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

[Oldmansour]

>To Kiku: Is it possible the power you gained from your ring affected your summoning? I expect you are still not entirely used to it.

>I felt no such interference. Kiku answers, though she sounds as though she isn't completely convinced. Slowly, she raises her gold ring and examines the facets of its jewel. Still... You may be right. And if so, I am glad I learned of it now rather than later. I will have to experiment before sundown.

[DracoOmega]

>What is significant about sundown?

[Oldmansour]

>What is significant about sundown?

>Well- Kiku starts, but cuts herself off quickly. She sighs quietly. My apologies. I'm still not used to discussing temple matters with outsiders, even after what we've been through. I will continue to work on that. Anyway, to answer your question. Do you recall meeting, or me mentioning, a sister of mine by the name of Toune? Average height, long sea-green hair?

[DracoOmega]

>I remember her, yes.

[Oldmansour]

>I remember her, yes.

>I had thought her magical skills were still in the basic stages, but it appears Satori does not agree. She has decided that Toune is ready to learn how to summon shikigami herself. I... admit, I cannot say I readily agree with this decision, but it is not mine to make. Toune thinks she is ready, and Satori agrees with her. Sundown is the time they have selected for her first attempt at binding a spirit to an ofuda- the most basic form of shikigami summoning. And I have volunteered to oversee the rite.

[DracoOmega]

>Ah. And it would be less than ideal to not have a firm grasp of your own capabilities when attempting to instruct another in the very same rites.
>If I may ask... what are your reservations about this decision? Is there some risk if her magical competencies are not altogether up to the task at present?

[Oldmansour]

>Ah. And it would be less than ideal to not have a firm grasp of your own capabilities when attempting to instruct another in the very same rites.
>If I may ask... what are your reservations about this decision? Is there some risk if her magical competencies are not altogether up to the task at present?

>To put it mildly. Kiku answers.
>Any number of things could go wrong during someone's first venture into this field. Our technique isn't as dangerous as the western styles of summoning, but it is far from without risk. If one should summon a spirit beyond their level of power, they run the risk of that spirit either running wild, or turning on its summoner, if not both. I might add, this is the main reason why I volunteered to be the one to oversee Toune's rite. My ability to conjure offensive and defensive magics is far beyond hers. If something goes wrong, I can keep her safe.
>It is also possible for the summoning to be reversed on a mortal. For instance, if they reached into the spirits world and found a particularly strong or truculent- Wait a moment, my shikigami are trying to speak to me.

[DracoOmega]

>Of course.
>Pause and wait for the report

[Oldmansour]

>Of course.
>Pause and wait for the report

>"Go ahead." Kiku says aloud. This confuses you, but then she says, "One at a time. One at a time." The tiger youkai sighs in vexation. "Just get back here now. Both of you." Kiku shakes her head after a moment's pause. "I swear it's like talking to children sometimes..."
>My shikigami have found something. she broadcasts to you and the others. They are returning to report.

[DracoOmega]

>Very good.
>Again, pause and wait for the report

[Oldmansour]

>Very good.
>Again, pause and wait for the report

>How did you know? Rin asks her.
>I am in contact with them, not unlike this method of communication we share.
>Ah. Wait, so why-
>Why did I not simply ask them to tell me what they found, instead of calling me back? Kiku makes no effort to hide her irritation. Because of all the shikigami I could have summoned, I got two who simply cannot coexist with each other for more than three seconds. It's simpler to call them back and deal with them in person.
>Oh, that's what ya meant by that 'just like kids' thing.

>A few moments later, the bronze cat and the metal snake reappear in the parking lot, the latter at Kiku's feet, the former standing atop Asara-sensei's car, licking its paw with its tongue.
>"Get down from there." Kiku orders the feline. Who looks rather surly for a moment, then returns to its paw.
>"Forget her, shrine maiden." the snake hisses quietly. "We found your magic-user. She is still inside that building, along with another female."
>"And that one has a tasty light." the cat adds. "Sort of like the one you've got now."
>Kiku seems slightly taken aback. "Like mine?"

