Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on September 12, 2013, 07:01:16 AM
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>You are Byakuren Hijiri, 18 years old, resident of the city of Mayoiga, caretaker (owner) of Rin Kaenbyou, resident of the Moonside apartments, and third year student of Mayoiga High. A few days ago, you were the most popular girl in school, one of the most well-known and liked girls around town. And then you touched a strange doll, and saw a world not your own. That was the day that everything changed, and you became Magical Lotus, the Hero of the Heart.
>After an eventful day at school, and more personally eventful evening in which Rin joined your cadre of heroes, you and your friend set off to investigate the other shrines of the city, to examine the sacred flames there, as well as, hopefully, making contact with the resident Gods, as you had with the Metal Tiger. The Black Tortoise shrine revealed no signs of the God himself, though there were a number of sensations you couldn't identify without transforming, which you felt you could not do at the time. You also made a number of your fans happy, and had a pleasant conversation with Sanae's mother Kanako. You also learned that your new powers can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of drunkenness from your run in with the unfortunate Elis.
>The Blue Dragon shrine, however, had a far more dramatic and otherworldly event. After witnessing a practice duel between your landlord Reimu and the head miko Tenshi, a somewhat bizarre meeting with a green haired shrine maiden involving a piece of jade, and a surprisingly nice conversation with one of Reimu's aides, you and Rin bore witness to the sacred flame turning blue, and a disembodied voice spoke to you in cryptic words, answering your questions in riddles and verse. And yet neither you nor Rin could sense whatever was speaking to you, and a conversation with Kiku came up with no conclusions on the matter.
>After a decent night's rest, you awoke to find your school cordoned off by the faculty and the police. To your dismay, you discovered a dark force within that was similar to that which you sensed from the demons and their youma. Disturbingly, you learned this dark force was your teacher Keine Kamishirasawa, or rather a dark power that had corrupted her and turned her lycanthropic form into something terrible, and dangerously feral. Alongside Rin and Lily, as well as Kaguya Houraisan, your classics teacher with a surprising array of both knowledge and magically empowered items, you entered the school and confronted the corrupted Keine. She put up a tenacious fight, but the light of your Violet Lotus expunged the darkness from her, restoring her mind and body to normal. Weirdly, your light appears to have left some residual energy within Keine's body, the extent and effect of which as yet unknown.
>You had no time to rest, however, nor investigate what caused this dark power to suffuse Keine's body, when a pair of newly arrived demons made their presence known, in force. You were obliged to do battle with the Champion of Ice, while the Fire Champion looked on. Ice was quite different than the other three demons you'd encountered. She seemed regretful for having to fight you, and you sensed within her an incredible sadness. After developing a new spell, you combined your powers with Lily and Rin and drove both demons off, but not before vowing to free Ice from Fire's domination.
>After a conversation with the school reporter Hatate on your way out of the school grounds, you met up with Kiku and learned that someone involved in this mess had access to Lunarian magic, a brand of magic very rare on this planet. As near as you can figure, this individual was Kaguya, though how she came to possess such power, you do not know.
>During this entire affair, you have also felt your ring react to the presence of Komachi Onozuka the police officer, as well as Hatate, in the same way it reacted to Chie days ago. Both of them seem to have the potential to wear one of your rings of Light.
>Having parted with Kiku to let her study how her now powers interact with her old magic, you, Rin and Lily are now speaking with the healed Keine, and Kaguya, as the two women head towards Kaguya's car.
>"Well, I can provide you an answer to at least that much: there was no gas leak. The affected students were attacked by a youma. Another demon had been present on the school grounds at that time as well, but retreated."
>"No lasting harm was done to any of the students, as far as I could tell, but the youma in question had been a creation of that demon and I wonder now if it might have done something elsewhere in the school that I had not observed. Can you recall anything else unusual you might have encountered or experienced that afternoon?"
>"Just a minute." Keine answers. "What happened to this youma?"
>"Magical Lotus took care of it." Lily says with a smile.
>"You destroyed it?"
>Lily shakes her head. "She fixed it. Turned it back into a ring."
>Keine gives you an appreciative smile. "You seem to have a genuine knack for fixing things, Lotus-san."
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>Smile a little
>"I do what I can, where I am able."
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>Smile a little
>"I do what I can, where I am able."
>"But in answer to your question, I don't...." Her eyes lower and she pauses in midstep. "Well, there WAS that doll fad that swept through the school, that was a bit different."
>"Hardly out of the ordinary, that." Kaguya says. "Fads like that simply come hand in hand with teenagers, especially in large numbers."
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>To Keine: "Did something about it stand out to you, to mention in this context? Or are you just being thorough? Even if it's something small, that's okay."
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>To Keine: "Did something about it stand out to you, to mention in this context? Or are you just being thorough? Even if it's something small, that's okay."
>"It is more of a case of being thorough." Keine confirms. "I try to be, whenever I can. Like Kaguya said, I wouldn't have thought it was anything out of the ordinary, but with the timing involved, it was worth mentioning."
>Wasn't it one of those dolls that made you fall off those stairs? Rin asks in your mind.
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>Well, I believe it was my own panic that truly caused me to tumble down the stairs, but touching that doll most definitely felt as though it transported me to some strange and hostile world for a moment. But no one else around seemed to have any unusual experiences with them, so I am uncertain what to make of what happened.
>Were there still an unusual number of dolls around on subsequent days we were at school?
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>Well, I believe it was my own panic that truly caused me to tumble down the stairs, but touching that doll most definitely felt as though it transported me to some strange and hostile world for a moment. But no one else around seemed to have any unusual experiences with them, so I am uncertain what to make of what happened.
>Were there still an unusual number of dolls around on subsequent days we were at school?
>After a moment's thought, Rin answers, I have an idea. But I don't like it. Not one bit.
>When you returned to school, the little dolls were still pretty numerous, but not to the same extent as that first day. Most fads tend to last a bit longer than that, but the reduction is number isn't anything you'd call out of the ordinary.
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>And what is that?
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>And what is that?
>Rin swallows visibly. They were targeting you.
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>Targeting me how? It is possible whatever it was reacted to whatever it is inside me that allowed me to accept this power, but it did not seem to do me any harm of its own. Though clearly what it was associated with was... disquieting.
>Did we notice anything supernaturally unusual with the dolls, later on when we returned to school?
>To Keine: "Hmmm... and is that it, then?"
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>Targeting me how? It is possible whatever it was reacted to whatever it is inside me that allowed me to accept this power, but it did not seem to do me any harm of its own. Though clearly what it was associated with was... disquieting.
>Did we notice anything supernaturally unusual with the dolls, later on when we returned to school?
>To Keine: "Hmmm... and is that it, then?"
>After a moment's thought, Rin admits, Okay, maybe I was reaching. It just... Well it's weird, isn't it? That you're the only one that had somethin' bad happen after touching one of those dolls?
>Not that you could tell.
>"As far as I can remember."
>"You said there was a third demon." Kaguya interjects. "What happened to that one, the one that was here that day?"
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>"It flew away. I dealt with another of its youma a couple days ago, but have not seen or sensed it since. It seems to be keeping a low profile."
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>"It flew away. I dealt with another of its youma a couple days ago, but have not seen or sensed it since. It seems to be keeping a low profile."
>"You HAVE been busy." Kaguya says with some admiration.
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>"Yes. It's been an eventful week, and I'm afraid I have no expectations of this changing soon."
>To Keine: "You said that the potion you took several days ago was not of the same recipe as usual. Is it possible that your feelings of heightened aggression up to that point could have been explainable as a normal phenomenon? Or do you feel that, even then, they was beyond this?"
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>"Yes. It's been an eventful week, and I'm afraid I have no expectations of this changing soon."
>To Keine: "You said that the potion you took several days ago was not of the same recipe as usual. Is it possible that your feelings of heightened aggression up to that point could have been explainable as a normal phenomenon? Or do you feel that, even then, they was beyond this?"
>"I do think it was beyond normal." Keine says with a nod. "I have experienced, well, I suppose 'emotional disturbance' is the best way to put it, as a result of my curse, but not quite like this was. I'm sorry, it's rather hard to explain, but there were enough differences for me to think that this wasn't normal, now that I'm starting to think straight again."
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>"Fair enough. I had wondered briefly if this different potion could somehow have been involved, if nothing else leading up to that stood out as overly strange, but perhaps not."
>"I do apologize; I had hoped the source of this would be more readily apparent. I am sure it must be disquieting for it to not be."
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>"Fair enough. I had wondered briefly if this different potion could somehow have been involved, if nothing else leading up to that stood out as overly strange, but perhaps not."
>"I do apologize; I had hoped the source of this would be more readily apparent. I am sure it must be disquieting for it to not be."
>"Can I ask how ya managed to find a potion that could do that?" Rin asks the history teacher. "I don't know a lot about ly... y'know, your curse, but I didn't think you could fight it that way."
>Keine gives her a faint smile. "I have Kaguya here to thank for that." The raven haired teacher lowers her head. "And Mokou, as well."
>"Mokou and I have been around for longer than you might think." Kaguya adds with a mysterious look. "We've learned a thing or two about most things you can name. Including a method or two for combating lycanthropy."
>Keine shakes her head. "I'm not worried."
>"You're not?" Lily asks.
>"No. I would like to have a definitive answer, of course. But I'm certain that it's only a matter of time. It's funny, though." she adds with a thoughtful gaze at you. "There is a part of me that tells me that I should be worried. That if this happened once, it could happen again, since presumably the source of this... force is still active. But I am not. I know, somehow, that it won't happen again. That I'm safe. I don't know why..."
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>"The energy I used to purify the darkness yet lingers upon you; perhaps this is what you're sensing? And it may well serve as a buffer against such a recurrence, should whoever was behind this act again."
>"You're certain you cannot think of anything else unusual that occurred Wednsday, particularly towards the after-school period?"
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>"The energy I used to purify the darkness yet lingers upon you; perhaps this is what you're sensing? And it may well serve as a buffer against such a recurrence, should whoever was behind this act again."
>"You're certain you cannot think of anything else unusual that occurred Wednsday, particularly towards the after-school period?"
>Keine considers your words, and nods thoughtfully. "Yes... That makes sense. And maybe..."
>As Keine wonders aloud, Kaguya stops just short of her car, and gives you a rather curious look. "You neglected to mention that your power has that effect." she says, in a tone that isn't quite accusatory, but something close to it.
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>Frown slightly
>"That was because I had not seen it do this before. But as I said, I had never used it directly upon a human like this. I am confident the effect will do her no harm, but I am afraid I cannot be specific with how long you should expect it to last, either; this is somewhat new ground I am treading. I imagine that does little to reassure, but I hope I have given you sufficient cause to trust. My apologies."
>Bow slightly in a deferential manner.
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>Frown slightly
>"That was because I had not seen it do this before. But as I said, I had never used it directly upon a human like this. I am confident the effect will do her no harm, but I am afraid I cannot be specific with how long you should expect it to last, either; this is somewhat new ground I am treading. I imagine that does little to reassure, but I hope I have given you sufficient cause to trust. My apologies."
>Bow slightly in a deferential manner.
>"You don't need to apologize to us." Keine answers, giving Kaguya a reproving look. "And you're starting to sound like Mokou."
>Kaguya puffs up slightly, but doesn't seem to have a ready defense.
>"I realize you feel protective of me right now," Keine presses on, "but that's no reason to jump on the smallest thing. Now I admit, I don't fully understand what this means or what effect it will have on me in the long run either, but I am certain no harm will come from it."
>"But how can you know?" Kaguya counters, not sounding quite as sure of herself as she has been.
>"WHO, exactly, is this energy within?" Keine asks pointedly, folding her arms. Kaguya looks down and holds her tongue, only looking up again when Keine places her hand on her shoulder. "Do you trust me, Kaguya?"
>"You know I do." the raven haired woman answers automatically.
>"And I trust her." Keine answers. "And I trust her power."
>Kaguya lets out a breath, then nods, smiling sheepishly. After a moment, she turns this smile on you. "I apologize as well." she says quietly.
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>Nod a little
>"That's quite alright. I understand the sentiment behind your words."
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>Nod a little
>"That's quite alright. I understand the sentiment behind your words."
>"And now that I think about it, I haven't yet expressed my gratitude, have I?"
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>Smile gently
>"I am happy enough simply to see both you and the others safe and healthy."
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>Smile gently
>"I am happy enough simply to see both you and the others safe and healthy."
>"Same here." Lily chimes with a big smile. "We're heroes. Making things and people better is what we do!" Rin simply nods in agreement.
>Keine gives the blonde a warm chuckle. "While we're on the subject, how can we get in contact with you girls if the need arises? It's possible I might think of something important I've forgotten, after I've had some rest. Or that something might occur to one of my friends."
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>This is where it would be nice to have a cell phone not in any of our names.
>Thoughtful expression. Let's stall a tiny bit.
>Any ideas?
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>This is where it would be nice to have a cell phone not in any of our names.
>Thoughtful expression. Let's stall a tiny bit.
>Any ideas?
>Disposable phones? Rin suggests. Be cheaper than getting a second phone with contracts and cards and all that.
>What about, like, a Bat-signal? Lily offers.
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>I meant something we could suggest to them now.
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>I meant something we could suggest to them now.
>Oh. your two friends say in unison.
>Hey, here's an idea. Lily says after a moment. If she's still got some of your power inside her, maybe you could use that?
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>How do you mean?
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>How do you mean?
>Lily shrugs her shoulders and wings. Iuno. Just a thought.
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>"I'm afraid that might be somewhat complicated. Our presence in this city is only recent and we don't yet have a number we can be reliably reached at. But I will make a point to contact you when we do."
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>"I'm afraid that might be somewhat complicated. Our presence in this city is only recent and we don't yet have a number we can be reliably reached at. But I will make a point to contact you when we do."
>Keine nods, but then Kaguya pipes up, "I believe I can help in that area. Assuming your power doesn't interact badly with other forms of power."
>"What do you mean?" Rin asks.
>"It isn't unheard of for a practitioner of one type of magic to be unable to use an item or a power couched in another source of power. And your power, ladies, is strange to me."
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>"I do not know for certain of any such limitation, though I admit I have limited experience in that area. What did you have in mind?"
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>"I do not know for certain of any such limitation, though I admit I have limited experience in that area. What did you have in mind?"
>Kaguya steps around her car and reaches into her red robe, producing a curious looking wood branch.
>"A stick?" Lily asks, fluttering up into the air.
>The raven haired woman gives her a tolerant look. "This is as much a stick as you are a dove, Lily. Observe." She holds the stick up in front of her, and you feel a surge of power from the piece of wood. Jewel-like objects begin to grow from three ends of the stick. "This is one of my most prized possessions." Kaguya informs you. "And a very versatile tool. It can generate gems of many kinds, including ones that should allow long distance communication."
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>"Interesting."
>Observe the 'stick'
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>"Interesting."
>Observe the 'stick'
>"These jewels actually act as a locater when activated." Kaguya explains on as the three jewels, one red, one yellow and one green, continue to expand. "Just focus your will on the jewel, and it will connect with the others of its kind. You'll be able to speak to another one, or all of the others, for a short time. And the jewel will informs its kind where it is, in case of trouble, or if a meeting is needed." She looks between you and your friends. "Will one gem be sufficient for you three, or shall I produce one for each of you?"
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>"They can be used as locators for one another? How specific a position can they give?"
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>"They can be used as locators for one another? How specific a position can they give?"
>"That depends on the situation, Magical Lotus. Depending on the will of the person, it can offer a general location, or a location more specific than any GPS."
>"Those are the jewels that were designed with emergencies in mind, as I recall." Keine ponders.
>Kaguya nods. "I've refined them a bit since I last had cause to use them, made them more versatile."
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>"Oh, so the position of a jewel is only broadcast as a deliberate act upon the part of its carrier?"
>Since it would be rather bad to be passively announcing where we live to the two of them if we actually wanted to remain incognito
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>"Oh, so the position of a jewel is only broadcast as a deliberate act upon the part of its carrier?"
>Since it would be rather bad to be passively announcing where we live to the two of them if we actually wanted to remain incognito
>"Precisely." Kaguya confirms. "Think of it as a 'call for help', if you will."
>Quite bad indeed.
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>"Ah, I see."
>Let's hope that's true
>"In any case, I think one will be sufficient."
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>"Ah, I see."
>Let's hope that's true
>"In any case, I think one will be sufficient."
>Kaguya nods, "Very well. Hold out your hand, please."
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>Hold out our hand
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>Hold out our hand
>Kaguya extends the branch out and holds it over your hand. The yellow gem, now the size of a walnut, detaches from the branch and drops into your hand.
>"The jewel should persist for nine days, assuming you don't have cause to use it before that."
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>"Oh, are they consumed upon usage?"
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>"Oh, are they consumed upon usage?"
>"Not automatically." Kaguya informs you as she deposits the green gem in Keine's hand. "But their power is limited. Once you use the locator function, it will dissolve. Apart from that, they provide up to ten minutes of communication."
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>"Will a signal only be received if the jewel is on the recipient's person at the time?"
>Incidentally, if we're in the parking lot, does Asara-sensei's car seem to be gone?
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>"Will a signal only be received if the jewel is on the recipient's person at the time?"
>Incidentally, if we're in the parking lot, does Asara-sensei's car seem to be gone?
>Kaguya nods an affirmative. "And if you try to contact someone who does not have their gem on their person, your own gem will inform you of that fact."
>Negative. In fact, she herself is still asleep at her wheel, now that you look. It appears that Kiku has yet to wake her.
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>"Very good; thank you."
>Pocket the jewel.
>"I will still try to get you a phone number, once I have one to give."
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>"Very good; thank you."
>Pocket the jewel.
>"I will still try to get you a phone number, once I have one to give."
>You acquire: Hourai Communication Jewel
>Kaguya smiles and nods. "As you wish."
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>"Incidentally, I would like to request confirmation of one other thing."
>Point to Asara-sensei's car
>"The woman sleeping in the car over there - was that your doing?"
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>"Incidentally, I would like to request confirmation of one other thing."
>Point to Asara-sensei's car
>"The woman sleeping in the car over there - was that your doing?"
>Keine looks in that direction as well. "Kaguya?"
>"It was." the classics teacher replies.
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>"The feel of the magic was similar to what you used earlier, but I just wanted to make sure. Given the weight of the events that transpired here today, I would rather be able to account for the sources of all the magic which took place, if I can. Particularly given that the ultimate culprit for Keine's affliction remains unconfirmed; the actions of some unknown party might raise questions."
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>"The feel of the magic was similar to what you used earlier, but I just wanted to make sure. Given the weight of the events that transpired here today, I would rather be able to account for the sources of all the magic which took place, if I can. Particularly given that the ultimate culprit for Keine's affliction remains unconfirmed; the actions of some unknown party might raise questions."
>"Accounting for the events of an event such as this is only natural." Kaguya says with approval. "If you'll pardon the use of an old cliche, knowledge is power."
>"Why'd ya do it?" Rin asks the classics teacher.
>"I wanted her safely out of the way." Kaguya said with a faint shrug. "This seemed the best way to accomplish that. And if you were concerned, you needn't be. She'll be perfectly fine."
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>"I trust in that."
>"I suppose that's everything for the moment, then?"
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>"I trust in that."
>"I suppose that's everything for the moment, then?"
>"I would like to ask you one last thing." Keine says.
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>"Yes?"
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>"Yes?"
>Keine gives you a curious look. "How old are you all?"
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>"18."
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>"18."
>"I'm 17." Rin answers.
>"Same here." Lily adds.
>Your homeroom teacher lets out a long, quiet breath, and her eyes close. She seems just a little sad.
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>"This is a responsibility we chose of our own free will. You needn't feel bad for the circumstances it draws us to."
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>"This is a responsibility we chose of our own free will. You needn't feel bad for the circumstances it draws us to."
>"You're young enough to be my students." the tall teacher breathes. "I wish you weren't so young. Although..."
>Keine opens her eyes, and you're surprised to see a hopeful light in her brown eyes. "To be perfectly honest, the fact that you are so young gives me a sense of hope, and even security. Want to know why?"
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>"Why?"
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>"Why?"
>"I'm slightly curious myself, Keine." Kaguya admits.
>"You'll understand after I've said it, Kaguya. I think you'd get it right away, but you're still worried about me." The raven haired teacher makes a strangled sound, then falls silent, looking like a woman who's just been got the better of.
>"You see, girls, I'm a history here." Keine starts, walking slowly in your direction. "I'm fairly well versed in most subjects, but history is my specialty. So I know just how important youth is in times of conflict. I don't know these demons like you do, but I have a feeling this is a conflict that goes beyond me and this school. But many of the figures who now stand prominent in history made their names when they were your age, or barely older. Including during such times as the Lunarian wars. Without the energy, the vigor, and the determination of men and women your age and younger, we would never have won. And the Moon would rule Earth to this day."
>Keine stops to stand in front of you, and she smiles upon you. "It's a common failing amongst adults to underestimate people your age. But I learned quite a few years ago that you young people are stronger than we adults might think, and pretty often too. You have a fire and an imagination that so often gets lost as the years wear on. I sympathize for you, but I don't pity you, Magical Lotus. You've already shown you, all of you, have the will to fight, and the strength to win."
>"However...." Keine's smile becomes just a little wistful, as she places her hand on your shoulder. She has a firm grip, but a warm hand. "As an adult. As a teacher. As... Well, as myself, I can't help but wish I could help you somehow. That I could fight instead of you, or at least with you."
>Her words make your ring pulse on your finger. Unlike other reactions, however, this one draws a reaction from Keine as well. The light you see within her begins to course faster through her body, and changes color as well, creating rivers of white, blue and green light.
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>Is this a visible reaction, or still something we are still simply sensing with our supernatural senses??
>Do any of the others seem aware of it also? Keine herself?
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>Is this a visible reaction, or still something we are still simply sensing with our supernatural senses??
>Do any of the others seem aware of it also? Keine herself?
>It is visible to your othersight, but given the lack of reaction from Kaguya, it doesn't appear to be visible to those without that particular sense.
>Neither Lily nor Rin show any signs of reaction to the change in lights, and Keine appears to be equally unaware.
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>"Hold strong to that conviction. It is that will to protect the people we hold dear that is our greatest source of strength against the powers which threaten this world. You might even be surprised at just how much effect such conviction can have."
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>"Hold strong to that conviction. It is that will to protect the people we hold dear that is our greatest source of strength against the powers which threaten this world. You might even be surprised at just how much effect such conviction can have."
>The beautiful teacher with the blue-white hair gives you a look that is one of pride, but also a questioning gaze. A moment passes between you as she holds your eyes, then she snorts out a chuckle, and pats your shoulder. "Strong words, Lotus." she compliments.
>"Well I, for one, believe you've done quite enough fighting." Kaguya tells her. "For one day, at least."
>Keine lets out a breath and releases your shoulder. "Yes, yes. You're probably right." She starts to turn back towards her fellow teacher, but adds, "Of course, tomorrow is another day."
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>Smile
>"It is indeed. Be well; we will be in touch."
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>Smile
>"It is indeed. Be well; we will be in touch."
>"I look forward to it, young hero." Keine answers.
>"Isn't this one of your slower nine-elevens?" Keine asks Kaguya as she walks back to the blue automobile.
>"It's still a nine-eleven." Kaguya replies tartly, sounding a little insulted.
>"Still, I would have thought you'd take one of your two-seaters." the history professor retorts, a faint smile on her lips as she climbs into the car. You get the distinct impression Keine is teasing the seemingly unflappable Kaguya.
>Who, as it turns out, is at least slightly flappable. "I was in a hurry." she says shortly.
>She sure seems ta be back to normal. Rin drawls telepathically as Kaguya defends the speed of her chosen car.
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>Indeed, and I am very glad to see it.
>Now let's head back to some discrete place to drop our transformations, then head back to our apartment
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>Indeed, and I am very glad to see it.
>Now let's head back to some discrete place to drop our transformations, then head back to our apartment
>The three of you wait until Kaguya and Keine have driven out of the parking lot- teaching you that a Porsche 911 doesn't make a very good noise- before retreating to just inside the school wall once more. After Lily and Rin confirm the lack of anyone within sight or sound, the three of you return once more to your normal forms.
>Feeling no pressing need to make your presence known to those out in front of the school, as you have other matters to attend to, you take your fellow magical girls the long way around back towards your apartment. Lily hardly minds, as now that the crisis is over, she immediately turns her attention to Rin. The energetic blonde hadn't had the opportunity to welcome Rin into the fold before, and now she does. Your Rin once again wears that expression of something between bafflement and happiness as Lily barrages her with smiles and her own special brand of energy. It's honestly amusing to watch, but it also brings a contented smile to your face. Lily's effervescence could easily be a bit overwhelming, in your judgement, to someone who isn't used to this kind of interaction. The kasha, however, never really looks or feels uncomfortable in the presence of Lily, nor does she ever look your way for support or reassurance. The one time she does look at you, it is only as if to say, 'Peppy, ain't she?'. You have no trouble agreeing with that.
>As the Moonside Apartments come into view, once you turn back onto the main street, you spy a pair of vehicles parked outside on the apartments, one on the curb, one inside the grounds gate. The latter is a jet black Corvette, which you recognize only because the Corvette is Marissa's dream car, and she's gone on about more times than you'd care to remember. The other is a big red and white Mercedes-Benz, which you recognize because it belongs to your landlord, Reimu.
>"Ain't that Reimu's car?" Rin asks.
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>Nod
>"It does appear to be."
>Continue our approach
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>Nod
>"It does appear to be."
>Continue our approach
>"Ohh, wonder what she wants?" Lily wonders, fluttering along.
>"She IS the landlord of dis place." Rin informs her.
>"Oh yeah. Guess I forgot." the blonde answers, sticking her tongue out.
>You find the door to the unrented apartment slightly ajar, and you can hear the sounds of a woman singing within. The door to Minoriko's room is also ever so slightly ajar. There are no people to be seen outside, however.
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>Curiosity or no, we do have work to do; continue back to our apartment
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>Curiosity or no, we do have work to do; continue back to our apartment
>Time enough to ask about Reimu & company later. You've got other business to attend to.
>Leaving your landlord and your neighbors to their business, you take Lily and Rin up to your room.
>The winged blonde emits a happy little squeak as you unlock your door. Then she frowns in thought. "Should I have brought a gift?"
-
>"A gift?"
-
>"A gift?"
>"Mama told me that people in her day used to bring a gift to your friends' house the first time you visit, like a cake or cookies, or something nice and tasty."
>That clicks in your mind. It's an old tradition, that, mostly disused in this day and age. It crops up in manga and anime now and then, usually to establish a character has having a rather old-fashioned background or habits.
-
>Chuckle lightly
>"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that - but thanks for the thought."
>Enter!
-
>Chuckle lightly
>"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that - but thanks for the thought."
>Enter!
>Swinging your apartment door open, you admit Rin and Lily. The kasha enters straight away, but Lily pauses to bow at the open door and greet you home formally, intoning. "Your hospitality honors me." Straightening up, she smiles as she crosses your threshold. "Mama taught me that, too."
-
>Smile warmly and nod, then gesture towards somewhere she could make herself comfortable
>"Please, make yourself at home."
>Then let's go dig up the vial to the keystone
-
>Smile warmly and nod, then gesture towards somewhere she could make herself comfortable
>"Please, make yourself at home."
>Then let's go dig up the vial to the keystone
>Lily walks into your apartment normally, then takes to wing almost as soon as she's inside, fluttering her way into the main room of your pad. Rin chuckles as she closes and locks the door behind her.
>"Hmm?" Lily asks your kasha as she stops and hovers. You take the time to head towards your room.
>"Oh, it's... Well, ya kinda reminded me of a fairy, the way ya sorta fly around everywhere. Uh, not that I mean that in a bad way, I mean..."
>Lily beams at her. "What bad way? Fairys are cute!"
>Lily continues to extoll the virtues of fairys and their adorableness while you search your room for the little sampler bottle of perfume. It takes you about a minute to track the little vial down, next to a large perfume bottle. One that had to have been left behind by Marissa one of the last times she was here, as it is labeled 'Eau de Banjo', which only she would have.
-
>Empty out the vial, then rinse it and fill it with water
>Then drop a couple grains of salt in - not too much
>Do we actually understand what the process of creating this keystone is, once we have a suitable physical object for it to be?
-
>Empty out the vial, then rinse it and fill it with water
>Then drop a couple grains of salt in - not too much
>Do we actually understand what the process of creating this keystone is, once we have a suitable physical object for it to be?
>Taking the bottle out to the kitchen sink, you find Rin has already taken down the salt container for you to use. Thoughtful kasha. Pulling the lid off allows the thin vapors of fruity-smelling air to escape into the atmosphere, and you generously rinse the container out.
>"I'm sorry ta have to ask," Rin says to Lily, "But.... Well, you're not, are you?"
>"Not what?"
>"A fairy."
>"Oh! No, I'm not." Lily says with a shake of her head, her blonde hair swaying as you measure out the salt you think you'll need. "It'd be kinda cool if I was, though, all short and cute and full of neverrunoutofenergy-ness."
>You will need to imbue the touchstone with your energy, linking it to the power connecting you to the Oubliette where the Champion of Water lies imprisoned. It will serve as an anchor to this world, linking your power to something solid, something physical, which you can then use to pull yourself back into the physical once your business with Water is concluded.
>Likewise, the others will have to attune their Light energy to this object as well. For Lily, this should be no problem, for she participated in the creation of the spell which holds Water. Rin, however, was not present at the time, and though she shares your power, she may not have that automatic connection to Water's jail.
-
>"I fear you're not making a terribly convincing argument for not already being already one, Lily."
>If Rin lacks this connection on her own, would it not be possible for her to connect to it through us?
-
>"I fear you're not making a terribly convincing argument for not already being already one, Lily."
>If Rin lacks this connection on her own, would it not be possible for her to connect to it through us?
>Lily giggles as she flaps her wings. "Aw, thanks!" The blonde then spreads her wings out and holds them. As much as she can, of course, since she doesn't want knock anything around, and she has a generous figure. And wingspan. "I think I like my feathers too much, though. Fairies have cute wings, but Lily loves her feathers."
>It certainly seems possible. Reaching the connection between you and the Oubliette wasn't difficult, and considering the strength of Rin's power you sensed, and its similarity to you, it shouldn't be hard to bring her along for the ride, if need be.
-
>Finish preparing the vial
>Are there any conveniently secluded places nearby? Assuming the magic involved in making this and entering/exiting might be noticeable to neighbours and beg explanation.
-
>Finish preparing the vial
>Are there any conveniently secluded places nearby? Assuming the magic involved in making this and entering/exiting might be noticeable to neighbours and beg explanation.
>After swirling the water in the vial to mix well with the salt, you screw the top back on.
>The closest place that's a bit out of the way would be Nitori's shed. Assuming she's not in there, but considering you didn't hear her when you were on your way in, she probably isn't there at the moment.
-
>How out of the way is the shed? It's still right on the property, isn't it?
>Is there something just a little further away than that?
-
>How out of the way is the shed? It's still right on the property, isn't it?
>Is there something just a little further away than that?
>It is, yes.
>Farther out from that, there's some alleyways around the small shopping square, a ten minutes walk to your northeast. According to Marissa, one of the warehouses behind the cinema across the street from this square is abandoned, as well.
-
>"It occurs to me now that it may be best to perform the actual ritual away from here; In case someone is able to sense the usage of our powers, I think it better not to associate them with any of our actual homes, at least for the time-being."
>Give the vial a little shake
>"Of course, that does mean another trip back if this proves an unsuitable object for the keystone."
-
>"It occurs to me now that it may be best to perform the actual ritual away from here; In case someone is able to sense the usage of our powers, I think it better not to associate them with any of our actual homes, at least for the time-being."
>Give the vial a little shake
>"Of course, that does mean another trip back if this proves an unsuitable object for the keystone."
>Rin nods in agreement. "Plus the light show might draw some eyes, if dere is one when we do dis."
-
>"Indeed. I thought maybe one of the alleyways around the shopping center might suffice for the moment, unless one of you has a better suggestion. Though, longer-term, it might be helpful to have a more securely isolated location for such purposes."
-
>"Indeed. I thought maybe one of the alleyways around the shopping center might suffice for the moment, unless one of you has a better suggestion. Though, longer-term, it might be helpful to have a more securely isolated location for such purposes."
>"I can scout 'round for somethin' close and secure." Rin offers. "Might take me a while, though, even as a cat I can only move so fast."
-
>"Perhaps sometime later; I think this can do for now, then - I don't expect we'll need to remain there long, in any case."
-
>"Perhaps sometime later; I think this can do for now, then - I don't expect we'll need to remain there long, in any case."
>"There's that cinema across the street from there, too." Lily suggests. "I'd guess it'd be pretty quiet this time of the morning.."
-
>"Well, we can see what traffic is like once we get out that way."
>Smile a little sheepishly at Lily
>"I apologize for the flying visit, but you're more than welcome back once we've settled business for the moment; I'd just like to take care of this as soon as possible, since we might have need of whatever information we can get before too long."
-
>"Well, we can see what traffic is like once we get out that way."
>Smile a little sheepishly at Lily
>"I apologize for the flying visit, but you're more than welcome back once we've settled business for the moment; I'd just like to take care of this as soon as possible, since we might have need of whatever information we can get before too long."
>Lily's wings rustle as she smiles. "It's okay. I like that term, flying visit." Rin chuckles at the blondes remark, but Lily continues, "And I think we really should leave Kiku out of this."
>"You do? Why?" Rin demands. "Water probably ain't gonna be too happy to see us, ya know."
>"But Kiku'll be even MORE unhappy to see Water. Really. Unhappy." Lily stresses.
-
>Nod
>"I agree. No offense intended to our friend, but our efforts to negotiate peaceably with Water stand a considerable chance of being hampered by her presence, and I do not expect to require her strength for this meeting in any case. It is not in Water's own interests to try and kill us, and even should he try and overwhelm us, we can withdraw outside his reach once again. This is not to say we should not exercise great caution while entering his prison, but I expect things should be okay so long as we do so."
-
>Nod
>"I agree. No offense intended to our friend, but our efforts to negotiate peaceably with Water stand a considerable chance of being hampered by her presence, and I do not expect to require her strength for this meeting in any case. It is not in Water's own interests to try and kill us, and even should he try and overwhelm us, we can withdraw outside his reach once again. This is not to say we should not exercise great caution while entering his prison, but I expect things should be okay so long as we do so."
