Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 2, part 2

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hmm, would you normally turn down an offer assistance of the capable, when lives are in the balance?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm, would you normally turn down an offer assistance of the capable, when lives are in the balance?"

>"If I thought that assistance was unnecessary."

[Hello Purvis]

>"And do you, given what we've faced?"

[Oldmansour]

>"And do you, given what we've faced?"

>"I don't intend to tell Saigyouji-san the true nature of our presence, if that's what you mean."

[Hello Purvis]

"Ah, I was thinking the truth would be enough. What do you intend to avoid?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Ah, I was thinking the truth would be enough. What do you intend to avoid?"

>"As I said, the story I've told Kikuri and Saigyouji-san is that I came her to check the records of a particular youkai, one that came through the CRA several years ago, and that recently returned to the shrine. And that I wanted to handle the issue that way, rather than speak to any counselor that handled her, because neither I nor Satori-sama wanted to implicate anyone without having evidence to back up our suspicions. I hadn't planned on telling him anything about why we're really here."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Could you say that you are inquiring on my behalf, perhaps?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Could you say that you are inquiring on my behalf, perhaps?"

>"Possibly. Did you have something specific in mind?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"It should be easy enough to say I have a personal tie to the case at hand."

[Oldmansour]

>"It should be easy enough to say I have a personal tie to the case at hand."

>Kiku nods her head towards Lily. "And you friend?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"We can both have personal ties, I imagine? Or you could say that she is here to support me. Both are true, really."

[Oldmansour]

>"We can both have personal ties, I imagine? Or you could say that she is here to support me. Both are true, really."

>"Some truth would be preferable." She pauses, looks towards the elevators, then back to you. "Even in the line of duty, deception does not come easily to me, Lotus. I find it distasteful."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>"Likewise."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod.
>"Likewise."

>Behind you, Chie and Lily part from each other, Chie taking a seat along the wall while Lily walks over to you and Kiku. "What's the plan?" she asks you.

[Hello Purvis]

>"The plan seems to be that we talk with Mr. Saigyouji and tell him that we need to see something in the records; Kiku is handling it on behalf of the temple, and generously aiding us in our own interest in the matter."

[Oldmansour]

>"The plan seems to be that we talk with Mr. Saigyouji and tell him that we need to see something in the records; Kiku is handling it on behalf of the temple, and generously aiding us in our own interest in the matter."

>Lily look at the youkai and smiles. "Well, I hope Saigyouji-san believes us."
>"As do I." Kiku says simply, as the elevator doors to your left open. A man who seems to be in his early thirties, wearing a very simple grey-green kimono with a dull white obi. He is wearing glasses, and his hair is a very light shade of pink. Very odd for a male. He looks towards the three of you, and approaches at a casual pace.
>"You must be the miko from the Metal Tiger." he adresses Kiku in a friendly tone, and bows before her. "We appreciate the assistance you and your sisters have given us over the years. My name is Hironobu Saigyoji."
>Kiku returns his bow. "We thank you for seeing us, Saigyouji-san."
>"It's no trouble at all. But, I understand the issue you've come to see me about is rather sensitive. Would you rather discuss it in my office?"
>"Yes, please."
>He looks towards you and Lily. "Are you here with Miko-sama?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "Yes, we are. Thank you again for taking the time to listen to us."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Yes, we are. Thank you again for taking the time to listen to us."

>"The Saigyoujis are always pleased to help."
>He gestures towards the double doors on the east wall. "I keep an office on the ground floor for events such as this. Shall we adjourn there?"
>"If you please." Kiku states simply. The pink haired man nods and heads in the indicated direction, Kiku politely behind.
>"Nice guy." Lily says to you.

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod to Lily. "It would do to be a nice person when involved in this sort of work."
>Follow that ghost corporate leader!

[Oldmansour]

>Nod to Lily. "It would do to be a nice person when involved in this sort of work."
>Follow that ghost corporate leader!

>Tucking in behind the miko and the businessman, your little train of goodness passes through the double doors into the hallway beyond. A pair of humans wearing those black and yellow wristbands are several feet ahead of you, walking towards the end of the hallway, engrossed in their own conversation.
>"I understand two of your sisters brought a newborn youkai to us earlier today." the Saigyouji man comments to Kiku. "Was that one of them back there?"
>"Quite so. I was not present for the event itself, nor have I spoken at length to any of those that were there. Have you been able to help her?"
>"I'm not sure she needs much 'help' at this point, miko-sama. Her consult and evaluation is still in the initial stages, so, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the details at this point."
>As you approach one of the open doorways about halfway down the hallway, a young man's head, full of shaggy brown hair, sticks itself out into the hallway, sniffing around. There are a pair of canine ears atop the head. His big eyes eventually settle on you as you approach .