[DracoOmega]

>By 'light', presumably they don't mean anything physical that WE can see, no?
>Give them a few more moments - quite possibly it wouldn't do greater things for Kiku's mood to start asking potentially clueless things of her shikigami; it's not like she's that pleased with them as it is

[Oldmansour]

>By 'light', presumably they don't mean anything physical that WE can see, no?
>Give them a few more moments - quite possibly it wouldn't do greater things for Kiku's mood to start asking potentially clueless things of her shikigami; it's not like she's that pleased with them as it is

>Correct. Your human eyes reveal nothing about you or your comrades beyond the mundane.
>"By 'that one', you meant the other woman?" Kiku asks the snake, who nods in answer. "That doesn't make sense. If what you saw was like the Light I now wield, that would mean she has this power as well." She looks over at you. "Did you produce another ring during this event?"

[DracoOmega]

>Shake our head
>"I did not. Nor did I sense any power of that kind from her at the time."

[Oldmansour]

>Shake our head
>"I did not. Nor did I sense any power of that kind from her at the time."

>"Then how could she have any kind of power like ours?" Kiku narrows her eyes and looks at the bronze cat. "If your fellow did not confirm what you said, I wouldn't believe you."
>The cat is unfazed by Kiku's anger. "Don't blame me if you can't make sense of what happened." she purrs. You swear you can see the hackles on Kiku's neck stand up.
>"But...." Kiku's head snaps towards Rin, who had been deep in thought since the shikigami returned. She hesitates before continuing.
>"Go on." Kiku prods her, though in a tone oddly gentle for someone who looks as annoyed as she is. Well, gentle for her, anyway.
>"We DID- Well, Lotus did use Violet Lotus on Keine-sensei, to fix her, turn her back to normal." Rin says after a moment. "Maybe.... Maybe she picked up some of her power that way? Y'know, like leaving a bit of water behind after you mop the floor?"
>Kiku frowns. "I didn't know that was possible."
>"I don't either." Rin answers quickly. "It's just a thought."

[DracoOmega]

>"Whatever the cause, this merits investigation. I had hoped to make a quiet withdrawal from here while the crowds were still about, but I don't think this should wait."

[Oldmansour]

>"Whatever the cause, this merits investigation. I had hoped to make a quiet withdrawal from here while the crowds were still about, but I don't think this should wait."

>Kiku considers that. "I am not certain I agree. The Champion of Ice has been weakened, and I am at my full strength. We should find either Fire or Ice and finish at least one of them, preferably both if we can."
>"But if Keine-sensei really DOES have power like us too, she could help us." Lily argues.
>"An' even if she doesn't, an' this is just some kinda accident, we really should now if we leave bits of power behind us." Rin adds. "Who knows what that could mean in the long run."

[DracoOmega]

>"Also, I am not so certain that the manner of Ice and Fire's retreat means that the battle would be decided in our favor simply by catching them again, nor do I think we will catch either of them alone. I hesitate to simply rush after them when we might otherwise be able to better prepare for our second confrontation."

[Oldmansour]

>"Also, I am not so certain that the manner of Ice and Fire's retreat means that the battle would be decided in our favor simply by catching them again, nor do I think we will catch either of them alone. I hesitate to simply rush after them when we might otherwise be able to better prepare for our second confrontation."

>Kiku scowls. "There is logic to what you say, all of you. I simply don't wish to let a demon run loose any longer than I have to. One was bad enough."

[DracoOmega]

>"I agree with you wholeheartedly, and would not say otherwise unless I felt good reason to. Would that we could end this threat today and be done with it, but sadly I do not think this is the safest course - for either us or the people we would protect. I hope at least that they might remain licking their wounds long enough to not cause trouble before we are fully prepared to deal with them."

[Oldmansour]

>"I agree with you wholeheartedly, and would not say otherwise unless I felt good reason to. Would that we could end this threat today and be done with it, but sadly I do not think this is the safest course - for either us or the people we would protect. I hope at least that they might remain licking their wounds long enough to not cause trouble before we are fully prepared to deal with them."

>"And don't forgot, the three of us did use our power, too." Rin adds to Kiku. "Ice might be down on power, but we three are too, even if we don't feel it."
>Kiku exhales sharply through her nose. "Very well. But while you're attending to this teacher, I should devote myself to figuring out just how much my new power has affected my magic. I must have this situation resolved by sunset."
>"What happens at sunset?" Lily asks.
>"There is a special ritual at the temple that I am to be a part of. I can not decline involvement, for a number of reasons, not the least of which being it would arouse suspicion in Satori."