>To say Rin seems unenthusiastic about the idea of leaving Kiku out of it would be a bit of an understatement. Lily tries to assuage her worries, "And don't forget, Rin, the three of us beat Water the last time we met, and we were tired then, and hurt too. This time Lotus and me aren't, and you'll be there to cover Kiku."
>The kasha's hackles are still raised. "I don't like risking my master's safety if I can make the odds better. Maybe you're right, Lily; maybe you're both right, but I don't like it."
-
>"I do understand where you're coming from, and I did not suggest this frivolously. Perhaps you might feel similarly, had you been present for the initial confrontation yourself."
>"But do not forget that I consider myself responsible for both of your safety, as well, and would never knowingly risk it without cause. I think we shall be fine."
-
>"I do understand where you're coming from, and I did not suggest this frivolously. Perhaps you might feel similarly, had you been present for the initial confrontation yourself."
>"But do not forget that I consider myself responsible for both of your safety, as well, and would never knowingly risk it without cause. I think we shall be fine."
>Rin's tails continue to twitch as she pouts. "Times like this make me wish there was more than just us four." she grumbles. "I trust you, mistress, I really do. I just... Well, I just don't like leaving a powerful ally behind."
>"You heard her," Lily pipes up, "she's trying to sort out her own powers. She got her own problems besides this. I'm with Byakuren, we'll be okay."
-
>"Do not underestimate your own strength, Rin. We are going into this with no less power than the first time, and perhaps even more. And we possess the means to withdraw where Water cannot follow us."
-
>"Do not underestimate your own strength, Rin. We are going into this with no less power than the first time, and perhaps even more. And we possess the means to withdraw where Water cannot follow us."
>A cautious smile flits across Rin's face. "That's a good point. We can always bail, but it's stuck there." She turns her head towards the window. "Den we'd better go, 'fore it starts snowin'."
-
>"Agreed. Let's go."
>Pocket the keystone candidate, then head out towards said cinema and nearby alleyways
-
>"Agreed. Let's go."
>Pocket the keystone candidate, then head out towards said cinema and nearby alleyways
>You acquire: Potential Touchstone to Water's Oubliette
>A glance upwards as you once again file out of your apartment confirms Rin's suspicions to your mind. At some point today, you expect there will be snow. Or perhaps a very cold rain. But with a bit of luck, you can finish your business in the Demon's extraplanar jail before you get rained on.
>The outside of Moonside is as empty as it was when you arrived, and at the front of the building you pause, glancing down towards the school to see how things look now. The crowd out in front of the school is still present, though it seems a bit smaller than before, and a bit quieter. A rather familiar blonde friend of yours appears to still be the center of attention for the largest number of folks, as she is standing on top of a police cruiser. With, Rin reports with a catty grin, a somewhat disgruntled rabbit police officer standing nearby. Trust Marissa to do something a bit over the top, but it does appear that she has put the rest of the student body at ease, at least more than they had to have been during the fireworks.
>Dere's one thing I gotta ask, mistress, before we get where we're going. Rin asks you privately as you set off down the road. Ya think Kiku's gonna be mad we went off and did this without her? I get that it might be easier ta get some answers out of water without her there, but she might get mad that we did.
-
>It is possible she might. But at the same time, Lily is right in that she does have important business of her own to attend to at the moment, and I would also rather not obstruct that unless we need to. I would hope she can understand - on either front. And if not, well... I accept whole responsibility for this decision, and can only ask that she accept my apology in return.
-
>It is possible she might. But at the same time, Lily is right in that she does have important business of her own to attend to at the moment, and I would also rather not obstruct that unless we need to. I would hope she can understand - on either front. And if not, well... I accept whole responsibility for this decision, and can only ask that she accept my apology in return.
>Oh no, ya don't. Rin retorts. We made this call together, so Kiku'll just have to get snarly with all of us. The kasha gives you a grin.
-
>Chuckle softly and smile back
>I'm glad to know you have my back. But I'm less worried about incurring her ire and more that she might feel wounded that I would exclude her from an important task on the basis of her emotions, as if I did not trust her enough to keep her composure. She is not easily open with her heart, and I would not wish to give her further cause to keep it closed. I would gladly suffer her anger than do such a thing.
-
>Chuckle softly and smile back
>I'm glad to know you have my back. But I'm less worried about incurring her ire and more that she might feel wounded that I would exclude her from an important task on the basis of her emotions, as if I did not trust her enough to keep her composure. She is not easily open with her heart, and I would not wish to give her further cause to keep it closed. I would gladly suffer her anger than do such a thing.
>I think she'll understand. Might take a bit, but she'll come around. You're good at makin' folks understand.
-
>I do try.
-
>I do try.
>Rin's tails flick in Lily's direction as the three of you cross a street. Plus, I get the feelin' being around her means folks can't stay mad for too long, anyways. She kinda reminds me of Marissa, dat way; always tryin' ta make folks smile, feel better.
-
>She has a good heart, and her cheer can be more than a little infectious.
-
>She has a good heart, and her cheer can be more than a little infectious.
>Rin chuckles quietly in your mind's ear, then, after glancing around to ensure a lack of people within earshot, she asks quietly, "So then, is there anythin' I oughta know before I see this Water guy? Does it look like an animal, too?"
-
>Quietly as well: "His form is that of a large winged serpent. He has great power over water, as you might expect, though he did not seem as strong as Ice, when we fought. In temperment, he is calmer in his anger than Fire was, though still arrogant and assured of his superiority and the futility of our resistance - even after his own defeat. Of course, it is possible his anger has grown more fearsome in his confinement; that remains to be seen. He was also manipulative, preying upon people's fear to make them submit to him. We met one woman who had fallen servant to his power, and Kiku herself likely would have as well, had we not intervened when we did."
-
>Quietly as well: "His form is that of a large winged serpent. He has great power over water, as you might expect, though he did not seem as strong as Ice, when we fought. In temperment, he is calmer in his anger than Fire was, though still arrogant and assured of his superiority and the futility of our resistance - even after his own defeat. Of course, it is possible his anger has grown more fearsome in his confinement; that remains to be seen. He was also manipulative, preying upon people's fear to make them submit to him. We met one woman who had fallen servant to his power, and Kiku herself likely would have as well, had we not intervened when we did."
>"He breathed lightning, too." Lily informs her. "I remember thinking that was weird, a water guy breathing lightning. Water and electricity, you'd think he'd have shocked himself. That's how Byakuren her beat him, too. Shocked the heck out of him."
>Rin blinks. "You turned his electricity back on him?"
-
>"I... I did? I don't seem to remember doing that..."
>"In a sense. It was a sort of 'feedback' that intercepts attacks as they are charging and turns their energy against its source."
-
>"I... I did? I don't seem to remember doing that..."
>"In a sense. It was a sort of 'feedback' that intercepts attacks as they are charging and turns their energy against its source."
>/fingershake
>"That's a mighty handy power."
-
>"Not without downsides. Several times I tried to find an opportunity to use it against Ice, but her attacks were too swift. Though yes, effective when circumstances present."
-
>"Not without downsides. Several times I tried to find an opportunity to use it against Ice, but her attacks were too swift. Though yes, effective when circumstances present."
>"Ya think it would've worked even if you'd had a chance to fire it?"
>"What do you mean?" Lily asks.
>"Well, if these demons have powers based in elements, they might be immune to that element if someone tried to use it against 'em. Sorta like, tryin' to fight a fire by throwing fire on it. Ain't gonna work that well. These demons might work the same way."
-
>"I admit I am unsure whether the feedback takes the same nature as the attack it is countering or not - though at the very least it could still prevent it from working as intended."
-
>"I admit I am unsure whether the feedback takes the same nature as the attack it is countering or not - though at the very least it could still prevent it from working as intended."
>Rin nods. "And at least we know it works on one of Water's tricks. That'll come in handy if he gets frisky. Hang on."
>The kasha pauses as you draw near to your target, a blind alleyway behind the shopping square, accessed by a dirt path. A wet dirt path, no less. Rin's ears twitch as her youkai senses work. "There's some activity from the square, but I don't think anything that'll bother us." she reports after a moment.
-
>"Good."
>Continue onward to seclusion
-
>"Good."
>Continue onward to seclusion
>Treading around the shallow, muddy puddles, you and your crew walk down the dirt 'road' past the side entrance into the square, and duck down into the graffiti-sprayed alleyway sandwiched between two businesses. Not the sort of place you'd like to spend a large amount of time, but the walls surrounding you are high, and the only object present is a green metal dumpster. Should be isolated enough for your purposes, despite the smell of muddy water and rust.
-
>
Kisume's not hiding in that dumpster, is she?
>Give a little sweep of the area with what magical senses we can access in this form, then verify with Rin that nobody is coming
>Then let's transform
-
>Kisume's not hiding in that dumpster, is she?
>Give a little sweep of the area with what magical senses we can access in this form, then verify with Rin that nobody is coming
>Then let's transform
>It's probably not bucket-shaped enough. Of course, one never knows for sure...
>Your extrasensory perception agrees with Rin's report, and in short order, the three of you once more resume your Magical guises.
-
>Take out the vial of water and let's get to work on constructing that keystone
-
>Take out the vial of water and let's get to work on constructing that keystone
>Producing your prototype key to the Water Prison, you focus your will upon the item, and once more reach out towards the Oubliette of the Water Demon. The salty water in the vial shimmers and takes on a bluish glow as you mentally couple the item to the link between you and the spell holding water.
>"That's a good sign, right?" Rin asks cautiously.
-
>Is it? At least do we think it is?
-
>Is it? At least do we think it is?
>It certainly seems to be. You sense that the little vial of salty water is now, like yourself, linked to the Rainbow Oubliette spell.
-
>And how exactly would we use this to enter it?
>And take the others with us?
-
>And how exactly would we use this to enter it?
>And take the others with us?
>The vial isn't so much for allowing you access, it's to give you something to lock onto to bring you back. It's a physical link between this world, the physical world, and the world you created for Water. Sort of like a safety rope, in layman's terms.
>Lily naturally has the same connection you do with the Oubliette, her power being part of it. She can follow you unaided. Rin, however, might need a little help. You may need to link your power to hers when you make the trip from this world into the next. An extension of your will and hers should accomplish this.
-
>Would the vial physically come with us when we enter, then?
>Is it conceivable that Water could somehow use this vial and its link to the outside world as a means of his own escape, should he get his hands on it somehow?
-
>Would the vial physically come with us when we enter, then?
>Is it conceivable that Water could somehow use this vial and its link to the outside world as a means of his own escape, should he get his hands on it somehow?
>You're actually not completely sure on that one.
>No. Only you and those who share your power can utilize this touchstone.
-
>"I believe so, yes."
>"Rin, because you were not involved in the creation of this prison, you lack the same link to it which Lily and I share. That may make it more difficult for you to enter. But I believe if we join our powers together, I can guide you along, using my own connection with it."
-
>"I believe so, yes."
>"Rin, because you were not involved in the creation of this prison, you lack the same link to it which Lily and I share. That may make it more difficult for you to enter. But I believe if we join our powers together, I can guide you along, using my own connection with it."
>Rin's tails twitch just a bit. "Why do I get the feelin' this is gonna get a bit weird?" she says with a cautious grin. Like a woman about to go bungee jumping.
-
>Smile a little
>"It might. Though if it's any comfort, the experience will be new to me as well."
>Pause. Frown slightly.
>"Or perhaps that's not a comforting fact at all."
-
>Smile a little
>"It might. Though if it's any comfort, the experience will be new to me as well."
>Pause. Frown slightly.
>"Or perhaps that's not a comforting fact at all."
>"'course it is." Lily announces, giving Rin a mighty hug. "New things are good! Especially when you have friends around, too!"
-
>"Perhaps they are, at that. Are you ready?"
>Do we have a good sense of exactly how we can guide Rin into Water's prison?
>For that matter, how exactly are we entering, if the keystone is apparently not central to doing that?
-
>Do we have a good sense of exactly how we can guide Rin into Water's prison?
>For that matter, how exactly are we entering, if the keystone is apparently not central to doing that?
>It's quite central, assuming you want to be able to return to this world again.
>Earlier today, you reached your mind out to touch the Oubliette where you left it. To visit there simply requires a greater extension of will. The Touchstone you created gives you something to lock onto to pull yourself back into this world when you're done in the other.
>Taking Rin along for the ride should involve nothing more than joining your will to hers, not entirely unlike you did earlier today against the Ice Champion.
>"Perhaps they are, at that. Are you ready?"
>Lily nods enthusiastically, while Rin seems a bit more subdued. (Not that this is hard) "Yes, mistress."
-
>Take firm grip of the keystone in one hand and extend the other to Rin
>"Take my hand."
>Once taken: "I will now reach out towards the prison, as we left it. Reach with me."
>Extend our will towards the Oubliette and take us there together
-
>Take firm grip of the keystone in one hand and extend the other to Rin
>"Take my hand."
>Once taken: "I will now reach out towards the prison, as we left it. Reach with me."
>Extend our will towards the Oubliette and take us there together
>Rin places her hand in yours, gripping it tightly. Lily meanwhile places her left hand on your shoulder, her right hand on Rin's. You sense her will reaching out from her into the beyond, while Rin's focus is on you. Your spirit and hers entwined, you reach awareness out once more to the Oubliette.
>This time, there is a sensation of instant movement, not so much falling as propulsion forward. You find yourself flying through what seems to be a tunnel of colors stretching out before, a scintillating display of reds upon blues upon greens and everything in between and beyond. You hear Lily whoop in excitement as she flies behind you, while the expression on Rin's face is one of naked wonder, the eyes of a child. She squeezes your hand just a little tighter.
>The walls of the Oubliette appear as a shifting circle of violets and yellows mixed with grey, and while you know they are solid, you and your two friends pass through the barrier without incident. It's an odd sensation, like getting splashed all over with liquid cobwebs, and you find yourself stopped without any deceleration.
>You find yourself standing on a wooded path, the sight and scent of cherry trees in bloom all around you. There is no wind, and cherry blossoms fill the air. You recognize this as one of the walking trails in the Hatori Saigyoji Memorial Park, just as you'd intended, but there is a strange pinkish hue to the trees and grass.
-
>Look to the other two. How do they both seem?
>Can we sense Water's location at the moment? If so, how far away is he?
-
>Look to the other two. How do they both seem?
>Can we sense Water's location at the moment? If so, how far away is he?
>Rin's ears are twitching, but your eyes meet as you turn your head, for she was looking towards you as well. That expression of wide-eyed awe is still plastered on her face. "Dat was like flyin' through a rainbow..." Lily, you can see, has already taken to wing, and is fluttering in the air above and slightly away from you both. She seems to be staring at something in the sky.
>Reaching out with your mystic senses, echoes of your own power saturate the area all around you in every direction. It's a curious mix of sensations: the youthful joy and joie de vie from Lily, the sincerity and strength of your own heart, and the fear-laced rigidity of Kiku.
>But as these sensations are that of your own power, you have a quick enough time sorting them out and seeking past them. The black aura of the Water Champion is located not far away, down the trail in a southeasterly direction. That should take you down to the large pond in the park. Water's presence doesn't seem as strong as it did during your battle at the CRA, nor does it seem as malignant. It's still a tangible sensation of evil power, but it's not as vile as it was in the material world.
-
>"It was quite something, that is certain."
>Look up; what does Lily seem to be looking at?
-
>"It was quite something, that is certain."
>Look up; what does Lily seem to be looking at?
>"I don't know what I thought that'd be like, but that sure weren't it." Rin stammers out. Her hand has a slight quiver to it.
>As you look up, you see right away what has caught Lily's eye. The sky is not blue. It is a pale shade of pink, and the puffy clouds that dot the rosy ceiling are as green as new grass.
-
>"Likewise."
>"That is an interesting sky."
-
>"Likewise."
>"That is an interesting sky."
>"It's PINK!" Lily yells. "It's a pink sky! PINK!"
-
>"The clouds look rather more peculiar, if I had to offer my own opinion."
-
>"The clouds look rather more peculiar, if I had to offer my own opinion."
>"GREEN!" Lily cries, grinning like a kid on christmas morning as she almost unconsciously rises slowly upwards. "Green clouds in a pink sky." Lily laughs a large laugh. "What a PLACE!"
-
>"I wonder which bits were your handiwork?"
>Glance around. Does the place seem mostly normal aside from the peculiar coloration?
-
>"I wonder which bits were your handiwork?"
>Glance around. Does the place seem mostly normal aside from the peculiar coloration?
>Lily raises her arms up towards the sky. "Might be hard to tell. I could tell you and me were thinking a lot of same things when we made the power that made this place. Ohh, I wonder what Kiku made in this place." she says with a slight auditory shudder.
>Otherworldly hues to one side, the place looks as normal. Almost. The trees are in bloom, but there are no flowers on the ground, which is a bit odd. Apart from that, though, nothing seems out of place.
-
>Can we differentiate between the flows of power that comprise this place well enough to guess something that might have come from her?
-
>Can we differentiate between the flows of power that comprise this place well enough to guess something that might have come from her?
>Which her, Kiku or Lily?
-
>Either of us, for that matter - though Kiku in particular, here
-
>Either of us, for that matter - though Kiku in particular, here
>You and Lily's thoughts and powers and woven rather closely together, as the winged woman mentioned earlier. Separating the two will take some concentration. Kiku's will, however, stands out a bit from both of yours. You and Lily wanted Water put somewhere comfortable, and so your power is interwoven as much with the trees and the skies as it is with the walls of the Oubliette. Kiku's power, a shade of energy darker than yours and Lily's, is collected more around the edges of the jail, ensuring the captive demon remains just that - captive. She didn't seem to care as much about what the demon did in here, only that it stayed here.
>There is however, a sizable nodule of Kiku's power located in the same direction you sense Water in. Not too far from it, either.
-
>"It feels like there is something of her making towards where Water presently is - which is where we ought to be heading, as well. Remember, as pleasant and fanciful as this domain may be, there is still a dangerous force residing within it, and we have business."
>Head off towards the pond
>"This way."
-
>"It feels like there is something of her making towards where Water presently is - which is where we ought to be heading, as well. Remember, as pleasant and fanciful as this domain may be, there is still a dangerous force residing within it, and we have business."
>Head off towards the pond
>"This way."
>You hear Rin sniff to your left. "You're right, mistress." she says, an odd catch in her voice. "We've got a job to do here."
>"I gotta wonder, though." Lily says as you and Rin set off, her hand still in yours. "You think we could do that to the real sky? Make it all pink and pretty like..." She trails off, and a look of concern crosses her pretty young face. "Rin? You all right?"
>"Why do you ask?"
>"You're crying."
-
>Look to Rin
>Frown of concern
>"What's wrong?"
-
>Look to Rin
>Frown of concern
>"What's wrong?"
>A quick glance at your kasha confirms Lily's statement. Her eyes are filled with tears. "I'm not-" Rin starts, but then she blinks in surprise, sending a small tear tricking down her pale cheek. Slowly she reaches her hand up to her face, laying her fingers to the side of her eye. "I am..."
-
>Hold her hand a little tighter
>Gently: "What is it?"
-
>Hold her hand a little tighter
>Gently: "What is it?"
>"I don't know... I was thinking that, it was really beautiful, coming here. Flying through all those colors..." The kasha starts talking faster, as the tears start flowing down her face, despite her visible efforts. "I've never seen anything so beautiful, and then we came here, and the sky, and the cherry blossoms, and I was thinkin' how grateful I was to see it, that you gave me the chance to be here, and to help, and I never thought..." Rin's emotions finally get the better of her, and her face contorts as she weeps openly.
-
>Put our arm around her and gently hold her close. Let her be with her emotions.
>"It's okay...."
-
>Put our arm around her and gently hold her close. Let her be with her emotions.
>"It's okay...."
>The emotional Rin cries out her emotions as you hold her to your chest. You are grateful that these seem not to be tears of sorrow or another negative emotion, but rather those of a woman whose emotions simply run over.
>I'll give you a minute. Lily's gentle voice comes into your mind. You glance over as she starts to gain altitude, and you are not surprised to find that Lily, too, is crying, big-hearted woman that you know her to be.
-
>Keep holding her gently and warmly like this until she seems ready to stop (or something else happens)
-
>Keep holding her gently and warmly like this until she seems ready to stop (or something else happens)
>As you hold the weeping kasha in your arms, you ponder what might have so affected her. Her words earlier were not the most coherent she's ever been.
>Knowing her as you do, however, you know that, prior to her coming to live with her, there was little enough goodness in her life. Even enjoying a sunset wasn't something she had opportunity to partake of very often, if at all. You can imagine a normal person being almost overwhelmed by, as she herself put it, flying through a rainbow. For someone with the life Rin has had...
>After several long moments, Rin's sobs quiet, and the kasha visibly collects herself as best she can. "Forgive me, mistress." she says in a quiet, still shaky voice. "I.. couldn't help myself..." she manages as she tries to pull away from you.
-
>Give her another little squeeze, but then don't keep her from detaching if she seems to wish to
>"You have nothing to ask forgiveness for. Being genuine to the wellspring of emotions within you is only healthy and right, and I am glad you felt comfortable enough in my presence to be so. When you are sad, cry. When you are happy, smile. Be true to the self that you are, and I shall never wish for anything greater."
-
>Give her another little squeeze, but then don't keep her from detaching if she seems to wish to
>"You have nothing to ask forgiveness for. Being genuine to the wellspring of emotions within you is only healthy and right, and I am glad you felt comfortable enough in my presence to be so. When you are sad, cry. When you are happy, smile. Be true to the self that you are, and I shall never wish for anything greater."
>"It's just... Well, ya know my past. When I was with Konngara an' her family, my life was grounded. Ordinary, y'know? I was her slave, dat's all I was gonna be. But then today happened, an' yesterday, too, an' I guess..." The still moist-eyed kasha tries to smile. "It's too much, y'know? I couldn't've even dreamt of somethin' like this happening, and here I am. With you. An' I know we got a job to do, that we came here for... But still, I..." Your Rin runs out of words.
-
>Smile gently
>"I think I understand - at least so much as I am able, having not lived your life. This has been an overwhelming experience for me, as well. It is a truly remarkable thing to step inside this world and know that you have wrought it with your own power, though the ground beneath my feet feels as solid and real as the park in our own city. Nor would I ever have dreamt that such an awesome responsibility as this would be thrust upon me. If I seem on top of things, it is only because I am trying very hard indeed to remain so; as glad as you are to be here, I am just as glad to have you by my side."
-
>Smile gently
>"I think I understand - at least so much as I am able, having not lived your life. This has been an overwhelming experience for me, as well. It is a truly remarkable thing to step inside this world and know that you have wrought it with your own power, though the ground beneath my feet feels as solid and real as the park in our own city. Nor would I ever have dreamt that such an awesome responsibility as this would be thrust upon me. If I seem on top of things, it is only because I am trying very hard indeed to remain so; as glad as you are to be here, I am just as glad to have you by my side."
>Rin closes her eyes, lowering her head slightly. The redhead take a long, slow breath, before looking up again. She seems to have pulled herself together, mostly, but for some reason, she seems somehow apprehensive. "And if... my emotions get the better of me again...?"
-
>"You will always have my shoulder to cry upon. Of this, never doubt."
-
>"You will always have my shoulder to cry upon. Of this, never doubt."
>"Shoulder? That ain't what ya lent me before!"
>Rin holds your eyes. "I hope I can do the same for you, Byakuren, if you ever need me."
-
>"Thank you, Rin. I have nothing but confidence in your heart and the strength that rests within it, and it does my own glad to know you have my back. Or my front, as the case may be."
>Smile
-
>"Thank you, Rin. I have nothing but confidence in your heart and the strength that rests within it, and it does my own glad to know you have my back. Or my front, as the case may be."
>Smile
>The kasha blinks, stunned for a moment, then a broad grin cracks her face and she bursts out laughing.
-
>Grin back, then give her a moment
>"Shall we carry on?"
-
>Grin back, then give her a moment
>"Shall we carry on?"
>Your Rin's somewhat unexpected outburst lasts several seconds before her laughter trails off, leaving her smiling again. "Sorry 'bout that." she says, much more lightly than her last apology. She gives you a nod. "Sure, I'm good now..." she trails off, and has a look around. "Where'd Lily go?"
-
>Where did Lily go? If we can't see her, surely we can sense her?
-
>Where did Lily go? If we can't see her, surely we can sense her?
>You can't see her immediately, and sensing her isn't as easy as you might think, consider the magical sensation of her power is literally surrounding you. But you sort this out by concentrating a bit more, and pick out a stronger sense of Lily's presence not far from where you sense the Water Champion, and a couple dozen feet above it.
>Coincidentally, as you settle your sixth sense on her, Lily's voice broadcasts to you and Rin, I hate to interrupt, girls, but I'm looking down at the big pond here, and I'm seeing something weird.
-
>Weird? Weird how?
>Head off in her direction and gesture for Rin to follow
-
>Weird? Weird how?
>Head off in her direction and gesture for Rin to follow
>The place's got, well, water-people all over the place. Except for one girl that looks normal. Well, like a normal human, anyway, just naked. Lily reports as you make for the water, Rin falling in just behind you.
-
>Water-people? As in people made of water? What are they doing? And how many are there? Roughly.
-
>Water-people? As in people made of water? What are they doing? And how many are there? Roughly.
>Yeah, people made of water. And they're acting like normal people would at a park. But it's... really weird. I see a couple down there havin' a picnic, but there's no food, no blanket, nothing. I just recognize the motions. Most of em are just walking around the water, some are sitting by the waterside. I'd guess there's about a dozen, maybe more, I can't see through the trees too good. And none of em are talking, not a word. I'd think I was dreaming, if I didn't know better.
>And that woman, the normal one? Rin asks.
>She's just sitting there, staring at the big tiger statue. Just as quiet as the rest of em.
-
>Presumably there is no such statue in the park we modeled this after?
>Assuming not: Tiger statue?
-
>Presumably there is no such statue in the park we modeled this after?
>Assuming not: Tiger statue?
>There is not.
>Great big thing. Lily answers. Big and mean lookin'.
>"Probably Kiku's work." Rin says aloud. Is it made of metal? she broadcasts.
>Think so. Iron or lead or steel or something grey and shiny. Except its eyes, they're solid red.
-
>What sort of aura do you sense from the people there? Both kinds of them.
-
>What sort of aura do you sense from the people there? Both kinds of them.
>I haven't actually tried that. Lily admits, sounding slightly abashed. You do that kinda thing better than I do.
>All of a sudden, Rin grabs your arm, stopping you in your tracks. "Mistress, I hear something ahead!" she whispers harshly. "Sounds like water. I think it's those water things Lily saw."
>Down the path ahead of you, there is a curve, and sure enough, you spot movement coming around the curve. The figure, of medium height has a distinct head, four limbs and a torso, plainly a humanoid figure. Except it seems to composed of water rather than skin, and has no fingers, no toes, no facial features of any kind.
-
>What does the figure appear to be doing?
>And what can we sense from it?
-
>What does the figure appear to be doing?
>And what can we sense from it?
>It is walking in your direction at a rather casual pace.
>A quick scan reveals the magical force of the Water Champion driving the thing.
-
>Be on your guard. It is the power of the Water Champion that gives these form and motion, and we cannot be sure what they might be capable of, should he wish them to act. Assume they are potentially dangerous, though do not take hostile action unless they do first.
>Let's try to give the one approaching a wide berth if we can, and keep our eyes on it if it does anything threatening
>I think you should return to us, Lily. This is not the best place for us to be separated.
-
>Be on your guard. It is the power of the Water Champion that gives these form and motion, and we cannot be sure what they might be capable of, should he wish them to act. Assume they are potentially dangerous, though do not take hostile action unless they do first.
>Let's try to give the one approaching a wide berth if we can, and keep our eyes on it if it does anything threatening
>I think you should return to us, Lily. This is not the best place for us to be separated.
>On my way. Lily reports as you and Rin step far to your left, clearing the path for the watery humanoid. It doesn't seem to take notice of you as it walks in your direction, but then again, such mannerisms could be hard to determine from a being with no face. But it seems almost casual. If it were a man, you might think he was simply out for a stroll.
>You sure you don't want me ta blast it before it gets too close? Rin asks quietly, her right hand shaped into a claw.
-
>I am sure. We will not be the aggressors here, unless we are given good cause, and it would hardly be conducive to fruitful negotiations to lay waste to his creations for no reason other than that they were his. I do still hope that someday he may come to see the error of its ways and choose another path; we are not enemies simply by nature, no matter how firmly he may believe that is the natural order of things.
>Continue cautiously forward
-
>I am sure. We will not be the aggressors here, unless we are given good cause, and it would hardly be conducive to fruitful negotiations to lay waste to his creations for no reason other than that they were his. I do still hope that someday he may come to see the error of its ways and choose another path; we are not enemies simply by nature, no matter how firmly he may believe that is the natural order of things.
>Continue cautiously forward
>Rin relaxes her hand. All right. Her tails do twitch once however. I'll still keep my guard up, of course. she adds wryly. You'd expect no less.
>Rather warily, you and White Rose proceed down the trail, keeping a very close eye on the watery humanoid. Remembering what happened the last time you encountered the Water demon, your heart rate elevates as you and the waterman draw closer and closer. You can almost hear Rin bristling behind you, especially when the two of you come abeam each other.
>Quite to your surprise, the aquaform humanoid simply walks past you as though you weren't even there. It simply continues its stroll down the path.
-
>Well, I shall consider that a good sign, for the moment. Though nonetheless, I think it best to assume they could still turn hostile at some point, should their creator wish it. And certainly we can assume he knows that we are here.
>Continue onward
-
>Well, I shall consider that a good sign, for the moment. Though nonetheless, I think it best to assume they could still turn hostile at some point, should their creator wish it. And certainly we can assume he knows that we are here.
>Continue onward
>Rin warily watches the waterman as it strolls away. Aye. Even if these things ain't scouts of his, he probably felt us enter this place.
>I'm still sort of wondering where he is. Lily's voice comes back as you see her swooping in out of the sky, joining you as you make your way down towards the pond. I couldn't see a trace of him up there.
-
>Do we believe Lily was near to where we sensed Water himself, when she was further away?
-
>Do we believe Lily was near to where we sensed Water himself, when she was further away?
>She appeared to be generally above it. From your knowledge of the geography of the place, Water has to be around the pond somewhere, if not in it.
-
>Perhaps he was beneath the pond's surface? He is definitely near where you were.
-
>Perhaps he was beneath the pond's surface? He is definitely near where you were.
>Maybe. Lily says thoughtfully. With a glance back towards the still-unreactive waterman, then speaks normally, albeit more quietly than normal, "Water's sort of weird, too. Sometimes it was real clear, sometimes it got dark and grey. Same color as that big statue, now that I think about it."
>"You said there was a normal-looking girl by the water's edge?" Rin asks her, and Lily gives her a nod. "Those water things were definately made by the demon, so I wonder why dat one's different."
-
>"I suppose we shall see once we get there."
-
>"I suppose we shall see once we get there."
>"I don't hear nothin' else right ahead of us." Rin reports. "Should be clear to the pond."
>Just as she says, the rest of the route ahead of you is bereft of activity, and the three of you make your way down to the park pond.
>As Lily reported, the water is a mix of crystal clear and dark grey. It is ringed by a paved walkway, and watery humanoids virtually identical to the one that passed you by can be spotted here and there along its length. Most are walking as the first one was, some are seated on the ground or on a bench. Far to your left are the picnickers Lily mentioned. All of them appear to be identical to each other, and none of them seem to react to your approach.
>The most dominant feature is, as Lily said, the enormous tiger statue seeming to rear out of the water in mid-pounce, its iron claws outstretched towards the distant shore, fangs of gleaming silver bared. It's eyes seem to glow an angry red, and the sense of strength exuding from the hard metal body of the thing is profound.
>Seemingly unfazed by the statues' fearsome visage is a rather normal-looking girl with blonde pig-tails, sitting at the water's edge, looking directly at the tiger. She is mostly back on to you at the moment, and like the watermen does not immediately react to your presence.
-
>Is the tiger statue IN the pond, then?
>What do we sense from this girl?
>And she is naked, yes?
-
>Is the tiger statue IN the pond, then?
>What do we sense from this girl?
>And she is naked, yes?
>It is.
>She is, at least as far as you can tell.
>The girl seems to be emitting the same aura as the Water Champion.
-
>The same aura in the same way that these water constructs are linked to his power, or the same aura in that it feels like the Water Champion himself?
-
>The same aura in the same way that these water constructs are linked to his power, or the same aura in that it feels like the Water Champion himself?
>The latter. Your mystic senses are telling you that the naked blonde girl IS the Champion of Water. Either that, or the Champion is somehow occupying her space while invisible to your eyes.
-
>Frown slightly
>That woman... appears to be the Water Champion. To my senses, they are one and the same.
-
>Frown slightly
>That woman... appears to be the Water Champion. To my senses, they are one and the same.
>Lily's wings droop slightly. Can't be. Water demon was a snake with wings.
>It might be a changeling. Rin offers. Dere's all kinds of stories about demons and monsters that can change their shape. An' if that's true here, then it's a trap.
-
>What makes you so certain of that? Its aura does not seem so masked as though it were trying to deliberately conceal it, and I did not sense a change in its direction since we entered. In fact, there was something subtly different and less malignant about its presence at that point than when we last met; I would not be at all surprised if it were in this form before we arrived.
-
>What makes you so certain of that? Its aura does not seem so masked as though it were trying to deliberately conceal it, and I did not sense a change in its direction since we entered. In fact, there was something subtly different and less malignant about its presence at that point than when we last met; I would not be at all surprised if it were in this form before we arrived.
>But that looks like a human. Rin objects. You really think that would be it's normal form?
-
>Normal? Perhaps not. I cannot say for certain why it took that form, no more than I am sure why it created several families of aqueous picnickers; perhaps it was simply trying to pass the time of what it might view as an interminable confinement in this space? I will not presume. But as a trap, it is a rather poor one if I can clearly see through it the moment we come in contact, and to be honest, I think I would expect better if this were its intent. But perhaps I am wrong.
-
>Normal? Perhaps not. I cannot say for certain why it took that form, no more than I am sure why it created several families of aqueous picnickers; perhaps it was simply trying to pass the time of what it might view as an interminable confinement in this space? I will not presume. But as a trap, it is a rather poor one if I can clearly see through it the moment we come in contact, and to be honest, I think I would expect better if this were its intent. But perhaps I am wrong.
>Well, what do we do with it? Walk up and say hello?
