Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on September 05, 2011, 06:30:37 PM
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>You are Byakuren Hijiri, 18 years old, resident of the city of Mayoiga, caretaker (owner) of Rin Kaenbyou, resident of the Moonside apartments, and third year student of Mayoiga High. A few days ago, you were the most popular girl in school, one of the most well-known and liked girls around town. And then you touched a strange doll, and saw a world not your own. That was the day that everything changed, and you became Magical Lotus, the Hero of the Heart.
>Three days have passed since your battle with the yellow-skinned Youma, the day you overcame the temptations of the darkness and took the fate of the world into your own hands. Since that day, however, despite the warning you'd received and the turmoil you expected to come, it hasn't yet. Life has gone on as normal. Thursday you and Rin spent recuperating in bed, attended to by Minoriko once she got back from school. Rin was pretty much back to normal by the end of that night, but it took you until Friday morning to feel like yourself again. If you ever have to do this again, you sincerely hope it won't leave you as drained next time, as when classes on friday were over, the good had gone out of you, and you spent the rest of that day resting and ruminating on the events of Wednesday. The thought that you might have killed that creature, rather than expunging a lifeless dark blot from the world, shook you deeply. The mystery of which is the truth haunts you as well, as you've seen no sign of the doll since, and no other source of answers, for that question or any other, have revealed themselves yet.
>The lack of furthur conflict could be explained by the lack of power of the enemy, if you can believe what the doll told you. Another mystery, however, is that when you tried to speak to Rin about what happened, she told you she only remembers investigating the weird sound with you, and then blacking out. You spoke to Kyouko about it, too, on saturday between classes, and she had a similar story, not remembering much after she and Lily were... finished. She was quite grateful that you were concerned, and slightly flustered as well. A note of personal concern from the Morning Star of Mayoiga is a bit of a thing for your peers, after all. Whether this is due to some lingering effect of the Youma's attack, a trick of memory played by your enemy or perhaps even the doll, or some form of trauma that you evaded, you cannot determine.
>It is Sunday morning now. There is no school today, obviously, and you're feeling fine and dandy. No more lingering debilitating effects of your battle that you can detect. The day is yours.
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>Well, except for the part where we've been tricked into murder and betrayed pretty much everything we believed in about mercy and respecting life and suchlike. Chances are, we've also probably not been very active outside of doing the necessary. And certainly not very cheerful.
>Presuming we've kept that gold ring with us, has anything strange happened with it?
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>Well, except for the part where we've been tricked into murder and betrayed pretty much everything we believed in about mercy and respecting life and suchlike. Chances are, we've also probably not been very active outside of doing the necessary. And certainly not very cheerful.
>It's a pity the being with the answers hasn't been around to discuss that with you. It might have been able to straighten you out on that front, given that you may NOT have done all that at all. Time will tell if you ever get to the truth. And on the contrary, you haven't let your victory be the downer some might think it could be. You beat the monster, you sent its creator packing, if only temporarily, and you saved your schoolmates and your close friend. You faced darkness and temptation the likes of which have been seen only in myths and TV shows, and overcame it, staying true to your heart. You bought the world a few more sunrises, and you have the power to do it again, as well as the determination to do so every time.
>That said, however, the whole affair is a lot to take it, even for someone like you. Obviously, it's been weighing on your mind, coupled with the concern of not knowing when the enemy will strike again, or where. But you've tried your best not to let this concern affect your days. And you've succeeded, mostly. Of your close friends, only Rin has asked "What's on your mind?" though you've hesitated about elaborating on it until you've settled your mind a bit more. You suspect that Minoriko may have her own suspicions, given how insightful and generally motherly she is, but to you, she's said nothing. You and the girls actually had a group study session Saturday, after class, to prepare for the math exam on monday. Minus Reisen and Patchy, they had to work. And as Nitori was relating some practice equation to car engine functions, as she's very good at doing, and Letty was rolling her eyes at her again yet smiling slightly at her enthusiasm, and Rin was doing her best to keep up with the analogy, and Minoriko was stirring a pot of soup for supper, it hit you: this wouldn't have happened if not for you. This is what your enemy is trying to take away, and for right now at least, you stopped them. That simple realization brought a smile to your face, and a sense of peace that hadn't quite been there for the past couple days.
>Presuming we've kept that gold ring with us, has anything strange happened with it?
>You have indeed kept all three items you acquired on that day: the lotus hairpin (which you've received many compliments on at school), the gold ring that had been corrupted by the Dark Heart, and the violet ring you got from the first doll you met on the field, before your journey to the center of yourself. None of them have exibited any behavoir at all, been little more than inanimate objects pleasing to the eye. You have a sense that the lotus hairpin is the key to your transformation, that you'd need both it and the words to transform again, but you've been hesitant to do so without being threatened again, given that the last time you transformed, you felt like you were about to be torn apart before the helpful little doll told you how to change back. You recall seeing something at the edge of your 'othersight' when you looked at the ring while transformed, after you purged its corruption, but your normal senses reveal nothing out of the ordinary. The ring is inscribed, but in a language you cannot recognize. Beyond that, it seems now to be nothing more than a plain gold ring, possibly an engagement ring, or even a wedding ring.
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>Laze in bed a bit. Putting up a front is exhausting.
>What time is it?
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>Laze in bed a bit. Putting up a front is exhausting.
>You decide that you're not quite ready to start the day just yet, and place your hands behind your head, lying back.
>What time is it?
>It is a few minutes before 9AM. Although there are several things you could do today, you can afford to be a bit lazy today for a while yet. You've certainly earned it.
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> Rest a bit longer and then force ourselves out of bed.
> Stretch so we can become a bit more awake and then head out of the room.
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>Get properly dressed first.
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> Rest a bit longer and then force ourselves out of bed.
> Stretch so we can become a bit more awake and then head out of the room.
>Get properly dressed first.
>Laying back for a few more minutes is very nice. That's the point of sundays, after all. But, there's still things to do, so you drag yourself out of bed only slightly reluctantly. You note that Rin's futon is already put away, but she has the morning shift at the cafe, so this was not unexxpected. Knowing her, she would have left a little something for you for breakfast, as well, and judging from the faint smell of cooked fish, you would likely be correct in the assumption. Taking another couple minutes to have a good yawn and stretch and try to come alive, and throw on some clean clothes, you head into the main room of your apartment.
>The moonside apartments are not all that big, despite being owned by the prestegious Hakurei group. Still, it's large enough to suit your purposes quite well. It has a small tv, a bookcase, a desk and lamp a bit bigger than the ones in your room. A large glass door, with curtains currently drawn, is on the west wall of the room, leads to the balcony overlooking your backyard, upon which rests a table and two chairs. A trickle of sunlight falls on the floor through the small gap in the curtains. A low square table sits in the middle of the room, and the lingering smells of whatever Rin prepared for breakfast waft from the small kitchen to the east.
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>Can we hear any sounds of activity?
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>Can we hear any sounds of activity?
>You think there's a faint sound of activity from the yard, the sound of tools, you think. That probably means Nitori in her shed. She doesn't seem to sleep all that much, even on sundays, but she limits her exuberance and never uses loud power tools at this time of the morning. She's very considerate of people's sleep. There's the usual sounds of birds outside, and some sounds of traffic, though these are light.
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>Let's go see Nitori. Maybe she knows where everyone is at.
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>Let's go see Nitori. Maybe she knows where everyone is at.
>Given the time of day, it's probable that your flatmates are still nice and cozy in their beds. Or perhaps sitting down to a nice breakfast. Regardless, you decide to pay your downstairs neighbor Kappa a visit in her shed. Grub's not goin' anywhere, after all.
>Slipping on your shoes, and locking the door behind you, you step out into the sunday morning air. There's a slight chill on the breeze; winter won't be long coming now. Might be time to break out the kotatsu soon. A right turn takes you down the flight of stairs to ground level. The Moonside apartment complex is a small building, only six rooms. The room you share with Rin is on the top floor, room 201, with Minoriko Aki next to your in 202, and Letty Whiterock on the other end in 203. Nitori Kawashiro's room is below yours in 101, with her neighbors in 102 being Patchouli Knowledge and Reisen Udonge. Room 103 is currently vacant.
>Walking around the building and into the backyard, you pause for a moment to glance at Minoriko's small vegetable garden. You're not an expert, but given the chill in the air, you suspect that whatever's left in the ground will have to come up soon, and that means good eats.
>The door to Nitori's shed is closed, but you think you can hear her humming coming from inside.
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>Knock on the door, enter if beckoned to do so.
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>Knock on the door, enter if beckoned to do so.
>Giving the door a polite rap, you hear a startled yelp from inside, and the metallic tinkle of a tool hitting the cement floor. You then hear what you know to be a kappa curse, followed by Nitori's voice demanding, "Who's that bangin' on my door?"
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>"Just me. Sorry that I startled you..."
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>"Just me. Sorry that I startled you..."
>The sound of footsteps follows your reply, and the door swings inward, revealing Nitori's puzzled face. Unstained, for once. But then, she probably hasn't done anything 'heavy' yet. "Byakuren? What're you doing up this time of morning?"
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>Wave the question away.
>"Just am. Have you slept at all? What are you working on?"
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>Wave the question away.
>"Just am. Have you slept at all? What are you working on?"
>Neatly dodging the kappa's inquiry, you pose your own queries, the latter of which makes her blue eyes light up, and she chuckles before throwing the door open dramatically. "BEHOLD, Byakuren Hijiri!" she exclaims, before clamping her hands over her mouth. "Right. Morning." she muffle-mutters. Within the shed, suspended from a strong-looking chain is a massive engine block. Nitori lowers her hands, grinning broadly, and extends her arms towards the hulk of metal. "That, my friend, is the 5 liter V10 engine out of Mokou-sensei's Labo! She commissioned me for a tune-up. I'm going above and beyond!"
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>Blink.
>"That's impressive. But, will it still fit?"
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>Blink.
>"That's impressive. But, will it still fit?"
>Nitori fairly cackles in reply. "Fit? Oh, it'll do more than fit, I can promise ya that! It'll fit and have more horses running than any other labo in Yamato!" Then she pauses, and cups her hand in her jaw. "Is there a road legal limit on that? Better check." She turns and ducks behind the engine, moving to a small side table beside a tool-strewn desk, and begins rummaging through a small mountain of books and manuals. "It's here if anywhere!"
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>See if we can spot what would be the appropriate book around anywhere.
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>See if we can spot what would be the appropriate book around anywhere.
>Nitori's shed is in a condition you would describe as a "tornado aftermath zone". She claims she can find anything and everything she's looking for without too much effort. You cannot fathom how this is possible. Stepping inside, and over a stray spanner, you scan the long tables on either side of the room. There are several manuals strewn about, several magazines, but nothing that would indicate any sort of legal text. Scanning the floor beneath the table on the right side, however, is a bit more productive. On top of a burned patch of cement, you can see the brown spine of a book half concealed by an oil-stained calender, that seems to read 'Yamato highway codes an...." The rest is hidden beneath the calender.
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>Take the brown Yamato book in hand and ask, "Is this this one?"
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>Take the brown Yamato book in hand and ask, "Is this this one?"
>You move aside the stained calender depicting a sportscar of some sort with the only-moderately attractive oni model on the hood, and pick the book of the floor. The remaining title reads "...d regulations, c. 3752." Bit of an odd book to find in a gearhead kappa's shed, but you suppose if she's going to be tinkering with cars, she'd want to know if what she's doing's legal in the country. Nitori extracts her head from a small pile of papers, jostling the stack of books next to her. "What's that doing over there?" she wonders, more to herself you think, before a couple of books dislodge from her pile and land squarely atop her head. "Ow." she states dryly before crossing the room to you, and taking the tome off your hands. "Sanks." she breathes before flipping through the pages.
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>"You're welcome. It'd be a shame if you'd have to scrap all that work."
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>"You're welcome. It'd be a shame if you'd have to scrap all that work."
>Nitori's chuckle is a warm and simple one, and she grins again, looking up from the pages. "Ah, but that's part of the fun, too. Ysee," she throws her arm over your shoulders, though she has to stretch a bit to it, given the difference in height between you two. "Takin' stuff off's every bit as much fun as puttin' it on. The results is wonderful, yeah, but the work itself is just as much fun."
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>"Well, it's a good thing to enjoy the process as much as the end result. How much are you getting for the job?"
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>"Well, it's a good thing to enjoy the process as much as the end result. How much are you getting for the job?"
>Nitori draws in a breath to respond, but then pauses, considering. She seems almost embarassed by something. In a quiet voice, she states, "Nothing."
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>"Are you sure? It seemed important."
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>"Are you sure? It seemed important."
>"Are you- OF COURSE I'm sure!" Nitori snaps. "Mokou gave me a chance to work on a V10. How often do you get the chance to work on a V10, especially outofa Labo Gilly?"
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>Blink.
>"Come again?"
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>Blink.
>"Come again?"
>"A lambo gilly.... Ah, yeah, you aren't a motorhead." She takes a couple breaths, visibly trying to calm herself. "That's a short way of talking about a lambourghini gallardo. It's got a few nicknames, but that's the one I like the best."
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>"Nitori...are you panicking?"
>Look around, does anything seem awry.
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>Look around, does anything seem awry.
>Glancing around the shed reveals nothing obviously ominous or out of place. You haven't been in the shed before, but the general state of chaos seems quite in keeping with Nitori's personality.
>"Nitori...are you panicking?"
>"No, I'm not panicking." she says shortly. "I'm just... Look, I'm sorry." she continues, a bit more calmly. "I didn't mean to go off on ya, it's just... I get a bit twitchy when someone asks me about money from my work, that's all."
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>Pat her on the shoulder.
>"It's alright. And, she's really not paying you anything? Not even for the parts? Well...before you decided to upgrade it, anyways."
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>Pat her on the shoulder.
>"It's alright. And, she's really not paying you anything? Not even for the parts? Well...before you decided to upgrade it, anyways."
>Glancing at the engine briefly, Nitori offers you a grin you would describe as sheepish. "Well... she offered."
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>"Good."
>Smile.
>"I would be very upset if someone were taking advantage of your enthusiasm, and would have to have some words with them."
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>"Good."
>Smile.
>"I would be very upset if someone were taking advantage of your enthusiasm, and would have to have some words with them."
>"Aw, thanks." Nitori replies, applying a friendly slap to your back. Which only hurts for a second, Nitori is very strong, after all, but she knows her own strength. "I DO get carried away sometimes." Knowing her as you do, this is a bit of an understatement. She probably would have paid Mokou for working on that car, instead of the other way round.
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>"Anyways, if you're busy, I had best leave you to it, shouldn't I?"
>Make to depart.
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>"Anyways, if you're busy, I had best leave you to it, shouldn't I?"
>Make to depart.
>The kappa rubs her nose with the back of her hand, appraising the engine suspended off the ground. "Ehh. Now's as good a time as any for some breakfast." She tromps towards a little sink in the back of the shed, and proceeds to wash her hands. "Wanna join me? I think it oughta be mild enough for human tongues. This time. ... maybe." she finishes in a small voice.
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>Have we had anything resembling a good experience with Nitori's cooking?
>"I'd be delighted, thank you."
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>Have we had anything resembling a good experience with Nitori's cooking?
>"I'd be delighted, thank you."
>... Remotely. During your time in Moonside, Nitori has only cooked for you and the girls once. She's a competant enough cook, but the issue is, the spices and seasonings kappa use to flavor their food, to them, are comperable to salt and sugar. Rather mild. To a non-kappa, however, they are not quite as mild. In the case of you, Minoriko and Letty, you were simply stomach-sick for the better part of a day, a rather miserable experience. It was tasty, but not quite enough to make up for the subsequent cramps. Reisen, however, experienced a more... profound side effect. For the majority of the subsequent 24 hours after eating Nitori's food, she were firmly convinced a herd of pink unicorns were about to transfer into school, and only the fact that she couldn't quite figure out how to operate a doorknob prevented her from redecorating her and Patchy's room in preparation. Patchouli herself was working that day, and thus was spared, and she grumped for days about having to take care of Reisen afterwards. All of you knew, of course, that she didn't mean most of it.
>Are you entirely certain you're brave enough to try confronting Nitori's cooking again? Staring down a weapon sent from another world is one thing, but the prospect of Kappa cuisine is something else entirely.
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>"I'd be delighted, thank you. But, I don't think it would agree with me. And I suspect if it did agree with me, you wouldn't enjoy it much."
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>"I'd be delighted, thank you. But, I don't think it would agree with me. And I suspect if it did agree with me, you wouldn't enjoy it much."
>"Ah, good point." Nitori declares, heading towards the door again. "'sides, last thing we want is your gut getting caught in the undetow again with an exam tommorow." Throwing her arm round your shoulder again, you and your kappa friend exit the shed, Nitori pulling the door shut behind her. "So, you know what I'll be doing for most of the day. How about you?"
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>"No idea, honestly. I suppose I'll just do whatever comes to mind."
>Did we ever get around to checking that temple like we intended to?
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>Did we ever get around to checking that temple like we intended to?
>As of yet, no. It's still one of the things on your to do list. Figured you'd want to handle that yourself. At this time of day, the west, south, and northern temples are all open for business. The eastern shrine opens later in the day on weekends.
>"No idea, honestly. I suppose I'll just do whatever comes to mind."
>Nitori laughs briefly. "Never a bad plan." She turns to head for her apartments' rear door (ground floor perk) then snaps her fingers and pauses. "Right, almost forgot. Letty said she needed to review a bit more for the math exam tomorrow with me a bit later on tonight. You're free to join us, of course, but I think you're well prepared as is. Just had to roll that out."
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>"I'll keep it in mind, thank you."
>Depart, and head back inside. See if anyone is up and about.
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>"I'll keep it in mind, thank you."
>Depart, and head back inside. See if anyone is up and about.
> If unable to find awake people, settle down for some breakfast.
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>"I'll keep it in mind, thank you."
>Nitori gives you a 'Yup!" before dissapearing into her room.
>Depart, and head back inside. See if anyone is up and about.
>You decide to return to your room as well. You've your own breakfast to attend to. On the way in, you notice Letty's pet malamoot Hyozan sitting outside her door. Given that the big dog wasn't there before, that probably means Letty's awake, or at least awake enough to let the dog out. In your experience, she isn't much of a morning person, so she may well have fallen asleep again by now. It'll be a while yet before she's ready to face the morning. You nod politely to the big white dog, and he gives you a low rrf in response. There are no other obvious signs that your fellow residents are stirring yet.
> If unable to find awake people, settle down for some breakfast.
>Deciding to sit down for a morning mean, your stomach rumbles a small assent at this sentiment. Looking over the kitchen reveals that Rin prepared some grilled fish in the pan, a bit of miso soup, and a generous helping of rice in the cooker. A simple meal, but it suits you just fine. Rin's actually quite a good cook, courtesy of her time with Konngara, but she prefers preparing simple meals herself. She leaves the more extravagent presentations to Minoriko. Heating the fish in the pan, and pouring yourself a cup of tea, you set you down at the table, seat yourself and tuck in.
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>Eat for awhile, but it's hard to pretend we have an appetite anymore. Just try not to waste anything that can be saved.
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>Eat for awhile, but it's hard to pretend we have an appetite anymore. Just try not to waste anything that can be saved.
>Thoughts of Nitori's meals, and the memories of what they caused last time, haven't stifled your appetite quite as much as they might have done. You must be made of pretty stern stuff. By the time you've had your fill, some rice is all that's left over. Which, after taking a few minutes to relax with a mug of hot tea, you place in a container and into the fridge. A little something for either you or Rin a bit later on in the day.
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>Not memories of Nitori, so much as memories of things we've recently done. Tragedy and self betrayal does a number on one's desire for food.
>There's little better to do, let's go check that shrine like we meant to before this all started.
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>Have we told the others about what happened yet?
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>Not memories of Nitori, so much as memories of things we've recently done. Tragedy and self betrayal does a number on one's desire for food.
>They probably would, if that's what you did. But saving your friends, and the world besides, is hardly a tragedy, and turning off a weapon is hardly a self betrayal. Not easy things to do, perhaps, but you still done good.
>Have we told the others about what happened yet?
>Not as of yet. That's something else I figured you'd like to take of that yourself. You've been unsure whether or not to tell the girls on a one-on-one basis, or tell them all when you're all together.
>There's little better to do, let's go check that shrine like we meant to before this all started.
>On the contrary, there's plenty you could do in addition to that task. All you had to do was ask.
>1) You could bring that gold ring to a jewelers, to have it appraised or examined, whichever term you prefer. Conversely, you could take it to Patchouli. She speaks more languages than you, she might be able to translate the inscription on it. Conversely, if you brought it to one of the four shrines, they might be able to tell you if there's any lingering magic left about the thing.
2) You had a brief conversation with Utsuho on saturday, as you passed each other in the halls. She's scheduled the MRI she suggested for you on friday coming. She would have liked to have had it done sooner, but she alluded to some inter-hospital buerocracy with some irritation. However, she also mentioned that the hospital is looking for part-time workers, if you wanted to make a few dollars. Just ask for her at the front desk, any day, and she'd find something for you. It wouldn't be a 'regular' job, you could work basically whenever you have an interest to, but the beautiful doctor noted that you might pick up a few tidbits about the medical profession along the way.
3) You also have a similar standing offer from Koakuma, the manager of the Blue Lantern cafe that Rin works at as a waitress. A couple weeks ago, you covered a shift that Rin couldn't make, just as a one-time deal. Your presence at the place was, shall we say, very good for business, and Koakuma's been trying to recruit you ever since. In more ways than one, the flirtatious little thing. At the time, you weren't interested in a steady job as such, but if you wanted to work today, or any other day, then you'd be more than welcome to. It was kind of fun working there, plus you'd be working with Rin, which is also good, and although you're not a material person, the 'uniforms' of the place are very cute. Although calling the store to find out if they have sufficient staff already wouldn't be a bad idea, just to be polite and to save yourself the trip.
(Parser's box: Probably should have mentioned this in episode one. Sorry about that.)
4) As mentioned previously, you still have the prospect of telling your friends about what happened that day. Nitori's already up, obviously, and knowing Reisen, it won't be long before she's up and around, making breakfast for her and her mistress. You could sit down with them one-on-one, or wait till they're all awake. You're just not sure if they'd believe you. It's a fantastic story, after all, and you're not sure how you could prove what you say is true. There's no evidence of the fight with the Youma, and you don't believe you can demonstate your new power without transforming. Transforming into your 'Magical Lotus' form would go a long way to convince them, you're sure. However, given the physical repurcussions you experienced the last time you transformed, you're not in a hurry to do it again without provocation.
5) As Nitori alluded to eariler, there's still Tokiko-sensei's math exam tomorrow to deal with as well. Despite everything that's happened, you feel you're quite adequately prepared, but you suppose it couldn't hurt to go over your notes and equations once more, if you really wanted to.
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Might be a good idea to hit up the jeweler's on the way to the shrine. What do you guys think?
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I concur.
>Do we know of any jewelers along the way to aforementioned shrine?
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>Do we know of any jewelers along the way to aforementioned shrine?
>The most prestegious jewelers in town is in that direction, Yakumo Gems Worldwide. The two aren't on a direct route to each other, but they're both on the western side of town. Owned by a youkai, Ran Yakumo, the business has been operating for nearly a century, and was one of the financial backers of the Saigyoji group when they were rebuilding Mayoiga after the last war. They're worldwide and world-reknowned. Ran's daughter Chen is first year student at Mayoiga, incidentally.
>YGW, or simply Ran's, as it's known amongst your age group, is especially popular amongst wedded and engaged couples. If that ring of yours is indeed a ring connected to that sort of thing, it may well have been sold by the place. Of course it's not the only jewelery store in a town this size, but it's definately the best, both for shopping and information.
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I don't think a detour'll hurt us much.
> Take care of anything that needs to be done, and get ready to head out.
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> Take care of anything that needs to be done, and get ready to head out.
