Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3, Part 2

[DracoOmega]

>I don't suppose your reading may have led to any theory about why these visions could be assailing her, though?

>"What about me? You mean, would I do likewise were I in Ayumi's position today?"

[Oldmansour]

>I don't suppose your reading may have led to any theory about why these visions could be assailing her, though?

>"What about me? You mean, would I do likewise were I in Ayumi's position today?"

>Not from these readings here, no. But my experience gives me one theory right away, though the implications could be dire for your friend, if I am correct.

>Rin nods.

[DracoOmega]

>And what is this theory?

>"A fair question, and one I suppose I am not altogether sure of. But... to be honest, I suspect I would not be so bold in that particular arena as her, no."

[Oldmansour]

>And what is this theory?

>"A fair question, and one I suppose I am not altogether sure of. But... to be honest, I suspect I would not be so bold in that particular arena as her, no."

>"Well, ya were bold enough ta stand up ta Konngara. What's so hard about tellin' someone ya like em?"

>Your friend may have been cursed.

[DracoOmega]

>"I do not think it is a matter of being frightened, as such. Perhaps it is more... not to wish to unduly impose upon them, should they not wholly reciprocate."

>Cursed? How might this come to happen?

[Oldmansour]

>"I do not think it is a matter of being frightened, as such. Perhaps it is more... not to wish to unduly impose upon them, should they not wholly reciprocate."

>Cursed? How might this come to happen?

>"I think I get you. You wouldn't wanna make em feel uncomfortable."

>Any number of reasons, really. I would need more information myself before forming a more solid idea.

>The two voices compete with each other as you feel a dull ache starting to brew at your temples. Maintaining two separate conversations through two avenues isn't exactly easy.

[DracoOmega]

>Assuming we're generally out of earshot of bystanders: "Forgive me, Rin, but could you hold that thought a moment? Kiku is trying to speak with me."

>Is there anything specific I could do which would help you with this? Aside from, as you suggested, examining her more closely with my augmented senses?

[Oldmansour]

>Assuming we're generally out of earshot of bystanders: "Forgive me, Rin, but could you hold that thought a moment? Kiku is trying to speak with me."

>Is there anything specific I could do which would help you with this? Aside from, as you suggested, examining her more closely with my augmented senses?

>You are presently heading towards the lit trail heading towards your target lake, and are at a reasonable distance from the trio of girls sitting outside the shrine. They should not be able to hear you, so you issue your request to Rin. The kasha nods promptly.

>The tiger miko Hmms for a moment. See if you can find out if she recently acquired some new item, something unusual or different. Or if she has done any travelling recently, visited a place she had not before, or had an unusual visitor. Since this started a few days ago, something would have to have changed within that time. Even if it is a curse that has been within her for some time, if it is only active now, something must have triggered it, even if she doesn't know what.

[DracoOmega]

>You think a curse could have been lying dormant within her?

[Oldmansour]

>You think a curse could have been lying dormant within her?

>It has happened before. A descendant bearing the curse of an ancestor, a family cursed by a being of power, a family in safekeeping of a cursed artifact, or merely in possession... The forms a curse can take are hundreds, if not more.

[DracoOmega]

>So, in essence it would be unproductive to speculate without further information.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>What are the risks involved in divining the third eye's location?

[Oldmansour]

>So, in essence it would be unproductive to speculate without further information.

>Not necessarily. You said that this woman was a raven youkai, correct? If it is that fact that has started her visions of the Hell Raven, then it's possible that other raven youkai may have been afflicted as well. Let me make some inquiries; I am well acquainted with the second elder of the Fire Bird shrine. I can learn from her if this has affected any of the raven youkai serving at that shrine. If not, if it is isolated to this friend of yours, that will eliminate a lot of possibilities and allow us to focus our efforts on her.

>What are the risks involved in divining the third eye's location?

