Magical Lotus - Episode 1 (Complete)

[Oldmansour]

>You are Byakuren Hijiri, 3rd year student at Mayoiga High. A human of 18 years old, you are gifted with natural intelligence and athletic talent, yet you still study hard, lest you set a bad example to those that admire you.
>And there are many that do, as you are quite possibly the most popular person in school. Your surpassing beauty, your heart of gold and your generosity of spirit has led to your common nickname of Morning Star. You do not mind this at all, and strive to be worthy of their admiration, modest as you are, and unworthy though you judge yourself to be.

>You are a resident of the Moonside apartments, a small six apartment complex a little over five minutes? walk from school. Your parents and younger brother, Myoren, moved south to Feyhome last year, hoping the warmer environment would be a benefit to your brothers? ailing health, while you remained in Mayoiga to finish your schooling uninterrupted. It was not an easy decision to make, but Myoren believed it was best for you, and insisted.

>It is currently last period, Wednesday afternoon. You are sitting in Keine-sensei?s ancient history class, which is nearly over.

[Hello Purvis]

>How do we deal with being ridiculously huge?
>How well do we speak Moonside? Or is that just the teleport guys?
>What was today's lesson over?

[E-Nazrin]

>Opinions on derrieres.
>What classmates do we know well?
>Who are the other teachers?

[Oldmansour]

>How do we deal with being ridiculously huge?
>How well do we speak Moonside? Or is that just the teleport guys?
>What was today's lesson over?

>While you are certainly tall for an 18 year old girl, you are hardly ridiculously huge.
>Currently you speak Common, Eire, Francais and bits and pieces of other languages. You are unfamiliar with either the Moonside tongue or the concept of teleportation, though there are some youkai reputed to possess that magic. You may want to ask Patchouli about that.
>Keine-sensei was expounding over the middle of the First Lunarian War, dated approximately 405 years ago, detailing the resistance campaign against the Lunarian-held Bonn frontier out west.

>Opinions on derrieres.
>What classmates do we know well?
>Who are the other teachers?

>You certainly appreciate a shapely backside, as well as an ample bosom, though it is a person's personality, their soul, that truly moves your heart.
>Among those you know well, currently with you in class are Rin Kaenbyou, your slave, and Letty Whiterock, another resident of the Moonside apartments. You are familiar with many other students, particularly the tennis club, of which you are the captain, but they are currently in other classes.
>Among the more noteworthy teachers are Mokou Fujiwara, the gym teacher. Wriggle Nightbug, the biology teacher. Tokiko the math teacher. Yumemi Okazaki the physics teacher. Medicine Melancholy, the chemistry teacher, and Kaguya Houraisam, the classic literature teacher. Certainly there are other teachers in a school this size, but  those 7, including Keine have the most... distinctive personalities.

[Hello Purvis]

>What's the deal with SATs/ACTs/Entry Exams/What have you?
>How comfortable are we with these subjects?

[Oldmansour]

>What's the deal with SATs/ACTs/Entry Exams/What have you?
>How comfortable are we with these subjects?

>Mayoiga high is part of an escalator system, so normal entry exams do not apply, if you intend to continue on to Mayoiga University.
>You are uncertain yet if you wish to move south to rejoin your family after your third level has been completed, and recieve post-secondary education there,  or if you wish to continue on here.
>Whichever you choose, you had given thought to pursuing an career in medicine, as you have always wanted to help people. Especially your brother. As far as you know, the medical program at Mayoiga U is very good, but there may be better.

[Hello Purvis]

>Have we always been at war with Hogwarts?
>What have we to look forward to later today?

[Oldmansour]

>Have we always been at war with Hogwarts?
>What have we to look forward to later today?