>With your fast broken and the leftovers safely refrigerated, you put on your usual long jacket, which has pockets enough to allow you to forgo a purse. You check the weather network quickly for chance of rain: slim, no need for an umbrella. Musn't forget the jewelery, either, of course, and you place the ring in the pocket over your left breast.
>Would you prefer to walk, hail a cab, or ask one of your friends for a ride?
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>How long of a walk are we looking at?
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>How long of a walk are we looking at?
>From here to Ran's, somewhere between 35-45 minutes. From here to the shrine of the Metal Tiger, just about an hour.
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>Let's take to the streets, it's good for us.
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>Let's take to the streets, it's good for us.
>Electing to walk to the jewelers', you close and lock the door behind you and step outside again. Jacket was a good call, the wind today has a distinct bite to it. Hyozan regards you again as you leave, the big white dog seemingly stationary since you last saw. Nodding a greeting to Letty's pet again, you turn and head down the stairs, heading for the street. Somewhat surprisingly, you hear the footpads of the big malamoot coming up behind you at a casual rate.
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>"Need to go out, huh?"
>Is he allowed to run around outside?
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>Is he allowed to run around outside?
>There is no law stating that malamoots must be on a leash when outside. Some kinds of dog do have that restriction in this country, but not malamoots. And Letty allots her dog a fair amount of freedom and trust.
>"Need to go out, huh?"
>Hyozan pads up to your side, but makes no reply. He merely walks alongside you as you reach the street, his tail flicking occasionaly.
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>We'll let him out, then.
>Head out to the front, and let him relieve himself.
>Do we know how Letty commands him?
(Also: Malamute)
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(Oops. Malamute. Thank you. Seems I was spelling it phonetically.)
>We'll let him out, then.
>Head out to the front, and let him relieve himself.
>Do we know how Letty commands him?
>Some dogs, of course, respond to basic commands only; 'sit' 'stay', that sort of thing. Hyozan, however, is remarkably intelligent-seeming. He seems to understand full sentances, and always answers, as best as a creature that can't speak can answer. You believe you can speak the malamute as though you were talking to a humanoid, and it would understand. Maybe even more than some humanoids.
>Passing through the gate leading to the street, you turn towards the western side of town, with the big dog flanking you easily. He shows no sign of roaming or that he needs to relieve himself. You almost get the impression that he wants to escort you.
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>"I don't think Letty would be happy if you ran off with me, you know."
-
>"I don't think Letty would be happy if you ran off with me, you know."
>The white coated dog gives a quiet ruff before looking up at you, a quiet whimper escaping him. You see a kind of concern in the dog's eyes.
-
>Pat him on the head, unless we specifically know he hates that kind of thing.
>"Are you worried about me? I'm glad you do. But I'll be fine. You should remain here so you don't worry Letty."
-
>Pat him on the head, unless we specifically know he hates that kind of thing.
>He's a very affectionate lug, not only to Letty but to all you girls. Although it did take Rin a while to open up to him. She's very nervous around big dogs. Giving the dog a friendly pat results in a 'woof' you've come to understand as his way of expression appreciation.
>"Are you worried about me? I'm glad you do. But I'll be fine. You should remain here so you don't worry Letty."
>Pausing at a crosswalk now, Hyozan offers another small whimper, then looks at your face again. No, not your face, now that you notice, not this time. He's... looking at the stylized lotus hairpin in your hair?
-
>Stop.
>"If it comes to that kind of thing, It'd be best that you weren't around. Trust me. Now go on back, before Letty thinks I ran off with you."
-
>Stop.
>"If it comes to that kind of thing, It'd be best that you weren't around. Trust me. Now go on back, before Letty thinks I ran off with you."
>The big white dog looks you square in the eyes, holding your gaze for a long few seconds. A cool breeze blows between the two of you. Hyozan then sniffs the wind briefly before closing the small distance between you. He nuzzles your hand briefly, a gesture you find oddly comforting, before turning back the way you came, his tail flicking around tickling your bare calf. You find yourself staring after the malamute as he pads away at his own pace, surprised and touched by the concern you saw in those eyes. The sound of a passing motorcycle breaks your reveire.
-
> Smile. He's such a kind dog.
> Onwards!
-
> Smile. He's such a kind dog.
> Onwards!
>That big dog has a big heart to match.
>Continuing on down the road, you pass through the small residential zone west of your school and enter an area of business, a shopping center, if you will. This is one of the places you and girls do your grocery shopping, both at the larger grocery store and the smaller convenience store, depending on what you need. The discount clothing store is where Nitori does the majority of her clothes shopping, and there's a few food joints as well, both fast food and sit down restaurants, and a nice little coffee shop as well.
>Despite the chill in the air, there's still some activity on the streets around, mostly foot traffic, including a large number of youkai with some animal aspect to them: ears, wings, tails. This is not unusual, as the number of youkai in general has been steadily on the rise for nearly a decade now, and 'animal' type youkai seem to have been the most common to settle in Mayoiga. Or at least the easiest to recognize.
>There also seems to be a perpensity of posters stapled and taped all over. Not only on the telephone poles, but on the sides of buildings as well, advestising a missing pendant. There's the usual assortment of posters as well, of course, but these are new, and very numerous, almost like someone very young was responsible. Glancing down the street seems to confirm this, as you can see a small figure with two tails stapling another poster to a telephone pole.
-
>Examine a poster.
-
>Examine a poster.
>Taking a closer look at the poster, you see a rather crude rendition of a heart-shaped pendant, colored a bright yellow. The kanji for 'orange' is penciled clearly in the middle, belying the simplicity of the artwork and the handwriting below. The latter of which reads, in a simple script, "I've lost my most precious thing! If you find it, I'll be your best friend! Oh, and pay, too." It is signed 'Chen Yakumo' and includes both her cell number and the adress of her mother's store.
-
>Hmm. Well, we'll be out and about today...
>Head for the two-tailed poster person. "Pardon me, might I ask for some details about this?"
>Gesture toward a poster.
-
>Hmm. Well, we'll be out and about today...
>Head for the two-tailed poster person. "Pardon me, might I ask for some details about this?"
>Gesture toward a poster.
>You will indeed.
>You approach the tailed youkai and attract her attention. Drawing closer you can see, even before she turns around, that it is Chen herself. She's a distinctive figure after all; not many cat youkai in town have two tails, and of those you know of, none are as short as she is.
>She glances over her shoulder as you adress her, and she whirls quickly. "Morning star! Have you seen my locket?! I can't find it anywhere!"
-
>"I haven't, but I'll keep an eye open. Where did you last have it?"
-
>"I haven't, but I'll keep an eye open. Where did you last have it?"
>"Couple days ago, at home. No, not home, leaving home. On my way to school, it wasn't on. So I went back home to find it, but it wasn't there! I can't find it anywhere!" She seems on the verge of tears. You're pretty sure people are looking.
-
>A couple days ago. That would've been just after...
>Well, if so, then Chen's probably lucky she wasn't home at the time.
>"If I see it, I'll get it back to you right away."
-
>A couple days ago. That would've been just after...
>Well, if so, then Chen's probably lucky she wasn't home at the time.
>The timing of this seemingly minor event does seem a little ominous.
>"If I see it, I'll get it back to you right away."
>The despair in the little youkai's eyes gives way to a flicker of hope. "Promise?"
-
>"Of course I promise. If I find it, I'll be certain to get it back to you. Might I have one of those posters?"
-
>"Of course I promise. If I find it, I'll be certain to get it back to you. Might I have one of those posters?"
>Chen's smile is like a ray of sunshine, and she bows deeply before you. "I deeply appreciate your consideration, Miss Hijiri." she states in a very formal tone, sounding more like a recitation she picked up somewhere else. When she straightens, she grins and chuckles slightly. "Did that right, ya." she mutters. Flicking around the backpack on her back, she rummages around and produces one of her fliers, presenting it to you.
-
>"Thank you. I hope to have good news soon."
>Continue on our way.
>Inventory
-
>Inventory
>Street clothes (Knee-length skirt, simple white blouse.)
>Wristband on right wrist, white with a black 'ribbon around' design.
>Long black coat with many pockets
>Cellphone
>Wallet (containing student ID, cash card, points card for the supermarket as well for book store Next Chapter, photograph of Myoren, photograph of you and Marissa and $56.47 cash.)
>Gold ring, in left breast pocket.
>Violet ring, worn on right hand.
>Stylized lotus hairpin, worn.
>Certificate of ownership: Rin Kaenbyou.
>Small notebook and pen.
>Poster of Chen Yakumo's missing pendant
>"Thank you. I hope to have good news soon."
>Continue on our way.
>Chen nods enthusiastically before scooting off to post up more fliers, letting you continue on along your way. Along the way out of the square, you catch snippits of conversations of the people around you. Understandably, most are discussing the scene that just played out between you and Chen. While the general tone is one of simply amusement among those around, you do hear a couple of folks say 'Suppose keeping an eye open on the way..." or words to that effect. You allow yourself a small smile at the sentiment. Does a girl's heart good.
>The remainder of the walk to Ran's is relatively uneventful, and yields no sign of Chen's missing treasure. You see no more people you know along the way, except for a porche that drives part you as you near the jewelers. If memory serves, it belongs to Kaguya-sensei. At least two of your teachers with top of the line Roma sportscars. Teaching at Mayoiga must be rather lucrative.
>Eventually you find yourself standing outside the glass doors of Yakumo Gems Worldwide. It's a five-story building, very modern-looking, with window displays clearly designed to catch the eye of passers-by. And effectively designed as well, as nearly everyone you see has at least a passing glance through the glass at the treasures that lie within.
-
> Head inside.
> If we don't already know, head to the nearest salesperson and ask where we can go to get our ring examined.
-
> Head inside.
> If we don't already know, head to the nearest salesperson and ask where we can go to get our ring examined.
>Entering into Ran's, which you've never done before, the first thing you notice is that it's quite warm inside. Not hot, but comfortable. The second thing would be the pair of burly men in uniforms on either side of the entrance. Security, obviously. A few stairs lead up to the main sales floor, but even from here, you can see the cases and aisles containing their precious wares, as well as the sounds of people talking above. Nice selection of music in the background; one of Flandre Scarlet's latest hits. Not what you'd have expected for an upscale joint like this.
>What appears to be an information desk rests at the top of the stairs, manned by a grey haired man with a goatee, with two horns coming out of his head. He's speaking Eire into a phone as you walk up the stairs, but he finishes soon after you arrive and stand before him. He looks up at you and offers you a polite nod, speaking with a notable Eire accent. "Welcome to Yakumo's, young lady. And what might ye be looking for today?"
-
> "I'm looking to have someone examine a ring I found a couple days ago. Could you please point me to where I need to go?"
-
> "I'm looking to have someone examine a ring I found a couple days ago. Could you please point me to where I need to go?"
>The aging oni quirks an eyebrow. "'Examine'? You mean you want to know how much it's worth?"
-
>"Rather, I'd like to know more about it. Who may have made it, how old it may be, and so on."
-
>"Rather, I'd like to know more about it. Who may have made it, how old it may be, and so on."
>"Hm. 's not the sort of question someone your age usually asks, but, okay. Lemme see here..." The oni produces a piece of paper, and pores over it for a moment. "Ah, here we are. Rinette's the appraiser on today. That's Rinette Desjardens. You'll find her on the second floor." He points to the store behind him, indicating a pair of escalators. "Once you head up those, turn right and head towards the light-fixture area, where all the chandeliers are. That's where her desk is. Long blue hair, glasses, pretty face for a human. You can't miss her."
>"If'n you don't mind, though, would ya mind showing that ring to me? Ye've made an old Eireman curious."
-
>"Of course."
>Show him.
-
>"Of course."
>Show him.
>The oni leans forward to examine the ring closer. "Seems ordinary enough. Might be onea ours, even, we sells enough... Oh, now, wait a minute...." He squints, then extends his hand. "Ah reckognize that inscription style. That is one'a ours, I'm almost sure. Lemme have a closer look."
-
>Show it to him.
>"You haven't had any go missing lately, I hope?"
-
>"You haven't had any go missing lately, I hope?"
>"Not from the store, no."
>Show it to him.
>You bring the ring closer to the oni, but he scowls, and with a 'bah', yanks the thing out of your hand. "How's an old man supposed to read those tiny-ass scribbles from o'er there, I'd like ta know." he grumbles, holding the ring up to his eye. "Aye, I was right. Ah know this one." He glances back at you. "Where in the world did you find this thing?"
-
>"I found it on the ground, actually. But given it was inscribed, I thought it might be important."
>Not technically a lie. ..
>"What can you tell me?"
-
>"I found it on the ground, actually. But given it was inscribed, I thought it might be important."
>Not technically a lie. ..
>Chances are, this quellous old oni wouldn't be the best fella to fully disclose things to, no. His lips curls slightly at your answer, however.
>"What can you tell me?"
>He takes a few seconds before answering, looking you up and down before looking in your eyes with his aging greens. "Aye." he says at least, nodding slowly. "Ye're an honest one." He holds the ring out to you and points at it with his other hand. "What ya have here is your run-of-the-mill engagement ring. And I know it because I was there when we sold it. Young man, couldn't be much older than ye. I've no idea where he got the money, but he had this big smile on when he was talkin'. 'My darlin' Rose's worth 50 times that price.' he said." The oni shakes his head in amusement. "'s not often I seen a man so in love at that age. Matter of fact, that's sorta what this says here, on the inscription. 'A simple token for my priceless treasure.'""
-
>"I don't suppose you could tell me who it was? I expect he'd love to have it back."
-
>"I don't suppose you could tell me who it was? I expect he'd love to have it back."
>"I can do ya one better'n that, lassie. I'll call him meself. No, wait, his girl. Odds are, the way he tore outta here, he ne'er wasted much time poppin' the question, so she's the one that misplaced the little thing." He reaches under his desk and produces a phone book, and begins leafing through it. "Way he kept blabberin' on about her, I know who I'm lookin' for here. How long ago'd you say ya found it?"
-
>"Just a couple days ago."
-
>"Just a couple days ago."
>The oni slows his search through the book. "Queer. Youd've thought one of 'em would've noticed it missing by now."
-
>"Perhaps so, but I doubt this would be the first place they'd look."
-
>"Who's the girl it was for?"
-
>"Perhaps so, but I doubt this would be the first place they'd look."
>The man nods inclines his head in a sideways nod. "Touche." That's a strange word to hear with an Eire accent.
>"Who's the girl it was for?"
>"His fiancee, obviously. Name's- Ah HA!" he exclaims. "Here she is. Pardon me a minute." He closes the book, picks up his phone and dials a number. After about half a minute, he frowns, and hangs up. "No answer. I'll try 'er man." He leafs though another small stack of papers, then dials another number. Evidently getting an answer this time, he starts speaking in a language you don't recognize. Before long, a shocked expression crosses his face, then speaking on, he frowns again. Then his frown deepens, and when he hangs up, he looks rather sad.
-
>"You don't fill me with encouraging feelings..."
>Something terrible happened. It was that thing we saw, it had to be.
-
>"You don't fill me with encouraging feelings..."
>Something terrible happened. It was that thing we saw, it had to be.
>The old man nods slowly. "Well, he didn't lose it. And neither did she. He threw it away. Turns out, by his acount, that he loved only her. And she wasn't so monogamous. I dinnae know how that ring ended up in your hands, but it's clearly not doing any good in either a theirs." He shakes his head. "Damned shame."
-
>"Ah."
>Only infidelity, what a relief! ...Oh that's terrible
>"That is a shame. I had feared that one or the other was no longer with us...but that's not a grand improvement. Thank you for your help, sir."
-
>Only infidelity, what a relief! ...Oh that's terrible
>It certainly is, depending on the persons involved. If one person in a relationship is monogamous, and the other is not... well, you see what can happens.
>"Ah."
>"That is a shame. I had feared that one or the other was no longer with us...but that's not a grand improvement. Thank you for your help, sir."
>The grey-haired oni looks at you quizzically. "And why would you be fearin' that, lassie?"
-
>"I've learned to be rather pessimistic about some things in time."
-
>"I've learned to be rather pessimistic about some things in time."
>The old man's sunken green eyes turn very sad when you say that. A tired, knowing sadness. Somehow you know that this aging oni has seen a lot in his time. A lot of bad things. And yet, he smiles. "Pessimism doesn't suit someone like ye. You're too young. Too alive for pessimism."
-
>Smile sadly. "I guess I am."
>"In any case, what should we do with the ring?"
>Ask about Chen's missing item when you have the chance.
-
>Smile sadly. "I guess I am."
>"In any case, what should we do with the ring?"
>"Well, that's pretty much up to you, lass. Its previous owner damn sure doesn't want it, and neither did his girl. It's inscribed, so we can't exactly resell it here." He pauses, considering, then his phone rings. "Pardon me." He fields the call, which seems to be fairly routine, then returns his attention to you upon hanging up. "Since ye're the one that found it, you could sell it back to the store for the gold price, make a few bucks." He learns forward then, lowering his voice slightly. "Ye could try another jewelers, or a pawn shop, too, if'n ye'd think ye'd get a better deal." He then sits back in his chair, and has to field another call, this time speaking Eire to the customer, then he dials another number. "Hoshiguma, ye've a personal one on line 2. Again. ... Swear at me on yer own time, girlie, I'm not the one that yelled at ye last time." Hanging up, he shakes his head, then returns his attention to you. "If you just wanted to keep the ring, well, that's yer call, too. Not entirely certain why ye'd want to, but ye sure can."
>Ask about Chen's missing item when you have the chance.
>"'s not a lot I can say. Little girl's misplaced her locket. I'm not really sure how, t'be honest, I was off that day. Pretty sure it didn't just fall behind her dresser, 'r anything; Her Ma's had the place torn apart tryin' t'find it. Damn sure's not in the store. Might've fallen out the window into the alley, but if it did, 's not there now." He glances down the stairs towards the doors. "I really hope it turns up soon. Poor little girl's been heartbroken."
-
> "I see... I hope she finds it soon."
> "Thank you very much for helping me. I think I'll hang onto it though, as you never know when something can be useful."
-
> "I see... I hope she finds it soon."
>"Well, Chen's been asking everyone she sees fer help. And the little darlin's right charmin', so I'm sure she'll get some help there. Heh, she seems to have got you, for one." he grins. "Plus there's the reward her Ma's offerin', so that'll draw more of a crowd. Just hope it don't take much longer."
> "Thank you very much for helping me. I think I'll hang onto it though, as you never know when something can be useful."
>He nods sagely. "Many a true word. I could tell ye some stories..." He seems lost in thought for a moment before drifiting back. "By the by, if'n ye should be the one that finds it, ye get yerself a free pick of anything in the store. Anythin' at all."
-
>"That is extremely generous of you, thank you very much."
>Bow, and depart.
-
>"That is extremely generous of you, thank you very much."
>Bow, and depart.
>"That's Ran for ya. Eh, Miss Yakumo. She does right by those that do right by her wee girl. As any good mother does."
>"Afore ya go on about your business, young lady, might an old man have the pleasure of your name?"
-
>"I am Byakuren Hijiri, sir. And you?"
-
>"I am Byakuren Hijiri, sir. And you?"
>He stands, and placing his left hand, palm up, over his right fist in front of him, he bows slightly, an old Eire gesture of respect and camaraderie. "I was Francis O'Donnell, or Frank. My friends call me Doubles." He cracks a grin. "cuz I never drink singles, and I never drink alone. And I'm glad to've met ya, Byakuren Hijiri."
-
>Bow back to him
>"And you as well, Mr O'Donnell."
-
>Bow back to him
>"And you as well, Mr O'Donnell."
>"Oy, now. Doubles." he chides pleasantly, returning to his seat. "Haven't been 'mister' in a very, very long time, and I aim t'keep it that way."
-
>"Doubles it is."
>Bow again, and depart.
-
>"Doubles it is."
>Bow again, and depart.
>"You take care, now, lass." the old oni says quietly as you put the ring back in your pocket and head down the stairs. The guards nod politely as you head out the doors, shivering briefly as a gust of cold air brushes your legs.
-
>Continue on toward the shrine.
-
>Continue on toward the shrine.
>Pulling your jacket tighter around you, you proceed in a northwesterly direction towards the shrine of the Metal Tiger. Mayoiga is awake now, and even though it's sunday, there's plenty traffic in this part of town, both foot and wheeled. You pass by a few folks you know from school, and exchange polite greetings on your way past. You allow yourself a small smile at their happy faces. A simple thing to make people happy sometimes. It's a wonderful thing. Life should be that simple.
>About 10 minutes out from Ran's, you get a very different sensation from a figure that bumps your shoulder as he walks past you. He's a giant of a man in an oilskin coat, and a bundle that told he was a tramp. His head was nearly entirely concealed by the high collars of his coat, and the wide-brimmed hat he wore. Didn't even apologize, he just kept going, but that's not what gives you pause as you stare at his back. He had a familiar... you're not sure what the word is, perhaps 'presense', about him. Like you'd met him before, or at least seen him. A not uncommon feeling for people to experience, but for some reason, this nags at your mind. Perhaps given everything that's happened to you, you've become more sensitive to that sort of thing now. Or perhaps you're worrying about it more than others do. But there's definately something about that man you find unsettling, and it's not until a rather loud engine pulls up on your side that you are distracted, and stop staring at the departing figure. The engine belongs to a racy, beautiful looking ferrari sportscar, and this one, you definately recognize. Sure enough, the driver's side window rolls down, revealing Aya Shameimaru's smiling face.
>"Morning, Byakuren." she chirps.
-
>Is That Man still in sight?
-
>Is That Man still in sight?
>It seems that, in the momentary distraction from your agent, he has moved out of sight. Perhaps entering one of the shops here, perhaps turning down another street, or an ally, you cannot be sure. The uneasy sensation you had is passing. Perhaps it was nothing. After all, a figure that tall, chances are, you'd remember having met him before.
-
>"Oh, hello Aya,
>Frown, and look back where he was again.
>"Did you see that tall man with the wide-brimmed hat, just now?"
-
>Offhandedly muse that she probably didn't see him and is going to reply "What tall man?"
>Ask her about Chen's locket.
>Ask if you can hitch a ride.
-
>"Oh, hello Aya,
>Frown, and look back where he was again.
>"Did you see that tall man with the wide-brimmed hat, just now?"
>A second glance down the road reveals no furthur sign of the man, his coat, or his hat. Whatever that sensation you had when he bumped your shoulder, it's gone now.
>The tengu photographer nods. "Certainly tall, but they grow big in some parts." She leers at you. "He catch your eye?"
>Offhandedly muse that she probably didn't see him and is going to reply "What tall man?"
>Ask her about Chen's locket.
>Ask if you can hitch a ride.
>Guess again.
>Aya ponders for a moment. "Nope. Haven't seen any missing jewelery in a while, not since Ushio dropped her ring down a grate at that race a few weeks back."
>The tengu grins. "Matter of fact, I was about to ask you the same thing. Hop in. Where you headed?"
-
> "Thank you. I was heading to the shrine of the Metal Tiger."
> Get in.
-
> "Thank you. I was heading to the shrine of the Metal Tiger."
> Get in.
>Aya rolls the roof of her ferrari down as you step inside. You'd almost forgotten she had the convertable version of the 458. And so comfortable seats, too.
>"Ahh, feeling pious today, are we?" She quips, as she waits for the traffic flow to subside before pulling out and setting off.
-
>"Well enough. I'd been meaning to visit for awhile."
>What do we know about this shrine, anyways?
-
>What do we know about this shrine, anyways?
>The shrine on the western side of town is devoted to one of the companions of the Mother of the Light, the great White Tiger, which was the keeper of the element of Metal. It's one of the more popular of the four shrines, especially amongst people around your own age, though this has more to do with the chief miko there, Satori Komeji, than out of any profound sense of religion. She's the only youkai head miko among the four shrines, and she's reknowned for her predictions and advice, especially about love. It's one of the three shrines that were rebuilt after the war, as only the northern shrine survived the destruction of the city.
>"Well enough. I'd been meaning to visit for awhile."
>Aya chuckles, then leers at you again. "You wouldn't be heading up there for a little chat with Satori about looooove would you?"