>Isn't that sort of what we came here for? Lily asks. Besides, even if she isn't the Water Champion itself, if its aura is that strong, he might be controlling her directly. We might be able to talk to him through her.
-
>Yes, I agree - speaking to it is what we came here to do. If this was intended as a deception, then it failed and changes little. And if it was not, I will not prejudge.
>Approach the woman - circle from the side if that is necessary to get a look at her face before we speak
>"Good day to you, Champion of Water."
-
>Yes, I agree - speaking to it is what we came here to do. If this was intended as a deception, then it failed and changes little. And if it was not, I will not prejudge.
>Approach the woman - circle from the side if that is necessary to get a look at her face before we speak
>"Good day to you, Champion of Water."
>Just means I'll be ready in case it sprouts wings and fangs. Rin assures you. Your kasha swishes her tails for emphasis as walks alongside you up towards the blonde humanoid, going wide to be able to see her face. Outwardly she really does seem to be an average human female, somewhere between 20 and 24 you would guess, slightly underdeveloped but a touch more muscular than the norm, the body of an athlete. And her eyes are closed, for whatever reason.
>The blonde girl doesn't show shock or surprise at your naming of her, though the ghost of a smirk briefly passes across her lips. "Is that what I am?" she asks casually in a pleasant tenor voice.
-
>"That is how you appear to me. Do I speak falsely?"
-
>"That is how you appear to me. Do I speak falsely?"
>"I had thought I appeared little different from one of your kind."
-
>"To others, perhaps. Though your choice of... attire would certainly be striking, if nothing else."
-
>"To others, perhaps. Though your choice of... attire would certainly be striking, if nothing else."
>"Striking, am I? What makes-" she pauses. "Ah. I've forgotten something, haven't I?"
-
>"If you have not elected to pose as a nudist deliberately, then yes."
-
>"If you have not elected to pose as a nudist deliberately, then yes."
>The woman's eyes open, and she gives herself a look up and down with eyes the same color as her hair. "You must admit, though, it almost seems unnecessary in this place. I think. I must confess, I couldn't quite figure out the purpose of these... What do you call them, clothes?"
-
>"Clothes, yes. And clothing can serve a great many purposes: protection from the environment, signifying which group one belongs to, asserting particular qualities or skill, enticing members of one's preferred gender, or simply asserting one's own taste and identity. Though the most pertinent purpose in this particular case is that the absence of them in public company is considered... socially-inappropriate. I imagine you have similar taboos of some sort in your own society, even if they take other forms."
-
>"Clothes, yes. And clothing can serve a great many purposes: protection from the environment, signifying which group one belongs to, asserting particular qualities or skill, enticing members of one's preferred gender, or simply asserting one's own taste and identity. Though the most pertinent purpose in this particular case is that the absence of them in public company is considered... socially-inappropriate. I imagine you have similar taboos of some sort in your own society, even if they take other forms."
>The yellow eyed woman nods, holding her had up in front of her. "Protection, I can easily understand. But how much protection must your species require? Granted, you can be rather frail, but you don't live in an overly hostile environment."
>"Hostile enough." White Rose counters. "There are creatures on this planet that could tear a human's throat out as easily as breath, then eat them whole. Mountains that spit fire, water waves that can wash cities out to sea..."
>"And 'clothing' is meant to protect from that?" the woman asks curiously. "Well, then again," she adds, lowering her hand and leaning backwards, "The Terran perspective on hostility would be rather different from the Champion of Water's, wouldn't it?"
-
>"I imagine that is so. Though ordinary clothing is protection only against ordinary hazards. Indeed, it would do one very little good against a volcano. For more dangerous environments there are other types of attire. And as I say, this is only one of many functions they serve to us."
-
>"I imagine that is so. Though ordinary clothing is protection only against ordinary hazards. Indeed, it would do one very little good against a volcano. For more dangerous environments there are other types of attire. And as I say, this is only one of many functions they serve to us."
>"And then there is 'modesty'." the blonde carries on, closing her eyes again. "I can understand wanting to conceal one's body; everyone, no matter what species you are, has things they want to conceal from everyone else. But the idea of 'shame' that seems to have been attached to it seems rather silly. It serves no purpose than I can see other than as a means of placing oneself above those around them. As far as control methods go, though, it does seem rather cumbersome."
-
>"While the concept of feeling shame for being seen without clothing may be foreign to a society that does not use it, surely there are actions against the grain of your own society that could cause censure of the one who committed them?"
-
>"While the concept of feeling shame for being seen without clothing may be foreign to a society that does not use it, surely there are actions against the grain of your own society that could cause censure of the one who committed them?"
>"Allow me to correct you on two points. First, there are those among the Champion's kind who do use what you might consider clothing. But it is more like what you call 'armor', offering defense against not only the environment in which they dwell, but the creatures who dwell there as well. Outwardly, it would appear to be much like the clothing your kind wears, but it is much more."
>"So you mean it'd be, like, enchanted clothes?" Lily asks.
>"A somewhat simplistic term, but it will serve." the woman says with a faint nod.
>"But you're not wearing any now." Rin points out.
>"It isn't necessary to. One needs armor when one is threatened." She turns her head to face the three of you. "And that's not why you're here, is it." she adds, more a statement than a question.
-
>"It is not. We came here simply to speak with you."
-
>"It is not. We came here simply to speak with you."
>"By your words, you came to speak with the Champion of Water. How are you so sure that I am that?"
-
>"Your presence is nearly one and the same."
-
>"Your presence is nearly one and the same."
>"My presence?"
-
>"To my senses, the similarity is unmistakable, even if you look rather unlike the last time we met."
-
>"To my senses, the similarity is unmistakable, even if you look rather unlike the last time we met."
>"You have senses beyond that of a human?"
-
>"I am human, but not all of us are restricted to purely physical senses, and you should know full-well that I have powers many do not. I do hope this form was not meant as some kind of deception; I think I would be slightly saddened if that were the case."
-
>"I am human, but not all of us are restricted to purely physical senses, and you should know full-well that I have powers many do not. I do hope this form was not meant as some kind of deception; I think I would be slightly saddened if that were the case."
>"Deception is a Terran vice." the blonde answers.
-
>"Yet did you not just say you understood well the desire to conceal things from others?"
-
>"Yet did you not just say you understood well the desire to conceal things from others?"
>"And I was speaking truthfully."
-
>"I did not mean to imply otherwise, yet if this was something you said applied to all species, surely that includes your own kin and not merely those of my world?"
-
>"I did not mean to imply otherwise, yet if this was something you said applied to all species, surely that includes your own kin and not merely those of my world?"
>"I recognize the value of such a tactic. That does not mean I am capable of employing it."
-
>"Do you mean to say that this is not a choice, then?"
-
>"Do you mean to say that this is not a choice, then?"
>"Precisely. It's simply something we're not capable of. It is a consequence of our creation. There are ways in which we are simply different from the mortal races, not by choice, but by design."
-
>Smile a little
>"Well, I happen to believe strongly in being honest, myself, so perhaps that is some thing we have in common?"
>Frown slightly
>"Though I have seen certain others of your kind appear quite content to withhold important information so as to deliberately create a false impression in their adversaries."
-
>Smile a little
>"Well, I happen to believe strongly in being honest, myself, so perhaps that is some thing we have in common?"
>Frown slightly
>"Though I have seen certain others of your kind appear quite content to withhold important information so as to deliberately create a false impression in their adversaries."
>"Others? What others?"
-
>"We had an altercation this morning with Fire and Ice."
-
>"We had an altercation this morning with Fire and Ice."
>The blonde considers that. "That makes sense. They would have come through before Earth, and if Forest had come through, you would not be here to speak with Water."
-
>"Are you expecting each of the Champions to arrive in a specific order?"
-
>"Are you expecting each of the Champions to arrive in a specific order?"
>"Not expecting, as such. I'm not one for assumptions or expectations. But I do a little about the others, and I am not surprised to hear Earth and Forest would be the last two."
>"Have any idea which'd come through next?" Rin asks.
>"No. The two are similar to each other in more than one way. Neither wish to leave Mother, even for the greater good. They will, of course." she says as she pulls herself back upright. "Eventually they'll have no choice. I just don't know which one will arrive at that conclusion first."
-
>"I hear that your world is dying."
-
>"I hear that your world is dying."
>The blonde human/demon lets out a slow breath. "That's why I said 'no choice'." she says after a moment. "All of the armored clothes in either world soon won't be enough." You see her eyes move beneath her closed eyelids. "Speaking of which, I must admit, I was sort of anticipating one of you to request I attend to that matter. You Terrans seem to be often uncomfortable in the presence of an unclad individual."
-
>"That is true, though the peculiarity of the present circumstances does offset that somewhat."
>"And you're not particularly hard on the eyes at the moment, either."
>"Though I must also admit that I had thought you might be about to do so on your own, earlier. Ultimately I do not mean to force our norms upon you, but merely find some common ground that we might share."
-
>"That is true, though the peculiarity of the present circumstances does offset that somewhat."
>"And you're not particularly hard on the eyes at the moment, either."
>"Though I must also admit that I had thought you might be about to do so on your own, earlier. Ultimately I do not mean to force our norms upon you, but merely find some common ground that we might share."
>"I have no preference one way or the other." she answers with a vague, very human-like shrug. "External armor is a necessity only when threatened, but if you request it, I have no reason to refuse, either."
>"Is that why you looked like you did the first time we met?" Lily asks suddenly, taking a step forward.
>"What do you mean?"
>"When we fought, you looked like a big snake with the wings of a bat. Now you look like someone nearly my age. Was that because that other form gave you more protection?"
>The human-shaped demon takes a moment before replying. "Well, since we are being honest. The opposite of that, in fact, is true here."
-
>"Does some force in this space suppress your power moreso while you are in that form?"
>Glance to the tiger statue. Does the power from it seem more... concentrated than that of Lily and ourselves that go into making up much of the rest of this space?
-
>"Does some force in this space suppress your power moreso while you are in that form?"
>Glance to the tiger statue. Does the power from it seem more... concentrated than that of Lily and ourselves that go into making up much of the rest of this space?
>"That is actually something I've been trying to get to the bottom of myself." she answers as she gathers her legs under her. "I seem to be unable to gain any more energy than I had before I was imprisoned, but I have not lost any energy either. No matter how much power I use, I do not seem to grow weaker."
>Whilst you can sense the power of yourself and Magical Lily all around you, that tiger seems to be entirely made up of Kiku's power. Her power is definitely concentrated there, while yours and Lily's are much more generalized.
-
>"Is that why there are all these water beings around here? Were you testing how much power you could expend and maintain?"
-
>"Is that why there are all these water beings around here? Were you testing how much power you could expend and maintain?"
>"Partially. But I also wanted to see if what I'd learned about how Terrans spend their free time was accurate."
-
>"Well, they do seem to be acting rather like ordinary people out for a day at the park, for what it's worth. At least so much as one can tell without faces."
-
>"Well, they do seem to be acting rather like ordinary people out for a day at the park, for what it's worth. At least so much as one can tell without faces."
>The demon seems vaguely satisfied at that.
-
>"On a more serious note, I did wish to ask about your world. What is wrong with it, and how did this come to happen?"
>"...though, if it really is all the same to you, perhaps you might produce some clothing first?"
-
>"On a more serious note, I did wish to ask about your world. What is wrong with it, and how did this come to happen?"
>"...though, if it really is all the same to you, perhaps you might produce some clothing first?"
>"I'm not certain you could really understand. I mean that as no slight, Terran, it is merely a matter beyond anything this world has known."
>"Very well." she says with a nod, and stands up. "And I suppose I should mention, since clothing is something of a concession to your world, that I have a name on this side, as well."
>"On this side?" Lily asks, plainly confused.
>The blonde nods, as she extends her arms out slightly. "On my world, my kind have no need of names. A name is a limit, a definition. It is something one cannot be more than. And more, we are all Mother's children, and have no desire to exalt ourselves unduly in her eyes. So we have no names amongst ourselves. But here, when we visit this world, it seems that names come to us, when we assume your true forms."
>"How does that work?" Lily starts.
>"Actually, that sorta makes sense." Rin informs her. "I've read some fairy tales where the creature can only be named once it shows its true form, or naming it forces it to reveal its true shape. These demons might work kinda the same way."
>A shimmering pattern of light surrounds the blonde human/demon's body as Lily listens to Rin's theory. Once your kasha is done, Lily asks the blonde, "So, what is your name?"
>And the young blonde answers, as the light drops away to reveal her wearing a plain white dress with a purple neckerchief tied into a bow, matching purple belt, and a white bonnet with dark purple bow, "My name is Louise."
-
>Bow our head slightly
>"Pleased to meet you, Louise."
>"Now, about the other questions, if you would be so kind...."
-
>Bow our head slightly
>"Pleased to meet you, Louise."
>"Now, about the other questions, if you would be so kind...."
>"What questions were those?"
-
>"About your world. I would like to understand what is happening to it and why."
-
>"About your world. I would like to understand what is happening to it and why."
>"Oh, that." The blonde demon turns back to face the giant tiger statue. "I suppose I can try, if you really want me to."
-
>"I really would like to understand, yes."
-
>"I really would like to understand, yes."
>Louise makes a thoughtful noise as she stares unblinking into the giant tiger's red eyes. "I will try, then, to put this in terms you will understand."
>"Why?" Rin demands suddenly.
>"Because otherwise you'll have no hope-"
>"That's not what I mean." the kasha interrupts. "None of the others of your kind really seemed to want to talk to us about your world. So why're you?"
>"Because I have nothing to lose. I can't see that it will change anything, but I lose nothing by speaking, nor do I feel I can say anything that will threaten my Sisters." She turns her head towards you slightly. "That at least is one thing you can understand, Terran, and should. Survival is paramount to us, to what we are. It is all we know, all we have known all our lives. We six Champions have another purpose, but Survival is still first in our cores. None of us will knowingly do anything that could lead to our deaths, and each of us have our own methods of ensuring our survival. You probably know this already, but the others aren't like me. I doubt you'd be having this conversation with any of the other five." After a brief pause, she adds, "Except maybe Forest. It wouldn't matter to her."
>"Why not?" Rin asks.
>"Because you couldn't defeat her anyway. Even with you, new blood, you're no match for Forest. A legion of you couldn't match her."
>White Rose's tails twitch. "We'll see about dat."
-
>"It is in the nature of all beings to seek survival; this is also true of us. But I do not think the survival of our two kinds need be mutually exclusive, nor would I wish an end to yours; given where we are at this moment, I hope you can see this. For all our differences, there are things we have in common, and I do truly wish to understand your kind and what has led you to come to our world."
-
>"It is in the nature of all beings to seek survival; this is also true of us. But I do not think the survival of our two kinds need be mutually exclusive, nor would I wish an end to yours; given where we are at this moment, I hope you can see this. For all our differences, there are things we have in common, and I do truly wish to understand your kind and what has led you to come to our world."
>"This world, Terran, is our only chance at survival." the Water Champion answers. "That's we six were sent here. We're the spearhead, given the powers of the elements to bring the rest of our people out of the Dark Place." She grins a rather dry grin. "Now that I think about, I suppose, in Terran terms, that would make us... heroes."
-
>Return the smile a little
>"It might, at that. But how did your world come to be dying? What is happening to it, and how did it begin?"
-
>Return the smile a little
>"It might, at that. But how did your world come to be dying? What is happening to it, and how did it begin?"
>Where does she get off callin' herself a hero? Lily muses, sounding somewhat offended. Heroes HELP people, they save the day!
>I think that's what they're trying to do. Rin answers her.
>Lousie takes a moment before answering. "You Terrans have the belief that living things have souls, correct?"
-
>One side's terrorists are another's freedom fighters.
>"Yes."
-
>One side's terrorists are another's freedom fighters.
>"Yes."
>"And this belief extends to what you would consider lesser beings, such as birds or beasts, yes?"
-
>"Perhaps not all would agree, but many - myself among them."
-
>"Perhaps not all would agree, but many - myself among them."
>"And what of things that exhibit no intelligence? Things like the sea, or trees? Flowers, and stone?"
-
>"Some might still believe so."
-
>"Some might still believe so."
>"And what of the planet itself?" the demon asks you. "Are there those among your kind who believe the planet you stand upon has a soul, a will?"
-
>Are there, that we know of?
-
>Are there, that we know of?
>There are individuals who claim to be able to hear the voice of the planet, who have a deep connection with the very ground they stand upon. That Mother Earth lives just as they do.
-
>"There are some, yes."
-
>"There are some, yes."
>"Everyone on my world does." Louise replies, steel in her voice. "Because it is true. The planet we are imprisoned upon has a living soul, Terran. A will of its own. And it hates us. It despises our kind. It has been trying to exterminate and consume us since the day we arrived."
>For a moment, you and your comrades are silent as Louise's statement sinks in. Rin asks at last, "You've been fighting your own world?"
>"Planet, not world." the demon corrects. "Our world is our people. Our planet is our enemy. And before too long, it will win."
-
>"Trying to consume you? Forgive me my ignorance, but... how does a planet do such a thing?"
-
>"Trying to consume you? Forgive me my ignorance, but... how does a planet do such a thing?"
>"With growing ferocity." Louise answers. "You really can't imagine what it's like, Terran. And that's fortunate for you. The horrors and hunger of Makai would drive you mad to behold. Solid ground falling out from under your feet, or turning jagged and exploding into deadly shrapnel. Fire flowing from stone when someone draws near. Water boiling and freezing one second to the next. And the creatures..." The demon trails off. "We don't even sleep, you know. To remain still for so long is death. Makai will find you."
-
>"That sounds truly horrific."
>"Though... does this mean that your kind do not require sleep?"
-
>"That sounds truly horrific."
>"Though... does this mean that your kind do not require sleep?"
>"Correct."
-
>"If this planet of yours is alive and has its own will... is it possible to communicate with it somehow?"
>"Also... you say it has been trying to kill you since the day you arrive, but have its actions lately become more aggressive than before somehow? Since I gather that you have lived there for a very long time by this point."
-
>"If this planet of yours is alive and has its own will... is it possible to communicate with it somehow?"
>"Also... you say it has been trying to kill you since the day you arrive, but have its actions lately become more aggressive than before somehow? Since I gather that you have lived there for a very long time by this point."
>"Only Mother could, if it was even possible."
>"Did she?" Lily asks.
>"I don't know. Personally, I think she would have tried, but I can't say that since I don't care to make those kind of assumptions."
>"A very long time." Louise answers with a faint nod, a trace of weariness undercurrenting her words. "The only reason we survived there at all is because of Mother. She put forth her power and quieted the Dark Planet. Her will kept the stones still, kept the waters clear, kept the skies bare. But, her power is not infinite. Time has worn on her like a grindstone, and Makai is relentless. She cannot hold Makai at bay for much longer. Even as we speak, her power wanes more and more."
>"That's why you've been stealing energy from people." Lily speculates.
>Louise nods. "Correct."
-
>"Do you... do you know why it might hate you so much? Is it only your kind it attacks? Do other creatures live there which are spared its ire?"
-
>"Do you... do you know why it might hate you so much? Is it only your kind it attacks? Do other creatures live there which are spared its ire?"
>"The other creatures who inhabit Makai are extensions of the will of Makai. Birthed by the will of an angry planet, they exist only to destroy us. They are not spared its ire, Terran, they ARE its ire."
-
>"But why? Why would it wish so much to kill you and your kin?"
-
>"But why? Why would it wish so much to kill you and your kin?"
>"I actually don't know the precise reason." Louise admits. "I don't even know if there IS a why. The planet may have a will, but I don't know if it has a mind. It could be nothing more than mindless hunger, a need to consume anything that isn't it. I do not know."
>Rin mutters something under her breath, but you didn't catch it clearly.
-
>To Rin: What is it?
-
>To Rin: What is it?
>The kasha mentally curses. Uh, sorry... She twitches her ears, then says aloud, "Instinct."
>"What about instinct?" asks Lily.
>"If a living planet is like other living things, it has to have some basic instincts, right? Everything has the need to feed, the need to move, the need to have kids..."
>"Do not try to apply the logic of your world to Makai, Terran." Louise advises her. "A planet is not the same as a dog or a fly."
>"All I'm sayin' is there's somethings that know almost nothin' beyond feeding and breeding. Maybe a living planet's like that too?"
-
>"I'm afraid it is well beyond my experience to say or even speculate. And even if it were instinct and not malice, that does not lessen the danger of the realm to its inhabitants. I would very much wish to know why it is as it is, but I dare not presume to guess here."
>Pause a moment
>"Before you were exiled to Makai... was it this planet that your kind called home?"
-
>"I'm afraid it is well beyond my experience to say or even speculate. And even if it were instinct and not malice, that does not lessen the danger of the realm to its inhabitants. I would very much wish to know why it is as it is, but I dare not presume to guess here."
>Pause a moment
>"Before you were exiled to Makai... was it this planet that your kind called home?"
>"I will say that Forest would be able to tell you more." Louise offers. "She is one of the oldest of our kind."
>"WOULD she talk to us about it?" Lily asks.
>"That I don't know. I can't speak for her. But if any of us Six would know the most about Makai, it would be the Champion of Forest."
>"For us, our 'home' is wherever Mother is, be it Makai or any other."
-
>"Does that mean you do not know what there was before coming to Makai?"
-
>"Does that mean you do not know what there was before coming to Makai?"
>Louise shakes her head. "That knowledge is instinctive in us. We are born knowing certain things, and that includes the knowledge of our banishment and the world we failed to take once before. I simply wished to correct you on the term you used."
-
>Nod
>"Of course."
-
>Nod
>"Of course."
>"So, puttin' it differently," White Rose asks cautiously, "Did you live on Earth before Makai?"
>"Yes." is all Louise says.
-
>"I understand why your kind would need to seek a way to leave Makai, but what I do not understand is why you feel you must conquer this world in the doing. There is a great deal of space on this planet - room, certainly, for more than just those who now dwell here."
-
>"I understand why your kind would need to seek a way to leave Makai, but what I do not understand is why you feel you must conquer this world in the doing. There is a great deal of space on this planet - room, certainly, for more than just those who now dwell here."
>Louise adjusts her hat down a bit. "What makes you say that?"
-
>"That your kind are imperiled by their own home is obvious from what you tell me. Nearly any sentient being would try their hardest to escape such a fate, be it for their own survival or the survival of those who are close to them. Though your kind have harmed mine, I would not wish such a fate upon you. Far more would I rather see us coexist. Why must an exodus from your planet necessitate the subjugation of ours? This is not a world where each day's survival must be fought tooth and nail."
-
>"That your kind are imperiled by their own home is obvious from what you tell me. Nearly any sentient being would try their hardest to escape such a fate, be it for their own survival or the survival of those who are close to them. Though your kind have harmed mine, I would not wish such a fate upon you. Far more would I rather see us coexist. Why must an exodus from your planet necessitate the subjugation of ours? This is not a world where each day's survival must be fought tooth and nail."
>"Subjugation is our way now, Terran." Louise answers, with some resignation. "For time longer than mortal memory, we Children have fought to conquer our planet. If we didn't, we died, it's that simple. Mother subjugated the will of Makai, and when her will faltered, we died. It's all we know. We rule, or we perish, and fade into nothing."
>"But it can be different, don't you see?" Lily pleads with the demon. "Our world isn't like that! You can change, you can get used to this world!"
>"You are a winged being, Terran." the demon answers. Lily seems stunned, but Louise continues, "A being of flight. You spend as much time flying as you do on land, don't you?"
>"Well.... When I can..." Lily stammers.
>"If you lost your wings tomorrow, would you stop trying to fly? Could you adapt instantly to life forever on the ground?"
>Magical Lily does not answer.
-
>"I would neither ask nor expect that anyone change their inner selves instantly. But that does not mean it is not possible to change, nor that the first steps cannot be taken, no matter how far from the path one presently stands. You say that you value survival above nearly all else, but the skills which helped you to survive the horrors of Makai may not be the same ones that could best ensure your survival into a future beyond it. You believe that your victory over us is inevitable, and for a moment let us even assume that this is true. But it will not be without cost. We will resist you, we will defend each other, and we will force you to fight for every inch you lay claim to; for this I speak not just of those gathered here, but countless others across our world. Others of your kin may be harmed or killed in the fighting, and the longer it lasts without resolution, the more of your kind will fall prey to the ire of your planet as they wait for a way to leave. Land and infrastructure that might have served your people's benefit could also be lost in the course of resistance. And yet all of that might be needless. You may consider them necessary or valid sacrifices in the name of a greater cause, but if a being truly seeks to maximize their own survival and the survival of their kind, surely it makes sense for them to a least consider a course that might require none of these?"
>"I do not wish to harm you and I feel sadness at your suffering. In ensuring your people's survival, we might even be allies; please do not assume we must be enemies."
-
>"I would neither ask nor expect that anyone change their inner selves instantly. But that does not mean it is not possible to change, nor that the first steps cannot be taken, no matter how far from the path one presently stands. You say that you value survival above nearly all else, but the skills which helped you to survive the horrors of Makai may not be the same ones that could best ensure your survival into a future beyond it. You believe that your victory over us is inevitable, and for a moment let us even assume that this is true. But it will not be without cost. We will resist you, we will defend each other, and we will force you to fight for every inch you lay claim to; for this I speak not just of those gathered here, but countless others across our world. Others of your kin may be harmed or killed in the fighting, and the longer it lasts without resolution, the more of your kind will fall prey to the ire of your planet as they wait for a way to leave. Land and infrastructure that might have served your people's benefit could also be lost in the course of resistance. And yet all of that might be needless. You may consider them necessary or valid sacrifices in the name of a greater cause, but if a being truly seeks to maximize their own survival and the survival of their kind, surely it makes sense for them to a least consider a course that might require none of these?"
>"I do not wish to harm you and I feel sadness at your suffering. In ensuring your people's survival, we might even be allies; please do not assume we must be enemies."
>"I'm not assuming, Terran." Louise answers as you finish. "Personally, I don't see the value in a prolonged conflict either. Why do you think I tried to turn that priestess to my service, rather than simply killing her? I very easily could have, you know, just as I could have killed those other Terrans you had to have found after caging me. But I don't believe in death when it serves no purpose. Every Terran killed in this conflict is one less for Mother to reign over, when She comes. One less to free from their masters. And just as you say, every ounce of power we waste fighting you is more time Makai's hunger grows, more time Mother's power wanes. More dead Children. Every one of us knows that, even Air, fool though she is."
>"But the choice isn't mine to make, Terran." she says on, kneeling down and reaching her hand into the clear patch of water in front of her. "It isn't yours, either, really. You can choose to fight us or not, but we Champions have no choice. We have been made Champions by Mother's hands. We will find our Avatars, we will bring down the barrier, and we will free our people. Or.... We will die in the doing." She raises her hand out of the water, and it drips out of her palm leaden and heavy. "Except me. If you win... Well, I guess you'll decide my fate then. Everyone else will be gone."
-
>"I have no more wish to kill them than I did you, and I do not intend to. From where I stand, victory is not vanquishing your kind, but rather ensuring that both our kinds may live in peace. I still believe firmly that this must be possible."
>"You say that you have no choice, but what are you strictly obligated to do? Not to kill - that much seems clear. To free your people from their torment, certainly. But in the task you have been given, is the subjugation of this world's population strictly entailed, should your other goals be realized? Though you might have seen that as the only path towards your goals, is it strictly required of you in the same sense?"
-
>"I have no more wish to kill them than I did you, and I do not intend to. From where I stand, victory is not vanquishing your kind, but rather ensuring that both our kinds may live in peace. I still believe firmly that this must be possible."
>"You say that you have no choice, but what are you strictly obligated to do? Not to kill - that much seems clear. To free your people from their torment, certainly. But in the task you have been given, is the subjugation of this world's population strictly entailed, should your other goals be realized? Though you might have seen that as the only path towards your goals, is it strictly required of you in the same sense?"
>Louise clenches her fist to drain out the last of the leaden water from her palm. "Each of us are tasked with gathering the energy we need to sustain Mother, and to bring down the wall between this world and Makai."
-
>"And if that could be accomplished without the conquest of my world?"
-
>"And if that could be accomplished without the conquest of my world?"
>The demon does not answer immediately. She merely regards you curiously.
-
>"You say that your given purpose and the subjugation of my planet are inexorably bound, but if your Mother could be sustained and your imprisonment on Makai ended, would that itself fulfill your purpose?"
-
>"You say that your given purpose and the subjugation of my planet are inexorably bound, but if your Mother could be sustained and your imprisonment on Makai ended, would that itself fulfill your purpose?"
>"What exactly are you proposing, Terran?" the demon asks softly. "That you would aid the Champions in bringing down the barrier?"
-
>"I am trying to understand the nature of this purpose you are bound to. I do not wish to see your kin continue to suffer on a hateful world, but nor do I wish to allow any of them to spread death or destruction among mine. So long as your aim and methods include this, I cannot help facilitate them. But if there were a way to fulfill your shared purpose without this, then things might be otherwise."
-
>"I don't fight because I hate you, you must understand. I fight because I do not wish to see violence and chaos when it need not happen. I want you to be to able to live as happily as we do. If both of these things can be done, then I will pursue that path with vigor. I don't think anyone here really hates your people or wants them to suffer, and I believe many will open their hearts upon hearing why you have done these things."
>"In the end, I don't feel we oppose each other, but rather we misunderstand."
-
>"I don't fight because I hate you, you must understand. I fight because I do not wish to see violence and chaos when it need not happen. I want you to be to able to live as happily as we do. If both of these things can be done, then I will pursue that path with vigor. I don't think anyone here really hates your people or wants them to suffer, and I believe many will open their hearts upon hearing why you have done these things."
>"In the end, I don't feel we oppose each other, but rather we misunderstand."
>"You may feel that way, Terran, but your masters do not. We will have to fight them here, and we have to fight their mortal servants, but at least we will BE here to fight them."
>"I am trying to understand the nature of this purpose you are bound to. I do not wish to see your kin continue to suffer on a hateful world, but nor do I wish to allow any of them to spread death or destruction among mine. So long as your aim and methods include this, I cannot help facilitate them. But if there were a way to fulfill your shared purpose without this, then things might be otherwise."
>The blonde demon covers her mouth thoughtfully, and considers something for a moment. "There could be a way." she says at last.
-
>"And what is it?"
-
>"And what is it?"
>"Join us, Terran." the Water Champion almost pleads. "Help us save our world. In the doing, you could only help yours. You defeated that half-blood back in your world, the one who wore my ring. She craved the heart of a man, and she feared for his safety from my kind. So I promised her that once we were free, that the man she loved would be safe. That she, and him, would be exalted in Mother's world, for aiding her Children. Yes, it is true that there are Children like Air who have little or no value on mortal life, but there are also Children like me, who do. Join with me, and your voice will be heard; probably louder than any other mortal, because of the power you wield. You'd have the power to keep less powerful Children in line with your desires. Even the Seventh might listen to your voice, the powerful Terran who aided the Children in their plight." Pointing her finger at you, she continues, "You could very well save both worlds, Terran, both our peoples. And I know you'd make a difference against the Celestials when they come."
-
>"The Seventh?"
-
>"The Seventh?"
>"The Seventh who stands above the Six."
-
>"And this person is Terran? How did they come to this position, if I might ask? As you yourself have said, Air does not seem to have much respect for Terrans on the whole, yet she is subordinate to one?"
-
>"And this person is Terran? How did they come to this position, if I might ask? As you yourself have said, Air does not seem to have much respect for Terrans on the whole, yet she is subordinate to one?"
>"Will you join your power with ours, Terran?" Louise asks again.
-
>"If I were to do so, that alone would not prevent Terrans from being sacrificed at the hands of some of your kin, would it?"
-
>"Let me say that I do have an interest in trying to see what I can do for your world, so rest assured that I don't intend to simply leave that dangling. But for now, help me build a more complete picture of what is happening. Then we can hammer out the finer details of mutual assistance."
-
>"If I were to do so, that alone would not prevent Terrans from being sacrificed at the hands of some of your kin, would it?"
>For a moment, sadness passes across Louise's face. She shakes her head. "I cannot promise that no lives at all would be lost. That guarantee is beyond me. But I CAN guarantee that your desire to save your kind is better served with us than against us."
>"Let me say that I do have an interest in trying to see what I can do for your world, so rest assured that I don't intend to simply leave that dangling. But for now, help me build a more complete picture of what is happening. Then we can hammer out the finer details of mutual assistance."
>The demon considers that, then withdraws her hand. "Reasonable. So long as you understand I will say nothing that could be used against the other Champions. I would no more betray them than you would betray your world."
-
>"I respect that. It is your right to safeguard that which you feel is important, though remember that my wish is for the safety and prosperity of both our kinds, and it is with this goal in mind that I seek to understand."
>"That said, could you tell me a little more about the Seventh? Given what I have heard voiced about Terrans in your society, the presence of one with so much authority does surprise me. I am curious how this came to be."
>What do we know of Celestials and their involvement with Terran affairs, past and present?
-
>What do we know of Celestials and their involvement with Terran affairs, past and present?
>The term 'Celestial' is slightly generic without further context. Virtually every mythos on Earth has stories of heavenly, or celestial, beings, most of which were verified during the holy wars of the Dark Ages.
>"I respect that. It is your right to safeguard that which you feel is important, though remember that my wish is for the safety and prosperity of both our kinds, and it is with this goal in mind that I seek to understand."
>"That said, could you tell me a little more about the Seventh? Given what I have heard voiced about Terrans in your society, the presence of one with so much authority does surprise me. I am curious how this came to be."
>"And you should remember that I still have to consider you our enemy for now." Louise answers with no malice. "At the moment, you still stand in opposition to the other Champions."
>"Other Champions?" White Rose asks pointedly. "Not you?"
>"I can hardly oppose you while you keep me caged." Louise answers with another of those faint shrugs. "I could try, but there's nothing to gain by fighting you here."
>Louise adjusts her hat again, tilting her head back to look up at the pinkish sky. "I really don't know much. Mother only told us what we needed to know."
>"Is this another one of those things Forest would know more about?" Lily asks.
>"Possibly. She's one of the oldest Children of all, and that means she's one of the wisest as well. But I won't speculate on what she does or doesn't know."
-
>Verified how? What do we know of those events?
>"But you do know something beyond what you've already said of the Seventh, surely?"
-
>Verified how? What do we know of those events?
>"But you do know something beyond what you've already said of the Seventh, surely?"
>Verified by mortal agents of myriad religions summoning their Gods and Angels to earth to make war upon every other religion, and everyone who didn't believe in theirs. It was a terribly violent end to a dark time of history.