[Hello Purvis]

>Take a moment to evaluate Kaynine while we follow Saigyouji. Does he strike us as a newly formed youkai, or just someone being themselves?

[Oldmansour]

>Take a moment to evaluate Kaynine while we follow Saigyouji. Does he strike us as a newly formed youkai, or just someone being themselves?

Kaynine. Nice one.

>The action seems very natural for the dogboy. In fact, Letty's dog Hyozan would like quite natural doing that. The thought leads you to think he's a rather fledgling youkai. Either that, or one that hasn't shaken the instincts from his previous life. His eyes follow you.
>"I hope you're not uncomfortable, young lady." the Saigyouji man says. "Some of our residents are unaccustomed to strangers. Daigo here's only been with us two weeks."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, not at all. He's not done anything to inconvenience me."
>Offer Daigo a smile.

[Oldmansour]

>"Oh, not at all. He's not done anything to inconvenience me."
>Offer Daigo a smile.

>You offer the young youkai (puppy?) a friendly smile. He tilts his head sideways slightly in curiousity.
>"I would have thought it prudent to not let youkai near strangers if they're not prepared." Kiku advises archly.
>"It depends on the youkai, of course." Hironobu replies, semingly unfazed. "Some adapt more quickly than others, and some are more, or less, volatile than others. We run a safe operation, miko-sama. For our guests, employees, and visitors. Daigo here, for instance, hasn't been exposed to outsiders often, but he has a docile nature. Curious, even. I don't believe he's done anything violent, or even raised his voice, since he was here. Nor is he skittish or unnerved by people." He chuckles quietly. "As you can see."

[Hello Purvis]

>To Doggone: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Daigo."

[Oldmansour]

>To Doggone: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Daigo."

>The puppy-boy looks at you quizzically for a moment, before straightening out and emerging fully into the hallway. You suppress a gasp at the sight; he's no puppy. Physically he seems in his mind twenties. And not wearing much in the line of clothing. Other than a pair of white and blue beach shorts, he is wearing nothing at all. And he's a fairly good looking specimen of youkai, too. Very toned but lean.
>He approaches you slowly, still sniffing the air curiously. A rather awkward looking smile appears on his face. "Likewise." he says slowly.
>You hear Lily emit an 'awwww' behind you.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Unfortunately, I can't really stay and chat. We have something important that must be taken care of. Regardless, it was nice to meet you. I hope you don't give your helpers here much trouble."

[Oldmansour]

>"Unfortunately, I can't really stay and chat. We have something important that must be taken care of. Regardless, it was nice to meet you. I hope you don't give your helpers here much trouble."

>You think you lost the fledgling somewhere along the lines, judging from the look on his face.
>"Gotta keep it simple, Lotus." Lily chirps, walking up to Daigo and, unhesitatingly, pats him on the head, giving him a big smile. "Good to see you, friend. But we can't stay. Be good?" Daigo smiles a little more easily this time, and nods. "Okay, pretty girl." he says quietly. Lily laughs.
>You hear Kiku start to say something, likely a disapproval of your partners treatment of the young youkai, but she appears to stop short.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes, be good."
>Follow that industrialist!

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes, be good."
>Follow that industrialist!

>Exchanging farewells with Daigo, you and your merry troupe continue down the hallway. Daigo's tail swishes happily as you take your leave of him.
>No more curious heads poke out into the hallway on your way towards its end, and which point, Hironobu makes a left turn. A dark skinned man in a labcoat passes by you, heading in the opisite direction, his expression one of intense thought. You have to step to the side slightly to avoid bumping shoulders with him, and Lily has to pull her wing in quickly. Some scientists these days...
>The Saigyouji pauses once to speak with a rather colorful figure. She is a tall woman in a bright pink and white kimono, with bright red hair with green tips, sporting green wings with blue and yellow feathers of many shades. They exchange words seemigly pertaining to day to day operations here, and then she turns her attention to you three. She gives you a pleasant smile and a friendly greeting, then bows politely.
>"This is Hatoko, my... Well, I suppose 'right hand' is as good a term as any. Basically, anything that needs to be done, she can take care of." Hironobu introduces the bird youkai to you.
>"It's been too long since one of you Sisters has visited us in person, miko-sama." She says to Kiku, and to you and Lily, "And I love those outfits of yours!" She looks between you and Kiku. "Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea?"