-
>"Would you think anything else, regardless of what I said?"
-
>"Would you think anything else, regardless of what I said?"
>Aya tilts her head back and laughs. "Nice comeback, kiddo." After another short laugh, "But seriously, you know I'd believe ya. I'm not sure I ever met someone as honest as you. Although..." she drawls, glancing at you out of the corner of her eye. "That wasn't a 'no'..."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Then you may consider this a no."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Then you may consider this a no."
>"Awww, I can hear the breaking hearts already." Aya chuckles at her own joke, then pulls the car to a stop at a red light. A pleasant aroma fills your nostrils, baking bread, you think. Must be a bakery or something nearby. Unfortunately, this is somewhat spoiled by the smell of exaust from the truck idling next to you. Aya's face turns somewhat more serious.
>"So, I heard about the incidents last wendsday. You okay now?"
-
>"Yeah, I'm about as good as can be expected, I think."
-
>"Yeah, I'm about as good as can be expected, I think."
>"Glad to hear it. I've seen bad things happen to people that go over stairs, real bad, even less stairs than you did. Felt as good as a autumn breeze to see you walking around when I did."
-
>"I'm sorry to have worried you, then. Thankfully, I was out cold for most of it."
-
>"I'm sorry to have worried you, then. Thankfully, I was out cold for most of it."
>Aya spares a moment to look at you, and give you a smile. "Does have its advantages sometimes." The light turns green and you set off again. Even at street speeds, the sound of the 458 engine is a lovely sound to your ears. Perhaps not as lovely as you've heard Aya ramble on about it, but a nice sound, nevertheless.
>"Well, if you're as right as a thermal, then that's music to my ears. I've got a couple jobs coming up in the next little while, I'd love to have you on board. Truth to tell, I would've called you a couple days ago, but, I figured modeling wasn't high on your list of things to do then."
-
>"Jobs and modelling, you say?"
-
>"Jobs and modelling, you say?"
>Aya bobs her head in a nod. "Matter of fact, one of em's for that store we were close to a minute ago: Yakumo Gems. They've got a new version of their catalogue coming out for the holidays, and they've contracted my company for models for their new stuff. It's not my usual fare, I admit, but I'm up for the challenge, and I know my girls are, too. ... Well, I hope so." she adds quietly. "It's much more understated then our usual work, and I have to admit, it's kinda dissapointing for me, but the contract was good. Too good to pass up, and that means big cheques for you folks, as well."
>"Now of course, saying that, that's not the only order on my plate." she continues, pausing at a crosswalk to led a young couple and their baby cross. "But it's probably got the best pay for the easiest job, so, I wanted to throw that out there first."
-
>"I'll think about it. I might be busy soon."
>Can't really be modelling when things are afoot. But politeness doesn't hurt.
-
>Can't really be modelling when things are afoot. But politeness doesn't hurt.
>Don't set your mind in stone about that. Yes, you must be vigilant, in case the enemies of your world strike again, but that does not mean that the rest of your life has become unimportant. Life goes on. There's still school to attend, exams to take, tasks to do, jobs to perform, money to be earned, friends to share your life with.... Life goes on. Think Persona here. Plenty of time to improve your social links, work jobs, and handle school, inbetween dealing with shadows.
>"I'll think about it. I might be busy soon."
>Your noncommital reply does not seem to stymie Aya's enthusiasm. "Oh, I know, you've still got school and all that, but I'm sure you can spare a couple hours for old Aya here, can't ya? And you haven't even heard the best jobs yet, either. .... Ah, but then again, I suppose I shouldn't be too selfish. Is about this time of year humans your age have your exams, isn't it? Well, I've got some flexibility. No deadlines coming due for a few days yet, plenty of time to get little things like schooling tests out of the way."
-
>"And what are the best jobs?"
-
>"And what are the best jobs?"
>She rubs her hands together briefly before the crosswalk clears, and she sets off again. "Glad you asked, Miss Hijiri." The way she says that, it's more for emphasis than out of any sense of formality. "Well, you've heard of Remilia Scarlet, the wedding planner?" You hadn't, but Aya continues on before giving you a chance to reply. "She's contracted me to supply the pictures for most of her new ad campaign. Well, the stills part of it, but anyway. That means varied locations, nice suits, pretty little dresses, and, best of all... wedding gowns." Aya grins lasciviously. You knew she liked pretty girls in pretty clothes, but she obvsiouly has a thing for wedding dresses. And money, as well, as she continues her thought with, "Maybe I could even talk to Ran again, see if I can get the two of them over a contract..." You can practically see the gears turning in her head.
-
>"Hm, I see. I might consider it, if the schedule remains fairly clear."
-
>"Hm, I see. I might consider it, if the schedule remains fairly clear."
>"Now that's what I like to hear!" Aya crows, shifting gears as the road opens up. The shrine of the metal tiger lies just outside of town, and there's only a handful of buildings out the way, now that you've left the city proper. Means Aya can let this 562 horsepower beauty open up a little. Despite the chill in the air, the wind in your hair feels very nice, and the sound of the wind ruffling Aya's feathers is oddly soothing, squelched though it may be by the sound of that V8 revving. Aya produces a pair of sunglasses from somewhere and dons them, before offering you another pair.
-
>Might as well accept them.
-
>Might as well accept them.
>Indeed. You might like the feel of sunshine on your shoulder, but it's getting bright out here. You accept Aya's glasses and don them as she speaks again. "I'll be honest, Byakuren. Of all the jobs I've got now, this gig with Remilia's something special. I've never actually done anything with weddings before, but I've wanted to try for years. She's not the easiest woman in the world to work with, and I'm sure there'll be all kinds of complications I haven't had on any other assignments, but I'm really looking forward to this. And I know the girls are too, at least the ones I've talked to about it. I mean, what girl doesn't dream of wearing a wedding dress one day?"
-
>"I can see why. Will it just be catalogue work, or will you be photographing actual weddings as well?"
-
>"And what part of this wedding thing would involve me?"
-
>"I can see why. Will it just be catalogue work, or will you be photographing actual weddings as well?"
>"And what part of this wedding thing would involve me?"
>Aya's mouth contorts in a gesture you've come to recognize as thought. "Catalogue work, some promotional flyers, information pamphlets, posters for her office and ads around town, billboards... Basically, everything outside of television and radio. And newspapers, at least the local ones. As for actual weddings, about the best I could get out of Remilia during negociations was 'One thing at a time, tengu.' Like I said, not the easiest woman to work with, but her money's good, and I wasn't about to let this chance get away from me. I can stomach a little arrogance for an opportunity like this."
>"As for you yourself..." She glances over at you after coming out of a turn. "I'm actually not 100% certain yet. I mean, of all the scenes I can imagine, I'd be hard pressed to think of one that wouldn't fit you, but I wanted to see where you stood on the idea of doing the shoot at all, before I let my imagination fly away on me."
-
>"I'll consider it. It depends on what things are like in the near future bring."
-
>"I'll consider it. It depends on what things are like in the near future bring."
>"Works for me." Aya says as she pulls out to pass the bus heading up the hill towards the western shrine. "I've got a few days yet before I can even start shooting, anyway. You know how to reach me once you've made up your mind." Reaching up to tilt her glasses up, Aya gives you a wink. "Or earlier." she states in an loaded tone.
-
>"You're going to make me sound like a broken record at this rate."
>Not really much to say to tengus flirting at us.
-
>Not really much to say to tengus flirting at us.
>Well, no one said you had to say anything in this situation. Actions do speak louder, after all....
>"You're going to make me sound like a broken record at this rate."
>Aya shakes her head slightly, chuckling a little. She mutters something in Francais, which she probably doesn't know you're fluent in, that translates as "Must be losing my touch." After another few minutes, she pulls up to the side of the road, coming to a stop. There's a bus stop about 40 feet away on this side of the road. Across from the ferrari, a large torii gate stands, with a pair of tiger statues flanking it, a long flight of stairs beyond, leading up the hill to the shrine of the metal tiger. "Well, this is it, Byakuren. No roads to the shrine, it's your pretty little feet from here."
-
>"Thank you for the ride, and the job offer."
>Disembark, and head for the shrine if nothing comes up.
-
>"Thank you for the ride, and the job offer."
>Disembark, and head for the shrine if nothing comes up.
>Aya nods your way. "I'll give you a ring if anything changes between now and then." She doesn't drive off right away, but she makes no furthur effort to delay you, and you being climbing the steps towards the shrine. And there are a lot of stairs. This'll take you a bit. The stairs themselves are a brilliant silver color. In fact, they might BE silver, which makes you shudder at the expense wasted here, even if it does compliment the theme of the element associated with the white tiger, metal. That said, however, the walk is not entirely unpleasant. Forest surrounds the silver stairway, and this time of year, there's no insect activity to speak of. The sound of birds are all around you, and the cool wind rustling through the trees is a tranquil, lovely sound. Fallen leaves dot the stairs, an array of colors, with dull red being the most prevalent. Winter won't be too far away, but before it gets too cold, you ponder coming out this way to meditate.
>Two people come down the stairs away from the shrine, about 3 minutes apart from each other. The first is a statuesque woman with ice blue eyes and very long hair, silvery white in shade. The second is a rather... rotund woman, swathed in green clothes with a gaudy hat, sweating despite the chill. Both wear rather severe expressions, and neither acknowledges your polite greetings. Perhaps they both had a dose of bad news at the shrine. The only other being you see on your way up is a small brown squirrel, which darts out of the trees, stops for a second to look your way, then scoots off again. You wish him well.
>The trip up the stairs is quite long, and despite you being in excellent shape, you're still sweating slightly once you reach the top of the stairs, which are flanked by another pair of statues, these two a silver lion and a gold cat you believe to be a jaguar. Not a common animal for Yamato, but you recall the Metal Tiger was reputed to be the lord of all beasts of the land, Yamato or otherwise. The main body of his shrine lies aways off in front of you, a pathway of alternating silver and gold-colored stones leading up to it. The forest has been cleared out from the grounds of the shrine, leaving about 30 feet or so between the walkway and the woods on either side. A small playground lies to your left, featuring a swingset, sandbox, a jungle gym, monkey bars... Nice setup. It is currently uninhabited.
>A winged figure with wearing a grey and white miko outfit, is sweeping the fallen leaves off the stone path, her long blonde hair blowing in the breeze. As she is facing away from you, you cannot see her face, but you strongly suspect that this is Lily White. Or if not her, someone that looks quite a bit like her.
-
>Take a moment, and see if we can access our other senses. Does anything feel awry here?
-
>Take a moment, and see if we can access our other senses. Does anything feel awry here?
>You appear to be blind to the senses you had access to in your Magical Lotus form, or if you're not, you're not certain how to access them without transforming. The only thing out of place you can sense is the empty playground. Something about empty swings blowing slowly in the breeze, their chains squeaking occasionaly, is kinda eerie. Not eerie on a 'threatening the world' level, but definately eerie in general.
-
>Approach the sweeper.
>"Pardon me. Would it be alright if I looked around the shrine a bit?"
-
>Approach the sweeper.
>"Pardon me. Would it be alright if I looked around the shrine a bit?"
>As you approach the blonde, she turns to face you. It is indeed Lily White, who's already wearing a smile. That smile grows a bit more when her blue eyes fall upon you. "Morning star! Good morning!" She then turns to face you, and bows formally. "Welcome to the shrine of the Metal Tiger of the west. May his blessings fall on you this day." The formalities out of the way, she straightens up. "Why would you want to look around the shrine for?"
-
>"I had an odd dream, and I'd like to see if there was anything to it. It's nothing you need worry about setting aside your work for."
>Have we been here before?
-
>Have we been here before?
>This particular shrine, no. You have visited both the eastern shrine and the southern shrine, but neither the northern or (until today) the west. That said, however, the temple itself appears basically identical to the other two shrines you've seen, so it stands to reason that it's interior would be close as well. Of course, you've never been inside the main temple in either of the other two locations, so this fact probably doesn't help you very much, in terms of finding your way around.
>"I had an odd dream, and I'd like to see if there was anything to it. It's nothing you need worry about setting aside your work for."
>"Ah, then you came to the right shrine!" she states enthusiastically. "Satori's really good at figuring out dreams and things. She can help, if anyone can! Right this way!" She gestures towards the southern end of the building, where you can see a small entrance. Lily sets off in that direction. "Might be a few minutes wait, though, she's having a talk to someone ahead of you."
-
>"That's fine, I'll just look around in the meantime. I didn't come to have it interpreted so much as see if the imagery it had matched anything in reality."
-
>"That's fine, I'll just look around in the meantime. I didn't come to have it interpreted so much as see if the imagery it had matched anything in reality."
>Lily comes to an abrubt halt. "Oh." She pauses, considering. "Well, that's fine, too, but, just so you know, there's parts of the temple that you can't go into. Not without Satori's permission."
-
>"Alright, that's fine. If I need permission, I'll seek it out. Thank you."
>If she has no further objections, start to wander the grounds and see if anything gives us a curious feeling. Touch things. Start what that playground.
-
>"Alright, that's fine. If I need permission, I'll seek it out. Thank you."
>If she has no further objections, start to wander the grounds and see if anything gives us a curious feeling. Touch things. Start what that playground.
>She does not, and you set to rambling around as the winged blonde returns to her sweeping, singing to herself in a clear, pretty voice. You amble over first to the empty playground, running your fingers over the metal of the monkey bars, the cold chain of the swing sets. The sensations take you back to your younger days, when you and Myoren still lived together. And how, when he was healthy, he liked to sneak out of the house to visit the small playground near your house, and how you were young enough to go with him instead of stopping him, but old enough to fuss over him and make sure he didn't stay out too long. And how once you tried jumping off the swings and scraped your little knee, and he tried to be your prince and carry you home. Obviously you didn't let him, but the thought made you very happy. And you remember the time your mother caught you both, and the scolding she gave the both of you, but the worst part was the guilt you both felt at making her so worried. The nostalgic sensation brings a smile to your face as you sit down on the swings briefly. Apart from nostalgic memories, however, none of the objects in the playground trigger any sensations at all.
>A middle aged man in a long blue and black coat comes up the stairs, nods a greeting to Lily as he passes her, and makes his way towards the offratory box in front of the temple itself. Apart from not letting his eyes linger on a pretty girl like Lily a bit longer, nothing about him seems particularly out of place.
>Deciding that you've indulged in enough nostalgia, you stand from the swings, and start to move towards the shrine's chozuya before you have an odd sensation that you're being watched. From your left, from the trees. Turning to look, not knowing quite what to expect after everything that's happened to you lately, you are somewhat releived to see an ordinary fox standing at the edge of the forest.
-
>We can't be sure it's ordinary, though.
>Approach the fox slowly.
-
>We can't be sure it's ordinary, though.
>This is entirely true. Things have had a tendancy to not be quite what they seem around you lately.
>Approach the fox slowly.
>You start to move towards the fox carefully, not wanting to upset the little canine. Or whatever the thing is. It's little head sweeps back and forth once, seemingly looking around, but its gaze settles on you again as you approach it. It makes no sound, but its' ears do perk up as you approach. You don't get to take more than a few steps, however, before you hear Lily's voice from behind you, in a hissed whisper. "Careful, morning star!" You hear her footsteps coming up from behind you. "There's a few families of foxes around the shrine. Not all of them are very friendly, least not to strangers."
-
>Do we feel or see anything odd from the fox that would establish it as anything other than a normal fox?
-
>Do we feel or see anything odd from the fox that would establish it as anything other than a normal fox?
>You can sense nothing from the fox, and it seems visually indistinguishable from any other fox. Then again, that fist doll seemed indistinguishable from a normal doll, too. The fox doesn't appear to be alarmed or defensive, as far as you can tell. If anything, you would guess that it's curious about you.
-
>"Don't worry, Lily. I don't think it's going to hurt me."
>Slowly get closer to it. Observe it carefully for any reaction.
-
>"Don't worry, Lily. I don't think it's going to hurt me."
>"I sure hope you're right..." the winged blonde replies tersely. You think you can hear her hands gripping her broom a little tigher.
>Slowly get closer to it. Observe it carefully for any reaction.
>You take another few steps towards the fox, taking great care in doing so, so as not to antagonize or alarm the little creature. Its head had been swishing back and forth slightly after you stopped, but it looks only at you as you move closer to it. You can hear Lily moving as well, taking a few careful steps behind you. The foxes' head tilts to one side slightly as you approach. In humans, this usually indicates a sign of questioning, or curiousity. You're not sure what it means in foxes, but at the least, you can detect no obvious signs of hostility in its mismatched eyes. You're close enough now to see that one of its eyes is brown, but the other is a deep green. You've read that this is not entirely uncommon in felines, but you're not sure about canines.
>You can hear Lily suddenly let out a sigh of relief. "Whew. It's just him." She walks up to stand alongside you, smiling again. "I know that fox. He's been hanging around the shrine now for a couple years. At least, that's what Satori says, I only started here a couple months ago. But I have seen him a few times. He's harmless. I've never seen him hurt anyone." She cups her little jaw in her little hand. "Now, what was his name....?"
-
>Do we feel or see anything odd from the fox that would establish it as anything other than a normal fox?
-
>"He's a frequent enough visitor that you've named him?"
>Approach closer, still being careful.
-
>Do we feel or see anything odd from the fox that would establish it as anything other than a normal fox?
>Nothing more or less than the last time you checked. Apart from his mismatched eyes, of course, and you're not sure that's not uncommon among foxes.
>"He's a frequent enough visitor that you've named him?"
>"Well, not me, Satori did. She does that with all the animals she knows around here, and there's lots of em." She giggles lightly. "Now, I love animals, but she can actually talk to em and get what they're saying. She only names the ones that like it."
>Approach closer, still being careful.
>As you come even closer to the treeline, and the fox standing at the edge of it, he takes a few steps forward himself, towards you. He still doesn't appear hostile or aggitated, and according to Lily, he's friendly enough. "Let him come to you." Lily advises. "Satori says he likes it better that way."
-
>Stop, and beckon toward it like we would a dog. "C'mere, little guy. I won't hurt you."
-
>Stop, and beckon toward it like we would a dog. "C'mere, little guy. I won't hurt you."
>As you attempt to summon the fox to you, Lily shakes her head. "Don't know if that'll work. Satori says he 'likes being in charge.' Think she means that he doesn't really like being.... Oh." she breaks off, as the fox pads over towards you, not quickly, but very easily, like he's not afraid of anything. He pauses about five inches in front of you, and looks up at you, sniffing the air audiably. "Guess Satori was wrong." Lily muses, then smiles. "Either that, or he likes you."
-
>"Ah," Nod toward Lily and turn toward the fox. "Sorry to patronize you, Mr Fox."
>Hold out our hand toward him.
-
>"Ah," Nod toward Lily and turn toward the fox. "Sorry to patronize you, Mr Fox."
>Hold out our hand toward him.
>The winged blonde snaps her fingers. "Hideo! Yeah, that's his name. Not sure what it means, but Satori says that's his name." She then claps her hands. "Ah, I remember now! Be right back!" She turns and scoots off somewhere else, leaving you alone with the fox apparantly named Hideo.
>As you extend you hand out to the fox with the mismatched eyes, he eyes it curiously, then sniifs the air once more. Evidently deciding that nothing smells amiss, he takes a few steps forward and, rather boldly, sticks his nose into your hand. It's quite cool to the touch.
-
>Stroke his muzzle with a finger.
>"I'll call you Hideo, if that's alright."
>Maybe he'll object? We've dealt with talking dolls. A fox doing the same isn't that strange.
-
>Stroke his muzzle with a finger.
>"I'll call you Hideo, if that's alright."
>Maybe he'll object? We've dealt with talking dolls. A fox doing the same isn't that strange.
>It wouldn't be strange at all, given the experiences you've had lately. The fact that you almost expect him to respond verbally says something. But he does not, nor does he give you any overt indication that he can speak. However, as he does not respond to your gentle stroking motion by either running off or biting your finger, you assume he does not object to you using that name, or doing what you're doing. He actually sticks his tongue out and gives your extended digit a quick lick.
>And while he does so, you hear leaves rustling from the treeline, sounding more like someone, or someones, walking over fallen leaves than a gust of wind blowing through the trees.
-
>Look toward the noise.
-
>Look toward the noise.
>Glancing up from Hideo, you see a trio of foxes moving slowly towards the treeline. Two are smaller, and appear similarly colored to Hideo, while the larger one has darker shaded fur, and is just a little smaller than Hideo. They all of them pause at the treeline, looking at you and the male fox, the smaller ones standing just behind the larger one. Hideo, for his part, gives no outward sign of acknolwedgement of the other foxs' presence, merely licking your finger again.
-
>Give Hideo some chin scratchies.
>"Are those friends of yours?"
-
>Give Hideo some chin scratchies.
>"Are those friends of yours?"
>You're not adept at reading fox's body language, but he seems to enjoy the sensation of your finger under his chin. He makes no answer to your question, but he does, rather abrubtly, scoot forward, and rubs his furry head against your leg, sniffing at your feet as he circles you casually. The sensation is very odd, but not foreign to you, as Hyozan did that to you once before. And Hyozan's fur was even more ticklish on your skin than Hideo's here.
>"Aw, idn't that precious?" you hear Lily hear from behind you, coming back towards you.
-
>"He's quite friendly, yes,"
>Give him ear scratchies.
>"Are those other foxes common visitors, too?"
-
>"He's quite friendly, yes,"
>Give him ear scratchies.
>"I think he likes ya." Lily chirps, coming up to stand abreast from you again. She holds a small lunchbox in her hands, and from it, produces a small piece of sushi. "Here ya go, boy." She states, croching down and offering him the fish. "He likes this stuff." she assures you and, sure enough, the fox disentangles himself from your legs and pads over to the winged girl, sniffing briefly at the offering before gobbling it out of her hand. "Haha, aren't you just precious!" Lily exudes, rubbing Hideo's head enthusiastically. He doesn't seem to mind at all.
>"Are those other foxes common visitors, too?"
>Lily pauses in her fawning over Hideo to blink at you. "Other foxes?" She glances back towards the treeline, then frowns in concentration. "Uh.... Don't think so. Don't think I've ever seen them before. If I didn't know better I'd think they were Hideo's family, but he doesn't have a family. At least, that's what Satori says."
-
>Observe the other foxes while Lily plays with Hideo.
-
>Observe the other foxes while Lily plays with Hideo.
>As Lily giggles and laughs as the friendly fox licks her face and tickles her exposed skin, feeding him bits of sushi now and then, you focus your attention on the trio of smaller foxes in the woods. One of the smaller ones appears to have the same mismatches eyes as Hideo, while the other does not. The larger one's fur doesn't seem as bushy as Hideo's, and it's face is more narrow, more feminine, or at least as far as you can determine. The one with mismatched eyes keeps skittering forwards, and then backwards again, as if it's uncertain whether or not to follow Hideo's example and interact more directly with the two big'uns. The other two appear to content to remain where you are, both their heads flickering between you and Lily.
-
>Gesture for them to come over.
-
>Gesture for them to come over.
>While the two stationary foxes make no obvious reply to your gesuture, the skittish one pauses, lifts its head and sniffs the air briefly. Seeming satisfied, it starts to pad out of the woods, somewhat warily, as though walking into strange, alien ground. But it doesn't get too far before a very strange noise emerges from deeper in the forest. It is a deep sound, a resonating bass, not quite like anything you've ever heard before, or like anything you thought any animal could make. Hideo and the other heterochromatic fox stop dead in their tracks and raise their heads up, looking back into the forest behind them, the stationary foxes doing the same. After a few seconds, the larger of the three new arrivals emits a single bark, and scampers back into the tree cover, followed closely by the two smaller ones. Hideo turns and dashes off, following behind them, pausing just once to turn around, and give both you and Lily one last look, before running off.
>"Okay.... Any guesses what that was all about?" Lily asks you as she stands back up.
-
>Shake head. "No idea."
>Interesting that foxes would recognize hand gestures when they have have no hands. It seems Hideo isn't the only special one.
