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

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, that will be fine. but thank you."

[Oldmansour]

>"No, that will be fine. but thank you."

>"You like em?" Lily asks.
>"I do! Haven't seen clothes like that since-"
>Hironobu clears his throat quietly. "I'm afraid miko-sama and her friends have come on a matter of some import, Hatoko." he states tolerantly, amusement clear in his voice, and from his smile.
>Hatoko looks somewhat abashed, but only for a moment. "Perhaps, when you're finished?" she asks Lily. The white winged girl nods and smiles. Hatoko then looks back at her boss. "You'll let me know if you need anything."
>"Of course, my dear. And put in a call to Gon for me, would you? The AC on the third floor's acting up again."
>With a nod, and another friendly smile to you and Lily, the vividly colored youkai walks down the hall.
>"Sorry for that." Hironobu states as you resume your walk in the opposite direction from Hatoko. "She's very good at what she does, but she's very enthusiastic, and very outgoing. Here we are." He stops in front of a plain white door with his name on a small plaque, as well as a wood mailbox with a slit in its lid, wide enough to allow small papers to be inserted. And what appear to be old claw marks a few inches from the bottom. The pink haired man opens the door, and holds his hand out. "Ladies first."

[Hello Purvis]

>Enter!

[Oldmansour]

>Enter!

>His office is a rather comfortable place, spacious enough for a respectable desk in the northwest corner, one which seems to be antique, a tall bookcase on the west wall, two matching chairs in front of the desk, shelving on the east wall holding more books and photographs. The room sports a red and green check patterned carpet. Several official framed documents are on the wall as well, as well as more pictures.
>Hironobu enters behind you, then pauses before closing the door. "I can ask Hatoko to bring in another chair, if you'd like."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I won't mind standing, there's no need to trouble her."

[Oldmansour]

>"I won't mind standing, there's no need to trouble her."

>Kiku nods. "I prefer to stand, myself."
>"More for me." Lily says as she plops herself down in one of the available chairs. Hironobu chuckles quietly as he closes the door.
>"I like your spunk, young lady." he says as he walks around you towards his desk, addressing Lily. "And you handled Daigo very well for your first time seeing him."
>"I've seen a lot of youkai like that. I like them." she says cheerfully.
>"And you as well, miss... Lotus, I believe it was?" he addresses you. "Some people that encounter fledgling youkai like Daigo there experience some discomfort."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I am Lotus, yes. I've learned over time that we all have much more in common than we have separating us. Daigo was just curious, I think. No need to discourage him."

[Oldmansour]

>"I am Lotus, yes. I've learned over time that we all have much more in common than we have separating us. Daigo was just curious, I think. No need to discourage him."

>His smile broadens. You seem to have impressed him. "Wisdom, insight, enlightenment and enthusiasm. Your temple has good choice in friends, miko-sama." He spares a glance at the stern faced Kiku before returning his attention to you both. "If either of you are in need of work, keep our organization in mind. We're always looking for good people."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I may well take you up on that offer someday, you are most kind."

[Oldmansour]

>"I may well take you up on that offer someday, you are most kind."

>He chuckles warmly. "Why thank you. But, I am also a businessman. And believe me, I know the value of good people to an operation." He then leans forward slightly, resting his arms on the desk in front of him. "But there'll be plenty of time to discuss that, after miko-sama's business is concluded."
>"Indeed." Kiku replies. "Nine days ago, a youkai came to our temple, one that had served at the temple before, but had moved overseas 12 years ago. She is no longer a miko, but several of my sisters, and Komeji-sama herself, have become aware of some suspicious behavior of hers."
>"Can you be more specific?"
>"We'd rather not, at this point. It could be that we're worrying over nothing. That's why I'd rather not mention her name. And why we came to you, directly, rather than speak to any of her old councilors here. We didn't want to implicate someone, potentially tarnish their image, without something more solid."
>"And you say she was once a ward of ours?"
>"Yes. This would have been 16 years ago. That's why we wanted to check your records ourselves. To see if there was anything there to indicate this type of behavior, or at least explain it."

>The pink haired man leans backwards in his chair, thinking for a moment or two, then turns to you. "Since I assume you two are not part of the temple, I assume you have a personal stake in this matter?"

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"That is correct."

[Oldmansour]

>"That is correct."

>Lily voices an affirmative as well.
>"And, like miko-sama, you would prefer not to reveal too many of the details on the matter?"

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Nod.

[Oldmansour]

>Nod.

>"I see. Can I ask, at least, if you agree with miko-sama that this youkai is acting in a manner contrary to the well-being of the temple?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"If we are correct about this, then yes, this person would be acting contrary to the temple's well-being."
>Assuming it's a youma or one of their masters, anyways...