>"I know that the Seventh would be found by the Six. And we Champions must find the Six."
-
>How did those times resolve?
>Do we know of any more recent direct actions of these divine beings on this planet?
>Do we know how the gods of the four shrines here factored into these events?
>"Wait, I thought you were the Six?"
-
>How did those times resolve?
>Do we know of any more recent direct actions of these divine beings on this planet?
>Do we know how the gods of the four shrines here factored into these events?
>"Wait, I thought you were the Six?"
>The main power of the world at the time was held by four major churches, one centered in Roma, one in ancient Moscovia, one in Eagleland, one in Yamato. The first two hurled their power against the others and everyone else around, the native Eaglelanders defended their territory fiercely, and the Yamato temples warred with themselves as much as outside forces. After decades of conflict, every major church was simply exhausted, and the war ended because no one else could fight. After that time, the influence of the churches withdrew into their own territories, and the animosity between them dissipated. It did not vanish, and still persists in some form to this day, but the wars of those ages are not forgotten. No soul wishes to start them again.
>A very large number of these divine beings perished during the war. Perhaps because of this, or because the methods to summon them were lost in the conflict, the days of divinities walking the world are gone. There are many religions still who persist in preaching that their totems god or gods walk the world in some way or form, but claims of this form are not met with the same eager belief as they once were. Although, your own recent experiences now make you question that.
>Information on that faith is somewhat scattered from that era. Most of the literature of Yamato was focused on the Shinto church, which was the main power at the time, and the Taoist faith and the Buddhist movement, who were its chief internal rivals at the time. The Faith of the Four Corners, as it was known at the time, was seen as something of a neutral force during the conflict, focusing more on aiding those who needed spiritual comfort in this time of turmoil. It offered sanctuary to individuals regardless of race or creed, and fought only to defend itself and the helpless who were menaced by others. Despite facing pressure and battle from all three forces and more beyond, the temples of the Four survived the war damaged, but intact. In fact, for a time after the war, you believe the Four Corners faith received an increased following, though you are not entirely certain on that front. Kiku would certainly know more on that front, you think.
>"We are Six." Louise counters. "Well, possibly now Five, so long as I remain-"
>"The Avatars." White Rose cuts her off. "Those Avatars you said. Six Champions, Six Avatars, right?"
>The Water Champion does not answer, but nor does she deny your kasha's claim, either.
-
>"What are these Avatars?"
-
>"What are these Avatars?"
>The blonde demon does not answer right away, seeming to consider something. At last she says, "I can think of no way to answer that question that does not threaten the task of the Champions."
-
>"Okay, we can put that aside for the time being."
>"Let's talk about something else. These Celestials... you have called them our masters several times now, I believe, yet their presence is not at all obvious in our lives or most of our histories. Why do you name them so? Who precisely are they? A great many divinities are found in our religious traditions and more tangibly in the distant past, but they most certainly did not form a unified front."
-
>"Okay, we can put that aside for the time being."
>"Let's talk about something else. These Celestials... you have called them our masters several times now, I believe, yet their presence is not at all obvious in our lives or most of our histories. Why do you name them so? Who precisely are they? A great many divinities are found in our religious traditions and more tangibly in the distant past, but they most certainly did not form a unified front."
>"Now that is something I simply don't know a lot about. Certain things are instinctive knowledge is us; we are born knowing the Celestials are our enemy, that they were the ones who locked us in the Dark Place, and that they took over Gensokyo afterwards. As to why you do not know them as such, that I do not know."
-
>"From where I am standing, it certainly does not feel as though my world has been taken over by anyone, yet to you, this fact is instinctive knowledge? I find that disconnect curious. Is there anything at all else about them you might know? If they were indeed responsible for trapping your kind in such a hateful realm, then I would greatly wish to learn whatever I can."
-
>"From where I am standing, it certainly does not feel as though my world has been taken over by anyone, yet to you, this fact is instinctive knowledge? I find that disconnect curious. Is there anything at all else about them you might know? If they were indeed responsible for trapping your kind in such a hateful realm, then I would greatly wish to learn whatever I can."
>"Hmm..." Louise places one finger under her chin as she thinks. "As I said before, there was a time when we Children and our Mother lived on your world. And so too did the Celestials. We fought each other, and they won. I don't know any intimate details of that conflict, this was so long before I was born."
>"Another Forest thing?" Lily asks with a faint smile.
>"For certain. She was there."
-
>"I don't suppose you could estimate how many years ago this was? Perhaps I might be able to find something in our own records that stretches back that far, if I knew where to look."
-
>"I don't suppose you could estimate how many years ago this was? Perhaps I might be able to find something in our own records that stretches back that far, if I knew where to look."
>"We Children have no way to tell. We don't measure years the way you mortals do. We don't measure years at all. I'm not sure even Forest could put a number to that time."
-
>Sigh a little
>"Unfortunate."
>"Do you at least know why your two kinds fought initially?"
-
>Sigh a little
>"Unfortunate."
>"Do you at least know why your two kinds fought initially?"
>"Because we are the Children, and they are the Celestials."
-
>"Perhaps that explanation makes sense to you, so forgive me if I am being ignorant, but why should war between your two kinds have been some kind of cosmic inevitability? Any more than war between our two kinds, or war between any two nations of my world?"
-
>"Perhaps that explanation makes sense to you, so forgive me if I am being ignorant, but why should war between your two kinds have been some kind of cosmic inevitability? Any more than war between our two kinds, or war between any two nations of my world?"
>"This is likely one of those things that is natural to us but incomprehensible to you. Remember, Terran, our species may look the same, but there are points in which we are fundamentally different."
-
>"I acknowledge this, but nonetheless I would like to try to understand. I understand that they have wronged you, and that you may wish reprisal upon them for this or other injuries of the past. But before any of this occurred, before your exile, before the war which led to it... at some point in the ancient past, your kinds met for the first time. There was no history, no misdeeds, no hurts to redress. Why, even then, should you be mortal enemies?"
-
>"I acknowledge this, but nonetheless I would like to try to understand. I understand that they have wronged you, and that you may wish reprisal upon them for this or other injuries of the past. But before any of this occurred, before your exile, before the war which led to it... at some point in the ancient past, your kinds met for the first time. There was no history, no misdeeds, no hurts to redress. Why, even then, should you be mortal enemies?"
>"Because we exist." the Water Champion answers simply. "For us, that is all that matters."
-
>"You said that you do not like death which serves no purpose. Why should theirs have been different? In times before any transgression done to your kind, what purpose would their deaths have served to anyone?"
-
>"You said that you do not like death which serves no purpose. Why should theirs have been different? In times before any transgression done to your kind, what purpose would their deaths have served to anyone?"
>"There would have been less of them to fight us." Louise answers. "If there ever was such a time, of course. And that's impossible to imagine."
-
>"All histories must have some beginning, no?"
>"There was a long time my own kind's history where humans and youkai were considered natural enemies. They preyed upon my kind and ate them. My kind fought and sealed them. I imagine most assumed that this was just the way of things, and indeed it was the way of things for a long time. I do not know how it started, and perhaps here it does not even matter. Certainly, if one were to ask an ancient human what purpose there was to sealing youkai, I would expect a blank stare in response, as though it were a topic which needed no explanation. But now?"
>Look to our two companions
>"We are partners and allies, friends and family. Not matter how natural and inevitable the conflict between our races must once have seemed, it was not so. It was a long and often hard road to reach this point and many suffered on both sides, but it was a path which always existed, simply waiting for someone to search for it."
-
>"All histories must have some beginning, no?"
>"There was a long time my own kind's history where humans and youkai were considered natural enemies. They preyed upon my kind and ate them. My kind fought and sealed them. I imagine most assumed that this was just the way of things, and indeed it was the way of things for a long time. I do not know how it started, and perhaps here it does not even matter. Certainly, if one were to ask an ancient human what purpose there was to sealing youkai, I would expect a blank stare in response, as though it were a topic which needed no explanation. But now?"
>Look to our two companions
>"We are partners and allies, friends and family. Not matter how natural and inevitable the conflict between our races must once have seemed, it was not so. It was a long and often hard road to reach this point and many suffered on both sides, but it was a path which always existed, simply waiting for someone to search for it."
>"And we like it better dis way, too." White Rose adds. "Both sides, human and non. Don't get us wrong, it ain't all peaches and cream. But the dark days are over now. If dat weren't true, I wouldn't be standin' here."
>"None of us world." Lily finishes with a smile.
>"And you acheived this level of... cohabitation through your own choices, yes, Terrans?" Louise asks. "At some point in your history, someone said, 'I want things to be different,' and eventually, so they came?"
-
>"As I said, it took many years and much struggle, but yes - ultimately it stems from this, and from the realization that some of the truths we take for granted might not intrinsically be so."
-
>"As I said, it took many years and much struggle, but yes - ultimately it stems from this, and from the realization that some of the truths we take for granted might not intrinsically be so."
>"That is a trait your race and mine do not share. You Terrans change what you are every day. We do not."
-
>"But you still make choices, no? You have chosen to speak with me now, when you had the power to choose otherwise. You have chosen to share things and to keep other things private. You chose to create those water creatures, because you wished to experiment. You chose to offer your power to some humans and not to others. Am I wrong in this?"
-
>"But you still make choices, no? You have chosen to speak with me now, when you had the power to choose otherwise. You have chosen to share things and to keep other things private. You chose to create those water creatures, because you wished to experiment. You chose to offer your power to some humans and not to others. Am I wrong in this?"
>"Are there not things about you that you have no choice in doing? You must breathe, you must consume food, you must seek mates. Just as for you, there are aspects of ourselves that we cannot change."
-
>"We can choose not to consume food if we wish, though understandably few do and we would eventually die if we did not choose otherwise. But the choice remains. There are also those who do not seek mates, though the survival of the species on the whole depends upon some doing so. It is possible to refuse to breathe until one loses consciousness, and the sad fact is that many have prevented themselves from doing so even after, by their own choice and no one else's. It is true that without food or air, we will die, and without procreation, so will humanity. If you mean to say that your drive to warring with the Celestials is the same these, does that mean that you will die if you do not? And not because they will kill you for your neutrality, but because of some fact of your own physiology?"
-
>"We can choose not to consume food if we wish, though understandably few do and we would eventually die if we did not choose otherwise. But the choice remains. There are also those who do not seek mates, though the survival of the species on the whole depends upon some doing so. It is possible to refuse to breathe until one loses consciousness, and the sad fact is that many have prevented themselves from doing so even after, by their own choice and no one else's. It is true that without food or air, we will die, and without procreation, so will humanity. If you mean to say that your drive to warring with the Celestials is the same these, does that mean that you will die if you do not? And not because they will kill you for your neutrality, but because of some fact of your own physiology?"
>The demon turns her face towards you. "Why are you questioning this so much?" she demands, sounding somewhere between bored and annoyed.
-
>"Both because I truly do wish to understand your nature as best I can, rather than accept that I might never understand. And also, I guess, because I would hope to see a world where beings of all kinds are able to coexist rather than fight with each other. I do not think it can be wrong to wish for such a thing, but I apologize if I am bothering you by arguing this; I do not mean to press, but merely to explore."
-
>"Both because I truly do wish to understand your nature as best I can, rather than accept that I might never understand. And also, I guess, because I would hope to see a world where beings of all kinds are able to coexist rather than fight with each other. I do not think it can be wrong to wish for such a thing, but I apologize if I am bothering you by arguing this; I do not mean to press, but merely to explore."
>"Do you question your own nature as much?"
-
>"Sometimes. It is a central teaching of Buddhism to question those things you might otherwise take for granted, for there are often surprising truths to be found there. Much, even about ourselves, is not as we assume it to be without examination. Strange times such as these may call for this even moreso, as we each meet with others whose views are different from our own. Even our own conversations have led me to ponder many things I had not before done."
-
>"Sometimes. It is a central teaching of Buddhism to question those things you might otherwise take for granted, for there are often surprising truths to be found there. Much, even about ourselves, is not as we assume it to be without examination. Strange times such as these may call for this even moreso, as we each meet with others whose views are different from our own. Even our own conversations have led me to ponder many things I had not before done."
>"If you spend so much time pondering, I'm forced to wonder how you managed to fight me as well as you did."
>"There's a time for thinking, Louise." Lily replies. "And there's a time for doing."
-
>"Indeed. I did not mean to suggest one must question everything all of the time. But in quiet moments, there can be great value in taking one's own assumptions and reflecting upon them."
-
>"Indeed. I did not mean to suggest one must question everything all of the time. But in quiet moments, there can be great value in taking one's own assumptions and reflecting upon them."
>"'Quiet moments.'" the demon says with a choked chuckle. "There's something else my kind can't imagine. Quiet is not peace on Makai. There is no peace on Makai."
-
>"There is peace here. Perhaps that may be small comfort from where you're standing at the moment, but this place will not assail you as that one did."
-
>"There is peace here. Perhaps that may be small comfort from where you're standing at the moment, but this place will not assail you as that one did."
>"Not yet, perhaps."
-
>"Do you expect this will change?"
-
>"Do you expect this will change?"
>The Water demon kneels down by the water. "I don't know. I haven't been able to completely analyze this cell of mine, but I know this much. That priestess is now one of your followers, and we both know she would see me dead. And she was one of the architects of this little world. So she, just as you, have the power to destroy it, just as you created it. You, I know, will not. You have made that clear both here and after our battle. And you, winged one, will also not destroy this cell." she adds, making Lily's wings flutter as she is addressed directly. "Your repulsion to the idea of killing me was clear."
>"And it still is, believe me." Lily assures her.
>"So the question then becomes, is your influence over the priestess strong enough to keep her from crushing this world with me in it? And that, I do not know."
>Can you really do that? Rin asks on a mental thread. Break this bubble here, I mean.
-
>Do we think that we could, should we choose to?
>Do we think that Kiku could, should she choose to?
-
>Do we think that we could, should we choose to?
>Do we think that Kiku could, should she choose to?
>You're.... really not sure, on either account. It never even occured to you before now that any of you would even try.
>If you had to guess, though, you would guess that since it took three of you to create the Oubliette, it would likewise take all three of you to destroy. Unfortunately, at the moment, that's only your best guess.
-
>So whatever wellspring of instinctual magical knowledge that gave us to the means to create this place is not being so detailed in what is in our power to do with the place, now that it exists?
>Would our connection to this place alert us if it were being tampered with somehow? From without as well as within?
-
>So whatever wellspring of instinctual magical knowledge that gave us to the means to create this place is not being so detailed in what is in our power to do with the place, now that it exists?
>Would our connection to this place alert us if it were being tampered with somehow? From without as well as within?
>In this circumstance, your lack of knowledge may be due to the fact that it concerns something which is against your very nature.
>From without, at least, you believe so. Within, you're less sure of. Water has been in this place for some time now, she surely would have at least tested the walls of the Oubliette. Yet you did not detect any such attempts.
-
>But if someone were to try and collapse the prison, do we think we would be altered before it happened?
-
>But if someone were to try and collapse the prison, do we think we would be altered before it happened?
>Yes. Such an act would certainly require a great amount of energy, focus and will. Your connection to the spelled prison would certainly alert you to that. A disruption of that magnitude would probably start you from a sound sleep, even.
-
>Can we estimate how long such an event would take?
-
>Can we estimate how long such an event would take?
>It would depend on the power of the individual trying it. But it wouldn't be an instant thing, you're sure about that. It would take someone with power far, far greater than yours to disrupt the Oubliette from the outside before you could react and bring your own power to bear.
-
>I... am not wholly certain. Possibly the three of us who created it could, if we pooled our powers together again. I am not certain a single one of us could, even if we wished to. ...but I cannot say for absolute certain.
>"She acquiesced to spare you then, when she was hurt and very angry. If she was willing to show mercy in her darkest hour, then I do not think she would violate that in the light of a calmer day. Nor do I believe she would betray the trust of either of us in such a profound manner. We may have been merely allies on that day, but I would now call her friend."
>"But if this is only paltry reassurance, I will say also that I do not believe she possesses the power to do such a thing on her own, even if she wished to, and we certainly would not lend her ours for this purpose. The integrity of this realm is linked to my awareness; it would not be possible to try and collapse it without my knowing."
-
>I... am not wholly certain. Possibly the three of us who created it could, if we pooled our powers together again. I am not certain a single one of us could, even if we wished to. ...but I cannot say for absolute certain.
>"She acquiesced to spare you then, when she was hurt and very angry. If she was willing to show mercy in her darkest hour, then I do not think she would violate that in the light of a calmer day. Nor do I believe she would betray the trust of either of us in such a profound manner. We may have been merely allies on that day, but I would now call her friend."
>"But if this is only paltry reassurance, I will say also that I do not believe she possesses the power to do such a thing on her own, even if she wished to, and we certainly would not lend her ours for this purpose. The integrity of this realm is linked to my awareness; it would not be possible to try and collapse it without my knowing."
>I sorta hope we don't have ta find out. Rin answers cautiously.
>"That means I'm connected to it, too." Lily adds. "And I'm with Magical Lotus, no way I'd let that happen."
>The demon is silent for a moment. "And you, feline? Where do you stand on my continued existence?"
>The blunt question leaves Rin stone-faced. "I have no reason to want you dead. Yet."
-
>To Rin: Was that 'yet' really necessary? We want her to feel safe here.
>"You have my solemn word that the safety of this realm will not be broken by us."
-
>To Rin: Was that 'yet' really necessary? We want her to feel safe here.
>"You have my solemn word that the safety of this realm will not be broken by us."
>We are tryin' to be honest. Rin says defensively.
>The closed-eyed demon nods slowly. "I see no reason to disbelieve you."
-
>"I am glad to hear it. It sounds like you and your kind have suffered far too much already; I do not want to visit more suffering upon you."
-
>"I am glad to hear it. It sounds like you and your kind have suffered far too much already; I do not want to visit more suffering upon you."
>The blonde demon nods once more, saying nothing.
-
>"One more question about the Celestials, if you would. While you say you know little of the details of your two's ancient history or what become of them in our world, do you perhaps know the names of any particularly prominent ones that were involved?"
-
>"One more question about the Celestials, if you would. While you say you know little of the details of your two's ancient history or what become of them in our world, do you perhaps know the names of any particularly prominent ones that were involved?"
>The demon thinks. "One. But I don't believe it will prove very insightful to you."
-
>"Nonetheless, might I hear it?"
-
>"Nonetheless, might I hear it?"
>"As you wish." She takes a moment, then says, "They called him 'Father'."
-
>"Do you know anything else about him?"
-
>"Do you know anything else about him?"
>"I know he is our enemy just as his followers are."
-
>"And that is all?"
-
>"And that is all?"
>"That is what I was born knowing, yes. I could speculate that he is stronger than Mother, since they won and we lost, but I do not know that for certain, and as I've said, I'm not one to rely on speculation."
-
>"That is fine. I am not privy to what tales and histories might circulate among your people, as you are, but I cannot rightly ask you to speak of what you do not know."
>Smile a little
>"On a rather different note, and one that might sound rather curious, I expect, but... the sun which shines on Makai... what color is it?"
-
>"That is fine. I am not privy to what tales and histories might circulate among your people, as you are, but I cannot rightly ask you to speak of what you do not know."
>Smile a little
>"On a rather different note, and one that might sound rather curious, I expect, but... the sun which shines on Makai... what color is it?"
>"Actually, we don't 'circulate' history, as your peoples do." Louise informs you. "We are born knowing as much as we do about certain things, and beyond that the rest is irrelevant. All we need to learn is how to survive Makai."
>"The sun?" Louise starts. "Ah, yes, you use that word to describe the light in the sky, yes?"
-
>"Yes."
-
>"Yes."
>"The light of Makai's sky is Mother's power." Louise says. "And, it is fading. The color of our 'sun' has changed as time has worn on. I don't know what it started as, but when I was born, it was a dark green. Now it is a dark blue. It may even be red by now."
>Lily blinks. "Doesn't indigo come after blue?"
>"To the spectrum you see, perhaps."
-
>"Dark blue... and cold?"
-
>"Dark blue... and cold?"
>"Yes. The cold light is one of the ways Mother fought the heat of Makai."
-
>"And if I were to describe a tall and twisted castle with pillars like claws rising towards that sky, surrounding by forests of black-leaved trees... would that, by any chance, mean something to you?"
-
>"And if I were to describe a tall and twisted castle with pillars like claws rising towards that sky, surrounding by forests of black-leaved trees... would that, by any chance, mean something to you?"
>Louise freezes. Her eyes open as she turns her head slowly towards you. She does not, however, immediately say anything.
-
>Give her a moment
>If she's still silent: "Shall I take that as a yes?"
-
>Give her a moment
>If she's still silent: "Shall I take that as a yes?"
>"Explain this, Terran."
-
>"I ask because I was hoping you might know where I do not. It was a... vision, I suppose you could call it - from before I met or even knew of your kind. A twisted and ominous castle beneath a cold blue sun. I knew not what it was I saw, but something about your description of your planet brought it back to mind now. Do you know the place of which I speak?"
-
>"I ask because I was hoping you might know where I do not. It was a... vision, I suppose you could call it - from before I met or even knew of your kind. A twisted and ominous castle beneath a cold blue sun. I knew not what it was I saw, but something about your description of your planet brought it back to mind now. Do you know the place of which I speak?"
>"How did you come by this... 'vision'?"
-
>"It happened unbidden when I attempted to pick up a curious doll I had found."
-
>"It happened unbidden when I attempted to pick up a curious doll I had found."
>"A doll? Is that not a tool used by you Terrans for teaching and play?"
-
>"Yes, I suppose you could say that. I am not sure why it happened, and the doll seemed quite ordinary afterward."
-
>"Yes, I suppose you could say that. I am not sure why it happened, and the doll seemed quite ordinary afterward."
>Louise is silent for a moment.
>That's what you saw that day you fell down the stairs in school? Rin asks.
-
>Yes. And something in that castle knew that I could see it, and whispered to me, though I do not know if it could truly see me or not. The description I gave Louise does not even begin to do justice to the terrible visage of that... structure.
>Give Louise a moment or two.
-
>Yes. And something in that castle knew that I could see it, and whispered to me, though I do not know if it could truly see me or not. The description I gave Louise does not even begin to do justice to the terrible visage of that... structure.
>Give Louise a moment or two.
>You can sense Rin's shudder. I had no idea...
>"What you saw, Terran," Louise says quietly, "was Mother's castle."
-
>"It is a very... striking structure."
>"Did you and the other Champions live there?"
-
>"It is a very... striking structure."
>"Did you and the other Champions live there?"
>"That question is irrelevant, next to how you came to have this vision in the first place." She scowls in thought. "You say this happened before you knew our kind existed. But such a vision had to have come from one of my kind. It was not my doing, I know this. And the only Champion who penetrated this world before me was Air. But that's not something she would have done, I don't think. I don't rely on assumptions, but I do know her well enough to know her approach. A simple vision of our world, let alone our Sanctuary, isn't something she would have done." She straightens. "This story is impossible. But you can't be lying, to have described Her castle with as much detail as you did."
>"Do you think another demon could have snuck through before Air did?" Lily asks.
>"Impossible. Only we Champions had enough power to force our way through the barrier, and Air did it first."
-
>"A... a voice from the castle spoke to me. I felt as thought someone from inside knew that I was looking at them and then they whispered to me... The voice felt somehow... ancient. I suppose that is not terribly descriptive."
-
>"A... a voice from the castle spoke to me. I felt as thought someone from inside knew that I was looking at them and then they whispered to me... The voice felt somehow... ancient. I suppose that is not terribly descriptive."
>Louise shakes her head. "I cannot explain this, Magical Lotus." she says, using your title for the first time. "Unless I am wrong, and this was something Air did. But I have no idea why she would."
>White Rose pipes up, "If it was somethin' ancient, coulda been somethin', maybe someone, of your kind left on this world from a long time ago?"
>Again the Water demon shakes her head. "Every Child alive was banished to Makai during the Fall, and every Child that has managed to escape Makai since then has either been destroyed on this side, or sent back. There's no one it could be."
-
>"No one who could have the power to speak to someone through the barrier?"
-
>"No one who could have the power to speak to someone through the barrier?"
>"No one I know of. I don't think even Forest can do that."
-
>"I do not mean to speak presumption, merely to enumerate what possibilities may remain, so forgive me if I somehow cause offense: but what about your Mother? Could she do this?"
-
>"I do not mean to speak presumption, merely to enumerate what possibilities may remain, so forgive me if I somehow cause offense: but what about your Mother? Could she do this?"
>"I really don't know if she can. But I do know it wasn't her, it could not have been."
>"Why not?" White Rose asks.
>"Because all of Her focus and will must be now upon Makai, until we Champions succeed. To be blunt, Terrans, you wouldn't be worth her time to acknowledge."
-
>"I am not offended. It sounds like a herculean task at the best of times."
>"I don't imagine this will help much, but all the voice said to me was 'at last...'"
>"Though the voice seemed whispered, the sound of it was still somehow nearly overpowering."
-
>"I am not offended. It sounds like a herculean task at the best of times."
>"I don't imagine this will help much, but all the voice said to me was 'at last...'"
>"Though the voice seemed whispered, the sound of it was still somehow nearly overpowering."
>Louise ponders that, then shakes her head again.
-
>"Are there other beings of great power on Makai, beyond the Champions and your Mother? And Makai itself, I suppose, if it can truly qualify as a 'being' in the same sense."
-
>"Are there other beings of great power on Makai, beyond the Champions and your Mother? And Makai itself, I suppose, if it can truly qualify as a 'being' in the same sense."
>"There are a handful of Children who are as old as Forest. Those who survived the Fall and Makai both. But even though they are the strongest of our race, they're not as strong as a Champion, they can't do what we can. Everything else that ever crossed paths with Makai perished long ago. Only we Children and our Mother survive there now."
-
>"During our last meeting you spoke of a 'Nameless One'. Who is that?"
-
>"During our last meeting you spoke of a 'Nameless One'. Who is that?"
>A hiss of air escapes the blonde demon's lips, and she lowers her head. "I would rather not talk about that being." she says in a rather small voice. You get the feeling she's somehow scared even of the name.
-
>"I apologize for disturbing you, and I will drop the matter if you insist, but your reaction does seem to imply that they are a being of great power on Makai, outside your own circle...."
-
>"I apologize for disturbing you, and I will drop the matter if you insist, but your reaction does seem to imply that they are a being of great power on Makai, outside your own circle...."
>Louise turns from you then, walking a few steps from you and the girls.
>She's really scared. Rin broadcasts to the two of you. Know what I think? She mentioned 'creatures' earlier, when she was talking about how Makai hates her people. Maybe this 'Nameless One' is onea them.
-
>Perhaps you are right. I didn't mean to unsettle her....
>Give Louise a few moments, and if she does not say something or return after a little while, take a few calm steps towards her and say gently:
>"My sincere apologies; I did not mean to upset you. Let us speak of something else instead."
-
>Perhaps you are right. I didn't mean to unsettle her....
>Give Louise a few moments, and if she does not say something or return after a little while, take a few calm steps towards her and say gently:
>"My sincere apologies; I did not mean to upset you. Let us speak of something else instead."
>Maybe I can relate more in this area. Rin says. Y'know, wit' Konngara an' all... I know what it's like to be afraid of a name alone. Lily places a comforting hand on the kasha's shoulder.
>After a few moments, Louise seems to remain in her reverie, so you say your piece to her. The blonde is silent for a few seconds more, before she answers, somewhat wryly, "There is more you wish to discuss?"
-
>"There are a few things, yes."
-
>"There are a few things, yes."
>She half turns then, to face the water. She seems willing to listen.
-
>"I suppose if the mystery of where the vision came from is to remain a mystery for now, I will repeat the question I did earlier: did you live in that castle? You've said that your Mother's attention is focused purely on Makai now, but was this always so during your lifetime? Or did she interact with you and your kin more directly? I know little of your society, nor indeed how much resemblance your relationship has with the parental ones I am more familiar with."
-
>"I suppose if the mystery of where the vision came from is to remain a mystery for now, I will repeat the question I did earlier: did you live in that castle? You've said that your Mother's attention is focused purely on Makai now, but was this always so during your lifetime? Or did she interact with you and your kin more directly? I know little of your society, nor indeed how much resemblance your relationship has with the parental ones I am more familiar with."
>Louise looks a bit put upon by your question. "I may not have spent much time in your world, nor was I there to learn. But I did learn somethings during my time before you caged me. If I were human, I believe I would say, 'That's a personal question' at this point."
-
>"Oh, my apologies; I didn't mean to pry. I suppose I just still know so little about your people and culture that I was curious, and the boundaries of propriety can vary so much from one to another."
>Give a weak smile
>"Though I suppose it may be another thing we have in common if talk of our families is something we would often rather keep within them. Forgive me."
>I'm not exactly on a roll here, am I?
-
>"Oh, my apologies; I didn't mean to pry. I suppose I just still know so little about your people and culture that I was curious, and the boundaries of propriety can vary so much from one to another."
>Give a weak smile
>"Though I suppose it may be another thing we have in common if talk of our families is something we would often rather keep within them. Forgive me."
>I'm not exactly on a roll here, am I?
>The demon does not seem offended. If anything, she seems curious. "You are not what I would expect from one with your power, Magical Lotus." she says after a moment. "You and your friends had the power and the will to damage me, to imprison me, and to thwart Air's attempts to gather energy twice. And you survived a battle with Fire and Ice. And yet here you are, asking about not our weaknesses, but about the lives we led beyond our actions here, and our survival. Our 'family lives', I believe is the term."
>Sorry for sayin', but, she is a demon. Rin says with a sort of verbal shrug. It's good ya got as much out of her as ya have so far.
-
>"I think that is a fair enough term for that, yes. And that is because I do not see you simply as an enemy to be vanquished and overcome, but as a person. A person different than those I have otherwise known, true, but a person nonetheless - one with their own heart and mind and life outside of how it intersected with mine on the day of our battle. I would like to know you not simply to gain some tactical advantage, but because I feel that all different kinds of life have value, and stories to tell and learn from, and I would like to learn from yours. For many of the same reasons I might wish to get to know a fellow Terran, I suppose. And because I hope to find common ground that neither of us might have known existed. It might seem a strange and impossible thing to you, but I do earnestly hope for a day where our two peoples might call each other friends. Where the two of us might, even."
-
>"I think that is a fair enough term for that, yes. And that is because I do not see you simply as an enemy to be vanquished and overcome, but as a person. A person different than those I have otherwise known, true, but a person nonetheless - one with their own heart and mind and life outside of how it intersected with mine on the day of our battle. I would like to know you not simply to gain some tactical advantage, but because I feel that all different kinds of life have value, and stories to tell and learn from, and I would like to learn from yours. For many of the same reasons I might wish to get to know a fellow Terran, I suppose. And because I hope to find common ground that neither of us might have known existed. It might seem a strange and impossible thing to you, but I do earnestly hope for a day where our two peoples might call each other friends. Where the two of us might, even."
>Louise sounds almost apologetic when she says, "You've seen enough of my kind to know that there are those among us who will see that sentiment as a weakness. It could prove to be your undoing, if you are not careful."
-
>"I do understand how this might be viewed by some of your kin, but if there is to be mutual understanding, it is as important for them to understand our mindset as it is for us to understand theirs. And if there can be even a sliver of peace because of it, then it is a risk worth taking. But make no mistake, I am prepared to fight with all my power those who would rebuke cooperation for a more violent path. While tolerance may seem a weakness to some, it is the hope for a better future that drives me and empowers me. A better world, where all our kinds can live in peaceful coexistence, where Terrans need not fear predation from your kind, and where your kind need not fear predation from your world or any other.... Where you can find the peace that was denied you for millennia. Can you even imagine how different the course of your race might have been without the weight of this upon you?"
>"Even if this is an impossible dream, I will strive for it and I will draw strength from the striving, for it is an end so important as to be worth all I have to give. If I fought merely to defeat the foes before me, I might not be nearly so strong, but now I fight for them as well. And for you."
-
>"I do understand how this might be viewed by some of your kin, but if there is to be mutual understanding, it is as important for them to understand our mindset as it is for us to understand theirs. And if there can be even a sliver of peace because of it, then it is a risk worth taking. But make no mistake, I am prepared to fight with all my power those who would rebuke cooperation for a more violent path. While tolerance may seem a weakness to some, it is the hope for a better future that drives me and empowers me. A better world, where all our kinds can live in peaceful coexistence, where Terrans need not fear predation from your kind, and where your kind need not fear predation from your world or any other.... Where you can find the peace that was denied you for millennia. Can you even imagine how different the course of your race might have been without the weight of this upon you?"
>"Even if this is an impossible dream, I will strive for it and I will draw strength from the striving, for it is an end so important as to be worth all I have to give. If I fought merely to defeat the foes before me, I might not be nearly so strong, but now I fight for them as well. And for you."
>"You fight for your enemies." Louise answers, shaking her head. "One way or the other, I would see you alive at the end of this conflict, Magical Lotus. You are truly unique."
-
>Smile
>"Your words are kind. And perhaps in time you may even find there are more of us on this world who think this way than you would expect. We have been blessed with the chance for peace and coexistence, and we have seen why it is something worth preserving with all our will. Though many may not share the power I wield, they nonetheless share my hope."
-
>Smile
>"Your words are kind. And perhaps in time you may even find there are more of us on this world who think this way than you would expect. We have been blessed with the chance for peace and coexistence, and we have seen why it is something worth preserving with all our will. Though many may not share the power I wield, they nonetheless share my hope."
>"And you think these same people will also share your hope that my kind could come to this world peacefully, and acclimate?"
-
>"There are those who would, and many more who might once they see your kind treat ours as fellows and not adversaries. This world is no stranger to racial diversity and my desire for peace is by no means unique among its peoples."
-
>"There are those who would, and many more who might once they see your kind treat ours as fellows and not adversaries. This world is no stranger to racial diversity and my desire for peace is by no means unique among its peoples."
>"What might be a greater problem even than that, Magical Lotus, is when the Celestials move against us." She looks at you out of the corner of her eye. "Would you fight them, too? Would you defend us against those who would destroy us?"
-
>"I would greatly prefer that no one destroy anyone at all. What was done to your people does not sit well with me, whatever the original cause, and I do not think I could stand idly by and watch it be repeated. But I know so little of substance about these Celestials, who they are, where they can be found, or even what motivates them, that I feel it premature to say too much. But you have my word on this: an end to this conflict that involves either your kind's destruction or their being trapped once more on a vengeful Makai are not ones I am willing to accept so long as any other path exists. If you choose honestly to embrace peace and the Celestials come to war with you nonetheless, then I would defend you just as I would defend any of my fellows, for that is what you would be."