> Scrutinize the direction that the the sound came from.
>"Has that not happened before?"
-
>Shake head. "No idea."
>Interesting that foxes would recognize hand gestures when they have have no hands. It seems Hideo isn't the only special one.
> Scrutinize the direction that the the sound came from.
>Looking into the forest deeply, you can see nothing beyond falling leaves and more tree trunks. That said, however, even with the foxes gone, you have the distinct impression that more than one set of eyes is still upon you. The deep sound issues forth again, briefly this time. It's a bass sound deeper than any speaker system you've ever heard generate, and even though it seems to be coming from deep in the woods, you swear it sets your teeth to rattling, and Lily's feathers rustling.
>"Has that not happened before?"
>Lily shakes her head. "Not since I started here. I mean, yeah, sometimes the animals come out the woods, and then run back in, but nothing like that before. And nothing like that sound either!" She walks forwards a few steps, herself looking into the treeline. "Have you ever heard anything like that? Not even Kyouko can make that kinda noise!"
-
>Shake head.
>"I think it bears worth in investigating, if it is that unusual."
-
>Shake head.
>"I think it bears worth in investigating, if it is that unusual."
>Lily's eyes are practically alight with curiousity. "That makes two of us. Oh, but, we better be careful. Satori says that not every animal out in those words are as friendly as Hideo there. Some plain don't like strangers, or humans, or strange humans."
-
>"Is it alright for you to just leave, though?"
-
>"Is it alright for you to just leave, though?"
>Lily's chest swells with pride as she recites, "The safety and well-being of the guests of the shrine of the Metal Tiger is the responsibility of the maidens who tend the shrine in His name."
-
>Well, there's no way we can drive her off without seeming suspicious or paranoid. So...
>"Alright. Let's just try to be careful."
>Proceed in direction that we heard the noise.
-
>Well, there's no way we can drive her off without seeming suspicious or paranoid. So...
>More than likely. And besides, given the enthusiam you know Lily to carry herself with, she'd probably follow you, anyway.
>"Alright. Let's just try to be careful."
>Proceed in direction that we heard the noise.
>She picks her broom off the ground, and holds it before her like a bo staff, nodding with conviction. "I got ya covered." Certainly no doubting her spirit.
>With the winged blonde covering your rear flank, you set off into the tree line. You have a strange tingling sensation as you walk under the leaves, but it passes almost without notice. The forest is not too dense in this part, with most tree trunks being between one and two feet wide. Most of the leaves in the trees are solid red, being the fall of the year, as are the leaves on the ground, but you can still see the occasional orange, yellow, green, even a shade or two of purple. All of which make a crunching noise as you walk over them, the ground dry.
>There doesn't seem to be any distinct paths in this part of the woods, but you pick your way in a generally southwesterly direction, which was the origin of the sound, as near as you can determine. There's not a great deal of sound in the air, apart from the occasional bird. In fact, there seems to be something distinctly missing, but you can't quite put your finger on what.
>There are no more indications of the sound, or of any wildlife around you, but you still have the distinct impression that you are being observed.
-
>"Does anything feel strange to you?"
-
>"Does anything feel strange to you?"
>Lily's eyes dart from side to side. If she's trying to hide her apprehension, she's not doing a very good job. "Big time. Something's got eyes on us. A lot of something. And.... does it seem quieter to you than it should?" She stops and closes her eyes, listening for... something. After a few seconds, she gasps and opens her eyes. "The wind! I can't hear the wind anymore!"
-
>Does it seem windless around here?
>"Yes, I feel much the same."
>Do we sense anything unusual, perhaps akin to the sense we got off that man with the hat?
-
>Does it seem windless around here?
>The answer to that is somewhat... puzzling. Looking up, you can still see leaves and branches swaying in the breeze, leaves on the ground are blowing around, as are the leaves that occasionally fall around you. The end of your coat ruffles in the breeze, as do the feathers in Lily's wings. And yet, you cannot feel the wind upon your skin. You cannot hear the branches and leaves rustling. You can SEE the effects of the wind, but you can neither hear it nor feel it. The effect is quite surreal.
>Do we sense anything unusual, perhaps akin to the sense we got off that man with the hat?
>Apart from the nebulous sense of being watched, you don't feel anything else out here, apart from a little cool.
>No, wait, that's not quite right. It's not like anything you've even felt before, but there is a distinct.... age to these woods. No, not the woods themselves, but something in it. Something profoundly ancient rests here, and the trees have taken on a part of that age. You feel as though if you were to reach out and touch one of the trees, the sensation would age you as well, somehow. And yet, this is not sinister. It merely is old.
>"Yes, I feel much the same."
>"I've been in these woods before, but..." She shakes her head. "This is like something out of a dream."
-
>Can we place a direction to this sensation of age?
-
>Can we place a direction to this sensation of age?
>Not as such. As near as you can determine, you are surrounded by age. Lily's face is a mix of wonderment and dread.
-
>"We've gotten to see something interesting today, haven't we? Let's try not to get separated and look around a bit."
>Explore the area a bit, see if anything else interesting turns up.
-
>"We've gotten to see something interesting today, haven't we? Let's try not to get separated and look around a bit."
>Explore the area a bit, see if anything else interesting turns up.
>Lily visibly swallows, and offers you an only-slightly unsteady smile. "You oughta think about working here. If it's this cool all the time with you around."
>With Lily following relatively close behind you, you amble about the forest to see what you can see. You do your level best not to let yourself touch any of the tree trunks around you. You can't be certain that touching them would have any adverse effects on you, but it's best not to experiment if you have the option. Fortunately for you, there's enough room between the trees for you to walk comfortably between.
>After about a minute, you come across a gully, running from west to southeast, between 3-4 across and a bit more than four feet down. The sides are somewhat steep where you are, but not unscalable. A small trickle of water runs through the leaf and branch filled gully. A fallen tree spans the gap about 15 to your east, wide enough to walk across, if you take your time.
-
>"Would you happen to know where this stream leads? Or comes from?"
-
>"Would you happen to know where this stream leads? Or comes from?"
>Lily moves up to stand beside you, and visibly thinks for a minute. "I think it's just old rainwater. Ehh.... Wait, yeah, I remember asking Satori about this once. Ditch had a lot more water when I started, so I asked her about it. Thought it was a river. It isn't, but it is drain for a small lake further that way." she points to the southeast. "More of a pond, if you ask me, but a nice spot for fishing, or having a swim, or just relaxing."
-
>Nod.
>"Let's have a look at that pond."
>Do so!
-
>Nod.
>"Let's have a look at that pond."
>Do so!
>"Sure." Lily replies, taking the lead and heading towards the tree-bridge. You decide to let her, as this is her neck of the woods, after all. No pun intended.
>"Quickest ways' on the other side. Trees get kinda thick towards the pond on this side, and there's some nasty shrubs along the way, too. We can avoid most of em on the other side. And that means," Lily pauses at the old fallen tree, which appears to have been crudely shaped into a ramp onto the trunk, and then scales it. "We cross here."
>You catch yourself to prevent intaking air sharply. Given the sense of age permeating the forest around you, you weren't sure what would happen if Lily of you even touched that old dead tree. It seems, however, that this tree at least is harmless. Lily spreads her arms and wings out to act as balance as she crosses, and you decide to wait until she dismounts before crossing yourself. Her balance is admirable, and she crosses effortlessly, even hopping down once she gets to the other side. This, however, may not have been such a brilliant idea, as she seems to catch her foot on something, perhaps a tree root or a rock, but whatever it is is enough to throw her off balance. She stumbles sideways, and stretches her hand out to steady herself against a tree trunk.
-
>"Hey, you okay?"
>Try to get over the trunk as swiftly as possible without endangering yourself.
-
>"Hey, you okay?"
>Try to get over the trunk as swiftly as possible without endangering yourself.
>Calling out to your companion yields no reply, so you cross the bridge as quickly as you can to get to her. You're not quite as quick as Lily, she had the poise of a dancer, but you make it across the tree bridge quickly and safely enough, and dash to Lily's side. She seems unchanged, unharmed, unaged, but her eyes are dim and distant.
-
>Oh, that can't be good.
>"Lily? Are you all right?"
-
>Oh, that can't be good.
>"Lily? Are you all right?"
>The mention of her name seems to stir Lily from her reveire. She blinks owlishly, then takes her hand off the tree. She stares at it dumbly for a moment. It takes another few blinks for her eyes to refocus, to regain their sparkle. She shakes her head, breathing deeply. "That was... That-" she stammers, shaking her head vigorously, before looking at you. "That was... kinda clumsy of me, wasn't it?" she grins, a little too suddenly, laughing at herself. "Guess I should be more careful when jumping off fallen trees like that."
-
>"I'm not sure that's all it was."
>Examine the tree as closely as possible without touching it.
-
>Careful not to set off something doing so.
-
>Examine the tree as closely as possible without touching it.
>Careful not to set off something doing so.
>Keeping a safe distance between you and the tree, you explore it with your eyes. The tree is around 17-20 feet tall, as near as you can tell. There aren't many leaves left on its branches, and the bark is somewhat chipped in places, like the siding on an old house. Green plantlife grows in patches upon it. Sensation of age or no, this guy has likely seen his fair share of winters. Two of his roots protrude slightly from the ground, brown/gray lumps amidst the fallen leaves. Although there are small holes here and there on the trunk, there's no sign of birds or insects upon the tree. It seems fairly typical of the other trees in the forest, and the 'ancient' feeling is no different in that tree than it is in any other around it.
>Come to think of it, you haven't seen any other living creature than Lily since you entered the forest. No foxes, no birds, no bugs, nothing. Granted, it's a cool autumn afternoon, but you'd think you'd have seen a spider by now, or something.
>"I'm not sure that's all it was."
>Lily laughs again, but too softly for her. You intuition tells you that, whatever she experienced, she doesn't think you'd believe her.
-
>"Hey Lily, do you think you have something interesting to tell?"
-
>"Hey Lily, do you think you have something interesting to tell?"
>Lily's eyes dart side to side, not meeting yours. "Uh... Glad I didn't get moss on my hand?"
-
>Smile.
>Check bearings, hope we're not lost.
-
>Smile.
>Check bearings, hope we're not lost.
>You offer Lily a smile, and get a nervous chuckle in response, as she glances down at her hand again. Blonde girl's not the best at hiding being rattled.
>Nevertheless, you glance around the wood, now that you're on the other side of the gully. The trees do indeed seem to thin out, at least slightly, towards the southeast. The ground is a little more uneven on this side, rising and falling in places, and you're sure there's more stray stones and tree roots under the carpet of fallen autumnal leaves.
>Somewhat unsettlingly, you can no longer see the playground you entered the woods from. Surely you two can't have been walking THAT long. But sure enough, nothing but wood surrounds you on all sides, though the gully might serve a good enough marker for your location. Besides, there's no need to worry, you tell yourself. Lily's been out here before, she knows her way around.
-
>"Well, enough with the scenic route. Let's go for what we came for."
>Did we stray from the path to the shrine?
-
>"Lily, did something happen when you touched that tree? Like a vision or something?"
-
>"Well, enough with the scenic route. Let's go for what we came for."
>Did we stray from the path to the shrine?
>Lily starts visibly. "Wh- Oh, right! Yeah... Let's."
>The route you took this point wasn't all that crooked or twisty, although there is no 'path' per se. In fact, you haven't seen any signs of human civilization out her in the woods at all, not even a stray condom wrapper.
>"Lily, did something happen when you touched that tree? Like a vision or something?"
>Lily's eyes widen slightly, and she turns slowly to look at you. "Wha... Bu- How..." It takes her a couple more attempts before glomming onto the words, and speaking in a very quiet voice, "How... could you know that?"
-
>"Remember when I fell down the stairs the other day? I blacked out and had a vision after touching a doll that was on the railing. And then I had another vision while I was in bed recovering."
>"What did you see?"
-
>"Remember when I fell down the stairs the other day? I blacked out and had a vision after touching a doll that was on the railing. And then I had another vision while I was in bed recovering."
>"What did you see?"
>Lily's wings quietly fold in behind her as you tell her of your otherwordly experiences on wednesday past. When you ask what she herself witnessed, she lowers her head for a moment before looking back at the tree she touched.
>"I saw... his life."
-
>"'Him'? You mean the tree?"
>"Please, describe the vision as best you can. It could be important."
-
>"'Him'? You mean the tree?"
>"Please, describe the vision as best you can. It could be important."
>Lily draws in a breath, and you get the impression this could be a long dissertation. But then she stops, her eyes turning up in thought, and she smiles softly.
>"I don't think I really can explain it well enough. But... I think you can see for yourself. With any of these trees." she says, spreading her arms out beside her. "The forest has stories to tell, and, somehow, I can hear them. And I think you can, too."
-
>"At this point, it would not surprise me."
>Pick a tree and touch it.
-
>"At this point, it would not surprise me."
>Pick a tree and touch it.
>Muttering to yourself about the bizzareness of recent events, you walk apart from Lily's tree to one with a slimmer trunk, obviously a younger one. Slightly uncertain of what's about to happen, you reach out your hand tentatively, and lay it upon the bark of the tree. And the result is... profound.
>In your mind's eye, you see the forest as it is around you, but different somehow. The trees aren't as tall, and there aren't quite so many. A small sprout forces its way up through the ground in the springtime, green and tiny against its brothers and sisters, but you can sense the potential contained within it. Animals wander by, deers and skunks, but they leave the sprout alone, for they know it for what it is, and are not hungry enough to consume a young tree. Spring fades to summer, and the heat and rains beat down upon the sprout, but it endures, growing slowly, patiently, but growing yet. Summer fades to autumn, and the rains come harder, and the temperature drops now. The chill threatens the sprout, and others around wither or drown under too much water, but this sprout endures, growing slower, but strengthening. It knows what is to come. Autumn fades to winter, and the temperature plummets. The ground chills, and snow blankets the ground. The sprout endures, somehow. You can sense it's desire to endure, to live. And spring returns, and the snows melt, and the ground warms, and the sun touches the sprout again. And it grows as life returns around it, after the long sleep of winter.
>Time passes. The sprout continues to grow. Spring gives way to summer, summer is rained out by fall, fall is frozen by winter, and winter is thawed by the coming of spring. And though it all the sprout grows, growing a trunk out as years roll past. What was a simple plant sprout is now a young sapling, around two feet high, and growing yet. It has survived many winters, and will survive many more. As do many of its brothers and sisters around it. Other have perished, but that is the way of things.
>Time passes. The tree grows heartily, and becomes part of the life of other beings around it. Moss sprouts from a crack in its trunk, a part of its growth now. Its bark does not remain solid, but chips and peels in places, its sticky sap flowing and stopping. Insects land upon it only to take off again. A spider crawls up into its branches and spins its web, catching its prey and growing its own. It thrives here, until a storm passes through one autumn, blowing away the spider and his web. That is the way of things.
>Time passes. A bluejay lands in a branch near the crown of the tree. She builds her nest, and lays her eggs within, four of them. One does not hatch, but the other three do. The mother cares for her young, feeds and protects them, until they grow enough to leave the nest and fly away. The mother leaves the nest behind, abandoning it in the tree. Another spider spins her web under a branch, this one surviving long enough to spin an egg sack sheltered in the nook where branch meets trunk. This spider does not survive an encounter with a robin, becoming sustenance for that creature, but the sack eventually splits open, and the young spiders begin their life in the tree, eventually debarking and traveling elsewhere. That is the way of things.
>This then is the simple life of a tree in the forest by the shrine of the Metal Tiger. It is of the land, of the creatures, and enduring. Strong. A survivor. It has seen many springs, endured many winters. It will see more springs to come. It will endure many winters to come. That is what it is. That is the way of things.
>Your hand falls away from the bark of the young tree, and you return to yourself, the tree's story told. Decades of life revealed unto to you in... no more than a handful of seconds. The winged woman standing before you smiles, and nods in understanding.
-
>"This shrine truly is located in a proper place. But, I wonder why it's so empty, now?"
-
>"This shrine truly is located in a proper place. But, I wonder why it's so empty, now?"
>Lily tilts her head sideways slightly. "Empty?"
-
>"Have you noticed that there seems to be no animals here but us? No birds, no insects, nothing..."
-
>"Have you noticed that there seems to be no animals here but us? No birds, no insects, nothing..."
>She makes a noise of curiousity, then glances to the left, to the right, then spins in a circle. You take a step backwards to avoid being clipped by her wings.
>"Yknow, now that you mention it..." She furrows her brow momentarily. "I don't think I've seen anything since the foxes dissapeared. And that's rare, believe me, this place always has someone moving about at this time of day. They're not all shy."
>She cups her chin in her hand, thinking. Then she snaps her fingers and offers, "What if that noise we heard before Hideo left was some kind of... call? Like a meeting bell, or something? That'd explain why we haven't seen anybody."
-
>"Hm. Well, I've heard of stranger things. But is there any youkai that would have that wide of an influence of so many kinds of animals?"
>Look at the ground; does it seem dusty or damp enough to hold footprints?
-
>Look at the ground; does it seem dusty or damp enough to hold footprints?
>Apart from the trickle of water in the gully, the ground around you is quite dry. Moreover, the ground is festooned with fallen leaves, practically blanketing the forest floor. That said, however, in areas that aren't covered, the dirt is loose enough to retain footprints, provided they're heavy enough. Looking back, you can see some indents left by you and Lily in the ground behind you.
>"Hm. Well, I've heard of stranger things. But is there any youkai that would have that wide of an influence of so many kinds of animals?"
>Lily ponders that for a moment. "No one I know of. Other than Satori herself, of course, she probably could. I mean, influencing a whole forest? That's the sort of thing out of one of those old stories, or a manga." She pauses, the laughs lightly, pointing with her thumb to the tree she touched earlier. "Then again, so was that."
-
>Let's continue toward that pond, and keep an eye out for any pawprints we might find. Or animal noises.
-
>Let's continue toward that pond, and keep an eye out for any pawprints we might find. Or animal noises.
>Pausing for another moment to allow Lily to retreive her broom, the two of you set off, both of you deciding to give the trees a wide berth. It was a good story, but if you stopped for the life story of every tree along the way, you might both be here long enough to sprout leaves yourselves. You also decide to set a slower pace as well, to keep an eye on the ground as you go along, looking for signs of animal activity.
>True to what Lily said, the trees are a bit more spaced out on this side as you travel along the gully, and the brush and shrubbery on this side don't appear to be as dense, either. Still, you decide to circle around what brush you can, vowing next time you go walking through a wooded area to wear long pants. Lily, for her part, simply jumps or flies over what you decide to go around. You can't help but smile at the simple joy she takes in even these little things, despite the experience she just had. Out of her element, possibly getting swept up in something far beyond her, she still smiles and laughs about something so simple as vaulting a bush. And it's not just for herself; she seems to welcome you to share in her joy with her bright smile. She's a true pleasure to be around. Not to mention beautiful.
>Lily's company, despite being pleasant, yields no sign on inhabitation; no furthur sounds or sights. Coming across a particularly wide and dense rose bush, which Lily proceeds to float over, you of course take the long way around. The bush is about 9 feet long, perhaps 2 feet high, and before you get to the end of it, you pause, as you see a small skunk staring at you from between two trees, some distance away.
-
>Pause and observe the polecat.
>"Lily, there's a skunk here."
-
>Pause and observe the polecat.
>"Lily, there's a skunk here."
>"He's got company."
-
>Try to locate this company.
-
>Try to locate this company.
>This is an easy enough task as you turn to where Lily's standing. About 12-13 feet in front of her, standing impassively on all four legs, is a shaggy black bear. He regards Lily with, weirdly, about the same look as the skunk in front of you is giving you. For her part, Lily seems unafraid. Or perhaps is simply doing a better job now of hiding it.
-
>Try very hard not to grimace.
>"Perhaps we should leave them be?"
-
>Try very hard not to grimace.
>"Perhaps we should leave them be?"
>You restrain an expression of worry. Skunks are one thing, but bears are something else entirely. Even though this one is relatively small by bear standards. You'd guess it to be more than than 5 feet tall at most, if it was standing on its hind legs. Still and all, that's plenty enough bear to do quite a mischief to two teenaged girls armed with only a broom between them, even without his skunky friend backing him up.
>Lily nods slowly at your suggestion. "It's your forest, Mr. Bear." she states, in a surprisingly steady voice. "We're just passing though, looking for something with a big voice."
-
>"Please pardon us."
>How does Senor Bear seem to be taking our presence and efforts to communicate?
>Do we know anything about dealing with bears, in terms of not pissing them off?
-
>How does Senor Bear seem to be taking our presence and efforts to communicate?
>Do we know anything about dealing with bears, in terms of not pissing them off?
>So far as you know, the bears that live around this part of Yamato are rather similar to bees: If you leave them alone, they tend to leave you alone. It is possible that this one may be more territorial than others, as it has black fur, while most bears in this part of the country have brown. But as it has taken no aggressive action, does not appear to be in an attack posture, and has made no noise of any sort, you would guess that, at the moment, it has no objection to the presence of two teenaged girls. It, and the skunk in front of you, both stand impassive, almost casual, you think. As though they were standing on a street corner watching the pretty cars and the pretty girls go by, waiting for their friends to arrive.
>Until Lily mentions the 'big voice'. At that point, both the bear and the skunk nod.
>"Please pardon us."
>As you politely adress the bear, Lily takes a couple of slow steps to the side, and lays her broom against a tree. "See? Not looking for any trouble." Then she glances sideways at you. "Am I going crazy, or did that bear just nod at me?"
-
>"I saw it, too. Um, I'm going to try something a little crazy."
>To the bear: "Can you take us to the big voice?"
-
>"I saw it, too. Um, I'm going to try something a little crazy."
>To the bear: "Can you take us to the big voice?"
>Lily actually chuckles shortly as you warn her of your intentions. "Lotta that goin' around today." she quips.
>You ask the bear to act as your guide in this place. The great shaggy animal makes a "whuuuf" sound, then glances over in your direction. The little skunk takes a few steps towards you, in a casual nonagressive manner, and the bear returns his gaze to Lily.
-
>"Please? We're just curious."
-
>"Please? We're just curious."
>The little skunk continues walking forward, then begins to circle wide, as if he means to go around you. And sure enough, he does just that, turning a circle around you, always keeping at least a foot between you and him. Completing his turn around you, he starts to walk back the way he came, then pauses about 4 feet away from you, and turns just enough to look back at you.
>Glancing over at Lily, you suck in a breath as you see the bear pulling the same maneuver, currently behind your winged companion and walking around her casually. Lily's face doesn't betray much fear, but she is standing very, very still.
-
>"Are you asking me to follow you?"
-
>"Are you asking me to follow you?"
>"I'm getting that vibe myself, Morning Star." Lily replies, her eyes fixed on the bear that's now moved in front of her, and moving away at the same rate. He then pauses and turns enough to look back at her, as the skunk is doing with you. "But I think they want us to go seperate ways."
-
>To the animals: "Is that truly necessary? I'd rather not leave my friend."
-
>To the animals: "Is that truly necessary? I'd rather not leave my friend."
>Neither the skunk nor the bear seems to budge. The skunk seems interested only in you, and the bear seems interested only in Lily. You hazard a guess that, if there's a force at work here, it has different ideas for you both. But you still sense nothing malicious, either in the air or from either animal.
-
>"I'm getting that vibe myself, Morning Star."
>"Same here, Beelzebub"
>"I suppose the question becomes one of trust in your ursine friend? He's been rather accommodating so far."
-
>"Same here, Beelzebub"
>"I suppose the question becomes one of trust in your ursine friend? He's been rather accommodating so far."
>Then who should be first, to see the world of mortals?
>Lily nods in answer to your question, then adresses the bear. "Can I have a minute to speak with my friend?" The bear sits down on his rump in response. He seems willing to wait, at least for now. "I'll take that as a yes." says Lily, as she flaps her wings, flits back over the thorn bush, and lands alongside you.
