Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3

[DracoOmega]

>I'm afraid I do not know any practicing magicians, though a friend of mine is relatively well-versed on the theory, I believe. Her parents are magicians but they have been quite adamant that she is not to learn the family art until she is older.

[Oldmansour]

>I'm afraid I do not know any practicing magicians, though a friend of mine is relatively well-versed on the theory, I believe. Her parents are magicians but they have been quite adamant that she is not to learn the family art until she is older.

>Likely because they fear for her safety, which is sensible. We ourselves have a similar practice, not to teach the ways of Metal magics to anyone not prepared to deal with the risks involved. Still, if she is knowledgeable in the theory behind that brand of magic, perhaps you can glean some information from her. At least something we can use to battle the Water champion, should we have to when we go to it.

[DracoOmega]

>Is there anything in particular you think I should ask her?

[Oldmansour]

>Is there anything in particular you think I should ask her?

>All systems and schools of magic have weaknesses, shortcomings. Something it can't cover. Something that we might be able to exploit.

[DracoOmega]

>Then I shall endeavor my best to inquire on that front when I have opportunity to do so. Though... you fought the Champion of Water for much longer than we did; I suspect you are more familiar with its capabilities than I am. Is there anything specific which you witnessed that might bear inquiry?

[Oldmansour]

>Then I shall endeavor my best to inquire on that front when I have opportunity to do so. Though... you fought the Champion of Water for much longer than we did; I suspect you are more familiar with its capabilities than I am. Is there anything specific which you witnessed that might bear inquiry?

>Kiku takes a few moments before answering that one. You have the vague sense that reliving those memories is still hard for her. I am... unsure of what abilities it employed that would be tied to its professed element, and what were inherent to its form. she says at last. It barely used any skills or magics against me at all, apart from manipulating the water of the pool down there. It didn't need to; my magics could barely singe its scales.
>My magics.... she adds, a thought obviously occurring to her. It's possible that its grounding in the school outside of my own rendered it nearly immune to mine, until my power was augmented by the Light. Perhaps that a quality of water of that school, something that would make Metal type magic ineffective against it. Would she know if such a thing was possible?

[DracoOmega]

>I cannot say for certain, but she may; I will ask.

[Oldmansour]

>I cannot say for certain, but she may; I will ask.

>Very well. And if you can think of anything I might be able to find in our records here, without arousing the suspicions of whoever is behind the threat here, then do feel free to mention them.

[DracoOmega]

>I will do so, though I am not certain anything else occurs to me presently that we have not already discussed. Aside from the obvious matter of any references to previous demonic incursions that are preserved in your records, of course.

[Oldmansour]

>I will do so, though I am not certain anything else occurs to me presently that we have not already discussed. Aside from the obvious matter of any references to previous demonic incursions that are preserved in your records, of course.

>Well, now we know that we can communicate with each other in this manner, should anything occur to either of us.
>It is... strange that I feel safe when doing so. There is a part of me that wants to be afraid of this method of communication, that we do not know enough about our enemy to know for certain it is completely safe. And yet, somehow, I believe- No. I know that it is. I do not know why.

[DracoOmega]

>Do we feel likewise?
>Does the nature of this contact feel different than when we speak with the Purpose?

[Oldmansour]

>Do we feel likewise?
>Does the nature of this contact feel different than when we speak with the Purpose?

>You've certainly felt secure enough using this method to speak with Lily before. You've had no sense that you have anything to worry about with either her or during this conversation with Kiku.
>The feeling of contact is different. When you speak with the Purpose, you have a sense you are communicating with something that isn't... quite there. Like speaking to someone who just happens to be on the dark side of the moon, yet can hear you perfectly. Plus its dry emotionless voice doesn't offer you much in the way of feelings at all, except for being perhaps a little off putting.
>With Kiku and Lily, however, the sensation is much more real. It feels more intimate with Lily, like you can hear more than just her words, you can hear her thoughts as well, and the feelings behind them. Images of frolicking rabbit and squirrels and dancing butterflies and flowering fields occasionally flit through your mind when you speak to her in this way. With Kiku, the sensation is nowhere near that... close, but it's still a lot more grounded, more 'real', than with the Purpose.

[DracoOmega]

>Yes, something about it does feel.... sheltered. Close. ...if you know what I mean.

[Oldmansour]

>Yes, something about it does feel.... sheltered. Close. ...if you know what I mean.