-
>"I would greatly prefer that no one destroy anyone at all. What was done to your people does not sit well with me, whatever the original cause, and I do not think I could stand idly by and watch it be repeated. But I know so little of substance about these Celestials, who they are, where they can be found, or even what motivates them, that I feel it premature to say too much. But you have my word on this: an end to this conflict that involves either your kind's destruction or their being trapped once more on a vengeful Makai are not ones I am willing to accept so long as any other path exists. If you choose honestly to embrace peace and the Celestials come to war with you nonetheless, then I would defend you just as I would defend any of my fellows, for that is what you would be."
>For the first time since you've seen her, the Water demon smiles. "If that day comes, we will be allies rather than enemies. It is possible I would enjoy that."
-
>Smile
>"As would I."
-
>Smile
>"As would I."
>"But that moment is not here yet."
-
>"I can be patient."
-
>"I can be patient."
>"As can I." Louise holds up her hand, palm up, wispy trails of water flowing up from her open palm. "Water is patient, Terran."
-
>"Then I suppose we shall have to see what the future brings, as I think some of your compatriots are far less patient."
-
>"Then I suppose we shall have to see what the future brings, as I think some of your compatriots are far less patient."
>"Of that you can be certain." Louise says confidantly, the water over her palm flowing together into a spheroid shape.
-
>"Speaking of which, there was something else I was hoping to understand. When I spoke with Fire and Ice earlier today, Fire said that Ice's existence was literally dependent on and bound to his own, but in a way that I would be 'incapable of understanding'. Well, I'd like to try, and I was hoping you might know what he meant; Fire was somewhat less interested in conversing at the time than in having Ice attempt to bury us."
-
>"Speaking of which, there was something else I was hoping to understand. When I spoke with Fire and Ice earlier today, Fire said that Ice's existence was literally dependent on and bound to his own, but in a way that I would be 'incapable of understanding'. Well, I'd like to try, and I was hoping you might know what he meant; Fire was somewhat less interested in conversing at the time than in having Ice attempt to bury us."
>"I really don't know too much about those two." Louise admits. "We Six didn't interact with each other too much before we left Mother's home. I do know that Ice never directly communicated with anyone, not even Mother. At least not while the rest of us were around. And I believe the only time Ice was ever apart from Fire was when Mother made her the Ice Champion; all of us were alone for that. Other than that time, I believe the two were always together."
>"Back up a step." White Rose interjects. "Ya mean you weren't born Champions?"
>"No, we weren't. Mother bestowed those gifts upon us."
-
>"I thought you said you had been created specifically for this purpose?"
-
>"I thought you said you had been created specifically for this purpose?"
>"We had to grow strong enough to hold the power. We had to survive Makai until the time was right."
>"Even Forest?" Lily asks.
>"Even Forest. The time had to be right for all of us."
-
>"But wasn't Forest older than even your exile to Makai?"
-
>"But wasn't Forest older than even your exile to Makai?"
>"She is. And Fire asked about that as well. Mother told us that her path was different than ours."
-
>"Well, at the very least she could not have been created for a cause that had not yet come to be. Though I suppose that matters not."
>"Do you have any idea what Fire might have meant, though? I imagine you are, at the very least, more familiar with your physiology than I am."
-
>"Well, at the very least she could not have been created for a cause that had not yet come to be. Though I suppose that matters not."
>"Do you have any idea what Fire might have meant, though? I imagine you are, at the very least, more familiar with your physiology than I am."
>"Let me think...." The ball of water Louise had been contemplating splits into two different streams, the liquid encircling the demon's head in a crisscrossing pattern. "I am not sure I can aid you. If there is such a profound connection between those two Champions, then helping you figure out its nature could provide you an avenue of attack against it, and them."
-
>"Fire seemed to treat Ice abusively, and Ice had the bearing of one beneath a yoke they cannot remove. I wanted to help her. This is not about exploiting an enemy's weakness, but wishing to offer succor to someone who seemed to be suffering. She spoke with me - not in words, but in images, in a brief moment when Fire had first fled. Something akin to feelings and sentiments, carried on a feather she shed. And she seemed very sad."
-
>"Fire seemed to treat Ice abusively, and Ice had the bearing of one beneath a yoke they cannot remove. I wanted to help her. This is not about exploiting an enemy's weakness, but wishing to offer succor to someone who seemed to be suffering. She spoke with me - not in words, but in images, in a brief moment when Fire had first fled. Something akin to feelings and sentiments, carried on a feather she shed. And she seemed very sad."
>"That's a unique form of communication, even among us. I wouldn't have thought of that, but then again, I don't have wings as she does."
-
>"Have you not seen her communicate to any others that way, then? I did actually wonder if she could not speak at all."
-
>"Have you not seen her communicate to any others that way, then? I did actually wonder if she could not speak at all."
>"In what little time we spent together, Fire did the communicating for her."
-
>"As seemed to be the case during our encounter. Or rather Fire said what he wanted, and Ice's will did not matter. I cannot say that this sat well with me."
>"I understand your desire not to endanger your fellow Champions with the words you share with me, but can you trust me when I say that I ask out of genuine concern for Ice's well-being and not for some means to strike at her?"
-
>"As seemed to be the case during our encounter. Or rather Fire said what he wanted, and Ice's will did not matter. I cannot say that this sat well with me."
>"I understand your desire not to endanger your fellow Champions with the words you share with me, but can you trust me when I say that I ask out of genuine concern for Ice's well-being and not for some means to strike at her?"
>"Whether I trust you in this regard or not is irrelevant, Terran. The truth is, I really don't know what, if any, connection exists between Ice and Fire. It may be that, if you were to break that bond, it might make Ice even more powerful. Or it could weaken them both. But I don't know that either. And I can't take that chance."
-
>"I suppose I can appreciate that. Thanks nonetheless."
>"One other matter. Back in the place where we fought, in the corridor leading to the saltwater pool, there was a strange brackish sludge spread across the ground - putrid and foul. It was almost like water in some ways, if not quite. Was this your doing?"
-
>"I suppose I can appreciate that. Thanks nonetheless."
>"One other matter. Back in the place where we fought, in the corridor leading to the saltwater pool, there was a strange brackish sludge spread across the ground - putrid and foul. It was almost like water in some ways, if not quite. Was this your doing?"
>"I don't actually know the meaning of the word 'sludge', but whatever that water-like substance was was none of my doing."
>"Sludge is a kinda gooey liquid." Rin answers. "Usually pretty dirty, kinda like tar or really thick oil."
>"And it really stank, too." Lily adds, wrinkling her nose. "I can make things smell...." she trails off as she looks at Louise's face.
>The Water demon's eyes have opened, and the color has drained from her face. In a rather small voice, she asks, ".. tar? A- A black, viscous puddle?""
-
>That does basically match its appearance, yes?
>If so: "Yes, more or less like that."
-
>That does basically match its appearance, yes?
>If so: "Yes, more or less like that."
>More or less. You believe the word 'tar' crossed your own mind at the time.
>"That's impossible." the demon breathes. "It couldn't be here. It's impossible."
-
>"It's something from Makai, isn't it?"
-
>"It's something from Makai, isn't it?"
>All of a sudden, Louise's arms flash out, gripping you by the shoulders. The blonde woman looks... horrified. "Where is it now? Tell me you killed it!"
-
>"The priestess transmuted it into a sheet of lead. It seemed inert enough afterward, but I was... unconscious at the time."
-
>"The priestess transmuted it into a sheet of lead. It seemed inert enough afterward, but I was... unconscious at the time."
>"Unconscious.... You came close to it? Wait..." Louise seems confused. "The Priestess? She couldn't have. Her magic couldn't damage me, she couldn't have killed the Tar."
-
>"Perhaps she might have been able to affect its substance in a way she could not your own because it was closer to non-living than living matter? As I said, I was not conscious to witness it. Though... now that I think back on it, she did say that I had left some kind of... 'instability' in it. I... touched consciousnesses with it, if you could call whatever that substances possessed a consciousness."
-
>"Perhaps she might have been able to affect its substance in a way she could not your own because it was closer to non-living than living matter? As I said, I was not conscious to witness it. Though... now that I think back on it, she did say that I had left some kind of... 'instability' in it. I... touched consciousnesses with it, if you could call whatever that substances possessed a consciousness."
>"You did WHAT?!"
-
>"I tried to drive the taint from it."
-
>"I tried to drive the taint from it."
>"You... You turned your power on it?" She ponders that for a moment. "Yes, that had to have been it. Your power could have weakened it. Left it vulnerable to another attack."
-
>"When you spoke of the will of Makai, I was reminded again of that... thing. What I felt from it was an insatiable primal hunger, almost beyond description - an overpowering need to consume everything that was not itself."
-
>"When you spoke of the will of Makai, I was reminded again of that... thing. What I felt from it was an insatiable primal hunger, almost beyond description - an overpowering need to consume everything that was not itself."
>Louise stares blankly at you. "Terran, you should be dead." she states bluntly.
-
>"Would that be the normal result of coming into such close contact with... whatever that was?"
-
>"Would that be the normal result of coming into such close contact with... whatever that was?"
>"We call it the Devouring Tar. It is the bile of the planet. It oozes up through rock and water, an ambush predator. Just a drop of that Tar is enough to consume a Child. It is mindless hunger, an unceasing need to consume everything. I think it would consume itself if it could."
>"And it is not just physical." Louise continues. "The Tar's hunger is psychic as much as it is physical. It eats minds just as much as flesh. It devours memories, emotions, even instinct, and leaves nothing but hunger. It turns Children into mindless hunger-mad husks, mockeries of Mother's creation. Just being near that Tar is lethal, and yet, you actually touched it with your mind. You should be dead." she repeats. "There should be nothing left of you but a need to feed a hunger that never dies."
-
>"I... felt it. That hunger you describe. It was... deeply disturbing, if I am frank. I wish that I could say it did not affect me, but I cannot. But I pulled away from it when I felt myself slipping too far and... do not remember much of what happened afterward. When I awoke, it had already been subdued."
-
>"I... felt it. That hunger you describe. It was... deeply disturbing, if I am frank. I wish that I could say it did not affect me, but I cannot. But I pulled away from it when I felt myself slipping too far and... do not remember much of what happened afterward. When I awoke, it had already been subdued."
>"The priestess saved your life. But she was fortunate there was anything left to save. Both of you should be dead, if not consumed by the Tar then by consuming each other just by bearing near it."
-
>"It seemed entirely inert until I touched it with my power, then it started to bubble and churn."
>"Lily, you said that the fluid pooling around the drains upstairs started to bubble around the same time, yes?"
-
>"It seemed entirely inert until I touched it with my power, then it started to bubble and churn."
>"Lily, you said that the fluid pooling around the drains upstairs started to bubble around the same time, yes?"
>"It does that." Louise says, still sounding scared. "In some places, it looks indistinguishable from rock. You put your foot down on what you think is safe stone, and you never take another step. The bubbling sometimes happens when we attack it. If we recognize it in time."
>"The water? Yeah, it did." Lily says with a nod. "'least I THINK so."
-
>Wasn't the water pooling around the drains somewhat similarly brackish to the Tar below? Certainly the scent in the place was awful, no?
-
>Wasn't the water pooling around the drains somewhat similarly brackish to the Tar below? Certainly the scent in the place was awful, no?
>It was before Lily released her potpourri magic. And you do recall the bad smell of boggy water was slightly worse when you were around those pools of water around the drains, although you were not completely certain the water itself was the source.
-
>"I wonder if that would mean the Tar had spread itself thinly through the drainage system? The air up there was still quite foul."
>To Louise: "Can it do that, as far as you know?"
-
>"I wonder if that would mean the Tar had spread itself thinly through the drainage system? The air up there was still quite foul."
>To Louise: "Can it do that, as far as you know?"
>"Yes, it could happen. But it doesn't do so often, not that I know of. The Tar seems to want to stay in a large body, for whatever reason. If it did that here, it would be in search of prey. And there were no reported deaths at that building after my arrival."
>"I gotta ask, Louise, how could you not know it was there?" Lily asks, somewhat cautiously. "It was kinda hard for us to miss."
>"For one, I didn't leave the vicinity of that pool you found me near. For another, that Tar and other forces of Makai like it have been hiding from my kind for ages beyond count. Makai knows how to hide its predators from its victims."
-
>"But even if you hadn't left the pool yourself, others had come and gone from there. That woman you took as a servant, for one, I presume."
-
>"But even if you hadn't left the pool yourself, others had come and gone from there. That woman you took as a servant, for one, I presume."
>"You presume incorrectly. That pool went unvisited after my arrival there. And that woman, I reached through an extension of my will."
-
>Did the main body of the Tar which we saw seem to be positioned in some way that could connect it to the drainage pipes upstairs?
>Did we notice the aftereffects of any metallic transmutation back upstairs when we left again?
>For that matter, was the scent upstairs similar in kind to the one by the Tar itself, if more faint?
-
>Did the main body of the Tar which we saw seem to be positioned in some way that could connect it to the drainage pipes upstairs?
>Did we notice the aftereffects of any metallic transmutation back upstairs when we left again?
>For that matter, was the scent upstairs similar in kind to the one by the Tar itself, if more faint?
>It is possible it could have extended into the walls or into the floor, and spread itself that way, but you saw no obvious indications of that.
>You did not.
>It was different, slightly. The scent upstairs stank of swamp water and decay, fungus and rot. The odor around the Tar was similar, but it also had a potent tang of rust to it as well, which the area above did not. Kiku also mentioned two odors that she could not put a name to, which she did not mention when you above.
-
>Then what reason could we see for the water upstairs to react similarly at the same time as the Tar downstairs?
-
>Then what reason could we see for the water upstairs to react similarly at the same time as the Tar downstairs?
>Theoretically it suggests a connection between that water and the Tar. But you have enough evidence to disprove this theory, too.
>You can see no ready explanation for this phenomenon.
-
>"Then can you suggest a reason why the water upstairs might have started to froth at the same time as the Tar, if there was indeed no connection between them?"
-
>"Then can you suggest a reason why the water upstairs might have started to froth at the same time as the Tar, if there was indeed no connection between them?"
>"Not without knowing more about your own power." the Water Champion answers. "It could be that your power 'leaked', or that your contact with the Tar caused it to go out of your control, affecting something else as well. You used the word 'instability' earlier. Perhaps your own power became as unstable as you made the Tar. It could be any of these. Or none. I really don't know."
-
>"You say that you were not aware of the Tar's presence at all, though? Even so close to where you were?"
>"I am curious how a liquid could disguise itself as rock, though, as you said earlier. Can it change its physical appearance so much?"
>"Though I suppose the most pertinent question is: how did it get there in the first place? Could it have somehow tagged along on your journey through the barrier?"
-
>"You say that you were not aware of the Tar's presence at all, though? Even so close to where you were?"
>"I am curious how a liquid could disguise itself as rock, though, as you said earlier. Can it change its physical appearance so much?"
>"Though I suppose the most pertinent question is: how did it get there in the first place? Could it have somehow tagged along on your journey through the barrier?"
>"The Tar is an insidious predator. If one isn't looking for it, one will not see it or sense it. I was not looking for it, obviously. I had no reason to, it shouldn't have been here."
>Loise seems curious for a moment. "Rock on your world must be different than Makai's."
>"That's the only explanation that makes any sense. The gap I opened in the barrier was small, and it shut almost immediately behind me. But a Makai-jin could have followed me through, if it was fast enough. No more than one, though. If that Tar pool followed me, it's the only predator that did."
-
>The Tar was visible to pretty much all our senses, yes? Sight, smell, and supernatural?
>Are there any rocks nearby that we could point to?
>"You are confident of this? Because if there could be more, or if they have some other means to travel here, both our kinds may have a serious problem."
-
>The Tar was visible to pretty much all our senses, yes? Sight, smell, and supernatural?
>Are there any rocks nearby that we could point to?
>"You are confident of this? Because if there could be more, or if they have some other means to travel here, both our kinds may have a serious problem."
>It was.
>There are stones near the water's edge, which are grey. The pebbles along the wodded trails are a mix of white, brown and grey.
>"I am confidant, for one simple reason, Magical Lotus. If there had been two Makai-jin that close to me at the time, and I had been unaware of both, I would have been killed."
-
>"The place where we found it was not altogether that close to you, considering. If it had been actively chasing near to you when you passed through the barrier, would it have been lying dormant several rooms and a hallway away?"
-
>"The place where we found it was not altogether that close to you, considering. If it had been actively chasing near to you when you passed through the barrier, would it have been lying dormant several rooms and a hallway away?"
>"Certainly it would have. It doesn't chase, it waits. I told you, it's an ambush predator."
-
>"But you said that the window of time to follow you through the barrier was narrow, and that it would need to have been very close to you at the time, yes?"
-
>"But you said that the window of time to follow you through the barrier was narrow, and that it would need to have been very close to you at the time, yes?"
>"I can't explain why it came after me. But it had to have done so, it's the only way it could have gotten here."
-
>"And could it have arrived that far away from you, if it entered when you did, through the same means that you did?"
-
>"And could it have arrived that far away from you, if it entered when you did, through the same means that you did?"
>"It must have."
-
>"Once already, you said that it should not have been possible for some entity to reach out through the barrier, yet I know that it did so. If we cannot explain that, forgive me if I am not altogether certain this could not be likewise. It is not that I distrust you, but I am... cautious to assume this is a wholly isolated incident, already resolved. I hope you can appreciate that, given the nature of what it involves."
-
>"Once already, you said that it should not have been possible for some entity to reach out through the barrier, yet I know that it did so. If we cannot explain that, forgive me if I am not altogether certain this could not be likewise. It is not that I distrust you, but I am... cautious to assume this is a wholly isolated incident, already resolved. I hope you can appreciate that, given the nature of what it involves."
>"Taking into consideration the dangers of the Makai-jin, I can understand your fear for your world. I truly believe that the Tar you destroyed was the only predator that followed me. But, I cannot guarantee that a Makai-jin didn't follow the other three Champions that have entered your world." Her words make a pang of dread run down your spine. "If one followed me, it is possible the others were followed, too."
-
>"And I suppose that means there might be no telling where one could show up."
>"One advantage we seem to have over you is that the Tar's presence was extremely obvious to us, even from a fairly considerable distance. If any future encounters are at all similar, at least we do not risk being caught unaware. Though that does little good for any bystanders, if one is somewhere on the other end of the city."
-
>"And I suppose that means there might be no telling where one could show up."
>"One advantage we seem to have over you is that the Tar's presence was extremely obvious to us, even from a fairly considerable distance. If any future encounters are at all similar, at least we do not risk being caught unaware. Though that does little good for any bystanders, if one is somewhere on the other end of the city."
>"If indeed the others were followed as I was. I can't even confirm that."
>"You were fortunate, Terran. In more ways than one. I still have no idea how you survived intact."
-
>"I held very tightly to my own will. And I had help from friends. Though I do not mean to sound as though I take it lightly; I saw a large enough glimpse of what might be that I cannot help but shudder at it."
>"How common are these things on Makai? Is there anything else I ought to know about them?"
-
>"I held very tightly to my own will. And I had help from friends. Though I do not mean to sound as though I take it lightly; I saw a large enough glimpse of what might be that I cannot help but shudder at it."
>"How common are these things on Makai? Is there anything else I ought to know about them?"
>"Since you are clearly one to hope, Magical Lotus, you should hope that a glimpse is all you'll ever see of them."
>"Fortunately for us, the Tar is not among the most common predators of Makai. At least, not in my experience. And as for what you should know, the most important things to know about any creature of Makai is how to spot them. You may be confidant in your ability to see them, but you were fortunate this time. It is usually that the Tar is found only in patches of poorly lit ground that disguise it, or patches of black water as well."
-
>"Lighting and visibility would have mattered little, I think. The smell was almost overpowering."
-
>"Lighting and visibility would have mattered little, I think. The smell was almost overpowering."
>"It may smell differently on your world. Or perhaps your senses yield different results than ours."
-
>"Possibly so. Have things here smelled strange or unusual to you?"
-
>"Possibly so. Have things here smelled strange or unusual to you?"
>"Most everything has been unusual to me. Since I'm not from your world."
-
>"Likely so, but does Makai not have rocks and dirt and something akin to plantlife? I would hope there's something in commmon, on some level."
-
>"Likely so, but does Makai not have rocks and dirt and something akin to plantlife? I would hope there's something in commmon, on some level."
>"Certain aspects of the geography are similar to each other, yes. But the types on one world are alien to the other, and vice versa."
-
>"Sadly, it would take quite a lot of research to narrow it down beyond that. Someday, we can make some cognitive scientist's day by finding out. But that's for later. I do have a question about the Tar, though. If you can't sense it much of the time, how do you find it when it is around? I can't imagine you just bumble around blindly."
-
>"Sadly, it would take quite a lot of research to narrow it down beyond that. Someday, we can make some cognitive scientist's day by finding out. But that's for later. I do have a question about the Tar, though. If you can't sense it much of the time, how do you find it when it is around? I can't imagine you just bumble around blindly."
>"Each Child has their own way of seeking out the traps and the predators of Makai. No two Children have precisely the same array of powers and senses. Speaking for myself, I have a..." She pauses in consideration. "This will be difficult to explain, but I have found that my psychic sense is my best tool for locating Devouring Tar pools around me. It has a somewhat narrow range, but it is the most accurate of the tools I have."
-
>"Ah, that sounds very useful. What else can you sense with it? Has it served you at all here?"
-
>"Ah, that sounds very useful. What else can you sense with it? Has it served you at all here?"
>"I'd prefer not to discuss that in too great a detail. In the event the others employ similar powers."
-
>"I guess you really don't know each other all that closely, do you? Even though I gather that this mission of yours was a long time in the making."
-
>"I guess you really don't know each other all that closely, do you? Even though I gather that this mission of yours was a long time in the making."
>"I can't speak for the others, but I walked paths separate than the others while honing my powers."
-
>"Is that typical of your kind? Solitude, I mean. Or are there deeper social bonds that we would recognize as such among those not charged with such a specific mission?"
-
>"Is that typical of your kind? Solitude, I mean. Or are there deeper social bonds that we would recognize as such among those not charged with such a specific mission?"
>"Most Children, including myself, believe we can attain greater power on our own. Free of the distractions of others, we can hone our senses, or powers, and spare no concern for anything other than our own survival."
>"But this is not a universal fact. There are some who group together, sometimes in twos, sometimes larger groups. But, I have not known many such groups to survive for very long. You see, larger groups of Children really accomplishes nothing more than attracting more of Makai's attention."
-
>"Could they not also be more capable of defending themselves? More eyes to keep watch. Differing powers to fill in gaps in each others' aptitudes. People to tend the wounded, so that they might recover instead of die."
-
>"Could they not also be more capable of defending themselves? More eyes to keep watch. Differing powers to fill in gaps in each others' aptitudes. People to tend the wounded, so that they might recover instead of die."
>"There is a logic to that." Louise says with a nod. "I cannot say it never works. I've simply never known it to work for very long."
-
>"I gather that not very much works for very long there, for most people. I hope they will not need to endure it much longer."
-
>"I gather that not very much works for very long there, for most people. I hope they will not need to endure it much longer."
>"It is an eternal test." Louise says, the faint hint of weariness in her voice speaking volumes. "But the strong survive. And the strong will be ready when the wall comes down."
-
>"Would it not be better for everyone if after the wall went down, there would be no more need for them to fight and struggle at all? Certainly not against us."
-
>"Would it not be better for everyone if after the wall went down, there would be no more need for them to fight and struggle at all? Certainly not against us."
>"There is no life without struggle, Magical Lotus. Makai has taught us this. If we have to fight more Terrans, then we will. But as you say, if there is no need, then conflict between our two peoples would be pointless, as far as I am concerned."
-
>"I feel the same way. So long as your kind does not come here to cause conflict with us, then few will answer it with conflict in return, and I would be your ally against any who would. The peaceful future of both our worlds rests on being able to cooperate with each other - to respect each others' differences and share in our commonalities, and to seek a future as free of pointless conflict for both our kinds as we are possibly able. This I firmly believe."
-
>"May I ask a question, Louise? Once the barrier is down, and your people come to our world, what happens next?"
-
>"I feel the same way. So long as your kind does not come here to cause conflict with us, then few will answer it with conflict in return, and I would be your ally against any who would. The peaceful future of both our worlds rests on being able to cooperate with each other - to respect each others' differences and share in our commonalities, and to seek a future as free of pointless conflict for both our kinds as we are possibly able. This I firmly believe."
>"Hope is not a quality we possess, Terran, so I cannot share your sentiment. But time will tell."
>"May I ask a question, Louise? Once the barrier is down, and your people come to our world, what happens next?"
>"That will be for Mother to decide."
>"And," she adds, "it depends on if the Celestials are already moving against us."
-
>Nod.
>"My thoughts are, if the barrier has fallen, what stops Makai from following you?"
-
>Nod.
>"My thoughts are, if the barrier has fallen, what stops Makai from following you?"
>"I can draw one conclusion I could have faith in. Once Mother is on this side, we would have the power to erect a barrier of our own. Mother, we Champions, the Avatars and the Seventh. Not to mention the rest of the Children."
>"Of course," she adds after a moment, "If you are yours were also on our side, such a barrier would be even stronger."
-
>Nod again.
>"But in the meantime? Before she can set it up, what stops Makai from following your people, as it followed you. Especially if the Celestials should ambush you as you come..."
-
>Nod again.
>"But in the meantime? Before she can set it up, what stops Makai from following your people, as it followed you. Especially if the Celestials should ambush you as you come..."
>"If they do, then you and yours shall defend us, yes, Magical Lotus?"
-
>"I don't know if I would be around to help any longer, in that sort of scenario."
-
>"I don't know if I would be around to help any longer, in that sort of scenario."
>"That's up to you."
-
>"Perhaps so. But if that is the case, would I really be enough to deal with it? Enough to keep Makai from following you though?"
-
>"Perhaps so. But if that is the case, would I really be enough to deal with it? Enough to keep Makai from following you though?"
>Louise frowns. "That isn't what I said, Magical Lotus."
-
>"Yes, but I asked beforehand. What is going to stop Makai from following you through? Especially if anything goes wrong?"
-
>"Yes, but I asked beforehand. What is going to stop Makai from following you through? Especially if anything goes wrong?"
>"Did I not answer that question?"
-
>Shake head.
>"You merely asked if I would be there. And I told you that it may not be possible. Nor might I be enough to keep things calm enough for Makai to be stopped. Nor may there been time, we've seen the Tar follow you here and it is an immobile predator. What other kinds of predators may come as well? If the barrier is down, even for a moment, would that be enough? An instant was enough to follow you, from what we've seen. It seems the predator that is Makai might not let your people go so easily, after all. This is why I ask."
-
>Shake head.
>"You merely asked if I would be there. And I told you that it may not be possible. Nor might I be enough to keep things calm enough for Makai to be stopped. Nor may there been time, we've seen the Tar follow you here and it is an immobile predator. What other kinds of predators may come as well? If the barrier is down, even for a moment, would that be enough? An instant was enough to follow you, from what we've seen. It seems the predator that is Makai might not let your people go so easily, after all. This is why I ask."
>The Water demon considers your words. "It is true what you say. Makai may indeed seek to follow my kind into this world. It may not, as well, we have only the one example to draw upon. If we are all fortunate, that lone Tar pool will be all that blights your world. Of course, I do understand your concern on that issue, I simply cannot draw any solid conclusions."
>"And as for whether or not you and your allies will be there, again I say, that decision is yours."
-
>"Another question about Makai, before we consider this. You say it is a predator, yes? Does this mean that the more it devours, the stronger it becomes?"
-
>"Another question about Makai, before we consider this. You say it is a predator, yes? Does this mean that the more it devours, the stronger it becomes?"
>Louise ponders your question. "As I understand, Makai doesn't gain power directly from its successes. Its power is static. But it does bring more and more power, and predators, to bear against us as Mother's power wanes."
-
>"I wonder something... the barrier was only created after your kind were banished to Makai, yes?"
-
>"I wonder something... the barrier was only created after your kind were banished to Makai, yes?"
>"To keep us there, yes."
-
>"Then what was keeping Makai itself in, before?"
-
>"Then what was keeping Makai itself in, before?"
>"I don't know." the demon admits.
-
>"Do you know if the planet began to predate upon your kind immediately after your arrival there? Were these creatures already there, or did they only appear afterward?"
-
>"Do you know if the planet began to predate upon your kind immediately after your arrival there? Were these creatures already there, or did they only appear afterward?"
>"Makai spawned its horrors to destroy us."
-
>"Let's revisit the previous question for a moment. You said that you cannot draw any solid conclusions. Do you think that any of your fellow champions could?"
-
>"Let's revisit the previous question for a moment. You said that you cannot draw any solid conclusions. Do you think that any of your fellow champions could?"
>"Which question was that?"
-
>"How likely it is that Makai will try to follow your people into this world."
-
>"How likely it is that Makai will try to follow your people into this world."
>"I don't really know. Forest is much wiser than me, but she doesn't know everything about Makai. But of us six, she would have the greatest chance of knowing."
-
>Nod.
>"It seems that it may be necessary to bring it to her attention, then, if your purpose is to conquer this world and make it a haven for your people."
-
>Nod.
>"It seems that it may be necessary to bring it to her attention, then, if your purpose is to conquer this world and make it a haven for your people."
>"At the moment, Magical Lotus, I believe I will have to ask you to do that for me. Unless, of course, you plan to free me."
-
>"How would I go about doing so?"
-
>"How would I go about doing so?"
>"You tell me, you're the one who made this cell for me."
-
>"I meant the former, rather."
-
>"I meant the former, rather."
>"Contacting Forest, you mean."
>"I don't believe you can. At least I can't think of a way, not unless she finds you first. Which she will, when she comes, you can be sure of that."
-
>"And when she does, how do I let her know I am carrying a message from you?"
-
>"And when she does, how do I let her know I am carrying a message from you?"
>"Tell her so." Louise says simply. "She will know if you are attempting to deceive her or not."
-
>"That sounds like a handy skill. How does she do it?"
-
>"That sounds like a handy skill. How does she do it?"
>"I think that's a question you should ask her. If she chooses to tell you, so be it."
-
>Chuckle. "I suppose that is true. Does this mean that she can verify anything that I say, or just words that are carried from you?"
>"As well, if other champions should interfere, how shall I let them know I am carrying a message from you for Forest?"
-
>Chuckle. "I suppose that is true. Does this mean that she can verify anything that I say, or just words that are carried from you?"
>"As well, if other champions should interfere, how shall I let them know I am carrying a message from you for Forest?"
>"I mean she can't be deceived. By you or any other Terran."
>"Tell them just as you'd tell Forest herself."
-
>"What would prevent the other champions from claiming I am trying to deceive them and interfering? It's quite easy for me to invoke your name for all sorts of things, should I be so inclined."
-
>"What would prevent the other champions from claiming I am trying to deceive them and interfering? It's quite easy for me to invoke your name for all sorts of things, should I be so inclined."
>"Nothing." Louise answers. "It will be on you to convince them, and since you are still an enemy at the moment, they may not have cause to believe you."
-
>"And there is nothing you can tell me to help convince them?"
-
>"And there is nothing you can tell me to help convince them?"
>"So long as you are our enemy, no, I cannot. I don't know the others enough to know what will convince them of that. I can tell you that Air probably won't care. You are Terran, so she will likely think you have nothing worth saying. But Forest is the only one you really need to concern yourself with. If she wants to listen to you, the rest of us won't interfere." She pauses. "Except possibly Air. Of all of us, Air is a fool."
-
>"I see. Did you all have no method to communicate with each other indirectly, then?"
-
>"I see. Did you all have no method to communicate with each other indirectly, then?"
>"If we did, it wouldn't do either of us any good, as I have no communication with the world outside this cell. Apart from you yourself and your allies, of course."
-
>"No, but it would help me consider how to approach this problem if you did and shared that information with me."
-
>"No, but it would help me consider how to approach this problem if you did and shared that information with me."
>"I can't. Anymore than you would tell me if you and your allies have such comunication means."
-
>"Are you sure? I would think it's rather important for you to share this information now, with regards to the task you have been given."
-
>"Are you sure? I would think it's rather important for you to share this information now, with regards to the task you have been given."
>"You're still our enemy." Louise reminds you.
-
>"I would debate that, but I understand what you mean. I suppose the question becomes, is flummoxing an enemy more important than achieving your goal?"
-
>"I would debate that, but I understand what you mean. I suppose the question becomes, is flummoxing an enemy more important than achieving your goal?"
>"Your question is nonsensical."
-
>"Is it? It is merely a choice of that is more important, stymieing any effort I might take against you, or securing your overall goal."
-
>"Is it? It is merely a choice of that is more important, stymieing any effort I might take against you, or securing your overall goal."
>The Water Demon merely regards you with her closed-eyed visage.
-
>"You cannot really have both at this point, can you? If you withhold information, then it seems to me that you're not pursuing the fulfillment of your objective. Is that wrong?"
-
>"You cannot really have both at this point, can you? If you withhold information, then it seems to me that you're not pursuing the fulfillment of your objective. Is that wrong?"
>"Terran, I don't know what you're talking about. If I was one to make assumptions, I would believe you were trying to make fun of me."
-
>"No, I am not. But I may be looking at the situation a little differently. Your purpose is to conquer this world and make it a haven for your people, is it not?"
-
>"No, I am not. But I may be looking at the situation a little differently. Your purpose is to conquer this world and make it a haven for your people, is it not?"
>"I believe we've discussed that."
-
>"I know, but please confirm it for me so I may clear any misunderstandings I have."
-
>"I know, but please confirm it for me so I may clear any misunderstandings I have."
>"If I must. Yes, your summary is essentially correct."
-
>Nod.
>"Then, if there is a chance that Makai is going to follow you through, doesn't that imperil your entire mission?"
-
>Nod.
>"Then, if there is a chance that Makai is going to follow you through, doesn't that imperil your entire mission?"
>"Ah, I think I see the disconnect between us." Louise says with a faint nod. "You assume that what happened once could happen again. And you may be right, I don't know. The point is, I don't know. And I will not compromise myself, or the other Champions, on a 'maybe'."
-
>"Mmm, I see. In my case, I wouldn't want to compromise the main goal on a maybe."
-
>"Mmm, I see. In my case, I wouldn't want to compromise the main goal on a maybe."