>"Even though he's... well, a bear..." she hazards a glance back over at her potential 'guide'. "I think I can trust him. WE can trust him. I mean, if he wanted to get rid of us, or worse, wouldn't he have done it by now? Though I gotta wonder why I get the bear, and you get the skunk." She pauses. "No offense, Mr. Skunk."
>The skunk appears unoffended. He merely sits as well.
-
>"Perhaps bears like you? Regardless, I agree with your assessment. If they wished to do something, the chance has long been here. As well, I think we can agree that something very interesting is going on here, and typical logic about not getting involved with bears can be set aside. If you feel safe enough to follow him, I would have no reservations to follow the skunk. But if you chose to back away, I don't think anyone would think less of you. Well, perhaps our new friends."
>Assuming Lily agrees to do it, follow that skunk!
-
>"Perhaps bears like you? Regardless, I agree with your assessment. If they wished to do something, the chance has long been here. As well, I think we can agree that something very interesting is going on here, and typical logic about not getting involved with bears can be set aside. If you feel safe enough to follow him, I would have no reservations to follow the skunk. But if you chose to back away, I don't think anyone would think less of you. Well, perhaps our new friends."
>Lily ponders your words for a moment, looking at the bear as she does. And then she smiles. "I think it's safe. And besides, he's kinda cute, for bear." The shaggy animal offers a small whuuf sound at the sentiment, and Lily laughs a golden little laugh. "I don't know if we're both crazy, or dreaming, or in the middle of something biiiig, but I'm kinda excited!" With little warning, the winged blonde throws her arms around you in a quick hug, then pulls away and looks you in the eye. A gust of wind stirs the falling leaves around you, a multi-colored swirl. "Pretty sure this wouldn't have happened to me if you hadn't come here today. Thanks."
>She then turns and flits over the thronbush once again, and lands just behind her 'guide'. "Let's go, big guy!" she announces, pumping a fist in the air. You swear the bear looks slightly amused as it stands and ambles forward in a southeasterly direction, Lily close behind, humming a little ditty.
>Assuming Lily agrees to do it, follow that skunk!
>The skunk stands as Lily and the bear depart, and sets of in a vaguely southwest direction. You decide to keep a respectable distance of at least a couple feet between you and the little creature. It sets an easy pace, slowing when you need to circle around wide trees, pausing altogether when you need to go around shubbery before setting off again.
>As you progress the trees seem to grow a little denser again, and you notice the plants that still have leaves attached to them are arrayed in colors you've never seen before. Deep blues and vivid purples compliment the reds, oranges, greens and yellows, even the occasional grey leaf. Not the dead grey of a diseased leaf but an almost silvery color.
>Another change from before is that you notice wildlife around you where previously there was none. First a squirrel, then a chipmunk some seconds later, dash across the path the skunk leads you down. And it DOES seem to be a trail, though not man-made, and unused for ages. A large spider crawls down a tree as you go past it, and a deer with a rabbit on it's back poke their heads into view as you go past, a beetle on a tree branch pauses as you pass underneath. The effect is almost a... procession of sorts. The beasts of the wood observing, perhaps welcoming, this visitor as she travels towards she knows not what, guided by one of the humblest among them.
-
>Ponder what may be causing this; Letty's hound aside, are animals here or in our general experience this civilized, for lack of a better term?
>Might as well be polite. Offer the animals a small bow as we pass; at least until it gives us a headache; and follow that skunk!
-
>Ponder what may be causing this; Letty's hound aside, are animals here or in our general experience this civilized, for lack of a better term?
>Hyozan is a bit of an exception, he's unusually intelligent for a dog. However, the animals you've been around have all seem to have been at least peaceful around you. Most of them seemed to like you, be they dogs, cats, birds, or even your schoolmate Yamame's pet tarantula she brought into school one day. All of those were domesticated, however, so it makes some sense that they'd be at least a little civilized.
>In fact, you've actually worked with animals, as well. The second photo shoot you did with Aya was a calender for an animal shelter here in town, and for the spreads you did, you were photographed with a dog, a hawk, and a cat, but not just any cat: Rin, in her cat form. Aya has no compunctions with working with 'amateurs'. Quite the opposite, she's encouraged you, in the past, to invite your friends along on a job.
>Thinking about that hawk, though, draws your mind to something else going on around you. Or rather, a lack of something else. There are no birds to be seen, nor can any be heard. All the creatures you seen and heard since you touched that tree back there have had legs, no wings. Well, unless you count ants and beetles some of those have wings, but nothing bigger than an insect. You wonder why this would be as well. The effect is almost akin to an old 'knighting ceremony' you read about in history class last year: how a supplicant would approach the throne of his or her lord, and the knights or mages of the realm would stand alongside their path, acknowledging that person and honoring them. But if that's the case here, then who's the lord you approach, that has such influence over the beasts of the forest? And why does it only seem to be those that cannot fly?
>Regardless, about the only encounter with an animal you've had that you would call bad was some years back, when you were 14, during one of Myoren's trips to the hospital. One of the other visitors at the hospital brought his big germen sheppard with him, and left the dog in his truck with the window ajar. When you walked by the truck, however, the dog squeezed its way out of the truck and pounced upon you. Your father, who had been walking next to you at the time, reacted amazingly quickly, and tackled the dog and got him off you, grappling with him until more help arrived, and the dog was restrained. The experience is not one of your fondest memories, but you took from it the lesson that dogs are much like humans: Not every one of them is going to be kind to strangers, but not everyone of them is going to be mean, either. Nor did it sour you on dogs in general, or german sheppards specifically.
>Might as well be polite. Offer the animals a small bow as we pass; at least until it gives us a headache; and follow that skunk!
>It never hurts to be polite, after all, and you acknowledge and bow to the animals you pass on your way to... wherever the skunk is taking you. As you do so, you notice something else, as well. There's only one of each type of animal. You've only seen the one spider, the one ant, the one squirrel, and so on and so on. You have seen two different kinds of snake- no, make that three, there's one with a rattle on his tail. And next to it stands a little lynx. Standing across from them on the other side of this trail, such as it is, is a little ferret. And a few feet beyond them is... a lion? But they don't even live in Yamato. Yet, sure enough, there stands a male lion, his tawny fur standing out against the backdrop of the forest. The skunk is as unperturbed by its presence as it was by the snakes, and does not slow.
-
>Make sure we're not dreaming or in some kind of illusion. This all seems so weird...
>Don't show any signs of over-awareness to the skunk, though. Just continue following it.
-
>Make sure we're not dreaming or in some kind of illusion. This all seems so weird...
>You take a moment to try and ensure you haven't misplaced your faculties. Which includes pinching your leg until it hurts, which does not result in you waking up somewhere else. Even amongst all the weirdness that happened to you before, this is up there. With the vision you had when you touched the doll, that event you had with 'Marisa' and your subsequent internal battle against the darkness, they all seemed to be 'seperate' from reality. But this is something else. This is more bizzare than your encounter with the youma, even. More surreal, somehow. But your senses all tell you that this is indeed happening, that the lion, which should be half a world away, is standing a bare few feet from you. Seemingly at peace with all the other predators and prey around it, one of each species.You weren't certain anyone would believe your story about the youma and the dolls, but you're even less certain about anyone believing this story. Apart from Lily, obviously.
>Don't show any signs of over-awareness to the skunk, though. Just continue following it.
>Striving not to let your guide see your ruminations, you continue following in his wake. You find more and more feline type animals as you walk furthur along: a bobcat, a wildcat native to the southern islands, even a leopard, standing across from a small tabby cat with orange stripes. At this point, you wouldn't be surprised if Hyozan decided to show up.
>Beyond the leopard and the tabby, however, there are no more animals to be seen. Only you and the skunk. As minutes roll past, you contemplate asking the skunk what happened to all the others, or how much furthur do you have to go, the skunk slows to a halt, and you do the same. There is a gap in the trees in front of him, opening into a sunlit meadow.
>The sense of age in the forest around you seems more pronounced here, but even moreso from that clearing. And with it, a sense of awareness. Or power. Although you can see nothing in the clearing beyond grass and flowers, you are absolutely certain that, whatever produced the sound that called the foxes, whatever force is acting upon the animals, it lies within that clearing that the skunk has brought you to.
-
>Can we hear any sign of the city at all?
>"Shall I go on?"
-
>Can we hear any sign of the city at all?
>At the moment, you actually can't hear anything beyond your own breath. The main highway into town could be on the other side of that clearing, and you couldn't tell from the sounds. It's like the world around you dares make no sound, in the presense of that something waiting.
>"Shall I go on?"
>The skunk replies by walking off the trail and standing beside it, much like all the other animals you've encountered on your way to this point.
-
>Head into the clearing.
-
>Head into the clearing.
>As you pass between the trees into the sunlit clearing beyond, a metallic silvery light washes across your eyes, obscuring your vision momentarily. When the light passes, a rather.... imposing figure stands in the middle of clearing. It is a tiger of massive proportions, easily 25 feet long, and nearly twice your height, even on all fours as he is. His fur is like like liquid silver, shining brilliantly in the sunlight and rustling in the breeze, his black stripes as deep and dark as midnight. His eyes are pupilless, unlike most cats, and glow with an unearthly white light.
>He is undoubtedly the source of the sense of age you sensed earlier. His presense is nearly overwhelming. An enormous sense of power, and age, permeates the air around you, almost as though it had taken shape and had wrapped around you like a thick blanket. His eyes have seen countless millenia, unknowable strife.
>And his attention is now focused solely on you.
-
>The Metal Tiger itself.
>Show appropriate respect.
-
>Gawk. It's probably hard to even bring thoughts to mind with this kind of thing.
>After some amount of moments, realize we are gawking, try to stop, and bow politely.
-
>The Metal Tiger itself.
>Show appropriate respect.
>Gawk. It's probably hard to even bring thoughts to mind with this kind of thing.
>After some amount of moments, realize we are gawking, try to stop, and bow politely.
>The sight of the massive beast before you stuns you briefly. You've seen a lot of things, felt a lot of strange sensations, but this is in a league of its own. Nothing you'd experienced in 'realtime' ever had this forceful a PRESENCE behind it. But starting at the best yields only the one conclusion, once your mental voice comes back to you: This can only be the Metal Tiger of legend. Trying to remember your manners, and being polite to a 25-foot metallic tiger couldn't possibly be a bad idea, you offer the Tiger a bow.
>The Tiger's eyes blink slowly in response. It doesn't speak, or move, but the air around you changes, slightly. If you had to guess, you would guess the beast is judging something. You cannot be sure what it judges.
-
>Take a few more moments to gather ourself. He's not torn up up yet, so this must be a good thing. Take a few breaths, keep our voice level.
>"Thank you seeing me."
-
>Take a few more moments to gather ourself. He's not torn up up yet, so this must be a good thing. Take a few breaths, keep our voice level.
>The Tiger's judgement has granted you a few moments more, and you use them wisely to try and center yourself. You breathe in and out deeply a few times, trying to still your heart and your nerves. You acheive a moderate amount of success, though you suspect it'll be some time before your heart rate returns entirely to normal.
>"Thank you seeing me."
>The Tiger's eyes blink slowly once again. It seems he speaks then, though not with words, nor with telepathy. It seems that, on some level, you simply know what he wants to communicate.
>You keep your feet, and greet me on your level. You indeed have some steel in you, young Human. The last Hero that heeded my call was not so solid.
-
>Keep it together, Byakuren. This isn't the most frightening thing you've seen...just the longest you've been exposed to it...
>"Last hero?"
-
>Keep it together, Byakuren. This isn't the most frightening thing you've seen...just the longest you've been exposed to it...
>"Last hero?"
>While it's a matter of some debate whether or not anything you've seen before quite matches up to 25 feet of possibly-divine feline standing before you, at least this one isn't hostile, or overtly menacing. Just... big. Really, really big.
>It has been many centuries since the battle was waged in this land. Many centuries since I could see the Hero myself. He was younger than you, as well, the Hero of that battle.
-
>"This has happened before?"
-
>"This has happened before?"
>The Tiger makes no reply for a moment, the glow of his eyes dimming momentarily. The sense of his presense lessens slightly around. You think his attention may be focused elsewhere.
-
>Allow it to finish whatever it is refocused on, and answer us at its leisure.
-
>Allow it to finish whatever it is refocused on, and answer us at its leisure.
>His eyes dim slightly again, then close all together. You feel a sense of resignation from him now, perhaps dissapointment as well. He opens them again once a few seconds have passed.
>There are others in your world, mortals and otherwise, that can give you more of the answers you seek. My time here is less than I had expected; we are approached by one who must not see us together.
>The plague you battle now has visited this world many times before. Each time it has come, a Hero has emerged to battle it. You are not the first, young human, nor are you even the youngest. But you are strange among your kin. The power they all wielded was different than yours, and the plague was not called forth this time, it forced its way into this world.
-
>"That is regrettable. Who else can I ask? And, if you can, what do you mean by called forth?"
-
>"That is regrettable. Who else can I ask? And, if you can, what do you mean by called forth?"
>Throughout the history of the children of our Mistress, there have been those whose hearts are imbalanced towards the darkness. Those who worshipped the children of the Mother, venerated the evils, and did harm to their own kind for their own benefit. In times past, whenever the plague came through the barrier, it was because one on this side reached forth into the darkness and welcomed it. Gave it a home, a foothold, in this world where it no longer belongs. Once that foothold was established, the demons came forth and wrought havok and despair upon our world. As they intend to do so now. Their presense is a plague upon this world.
>This time, however, was different. There was no one person who gave their soul to the demons, no one person who allowed them into this world. The one you encountered came through on her own, and she will not likely be the last. There are few demons that have ever possessed the power to do that, but each one has power enough to bring this world to its knees. I am aware of your first encounter with the first of her weapons. It is fortunate for you that she was unable to make a stronger one then. You will not be as fortunate the second time.
-
>"Your Mistress? Hm, no, let's save that. How are these beings called here?"
-
>"Your Mistress? Hm, no, let's save that. How are these beings called here?"
>Their names are numerous, and change with every era. When last the battle was held in this land, they were called Urami, and were called forth by an Oni master of blood magic. She sought dominion over her species, and the world. She failed. The names they went by in other places are unknown to me, as I am bound to this place, and my eyes can venture forth only so far. But I know them by this name, for it is the name they had when first they plagued this world, so long ago: Demons.
-
>Does a dominance-seeking oni sorcerer sound familiar?
>"How did she call them here?"
-
>Does a dominance-seeking oni sorcerer sound familiar?
>Not in the least.
>"How did she call them here?"
>I do not know.
-
>"Mmm. I was hoping for signs to look for. These prior heroes, can I presume they all succeeded in some respect or another?"
-
>"Mmm. I was hoping for signs to look for. These prior heroes, can I presume they all succeeded in some respect or another?"
>You think you can HEAR the tiger grinning.
>If they had not, you would not be here to ask me that question.
-
>"I imagined so. It's good to know I won't be on entirely untrodden ground."
>Ponder what it would be like to pet a metal tiger...
>"You mentioned others could tell me more. Could you tell me who they are, before there is no more time?"
-
>Ponder what it would be like to pet a metal tiger...
>From the look of his 'fur', you imagine it would be like putting your hand in a pool of mercury. But then again, perhaps it would be like a fur covered steel girder. Either way, it's a very intriguing idea...
>"I imagined so. It's good to know I won't be on entirely untrodden ground."
>"You mentioned others could tell me more. Could you tell me who they are, before there is no more time?"
>The Tiger eyes dim again. You have that strange sense of dissapointment again.
>Memory fades in the world of short lives. We are forgotten. They are forgotten. There are but a handful of individuals in this land that have seen the demons before. Less than them that know of them and would help you. I would guide you to those who tend Our shrines, but that way is fraught with danger. Some of those who tend Our shrines are worthy of your trust. Some are not. All is not well in the all of the houses mortals built for Us. Least of all, perhaps, in My own.
>Be wary of where you look for answers, young Hero. Many of those who know the darkness do so because they serve it. Let your heart be your guide. Trust no one that loves only themselves, trust no one that loves no one or nothing.
>If you encounter it again, however, you can trust the Purpose. It has taken form in this world.
-
>"The Purpose?"
-
>"The Purpose?"
>The boundary between worlds was created with a purpose. That purpose has manifested in this world as a physical form, to acheive that which is itself.
-
>"And I've encountered it before? Was it the doll? Or the being in my dream?"
-
>"And I've encountered it before? Was it the doll? Or the being in my dream?"
>I do not know the term used in this world for its form, nor am I certain what form it has taken. I do know that its form has changed, recently.
>But I am aware of the battle you waged against the darkness within yourself. The Purpose appeared to you after that battle was won.
-
>Frown.
>"Did it manifest within this world, or within me?"
-
>Frown.
>"Did it manifest within this world, or within me?"
>The Purpose manifested as a result of the demon's breaching the boundary between worlds. Its physical form did not come from you.
-
>"Was it something I saw within myself after rejecting the darkness?"
-
>"Was it something I saw within myself after rejecting the darkness?"
>The Purpose has no place within the hearts of the living. I believe it tried to find you first, but the servants of darkness found you before the Purpose did, and tried to tempt you.
>The Tiger pauses then, his attention growing distant briefly, before returning to you.
>I believe the risk to be worth it. If you desire, if you permit it, I can look within your heart, and show you the Purpose as you saw it then.
-
>"What would we be risking?"
-
>"What would we be risking?"
>The touch of My paw upon the heart of a mortal is not always light. Your heart is strong, true, but there is still a risk you could be damaged in the doing.
>A small part of your mind raises a small warning bell. This is not all that concerns the Tiger, you believe.
-
>Ponder for a moment. How exactly do we know this?
-
>Ponder for a moment. How exactly do we know this?
>You can't be certain. Perhaps the Tiger is not all that good at hiding His feelings from humans. Then again, you're no ordinary human. In addition to your recent... changes, you've always been rather perceptive about people. Granted, this isn't quite PEOPLE, but evidently, it seems He's close enough.
-
>Frown.
>"I have the feeling that wouldn't be the only danger, either."
-
>Frown.
>"I have the feeling that wouldn't be the only danger, either."
>The Tiger seems to exude a sense of pleasant surprise at the sentiment.
>You're more perceptive than the last one, too.
>Being seen in the presence of one such Myself if an experience many of your kind seek their entire lives. And those that have had it guard it jealously, often unwilling to share with others. Were you to be seen with Me, pale ghost that I am, your very life could be in jeopardy. I am not certain how long it will take me to bring forth the image you know the Purpose by. If we are discovered by one of your kind, I would be powerless to protect you if they mean you harm.
-
>"Hm. Perhaps my understanding of my fellow people is a little different, but I can't imagine that they would intentionally try to harm me just for seeing me in your presence. Perhaps some resent, from those with deep-seated problems... I don't think they'd directly try to harm me."
-
>"Hm. Perhaps my understanding of my fellow people is a little different, but I can't imagine that they would intentionally try to harm me just for seeing me in your presence. Perhaps some resent, from those with deep-seated problems... I don't think they'd directly try to harm me."
>The Tiger seems impressed by your response.
>The risk is yours to take, young human.
-
>"I shall take it."
-
>"I shall take it."
>The Tiger visibly nods, and his fur ripples in a wave from his whiskers to his tail. A film of liquid metal slides over his eyes.
>You may feel a chill.
>He's not kidding. As soon as the 'words' are finished, you feel a sudden and dramatic chill course throughout your body. Like someone dropped you into a cold mountain lake, and you got a big gulp of frigid water. The shock of cold is accompanied by a wave of sharp pain, and is enough to take your legs out from under you, dropping you to your knees. After a few seconds, the pain dissipates to a managable level, but the chill persists, and a strange kind of weight seems to be pressing down upon your chest and head. The Tiger wasn't kidding; his touch is anything but light.
>In addition to all this unpleasantness is a rather curious sensation. For lack of a better term, you feel something like fur, or bristles of hair, against the inside of your chest. Like a steel brush against the inside of your ribs. It doesn't HURT, but it is a truly bizzare experience. You suppose this is what the Tiger meant by 'looking within your heart.'. Compared to the last time someone poked around your heart, this may be bizzare, but it's nowhere near as menacing.
>After a while, the brushes withdraw from your insides, which actually tickels slightly, and the pressure on your chest and head relax. You still feel very cold, and the experience seems to have left you with a bit of a headache, but it appears the Tiger found what you both were looking for.
>This, it seems, is the form the Purpose came to you as.
>Appearing in the air between you and the Tiger is a diminutive little doll. It is the doll that appeared to you after you had bested the darkness within your heart.
-
Didn't the doll appear beforehand? Or am I remembering poorly?
>Take a moment to catch our breath. Does anything else but the headache seem off?
>"Y-you were not speaking lightly..."
-
Didn't the doll appear beforehand? Or am I remembering poorly?
The doll that gave you the violet ring that took you into your own heart did not appear to be the same doll you saw after you emerged from your heart-space.
The doll that gave you the ring looked identical to the doll you touched on the stairs that started everything off. That doll, or those dolls, had short blonde hair, green eyes. a purple dress, a black ribbon around her/their neck, and a larger black ribbon on her/their head
After you came back to the real world, however, after defeating the darkness and claiming your power, the doll present wore a black dress with a red bow, and her hair was long and black with blue streaks. The doll that matches this description is the one the Tiger is showing you.
>Take a moment to catch our breath. Does anything else but the headache seem off?
>"Y-you were not speaking lightly..."
>Pressing a hand to your temple, you take a moment to steady your breathing and take stock of your status. You would verry much like to be indoors in front of a fire, or under your kotastu with Rin right about now, such is the chill in your bones. However, unlike the cold you experienced before, in your initial otherworldly vision and within the darkness the ring took you to, this cold seems at least, natural. You are chilled to the bones, yes, but it's the kind of cold you've experienced before, after getting caught in a cold downpour of rain, or the time Marissa pushed you into that cold mountain river back on your school trip in 9th grade. And your headache is much lighter compared to some of the ones you've had over the past few days, and you suspect it will pass in half an hour, hour, tops.
>It pleases me that you can speak so soon after.
-
>"Am I truly that impressive?"
>"That doll, the 'purpose', it... well, I didn't agree with it on everything. Are you certain I can trust it?"
>"What of the doll I saw before that, the one that gave me the ring? The 'purpose' was there in its place after my vision, but what was the previous doll?"
-
>"Am I truly that impressive?"
>Beings in service to Me for years have called My touch upon them, and emerged less intact than you.
>"What of the doll I saw before that, the one that gave me the ring? The 'purpose' was there in its place after my vision, but what was the previous doll?"
>I do not know.
>"That doll, the 'purpose', it... well, I didn't agree with it on everything. Are you certain I can trust it?"
>The Purpose is neither Terran nor Demon. Deceit and betrayel are not in its nature- it HAS no nature, as it is not alive- those are failings of Terrans and Demons. You may not agree with what it says, that is individual human nature; to question, to doubt, never to accept. But you can believe that it will not lie to you. It cannot lie.
-
>"Then I can trust its information, at least. I won't be blindly following its instructions, but at least it can answer my questions."
>"What more can you tell me?"
-
>Rather than the first line, say:
>"It cannot lie, but it can be mistaken. And it can have it's own purpose. But, I will keep what you say in mind."
-
>"What more can you tell me?"
>"It cannot lie, but it can be mistaken. And it can have it's own purpose. But, I will keep what you say in mind."
>The purpose of the Purpose is to keep the demons in their own world, and to return them from whence they came, for the preservation of this world and its inhabitants. It is the jailor of that which would tear this world apart. It has identified you as the best chance of accomplishing that which is itself. It cannot battle the demons directly, it has no power in this world. But it will answer your questions as best as it can. It may not know everything you wish to know, but what it does know that can help you, it will tell you.
-
>"Very well. May I ask, then, who are you, exactly?"
-
>"Very well. May I ask, then, who are you, exactly?"
>You need to ask?
-
>"Well, I can guess your name. But, in a more general sense? Why do the animals seem to set aside their natural routines for you? Why are there animals here that don't seem to live on this island? And so on."
-
>"And what of my friend, Lily? What's happening to her right now?"