>You have a vague sense of Kiku nodding. I've not experienced anything quite like it before. Perhaps... we will understand it better, as we employ it more.

[DracoOmega]

>I suspect so. We all have a great deal to learn the coming days, I think. But it is good to have friends to share it with.

[Oldmansour]

>I suspect so. We all have a great deal to learn the coming days, I think. But it is good to have friends to share it with.

>Kiku again pauses before answering. That's still a very strange word to hear.

[DracoOmega]

>Put a bright smile in our thoughts: Of all the strange things we will doubtless face in the future, I hope this will quickly grow to be the least of them

[Oldmansour]

>Put a bright smile in our thoughts: Of all the strange things we will doubtless face in the future, I hope this will quickly grow to be the least of them

>Kiku takes several moments to consider that. In the intervening time, the door opens again and Rin reenters.
>I am... grateful, to you, Byakuren. she says at last. I never... I never had a desire for friends. But... I think I am grateful that it is you. You are... a very unique individual.

[DracoOmega]

>Give Rin a smile and wave. Try not to look too distracted and spacy, if we can manage it.
>I shall take that as a compliment, I think. And I am grateful to you as well, Kiku - for your brave and earnest soul and your companionship on this journey we now share. Thank you.

[Oldmansour]

>Give Rin a smile and wave. Try not to look too distracted and spacy, if we can manage it.
>I shall take that as a compliment, I think. And I am grateful to you as well, Kiku - for your brave and earnest soul and your companionship on this journey we now share. Thank you.

>Rin shakes a touch of water out of her tails before she closes the door. "Rain's startin' to slack off a bit out there." she informs you as she doffs her jacket. "Still blowy as hell, though."
>Kiku's voice does not return right away. You somehow have the impression you've left her at a loss for words.

[Hello Purvis]

>Give Kiku her time.
>"Did you get everything you need?"

[Oldmansour]

>Give Kiku her time.
>"Did you get everything you need?"

>"Actually, that's what I come back up for." she says, walking past the kitchen and stretching slightly. "Minoriko's making spaghetti, enough for everyone, but she wanted t'know if there was anythin' special you wanted."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Mmm, that sounds like just the thing for today. Make sure there is plenty of cheese, I suppose? Will there be garlic bread?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Mmm, that sounds like just the thing for today. Make sure there is plenty of cheese, I suppose? Will there be garlic bread?"

>"Oh yeah." Rin says with a cheery nod, then smiles a little. "Much as I love the smell of Minoriko's bakin' bread, the smell a garlic makes my nose itch. So she sent me back up here until it was finished, that's the other reason I come back."

[Hello Purvis]

>"How long until it's done?"
>Are Minoriko's meals communal affairs?
>Did we get any homework today?
>Is there a Craigslist equivalent that we know of?

[Oldmansour]

>"How long until it's done?"
>Are Minoriko's meals communal affairs?
>Did we get any homework today?
>Is there a Craigslist equivalent that we know of?

>"'bout an... hour and a half 'r so, I think. I offered to help with the veggies, that'll make things go a bit quicker." She hesitates, then adds, cautiously, "Unless you... wanted to pick up where we left us before."
>They are, almost universally. Especially on cold, rainy windy days like this, she likes to have a hot meal for her friends.
>Today was homework free.
>There is an online classified ad type site. Clara's list, you think it's called.

[DracoOmega]

>Try to offer her a smile: "I think it might be best to leave such matters until after we've had the benefit of a warm meal, particularly on a day like this. If that's okay with you?"

[Oldmansour]

>Try to offer her a smile: "I think it might be best to leave such matters until after we've had the benefit of a warm meal, particularly on a day like this. If that's okay with you?"

>"Oh, sure, yeah, that's fine by me." Rin assures you quickly.
>Kiku's voice returns in the middle of Rin's sentence, and you have a spot of trouble focusing on both of them at once. I must return to my.. duties, now. I will contact you again the minute I learn something pertinent.

[DracoOmega]

>Smile and nod to Rin
>To Kiku: Very well, then. I wish you good fortune, and will notify you likewise if I learn of anything relevant, myself.

[Oldmansour]

>Smile and nod to Rin
>To Kiku: Very well, then. I wish you good fortune, and will notify you likewise if I learn of anything relevant, myself.

>Rin excuses herself then. With her on her way back down to Minoriko's and Kiku off to do her duties, you find yourself, for the moment, alone.