>Only since the fifth book.
>You most certainly have been. The last time you tried that 'drink' down at Edgewalker's bar, you woke up next to Minoriko in the back of Aya's ferrari, halfway across town, missing 9 hours of memory. You are not certain how it has remained legal to distribute.
>After class today, the tennis club has practice scheduled. You also planned to walk Rin to her job at the Blue Lantern Cafe, along with Patchouli and Reisen, the latter of which also being employed at that establishment. You clubmates understand this routine of yours, and your second, Shikako Shirabi, is more than capable of handling affairs in your stead.
>Reisen also asked you to do some shopping for her on your way home. She is also a resident of the Moonside apartments, and you all take turns cooking meals for the group. Tonight is Reisen's turn, but her spice collection is a bit low, so she asked you to replenish her stores after seeing them off to work.

[Hello Purvis]

>Who is this second customer?

[Oldmansour]

>Shikako Shirabi, a second year student, and your right hand woman in the tennis club.
>She is a whitetail deer youkai, appearing to be 17 years old. It's hard to be certain with youkai of their physical age, and those in schools are placed according to their mental age, as is the case with fairys, as well. You are uncertain of her true age, as many youkai are offended by the question, so you have decided not to ask unless she volunteers.
>She is quite talented at the sport, although not quite at your level. She has a keen mind and a serious disposition, as well as a strong sense of fair play. Were you soldiers, you suspect she would make an excellent lieutenant. Your younger members have attempted to get her to 'loosen up' on more than one occasion. Thus far, they have met with little success, but she is still very well liked. When the club meets and you are not there, she is in charge.

[Hello Purvis]

>We have ways to deal with deer. >=[
>Any major events coming up? Exams, Festivals, Holy Grail Wars?

[Kasu]

> How much time is left in class?

[Fightest]

>Currently you speak Eire

> How do we know Irish? Why?

>Among those you know well, currently with you in class are Rin Kaenbyou, your slave,

> Our what now?

[Oldmansour]

>We have ways to deal with deer. >=[
>Any major events coming up? Exams, Festivals, Holy Grail Wars?

>In three days time, Mayoiga Day is slated to begin in the Hatori Saigyoji Memorial Park. It commerates the day the former head of the Saigyoji Group began reconstruction of the town, some 41 years ago, after the second Lunarian war. On one level, it is a testament to the vision of one man, and the tenacity of the living spirit. On a more basic level, it's one big excuse to party.
>Most of your midterm exams are complete, much to the relief of the student body. The only outstanding exam is Tokiko-sensei's math exam, which is slated for next monday. You feel you are quite adequately prepared, and you have been tutoring Letty and Minoriko Aki (who is also a resident of the Moonside apts.) in that department, though Nitori Kawashiro (the fourth resident of Moonside) has more expertise on the subject than you and has been leading the study sessions in that area.
Unfortunately, the last grail war concluded about a month ago. Lancer was the winner, and his wish was for the world to party for a week solid because he is MADE OF WIN.

> How much time is left in class?

>About two or three minutes. Keine is making her final points on the matter for the day.

> How do we know Irish? Why?

> Our what now?

>You know Eire because Rin speaks Eire. She picked it up during her time with Konngara, her previous owner, as Eire is spoken by practically every oni in the world. She was not completely fluent, and as a consequence, neither are you, but you can follow most conversations quite handily.
>Your slave. Oni have kept slaves for centuries, as far as you know, and the most of them treat treat their slaves very well. Evidently the majority of oni consider it an insult to their pride to mistreat a slave. Konngara was not among that majority. Barely a day went by when you didn't see Konngara berate her slave, even for no apparant reason, usually verbally, sometimes not. Being an oni, no one was really willing to do anything about it, so you took matters into your own hands. You challenged her, per oni code, and she accepted, citing the tennis courts as your battlefield. She wanted to humiliate you at your own game. She failed, and so, for the past two months, you have owned Rin.
>You would have released her right away of course, as you have no desire to 'own' anyone, but by oni law, there would have been nothing stopping Konngara from claiming Rin all over again. You are quite certain Rin is happier where she is, and her presence in your life has been nothing but good.

