicted it would. Fortunately, that gave Bismarck the chance to ready herself for it, though she felt bad for having to lie to Gneisenau. As foolish a decision as it probably was, she couldn’t risk the chance that Scharnhorst had been telling the truth - after all, Gneisenau was visibly unstable, as was clear by the way that she so quickly went for her weapon.

“If those are the clothes you’re comfortable with, then that’s fine by me. And as for your sister, I’m afraid I’ve been in the Pacific for most of my operational status. I’m absolutely certain High Command would have told me if Scharnhorst had risen, though, so it’s probably safe to say that she hasn’t. After all, they told me when you did.” There - Bismarck wasn’t technically lying, which made her feel quite a bit better. “Speaking of which, though, I wanted to come up here and check on you. How are you feeling, Gneisenau? I know that Scapa Flow can be a miserable place at the best of times - I usually try to avoid this spot myself.”

[gaming-admiral]

A Visit

[gaming-admiral]

thescharnhorsts‌:

Gneisenau hadn’t expected company at this hour (or at all, given her already stellar reputation for snapping at the Queen’s Own on base), and groaned as she stood up from her desk and wandered to the door. Opening it just enough to see out, the battleship spoke before she looked.

“W-who is it? I t-thought com-m-mand w-was explicitly c-clear that I sh-should not b-be b-bothered- Oh!” Seeing who her visitor was, the German switched to her native language. The door remained a sliver, however. Was she suspicious of something?

“You’re Bismarck, right? We technically haven’t met, but I know the face of the Kriegsmarine anywhere. What are you doing here? Why wasn’t I warned? I thought that Tirpitz was coming to retrieve me.” The battleship’s hand drifted to a knife tucked in her pajama bottoms, not believing that any self-respecting German would willingly come to the grave site of the Hochseeflotte, especially not for her. Wasn’t she just going to be left to rot here, like she was in Gotenhafen?

Bismarck didn’t expect that Gneisenau would be in her pajamas already, but that was only a small shock. Already on a state of high alert from her previous conversation with Scharnhorst, she could see her fellow battleship’s hand drifting, and raised her hands in the traditional gesture of nonviolence, wanting to make sure Gneisenau knew that her own hands were free of any weaponry.

“I am the Deutsches Schlachtschiff Bismarck, yes,” she confirmed, “and whatever you’re reaching for, I would rather not have it pointed at me, thank you. I’m here on a personal visit - I had heard you had awakened and thought it was appropriate to pay my cousin a visit. I imagine you weren’t warned because this is, after all, a personal visit.” Hopefully that would be enough to calm the unstable battleship down - Bismarck would rather not have a firefight in the hallway. “Do you need a few minutes to get dressed? I can wait.”

[gaming-admiral]

electricboatss-315‌:

“Well, to be honest that’s how most of the IJN/JMSDF surface fleet sees me. Especially the Kongou sisters, namely Hiei who has me on her hitlist for sinking Kongou during the war. Then there is the Myoukous…all FOUR of them! Shore Patrol and contending with them is ALWAYS a pleasure.”

“Its a lot easier than you think, though. People are people all over the world, by and large they are pretty reasonable people. Just show the same courtesy you would expect to be given and you can get along. Sure there are outliers like the Roma and Littorio, but then there is also Aquila or Weegie who are on time for work and ready for action.” When Sealion became Chief, he had a lot more to learn on leadership and dealing with people. As LCPO he couldn’t hide away like other submarines anymore. 

“I’m building up an international chiefs mess on base, so I’m accelerating the advancement of deserving sailors. In order to help them, I’m holding a leadership symposium to help acclimate them. You’re welcome to come if you like?” Sealion presented a card with the information.

“By and large, maybe, but finding a reasonable Franzözisches schiff is like looking for a needle in a haystack...” Bismarck couldn’t resist one last dig, it seemed, rubbing the back of her neck in irritation at the thought of having to deal with one such as Richelieu again - or worse, Le Terrible. The offer of the card intrigued her enough that she took it without question, though.

“A leadership symposium? I have a hard time believing I need any help in something like that - the Schiffmädchen under my command have certainly understood when an order is an order well enough.” It wasn’t quite her command, but she, Admiral Ito and Hiyou had arrangements - Bismarck was unofficially the base disciplinarian. “But I suppose there can’t be any harm in it, can there? I am not going to be so foolish that I refuse potential help when it’s offered.”