Magical Lotus, Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 2

[Oldmansour]

>Let them go.
>"I think I'll keep to the cell phones, outside of emergencies. It's easier to use in public and such."
>Wait for Eagle to get back.

>Despite the fuzzy feelings of a good group hug, you release the other two girls.
>Lily, however, gives Marigold another quick squeeze before pointing her smiling face back at you. "Sure!"
>Marigold seems lost in thought after leaving the arms of her 'mama', but says nothing immediately. She sits down slowly as you move to lean against the wall of the shack, watching the temple door for signs of the Eagle, while trying not to dwell too much on Lily's kiss. This was not your first kiss, but it was your first in a while, and rather unexpected. Currently, Lily is using her lips to chat quietly with Marigold.
>After a couple minutes, the Eagle emerges from the temple door, her wings setting her apart from the crew of girls sitting/standing in front of the temple, now wearing street clothes and carrying a guitar case

(Nicely played, Guy. Sour's a sucker for group hugs.)

[Hello Purvis]

>"It seems we are on."
>Approach Eagle and the gang.

[Oldmansour]

>"It seems we are on."
>Approach Eagle and the gang.

>Lily nods and smiles. "Go on, I'll give Konpaku-sama a call while you make their days." Marigold stands and follows behind you.
>There's about 8 young women gathered near the entrance of the temple, not including Eagle, each of them garbed in the traditional attire of the miko, nearly all with obvious signs of being youkai, with varying colors of their long skirts. Half are a shade of bronze, three more are a brighter shade, kind of coppery, and there is one silver skirt, worn by a tall woman, older than the rest, with cat ears and a swishing tail, with a very foul look directed at Eagle. Eagle herself wears a rather arrogant smirk, as if she's proud of the scowl aimed at her, as she produces a weather-beaten acoustic guitar from her case.
>As you and Marigold approach the gaggle of young women, one of them, with long aqua-green hair and a rather downcast expression, turns to face you, and sprouts a small smile. "That must be her." you hear her say, and she, followed by a trio of others. She breezes past you, stops in front of Marigold, looking her up and down. She nods slowly. "I knew it'd look good on you." states in a rather soft voice.

[Hello Purvis]

>"It was very kind of you to lend it to us, thank you."

[Oldmansour]

>"It was very kind of you to lend it to us, thank you."

>The aqua-haired woman nods absently at your comment, seemingly fixed on her appraisal of your 'daughter'. The woman behind her, a shorter girl with a big, puffy squirrel-like tail, brown with white stripes, and matching ears, grins mischeviously. "Kind, nothin'. Toune here can't resist dressing folks up when she gets the chance."
>The woman indicated as Toune merely mutters under her breath, which draws a bemused chuckle from the apparant squirrel youkai. "Ah, but ya make it so easy, Toune. 's why we all loves ya!" And with that she leans in, throws her arms around Toune and kisses her cheek. This gets her attention, as she blushes fiercely, trying (half-heartedly, you suspect) to push the squirrel off. "Leave off, Risa..." The other two girls that followed, one tall with long black hair and a matching tail, the other short with short green hair and dragonfly-like wings, laugh heartedly and Toune's predicament.
>Marigold, for her part, seems a little lost, amidst the goings-on.

>"Come away from there!" the miko in the silver skirt and sour puss calls out to her fellow shrine maidens. The air of authority in her voice mathes the rather imposing aura she radiates. "New youkai doesn't need to see your shenanigans!" Even the perky squirrel seems to wither at the sound of that voice, and the four of them take a few steps away from you and Marigold.

[Hello Purvis]

>Quietly to Marigold during the tussle, "They're just having some fun. But try not to do those sorts of things yourself until you understand things a little better."
>Once Sour Puss arrives. "It's alright, it's good for her to see people being friendly and enjoy themselves. No harm has been done."

[Oldmansour]

>Quietly to Marigold during the tussle, "They're just having some fun. But try not to do those sorts of things yourself until you understand things a little better."
>Once Sour Puss arrives. "It's alright, it's good for her to see people being friendly and enjoy themselves. No harm has been done."

>Marigold nods slowly, smiling slightly as Risa 'assaults' Toune. "I understand, mother. But... I don't know the words, but seeing two... people.... connect... Feels right."
>The silver skirted miko doesn't leave her place near the temple, merely folds her arms across her chest, her dark expression unchanging. Now that you're giving her a better look, you can see that she, like Chie, has feline ears and a tail. But hers are an orangy-red, with prominant black stripes, and her hair has the same coloration. A keen eye denotes she also has razor-thin black stripes on her skin, as well. You'd describe her as beautiful, but her severe bearing and downright mean expression kind of takes some of that away.
>Eagle levels a smirk her way. "Could learn a thing or two from that one, Kiki."
>"And you could learn to keep that forked tongue away from me." the feline youkai snaps, before returning her molten gold eyes to you. "The discipline of the maidens of this shrine is MINE to maintain and judge, human, not yours. I'll not have them act like a bunch of kittens in front of a new life, or any life, for that matter."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Are harsh and unpleasant words considered more fitting for a new life, then? Or insults toward Eagle?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Are harsh and unpleasant words considered more fitting for a new life, then? Or insults toward Eagle?"