-
>"Well, I can guess your name. But, in a more general sense? Why do the animals seem to set aside their natural routines for you? Why are there animals here that don't seem to live on this island? And so on."
>I believe your friend with the wings can answer those questions. She has not been in My service long, but has a quick mind and a curious disposition.
>"And what of my friend, Lily? What's happening to her right now?"
>Meeting me was of the most benefit to you. She, however, is seeing something else.
>She asked about you as well. She had faith in the guide I provided you both, and in My intentions, even if she did not know it was the work of I, but she could not help but inquire about you. Your well-being was important to her, as hers seems to be to you.
-
>Nod.
>"I didn't think she was in any real trouble. But I was curious what she was experiencing. Will the...subjects of the other shrines, for a lack of a better word, also be willing to meet with me?"
-
>Nod.
>"I didn't think she was in any real trouble. But I was curious what she was experiencing. Will the...subjects of the other shrines, for a lack of a better word, also be willing to meet with me?"
>The film drains from the Tiger's eyes and the glow therein dims again. His attention stratches outward again momentarily.
>Are you referring to those that serve the houses mortals built for Us, or My Companions themselves?
-
>"The latter, please."
-
>"The latter, please."
>I am uncertain. A cloud hangs over Our houses. All is not well. I believe that some of those who tend our shrines would be willing to assist you themselves, or in contacting the one the serve directly. Others would not. Of the four maidens who tend Our shrines as chiefs, some would be allies of yours. Some others would destroy you. My eyes cannot see through the haze.
>Trying to reach My companions, as I have reached out to you, is a dangerous prospect. More than simple demons are your enemies, Hero.
-
>Do we know anything about the maidens of the other shrines; in particular anything that would suggest they are less than stellar people?
>"More than simple demons?"
-
>Do we know anything about the maidens of the other shrines; in particular anything that would suggest they are less than stellar people?
>The eastern shrine, devoted to the Blue Wood Dragon, boasts Tenshi Hinanai as its chief miko. That shrine operates under the auspices of the Hakurei group, as have all the head mikos there since Mayoiga was rebuilt, so common wisdom says that Tenshi is connected to them in some way, even though you've never heard any details beyond rumor. Reimu would probably know for sure.
>You've been up to that shrine twice, and have met Tenshi before. You would describe her as blunt, almost tactless, and rather proud for someone serving as a miko. She also carries a sword, which is a bit odd for a miko in general. She wouldn't be what you'd describe as a sterling example for other miko to follow. However, the time you were there with Reimu, you saw Tenshi try, as best as she could, to keep her ego in check and think before she spoke. This obviously wasn't easy for her, but she was trying. She may not be the best of people, but you would describe her as 'unpolished', at worst.
>The southern shrine, devoted to the Red Fire Bird, is led by one of your schoolmates, Youmu Konpaku, a third year like yourself, whom you are acquainted with much better than Tenshi. Much like the eastern shrine, the shrine of the Phoenix, as it's known, is operated by the Saigyoji group. You often see Youmu and Yuyuko together in school, as the Konpakus have been attached to the Saigyojis for generations. Yuyuko described the relationship between the two families as follows: "They used to be our servants. But we grew out of that, and now we're best friends!" As you recall, she promptly gave Youmu a glomp after saying that. Much to Youmu's embarassment.
>You would describe Youmu as a very serious individual, very devoted to her duties and her studies. She's very young to be a head miko of a shrine, and a samurai on top of that, as she's known to be, but as near as you can tell, she handles her responsibilities very well. Perhaps too well, as you've often heard Yuyuko talking about some convaluted plan to get Youmu to loosen up a little. Youmu also seems to be a little naive, at times, about the world around her. Like mastering her responsibilities has come at the expense of world-savvy. Despite being a skilled swordsman, a studious student and chief miko of the southern shrine of Mayoiga, she seems rather innocent, at times. The effect is rather endearing, and while you're not especially close, you each consider each other friends.
>You've never been to the northern shrine, which is devoted to the Black Water Tortoise, nor have you met its head miko, but you know her by reputation. In fact, she's a very well known figure around town, and very well liked as well. She is Suika Ibuki, a little oni with a big heart and a bigger ale keg, her shrine is one of the best known party spots in Mayoiga. She's reputed to be one of the most pleasant people in the whole city to be around, and doesn't have much of the usual Oni roughness about her. She's also been known to gad about town helping people that need, offering her hands on construction jobs, walking someone's dogs, buying groceries for the elderly, just about any good deed she can find to do. She also encourages those that work at her shrine to do the same. Miko miko Suika, as she's known to some, is truly a boon to Mayoiga and its people.
>She's also the subject of some rather odd rumors. Some theorize that she's actually centuries old, despite looking no more than 14 or 15, and while it is true that gauging a non-human's age on appearance isn't always easy, you've always found these rumors a bit hard to believe. Suika may be decades old, but she can't possibly be as old as rumors claim.
>"More than simple demons?"
Oops. Should've been 'simply' there.
>The demons are a plague upon this world, and those touched and corrupted by them will oppose you at every opportunity, but they are not the only seeds of evil in this world. There are those who would use your power for their own purposes. Those who would slay you for having the power you do. Those who would slay you for being touched by One such as I. Those who would possess the power you weild. Those who would possess you for your beauty and charms. And these can even be found in Our houses, for the children of our Mistress forever walk the line between light and dark.
-
>"So I should be careful who I talk to about this."
>"Is there anything else I should know?"
>"As much as I would hate to involve others in this, a battle is much easier with commpanions. Are there others who can fight, or am I the only one right now?"
>Even if we don't want to have anyone else putting themselves in danger, it can't hurt to know.
-
>"So I should be careful who I talk to about this."
>"Is there anything else I should know?"
>Of those who dwell in Our houses, there is but one I know will not betray you, and that is the Child of Spring. I have measured her heart today, as I have measured yours. She will neither willingly betray Byakuren Hijiri, nor the Hero of the Heart.
>"As much as I would hate to involve others in this, a battle is much easier with commpanions. Are there others who can fight, or am I the only one right now?"
>Even if we don't want to have anyone else putting themselves in danger, it can't hurt to know.
>That is a valid point. If nothing else, it's good to know who will stand beside you, rather than against you.
>There are those with power still in this world. Some in this town. And of those, there are some who would stand against the demons. Some even have the power to challenge, and even defeat, the youma creations of the Demons. But you are the only one that has the power to remove a Dark Seed without destroying the object or person it was corrupting. And they can corrupt people, young Hero. The lone demon currently in this world has not yet recovered the power to create a Seed powerful enough to do this yet, but she will.
>And even among those who have the power to destroy a Youma, none of them have the power to defeat a demon, even one as weakened as this one is currently. As things stand right now, you are the only one that can do that.
-
>"So, where is the demon?"
-
>"So, where is the demon?"
>Her presence is concealed from My sight. I believe she must remain close to the seat of the boundary, but even of this, I cannot be certain. That is the domain of the Purpose.
>The glow in His eyes fades altogether after He says that, and the rippling of His fur stops altogether. The sense of his presence lessens around you.
>She approaches. Our time is done. Now I must act to protect you.
-
>Nod.
>"Thank you."
-
>Don't say that. Do we really want to let him risk himself for us?
>"I can't let you put yourself in harm's way for my sake. If she is the one I need to fight, then I shall fight. And it would be better to do so now anyways, before she can recover her power."
-
>"I can't let you put yourself in harm's way for my sake. If she is the one I need to fight, then I shall fight. And it would be better to do so now anyways, before she can recover her power."
>Your valor is admirable, young Hero, but it is no demon that approches us. Rather, it is one that should have been your ally, but is not.
>And no harm can come to Me. I am but a mere shadow of my former self. To use your mortal terms, I died ages ago. What you see before you is but a memory, an echo, of what I once was.
>But she can harm you. So if you will allow me, I can protect you from her.
>I will suppress your memory of this encounter, of your experiences in the woods. You will remember chasing a fox into the woods, you will remember being seperated from your friend, and you shall be searching for her when she finds you. She will not harm you if you do not recall this meeting, have no trace of Me upon you. And when you part with her, the memory of these events will return to you.
-
>...
>"Very well."
-
>Nod. "I am not fully convinced of your insistence that she is my enemy, but it's better to err on the side of caution."
-
>...
>"Very well."
>Nod. "I am not fully convinced of your insistence that she is my enemy, but it's better to err on the side of caution."
>The Tiger takes a step towards you, then pauses as you keep speaking. You believe he is puzzled. The word of a God is not enough to convince you of something?
>But that passes after a moment, and the Tiger approaches you again. Despite yourself, you find your breath quickening. This guy was big before He was this close, and even though you know He means you no harm, He's still a tiger, and still very, very big. Even with His assertion of Himself being a ghost, for lack of a better term, it's still a touch unsettling to not feel His breath upon you as He towers directly over you. To say nothing of the unsettling feeling of not quite coming halfway up the leg of the predatory cat in front of you.
>The Tiger's eyes glow a subtle shade of blue, a rather pretty color, actually. Almost like the sky on a clear day-
>You watch the pair little robins flit down from the trees and into the clearing before you. Looking for worms, or something, you suspect.
>It's a pretty enough clearing, dull yellow flowers, their petals closed, amidst a sea of short grass, brown in spots with the advancing autumn. But no sign of Lily here, either, nor the foxes you followed in here. You're beginning to wonder if chasing those canines in here was such a brilliant idea...
-
>"I suppose they ran off..."
>Call out: "Lily?"
-
>"I suppose they ran off..."
>Call out: "Lily?"
>You ponder out loud about the fate of the foxes you saw, then call out again to Lily. It seemed simple enough at the time; the foxes went seperate ways, so Lily went one way while you went the other. She'd intended to circle around and reconnoiter with you if the fox got away, but that was the last you saw of her. Somehow you yourself got turned around, and after a little wandering, found yourself here.
>After a few seconds, however, a voice answers back from some distance behind you. It doesn't quite sound like Lily, but it's definately a human voice.
-
>"Hello?"
>Head towards the voice.
-
>"Hello?"
>Head towards the voice.
>You call out to the strange voice, and start wandering back in that direction. After a few moments, a small feminine figure with purple hair in what appears to be miko's garments comes into view, heading towards you. Whereas Lily's hakama was a greyish color, this one's is a shade of gold. She waves once to you, and calls out, "Are you allright?"
-
>"Yes. Just looking for Lily. We went chasing after those foxes and got separated."
-
>"Yes. Just looking for Lily. We went chasing after those foxes and got separated."
>The woman closes the distance between you at an easy pace. She's on the petite side, with short hair and big, dark purple eyes. She also has a very strange pendant around her neck. It's a half-open eye attached to a long purple... cable, moreso than anything. A black headband on her head doesn't quite keep her purple bangs out of her eyes.
>"You both should have known better." she chides, resting her hand against a tree a few feet from you. "Especially Lily. Most of the dangerous animals in these woods don't come around at this time of day, especially at this time of year, but they're still by no means safe."
>She sighs briefly, then beckons you over. "Stay close, I'll get you back to the shrine." She turns and sets off without waiting to see if you follow her instructions or not.
-
>Follow her.
>"We can't leave Lily behind. What if she's lost in here like me?"
-
>Follow her.
>"We can't leave Lily behind. What if she's lost in here like me?"
>As you sprint forward a couple steps to make sure you don't lose sight of the little miko before slowing to a walking pace. And as you do, you voice your concerns about Lily to your guide.
>"You needn't worry about her." she replies in a strangely neutral voice as she steps over a tree root skittering with ants.
-
>Halt.
>"What do you mean?"
>That tone of voice is bad news.
-
>Halt.
>"What do you mean?"
>That tone of voice is bad news.
>The miko either does not notice you come to a halt or does not care. She continues walking. This does nothing to improve your bad feeling at all.
>"I mean you needn't worry about her. I should think I wouldn't have to repeat something so simple. I brought her out of the forest not long ago, before I came in for you. She wanted to keep looking for you, but that would have been a waste of time."
>"If you need to rest, simply say so." she calls back over her shoulder.
-
>"You found her first? That's good to hear."
>"I don't need to rest now. Let's get back to the shrine."
>While walking: "I haven't introduced myself properly, though you probably know who I am from Lily if nothing else. I am Byakuren Hijiri, and it is a pleasure to meet you."
-
>"You found her first? That's good to hear."
>"I don't need to rest now. Let's get back to the shrine."
>While walking: "I haven't introduced myself properly, though you probably know who I am from Lily if nothing else. I am Byakuren Hijiri, and it is a pleasure to meet you."
>Hearing Lily's safe is quite a relief. You hope she won't get in trouble for this little excursion, though..
>Still, the sooner you see her, the better, so you fall back into step behind the miko, who does not set a fast pace, but an even one. You easily close most of the distance between you as you reach a small gully. You decide to introduce yourself to the miko as she approaches an old dead tree that spans the gap. In this, at least, she proves polite, for she stops, turns around, and bows formally.
>"My name is Satori Komeji, head miko of the shrine of the White Metal Tiger." Straightening, she sets off across the tree, her balance apparantly perfect with no extra effort. "And as a matter of fact, I've known about you for years."
-
>"Dare I ask the context?"
-
>"Dare I ask the context?"
>Satori hops off the log on the other side, then half turns to look at you. "I've been head miko here for many years. There are few people in Mayoiga I do not know, or at least know of. And you, the famous Morning Star of Mayoiga High, are a rather distinctive figure."
-
>Nod.
>"You have quite a reputation, as well. But I'm a little embarrassed to hear word of myself has traveled this far."
-
>Nod.
>"You have quite a reputation, as well. But I'm a little embarrassed to hear word of myself has traveled this far."
>"Just about everyone with a position of note has a reputation of sorts, and people love to talk about them. I'm sure you know how people gossip." Her tone of voice has remained that odd neutral throughout everything she's said. You can't tell if she's annoyed, bored, concerned, anything. She turns her back to you and puts a little distance between her and the log. "We should not tarry here."
-
>"Of course."
>Follow her.
-
>"Of course."
>Follow her.
>Middle of the woods might not be the best place to have a chat with the miko of the western shrine, so you climb up on the log and start walking over. Besides, something about this place gives you the creeps....
>Pausing only once to let a small spider pass in front of you without threatening it, you reach the other side without incident, the log proving surprisingly stable, and you eat up some of the distance between you and Satori as another pair of robins fly over head between the trees. You can't help but glance from side to side every now and then, checking for signs of those foxes you followed in here, but the forest betrays no furthur sign of their presence.
>The trip is a quiet one between you and Satori, her apparantly not being much of one for small talk. However, as a familiar gap in the trees comes into view in the distance, marking, you believe, the edge of the woods, Satori says suddenly, "You couldn't catch them, could you?"
-
>"The foxes? No, they got away from us without any trouble on their part."
-
>"The foxes? No, they got away from us without any trouble on their part."
>Satori nods. "A little unusual for Hideo, but not for the foxes of this place in general. Most of them enjoy playing with 'two-legs'. You were fortunate to encounter the fox you did. Not all of them are so beneficent. The both of you should keep that in mind, the next time you decide to duck into these woods with a girl."
-
>"Certainly. I apologize for inconveniencing you."
>Follow her back to the shrine.
-
>"Certainly. I apologize for inconveniencing you."
>Follow her back to the shrine.
>Satori nods, seeming satisfied. At least you think so, her face betrays no more than her voice does. "As long as you understand."
>The remainder of the trip back to the edge of the woods is uneventful, and as you draw closer, you see the little playground on the shrine's grounds. Satori's brought you back to the point you entered. You see Lily sitting on one of the swings, a rather strange expression on her face. Best as you can tell, it's a mix of fear and wonder.
-
>Bow to Satori, "Thank you for your assistance."
-
>Bow to Satori, "Thank you for your assistance."
>The head miko returns your bow. "If you've furthur business with the temple, then indoors is the place to attend to it. Good day to you, Hijiri-san." And with no furthur adieu, she turns and begins walking back towards her temple, leaving you alone with Lily.
-
>"Thank you."
>Do we recall to be wary around her? Related to this, does her personality seem to match with the stories we've heard?
>Approach Lily, and have a seat on the swing next to her.
-
>"Thank you."
>Do we recall to be wary around her? Related to this, does her personality seem to match with the stories we've heard?
>You thank Satori as she moves away from you, and an odd thought crosses your mind. Why would have to be wary around her? Who told you that? As far as you can recall, the only people who have had cause to be 'wary' around her are those with secrets they don't necessarily want to be revealed.
>Nearly all the stories you've heard about her relate to her amazing insight. She seems to be able to see through any deception, any uncertainty, and get right to the truth of any matter. That's why people so often come to her for advice on love. That and her uncanny ability to speak with animals, which most people suspect is her talent as a Youkai. Assuming she IS a youkai, and not everyone agrees on that point. None of the stories you've heard, however, really spoke about her personality. She struck you as polite enough, but only when she had to be. Perhaps she was distracted, being a head miko does come with its fair share of responsibilities.
>Approach Lily, and have a seat on the swing next to her.
>You sit yourself down on the swing adjacent to Lily. She turns her head to look at you, her face pale. "You're okay."
-
>"As are you, which is a weight off my mind. Did you find anything?"
-
>"As are you, which is a weight off my mind. Did you find anything?"
>A strange chuckle comes from Lily's lips, and her mouth wavers between a smile and an expression of dread. "That's one way to put it. I found a bear."
-
>Frown.
>"...You seem to have come out of it alright, at least. It didn't do much, I hope?"
-
>Frown.
>"...You seem to have come out of it alright, at least. It do much, I hope?"
>Lily shakes her head, somewhat shakily. "Just... kinda stood there. But he was BIG." She points at Satori, now almost back at the main door of the temple. "She talked to him, made him go away."
-
>"Well, if he was just standing there, then I suppose it wasn't too bad. I just managed to get lost..."
-
>"Well, if he was just standing there, then I suppose it wasn't too bad. I just managed to get lost..."
>Lily chuckles again, a little more evenly this time. She seems to be collecting herself. "Brave. Think I'dve taken that."
>As she speaks, Satori dissapears into her temple. And as the door slides shut, memories come tumbling back into your mind. Your adventure in the forest returns to you as it truly unfolded; the story of the tree, the skunk guiding you, the procession of animals, your meeting with the Tiger, everything. This realization elicits a gasp from you, and you straighten in the swing. Lily simultaneously has the same reaction, and the two of you look each other in the eye, and you know that you both know something profound happened to the other.
-
>"Did you...?"
-
>"Did you...?"
>She nods, almost imperceptably. "He protected me. Like.... he protected you. I didn't even know it was... But it had to be. This is his shrine."
>"Did he speak to you?"
-
>Nod. "Personal issues."
-
>Nod. "Personal issues."
>"Did you see him?"
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
>"Wonder why you and not me..." Lily shakes her head. "But that's not important. What did he show you?"
-
>"Why me? Because I wouldn't have believed it without seeing it. You haven't questioned me at all. I don't think he believes you need to see him. And...also because it would have been bad for you to hear what I heard. It would have drawn you in, in ways that you probably shouldn't be."
-
>"Why me? Because I wouldn't have believed it without seeing it. You haven't questioned me at all. I don't think he believes you need to see him. And...also because it would have been bad for you to hear what I heard. It would have drawn you in, in ways that you probably shouldn't be."
>Lily nods thoughtfully, then looks away from you, down at the sand beneath her sandled feet. "I may not have needed to hear the same thing you did, Morning Star. Whatever you're caught up in, I think I'm there, too."
-
>"What do you mean?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
>Lily takes a breath, seemingly trying to put her thoughts in order. When she looks back at you, her beautiful blue eyes seem deeper, somehow, the eyes that have seen something profound.
>"I saw... spring."
>"The bear. He led me to that pond I told you about, and went to stand beside it. I followed and looked into the water. And I saw spring in the water. I saw flowers opening their petals for the first time, in the first rays of the spring sun. Trees sprouting their first leaves, their branches getting stronger now that winter was done. I saw the squirrels coming out of their dens, the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food. I saw flocks of birds flying home with winter passing. Bees flitting from flower to flower, spiders spinning webs, deer and skunks and squirrels and bears and moose and everything that has a name coming alive and moving into a new world."
>Lily comes to her feet as she continues her tale, pacing back and forth excitedly and gesturing her arms and wings at points. "I saw children, Star. Children being born, and fathers celebrating and buying drinks and having drinks bought for them, and mothers smiling and singing songs to their newborns. I saw lovers in love, dancing and singing and holding hands and being in love. I saw families under the spring stars, with new flowers lying under new trees among new grass and the wind was gentle and sweet and smelled like new and it was SPRING!" she exclaims, her wings spread wide in enthusiasm. A couple of feathers fall from them as they fold, then, her tone becoming much more somber. "And then everything changed."
>"This... black thing, energy, wave, whatever it was, this darkness started spreading across everything I saw. Flowers and trees and grass died and withered, or twisted and blackened into hostile, hungry things. The animals died, choking and starved, or twisted into walking nightmares. And the people... They weren't people anymore. Anyone that was left. The waters, the forests, the people... Everything died. Everything twisted. And then there was silence. Complete, empty silence..."
>Her story told, she looks you in the eye again. "Something's wrong in the world. I don't know what it is, but something's wrong in the world."
-
So, do we clue her in?
-
Yes. I was actually thinking of her when I asked about others who could fight; I expected that she'd end up joining us in this.
>"I know... well, very little, but I can at least tell you something. But before I do, I want to warn you that there may well be no turning back. there is a battle, and if you enter into it alongside me, I don't think you can leave. And this battle is very dangerous. As comforting as it would be to have you beside me, I don't want to put you in danger, but it is your choice to make. So allow me to fomally pose the question: are you sure this is what you want?"
-
>Let's do that a little better, with a bit less tipping out hand about battles and stuff.
>"I could tell you more, but you understand there's a price in knowing. You will probably be drawn in, if you do know. Regardless of whether you are ready or not, It may put you in danger, whether are you are ready or not. You may never be able to leave, whether you are ready or not. It may be best that you put such out of your mind."
It's noteworthy that if we tell her anything, Satori is going to find out. Or she's going to get real suspicious if her assistant never comes back.
-
>"I know... well, very little, but I can at least tell you something. But before I do, I want to warn you that there may well be no turning back. there is a battle, and if you enter into it alongside me, I don't think you can leave. And this battle is very dangerous. As comforting as it would be to have you beside me, I don't want to put you in danger, but it is your choice to make. So allow me to fomally pose the question: are you sure this is what you want?"
>"I could tell you more, but you understand there's a price in knowing. You will probably be drawn in, if you do know. Regardless of whether you are ready or not, It may put you in danger, whether are you are ready or not. You may never be able to leave, whether you are ready or not. It may be best that you put such out of your mind."
>Lily doesn't even hesitate. Her voice is strong and firm. "I can't have had this experience and just walk away. Whatever that black wave is, it's evil. And if, somehow, I can be a part of stopping it, then I will."
>Her words are not only encouraging, they seem to have provoked an unexpected response: You feel the violet ring upon your right hand pulse with energy.
-
>"Very well. Let's go...someplace a bit less open to the public, first."
-
>"Very well. Let's go...someplace a bit less open to the public, first."
>Lily nods, and points to the woods you just exited as a suggestion.
-
>"I suppose that may do."
>Head toward them.
-
>"I suppose that may do."
>Head toward them.
>The woods may not be too removed from Satori, but they're at least something between you and any Tom, Dick and Reimu that comes to or from the shrine. A bit of privacy from prying eyes. Plus, the fact that both your memories came back to you when Satori entered the shrine may mean you're safe from whatever threat the Tiger warned you she might pose to you. At least for now. You wonder, briefly, what might happen if she came back out in the next few moments.
>But she does not, and you and Lily step back into the woods, at least far enough to place yourself out of eye and earshot of anyone on temple grounds. Along the way, you glance down at the violet ring on your hand. It still pulses with energy, and the white gem set in it has a purple light at its center.
>Once you've gone far enough for both your satsifactions, Lily faces you, ready to hear whatever you have to tell her.
-
>"Lily, do you remember how I found you unconscious the other day?"