[Hello Purvis]

>Bullshit. Lancer never gets to be awesome, ever. It is his karma to be cut down and never truly get to show his abject sweetness.
>Note down the final points, make sure our notes don't have any glaring holes.

[Oldmansour]

>He did a mighty fine job in UBW of being wicked awesome, I just wish he'd done it more.
>"...and so, on April 7th, a small group of Bonns, with a little support from the Eagleland air force, managed to knock out the inter-space communication relay at Barkhelle, effectively severing communication between the Lunarian occupation forces and the moon for weeks. This would open up several opportunities across all fronts of the conflict, but we'll save those for another day."
>As though timed to perfection, the chime rings out to announce the end of another school day seconds after she finishes speaking. Keine closes her notebook and turns to face the class with a smile.
>"Class dismissed, everyone. See you all tomorrow."
>The class rep, Murasa Minamatsu, calls for the class to stand and bow. The students begin to disperse afterwards, milling about or forming small groups, some following Keine out the door.
>You are a dedicated note taker, though more for the sake of your friends when they need to fill in the holes in their own notes, which happens more than most of them would like to admit, apart from Patchouli.

[Kasu]

> Recall what we know about Patchouli.
> Pack up our stuff and head out the door if there is no other business to attend to.

[Oldmansour]

> Recall what we know about Patchouli.
> Pack up our stuff and head out the door if there is no other business to attend to.

>Patchouli Knowledge is the fifth resident of Moonside apts. She is the youngest of you all, being a first year student, and is not usually in the best of health. Point of fact, she is a very frail girl, not that she would let on. She's very proud, in her own way, and gifted with a massive intellect. She excels at math and the sciences, but is no slouch at most the arts, either.
>Something of a rarity, she was born to two youkai magicians, and is expected to carry on their legacy once her schooling is done. Her father decided, however, that she should experience life in the mundane world as well, and enrolled her in the Mayoiga system. Her move to Moonside was, you suspect, a way to get out from under her parent's eyes a little. She does not speak of her parents often, but what she has said has left you with the impression that their relationship is not on the best of terms.
>While her vast intelligence and frail health are widely know, what is NOT widely known is that she possess a slave of her own. Reisen Udonge, who is technically owned by Patchouli's parents, shares her apartment with her. Her parents purchased the rabbit ostensibly to keep her health in check, but all three of you know that it was a way for her parents to keep her on a 'leash'.
>None of you are entirely opposed to this arrangement, however. Reisen is genunely fond of her master, and she and Rin have taken a great liking to each other. Patchouli's not the type to admit it, but you know for certain that she cares deeply for Reisen, and looks after her slave as much as the slave looks after her master.

>As you gather your belongings, Rin and Letty walk over to join you. The bell on Rin's collar tinkles softly as she approaches and speaks.
>"Off ta work now, Mistress?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Work?
>Is the mistress calling required by oni codes?

[Oldmansour]

>Work?
>Is the mistress calling required by oni codes?

>You yourself have no 'regular' work, but you know Rin was looking forward to you walking her to her job. She enjoys these outings, especially when Patchy and Reisen are cloming along, as it the plan today.
>In a vague sense. You personally would prefer her not to call you that, and she does not when you're at home, but she does so in public because of an obscure clause in oni law. Escessive familiarity CAN be considered grounds for one oni to challenge a slave owner, as it could indicate a lack of control over one's slave. This law is very old, and is practically never invoked. However, as you do not know how extensive Konngara's knowledge of oni law is, and you know full well she'll take any opportunity she can get to challenge you again, you and Rin decided it was best not to take any chances, and thus, she referes to you formally when you're in public.

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "Yes, let's not make you late."
>Escort!

[DracoOmega]

>Slave-keeping is codified by oni law, correct? But do other races also keep slaves, too? Obviously we're something of an exception, given Orin's circumstances, but what of Reisen?
>How are current relations with the Lunarians, given past wars and all?
>What, if anything, is Reisen's connection with the Lunarians?

[E-Nazrin]

>What is Rin's job?