>"Insult?" She quirks an eyebrow. She glances between the two of you, and sighs slightly. "Right..." She levels an almost sad look at Eagle. "How in the world did you manage to wrap THIS one around your finger so easily? So looks wise enough to know better."
>The Eagle's grin never waves. "Well, she hasn't known me that long." she remarks casually, plucking a D string.

[Hello Purvis]

>Oh, so many openings to exploit if we were a worse person...
>"Regardless, I believe we have promised everyone a song?"

[Oldmansour]

>Oh, so many openings to exploit if we were a worse person...
>"Regardless, I believe we have promised everyone a song?"

>Plenty of time to expound upon those opportunities in the postgame.
>Your last word brings a pleasant buzz back to the crowd of girls, as the somewhat darkened atmosphere brought on by your exchange with the striped youkai dissipates, replaced by one of giddy anticipation. You'd think the vaunted Flan herself was rolling up the temple steps, instead of yourself, accompanied by a rather dubious character with a beaten guitar and a battered harmonica.
>Three of the miko walk apart from you, back towards the entrance of the temple, the squirrel still looking somewhat subdued. She does, however, have her arm firmly linked around Toune's, who still seems to be blushing slightly.
>The short one with the dragonfly wings, however, remians in proximity to you, smiling somewhat uncertainly. "Please don't be too upset with Kiku. She takes her role here very seriously, and we all actually like her for it, but Asuka's being here makes her... unhappy."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ah, why is that?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Ah, why is that?"

>The small girl blinks in confusion, then her face shows some sympathy. "I guess you really DID just meet her, didn't you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Mmm, I see. Forgive me, we had yet to really be introduced properly, so I though maybe you were talking about one of your companions."

[Oldmansour]

>"Mmm, I see. Forgive me, we had yet to really be introduced properly, so I though maybe you were talking about one of your companions."

>The small girl nods in understanding. "Asuka's the Eagle's real name, Asuka Nagashima. I don't know why she prefers 'Eagle', but, that's just her way, I didn't pry. I myself don't like nicknames, so, I always call her Asuka. Sorry for the confusion."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>"It's alright."
>Keep pace with that raptor!

[Oldmansour]

>Nod.
>"It's alright."
>Keep pace with that raptor!

>Given that the raptor in question is stationary, this proves to be an easy task, as she finishes prepping her guitar, then produces an odd metal apparatus with two elongeted prongs around a semicircular hoop of steel and her harmonica, as you close the distance between you, the miko with the dragonfly wings and Marigold behind you.
>"You sure you can play botha those at once, Eagle?" asks a copper-skirted woman of medium height with short black hair, standing behind Eagle.
>"This tune and a lot harder ones, Streaks." Eagle replies, with only a hint of pride. She places the metal gizmo over her head, letting the frame rest on her shoulders, then affixes her harmonica between the two extension, placing the thing in front of her mouth. That explains how she intends to play both instruments, then. Giving her harp a couple test blows, she leans back. "Right, all set."
>One of the seated bronze-skirted miko, a tallish woman with canine ears atop her head, long white hair with blue streaks in it, stands quickly and moves to one side, seemingly offering you her seat. You note Kiku nod slightly in approval.

[Hello Purvis]

>Wave a hand to the canine youkai, a seat won't be needed.
>"So am I. Start us off?"
>Once she begins, join in at the appropriate time.

[Oldmansour]

>Wave a hand to the canine youkai, a seat won't be needed.
>"So am I. Start us off?"
>Once she begins, join in at the appropriate time.

>The canine spares a sidelong glance back at Kiku, who gives her an approving nod, prompting the canine to give you a nod of acknowledgement.
>Eagle nods an affirmative your way, and the buzz around the crowd dies down as she blows out another couple test notes of her harmonica, replaced by an expectant hush.
>It had been a while since you last heard the song, and even longer since the last time you sang it, but when Eagle starts playing the first few notes of the song, it comes back to you very easily, and you nail your cue. While your voice is of a higher timbre than the original singer, this does not affect your ability to carry across the same emotional intent as the original, as it does in other peoples' cases. Your rich, full, beautiful voice (the words of your fans, of course, not your own, you'd describe your singing talents as modest, at best) croons the bittersweet tale told in Bad Timing. Eagle joins you for the first chorus, and while her voice doesn't entirely harmonize with yours, she has a surprisingly pleasant baritone.
>On the second chorus, however, two more voices join you and the Eagle; another baritone, this one belonging to the youkai with the long black tail, currently seated, with the woman Eagle was speaking to leaning over behind her, her arms wrapped around the youkai's shoulders; the other a bass, coming from Toune, who is standing hand in hand with Risa. Despite her previous objections to the squirrel youkai's affections, she seems very comfortable with her proximity now, despite the great tears streaming down the face of her partner.

