Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3, Part 5

[Oldmansour]

>The temptation of an easy day off must be a hard one to resist.

>Easy day?

[Hello Purvis]

>Surely you've entertained the idea of taking a day off simply because you didn't feel like going for some reason or other.

[Oldmansour]

>Surely you've entertained the idea of taking a day off simply because you didn't feel like going for some reason or other.

>Rin gazes at you with her feline eyes for a moment, before shaking her head slightly. Extricating herself from under your hand, she springs off the bed and transforms back to her humanoid form. She gives you a faint smile when she turns to face you. "Master, that's not my choice to make. It's yours."
>"Besides," she adds, a bit more brightly, "it was my idea to get a job in the first place, and you let me. Why would I duck out of it if I didn't have to?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, because some days one doesn't feel like going. And I think we've discussed this thing about me making your choices in the past."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, because some days one doesn't feel like going. And I think we've discussed this thing about me making your choices in the past."

>"This is a bit different, though." Rin replies. "When I'm working, I'm... Bah, dunno the word for it, but because you're my owner, me doin' a good job or bad job comes back on you. Since it's with your permission I'm workin' in the first place, there's no way I'd just duck out on it even if I ever wanted to."

[Hello Purvis]

>Shake head.
>"It's not with my permission, though. It's because you wish to. What you do really doesn't reflect on me, any more than what Patchouli or Letty do reflects on me. Well...not to the minds of anyone whose thoughts on the matter I would care about."

[Oldmansour]

>Shake head.
>"It's not with my permission, though. It's because you wish to. What you do really doesn't reflect on me, any more than what Patchouli or Letty do reflects on me. Well...not to the minds of anyone whose thoughts on the matter I would care about."

>"But I care." Rin says simply.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Okay, you got me. Not to the minds of anyone whose thoughts on the matter that I would care about, save for one significant exception."

[Oldmansour]

>"Okay, you got me. Not to the minds of anyone whose thoughts on the matter that I would care about, save for one significant exception."

>Rin smiles. "Understood. But I still don't get why someone wouldn't feel like not showin' up for work. Is that a human thing?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, unfortunately, not everyone enjoys their jobs in the first place and are often there more for obligation or necessity than any joy in what they do. But even for those who do, that doesn't mean they would on every single day. Maybe they were tired, or preoccupied, or frustrated for reasons completely unrelated to their work, but nonetheless would rather simply not have an obligation to be there at that particular moment."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, unfortunately, not everyone enjoys their jobs in the first place and are often there more for obligation or necessity than any joy in what they do. But even for those who do, that doesn't mean they would on every single day. Maybe they were tired, or preoccupied, or frustrated for reasons completely unrelated to their work, but nonetheless would rather simply not have an obligation to be there at that particular moment."

>Rin nods. "Is this one of those 'Shit happens' things that comes up now and den?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I suppose that could be some of it, yes."

[Oldmansour]

>"I suppose that could be some of it, yes."

>"I can understand not showin' up if someone had, like, big problems, or sick, or something, that only makes sense. But other than that?" Rin shakes her head as she sits down on your bed once more. "I'm just not sure I get it."

[DracoOmega]

>"Are there not any things that you enjoy doing sometimes, but might not be in the mood to do at all times?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Are there not any things that you enjoy doing sometimes, but might not be in the mood to do at all times?"

>"I don't know. I never really thought 'bout it."

[DracoOmega]

>"Spending time with friends is one such example for many people. Sometimes one enjoys company, while other times one might desire solitude and quiet instead - some people more than others."
>"Though I feel we may have gotten somewhat sidetracked."

>If Rin taking time off is technically on our authority as her master, does that mean proper form would be to call Koakuma ourselves and inform her, rather than Rin doing so?

[Oldmansour]

>If Rin taking time off is technically on our authority as her master, does that mean proper form would be to call Koakuma ourselves and inform her, rather than Rin doing so?

>Essentially, yes. In this case, Koakuma knows you both and trusts you both. She would give you and Rin the benefit of the doubt, even if, technically, she does need to hear it from you directly.

>"Spending time with friends is one such example for many people. Sometimes one enjoys company, while other times one might desire solitude and quiet instead - some people more than others."
>"Though I feel we may have gotten somewhat sidetracked."

>Rin chuckles, but agrees, "Maybe a little."

[DracoOmega]

>Well, if that's the 'proper' way, there's no need to assume on her good grace if we're just as free to make the phone call as Rin
>"Well, if that's what we're going to do, I suppose I should give Koakuma a call and let her know you won't be able to make it tonight. Unless you'd rather yourself?"

[Oldmansour]

>Well, if that's the 'proper' way, there's no need to assume on her good grace if we're just as free to make the phone call as Rin
>"Well, if that's what we're going to do, I suppose I should give Koakuma a call and let her know you won't be able to make it tonight. Unless you'd rather yourself?"

>"Hmmm, yeah, I can, yeah. Guess I should, I mean, she's my boss and all."

[DracoOmega]

>"It's up to you."

[Oldmansour]

>"It's up to you."

>Rin nods. "Gimme a minute." The kasha ducks out of your room then, presumably to use the apartment's landline, leaving you alone with your thoughts for the moment. The image of the Tiger shrine looms in your mind, the mysterious evil about the place casting its shadow over the building. The most prudent parts of your mind would tell you that going there yourself is too big a risk at this point. There's still too many unknowns. It would be most logical to let Kiku keep sniffing around, since she has access and- hopefully- protection that you do not.
>But on the other hand, your presence there might very well shake loose one or two of those answers you and your friends are looking for. And the sooner you settle this problem, the sooner you can devote all your resources towards the other problem facing you and your friends.
>With a faint smile, your thoughts drift to your friend Marissa. This would be an easy decision for your cock-sure blonde friend to make. She'd kick down the Temple's front door and whatever else needed kicking down until everything was better. Seeing her as empowered as you are.... THERE'S a thought.

>"Byakuren?" Rin's voice calls to you from the other room, snapping you out of your thoughts of Marissa in a miniskirt blasting some unnamed horror.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes?"

>"Koa wanted ta have a quick word with ya."

[DracoOmega]

>"Oh, of course."
>Go accept the phone call

[Oldmansour]

>"Oh, of course."
>Go accept the phone call

>"Hello, my dear Byakuren." Koakuma's voice greets you after you take the phone from Rin. You can hear what sounds a little like tribal music in the background, but not enough to compete with Koa's sultry yet somehow simultaneously formal voice. "Rin-chan has explained the situation tonight, and I completely understand. However, I absolutely couldn't forgive myself if I didn't offer you my concern over that little accident you had last week."

[DracoOmega]

>"Oh, thank you. I'm feeling quite fine now, thankfully, and have been given a clean bill of health, so no need to worry yourself over it."

[Oldmansour]

>"Oh, thank you. I'm feeling quite fine now, thankfully, and have been given a clean bill of health, so no need to worry yourself over it."

>"Ahh, you've made my day. You must look after yourself. Remember, if you must fall down a flight of stairs, you should only do it when you have a strong, beautiful person at the bottom waiting to catch you."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, I promise that the next time I will endeavor to do so."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, I promise that the next time I will endeavor to do so."

>"Splendid. And, should your Rin not be around, and you happen to need a volunteer..." You can practically feel the look in Koakuma's eyes through the phone line.

[DracoOmega]

>Do we know anything in particular about what kind of being Koakuma is?
>"I should think I would find it a much more comfortable landing than the last time, at any rate."