>The primary risk, at this time, would be that a divination of that nature would expend a great deal of power, and would definitely be noted by the other onmyouji of the shrines. Including Satori. I would need to explain to her why I was searching for a long-forgotten relic. Under the present circumstances, I don't believe that's wise.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>I think I would have to agree. Perhaps it may become necessary to find the eye at some point, but for now, let us pursue other avenues.
>You speak to the Fire Bird miko, then. I shall meet with my friend tomorrow, see what I can sense.

[Oldmansour]

>I think I would have to agree. Perhaps it may become necessary to find the eye at some point, but for now, let us pursue other avenues.
>You speak to the Fire Bird miko, then. I shall meet with my friend tomorrow, see what I can sense.

>Understood. But take care when you see her, Byakuren. If she is indeed under some kind of divine curse, then probing into it could put you at risk as well. There's no telling what could happen when your powers meet the divine, especially if it's some form of cursed power.

[DracoOmega]

>Thank you for your warning; I will be cautious.

[Oldmansour]

>Thank you for your warning; I will be cautious.

>And you have as yet detected no further signs of demons or youma?

[DracoOmega]

>I have not. I am at the Black Tortoise Shrine as we speak, in fact, and have confirmed the sacred flame with my own eyes - and other senses; all seems well here so far. I had planned to report to you once I finished examining the grounds.

[Oldmansour]

>I have not. I am at the Black Tortoise Shrine as we speak, in fact, and have confirmed the sacred flame with my own eyes - and other senses; all seems well here so far. I had planned to report to you once I finished examining the grounds.

>I understand. I presume that you do not require my presence at this time?

[DracoOmega]

>All seems perfectly normal here, thankfully; I'm just being thorough. But if the situation changes, I will let you know.

[Oldmansour]

>All seems perfectly normal here, thankfully; I'm just being thorough. But if the situation changes, I will let you know.

>You note that the slight ache in your head has dissipated completely now. You suspect that with some more time and practice at it, holding a verbal and a telepathic conversation simultaneously shouldn't cause discomfort.
>Very well. But if the need arises to transform, you should know that the majority of the grounds of the shrine, the path to the lake, and the lake itself, are almost always monitored by the shrine maidens of the temple. None of the four temples treat the safety of their guests as seriously as the Black Tortoise mikos. It is only, shall we say, matters of an intimate nature that are never observed.

[DracoOmega]

>So I should expect to draw attention to myself, should I ever do that here?

[Oldmansour]

>So I should expect to draw attention to myself, should I ever do that here?

>Most likely. Even if you conceal yourself, the upwelling of power from your transformation would likely draw the eyes of at least the more powerful mikos. To say nothing of whatever forced you to transform in the first place.
>On the other hand.... Kiku pauses for a moment. Thinking back, I don't recall sensing any such surge when you transformed before the battle at Yakumo Jewelers. The onmyouji at the Black Tortoise shrine might also be unaware of your power.

[DracoOmega]

>That wasn't the 'that' that I was talking about doing, Kiku.
>Perhaps whatever this power is is different enough not to register conventionally? Or might the barrier around Yakumo Jewelers have had a muting effect? In either case, I will keep this in mind - not that I anticipate any need to transform while I am here, at this moment.

[Oldmansour]

>That wasn't the 'that' that I was talking about doing, Kiku.
>Perhaps whatever this power is is different enough not to register conventionally? Or might the barrier around Yakumo Jewelers have had a muting effect? In either case, I will keep this in mind - not that I anticipate any need to transform while I am here, at this moment.

>You've been spending too much time with that there Marissa, young lady. See me in my office after hours.
>Let us hope.

[DracoOmega]

>Indeed. Is that everything for now, then?

[Oldmansour]

>Indeed. Is that everything for now, then?

>I shall examine a few more texts here on the subject of the Hell Raven, but that is all the information I have on it at the moment.

[DracoOmega]

>Very well, then. If you find anything you think relevant, let me know, and I shall do likewise.

[Oldmansour]

>Very well, then. If you find anything you think relevant, let me know, and I shall do likewise.

>Understood.

[DracoOmega]

>Until later, then.

>To Rin: "My apologies. It's... a little tricky carrying on two conversations at once."