[Oldmansour]

>"If we are correct about this, then yes, this person would be acting contrary to the temple's well-being."
>Assuming it's a youma or one of their masters, anyways...

>"Would you mind if I ask if why two outsiders are here on what seems to be an internal matter of the temple?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"It is...a little private. But suffice it to say that if we are right about this, then we have a strong connection to this."

[Oldmansour]

>"It is...a little private. But suffice it to say that if we are right about this, then we have a strong connection to this."

>Hironobu closes his eyes for a moment, leaning back again before opening them. "This isn't easy for you, is it?"
>"What, sir?" Lily asks him.
>"Keeping things to yourselves, like this." He learns forward again, templing his fingers. "I'm a rather good judge of character, and I judge all of you to be very honest girls. You find keeping secrets distasteful, yes?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>Compulse honesty~
>"Yes. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be necessary. But, unfortunately, the world is not so and we must be very careful with what we say for our sakes, and those of others unrelated.  Hmmm, let us say it like this. If you feel we are honest, do you feel that we are trustworthy, given we distinctively decided to try this option? I am sure you're aware that we had considered less savory methods that would have let us skip having to speak as we are, and we elected to discard them because they sit less well with us. Suffice it to say, we need to get down there. If you feel we are honest and feel that we are trustworthy, then please understand we are not seeking to do anything untoward or harmful."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod.
>Compulse honesty~
>"Yes. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be necessary. But, unfortunately, the world is not so and we must be very careful with what we say for our sakes, and those of others unrelated.  Hmmm, let us say it like this. If you feel we are honest, do you feel that we are trustworthy, given we distinctively decided to try this option? I am sure you're aware that we had considered less savory methods that would have let us skip having to speak as we are, and we elected to discard them because they sit less well with us. Suffice it to say, we need to get down there. If you feel we are honest and feel that we are trustworthy, then please understand we are not seeking to do anything untoward or harmful."

>The pink haired man in the kimono raises his interlaced fingers to rest under his chin, his expression contemplative.
>"You speak well, Lotus." Kiku compliments you, though you think you can detect just a hint of irritation in her voice.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Thank you, Kiku."
>Look bad to Ghost Dad. "Another reason why we had chosen this route is that I am afraid time may be a factor."

[Oldmansour]

>"Thank you, Kiku."
>Look bad to Ghost Dad. "Another reason why we had chosen this route is that I am afraid time may be a factor."

>Hironobu lowers his hands, his expression serious. He is looking at you, not Kiku, when he asks, quite seriously "This is beyond the usual haunting, isn't it?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I am afraid it may well be."

[Oldmansour]

>"I am afraid it may well be."

>"I hope you understand, you've all left me a lot of questions. Some of which I WILL be looking for answers for, assuming you are successful." He addresses Kiku, "You require no aid from us?"
>"Only access."
>"Should I prepare to evacuate the building?"
>"I don't believe that will be necessary." Perhaps it's just your ear, but she definately sounds testy.
>"We've handled this before, and we can do it again!" Lily adds. Brave words from someone who's never actually seen combat herself.
>Hironobu exhales softly and smiles a small smile, for a second. "I would at least ask you, if possible, to take care. A great deal of the information down there is irreplaceable."

[Hello Purvis]

>Frown.
>"Don't you have it digitally recorded?"

[Oldmansour]

>Frown.
>"Don't you have it digitally recorded?"

>"I'm afraid explaining that might take more time than I suspect you have. Suffice it to say, there was an incident, some information was lost, and we've yet to replace it from archives."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Alright. I will do everything in my power not to harm what is down there."
>Did our attacks even do property damage?

[Oldmansour]

>"Alright. I will do everything in my power not to harm what is down there."
>Did our attacks even do property damage?

>"Me too." Lily adds, while Kiku's response is somewhat.... less definite. "I cannot give any guarantees. But, I will try."
>The pink haired man seems to sigh, then rises, sparing a glance at one of the pictures on the shelf. He gestures towards his door, a look of veiled resignation on his face. "I presume you know the way down?"
>None of the abilities you have demonstrated thus far have had any effect, destructive or otherwise, on anything other than the youma you've fought, and their constructs.

[Hello Purvis]

>Glance to Kiku.

[Oldmansour]

>Glance to Kiku.

>The tiger youkai quirks a curious eyebrow in your direction, as though wondering why you didn't answer right away, but fields the question on your behalf. "We do."
>Hironobu stands. "Then go. I'll join you very shortly, after I have a word with Hatoko."