[DracoOmega]

>"Very well, then."
>To the shikigami: "Where inside the building did you find the women?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Very well, then."
>To the shikigami: "Where inside the building did you find the women?"

>Neither spirit answers you.
>"They answer only to their summoner." Kiku informs you, before repeating your question.
>"When we found them, they were inside a small room. But this is no longer their location."
>"How do ya know from out here?" Rin asks the snake.
>"It is the talent of this snake." Kiku answers. "He can locate anyone whose scent he has tasted, if they are within a certain radius."

[DracoOmega]

>"Then where are they now? And are they on the move?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Then where are they now? And are they on the move?"

>Kiku relays your question, but it is the cat who responds, as it jumps down off the roof of Asara-sensei's car. "Never mind that, human. I have a mor-"
>"Yes, they are moving." the snake cuts her off. "They are currently moving down-"
>"important question." the cat cuts back in. The snake tries to continue, the two spirits talking at once, competing for volume.
>"Enough!" Kiku thunders. She raises her hand towards the bronze cat, and intones, "Begone." the cat yowls, shimmers with silvery light, and disappears into a twinkle of white and grey light.
>"Did you have to do that?" Lily asks, looking rather sadly after the dismissed cat.
>"Their bickering is pointless." Kiku answers bluntly. "We have more important things to do than listen to do spirits quarrel like spoiled children."
>A moment's silence passes, the sound of the crowd in front of the school the only noise. "As I was trying to say," the snake whispers in its metallic hiss, "They are both moving down a flight of stairs."

[DracoOmega]

>To Kiku: "Was it not possible that it had actual important information to relay?"
>"And on which end of the building is this flight of stairs?"

[Oldmansour]

>To Kiku: "Was it not possible that it had actual important information to relay?"
>"And on which end of the building is this flight of stairs?"

>"If she did, I can ask her later. When the situation is more... appropriate. Though I doubt she did." Kiku adds with a growl.
>"I agree." the snake contributes, coiling its metallic body under itself. "That one is selfish and vain, concerned not with the wants of others but only its own."

>The snake points its head towards the western side of the building. "That side. Closer to where we are than the people on the other side. They have stopped." it says suddenly.
>"Stopped. You mean they aren't moving?" Kiku asks. The snake nods.
>A 'hmmm' comes from Lily. "Hey Rin, can you hear 'em in there?"
>The kasha shakes her head. "If they were near an open window, maybe, but not normally."

[DracoOmega]

>"That is good enough; I imagine we can find them."
>Presumably we're safely sheltered from bystanders already, as we've been having this conversation, so let's all 3 of us transform again, then head out towards the school once more and the nearest entrance to the indicated side of the building

[Oldmansour]

>"That is good enough; I imagine we can find them."
>Presumably we're safely sheltered from bystanders already, as we've been having this conversation, so let's all 3 of us transform again, then head out towards the school once more and the nearest entrance to the indicated side of the building

>"Yeah." Rin says with a nod. "That's probably the same stairs we used goin' up."
>You are, and you've not seen anyone coming, nor have your fellow magical girls reported incoming civilians. And so, with a flourish of light and sound, you, Rin and Lily return to your magical girl guises.

>"H, Hang on a sec, girls." Lily says as you and Rin start heading back towards the school. "What about Asara-sensei here?"
>"What about her?" Kiku asks.
>"Well, we can't just leave her here."
>"Why not? She is in no more danger."
>"Yes she is!" Lily insists. "From Vice Principal Mima. If Mima found her sleeping on the job, she might fire her."
>Kiku narrows her eyes. "Surely your vice principal cannot be THAT vindictive."
>"You've never met her." Rin drawls. "Lily's got a point, Lotus. Mima ain't the forgivin' kind, not when her staff does wrong."
>"Yeah!" Lily adds. "It's not her fault Kaguya pulled a Maleficent on her!"

[DracoOmega]

>"Even the vice principle could hardly fault a teacher for sleeping when off the job, could she? Class is clearly cancelled."
>To Kiku: "That being said, do you have any idea how much longer it might last on its own? And could you safely dispel it?"