>"You were unconscious because you had been attacked by a creature called a youma. It was an agent of some evil force that's attempting to take over this world. The enemy is weak right now, as I understand, and was using the youma to drain energy from people. I arrived in time to save everyone, fortunately, but I almost died myself, because I was powerless when I attacked it."
>Show her the ring. "I obtained this during the fight. When I first put it on, I had a... well, I think I was within myself. And something was trying to corrupt me-not the enemy I'm faced with now, but still something dark. It showed me... well, me, but a me corrupted by the darkness. Powerful, powerful enough to defeat any enemy, but lost in the darkness. I successfuly resisted it, and gained power of the light. It changed me, made me able to fight the enemy. Even just being near me was enough to harm the youma, although I doubt this will hold true for stronger enemies."
>"Lily, this ring is reacting to you now. If you put it on, you may face what I faced."
>"This is your last chance to turn back, Lily. Are you sure about this?"
>Assuming she says yes, remove the ring and hand it to her.
>"Put this on, then. And, Lily? When I put it on, when the darkness tried to take me, what defeated it was when I renounced its claims that I was alone. Remember that you're not alone, either. As long as you remember that you have me, that you have <INSERT THE NAME OF HER ROMANTIC PARTNER HERE>, that you have others, the darkness will have no hold on you."
-
>"But, that may not be the whole story. I have my suspicions about several things..."
-
>"Lily, do you remember how I found you unconscious the other day?"
>"You were unconscious because you had been attacked by a creature called a youma. It was an agent of some evil force that's attempting to take over this world. The enemy is weak right now, as I understand, and was using the youma to drain energy from people. I arrived in time to save everyone, fortunately, but I almost died myself, because I was powerless when I attacked it."
>Show her the ring. "I obtained this during the fight. When I first put it on, I had a... well, I think I was within myself. And something was trying to corrupt me-not the enemy I'm faced with now, but still something dark. It showed me... well, me, but a me corrupted by the darkness. Powerful, powerful enough to defeat any enemy, but lost in the darkness. I successfuly resisted it, and gained power of the light. It changed me, made me able to fight the enemy. Even just being near me was enough to harm the youma, although I doubt this will hold true for stronger enemies."
>"Lily, this ring is reacting to you now. If you put it on, you may face what I faced."
>"This is your last chance to turn back, Lily. Are you sure about this?"
>Assuming she says yes, remove the ring and hand it to her.
>"Put this on, then. And, Lily? When I put it on, when the darkness tried to take me, what defeated it was when I renounced its claims that I was alone. Remember that you're not alone, either. As long as you remember that you have me, that you have <INSERT THE NAME OF HER ROMANTIC PARTNER HERE>, that you have others, the darkness will have no hold on you."
>"But, that may not be the whole story. I have my suspicions about several things..."
>Lily stands and waits as you recount to her your encounter with the youma, you experiences within your own soul and the temptation you found within, but also the strength to resist, to cast the darkness out of your heart and embrace the light. Despite everything that's happened to today, you almost expect her to not believe you, to shake her hand and simply walk off. She does not. Her attention is focused on you and your story. Not a trace of doubt enters her eyes; surprise, amazement, even, as you describe the Dark Lady, but never doubt, never disbelief. She wais until you finished your tale, and ask her, one last time, if she truly wishes to step into the war alongside you. She looks at the ring, at the purple light in its core, then back up at you. She smiles that beautiful smile at you.
>"I choose the danger."
>Her choice made, you reach for the ring on your hand which pulses with power. When you touch it, however, before you have a chance to remove it, a beam of light emerges from the jewel, and you retract your hand in a start as you and Lily gasp almost in unison. The shaft of light endures for a few seconds, and when it passes, a second ring floats a few feet above your own ring. This one is a pale pink, the color of a cherry blossom, and its gemstone is a shade of purple. The same violet shade as your own ring, you note.
>The ring hovers in the air, and then, of its own accord, floats towards Lily, pausing to hover in front of her. She stares at it while you deliver your message about how you defeated the darkness by affirming that you are not alone. She nods simply, then extends her right hand towards the ring. The pinkish loop slides down onto her ring finger. Somewhat to your surprise, there is no burst of light, no surge of power. Just a sense of a connection between your ring and Lily's. No, more than that. Between your heart and hers.
>Lily withdraws her hand and curls her little fingers into a fist, looking at the ring on her finger. Then she closes her eyes and lifts her head ever so slightly. The smile on her face is a gentle one, a picture of serenity.
-
>"How did it go?"
-
>"How did it go?"
>Lily opens her eyes, still smiling that quiet smile. "How did what go?"
-
>Lily opens her eyes, still smiling that quiet smile. "How did what go?"
>"When I first got the ring, I had to journey within myself. Did you not?"
-
>"When I first got the ring, I had to journey within myself. Did you not?"
>Your winged friend shakes her head slowly. "No. I'm having a couple strange sensations, but nothing like you described to me."
-
>Nod. "All the better. It's not entirely pleasant."
-
>Nod. "All the better. It's not entirely pleasant."
>"I think that might be an understatement, from what you said."
>She looks at the ring again. "So that's something else that's different for you and me. I wonder different our powers are. I wonder what I can do now. I know what I FEEL, but what I can do..." Her smile is as much a grin as it is a smile. Obviously, her experiences with this have been much more benign than yours.
>She glances at you quickly. "Are there more? Like us, I mean."
-
>"I believe so."
>"If your power works like mine, how to use it should come to you on its own as needed."
-
>"I believe so."
>"If your power works like mine, how to use it should come to you on its own as needed."
>Lily nods, then tilts her head to the side as she looks at you. "You 'believe' so?" She quickly points to herself, then at you, then herself again. "Does that mean that, for right now, it's just the two of us?"
-
>"As far as I know, we're the only two that have awakened to the power so far. If we find others with the same potential, presumably they can be awakened to the power in the same way you just were."
-
>"As far as I know, we're the only two that have awakened to the power so far. If we find others with the same potential, presumably they can be awakened to the power in the same way you just were."
>Lily chuckles lightly. "Great! All we have to do is drag folks back here one at a time to meet the big metal Kitty Cat!" Then she laughs, holding up her hand. "No, I kid. I think that meeting Him was for us. Others might need their own circumstances, but they gotta be out there somewhere." She glances at her sakura-colored ring again. "Wonder if this thing can make rings like yours can. Probably not. You were the first, the original, so that's probably your thing."
>A puzzled expression crosses her face then. "I got my ring from you. Who gave you yours? Did it drop out of the sky, appear in a flash of light?"
-
>"It was given to me by a strange doll. I saw it when the youma was attacking."
-
>"It was given to me by a strange doll. I saw it when the youma was attacking."
>"A doll?" Lily chuckles pleasantly again. "Rumor has it that fall down the stairs you had a few days ago happened after you touched a doll. You've had bad lu...." She trails off as a startled epxression crosses her face. "That's more than bad luck, that's something else. Was it the same doll both times?"
-
>Was it?
-
>Was it?
>Thinking back on that day, you remember that the doll that gave you the ring looked identical to the doll you touched on the stairs that started everything off. That doll, or those dolls, had short blonde hair, green eyes, a purple dress, a black ribbon around her/their neck, and a larger black ribbon on her/their head.
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
>"Weiiiiird. That's one creepy doll." She seems to ponder that for a few moments, turning over the thought of a doll giving you a ring after making you fall down a flight of stairs. Then her eyes light up. "That's why you came here, wasn't it? You were looking for some answers to all this."
-
>"Quite. I was being a little...vague, when speaking of seeing things in a dream, we'll say."
-
>"Quite. I was being a little...vague, when speaking of seeing things in a dream, we'll say."
>"Don't blame you, either." Lily blushes slightly. "And something you saw there... led you here?"
-
>"Yes. It was part of...well, a vision of sorts. I was being led around the city, and my guide continued to not look in this direction. I wanted to know what it is avoiding."
-
>"I was expecting something that would perhaps go against what my guide wanted, though. It was that guide who first told me of the danger we face and that I needed to fight it, which is also what I was told here."
>"I can think of two possibilities. First, she may have been trying to lead me here, although I don't know why she wouldn't have just told me to come here. The second is that she may be wary of Satori. The Metal Tiger didn't want us to remember what had happened until she'd left, which makes me wonder; maybe my guide had similar concerns."
-
>"Yes. It was part of...well, a vision of sorts. I was being led around the city, and my guide continued to not look in this direction. I wanted to know what it is avoiding."
>"I was expecting something that would perhaps go against what my guide wanted, though. It was that guide who first told me of the danger we face and that I needed to fight it, which is also what I was told here."
>"I can think of two possibilities. First, she may have been trying to lead me here, although I don't know why she wouldn't have just told me to come here. The second is that she may be wary of Satori. The Metal Tiger didn't want us to remember what had happened until she'd left, which makes me wonder; maybe my guide had similar concerns."
>Lily's face is very serious as you tell of the Tiger's concern over Satori, and the possibility that 'Marisa' may also have had misgivings about her. "Satori... My memories were affected too, I only remembered my vision of Spring after Satori walked back into the shrine, as well. Did the Tiger tell you anything else?"
-
>"It told me there was a number of people I couldn't trust, that they would try to stop me or harm me out of jealousy or such. Your head maiden was one of them. It...strikes me as odd and unusual, really."
-
>"It told me there was a number of people I couldn't trust, that they would try to stop me or harm me out of jealousy or such. Your head maiden was one of them. It...strikes me as odd and unusual, really."
>Lily shakes her head slowly. "That was the impression I got as well. But I'm not sure why. Although... she HAS been acting-"
>Her voice pitch changes slightly in midsentance "perfectly normally, we shouldn't have to disturst her." Then she blinks and shakes her head again. "Wait.. What'd I just say?"
-
>That can't be good.
>"You sounded like you were about to say that Satori had been acting strangely, but then your voice changed and you said she was acting normal. I would guess that something made you say that."
-
>That can't be good.
>"You sounded like you were about to say that Satori had been acting strangely, but then your voice changed and you said she was acting normal. I would guess that something made you say that."
>"But I... That doesn't..." Lily looks down at the ground, her head shaking back and forth slowly, as though she's trying to see though a fog. Then she puts her right hand to her head. "There's something that happened... (No, not really. It's been quiet here since I came back to work). Why would I say that? I don't like lies (except I'm not lying, Satori's been her normal self lately.)" Her voice vacillates back and forth.
>As she speaks, you notice the jewel on her ring is glowing faintly. A glance at your own ring reveals that it, too, is glowing, and you can sense... something, faintly, along the connection between the two of you.
-
>Try to focus on that sense of something, and see if we can figure out anything about it.
-
>Try to focus on that sense of something, and see if we can figure out anything about it.
>Focusing your mind on the bond between yourself and your new ally yields a rather odd result. It is rather like your second sight that you had in your Magical Lotus state, when you could see past the outer shell of the youma to the object that had been corrupted. This, however, isn't quite as precise as that time. The effect is limited only to Lily herself, and not as pronounced as with the youma. You can see swirls of pink and purple energy within her, but also faint outlines of a grey something. You can't determine what that grey something is, but you have a strong sense that it is wrong. This, then, is probably the force that keeps Lily from speaking the truth.
>Lily removes her little hand from her head and looks at the pulsing light within the jewel of her ring. "You're strengthening the connection between our two rings. I... I can see, what is that? That doesn't belong there..."
-
>"It would seem that your ring has something after all. Not what mine had, but still something."
>"Fight it, Lily. You know it's not you. Defy it. Don't let it take you."
-
>"Ignore it's lies, but do not ignore it. Fight the shadows, but do not deny that they are there. They are a part of you, and as such, ultimately under your control. Remember this always, and you'll be fine."
-
>"It would seem that your ring has something after all. Not what mine had, but still something."
>"Fight it, Lily. You know it's not you. Defy it. Don't let it take you."
>"Ignore it's lies, but do not ignore it. Fight the shadows, but do not deny that they are there. They are a part of you, and as such, ultimately under your control. Remember this always, and you'll be fine."
>As you offer resassurances and support to Lily in her conflict, prolonged contact with her though the rings you wear provokes a thought within you: This doesn't seem quite like your experience with the ring at all. The sensation from that grey area is nothing like the blackness you encountered within yourself. That blackness was cold, lonely, oppressive and evil, a source of temptation and vileness abhorent to you. What is within Lily is almost... a veil of sorts, concealing a specific truth. You can't be sure, but you believe this truth pertains to someone else, not Lily herself.
>Furthurmore, whereas you were seperated from you 'outer' self, Lily remains fully aware of herself, her surroundings, and you. The grey power within her does not seem to be a force of temptation, of corruption, but an interdiction of sorts. It is obviously a foreign influence, but you cannot be absolutely certain it came from the ring. Not the least reason for which was that this ring came from you, not any sinister doll. You'd think you would have detected any lingering darkness that might be within the ring, although you're nearly positive that you've purified it completely, made it your own.
>For her part, Lily shakes her head again, then visibly calms. "I'm okay." She straightens up and gives you a simple smile. "I'm okay, really, Byakuren. I know there's... Uh... Not sure... how to put this..." Her face scrunches up as she searches for the right word. Then she sighs and simple says the first thing that comes to her mind. "A lie, inside me. It doesn't belong there, and I don't know where it came from. There's something I can't talk about, that's all. Not until we can figure out a way to get this thing out of me." Her smile brightens. "Thank you. I was... a little overwhelmed by that. I don't think I would have liked to experienced that on my own."
>She looks at her ring again, and at yours. Both of them still have a light in the center of their jewels. "The rings are connected, definately. I can't see what this lie is, and I don't think you can either. Maybe if we... Maybe if we bring our rings closer together, the connection will get stronger, and we can find the truth."
-
>Hesitate for a second and give her a worried look.
>"Are you sure, Lily? I doubt this will be very pleasant at all."
>If she agrees, do it.
-
>Hesitate for a second and give her a worried look.
>"Are you sure, Lily? I doubt this will be very pleasant at all."
>Lily nods once. "It can't be any less pleasant than knowing something, or someone, has.... sabotaged me." She laughs softly at her own choice of words. "I want to get to the bottom of this, and I want to get rid of it." Brave woman.
>If she agrees, do it.
>Having attented to your own misgivings (mostly, anyway. This is a new one, you're not quite sure what's about to happen) you extend your ring outwards towards Lily, and she does likewise. A thin beam of light emerges from both jewels, but what, if any, effect this has, you cannot detect. So the two of you step closer. Nothing. A little closer. Still nothing. So the two of you look at each other, down at your rings, then back to each other, and smile. Boldly stepping forward, you bring your jewels together.
>This has a rather more profound effect. The connection between you two is indeed much stronger now, but contrary to your fears, it isn't unpleasant at all. Rather, it's warm. It's bright and intimate. You can so much more within Lily now. You can put a name to every color you see, the pink is joy she takes in living every day, the purples are love she bears for the things and people around her, and there are many pinks and purples. There is also green; courage.
>It takes you a moment to realize that the connection is working both ways. Lily can see within you just as much as you can see within her. The two of you are connected in a way that perhaps no two people have ever quite experienced, and even though you can hear her heart beating in her chest, feel the warmth of her spirit, that connection is not even as deep as it could be yet. With your jewels touching, you could see even more of Lily, and she of you.
>The grey veil, however, is not a part of that intimacy. It is an ugly, thick curtain within your friend, and the connection, as it is now, allows you both to see more details of it. You know it was placed there by someone, a person who wanted something concealed. You know it is knowledge of one specific thing, and that it is a recent thing, having been in Lily for no more than a week. However, you cannot determine who put it there, nor can you determine the nature of what it is concealing.
>You can determine that the veil is reacting badly to the scrutiny it finds itself under. It ripples as though in a breeze as the connected hearts of two strong women try to pull it back.
-
>Continue to scrutinize it. If it is rippling, try to peek underneath the ripples as one wound around a curtain caught in the breeze.
-
>Continue to scrutinize it. If it is rippling, try to peek underneath the ripples as one wound around a curtain caught in the breeze.
>You focus even more of your attention upon the grey veil standing between you two and the truth. It's difficult to see a shape through it, though you do catch edges of something at the ends of the veil, like the end of the tail of an animal, but not enough to figure what animal it is. You can see enough to know that, whatever this truth is, it happened no more than 4 days ago.
>As you focus, however, you find that the connection between you and Lily is growing as well. You can see more than simply the colors of her emotions now, you can feel them yourself. You can sense her wonderment at everything that's happened to her today, her discomfort at knowing someone has tampered with her, her happiness at being able to share this adventure, and this experience, with you, and her resolution and courage to face not only this truth, whatever it may be, but anything else that is to come afterwards. And you know that she, in turn, can feel your concern for her well being, your reluctance to get her involved at all, and the spiritual strength and solidarity you carry within yourself. The experience is fascinating, but intimate in a way you've never imagined before.
>The veil continues to ruffle against your focus, as though the stare of your eyes and the desire of Lily to be rid of it are a wind, tryin to blow it away. It is possible, you suspect, that even more focus from you both will blow it away altogether. But if you do so, the connection between you and Lily will deepen even more than it already is. You can sense Lily's knowledge of this as well; words are not necessary to you both now. This thought has occured to her as well, but, although she is willing, she does not wish to proceed unless you are certain you desire even more intimate contact with her spirit.
-
>Hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go for it. The power of
love friendship shall stop for no tacky grey veil!
-
>Hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go for it. The power of love friendship shall stop for no tacky grey veil!
>That's the spirit, sister! Nothing can stop the power of love! ... Friendship! ... Both! ... Lily's enthusiasm really IS infectious...
>With Lily's concern addressed, she closes her eyes as your spirits draw even closer together. For a moment, you are nearly mesmerized by what you see as your bond with Lily deepens. Her memories float before your eyes; the first sunrise of her 8th year, she stayed up all night to watch it, and it was an absolutely wonderous sight. The cat she found when she was ten that followed her home, and stayed with her, ate with her, slept with her, for a week, and then one day was simply gone, and how she smiled and was happy for the time they had. That's how she is; Lily is able to smile and find the good in every situation. She's a simple person, but in all the right ways. Every day is a chance to have a new adventure, even when it's nothing more than a daily routine, and it's better to share those adventures, that happiness, with someone else.
>You can see Kyouko on her mind, as well, Lily's concern for her after the youma attack, her relief and joy at knowing she'd recovered nicely, and the love they made to celebrate that. And that Kyouko isn't the only one... You do your best to avert your eyes from those memories and feelings, feeling they're too private to invade. But then again, we knew that could happen. That thought returns you to the task at hand, and you return your focus to the veil of lies within Lily, but can't help but wonder, idly, what she can see within you.
>Which, of course, you can sense, given the nature of your bond. She knows of your relationship with Rin, how you endure the title of 'owner' for her benefit, but would never consider turning her out, not only for her sake, but because you would genuinely miss the catgirls' companionship. She senses your connection to the girls of Moonside, how in the span of a handful of months, they've become almost as close to you as your blood kin. And despite these things she can see, and more, you know she's doing her level best not to gaze too long or too deeply. She knows you're doing this for her benefit, and she believes that, even though you've accepted the consequences of the intimacy you now share, that there are some things she doesn't want to know, unless you wish to tell her yourself. But this hasn't prevented you from learning of her affection for Kyouko, and Marissa, and her growing affection for you...
>The intimacy between the Hero of the Heart and the Hero of Spring, and the focus put forth by your combined hearts and minds, prove too much for the interdictory veil between Lily's awareness and the truth, and the offending veil dissipates into specks of grey dust, that shrink and vanish altogether.
-
>Don't blush don't blush don't blush.
>"Do you feel better?"
-
>Don't blush don't blush don't blush.
>"Do you feel better?"
>Come on, face! Stay red-free! ... *slight blush* Dangit. Although the fact that Lily's blushing slightly as well makes you feel a little less embarassed. Among other things... At least you pretty sure that's your feelings. The connection as strong as it is, it's getting a little tricky to seperate your feelings from hers.
>Lily's own feelings tell you that she does indeed feel better. The freedom of being able to speak completely freely again, her surprising happiness at this event in and of itself, and her gratitude towards you. Physically, however, she simply smiles at you and gazes at you with her big blue eyes.
>"I am now. Thanks to you."
-
>Keep our voice steady and respectable. Respectable, consarnit!
>"Do you have any idea what that was?"
-
>Keep our voice steady and respectable. Respectable, consarnit!
>"Do you have any idea what that was?"
>With a concerted effort, you hold your voice steady as you pose a question to Lily. Between the strength of the connection between you, and those beautiful blue eyes gazing into yours, this is an inordinately difficult thing. Lily admires your strength. She doesn't speak, as in her mouth doesn't move. But you can hear her voice in your ears and mind as clearly as though she was whispering into your ear.
>"The lie itself? No. I couldn't see anything about it that would tell us what it was, or who put it there for sure." You can tell this vexes her a little, but not too much. She's simply pleased to be rid of it. It actually vexes you more than her, and although she's grateful for that sentiment, she doesn't like seeing people vexed. There's much better emotions to experience. "But at least now we can see the truth behind it."
-
>Try not to think of specifically what emotions, or how said emotions are to be experienced.
>Fail horribly and do so anyway.
>"Well then, now that that's been taken care of, how was Satori acting again?"
-
>Try not to think of specifically what emotions, or how said emotions are to be experienced.
>Fail horribly and do so anyway.
>"Well then, now that that's been taken care of, how was Satori acting again?"
>You avert your mind from THOSE thoughts and feelings and try to get back to the whole reason your rings are still touching each other for. Or at least you do your level best. Most of what Lily thinks is better at the moment is simply being happy that you've 'fixed' her, rather than dwelling on not being able to discern who 'sabotaged' her. And while this is certainly an admirable attitude, it is only most of what Lily's feeling at the moment. The rest... Well, someone who wasn't as strong minded as you would be very, very, very distracted right about now. As it is, you manage to get back to a reasonable level of distraction. How long you'll stay that way....
>The next three hours are a blur of feathers and pink.
>Congraulations! Lily White has joined your Harem! Now set your sights on your next target! Spread the LOVE and save the world!
>The words flow from Lily's heart, heard in your mind through the still-connected jewels. "Satori's been acting kinda funny since last Friday. At least I THINK that's when it started, I spent most of thursday in bed recovering from that gas- Well, at the time I thought it was a gas leak, anyway. But since friday, or maybe thursday or wednesday, the main room of the temple's been locked, by order of Satori, the room with the sacred flame. Only she's allowed in. And she's made it very clear she doesn't want to talk about it, that it's her business. And I know she's spent more time than usual talking to the other head mikos. Myon-senpai came here yesterday, and Satori's spoken to Hinanai-sama at least three times over the phone, and that one doesn't like Satori much, as I understand. But I don't know what they've talked about."
-
>We'll show them bitches you don't need to be a dark queen to have a proper harem
>"That's...amazingly suspicious, given the circumstances. Has she done anything else unusual?"
-
>We'll show them bitches you don't need to be a dark queen to have a proper harem
>"That's...amazingly suspicious, given the circumstances. Has she done anything else unusual?"
>You make a mental note that, when next you seen either the Dark Lady or a servent of darkness, to show off your harem and bask in the afterglow of triumph!
>Your determination to stay on the mission, despite the intimacy between you two, impresses Lily. You sense her sifting through her memories, some of which go flitting by you, but you do your damdest to keep your mind on the task at hand. But the memories of Lily's employ are relevant to the task, and you both run through them simultaneously. This odd behavoir of hers only stretches back to Friday. Lily never thought Satori's ability to talk to animals was weird, just unique. Satori also has a slightly adverse reaction to someone mentioning Koishi, but she's never really elaborated on that, at least not to Lily. She was in a really bad mood a couple months back after Koakuma came to visit, and she never explained why beyond "She won." Tenshi doesn't really like her and, as near as you can figure, the feeling is mutual.
>Wait, did you just say "as near as I can figure?" Or was that Lily's thoughts? You hear Lily laugh inside your heart. "We could get lost in each other, with our rings still touching like this." Strangely, the initial reaction to this sentiment from both of you is that neither one is immediately opposed to the idea. Lily is as beautiful inside as she is outside, and in her mind, so are you.