>"It appears this is another way in which we differ, Magical Lotus."
-
>"That may be so. May I ask why you have drawn the conclusion you have?"
-
>"That may be so. May I ask why you have drawn the conclusion you have?"
>"What conclusion do you think I've drawn?"
-
>"It seems that you are choosing a path to achieve your goal that may not be feasible in light of what you've discovered today. In that light, it seems the best thing you can do is make sure that others know about it and then adjust plans accordingly so that time and resources are not wasted in ignorance. As it is, you are risking your people's future on something that now has a significant likelihood of being fatally flawed."
-
>"It seems that you are choosing a path to achieve your goal that may not be feasible in light of what you've discovered today. In that light, it seems the best thing you can do is make sure that others know about it and then adjust plans accordingly so that time and resources are not wasted in ignorance. As it is, you are risking your people's future on something that now has a significant likelihood of being fatally flawed."
>"You see a flaw where I do not, Terran. While it is true that one lone Tar pool followed me, there is no way to know it has happened to the others, if it will happen to the others, or if it will happen once we succeed. One pool of Tar does not change anything."
-
>"I don't agree. If it happened once, then the groundwork for it to happen again exists, and it becomes a question of how many times it will happen again. I think this is enough that it needs to be considered more carefully, and ways to prevent it discussed. Otherwise, the entire effort may be for naught. Given the stakes involved, I don't think I could take that gamble."
-
>"I don't agree. If it happened once, then the groundwork for it to happen again exists, and it becomes a question of how many times it will happen again. I think this is enough that it needs to be considered more carefully, and ways to prevent it discussed. Otherwise, the entire effort may be for naught. Given the stakes involved, I don't think I could take that gamble."
>"But you are not me."
-
>"That is why I am explaining my reasoning, and why I wish to try and understand yours. Why do you take this gambit, when there is another way?"
-
>"That is why I am explaining my reasoning, and why I wish to try and understand yours. Why do you take this gambit, when there is another way?"
>The demon folds her hands at the small of her back. "Do you always talk in circles, Terran?"
-
>"When it is appropriate to reference past things, I see no problem with referring to them."
-
>"When it is appropriate to reference past things, I see no problem with referring to them."
>"Is this common among your kind?"
-
>"I'd imagine so."
-
>"I'd imagine so."
>"Conversations amongst your kind must last for quite some time." Louise observes.
-
>Chuckle.
>"With serious issues, they can last for some time. All angles must be considered."
-
>Chuckle.
>"With serious issues, they can last for some time. All angles must be considered."
>"It must take some time to arrive at decisions."
-
>"It can. But it's better to have one that has been properly considered than one which has problems, wouldn't you think?"
-
>"It can. But it's better to have one that has been properly considered than one which has problems, wouldn't you think?"
>"Would it not depend on the situation?"
-
>Nod.
>"True, but moderation can be applied based on the situation. But I think you can agree that higher stakes should require more care in approaching them?"
-
>Nod.
>"True, but moderation can be applied based on the situation. But I think you can agree that higher stakes should require more care in approaching them?"
>"Again, it depends on the situation. Familiarity with certain situations can often negate the need for debate and consideration."
-
>"Quite true, but familiarity alone is can also serve as a bias in some situations. Discerning one from the other is not always as easy as one hopes."
-
>"Quite true, but familiarity alone is can also serve as a bias in some situations. Discerning one from the other is not always as easy as one hopes."
>"On that point, I would agree. Familiarity and experience has its uses, but neither is an all-purpose solution to everything."
-
>"In any case, I suppose the crux of what I'm trying to say is that with the most important of our aims already shown to be reconcilable with each other, the potential incursion of Makai-jin is yet another reason I see for why it is important for our kinds to cooperate rather than antagonize each other. What you wish is to free your people from predation and I also wish to see this. What I wish is to keep the people of this world safe from harm, and this is not incompatible with your own. And neither of us wish to see the denizens of Makai gain any foothold here; on this, I think we can easily agree. Conflict between our peoples squanders the resources that could otherwise be brought to bear in service of both our desires."
>"Neither of us knows for certain how Makai may act during the exodus of your people, and what threat it might pose to their new home. I acknowledge this. But however dire it might or might not prove, the fact remains that it is a threat whose magnitude grows the more each side of this conflict exhausts the other. I would like to avoid that as best I can, and I would hope you feel likewise."
-
>"In any case, I suppose the crux of what I'm trying to say is that with the most important of our aims already shown to be reconcilable with each other, the potential incursion of Makai-jin is yet another reason I see for why it is important for our kinds to cooperate rather than antagonize each other. What you wish is to free your people from predation and I also wish to see this. What I wish is to keep the people of this world safe from harm, and this is not incompatible with your own. And neither of us wish to see the denizens of Makai gain any foothold here; on this, I think we can easily agree. Conflict between our peoples squanders the resources that could otherwise be brought to bear in service of both our desires."
>"Neither of us knows for certain how Makai may act during the exodus of your people, and what threat it might pose to their new home. I acknowledge this. But however dire it might or might not prove, the fact remains that it is a threat whose magnitude grows the more each side of this conflict exhausts the other. I would like to avoid that as best I can, and I would hope you feel likewise."
>"How I feel is mostly irrelevant, Magical Lotus. There is nothing I can do about it, so long as I am imprisoned here by you."
>Mistress, I've been thinkin' while you've been talkin'. Rin's voice interrupts cautiously. I think I might have an idea.
-
>Yes?
-
>Yes?
>If she doesn't want to tell you how her kind talk to each other, maybe you could get her to write a letter, or something. She's magic, might be more magical than us, maybe she could make a message-magic we could take back into our world.
-
>That is an excellent thought.
>"That is not true, on either front. Your opinion is relevant, because you are a person, and because you have a great stake in the outcome of these times, regardless of your role in them. Even if it changed nothing else, I would be glad of having been able to share some piece of common ground between our peoples. But perhaps there might still be something you can do, even from here."
>"Do your kind have something analogous to writing letters? Some way to create a communication without having to deliver it in person? Your magic might not be able to reach outside this place, but that might not mean there is no way for worried to be ferried out via another."
-
>That is an excellent thought.
>"That is not true, on either front. Your opinion is relevant, because you are a person, and because you have a great stake in the outcome of these times, regardless of your role in them. Even if it changed nothing else, I would be glad of having been able to share some piece of common ground between our peoples. But perhaps there might still be something you can do, even from here."
>"Do your kind have something analogous to writing letters? Some way to create a communication without having to deliver it in person? Your magic might not be able to reach outside this place, but that might not mean there is no way for worried to be ferried out via another."
>The Water demon considers that. "That thought had occurred to me as well. But I did not think it would be possible. I could easily encode a message into a physical form that any could carry, much as I produced those rings you destroyed. The other Champions would recognize my power instantly. But, as you said, everything I have thrown at the walls of this cell has proven incapable of penetrating the walls. I believe this would be the case for anything I gave you as well. It would either scatter or shatter upon impact with the boundary of this place."
-
>"Is there any harm to be had in trying?"
-
>"Is there any harm to be had in trying?"
>"I can't see any harm." the demon admits. "On the other hand, I see little help, either."
>"Although, I suppose that could be up to you." Louise adds after a moment.
-
>"Little help in that you do not think the others would heed what you might have to say to them?"
-
>"Little help in that you do not think the others would heed what you might have to say to them?"
>"Little help in that I don't believe my power can leave this place."
-
>"Perhaps it might, if I were to carry it through myself. The barrier recognizes me."
-
>"Perhaps it might, if I were to carry it through myself. The barrier recognizes me."
>"You would know better than me." Louise concedes. "This cell was your creation."
-
>"And I see that we lose little by trying, other than a few minutes."
-
>"And I see that we lose little by trying, other than a few minutes."
>"Time is one thing it appears I have in abundance." Louise remarks dryly. "Very well, I shall give you what you request. If nothing else, it will tell me one more thing about this cell."
>As the demon raises her hands up in front of her, Rin's voice returns, I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but, is there any kinda chance she could be tryin' to get one over on ya, Lotus? I mean, she could've agreed for her own ends.
-
>I would like to hope not, but I cannot rule it out. I will see the form her message takes and examine it closely.
-
>I would like to hope not, but I cannot rule it out. I will see the form her message takes and examine it closely.
>Louise holds her hands in front of her, palms facing each other. Blueish energy courses between her two open palms, and a globe of some sort begins to form between them, expanding outwards as Louise channels her power into the thing. "This will take a little bit longer than it usually does." she comments idly. "It's hardly every day I have to make something like this."
>When the sphere reaches the size of a large marble, energy stops flowing between Louise's hands, and you sense her no longer focusing power upon it. "It is done."
-
>Get a good look at the sphere
>What can we sense from it?
-
>Get a good look at the sphere
>What can we sense from it?
>The sphere appears outwardly to be made of a solid, dull blue material. It is the size and shape of a large marble, pocket sized.
>You could sense Louise crafting the thing out of her demonic energy, but now that the object appears complete, it responds to your mystic sense as inert, not unlike a piece of rock. There are still linger traces of Water Champion power around the object and the demon's palms, but not from the marble itself.
-
>Do we see any etchings or other sign of how its message might be conveyed?
>If not: "And this sphere will be capable of conveying a message?"
-
>Do we see any etchings or other sign of how its message might be conveyed?
>If not: "And this sphere will be capable of conveying a message?"
>Not what you can see from here.
>"Indeed." Louise says as she uses her power to float the marble in your direction. "I've keyed the message in the sphere to play when a keyphrase is spoken near it."
-
>"Oh, I see. And what is the keyphrase?"
-
>"Oh, I see. And what is the keyphrase?"
>"'I have a message from the Champion of Water.' If you say that while holding the sphere, it will play the message. Assuming of course, you are able to take it out of this cell."
-
>"Yes, of course. Can it do this more than once?"
-
>"Yes, of course. Can it do this more than once?"
>"More than once? Oh, you mean, can I make more than one message?"
-
>"Rather can it transmit its message more than once? I wouldn't want to trigger it accidentally and waste it. Or show it to one champion only to run into another."
-
>"Rather can it transmit its message more than once? I wouldn't want to trigger it accidentally and waste it. Or show it to one champion only to run into another."
>"Yes. It has enough power to transmit it message four times."
>"But there's five other Champions." Rin protests.
>"Forest will listen without any word from me."
-
>"May I ask what the exact message is, so that it doesn't come as a surprise to me the first time I play it?"
-
>"May I ask what the exact message is, so that it doesn't come as a surprise to me the first time I play it?"
>"Sensible. I wanted to keep it simple and somewhat versatile, since obviously I cannot be there to change the message for each situation. So I chose, 'The Terran carries a warning about the Beasts that Makai spawned. She confronted a Devouring Tar pool on this world. She does not want these predators in this world any more than we do. If the need arises, her and her allies could be our allies, against Makai if nothing else.'
-
>"Thank you. I appreciate this."
>Take the marble in hand and give it another deep scan with our senses. Do we feel any of the demonic aura from it at all now?
-
>"Thank you. I appreciate this."
>Take the marble in hand and give it another deep scan with our senses. Do we feel any of the demonic aura from it at all now?
>"Your appreciation is a bit premature." Louise answers, lowering her arms. "This still may not work."
>You acquire: Message Orb from the Water Champion
>Taking the orb in your hand, you turn your mystic sense upon it once more. But just as before, it responds as a no more than a rock.
>"It will not react to any power apart from that of another Champion." Louise informs you. "That way, it will not activate when not in the presence of one of us, so as not to waste a charge."
-
>"That sounds sensible. And I disagree that my appreciation is premature, for I shall remain appreciative even if it cannot leave this place. You offered me this aid of your own volition; I am grateful for your actions, not merely their success."
-
>"That sounds sensible. And I disagree that my appreciation is premature, for I shall remain appreciative even if it cannot leave this place. You offered me this aid of your own volition; I am grateful for your actions, not merely their success."
>"That is your perogative."
-
>"Before I leave, I wanted to ask you if there was anything I could do for you here that might make your stay a little more comfortable?"
-
>"Before I leave, I wanted to ask you if there was anything I could do for you here that might make your stay a little more comfortable?"
>The Water demon's eyes open in dull surprise. "More?"
-
>"Well, I understand that you would ideally rather leave, but for the time-being that you remain here, I would rather you be no more uncomfortable than you must. I did not send you to this place to suffer, after all, but to safeguard the people of my world until it was no longer necessary to do so. The surroundings seem fairly pleasant to my eyes, but they are of course not yours. Were it not for our conversation, I might suggest adding a few touches from your homeland, but the place you come from doesn't sound as though it would evoke many happy memories."
-
>"Well, I understand that you would ideally rather leave, but for the time-being that you remain here, I would rather you be no more uncomfortable than you must. I did not send you to this place to suffer, after all, but to safeguard the people of my world until it was no longer necessary to do so. The surroundings seem fairly pleasant to my eyes, but they are of course not yours. Were it not for our conversation, I might suggest adding a few touches from your homeland, but the place you come from doesn't sound as though it would evoke many happy memories."
>Even clarifying your statement doesn't seem to completely alleviate the water demon's confusion. At least not at first, but after a moment, her eyes close again. "Taking our earlier conversation into acount, Magical Lotus, I ask what you think I could want to feel more 'comfortable', than what you have already fashioned."
-
>"I don't know; that is why I asked."
-
>"I don't know; that is why I asked."
>"Comfort is a concept virtually unknown to my kind." Louise informs you. "Only in Mother's castle do we ever know any kind of safety at all, and then it is only fleeting, for all of us know we cannot stay. Here, however, there are no pools of Devouring Tar, no creatures of Makai at all. The only thing that I felt threatened me here was the ally of yours who is not here, since I did not know if she could destroy this cell with me still in it. And you have told me you would stop her from doing so, if she had that power. Lotus, there is nothing here to threaten me. I may well be the first Child ever able to say that. I am, in all likelihood, the most comfortable Child that has ever existed."
-
>"These are curious times we find ourselves in, I think - all of us. Though the method might be double-edged, I am glad I was at least able to offer you this much. And I promise I will do my best to bring a happy resolution to this conflict, for both our peoples."
>"Hmmm.... do you need to eat anything for sustenance?"
-
>"These are curious times we find ourselves in, I think - all of us. Though the method might be double-edged, I am glad I was at least able to offer you this much. And I promise I will do my best to bring a happy resolution to this conflict, for both our peoples."
>"Hmmm.... do you need to eat anything for sustenance?"
>"Not here, it seems." Louise answers, turning her head slightly upwards towards the pink sky. "Whatever force here that stabilizes my energy also seems to have affected my metabolism in a similar way. I've not hungered since you imprisoned me."
-
>"Oh. Hmmm... well, I suppose that is rather convenient."
-
>"Oh. Hmmm... well, I suppose that is rather convenient."
>"Agreed. It is one of the reasons I have no need to tax myself trying to escape. Some of the others might try, but I am patient."
-
>"I hope to see you free again, one day before too long - in comfort nearly as secure as now. You know what has been asked of you. I can also be patient."
-
>"I hope to see you free again, one day before too long - in comfort nearly as secure as now. You know what has been asked of you. I can also be patient."
>"I am not capable of hope, Magical Lotus. But I would prefer to see you again, as well, if Forest is willing. Time will tell."
-
>Nod
>"I am glad I had this chance to get to know you better, and I promise we will speak again. If hope is not something you are capable of, then I will carry enough for the both of us and more besides. Be well, Louise."
>Let's turn and walk back to where we arrived in this world. Approximately, anyway.
-
Before we head out, and since you're never on IRC when I am lately, I think there's one last thing we need to ask her, maybe two things.
A. She claimed we worked for someone. Given we work for no one but the Heavenly Buddha, this bears worth in investigating.
B. We ought to ask about what she wanted us to do to join them more in depth.
-
>Nod
>"I am glad I had this chance to get to know you better, and I promise we will speak again. If hope is not something you are capable of, then I will carry enough for the both of us and more besides. Be well, Louise."
>Let's turn and walk back to where we arrived in this world. Approximately, anyway.
>The Water demon merely watches as you turn and walk away, White Rose just behind you. Magical Lily, however, seems to linger for a moment, a mysterious look on her face as she regards Louise. Coming, Lily? Rin asks her quietly. Slowly at first, Lily does turn and starts to follow after you both. Something bothering you? Rin asks her as you head back towards the wooded path you found yourself upon when you entered.
>No. Yes, yeah, there kind of is. Lily answers. How can she say she can't feel hope? EVERYONE has hope, everyTHING. Hope.... is life!
-
>For all the ways she is like us, she is also different, and we do not yet know all the ways that this is so. Perhaps she speaks truly? Or perhaps she does not like to call it by that name. Perhaps hope for the future has been something so long-denied her kind that they can no longer even think of it as such? I do not know.
-
>For all the ways she is like us, she is also different, and we do not yet know all the ways that this is so. Perhaps she speaks truly? Or perhaps she does not like to call it by that name. Perhaps hope for the future has been something so long-denied her kind that they can no longer even think of it as such? I do not know.
>Yeah, but... Lily frowns, her wings fluttering sharply. It... It doesn't make sense! Everyone has hope, I mean, you HAVE to.
>Not everyone. Rin replies. Not everyone.
>What.... Oh. The blonde's wings droop. Rin, I'm, I'm sorry...
>"It's all right." the kasha says quietly. "I never got that bad. But I did see some dat were."
-
>And however bad their lot was, imagine knowing that it was little better for any other of your kind and that there was no way out - for as long as almost anyone there could remember. A battle for survival that would never end. It is hard for us to even fully grasp what that kind of existence must be like. In truth, perhaps I am glad that I cannot, selfish though that is; we have had a precious privilege they have not. Even if their future brightens, it may still take them a long time to adjust to it not being dark.
>Or perhaps there is some other facet of their psychology that we do not understand. We still know little about them, after all.
-
>And however bad their lot was, imagine knowing that it was little better for any other of your kind and that there was no way out - for as long as almost anyone there could remember. A battle for survival that would never end. It is hard for us to even fully grasp what that kind of existence must be like. In truth, perhaps I am glad that I cannot, selfish though that is; we have had a precious privilege they have not. Even if their future brightens, it may still take them a long time to adjust to it not being dark.
>Or perhaps there is some other facet of their psychology that we do not understand. We still know little about them, after all.
>I wonder if there's anythin' else they can't feel. says Rin. If they don't feel hope, what about... I dunno, love? compassion?
>Well, they're not TOTALLY different from us, at least. Lily counters. You saw how sad Icy was.
>Icy? Rin asks wryly.
>Lily's face brightens just a touch. Sure, why not. I mean, we do want to be their friends.
-
>I am very glad that we could find some common ground with Louise. This meeting gives me hope for both our futures, even if the road before us may now be even harder than it was before. Now we have not just one world to save, but a second. And I suspect that some of Louise's compatriots will not share her attitude or reason.
-
>I am very glad that we could find some common ground with Louise. This meeting gives me hope for both our futures, even if the road before us may now be even harder than it was before. Now we have not just one world to save, but a second. And I suspect that some of Louise's compatriots will not share her attitude or reason.
>Yeah, Fire and Air, for a start. Rin states with a mental grunt. Ice and Fire were bad enough as a pair, and Ice didn't really want to fight us. Air does. And then there's the Forest one. If she's as bad as Louise says... Well, I hope she'll take as much as Louise did.
-
>As do I. Air, at least, seemed much less powerful than Fire when I encountered her. At the very least, her youma were. I suppose I should not make premature assessments until we actually do battle. I hope they will eventually acquiesce to cooperate with us, but that is a problem to be solved later.
-
>As do I. Air, at least, seemed much less powerful than Fire when I encountered her. At the very least, her youma were. I suppose I should not make premature assessments until we actually do battle. I hope they will eventually acquiesce to cooperate with us, but that is a problem to be solved later.
>An' speakin' of problems, what do you think we should do about these Avatars she talked about? Rin asks you.
-
>It is difficult to do anything without knowing what they are.
>I wonder if the Metal Tiger might know something of what she meant? But attempting to contact Him again is probably still unsafe. In truth, I find the issue of Satori weighing on my mind at the moment. We understand much of the demons' objectives, their means, and their motives - not all of it, but much. But the nature of the danger at the shine of the Metal Tiger remains opaque, and worse, it keeps us from operating as freely as we otherwise might; it forces us to be wary and keep secrets that we might otherwise need not. And it may yet even be connected with this other matter in some significant way.
-
>It is difficult to do anything without knowing what they are.
>I wonder if the Metal Tiger might know something of what she meant? But attempting to contact Him again is probably still unsafe. In truth, I find the issue of Satori weighing on my mind at the moment. We understand much of the demons' objectives, their means, and their motives - not all of it, but much. But the nature of the danger at the shine of the Metal Tiger remains opaque, and worse, it keeps us from operating as freely as we otherwise might; it forces us to be wary and keep secrets that we might otherwise need not. And it may yet even be connected with this other matter in some significant way.
>Aye, like the Axe of Talik. Rin agrees, referencing the sword of damocles old Eire proverb of impending doom. An' if I understand you right, we can't just go up there and start asking questions, or we'll just draw the eye of... well, whoever or whatever's behind it all, right?
-
>That is how I understand it to be. As a consequence, I am reluctant to bring more people into our circle that I do not already deeply trust; each new person is another chance that something may become exposed to the wrong people. I wish that we at least knew what we were dealing with; it is difficult to plan in absence of almost all information.
-
>That is how I understand it to be. As a consequence, I am reluctant to bring more people into our circle that I do not already deeply trust; each new person is another chance that something may become exposed to the wrong people. I wish that we at least knew what we were dealing with; it is difficult to plan in absence of almost all information.
>I'm still worried about Kiku. Lily adds. Her living there and all.
>And she doesn't have an idea what the problem really is? asks Rin.
-
>No more than I, as far as I know. I am not sure she's had much opportunity to investigate over the last couple days, and understandably she needs to do so subtly. She spent some time the other day preparing countermeasures to sleeping magic, as I believe I felt something of that nature being used against me on the last night I was at the shrine. Though Kiku said that none of the shrine maidens I dealt with should have been capable of performing such a thing. There is much we do not know, and who knows how many people at that shrine might have similar memory blocks implanted in them as Lily and Kiku had?
-
>No more than I, as far as I know. I am not sure she's had much opportunity to investigate over the last couple days, and understandably she needs to do so subtly. She spent some time the other day preparing countermeasures to sleeping magic, as I believe I felt something of that nature being used against me on the last night I was at the shrine. Though Kiku said that none of the shrine maidens I dealt with should have been capable of performing such a thing. There is much we do not know, and who knows how many people at that shrine might have similar memory blocks implanted in them as Lily and Kiku had?
>And that ain't the sorta thing you can just ask someone about anyways. your kasha says with a faint nod. But we probably should talk about this with Kiku when we get back.
>Maybe after we tell her about this little chat with Louise? Lily ventures. She's gonna have a lot of questions.
>Oh yeah. But I do wonder if I should pop up there to have a look around. A person asking questions is bound ta draw eyes from someone, but a cat at the Cat shrine'd be a different story.
-
>Kiku is best-positioned to investigate this. She knows the place well, and her rank means that she would have normal access to nearly anywhere in it without drawing suspicion. Plus she says that the Tiger is shielding her thoughts from notice. You might escape detection in the conventional way, Rin, but you do not have this protection. At the very least, I think I would consult her before suggesting this.
-
>Kiku is best-positioned to investigate this. She knows the place well, and her rank means that she would have normal access to nearly anywhere in it without drawing suspicion. Plus she says that the Tiger is shielding her thoughts from notice. You might escape detection in the conventional way, Rin, but you do not have this protection. At the very least, I think I would consult her before suggesting this.
>Aye. It's her yard, I'd wanna ask her anyway.
-
>She may be otherwise occupied tonight, but I wonder now if we should make this issue our priority over tracking down Fire and Ice once more. I hesitate on the possibility that others might come to harm from them in the meantime, but at least we mostly understand what we are dealing with in that regard. Here, I fear that some facet of the issue at the shrine may extend beyond it and undermine us from a blindspot. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it leaves me with a bad feeling.
-
>She may be otherwise occupied tonight, but I wonder now if we should make this issue our priority over tracking down Fire and Ice once more. I hesitate on the possibility that others might come to harm from them in the meantime, but at least we mostly understand what we are dealing with in that regard. Here, I fear that some facet of the issue at the shrine may extend beyond it and undermine us from a blindspot. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it leaves me with a bad feeling.
>Rin makes a thoughtful noise. More eyes'd help, that way we could handle both. But we might be able to handle both anyways, if we could keep track of the demons. Make sure they ain't up to no good.
>But we can't find them that easily. Lily protests. We'd have done it by now if we could.
>Maybe WE can't, Lily, but Lotus might have an edge on us there. You sensed Fire coming before he arrived, didn't you, mistress?
-
>Yes, but not Ice; her presence I could not sense at all before her arrival. I probably could have tracked Fire as he left, but at the time I felt it more important to try and communicate with Ice. And Air is still at large - I know not where she is, either. Probably I could find Fire again if I put my mind to it, but I would not want to divide our forces before we confronted them - not if we get to decide the terms of our second meeting. In truth, I would rather it be even more than just the four of us, if an opportunity presents. And here the matter with Satori is an interference, because it pressures me to keep our circle small; if there are subtle forces working against us through manipulation of information, the wider we spread, the more likely they will find out what they need before we find out who they are.
-
>Yes, but not Ice; her presence I could not sense at all before her arrival. I probably could have tracked Fire as he left, but at the time I felt it more important to try and communicate with Ice. And Air is still at large - I know not where she is, either. Probably I could find Fire again if I put my mind to it, but I would not want to divide our forces before we confronted them - not if we get to decide the terms of our second meeting. In truth, I would rather it be even more than just the four of us, if an opportunity presents. And here the matter with Satori is an interference, because it pressures me to keep our circle small; if there are subtle forces working against us through manipulation of information, the wider we spread, the more likely they will find out what they need before we find out who they are.
>All the more reason to get this Satori problem sorted first. says Rin. Sooner we can stop worryin' about what's behind us, sooner we can focus on what's in front of us.
>Is that a line from something? Lily asks her.
>Nah, just something Konngara's father used ta say a lot.
-
>This is also how I feel. The sooner we can eliminate some of these unknowns, the better we can plan for the confrontations that we know are coming. We should speak of this with Kiku once we return.
-
>This is also how I feel. The sooner we can eliminate some of these unknowns, the better we can plan for the confrontations that we know are coming. We should speak of this with Kiku once we return.
>I sort of hope Satori can join us once we fix the problem. Lily says with a faint smile. She's nice. Sort of strange, but I liked her. Was a good strange.
-
>I also hope things can end well, but we'll have a better idea of that once we understand what we're facing.
>Take a last look around
>Is there anything else you think we should do here before we return?
-
>I also hope things can end well, but we'll have a better idea of that once we understand what we're facing.
>Take a last look around
>Is there anything else you think we should do here before we return?
>Lily glances back down the path towards the lake. I'd like to talk more to her about that hope thing, but I suppose it can wait.
-
>We'll be back again. And perhaps she'll have had more time to think it over by that point. More time to enjoy the peace and security that she has never had the benefit of before.
>A strange irony that a place created as a prison could end up in some way a blessing to the one cast inside it. I am glad things ended as they did.
-
>We'll be back again. And perhaps she'll have had more time to think it over by that point. More time to enjoy the peace and security that she has never had the benefit of before.
>A strange irony that a place created as a prison could end up in some way a blessing to the one cast inside it. I am glad things ended as they did.
>Rin mutters something quietly, but you think she spoke Eire, which you don't speak fluently enough to catch.
>Lily however has a bigger reaction, smiling broadly. You said it, Byakuren. I was just happy we didn't have to kill her, but this is even better than I'd hoped. Now, if we can do the same for the other five, that'd be swell.
-
>When the time comes, we'll see. I hope for some of them, we might not even need to.
>Let's return.
>Assuming no other comments, let's hold hands again and pull ourselves back to where we left. Use the keystone as the anchor to the outside world, just as we made it to be. As we do, hold the message orb that Louise gave us in our hand, and shroud it in our power. Allow it to pass through the barrier because we will it to do so. Because we carry it with us, as we did with Rin. And let's hope it works.
-
>When the time comes, we'll see. I hope for some of them, we might not even need to.
>Let's return.
>Assuming no other comments, let's hold hands again and pull ourselves back to where we left. Use the keystone as the anchor to the outside world, just as we made it to be. As we do, hold the message orb that Louise gave us in our hand, and shroud it in our power. Allow it to pass through the barrier because we will it to do so. Because we carry it with us, as we did with Rin. And let's hope it works.
>Joining hands with Lily and White Rose once more, the three of you pool your will and send it outwards to find the touchstone you crafted in the physical world. After a moment's searching beyond the wall of the Oubliette, you locate the beacon. The effect is akin to spying the glow of a lighthouse through a dense bank of fog. Locking onto to it, you launch yourself upwards towards the beacon, your comrades right alongside you.
>You take close note of the barrier as you draw near it, to ensure that the message orb nestled in your hand survives the transition from pocket plane to physical plane. Shrouded as it is by your own energy, the Oubliette walls do not seem to react to it at all as you move through the magical wall. Pleased, you still keep an eye on the orb itself to make sure it doesn't become active once free of the Oubliette, but it remains as inert as it was within as you and your friends reel yourselves back through the rainbow corridor to to world of the real.
>You also feel Rin's hand tighten around yours just a bit as you move through the lights. The kasha clearly is still a bit overwhelmed by the experience. You give her hand a reassuring squeeze as you approach the wall of light marking the boundary into the Earth.
>As you make the transition from the Oubliette's passage into the real world, your eyes are momentarily overcome by a wall of white light. You also hear the sound of two voices coming from somewhere to your right. One's exclamation is in Moscovich, which you don't understand, though the intonation is that of a curse. The other voice, a rather familiar one, is definately a curse, as her accented tone yells, "Hell's Fire!"
-
>Oh dear; who have we startled?
-
>Oh dear; who have we startled?
>The deeper, louder foreign voice is strange to you, but the other one sounds like the Eagle.
-
>Can we still not see well enough to tell for sure?
-
>Can we still not see well enough to tell for sure?
>After a few seconds, your eyes adjust to the light of the sun again, and you turn to look at the sources of the voices. One of them is indeed the Eagle, clad in her faded blue jeans and a somewhat battered looking black windbreaker, with a guitar slung on her back. The woman standing next to her is a very imposing figure. She's even taller than the Dragonhawk was, and more muscular, too. Her dark red hair is styled into a sharp mohawk, and despite the chill in the air, she wears brown shorts and a black vest, her large feet stuffed into brown and white sandals which are plainly at least one size too small. The rest of her vestments are similarly bulging to contain the thick muscles of the intimidating woman. The only parts of her attire that seem to fit her comfortably are the blood red wristbands on both arms and the carved bear-head amulet around her neck.
-
>Do they look more displeased or just startled?
-
>Do they look more displeased or just startled?
>The Eagle looks simply startled. The larger one seems much angrier, her lips pulled back into a snarl. Even her teeth are larger than a normal persons, and her canines are unnaturally sharp.
-
>Frown slightly
>"I'm sorry; we didn't mean to startle you. I didn't actually realize anyone was here."
-
>Frown slightly
>"I'm sorry; we didn't mean to startle you. I didn't actually realize anyone was here."
>Bloody hell. Rin mutters.
>The Eagle recovers her composure before her companion, straightening herself with a flap of her brown wings. "And a good afternoon to you, too." she says with aplomb.
-
>Look around, to make sure we haven't trodden upon some of their stuff or somesuch.
>"Yes, good afternoon to you as well."
-
>We'll be okay; don't worry.
>Return a polite nod back to her. "Likewise. I do hope we didn't cause too much of a disturbance."
-
>Look around, to make sure we haven't trodden upon some of their stuff or somesuch.
>You examine your surroundings. Fortunately, everything here appears to be the same as when you arrived, apart from the new women who weren't here before, of course. And neither one of them appears to be carrying anything of note, apart from the acoustic guitar on Eagle's back, which you know to be hers.
>"Yes, good afternoon to you as well."
>We'll be okay; don't worry.
>Return a polite nod back to her. "Likewise. I do hope we didn't cause too much of a disturbance."
>Do you know those two? Rin asks.
>Lily answers, The one with the wings is called Eagle. I think the big one calls herself the Bear.
>"Well, it's not everyday a trio of witches pop up behind a bird." Eagle replies, straightening her jacket. Then she gives you a businesswoman's smile. "On the other hand, I've had far less pleasant surprises from far less pretty ladies." She gives you a shallow bow. "I'm called Eagle, ladies. An independent businesswoman." She extends her left wing out towards her burly friend. "My friend here prefers to be called Bear." The still-snarling hulk of a woman merely nods.
-
>Take it.
>"It is a pleasure. Please call me Lotus."
-
>Take it.
>"It is a pleasure. Please call me Lotus."
>That sounds familiar... Rin ponders.
>Ever heard of the Manari? Lily asks her. Rin shakes her head, ever so slightly. They're a group of four friends, a few years older than us. They were students at Mayoiga High, but, they were kinda troublemakers, I heard.
>"Lotus." Eagle answers, trying out the word. "It suits you rather well. I must admit, if I may, I find myself curious as to what could bring three witches such as yourselves to a place like this."
-
>"It was the shortest path to the ice cream parlor, among other things. Seriously."
-
>"It was the shortest path to the ice cream parlor, among other things. Seriously."
>Both of your friends say, in unison, Huh?
>The Eagle, however, merely grins a knowing grin. "I see. You've certainly picked a unique way to get there." she says approvingly.
-
>It's true, if you think about it!
>Smile a little
>"I'm sure you can appreciate the benefits of being expedient."
-
>It's true, if you think about it!
>Smile a little
>"I'm sure you can appreciate the benefits of being expedient."
>As your two friends cast questioning glances at each other, Eagle nods again. "And the benefits of traveling in style, as well. You don't see that many mages practicing their magic on the streets of a city like Mayoiga. Makes a fine way to make an entrance."
-
>"To be fair, I wasn't actually expecting an audience."
-
>"To be fair, I wasn't actually expecting an audience."
>Eagle chuckles. "Nor were we. Well, that's not entirely true, but this was not quite the audience we had been expecting. Not that I mean to complain, of course." she adds with another shallow bow.
-
>Return the gesture
>"You're too kind."
>"Well, I should hardly want to hold the two of you up. We'd best be on our way. Good luck with your ventures!"
>Let's head back out of the alleyway
-
>In the direction of an ice cream parlor. It is business time.