>When you finish your song, as the Eagle's last notes drift away into the air, Risa darts forward and envelops you in a hug, weeping dramatically. You think you hear her say "Beautiful!" but it's hard to tell through the overly dramatic noise. The other mikos aren't as overly dramatic, but they do give you a rousing round of applause. Except Kiku, of course, but even she is smiling at you now.

[Hello Purvis]

>Return the hug. "Thank you, but please don't give me too much credit. Eagle did her share, as well. And so did everyone who joined us."

[Oldmansour]

>Return the hug. "Thank you, but please don't give me too much credit. Eagle did her share, as well. And so did everyone who joined us."

>"Credit where it's due, Superstar." Eagle smirks as she lays her guitar aside. "You've a fine singin' voice on ya. Ever thought about makin' a living that way?"
>"Indeed." Kiku intones. "I thank you, Hijiri-san, for gracing our shrine with this gift." She bows formally. As do the other miko around you, except for Risa, who's still weeping, and Toune, who gently tries to pry her off you. Without a tremendous amount of success.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Is...she going to be alright?"
>Gently subtly toward weepy Risa.

[Oldmansour]

>"Is...she going to be alright?"
>Gently subtly toward weepy Risa.

>Toune nods slowly. "She's.... overly emotional. She may need a minute." she replies in a tone that seems to say she's kinda like this all the time. Risa responds by quickly disengaging from you and enveloping Toune in that massive glomp of hers, prompting a "Glccck!" sound from the human. You wonder if that happens all the time, as well.
>You hear Kiku's voice adressing the throng, "And now, Sisters, with the show over, I believe we all have duties to attend?" The assembled females begin to disperse, most back into the temple, all chatting happily amongst themselves, some of them calling back another 'thank you' to you, while the miko with the dragonfly wings exchanges a farewell with Marigold before heading for the shack.
>Kiku then walks down from the veranda, towards you. "As I assume entertaining my Sisters was not why you came to visit the shrine today- which I thank you for again- has your visit proved satisfactory? Or do you desire a private consult with Satori, or one of our other Sisters?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, I think I'm fine for now. Thank you for being kind hosts."

[Oldmansour]

>"No, I think I'm fine for now. Thank you for being kind hosts."

>"It is our duty to serve." Kiku takes a moment to give Risa and Toune the eye, looking slightly displeased, but also resigned. She then glances back at the Eagle, closing her guitar case and slinging it over her shoulder. "If I may offer some advice," she adds, "I would take great care when dealing with her, if you intend to do so in the future. She does nothing that she cannot profit from. I would hate to see her exploit yet another."

[Hello Purvis]

>Quietly say, "I would believe that kind of thinking would lead a person to believe they have no reason to act any differently.  I'm keep caution in mind, but she's not done anything particularly wrong to me yet."

[Oldmansour]

>Quietly say, "I would believe that kind of thinking would lead a person to believe they have no reason to act any differently.  I'm keep caution in mind, but she's not done anything particularly wrong to me yet."

>"'Yet' being the optimum word." Kiku doesn't bother to keep her voice down. "It always starts with 'yet', with her and those like her. You would be well served not to associate with her at all." Despite her obvious dislike of Eagle, you'd swear you saw a flicker of fear in the striped youkai's eyes when she looked at her.
>"But that is your decision, of course. You did not come here for a consultation, so I offer none. Forgive me, if I have said too much."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I do not think I am the one whose forgiveness you need to ask. But thank you."
>Wait for her to go, then look to Eagle. "You must have a hard time resisting the urge to really take advantage of some of these people."

[Oldmansour]

>"I do not think I am the one whose forgiveness you need to ask. But thank you."
>Wait for her to go, then look to Eagle. "You must have a hard time resisting the urge to really take advantage of some of these people."

>Kiku frowns briefly at your advice, and that same flicker of fear crosses her eyes again briefly. For a moment, she seems to want to say more, but she does not. Merely bows briefly and walks back towards the temple.
>"Hope ya liked the show, Kiki." Eagle remarks a little too pleasantly, eliciting a snarl and a scowl from the feline youkai as she passes by. Eagle chuckles softly, then stands, pocketing her harmonica in her old blue jean jacket.
>"You mean Kiki there?" she smirks, strolling towards you. "Well... a little. But, honestly, her, I don't mind as much as some others in my time. I understand her." She chuckles softly, shaking her head. "She KNOWS I do, too. And that just makes things worse, for her."

[nolrai2]

"Reputation is a strange thing.  Even one such that I have, which is a useful tool, and something that I feel I have done some part to earn, can twist lives in subtle and blatant ways.  We can never truly know what it is to be another with out being them, and even that is sometimes not enough, but forgive me for my philosophy."

hmm..not quite right, probably projecting to much of my self into our Bya-chan.