[Oldmansour]

>Slave-keeping is codified by oni law, correct? But do other races also keep slaves, too? Obviously we're something of an exception, given Orin's circumstances, but what of Reisen?

>As far as you know, neither Kappa nor Tengu keep slaves. You've asked Nitori about that before, and her race holds to the freedom of the individual in nearly all things. She's even been a little uncomfortable around Rin and Reisen, but you believe she's working past that. As for the Tengu, they keep much to themselves about their society in general, but based on what you've seen of the tengu in school, as well as those you've worked with outside school, they hold personal freedom in an even higher regard than the Kappa, and do not hold with slavery. As for the youkai, as with most things, in depends on the youkai you're asking. Patchouli's family is obviously comfortable with the concept, whereas other youkai have spoken often and publically against the practice.

>How are current relations with the Lunarians, given past wars and all?

>Tense, to say the least. The second Lunarian war ended less than half a century ago, and the wounds on the world and its people have yet to heal. There are a few individuals from the moon that have a place in society, among them your teacher Houraisam, and the chief administrator at the hospital, but they are rare individuals indeed.

>What, if anything, is Reisen's connection with the Lunarians?

>You are not certain. You know that Reisen is a Lunar rabbit, but she has not spoken to you of her past. You cannot even be certain she was born on Luna. As yet you have not discussed the matter with her, and she has proven reluctant to speak of it when asked by the other residents of Moonside.

>What is Rin's job?

>Both Rin and Reisen are employed as waitresses. Reisen sometimes pulls duty in the kitchen of the cafe, which is understandable given her culinary talents, but you understand this causes the manager, Koakuma, some consternation, as to which task she'd rather the rabbit do.

>Nod. "Yes, let's not make you late."
>Escort!

>The two of them fall into step behind you as you exit the classroom, Rin humming a little tune as she goes. You know she draws some envious looks from other students, but she's mostly become accustomed to that, as have you. You do not manage to get too far beyond the door, however, before you hear a metallic clanging sound coming down the hallway from the left, accompanied by a general gasping sound from the students in that vicinity.

[E-Nazrin]

>Oh, that might not be good.
>Do we have any idea what that clanging might imply?
>What's normally down that hallway?

[DracoOmega]

>Take a look in that direction

[Oldmansour]

>Oh, that might not be good.
>Do we have any idea what that clanging might imply?

>You can't be certain by sound, but it sounds like a metal bucket falling on something. Or perhaps someone, the sound was more subdued than if it was a bucket hitting the ground.

>What's normally down that hallway?

>Classrooms A, B, and C, the student council meeting room, and one flight of stairs leading down to the lower floors.

>Take a look in that direction

>There's a small group of students standing outside B classroom, encircling another female student. You know it is a female because of her uniform rather than her face, because her head is currently covered by a metallic bucket, her clothes dripping wet.
>"That's not something you see every day." remarks Letty dryly.
>You don't have enough time to reply to her before something blows you by from the other way. Closing your eyes for a moment against the gust of wind (and making sure to keep your skirt from blowing up) you then hear the sounds of a camera.

[E-Nazrin]

>We're familiar with these events, aren't we? Especially with Letty's tone.

[Oldmansour]

>We're familiar with these events, aren't we? Especially with Letty's tone.

>This particular event, no. However, you have a working theory. That class was Wriggle-chan's biology class, and Wriggle is something of a mystery about school. Nobody's quite sure if 'she' is male or female, and all surruptitious schemes to reveal this information have failed. If you had to guess, this was another one of those schemes. Given that the bucket landed on someone else's head, it appears to have been another failure.
>As for Letty's tone, this too is not unfamiliar. The winter youkai has a very dry sense of humor, and looks upon most events with a wry eye.
>As if to confirm your theory, you hear a familiar voice mutter between camara-snaps, "Ah, seagulls."

[DracoOmega]

>Who does this voice belong to?
>It isn't coming from the person under the bucket, is it?