-
>Return the gesture
>"You're too kind."
>"Well, I should hardly want to hold the two of you up. We'd best be on our way. Good luck with your ventures!"
>"And you with yours, as well." Eagle says politely, but with a grin that is ever-so-slightly pointed.
>Let's head back out of the alleyway
>In the direction of an ice cream parlor. It is business time.
>The imposing figure of the Bear somewhat grudgingly moves to the side, allowing you and your friends to pass out of the alley. You make a right turn, as you are acquainted with an ice cream shop a few minutes' walk down the road, one of two branches of a country-wide chain called Pinkie's Place.
>As you put some distance between you and the unexpected witnesses to your return to Earth, Rin asks, Ice cream?
>Why not? Lily answers brightly. Never a bad time for ice cream!
-
>I found myself wondering, while we spoke with Louise, what it is her kind eats, and how she might find some of the tastier treats of our world. Given the other facets of their life on Makai, I ponder whether they would have had time for such a 'frivolity' as desert. It may sound a little silly, but I've considered bringing something in for her to sample, if she wishes, the next time we have occasion to visit.
>How attention-getting would our current guises be, given the fashion sense of the town? Clearly we seem to look like witches, but would it be strange to see a group of them about in such regalia?
>And is there anywhere else just enough removed from view along the way to switch back?
-
>I found myself wondering, while we spoke with Louise, what it is her kind eats, and how she might find some of the tastier treats of our world. Given the other facets of their life on Makai, I ponder whether they would have had time for such a 'frivolity' as desert. It may sound a little silly, but I've considered bringing something in for her to sample, if she wishes, the next time we have occasion to visit.
>How attention-getting would our current guises be, given the fashion sense of the town? Clearly we seem to look like witches, but would it be strange to see a group of them about in such regalia?
>And is there anywhere else just enough removed from view along the way to switch back?
>I like that! Lily says enthusiastically.
>Rin merely chuckles. That'll win em to our side. Double chocolate bribery. she says with a grin.
>Funnily enough, you actually might be LESS conspicuous now than in your normal state. The outfits worn by the three of you, while exotic and eye-catching, are not entirely out of place in Mayoiga, nor are they in bad taste. But while 'Byakuren Hijiri' is a celebrity in Mayoiga, 'Magical Lotus' is still an unknown to the general public. It's entirely possible you will attract less attention now than you normally do.
>There is another alley on the other side of the shopping square, but it is open on two ends and does not offer as much concealment as the ones on this side. Behind that, however, is a disused video rental store with an elevated bank of land behind it that should offer some seclusion from prying eyes.
-
>Where is the nearest ice cream place?
-
>Where is the nearest ice cream place?
>About eight minutes' walk down the road.
-
>We have a destination, then. Proceed!
-
>We have a destination, then. Proceed!
>Along the way to Pinkie's, you take stock of how long you were in the Oubliette. Your chat with the Water Champion ran a bit longer than you thought, as the time is now a quarter to one in the afternoon. The sky is greyer than when you left, and you wouldn't be surprised to see snow within the hour. The damp chill on the breeze would seem to confirm this.
>You find the streets rather quiet as you head down the road, apart from the notable exceptions of a pair of police cruisers seemingly on patrol. The one that passes by you heading back towards the school emanates a faint aura of magical power, a sensation not completely dissimilar to what you feel when scanning with your own Lightborn powers. Possibly they're searching for something related to the two Champions? You can't be sure. But whatever their goal, they seem to take no note of your or your companions. In fact, apart from a brief exchange of hellos with a pair of black-winged youkai who pass you by on the street, the walk down towards Pinkies is uneventful, save for Lily gushing about various types of ice cream. You get the impression there isn't much in this realm she doesn't like.
>"What about you, White Rose?" she asks after trying to weigh the difference between cotton candy ice cream and cotton candy true. "What's your favourite kind?"
>The kasha smiles a small smile. "Vanilla."
>"Ah, a classic, vanilla."
>"It was the first flavor mistress bought for me."
>You remember that day. Rin had never had a taste of ice cream before you took possession of her. And while she very much enjoyed the treat, you know she enjoyed more simply having the freedom to have it, and the fact that it came from you.
-
>Only the first of many poor deprived souls we will have to introduce to the treat, it seems.
>Does it seem like time might have passed more quickly on the outside of the Oubliette than the inside? Or do we think we were we really gone that long?
-
>Only the first of many poor deprived souls we will have to introduce to the treat, it seems.
>Does it seem like time might have passed more quickly on the outside of the Oubliette than the inside? Or do we think we were we really gone that long?
>So may it be.
>You don't think so. It's more like, between the battles at the school, meeting with Kiku afterwards and then going into the Oubliette and back again, this is the first time you've really had a proper opportunity to take stock of what time it was.
-
>Onward!
-
>Onward!
>The strains of a shamisen reach your ears as you head down the road towards the ice cream parlor. Turning the corner, you spy the source. Sitting just outside the aqua and pink front of Pinkie's Place is a swarthy faced man in a faded vest playing an old folk song on a weather beaten shamisen. A pair of doggirls, just exiting Pinkies, which seems to be rather busy from what you can see, pause to admire his work.
-
>Smile in the musician's direction, and enter!
-
>Smile in the musician's direction, and enter!
>You give the tan man a pleasant look, and egress into Pinkie's Place.
>The smell of freshly made cones of many types wafts across your nose the instant you open the door, a very nice scent indeed. To your right is the display case holding the various tubs of ice cream ready to serve, with the employees behind. Three of them, a short feline youkai girl, a young man with no 'extra' features, and a blue-winged youkai who stands several inches over her co-workers. You left offers seating arrangements, most of which are occupied at the moment by patrons young and old. The back of the store is the merchandise section, where they offer all sorts of bric-a-brac, from T-shirts to pencils and local memorabilia. There is another door along the right wall, leading to the sandwich-offering fast food joint attached to the ice cream parlor.
-
>Get in line.
>If they do free taste samples, ask for one on the vanilla. We have to be sure it's proper vanilla and not cheap grocery store flavorless vanilla.
-
>Get in line.
>If they do free taste samples, ask for one on the vanilla. We have to be sure it's proper vanilla and not cheap grocery store flavorless vanilla.
>You line up behind a group of four humans and a lone male.
>You've actually been here before. They do not offer samples (though you know the manager of the place would like to) but you have sampled their wares before. They make a very very nice ice cream. The only complaint you've had is only once, the single maple cone you ordered was just a little too cold, but that was an isolated incident, and hardly a major complaint.
>The tall server with the wings comes to you after a little over a minute, the smile of a hard working woman on her face. "Howdy, ladies." she greets you.
-
>"I'll have a two scoops of vanilla, with a little chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and whipped cream please. Mmm, and one more with just a scoop of cake batter, please."
>Glance over toward the others.
-
>"I'll have a two scoops of vanilla, with a little chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and whipped cream please. Mmm, and one more with just a scoop of cake batter, please."
>Glance over toward the others.
>"On what kind of cone?"
-
>"A cup for the first one. Mmm, regular cone for the second."
-
>"A cup for the first one. Mmm, regular cone for the second."
>"Certainly." She nods to the sandy haired boy next to her, who moves to start filling your orders. "And for you?" she asks Rin.
>"Vanilla, please. Just one scoop."
>"Regular cone?" The kasha nods. The winged youkai smiles. "Nice and simple."
>"And I'll have a double scoop of cotton candy, caramel sauce, please!" Lily says brightly. "Oh right, on a strawberry cone."
>Her somewhat unusual order makes the tall youkai blink in surprise. "Ah, sure." she nods to the youth to her right once again before giving Lily a smile. "You said that like you've ordered that before."
>"It's really good!" Lily gushes. "Sort of different I know, but it's really good! You girls should try it too!" she adds for you and Rin.
-
>"That does sound interesting. I might just sample it, if you don't mind."
-
>"That does sound interesting. I might just sample it, if you don't mind."
>"Did you want one for yourself, then?" the young man asks you, angling his ear towards you.
-
>"No no, I meant have a bite of hers."
-
>"No no, I meant have a bite of hers."
>"Ohhh. Sorry." the sandy haired man says with a slightly abashed grin. "Don't hear too good outta that one." he explains before returning to filling your order.
>"And that's fine with me." Lily says as she gives you a squeeze. "Ice cream tastes better when you share it!"
-
>Pat Lily on the head. "Then it shall be a pleasure to enhance your own."
-
>Pat Lily on the head. "Then it shall be a pleasure to enhance your own."
>Lily gives you a lovely smile, her blue eyes twinkling. "I like the way you said that."
-
>Obtain The Goods.
-
>Obtain The Goods.
>Claiming Lily's goods has something of an unexpected chain reaction among the crowd, but this is perhaps best left to one's imagination.
>The sandy haired man passes along your order, once it is completed, to the red-haired catgirl to his right, who rings up your total of exactly $12.50. A bit on the pricey side, you note as you accept the two servings, but the product is worth it in the end.
-
>Pay them off. We cannot afford to skimp on this important mission.
-
>Pay them off. We cannot afford to skimp on this important mission.
>Bills and coins change hands.
>You now have $32.50 in cash remaining.
>You acquire 1 Waffle Cup containing two scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with a chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and whipped cream
>You acquire 1 vanilla ice cream with cake batter topping.
>Lily and Rin receive their orders in short order after yours.
-
>Quietly: "Let's find someplace private to go see Louise, shall we?"
-
>Quietly: "Let's find someplace private to go see Louise, shall we?"
>Think Eagle and her friend'll be done in that alley? Lily asks as she takes a long lick of her cold treat.
-
>If they really were waiting on someone who hadn't shown up yet, I wouldn't count on it.
>Anywhere of similar concealment not far off?
-
>If they really were waiting on someone who hadn't shown up yet, I wouldn't count on it.
>Anywhere of similar concealment not far off?
>Good point.
>There is still the rear of that disused video rental store you passed on the way here.
-
>Let's suggest as much and go give that place a try, then
-
>Let's suggest as much and go give that place a try, then
>Lily and White Rose voice no objections, and so the three of you take to horse once more, retracing your steps back up the road. Lily tosses a coin into the shamisen player's open instrument case along the way, which draws a grateful nod from the weathered-faced man.
>There are one or two more places closer to here that would potentially offer you the sort of privacy you are looking for, but given the time of day, and the volume of both foot and vechicle traffic in this part of town at the moment, you can't be sure any of them would either be uninhabited at all, or would remain that way long enough for you to take advantage of, be they used by dubious characters like the Eagle or otherwise.
>Happily, however, the truncated field behind the boarded up building is suitably unoccupied. It is a stretch of land of mixed dirt and grass, leading to a somewhat sharp incline capped by a line of trees.
-
>"Do you think Louise would appreciate our company, or would you all rather we give her the gift and then leave?"
-
>"Do you think Louise would appreciate our company, or would you all rather we give her the gift and then leave?"
>Lily's wings flutter as she hums in thought. "Well, ice cream's always better when you share it. But then again, she is a demon, so maybe it's different for them? Oops!" she blurts, covering her mouth with her free hand. "I guess I shouldn't really call her a demon, should I?"
>"Ya can always ask her yourself." Rin answers. "But it's your call, Lotus, you read folks better than we do."
-
>"Mmm, I think it would make a stronger impression if we were there as well."
-
>"Mmm, I think it would make a stronger impression if we were there as well."
>"Understood." Rin says with a nod.
-
>Let's find a spot that feels properly difficult to view. Then, once everyone is ready, head back to Louisetown.
-
>Let's find a spot that feels properly difficult to view. Then, once everyone is ready, head back to Louisetown.
>Taking a few steps to your right, to conceal yourself behind a particularly dense section of trees, you join hands with your fellow magical girls once more and travel once more down the corridor of light between the physical and the Oubliette. You take note of the message orb Louise gave you as you approach the wall of the cell, just in case it doesn't go in as easily as it came out with you when you cross the threshold. But the little blue rock remains in your pocket as securely as it was before.
>You emerge from the corridor of light virtually in the same place you entered before, the path cut between the cherry trees, with blossoms falling around you.
-
>Head toward where we found Louise last time.
-
>Head toward where we found Louise last time.
>You set off down the path towards the lake again, but you only take a few steps before Lily, who sounds like her tongue is slightly numb now, makes you pause when she says, "Hey, she's up there!" Glancing upwards into the pink sky with its green clouds, you spy not Louise as you saw her last, but the winged snake shape she assumed when you found her beneath the CRA building.
-
>What's she up to?
-
>What's she up to?
>At the moment, she appears to be doing nothing more than flying upwards at about a 75 degree angle. She isn't moving that fast, though.
-
>Observe for a few moments. Direct the others' attentions upward if they haven't noticed yet.
-
>Observe for a few moments. Direct the others' attentions upward if they haven't noticed yet.
>Rin glanced upwards about the same time as you did. Even though she hasn't seen the Water Champion in this form before, she doesn't seem all that surprised to see her flying through the air in that form. Probably due to the fact that Rin herself changes shape at will. Even so, she asks, "You've seen her like that before?"
>Lily nods. "The first time we saw her."
>"Is that her natural form?"
>"Dunno."
>During this exchange, Louise stops dead as though she ran into something, and a section of the sky ripples outward with yellow and blue rings of energy.
-
>Let's see what she does next.
-
>Let's see what she does next.
>"What was that?" Lily wonders aloud.
>"I'd say she hit the wall of this place." Rin answers.
>The serpentine-shaped demon shakes her head, and focuses her eyes on the now seemingly normal patch of sky. A moment later, she unleashes her electric breath upon the barrier, but the lightning has no more effect than her impact did, splashing against the wall but inflicting no damage upon it at all, so far as you can tell. Your connection to the Oubliette doesn't even register this strike, impressive though it may be.
>"How can she have lightning breath if she's the Water champion?" Rin asks.
-
>"Perhaps it means we should be wary of the water in Makai."
>Let's see what follows.
-
>"Perhaps it means we should be wary of the water in Makai."
>Let's see what follows.
>The flying snake watches the ripples of energy dissipate, then turns to her left and slithers through the air. along the wall of her cell. This however takes her in your direction, and she stops after a moment, lowering her head to look in your direction. Then her disembodied voices sounds from around you, "You return. And sooner than I might have thought. Has something occured?"
-
>"We've brought you a gift, actually."
-
>"We've brought you a gift, actually."
>The Water chuckles quietly. "You must have enjoyed our conversation quite a lot, then. To show such generosity."
-
>"Somewhat, but not quite as you mean. Would you care to join us?"
-
>"Somewhat, but not quite as you mean. Would you care to join us?"
>"Very well."
>Lily's feathers rustle a little nervously as the snakeform demon descends. You okay? Rin asks her silently.
>Lily smiles at her Yeah. Just... Nasty memories.
>The slithering batsnake drops down to rest a few feet in front of you, coiling her frame atop her tail.
-
>"You might find your other shape little more convenient for this."
-
>"You might find your other shape little more convenient for this."
>Louise seems to consider that, then nods slightly. Unlike you and your comrades, whose transformations involve a light, Louise simply.. melts into her other form limbs growing out of her serpentine torso as it expands, while her tail shrivels and coils up into her body. Worse is the sound. In the silence of this place, you can actually hear the sounds of her internals rearranging. It's almost enough to make a girl lose her appetite. But at least she's wearing clothes this time, rather than when you found her before.
>"Is that your normal form?" White Rose asks her once she finishes her transformation.
>"Which form?"
>"The one you just had, the winged snake one."
>Louise shakes her head. "No. But it offers me options that this form does not."
-
>"Interesting. As to why we're here."
>Offer her the vanilla with fixin's.
>"I felt you would enjoy this."
-
>"Interesting. As to why we're here."
>Offer her the vanilla with fixin's.
>"I felt you would enjoy this."
>Louise accepts the ice cream cone with a look of curiousity. "I am familiar with some of the materials from your world, but not this one." she admits.
-
>"It's ice cream, a kind of food. A treat, in particular! Since you're originally from our world, it shouldn't be any problem for you to have some too. Oh, don't eat it too quickly, either, since it's cold."
-
>"It's ice cream, a kind of food. A treat, in particular! Since you're originally from our world, it shouldn't be any problem for you to have some too. Oh, don't eat it too quickly, either, since it's cold."
>The Water Champion examines the treat in her hand. "I assure you, Terran, I have consumed much colder." Nevertheless, the blonde demon takes a rather small initial bite of the batter-coated vanilla. "Very interesting." she says after a moment. "A substance that seems solid but melts almost as soon as you take a bite of it. I've not known anything like this before. This is based on... milk?" she guesses.
-
>Nod.
>"Milk and sugar. Do you like it?"
-
>Nod.
>"Milk and sugar. Do you like it?"
>Louise takes another bite. "I believe I do." she says after swallowing. "It is not as... flavorful as some of the favors of Makai, but it is... refreshing, in its way."
-
>"There are certainly sweeter things to be had, but they tend to be expensive, and too rich to enjoy in quantity. Shall we find a nice place to sit down, then?"
-
>"There are certainly sweeter things to be had, but they tend to be expensive, and too rich to enjoy in quantity. Shall we find a nice place to sit down, then?"
>"As you wish." And Louise matches her words by promptly sitting down in the middle of the path.
-
>Chuckle.
>"I meant somewhere with benches."
-
>Chuckle.
>"I meant somewhere with benches."
>"Oh." Louise regains her feet. "You did say 'nice', and safe ground is nice for me."
-
>Chuckle. "Languages can diverge with time, can't they?"
>Let's go find a proper place to sit.
-
>Chuckle. "Languages can diverge with time, can't they?"
>Let's go find a proper place to sit.
>Led by Louise, the four of you set off for the lakeside again, where seating arrangements other than ground can be found.
>Between bites of her treat (the idea of licking ice cream doesn't seem to have occured to her), the demon asks, "Surely this alone is not all you came back for?"
-
>"Well, we do intend to finish ours, too. Also, try licking that."
-
>"Well, we do intend to finish ours, too. Also, try licking that."
>Louise seems curious about your direction, but Magical Lily demonstrates for her. "I didn't know your people did that with food." she says before giving it a try herself.
>"So, what do ya lick?" Rin asks cautiously.
>"It depends. Not all of have tongues that work exactly the same.
>"But aren't you all the same race?" Lily asks.
>"We are all Children of Mother, yes, but that hardly means we're identical to each other, and that extends to our biology as well. Some of us have wings, some do not. Some of us have tails, some do not."
>At the point your group emerges from the path once more to the clearing where lies the pond. You have a look around, and spy a wrought-iron bench to your northwest, large enough to accomdate three comfortably.
-
>Is there a nice ledge or wall or rock or some such to sit upon nearby?
-
>Is there a nice ledge or wall or rock or some such to sit upon nearby?
>Not far away from the bench is a chair that one of Louise's watery humanoids was using before. It is large enough to accomodate you or any of your friends.
-
>Head for the chair, let the others arrange themselves on the bench.
-
>Head for the chair, let the others arrange themselves on the bench.
>Indicating your intentions, your two friends nod and make for the bench, while you walk towards the blue chair. Louise, however, states, "I will stand."
-
>"If you must. But the bench is open."
-
>"If you must. But the bench is open."
>"Plenty of room!" Lily adds, patting the iron seat to her right.
>"I will stand." Louise repeats simply, taking another lick of her treat. "It is how we eat."
>"Don't you ever sit down when you're eating?" Rin asks, perplexed.
>"Almost never."
-
>"I assume it is to keep your guard up? I do wonder, though, what kind of treats do you have in Makai, if any?"
-
>"I assume it is to keep your guard up? I do wonder, though, what kind of treats do you have in Makai, if any?"
>"By your definition, none. As I understand, a treat is something you eat more for pleasure than for sustenance, correct?"
>"Basically." Rin confirms.
>"Makai gives us no ammenities."
-
>"I hope that you enjoy this amenity, then?"
-
>"I hope that you enjoy this amenity, then?"
>Louise offers you a slight smile. "Indeed. But beyond the treat itself-" she pauses long enough to have another lick, then finishes, "I believe it is more pleasurable to be able to eat without keeping all my senses on alert."
-
>"I am happy to have given you this, then."
-
>"I am happy to have given you this, then."
>"And it took the three of you to deliver it?" she asks in Lily and White Rose's direction.
>Lily, unfazed by the veiled jab, merely smiles. "Like I told Lotus, ice cream's a lot tastier when you share it with friends."
>"We are friends?"
>"We could be." Lily asserts. "No, scratch that. We will be."
-
>"Just so."
-
>"Just so."
>The Water Champion has just about exhausted her supply of ice cream, and she says, "Ah, but I have forgotten. In your world, the expression for such a gesture is, 'thank you.' So, thank you, Magical Lotus."
-
>"You are most welcome."
>Dig into ours, as well. Also get a sample of Lily's.
-
>"You are most welcome."
>Dig into ours, as well. Also get a sample of Lily's.
>Having received Louise's gratitude, you finally turn your attention to your own treat. Though it took some time for you to return here, you know that Pinkie's product stays chilled for quite a while after it leaves refrigeration. Especially in the winter, as it is now. After a couple bites of yours, you stand and wander over to the bench, whereupon Lily presents you with her offering. You suspect she had to work a bit to make sure there was some left for you, thoughtful girl. The caramel-topped cotton candy flavor is, if you're honest, a bit too sweet for your taste. The combination of flavors does work better than you had thought, but the result is sweeter than you'd prefer for something you'd order yourself.
-
>"A bit sweet for me, but not bad at all."
>Make some small talk with the others about daily life things. See if Louise shows any curiosity outside of tactical values and such.
-
>"A bit sweet for me, but not bad at all."
>Make some small talk with the others about daily life things. See if Louise shows any curiosity outside of tactical values and such.
>"Papa tells me I've had a sweet tooth forever."
>Returning to your chair, you ask Lily about some of the other ice cream she favors. A subject which Lily is pefectly pleased to rabbit on about with a great deal of enthusiasm, expanding at times into other parts of the world of candies and other sweet flavors. She focuses most of her attention on Rin moreso than you, which makes sense. Knowing Lily, after hearing that the kasha's experience with ice cream is substantially limited, she'd want to gush for a bit about all the different kinds that she can now be having. Rin doesn't seem to mind. She does however ask, after a few minutes, if the winged blonde had ever been sent to the dentists' on account of her sweet tooth. Lily merely laughs and assures White Rose she always keeps her teeth 'sparkly and clean'.
>"Do you have dentists in your world?" Lily asks Louise after saying this.
>"Not as such." the now empty-handed demon replies. "Centralized healing such as that doesn't really exist on Makai. There was an attempt made once in my lifetime that I am aware of, but it was destroyed by the Melting Man."
-
>"Mmm. I get the feeling I wouldn't like to learn much more about that one."
-
>"Mmm. I get the feeling I wouldn't like to learn much more about that one."
>Louise nods. "You would likely find the details somewhat discomforting."
>"And that's no good when you're eating." Lily says sagely, taking a big bite out of her cone.
>"Speaking of," White Rose ventures cautiously. "Do your kind share meals like this?"
>"Not like this, since we don't have ice cream on Makai. But more broadly, it depends. Some Children think only of their own sustenance, some share what they have readily. I believe this is true for your kind, as well, is it not?"
-
>"Some do like to dine alone, but it's not so much thinking of their own sustenance as thinking of their privacy. As well, when dining together it's less about sharing food than sharing company, though it's not uncommon for one to gift another with something to eat if they cannot provide for themselves, or it would be too costly for it. Company is the primary factor, I would say, rather than food distribution."
-
>"Some do like to dine alone, but it's not so much thinking of their own sustenance as thinking of their privacy. As well, when dining together it's less about sharing food than sharing company, though it's not uncommon for one to gift another with something to eat if they cannot provide for themselves, or it would be too costly for it. Company is the primary factor, I would say, rather than food distribution."
>"You use it as a means of combating lonlieness."
>Lily frowns slightly. "I wouldn't put it that way. People just like other people's company."
>"Some people, you mean."
>"No, no, I mean people-people." Lily argues with a shake of her head. "Deep down, no one wants to be alone. Sharing a meal, a movie, a drink, a..." The winged blonde cheeks redden ever so slightly. "More intimate encounter. People can't be alone, not all the time."
>"You, Magical Lily, are as optimistic as your leader."
>Rather than remark about the dry tone of the demon, Lily merely smiles and rustles her wings. "Thanks!"
-
>"There are indeed some who prefer their solitude, but even they tend to have a close circle of friends, and seek them out when they feel the time is right. I would say that combating loneliness is but one of many benefits. But we tend not to think of it in such terms, and rather say is just preferable to share meals."
-
>"There are indeed some who prefer their solitude, but even they tend to have a close circle of friends, and seek them out when they feel the time is right. I would say that combating loneliness is but one of many benefits. But we tend not to think of it in such terms, and rather say is just preferable to share meals."
>"Even with ones enemies at times, it seems." Louise remarks wryly.
-
>"There's actually quite a precedent for sharing meals as a way to bring grievances to an end, there is quite a lot of social complexity that has grown around dining, since the vast majority of us need to do it. But in this case, it's simply a gift."
-
>"There's actually quite a precedent for sharing meals as a way to bring grievances to an end, there is quite a lot of social complexity that has grown around dining, since the vast majority of us need to do it. But in this case, it's simply a gift."
>"'The vast majority', you say?"
-
>"I'm sure there's some odd youkai who doesn't need to eat something."
-
>"I'm sure there's some odd youkai who doesn't need to eat something."
>"A mixed blessing."
-
>Nod.
>"I would imagine, of those that do not need to eat, those that can choose to do so likely would sometimes just to be with their friends and loved ones."
-
>Nod.
>"I would imagine, of those that do not need to eat, those that can choose to do so likely would sometimes just to be with their friends and loved ones."
>"There is quite a lot to be said for the experience itself, even if nothing is gained in other ways."
>White Rose looks at the demon. "You like doing things for the sake of doing things?"
>The ghost of a frown crosses Louise's face for a fraction of a second, but she returns her visage to normal so quickly you're sure the other two didn't notice. "Some of my kind do. Some of us value experience perhaps more than you Terrans do."
-
>"It's not really that surprising. After all, we do share a home, do we not?"
-
>"It's not really that surprising. After all, we do share a home, do we not?"
>"Not yet."
-
>"We used to, at least. And perhaps shall again, if I have anything to say about it."
-
>"We used to, at least. And perhaps shall again, if I have anything to say about it."
>"You presume that my kind are not from Makai originally." Louise observes. "Even I can't say that for sure."
-
>"At the least, you were here for a time. That is enough for me."
-
>"At the least, you were here for a time. That is enough for me."
>"Even in the event that we were invaders?"
-
>"We'll clear that little issue up soon enough, I'm sure."
-
>"We'll clear that little issue up soon enough, I'm sure."
>"Does it make a difference, though, I wonder." Louise ponders. "It really doesn't to me."
>"It doesn't?" White Rose asks.
>"Whether we originated on Gensokyo or Makai is irrelevant to me. Though I imagine you might feel differently. Curiosity drives your kind so very often, human or youkai or anything else."
-
>"I imagine it is due to the lack of Makai-inspired terror, myself."
-
>"I imagine it is due to the lack of Makai-inspired terror, myself."
>Louise blinks. "I do not take your meaning."
-
>"I would say it is not that curiosity in particular drives us, so much as Makai has made curiosity rather a losing proposition for your people outside of specific circumstances."
-
>"I would say it is not that curiosity in particular drives us, so much as Makai has made curiosity rather a losing proposition for your people outside of specific circumstances."
>"Ah. Yes, that is far more true than not."
-
>Smile.
>"As such, I have faith you'll grow more accustomed to and accepting of the feeling as your general sense of wariness diminishes."
-
>Smile.
>"As such, I have faith you'll grow more accustomed to and accepting of the feeling as your general sense of wariness diminishes."
>"You must have an enormous amount of faith, then. That wariness, as you call it, has been a part of my kind for ages beyond counting."
>"Everyone can change." Lily says brightly. "If they get a chance."
>"Perhaps." Louise concedes.
-
>"A change in environmental pressures can do wondrously for one, as well."
-
>"A change in environmental pressures can do wondrously for one, as well."
>"Or be unsettling." Louise counters. "Depending on the individual."
-
>"Initially, that is certainly possibly. But in the long term, I believe what I have suggested will win out. "
-
>"Initially, that is certainly possibly. But in the long term, I believe what I have suggested will win out. "
>"Even 'the long term' is almost an alien concept for my kind. Only Mother looked beyond tomorrow to the days beyond."
-
>"I think that goes to show just how different the demonic experience will be once things are settled."
-
>"I think that goes to show just how different the demonic experience will be once things are settled."
>"Assuming you get the settlement you hope for." Louise counters.
-
>"Mmm, I suppose so. But I am not too worried about that part."
-
>"Mmm, I suppose so. But I am not too worried about that part."
>"What makes you so confidant?"
-
>"It has the natural advantage of being the most effective solution for everyone, so I need not worry about having to hoodwink anyone in the process. As such, it has an unshakable foundation."
-
>"It has the natural advantage of being the most effective solution for everyone, so I need not worry about having to hoodwink anyone in the process. As such, it has an unshakable foundation."
>The demon regards you with a look of stunned silence for several seconds, before her face contorts and she bursts out with laughter.
-
>Is it mocking or amused?
-
>Is it mocking or amused?
>Amused, you would say.
Apologies for the lack of regular updates over the past few, Christmas hours started at my work.
-
Figured as such.
>Smile and tease, "I hope that is an agreement!"
-
Figured as such.
>Smile and tease, "I hope that is an agreement!"
>Louise chuckles for a few moments more, before replying, "I can safely say that I've never known a belief based on so.... simple a foundation."
-
>"I shall take that as a compliment, then."
-
>"I shall take that as a compliment, then."
>"As you choose." Louise says with a chuckle.
-
>How's everyone doing on their ice cream?
-
>How's everyone doing on their ice cream?
>All four ladies present, including yourself, have finished the treats in question.
-
>Stand up.
>"With that finished, I think it's time for us to be off. Did you enjoy it?"
-
>Stand up.
>"With that finished, I think it's time for us to be off. Did you enjoy it?"
>"Yes, I did. An unexpected pleasure."
-
>"I'll see about bringing something else, next time."
>Bow, say proper goodbyes, and depart.
-
>"I'll see about bringing something else, next time."
>Bow, say proper goodbyes, and depart.
>Louise nods.
>"Mind if I ask ya something, before we take off?" Lily asks as she hops to her feet.
>"You may ask."
>"How'd you breathe lightning without shocking yourself?" The Water Champion merely regards her curiously for a moment, so Lily continues, "I mean since water conducts electricity, and you're the water champion, I just thought you wouldn't be throwing lightning bolts around."
>The demon nods. "Is your power limited to throwing flowers around?" she asks Lily.
>"Well, no, of course not."
>"Nor is mine limited to water."
>Having satisfied her curiosity, you wonder about the odds of possibly wrangling some more answers out of Louise about her own powers, and maybe the powers of the other Champions. But given her somewhat guarded answers to pretty much everything you've asked so far, the odds of this seems a bit slim, so you decide not to press, and not damage the good will you're confidant you have garnered today.
>Bidding the Water Champion farewell, you gather up your party and make your way back down the forested path once more, focusing your power upon the touchstone once you reach the spot you entered into, and recall yourself and your friends back down the rainbow corridor, into the real world.
>It is snowing now, large wet flakes drifting by on the breeze, and the area behind the closed rental store is as devoid of people as it was when you left.
>"That coulda been worse." Rin states once your reversion to realspace is complete. "If we'd come in where she was blastin', coulda been messy."
-
SO WE FINALLY HAD A STRATEGY MEETING!
>"Quite so. What do you both have in mind, now?"
-
>"Quite so. What do you both have in mind, now?"
>"Nothing special, not yet." Lily answers, stretching out her wings.
>Rin ponders, then replies, "I don't think I have to go to work for a couple of hours yet. I'm free 'till then."
-
STRATEGY MEETINGS! >_<
>"If that's all, I'd like to check on Marigold and make sure she is fine."
>Produce phone! Call the CRA! Navigate the inevitable phone maze!
-
>"If that's all, I'd like to check on Marigold and make sure she is fine."
>Produce phone! Call the CRA! Navigate the inevitable phone maze!
>Lily smiles. "Good idea!"
>Knowing that your 'daughter' was going to be at the CRA for possibly some time, you took the liberty of recording its number in your phones' memory earlier, which you now produce and dial.
>"If ya don't mind, Lotus, meybe we should head home as well." White Rose suggests as the phone rings. "Ain't a real good idea to stand about under dis kinda wet snow if you don't have to."
-
What you think, Draco? Head home, or we got more roaming to do?
-
Well, we do want to check in with Kiku before too long, but I'm not sure where she is at the moment, and I think the last we saw her was in the direction of our place anyway (and she could just be gone back to the shrine regardless). So I guess I don't see why not; home's not that far away.
>"Yes, you're probably right."
>Let's drop our magical forms before leaving the alleyway, then walk back to our place while we talk
-
>"Yes, you're probably right."
>Let's drop our magical forms before leaving the alleyway, then walk back to our place while we talk
>"Don't wanna be fighting with a cold." Rin says as she, along with you and Lily, shed your Magical guises and set off back towards home.
>Your phone connects with Kikuri at the front desk of the CRA, who puts you on hold after you explain the purpose of your call while she checks into the status of Marigold. Lily, perhaps unsurprisingly, starts to gush about the newborn youkai to Rin. About a minute later, Kikuri's voice returns, informing you that Marigold is presently attending a lesson at the moment, on how to read, she notes. She does say that she can put you through, if you wish.
-
>Let's have her call back when the lesson is through.
-
>Let's have her call back when the lesson is through.
>Kikuri replies that this can be arranged, and records your number.
-
>With that done, let's head home.
-
>With that done, let's head home.
>Rin's suggestion of getting out of the snow, you decide after a minute, was probably a good one. Weather in general doesn't bother you as much as the next person, but the large flakes currently falling from the sky are an unpleasant mix of water and ice. The sort of precipitation that leaves an unpleasant coating of slush on the ground.
>Not that this does anything to dampen Lily's spirits, as she regales Rin with the tale of how Marigold came about with a big smile on her face. She pauses, however, as you round the corner heading back up towards your flat. "Hmmm.... Now that I think about it, I oughta give Kyouko-chan a visit. Haven't seen her today." She produces her phone as she asks Rin, "You said you have work tonight, right?" The kasha nods. "About the time we're supposed to meet the cops and them later?"
>"Aye." Rin answers, looking a bit disappointed in the doing.
>"Don't you worry, I can be there, especially if you and Kiku can't." Lily assures her, giving your kasha a half-hug. "Unless you wanted me to hang around, Byakuren?"
-
>"Whatever you'd rather is fine with me."
-
>"Whatever you'd rather is fine with me."
>"Then we'll meet up later." Lily says as she gives you a quick hug. And with a hop, skip and a jump, Lily takes to the grey skies and leaves your party.
>"I wonder just how fast she can move when she wants..." Rin muses at the departing form of Lily White. "Some flyers can really fly." Her tails swish thoughtfully. "Come ta think of it, what kinda youkai do you suppose she is, Mistress?"
-
>"She's a fairy, obviously!"
>Do we actually know?
-
>"She's a fairy, obviously!"
>Do we actually know?
>Not actually, no. You would have assumed she was a fairy, but to your knowledge, fairies never have feathered wings. Your best guess would be some kind of bird youkai, but as to what kind specifically, you really don't know.
-
>"Some kind of bird, maybe? I never thought to ask."
-
>"Some kind of bird, maybe? I never thought to ask."
>"Big white wings.... Maybe a dove? Nah, they're s'posed to be all peaceful an' quiet." Rin says with an amused grin.
>A tennis ball bounces out of the entrance way into Moonside, followed just behind by Hyozan. The big malamute grabs the ball on its second bounce, then pauses in mid-turn as he spies you and Rin coming. His tail wags back and forth, almost like someone waving.
-
>Smile back
>"Well, good afternoon to you, too."
>To Rin: "Yes, 'quiet' is certainly one word I would not use to describe Lily."
-
>Smile back
>"Well, good afternoon to you, too."
>To Rin: "Yes, 'quiet' is certainly one word I would not use to describe Lily."
>Rin gives you a chuckle and the dog a somewhat restrained wave of her own, as Hyozan turns and heads back into the yard. You can hear Letty's voice calling after him, as well as what sounds like Marissa, as well.
>"Um, Mistress?" Rin says a bit cautiously, slowing down just a bit. "Before we get home, can I ask ya... A per-personal question?"
-
>"If you want to ask out here. But if you're a bit nervous, maybe it'd be easier to ask where we're less likely to be overheard?"
-
>"If you want to ask out here. But if you're a bit nervous, maybe it'd be easier to ask where we're less likely to be overheard?"
>"If you want." she answers quickly. "I was just wondering something about Marigold."
-
>"Go on?"
-
>"Go on?"
>"Hearin' Lily talk about Marigold, callin' her 'daughter'... She really meant it, I think." Your Rin chuckles quietly. "Alright, it's true, she says pretty much everythin' with dat kinda passion. But I still think she really meant it, really thinks of Marigold like she's her daughter. An' I... Well, I was wonderin' if you did, too, is all."
-
>"Mmm, well. That is a hard question to answer. I certainly feel responsible for her, at least. Though, between you and I, I'm glad the CRA is around to deal with most of the day to day issues with integrating her into society, it would run me ragged otherwise."
-
>"Mmm, well. That is a hard question to answer. I certainly feel responsible for her, at least. Though, between you and I, I'm glad the CRA is around to deal with most of the day to day issues with integrating her into society, it would run me ragged otherwise."
>"Active kid?"
-
>"A lot of ground to cover."
-
>"A lot of ground to cover."
>"Always is with young ones." Rin says with a nod. Queitly, she adds, "Plus, with... well, y'know. Safer there."
-
>"So one hopes."
-
>"So one hopes."
>Oh, it will be. Rin assures you, switching to your private channel as you approach Moonside's front gate. She gives you a confidant yet lightly teasing smile. You can bet I'm gonna keep your daughter safe and sound.
-
>Chuckle lightly
>We all will.
>Then slowly shake our head with a smile
>Oh, but it's so strange to hear that word.
-
>Chuckle lightly
>We all will.
>Then slowly shake our head with a smile
>Oh, but it's so strange to hear that word.
>Safe bet Marissa's never gonna let ya hear the end of it. Rin replies with a grin.
-
>I'm sure she won't be able to resist.
-
>I'm sure she won't be able to resist.
>The blonde in question, clad in a cold-defying ensemble of t-shirt and jeans, is indeed in evidence as you and Rin walk through the front gates of the Moonside apartments. She and the kimono-wearing Letty are tossing a tennis ball back and forth, Hyozan capering between the two women in pursuit. Minoriko stands outside her door beneath an umbrella, watching the three play with a smile on her face. The shiny black corvette that was here before is missing, by Reimu's merc is still in evidence. And you detect a vague sense of magical energy emanating from Patchouli's apartment.
-
>"Why, hello there."
-
>"Why, hello there."
>Minoriko gives you and your kasha a wave as you declare your presence. Marissa pauses in mid-throw, and smiles a broad smile. "There you are, girl! Been lookin' for ya since this morning!"
-
>"Oh?"
-
>"Oh?"
>"Never saw ya around school, and you do kinda stand out in a crowd." Marissa remarks as she pitches the ball towards the back lot of the apartment complex, accompanied by a yell of, "Fetch!" Hyozan obliges her by giving quick chase.
>"You heard about what happened, didn't you?" Letty asks.
-
>"Some of it. Though feel free to fill me in on the rest."
-
>"Some of it. Though feel free to fill me in on the rest."
>"How could you miss it?" Letty blurts.
-
>"I didn't miss it, but I don't necessarily know all the details."
-
>"I didn't miss it, but I don't necessarily know all the details."
>"That's true for us, too, unfortunately." Letty says with a small frown. "Vice-Principal Mima was as tight-lipped as usual, and the police didn't want to talk too much about it."
>"Said they had to run their own investigation." Marissa adds, giving Hyozan a muss around the ears. "You saw the fireworks, right?"
-
>"Of course."
-
>"Of course."
>"I managed to get little something out of one of the cops. The real cute one with the teal hair and those little ears-"
>"Marissa." Letty chides the blonde with a smile.
>"Right, right. Anyway, she's guessing that this was a conflict between two groups of rogue mages. Why they were fighting around the school, what the deal was with the weird animal shapes, she didn't know. No one knows, probably. That was some weird shit, like somethin' you'd see out in Muenzuka, instead of around here. And they didn't say squat about what the hell went on beforehand. With the breaking glass and that howling."
>"Mima made sure of that." Letty adds.
>"Couldn't see nothin', either, cops kept everyone pretty far off. I heard stun blasts, at least, and I think one of those mage groups was involved, but I think it was the good guys."
-
>What's this about Muenzuka?
>"One of them were 'good guys'?"
-
>What's this about Muenzuka?
>"One of them were 'good guys'?"
>Muenzuka is a large city to the northwest of here. It is essentially the magical capitol of Yamato, and one of the five largest cities in the nation. It is the sort of place one would expect to see people slinging spells on the streets, which really doesn't happen much at all here in Mayoiga. It also served as the nation's capitol several hundred years ago.
>"'course." Marissa grins. "There's always good guys and bad guys."
-
>"Well, what made you decide which was which this time?"
-
>"Well, what made you decide which was which this time?"
>"Are you sure you want to ask her that?" Letty asks wryly. "She might unleash her Marissa-logic on you."
>The blonde merely chuckles at the needling. "Might learn somethin', snowwoman." Marissa then returns her grinning eyes to you. "Wanna know how I knowed?"
-
>"Sure."
-
>"Sure."
>With complete sincerity, Marissa informs you, "Good always has the prettiest girls."
-
>Laugh
>"But did you even seen either of them?"
-
>Laugh
>"But did you even seen either of them?"
>Your laughter broadens Marissa's smile, while Letty and Rin have a chuckle.
>"Either?" Marrisa seems a touch surprised, before continuing, "Ah, ya must've missed one. There were three of 'em, 'mong the girls anyway. Two bad guys, three good guys."
-
>How visible do we realistically think we ourselves would have been from outside the school, though? 'Fireworks' in the air aside? Weren't we mostly on the ground, surrounded by buildings and wall?
-
>How visible do we realistically think we ourselves would have been from outside the school, though? 'Fireworks' in the air aside? Weren't we mostly on the ground, surrounded by buildings and wall?
>Most of your time was spent on the ground indeed, apart from when you lowered yourself to the ground on your Sapphire light. White Rose and Lily spent far more time off the ground than you. If Marissa caught a glimpse of you, chances are it was when you were descending to the ground yourself, unless she managed to steal a quick look at you when the crowd in front of the main gate was clear.
-
>"How much did you manage to see, then?"
-
>"How much did you manage to see, then?"
>"Well I didn't get there 'till the shooting started." Marissa sticks her tongue out slightly. "Got a bit sidetracked. Most of what I s-saw...." Marissa's statement is interrupted by a sharp sneeze. "Sorry 'bout that. Anyway, of course I couldn't see much from where I was. Job to see through a police van and all. They moved that in once the flaming fox showed up." She pauses again, wiping her nose. "Ya can't have missed that, did ya?"
-
>Assuming we really did head on home from the school, as we looked to be doing at first, we would have long been there before that time, yes?
>Would we still have had a good view to see from our place?
>We never did encounter anyone around school after dropping our magical forms first, and then meeting Kiku, did we?
-
>Assuming we really did head on home from the school, as we looked to be doing at first, we would have long been there before that time, yes?
>Would we still have had a good view to see from our place?
>We never did encounter anyone around school after dropping our magical forms first, and then meeting Kiku, did we?
>Yes, you would have arrived home before Fire and Ice appeared.
>You would have been able to see the Fire Champion and the miko who confronted her on the roof, as well as Ice, but not much of what went on on the ground, except for maybe Lily and/or White Rose when they flew high enough.
>Correct.
-
>"No."
-
>"No."
>"Sweet Lord, Byakuren, that was like somethin' out of some kinds manga!" Marissa exults. "But I couldn't look at it too close myself, had too much on my hands."
>"Like what?" Rin asks her.
>"Like keepin' people's panic down, that's what." the blonde declares, placing her hands on her hips. Grinning, she adds, "Turns out folks at school pay more heed to me than most cops."
-
>Lightly: "Well, at least you were using your powers of popularity for good."
-
>Lightly: "Well, at least you were using your powers of popularity for good."
>"Only always. 'sides, better people have me to listen to than ol' Mima."
>"Can't argue that." Letty agrees, while Rin merely nods.
-
>"I hope things were okay there, in the end?"
-
>"I hope things were okay there, in the end?"
>"Peaches and cream." Marissa proclaims. "All that power and magic and shouting put a fear in folks, all right, but all they really needed was something to think about. Something to focus on. That's the trick when you're afraid of somethin', but, of course I don't need to tell you that, do I, Byakuren." she adds with that lopsided smile of hers.
-
>"I wonder if classes will be cancelled tomorrow, given what happened?"
-
>"I wonder if classes will be cancelled tomorrow, given what happened?"
>"Hard to say." Letty answers. "Personally, I would. But I guess it depends on how much damage there was to the school. Well, at least the inside, Mima wouldn't call off classes for some exterior damage. And I don't think anyone knows how much damage was done inside yet. At least no one outside."
-
>"Beyond that, though, I wonder if the police will want to to have a closer look for a while."
-
>"Beyond that, though, I wonder if the police will want to to have a closer look for a while."
>"Good point. Even Mima can't push her weight around with them." Letty replies as Rin steps around you towards Marissa. "I think the police here in Mayoiga work pretty quick. If they do need to close down the school, I wouldn't think it'd be for more than a day, maybe two."
>"Means you'll probably have Aya badgerin' ya every hour or so." Marissa remarks.
-
>"Hmmm... I suppose you mightn't be half-wrong."
>What day were we supposed to meet up with the drama club, anyway?
-
>"Hmmm... I suppose you mightn't be half-wrong."
>What day were we supposed to meet up with the drama club, anyway?
>"Wouldn't that make all yer fans happy as clams?" Mari needles you.
>Today, unfortunately.
-
>Poor Yamame... she didn't need even more issues.
>"Hmm, I suppose it might. I am not sure I am quite in the head space for that sort of thing right now, though."
-
>Poor Yamame... she didn't need even more issues.
>"Hmm, I suppose it might. I am not sure I am quite in the head space for that sort of thing right now, though."
>The harried spider probably wasn't too happy about the events of the day.
>"Oh, come on, like it'd be hard for you to stand there and look pretty." Marissa presses, the sort of 'compliment' only she can give. "I'll even come along, help prop ya up!"
-
>Laugh
>"I'm sure you would, too. But I think I'll pass on the offer, just the same."
-
>Laugh
>"I'm sure you would, too. But I think I'll pass on the offer, just the same."
>The blonde grins. "Suit yerself. But just think of all the heartbroken ladies out there denied a sight of the Morning Star of Mayoiga!" she cries, engulfing Hyozan in a big hug. Your friend can play it up with the best of them, sometimes.
-
>Smile a little
>"Well, I was out signing autographs just last night if you're afraid that the public is being somehow impoverished."
-
>Smile a little
>"Well, I was out signing autographs just last night if you're afraid that the public is being somehow impoverished."
>"That's my girl." Marissa says, popping back up. "We'll make a real idol outta you yet." she chirps, gliding towards you. The effervescent blonde throws her arm over your shoulders. "Gots to keep the fans happy."
-
>"I am still not entirely sure why I seem to have so many, but there it is."
-
>"I am still not entirely sure why I seem to have so many, but there it is."
>"Ain't she just precious." Marissa says, just before she gives you a kiss on your cheek. You can't help but notice the exceedingly short-lived flash of envy that passes across Rin's face.
-
>Has she done this before?
-
>Has she done this before?
>Marissa kissing you, or Rin having a quick moment of envy?
-
>The former, but both really.
-
>The former, but both really.
>Marissa has indeed kissed you before. And you've kissed her before, as well. It's not uncommon for her; she's a very physical person, and hardly afraid to show her affection for folks.
>As for whether or not Rin has ever seemed envious of this affection, you're not sure. You've never witnessed it before, but it could have happened.
-
>"If it's all the same to you, I'd just as soon get out from under the snow. I'm surprised you aren't colder, yourself."
-
>"If it's all the same to you, I'd just as soon get out from under the snow. I'm surprised you aren't colder, yourself."
>"Bah, I likes it cold." Marissa proclaims. "I was born in the middle of a blizzard, don'chaknow."
>She was, too, or so she's informed you.
>"But that's a good point. Somethin' I wanted ta ask you about anyways."
-
>"Yes?"
-
>"Yes?"
>The blonde jerks her thumb towards your apartment. "Indoors, I mean, beautiful."
-
>"Fair enough."
>Let's go inside
-
>"Fair enough."
>Let's go inside
>Rin merely stands still as you and your best friend head towards the stairs, but the outgoing blonde pauses and gives her a smile. "Come on, Kitty." Rin smiles a bit uncertainly, then sprints forward to catch up with you both.
>"I kinda thought ya meant you wanted to talk to Byakuren alone?"
>"Naww, you're cool. You're Byakuren's right hand, after all." The kasha beams at Marissa's terminology. "Oh, almost forgot." Marissa continues, nodding her head back towards the red and white car belonging to Reimu. "You wouldn't happen to know who owned that sexy little corvette that the princess pulled up with, would'ja?"
-
>We didn't, did we?
>Assuming so: "No."
-
>We didn't, did we?
>Assuming so: "No."
>You didn't know precisely who its owner was, though you had assumed it was one of Reimu's bodyguards. But you simply answer in the negative, which draws a 'che!' from Marissa as you head up the stairs to the second floor. "Do me a favor, Rin-chan, when you hear that thing pull up again, lemme know."
>"Uh... Okay, but..."
>"Trust me, kiddo, you'll hear that thing comin'." Marissa says, her eyes dreamy. "That thing has one of the sexiest voices in the whole of the automotive world..."
>"Right...." Rin says, rather tolerantly, opening the door to your apartment for you.
-
>Chuckle slightly
>It will, at the very least, sound like a car, I expect.
>Brush the snow off us a little, then enter!
-
>Chuckle slightly
>It will, at the very least, sound like a car, I expect.
>Brush the snow off us a little, then enter!
>Is that her favourite kinda car or something? Rin asks, looking bemused at the gleam in Mari's eyes as you walk past them both and enter your domicile. She's all starry-eyed, or whatever the word is.
-
>Is it? As far as we know? (From other than her reaction just now, anyway?)
>And for that matter, is it often that the three of us have spent time together? How is Rin's and Marissa's relationship in general, such as it exists?
-
>Is it? As far as we know? (From other than her reaction just now, anyway?)
>And for that matter, is it often that the three of us have spent time together? How is Rin's and Marissa's relationship in general, such as it exists?
>The Corvette is Marissa's dream car. The latest model, specifically, though you can't recall the term for said model off the top of your head. Z-something, you think.
>In the months since you acquired Rin, you, Marissa and she have spent quite a bit of time together. Rin and Marissa took to each other surprisingly easily, actually. Rin was a touch apprehensive around your friends in those first few days, always worried that she might embarrass you in some way in front of your friends. None of your other friends really knew how to act around her, either, she seemed so uncertain, and even fragile. But Marissa was different. She knew how to draw Rin out of the shell she had created around herself, how to get her involved with the others. The blonde woman made those first two weeks much less painful than you were afraid they were going to be for Rin, and they remain good friends.
>That's actually one of the things you like the most about Marissa. It's easy to dismiss her as a playgirl, a shameless flirt, but she knows how to read people. She said it was one of the few good things she got from her father, is knowing how to get a read on people. But unlike him, she uses this insight for the benefit of others, never for herself. She understood how to work with Rin's slave mentality, without reinforcing it or trying to force her out of it. Even just now, when she used the term 'Right hand' to describe her relationship with you. It cast her in a trusted, supporting role to you, but not a submissive one. Marissa always tries to make the people around her happier, better, just as your yourself do. Your methods obviously differ, but the both of you use your powers of insight for good, and always will.
-
>It is. Um, on both counts.
-
>It is. Um, on both counts.
>Marissa shakes the snow out of her messy blonde mane before stepping inside.
>Maybe we should get her one for Christmas. Rin suggests with a silent grin as she follows Marissa in.
-
>Might be a little out of my price range, I'm afraid.
>Go on in
-
>Might be a little out of my price range, I'm afraid.
>Go on in
>"Now, as I was sayin'," Marissa starts once you're all in of doors. "You wanted to know how I knew good guys from bad guys, right?"
-
>"Yes?"
-
>"Yes?"
>"Well, there was another way I saw the difference, but I didn't wanna say it in front of the others. And yes, you can still stay, Rin." she adds quickly, closing Rin's mouth as it was opening, likely to ask. "Truth is, B, I met two of the good guys before."
-
>"...oh?"
-
>"...oh?"
>Marissa nods. "Yesterday. At the CRA. The brunette and the winged one. Redhead was new, though."
-
>"And... why didn't you want to mention this in front of anyone else?"
-
>"And... why didn't you want to mention this in front of anyone else?"
>"'cuz they might come to the same conclusion that I did, and I didn't want to worry 'em if I didn't have to."
>"What conclusion was that?" Rin asks.
>"That people fighting magical animals and ugly beasts in one place might have done it somewhere else, too. Like maybe at the CRA, for one. And that might be a worry for Byakuren here because of a young youkai I had the pleasure of meeting while I was there last."
-
>"...oh?"
>This is a strangely uncomfortable conversation to be having.
-
>"...oh?"
>This is a strangely uncomfortable conversation to be having.
>"Don't be coy, B." Marissa says with a half-grin. "You know the one I mean."
>I'd try to distract her, get her off-topic, but she's pretty hard to swerve. Rin replies.
-
>"I, um..."
>Pause
>"Marigold?"
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>"I, um..."
>Pause
>"Marigold?"
>Marissa nods. "The very same."
-
>"I guess she mentioned me, then."
-
>"I guess she mentioned me, then."
>"She did. And I'm gonna tell ya, Byakuren, there's a lot of you in that one." A part of your feels a touch relieved at Marissa's tone. You had been half-expecting your close friend to tease you to no end once she found out about your 'daughter', but her tone here is actually fairly serious, as is her expression. "She's smart, I mean real smart, and pretty, too." With a humor-colored smile, she adds, "And just like you, just a little bit out there."
-
>Slightly wry smile
>"Oh? I'm 'out there', now, am I?"
-
>Slightly wry smile
>"Oh? I'm 'out there', now, am I?"
>"Now, she says." Marissa retorts, chuckling quietly. Sobering, she continues, "Marigold's different from a lot of the youkai I've seen come through there since I started. She has a.... a newness. 's kinda hard to put into words." Her gold eyes meet yours. "I think she got your purity."
-
>"I am still not sure I wholly understand what role I played in her being... born."
-
>"I am still not sure I wholly understand what role I played in her being... born."
>"Koishi's probably got a theory 'bout that." Marissa suggests.
>"The school shrink?" Rin asks, tilting her head to the side.
>The blonde chuckles, giving Rin a playful rub on the head. "Counselor, girl. Bit of a difference. But she works at the CRA, too." She snaps her fingers, making Rin wince ever so slightly. "Aiyah, forgot. You're probably gonna hear from her yourself before too long, Byakuren." she informs you. "Nothin' too serious, but part of her job is to have a talk with folks who were there when a youkai's born. Especially if said folks were part of it, like you and Lily White was."
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>"Do you know what sort of things she might want to ask?"
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>"Do you know what sort of things she might want to ask?"
>"She's gonna want your version of how Marigold came about. What you were feeling, thinking, that kinda thing. And probably where you got the ring in the first place." She shrugs. "Beyond that, it sorta depends. Koishi doesn't have a set list o' questions, she plays her job by ear."
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>"Fair enough; I was just wondering."
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>"Fair enough; I was just wondering."
>"Where did ya find her, anyway?" Marissa asks. "Well, the ring. Y'know what I mean."
-
>"Behind the school, actually. I had the engraving on it checked with a jeweler, when I was wondering if someone had lost it. It turns out it had been an engagement band, but the person it was intended for called off their wedding before it could be given, and the man who bought it threw it away. I don't really know the details, but it was a sad story."
-
>"Behind the school, actually. I had the engraving on it checked with a jeweler, when I was wondering if someone had lost it. It turns out it had been an engagement band, but the person it was intended for called off their wedding before it could be given, and the man who bought it threw it away. I don't really know the details, but it was a sad story."
>"Yeah, no kidding there. Still...." Marissa trails off, scrunching her nose in thought. "How long was this? That buddy tossed the ring, I mean."
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>"I don't believe I know, now that I think on it."
-
>"I don't believe I know, now that I think on it."
>"I'm just wonderin', now..." Marissa muses as Rin moves past her, knowing her, to put the kettle on. "With a story like that, you could call Marigold a tsukumogami, except, she don't quite fit the bill."
-
>"Not resentful enough?"
-
>"Not resentful enough?"
>"Well, if ya wanna be blunt about it." Marissa replies with a wry grin. More seriously, she continues, "But yeah, every tsukumogami I've ever met that's that young's always been hurt by something, and it shows. Changes from youkai to youkai, but it's pretty consistent among the newborns. 'cept for yours."
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>"She is an unusual person - I felt as much from the start. It was she who spoke of myself and Lily as her... mothers.... shortly after being born, unbidden, and in a room with several other people. She said she had felt us... calling to her, somehow, and answered. Though I certainly was not aware of doing any such thing before the ring itself began suddenly to glow."
-
>"She is an unusual person - I felt as much from the start. It was she who spoke of myself and Lily as her... mothers.... shortly after being born, unbidden, and in a room with several other people. She said she had felt us... calling to her, somehow, and answered. Though I certainly was not aware of doing any such thing before the ring itself began suddenly to glow."
>"So, you and Lily weren't doi-"
>"No, they weren't." Rin interrupts Marissa, rather firmly.
>Rather than be insulted or annoyed, Marissa merely laughs at the kasha. "Chill out, girl! I was only gonna ask if they were talking about the ring at the time when the glowin' started."
>Your Rin colors. "...Oh."
-
>"No, not at all. We weren't even the ones who noticed the ring was glowing first. It was still in my pocket at the time, you see."
-
>"No, not at all. We weren't even the ones who noticed the ring was glowing first. It was still in my pocket at the time, you see."
>"Well, somethin' had to have set things off." Marissa turns and heads into your living room, muttering quietly in thought. This is normal for her when she has a problem she thinks she can come with the answer to, but can't quite get there. You've learned it's best to give her a minute in times like this.
>"Sorry 'bout that." Rin says quietly to you after Marissa passes her. Her face has returned to its normal shade.
-
>"Oh, no worries; think nothing of it."
-
>"Oh, no worries; think nothing of it."
>Your kasha nods, then puts on a smile. "Well, now, since we're home, how 'bout some lunch?"
-
>"Lunch sounds great, thank you."
-
>"Lunch sounds great, thank you."
>"Have you eaten yet, Marissa?" Rin asks her.
>"Mm- wha?" the blonde replies absently, still turning her puzzle over in her head. "Eels are where now?"
>Rin starts to correct Marissa's misunderstanding, but the red head doesn't get more than a syllable into it before bursting out laughing. "Eels?" she manages to gasp after a moment.
>Marissa gives you a lopsided grin. "Somethin' I said?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow
>"Eels?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow
>"Eels?"
>"That's what I heard?" Marissa answers with a shrug. This isn't abnormal for her; when she's lost in thought, her mind tends to drift away from the world the rest of you live in, and her ears along with it.
-
>"Well, if you were hoping for eel for lunch, I'm afraid we may have to disappoint you. But would you like something else?"
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>"Well, if you were hoping for eel for lunch, I'm afraid we may have to disappoint you. But would you like something else?"
>"Eely lunch, mmmm...." Marissa makes a rather exaggerated look of thought, then grins. "Naw, that's about 47% more slime than I likes for lunch, or for Rin-chan to handle, as well." she adds with a nod to the still chuckling kasha. "But down from that, I ain't picky."
>Rin pulls open the icebox to have a glance inside. With a nod, she informs the blonde, "I got the fixin's for a veggie stir-fry."
>"Suits me fine."
-
>"Likewise."
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>"Likewise."
>"You can relax for a bit, Byakuren," Rin advises, producing a bag of mixed vegetables. "This'll be done in about ten minutes or- Make that about 20." she interrupts herself as she looks in the fridge. "Forgot we had a bit of chicken left."
-
>"Sounds good. Thank you."
>Let's kick back and take a load off for a bit. It's been a long day and it's not even evening yet.
-
>"Sounds good. Thank you."
>Let's kick back and take a load off for a bit. It's been a long day and it's not even evening yet.
>As Rin starts her work in the kitchen, you pull out your desk chair and have a nice sit. This is actually the first time you've really felt relaxed since you woke up this morning. The day's only half over, and to say it has been an active one would be a gross understatement. Even when you were talking to Louise, you couldn't really relax, not only because your conversations with her were not exactly light-hearted, but because, despite your convictions and intentions, she is still the Champion of Water and your enemy. And you still have that meeting with the police in a few hours time, and the problems at the Tiger shrine, and the future problems if any with Keine and Kaguya, and the riddle-like words of that entity at the Dragon shrine weighing on your mind. Not to mention the demonstration of the Champion's power you received earlier.
>But for right now, you can let those worries go. You are home, with your trusted servant and your closest friend. Marissa is her usual self, charming and engaging, and Rin is smiling, a sign of contentment in this little act of domesticity. Even the feeling of magic you get downstairs you know is merely Patchouli, probably up to her ears in another experiment of hers. You can be at peace here, a peace accentuated by the smell of cooking meat and boiling vegetables. Your stomach quietly gurgles in response to this stimuli, which you just know Marissa can hear, but in a magnanimous gesture, she opts not to raz you about it.
>"Oh yeah, by the ways." she says after a moment. "You managed to score tickets yet?"
-
>Do we have any idea what she might be referring to?
-
>Do we have any idea what she might be referring to?
>Specifically, no. Knowing her, it's probably a concert of some sort, but you're not aware of any specifically upcoming events that she might be referring to.
-
>"Tickets? To what?"
-
>"Tickets? To what?"
>"Whaddya mean, to what?" Marissa blinks.
-
>"Exactly what I said: to what event are you referring?"
-
>"Exactly what I said: to what event are you referring?"
>"Ahyeah. Guess ya ain't heard, then. Well, you remember the other night, I told ya about Flan supposedly comin' to town?"
-
>"Now that you mention it, yes; it had rather slipped my mind."
-
>"Now that you mention it, yes; it had rather slipped my mind."
>"Not a big surprise, seeing as how you were noddin' on and off on me." Turning to head towards Rin, she adds, "You make sure Byakuren here gets big sleep tonight, aight?"
>Rin considers that, then merely says, "Sure."
>"Anyhow, a little bird told me that was true. There's a big shindig out at the Dragon shrine in a few days time, and Flan's supposed to be a big part of it."
-
>"Oh, I think I saw them setting up festival booths and such when I was there the other day. Though they wouldn't say what it was about, which I found a little unusual."
-
>"Oh, I think I saw them setting up festival booths and such when I was there the other day. Though they wouldn't say what it was about, which I found a little unusual."
>"They're tryin' to keep it out of the media as much as possible, or so I was told."
>"Then how do you know?" Rin asks her.
>Marissa grins. "Like I said. A little birdie told me. And by that, I mean I'm friendly with one of the mikos there, a trush youkai." she informs Rin, not getting her pronounciation quite right.
-
>"Do we get to know? Or would that be breaking confidence?"
-
>"Do we get to know? Or would that be breaking confidence?"
>"Looser-lipped women'd never hear nothing from me, but you two are A-OK." With a downright impish grin, Marissa adds, "After of course ya bribe me a little." she says as she presents her cheek to you.
-
>Would it ever be in keeping for us to return the gesture, or is she just trying to egg us on?
-
>Would it ever be in keeping for us to return the gesture, or is she just trying to egg us on?
>Knowing her, she doesn't actually expect you to do it. She's just being Marissa.
>But, you really wouldn't be opposed to the idea. Anyone else would be different- other than maybe Rin- but this is Marissa. And if you can get one over on her, well, that's always a worthwhile goal.
-
>Well, maybe we otherwise might, but there's Rin's feelings to consider, given her reaction just a few minutes ago.
>"What? Is a free lunch not enough these days?"
-
>Well, maybe we otherwise might, but there's Rin's feelings to consider, given her reaction just a few minutes ago.
>"What? Is a free lunch not enough these days?"
>With the image of Rin's jealous expression in your mind, you concede this round to Marissa.
>"Mmmmmmmmm...." Marissa drawls through her pouted lips, then she grins again, "Well, I suppose for you two, I can make an exception. Simply put, girls, there's a royal wedding afoot."
-
>"Oh? Which royals? And where?"
-
>"Oh? Which royals? And where?"
>"Onea the Saigyoji's. Not sure which one, though. Ain't Yuyuko, I can tell you that for a fact. No WAY they'd be able to keep that outta the papers for more than a couple hours. I think it's one of her cousins, but don't quote me on that."
>"Isn't the Scale shrine owned by the Hakureis?" Rin asks from the kitchen.
>"Sort of yes, sort of no. Hakurei's have been involved with that shrine since before the bomb dropped. Heck, I think Tenshi herself's connected to the family somehow." Marissa chuckles. "Maybe SHE'S the one they're marryin' off to the Saigyoujis. Wouldn't that be a thing and a half."
-
>"But basically it's just speculation, beyond that?"
-
>"But basically it's just speculation, beyond that?"
>Marissa blinks. "Come again?"
-
>"I mean that even you/ don't know who either party is."
-
>"I mean that even you/ don't know who either party is."
>"Oh, naw, naw. Not yet. 'A bigwig in the Saigyoujis' and 'some other individual.' Haven't got to the bottom of the specifics yet."
>"The bottom of the what?" Rin asks.
>"The names of the involved." the blonde translates.
>"Ah."
>"But I DO know that Flan's the entertainment for the party after. Well, part of it, anyways, scuttlebutt says DJ Nightbird's might be there as well. Trifecta, too, but I'm less sure 'bout the third than I am the second."
-
>"And they're really selling tickets to an event they won't even publicly admit is happening?"
-
>"And they're really selling tickets to an event they won't even publicly admit is happening?"
>"I think there's some strife between Flan's management and the organizers of the event. So far as I can gather, one side wants to keep the show contained to the invited guests, the other wants exposure and lots of it. The ticket kind, that is, not the kind you'd find down on Tandolan." she adds, referring to a street of somewhat ill-repute here in town.
-
>"Do you actually have tickets, then?"
-
>"Do you actually have tickets, then?"
>"Workin' on it. But you run in different circles than me, figured I'd check with you first. Wouldn't surprise me if Aya had a line on tickets, for a start."
-
>"No, this is the first I'd even heard of this, really. To be honest, I would be a little worried whether tickets sold to people that the owner of the venue didn't actually want attending would be honored. At the very least, it sounds like wading into a messy situation."
-
>"No, this is the first I'd even heard of this, really. To be honest, I would be a little worried whether tickets sold to people that the owner of the venue didn't actually want attending would be honored. At the very least, it sounds like wading into a messy situation."
>"I wouldn't worry your pretty little head about it. With the Saigyoujis involved, you know they'll give the people what the want. And the people want their Flan-chan."
>"Yeah, but, aren't weddings supposed to be sort of private?" Rin asks, poking at the chicken in the pan.
>"Depends on who's getting hitched, girl. Some folks don't want nobody there, some folks'd invite half of Mayoiga if they could fit em all in one building."
-
>"You said yourself there seemed to be a difference of opinion at work, though."
-
>"You said yourself there seemed to be a difference of opinion at work, though."
>"True that. But I'm wagering on the public access side winning out. Mostly on account of Yuyuko."
>"She's involved?" Rin asks.
>"Don't know yet for sure, but she will be. She IS the Saigyouji princess. Can't keep her outta the loop."
-
>"Didn't you say this was only in a few day's time? That doesn't leave a lot of time for publicity one way or the other."
-
>"Didn't you say this was only in a few day's time? That doesn't leave a lot of time for publicity one way or the other."
>"You can see why I'm trying to get in early. Ain't gonna be much of a later."
-
>"No, I suppose there mightn't be, at that. I do wish you the best of luck."
-
>"No, I suppose there mightn't be, at that. I do wish you the best of luck."
>"You want in on this?" she asks.
>"Actually, hold that thought a minutes." Marissa stops as you open your mouth to reply. "We've already gone past a thousand posts. Might get shouted at if we keep going, eh? We oughta give the big metal hand in the sky a bit to set up the next thread, whaddya say?"