-
>It'll be a selling point.
>Chuckle.
>"This is going to get a little confusing, I think. But...one wonders, if you had such a veil over you, what of her?"
>What do we; in this case the both of us; know about Koakuma?
-
>It'll be a selling point.
>Chuckle.
>"This is going to get a little confusing, I think. But...one wonders, if you had such a veil over you, what of her?"
>What do we; in this case the both of us; know about Koakuma?
>Though you find yourself wondering if Marissa will bring her own to the competition...
>Lily's laugh echoes your own. "But in kind of a good way!" She feels a sense of honor at seeing a side of the Morning Star- ALL the sides of the Mornign Star at once, in a way that no one else ever has, not even her own brother has seen her this way. You both still have a sense of wonderment that this kind of connection is possible, and you both wonder just what the prolonged effects will be, if any, if your rings continue to touch each other. Lily finds the prospect exciting, you find the prospect intriguing.
>She is momentarily confused by your question about Satori, then takes your meaning. "You think that, whatever this was that affected me, affected her, too? Well, if that's true, it may have affected everyone else that works here as well."
>Koakuma (who has no last name you're aware of) is the owner of the Blue Lantern cafe, a prosperous little place that employs Rin, Reisen and many others. You yourself have worked a couple shifts there, and Koakuma has tried on multiple occasions to lure you back there full time. She's very persistant, but in a charming way. She's an extremely beautiful woman, and also very intelligent, with a canny sense of business. She's very competitive, driven to be successful, but never at the outright expense of those around her. She treats her employees very well, and is generous with those who perform well. Unlike some employers who punish failure, she rewards success. You suspect she's also fond of poety, from some of the books you've seen in her office, but have yet to ask her directly. You do know her to be philanthropic, as well, as she's donated both her personal time as well as a fair amount of money to local theater groups, including Mayoiga High's own drama club.
>You and Lily have both heard rumors about town that she's a succubus, or a demon, or something unearthly. Physically, with her luscious, sensual body, she may well fit the bill. And she does enjoy sex a great deal, as many of her employees and customers can and will attest to. She's reputed to be one of, if not the, best lovers this side of the Jade Mountain range. Lily suspects that might be what Satori meant by "She won", but she can't be certain, as Satori has never elaborated upon that. So far as Lily knows, Koakuma only visited this temple the one time, the better part of three months ago, and every miko outside of Satori in the place was visibly swooning over her in short order. Including Lily herself, she admits, which draws a blush from the both of you. There's something.... deeply seductive about her, you see through the bond between you and Lily, you both have sensed this about her. Your 'soul-mate' wouldn't be at all surprised if Koakuma could arouse a stone just by walking past it, and you can't disagree with the thought.
-
>"Have there been any unusual visitors within the last few days? Or maybe any strange dolls someone's found?"
>Do we think we need to maintain the connection now that the veil's been lifted?
-
>"Have there been any unusual visitors within the last few days? Or maybe any strange dolls someone's found?"
>Lily's memories of the past few days drift through your minds' eye as she tries to find people that would have been 'unusual'. The fat woman in green clothes stands out, but that's because Lily was worried the woman was going to pass out, she was breathing so hard and sweating so much. Since Lily's been back to work, there's been Youmu visiting, which she's mentioned perviously, as well as an officious looking young man wearing the Saigyoji crest on his breast pocket, and walking with his nose in the air. He was very haughty when he arrived, but whatever Satori said to him during their consult, he obviously didn't like, because he left red-faced and outraged. Commonly, that indicates someone that came for advice on love/relationships, and didn't hear what they wanted to hear at all. Lily doesn't like seeing people dissapointed or upset, but she knows there's not much she can say to people in that kind of mood.
>The other woman you passed on the way up the stairs, the tall woman with the long silver hair, also stands out in Lily's mind. "I think I know her from somewhere, but I can't figure where." You find yourself having a similar sensation, though whether this is your own memory or the influence of Lily's mind intertwining with yours, you're not certain.
>Do we think we need to maintain the connection now that the veil's been lifted?
>The purpose of bringing your jewels together and deepening the bond to the point it is now was to remove the Lie that someone had placed in Lily. That has been acheived, and neither one of you can detect any furthur tampering within Lily. Or you, for that matter. And you both have looked. For lies and other things. In that sense, you are free to seperate your jewels whenever you wish.
>On the other hand, this is a truly unique experience, and a surprisingly pleasant one as well. If you had to pick an individual to share a soul with, Lily's proven to be a very, very good choice. Her spirit is so bright, her outlook on life so positive, her desire so pure... You really could get lost in each other like this.
-
>Does Lily seem to remember what the silver-haired woman was doing here?
>Ponder if this sort of thing is possible with others. If one could connect like this to a youma, or one of those demons...
-
>Does Lily seem to remember what the silver-haired woman was doing here?
>Ponder if this sort of thing is possible with others. If one could connect like this to a youma, or one of those demons...
>She went into the shrine, so Lily assumes she simply had a consult with Satori. From the look on her face, both when Lily saw her after and when you yourself saw her, she didn't seem to be in a very good mood, so Lily assumes she simply had a dose of bad news. She never asked the woman.
>You take a moment to ruminate on the possibilities of melding this way with one of your enemies. Lily may be a beautiful spirit, but from what you've been told, half your enemies HAVE no spirit, and the other half are evil incarnate. The prospect of seeing their souls makes even you swallow uncomfortably. Lily's reaction is a bit stronger, the thought of that makes her physically shudder. That said, however, it would certainly allow you great insight into the motivations and history of the demons. Chances are, though, the demon would have to be willing, as Lily was. Assuming it's even possible, as Lily points out it was you and Lily's rings that manifest the connection between you, which could be an impasse in soul-sharing with them.
>Despite the connection between you, Lily feels the need to ask you out loud, "Why would you want to?"
EDIT: The parser realized he forgot something a couple posts ago.
>About the dolls, Lily thinks about the doll fad that hit school on wednesday, and is still in full swing. Little cuties are everywhere. Even been a couple left behind at the shrine by visitors. But to Lily's knowledge, no one's ever said anything like your experiences with the dolls. To others, including Lily herself, they seem normal, cute little dolls. Lily has one herself, even.
-
>"Because, I need them to see that what I have to say to them will be true. And because I need to see what drives them."
-
>"Because, I need them to see that what I have to say to them will be true. And because I need to see what drives them."
>The memory of your encounter with the bat-demon is replayed for the both of you. Lily seems a bit dubious about your chances of getting through to her and her kind, especially if the 'siblings' she mentioned are as overtly malicious as this one was. She thinks it'd be nice if you could truly understand them, maybe work things out without all the violence, but she doesn't seem entirely enthusiastic about the odds of this. But more than this, she worries that the bat, or whatever demon you meet next, will only try to hurt you if you try. She's also a little curious about why the bat didn't try, but that's a minor thing. The thought of seeing you hurt is a distinctly unpleasant thought for Lily- Well, seeing ANY person hurt is unpleasant for Lily, but at the moment, you keenly see her concern for you.
-
>Reach over and pat her on the head.
>"Thanks for the concern. But, given that being hurt is going to be inevitable, I'd rather make it count for truly solving this problem for everyone, not just beating them back for another X number of years."
-
>Reach over and pat her on the head.
>"Thanks for the concern. But, given that being hurt is going to be inevitable, I'd rather make it count for truly solving this problem for everyone, not just beating them back for another X number of years."
>With your free hand you reach out and give Lily a reassuring pat. This act draws a small giggle from the winged woman. She likes it when people pat her head, always has. Then she smiles gently, and reaches out her own free hand, lightly touching your cheek with her small hand. "Well, now you've got me to watch your back."
-
>"That I do, Lily. Thank you."
>"I suppose the question becomes, what do we do next?"
-
>"That I do, Lily. Thank you."
>"I suppose the question becomes, what do we do next?"
>A myriad of possibilities flit through the mind of your companion as she ponders the answer to that question.
>"If the demons are the root of the problem, then finding the one here'd be a good start. 'course I dunno where to start THERE... Wonder if it had a shape other than a bat?"
>"The Tiger warned us about Satori, so maybe I'd better see if one of the other temples will have me. Maybe Myon-senpai, Miho-chan loves it there. Wonder if the Morning Star'd be interested, it'd be GREAT to work with her!"
>"Hey, that's a thought. Tiger didn't warn us about the other three mikos, maybe whatever the issue with Satori isn't an issue with them
>A slight feeling of hunger runs through Lily's mind, which somehow makes your own tummy rumble a little. Maybe it's closer to lunch than you'd realized?
>"Wonder what Kyouko'd think if I told her about any of this? Or Marissa? Naw, they'd think I had a crazy dream, or something... On the other hand, maybe one of them's one of us, too. Or both! That'd be cool! But do I want them fighting creatures made of pure evil? Unless they're already involved just because the demons are here..."
>"Maybe we oughta patrol around town, seek out signs of evil."
>She also seems intrigued by the job offer Aya made you on you way to the shrine. The image of herself in a pretty white gown and a tiara of flowers on her head, carrying a bouquet of cherry blossoms, smiling brilliantly under a warm spring sun appears in her mind, bringing a smile to her own face. As well as your own. It's a very endearing image. And it's followed by another image, this one of you in a similar vein. Your gown is longer than hers, a purer white, and you have a veil instead of a flower circlet. Your image is more reserved than Lily's, your eyes closed and a quiet smile on your face. In the world of the flesh, you see a small blush appear under Lily's eyes. "Sorry. Couldn't help it."
-
>"It's alright. I won't hold your thoughts against you."
>Or so we intend, anyways.
>On the subject of patrolling, reconsider that one guy. Lily may have thoughts there.
>And how to disentangle Lily from Satori without causing issues...perhaps a letter of resignation? Or claiming need for a vacation?
-
>Or perhaps we should investigate more. The enemy may be doing something to Satori, and if that's the case, we should help her.
-
>"It's alright. I won't hold your thoughts against you."
>Or so we intend, anyways.
>Stray thoughts can hardly be held against those that have them. They're part of human nature. Or youkai. Whatever Lily is. Besides, it was tasteful, too.
>On the subject of patrolling, reconsider that one guy. Lily may have thoughts there.
>As your thoughts turn back to that giant of a man in an oilskin coat, Lily wonders aloud, "Ooh, he's a tall one! Wonder if he plays basketball. But I've never seen him before, far as I can remember." A quick glance back through her memories does not reveal any encounters with him. A parousal of your own memories yields a similar result. She searches through her friends and acquaintances for someone that might know, each of their faces appearing in her mind's eye, and thus yours. She lingers on a tall woman with short brown hair and blue earrings. You think you recognize her from school, which Lily confirms for you. Koyomi Sawatari, second year like Lily, member of the basketball team, plays power forward. Is surprisingly ticklish. "Well, if he DOES play basketball, Koyomi might know him. Nobody knows more about Bball than she does." Marissa's grinning face flits across her minds' eye as well. Marissa knows nearly everyone in town, or at least it seems that way.
>And how to disentangle Lily from Satori without causing issues...perhaps a letter of resignation? Or claiming need for a vacation?
>Or perhaps we should investigate more. The enemy may be doing something to Satori, and if that's the case, we should help her.
>"Oh, that won't be a big problem. People moving from one shrine to another isn't that uncommon at all! In fact, one of the other girls that worked here, Miho, switched to the southern shrine about two weeks ago." She frowns slightly then. "Then again, she went through Satori to do it..." An idea strikes her, and her eyes brighten as Youmu's image appears in her mind. "We could ask Myon-senpai! See if she has any more openings. Or Suika. I've heard it isn't as common as going through your own miko for transfers, but it's done." It occurs to you that Yuyuko or Reimu might be able to help on that front, if need be. Both their families are involved with at least two of the four shrines.
>The idea of investigating more makes Lily a little nervous. On the one hand, if something is doing something bad to Satori, Lily would like to help her, too. But from what the Tiger said, Satori herself may be a threat all on her own. The Tiger wanted to keep you both safe from HER, after all. Lily doesn't know the true nature of Satori's power, but if she can talk to animals, it stands to reason she might be able to do more. And if the God of the beasts of earth wanted you to stay away from her, Lily's inclined to believe Him.
>"At least... for now...." Lily wonders out loud. "You and I have power, Byakuren, that's for sure. Maybe we don't have the power YET to get to the bottom of this problem here with Satori. Maybe the Tiger wanted to protect us because we haven't mastered our powers yet- Well, I don't even know what the nature of mine is yet, or how strong I am, either. If the Tiger doesn't think we're ready to tackle this problem yet, then I don't think we should. Not until we're stronger, more capable of defending ourselves from... Whatever's here."
>Lily's mind then generates an image of the two of you, and Marissa for some reason, kicking down the main door of the shrine and confronting a green and black humanoid monstrousity, holding Satori aloft in its tentacles, and vanquishing the evil thing, saving the Metal Miko, with Marissa promptly planting a big kiss on Satori. It's what heroes do! And Marissa especially, oh so well...
-
>Quite an active imagination.
>We'll see about a transfer for Lily, then. Maybe we should arrange for her to move into Moonside, too, so we don't have to go find each other if something happens. Much easier if we all live together. And we still have to tell everyone else about all of this; with Lily to give her account, too, it'd be easier for them to accept.
-
>Quite an active imagination.
>Lily feels a swell of pride at that thought. And then blushes again slightly. "I'm, uh, actually trying to keep it under control about now..."
>We'll see about a transfer for Lily, then. Maybe we should arrange for her to move into Moonside, too, so we don't have to go find each other if something happens. Much easier if we all live together. And we still have to tell everyone else about all of this; with Lily to give her account, too, it'd be easier for them to accept.
>Lily laughs a golden laugh, but one tinged with a little nervousness. The Morning Star asking her to move closer to her? That's every teenager in Mayoiga's dream come true! She realizes it's for a greater purpose, but still. The thought makes her heart flutter. But she shakes her head, smiling softly. "I can't. I can't leave my home." Her smile brightens a little as she continues, "But I'd be happy to go with you to tell your friends, if you think that's wise. But this stuff's kinda heavy. Gods, demons, mikos in peril, couple teenagers trying to save the world? I mean, we're living it, but some folks'd think we'd seen one too many cartoons, or been going at- Uh, never mind!"
-
>"Actually, how do you plan to tell Kyouko?"
-
>"Actually, how do you plan to tell Kyouko?"
>Despite the intimate connection between you both, Lily still seems surprised by that question, and she fidgets a moment before answering. "I hadn't... really thought about it. This is still pretty new to me."
-
>"It's pretty new to me, too."
>"It would be best to think carefully about what to tell Kyouko. I'm going to tell the others because I know I'll need their help, even if they aren't able to stand with me in battle, but even though they won't be in combat as we are, it will still involve some level of danger. Kyouko could help, too, but that would put her in danger, and I don't know that you'd really like that. I'll leave the decision of what to tell Kyouko up to you; just be sure to think it through carefully."
-
>Don't say that. It's too utilitarian.
>"You're going to have to tell her something, I think. She wouldn't be very happy to hear you're just running around with me for no apparent reason. I've been debating who I should tell back home..."
-
>"I think I'm going to tell all of them. I may need their help, even if they can't fight, but even if I didn't... well, they're my friends. I don't want to lie to them."
-
>"It's pretty new to me, too."
>"I think I'm going to tell all of them. I may need their help, even if they can't fight, but even if I didn't... well, they're my friends. I don't want to lie to them."
>Lily nods and smiles at you, and you sense her first reaction to such a sentiment is to give you a big hug. But she thinks twice, not certain she can do that without seperating the jewels on your rings, which she feels reluctant to do unless you feel the desire to as well.
>"You're going to have to tell her something, I think. She wouldn't be very happy to hear you're just running around with me for no apparent reason. I've been debating who I should tell back home..."
>"Oh, I wouldn't worry.... Wait a second." Lily pauses, searching for something within you, then giggles a bemused giggle and grins at you. "Oh, you're worried because you thought she's my girlfriend?"
-
>"Um... well, yes. Isn't she?"
>Seperating the rings is okay if she's ready to do it.
-
>Seperating the rings is okay if she's ready to do it.
>Giving your agreement to seperate the rings, the both of you tense your hands, then hesitate but briefly. This experience is truly unique, and unlike most of the others you've had since you touched that doll, this one was purely good. For just a bare moment, the both you are hesitant about giving it up, but you can't stay here forever, and you both know it. Plus, nothing stopping you from joining this way again, if you so choose. It would certainly make life interesting, sharing a spirit with Lily, and perhaps others, and maybe the rings won't even be necessary at some point. And so the both of you lower your hands, seperating your jewels.
>You hear a distinct snapping sound, and a sensation you can only describe as being unplugged. Instantly reality rushes back to you, and you are left staring at simply Lily, no colors of emotion, no swirls of spirit, just the flesh and blood figure of pretty little Lily. You feel an obscure sense of loss, and a feeling of being rather alone now. But a moment's passing allows you to realize that your heart and Lily's are still connected, the connection is merely dormant now, background, if you will.
>The experience has also left you feeling a little.... different. More energetic, somehow. You find your mind isn't quite operating as it usually is, you're more... excitable, more efferfescant, somehow. It seems that sharing a spirit with Lily has allowed some of her emotions to rub off on you. For her part, Lily takes a couple of breaths but never takes her eyes off yours, smiling softly and blushing slightly. "Wow..."
>"Um... well, yes. Isn't she?"
>Lily smiles broadly. "Everybody thinks that! Now, it is true that we're close friends- I liked her the day I met her. And let's be honest, just about everyone in school knows that we... enjoy each other's company, to put it politely. But the term 'girlfriends' doesn't really apply to us; we're not monagamous with each other. We're just good friends. Who happen to be intimate with each other. Frequently."
>She pauses then, placing a wing under her chin, a gesture simultaneously cute and thoughtful. "I suppose you could call us girlfriends in that sense, but we're not married, and neither one of us minds the other spending time with another, in most senses of the term." The look in her eye leaves no illusion what she means by that.
-
>...Okay, then.
>"I suppose I was worrying needlessly, then."
>"What do you think we should do now? Do you want to see about getting transferred to another shrine? Or should we head back to Moonside and see if everyone's awake enough to listen to our rather strange story?
-
>...Okay, then.
>"I suppose I was worrying needlessly, then."
>Lily smiles, then ruffles her wings in a slightly dismissive gesture. "Happens all the time. Don't worry about it."
>"What do you think we should do now? Do you want to see about getting transferred to another shrine? Or should we head back to Moonside and see if everyone's awake enough to listen to our rather strange story?
>Lily checks her watch, her eyes going slightly wide. "I don't think being awake'll be an issue. It's after 4 in the afternoon."
>"Well, either way, we can settle the issue of my transfer first. I have the numbers for the other shrines on hand. I can get in touch with Konpaku-sama, and see if she can affect my transfer without having to cross Satori's path. It shouldn't take long, unless she's in a meeting, or something."
-
>"Alright, you can call her on the way back."
-
>"Alright, you can call her on the way back."
>"Right."
>"I brought lunch with me, left it the equipment shed on the grounds. We could split it, if you like."
-
>"Hm, alright."
-
>"Hm, alright."
>Lily nods, and the two of you turn and head for her shed. The connection between you no longer as strong, you notice that it's gotten a bit cooler, and the wind has picked up, blowing in from the north, you believe, carrying a rather sharp chill when it gusts. You find your eyes wandering a bit more, lingering on the colors of the fallen and falling leaves, the wildlife and insect life in an around the trees, the birds flitting and singing overhead. This must be how Lily sees the world; smiling at everything, seeing the world as a wonderful thing.
>The temple grounds appear a bit duller now, likely due to the sun's passing in the sky overhead, and a pair of children are now playing on the swingsets, overseen by a tallish woman who you'd guess is the pair's elder sister. You and Lily exchange greetings with her as you pass by.
>The shed is of better design than the name would imply, looking more a seperate part of the temple than an equipment shed. A pair of white and grey-clothed mikos stand beside the small stairs leading up to the entrance. The tall one is a bird youkai of some sort, with mottled brown and white wings and shoulder length brown hair, the other is a cat youkai, and has long pinkish hair and tail, with lavender streaks in both. As they see you approach, the catgirl sniffs the air, then looks rather dejected. Her companion snorts out a chuckle, then folds her arms across her flat chest, a smirk on her face. "Pay up."
-
>Quietly to Lily: "This must be a rather boring day if that's all people can worry about."
>Let's go get that lunch.
-
>Quietly to Lily: "This must be a rather boring day if that's all people can worry about."
>Let's go get that lunch.
>Much to your surprise, Lily's face is rather hard as she looks at the pair, the catgirl producing a pair of bills, which the taller miko snatches abrubtly out of her hands. "'Worry' isn't the word I'd use, Byakuren." she replies in a terse tone, which you find rather out of place coming out of her lips.
>The two of you walk past the pair, up the few steps to the door, which Lily opens for you. The place is surprisingly organized, holding rolled up mats, a few sliding paper doors, planks of wood, various other implements used around the temple, including a banner and a couple paper lanterns you assume are used for festivals. The floor in the middle is bare, however, and you see a bit of cloth sticking out from behind a small stack of paint cans, likely the wrappings of whatever Lily came with.
>Lily gives a jerk of the head to the catgirl as she catches her eye, indicating she wants her feline co-miko to join the both of you. The girls' ears twitch and she smiles, bounding past the winged youkai and up the stairs, brushing past you on her way inside. The brown-winged girl pushes herself off from the wall with an arrogant smirk on her face, and turns towards you both, but Lily meets her eyes with that same hard expression, her blue eyes stormy. The two stare at each other for a long moment, then the woman makes a dismissive sound, spits on the ground, and lopes off towards the main temple. Lily watches her go, then sighs. "Sorry about that." before entering the shed
>As Lily reaches behind the paint cans, the pink-haired catgirl sitting much like an actual feline, her tail swishing, you wonder for a moment why Lily would have invited two people to share her lunch. Surely she couldn't have brought that much. Then she produces a blue cloth-wrapped box of some sorts. Then another. Then another. And then finally a sizable thermos. Finally a large white blanket, which she spreads out on the floor of the shed.
>Unwrapping the boxes, Lily opens them- most of them, as your catgirl companion, with some enthusiasm, opens a black box containing a trio of rice balls and immediately starts devouring it with even more enthusiasm. The remianing boxes contain what seems to be portions of a cheese omelette, three more rice balls, sandwiches, some with cold beef and the rest with a white meat, most likely turkey slices, and sausages cut into vaguely octopus-like shapes. Lily points at the box with two remaining rice balls. "Those just have salt on them, the other box have cinnamon as well."
-
>"Thank you, Lily,"
>Bow to Cattington.
>"Good afternoon."
-
>"Thank you, Lily,"
>Bow to Cattington.
>"Good afternoon."
>Lily nods and smiles. "My pleasure. Food always tastes better in good company." She reaches behind the paint again and produces a quartet of cups, setting one back where she found it.
>The cat youkai pauses in her munching as you address her. With her mouth full of rice, she makes a slightly confused sound before looking at Lily. The blonde nods gently to her, and, taking a moment to chew and swallow, before standing and bowing in return. "G-good afternoon, ma'am" she says in a quiet, airy voice, sounding rather timid.
>"This is Byakuren Hijri, Chie. She's a friend of mine." Lily informs her. The pink-haired catgirl gives you a smile accomanied by a quiet, shy little chuckle, but says nothing else. Lily extends her arm out towards her fellow miko while looking at you. "And this is Chie Yoshinoya." She pauses for a moment. "I realize this isn't a standard introduction, and I hope you don't mind, but, Chie prefers me or Satori handle most of the niceties for her, when we can. She hasn't been a youkai very long, and interacting with people still doesn't come too easily for her."
-
>"Ah, I see."
>Bow to Chie again. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chie."
>To Lily, since she wants to be the face, "Who was that other person with the wings?"
-
>"Ah, I see."
>Bow to Chie again. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chie."
>To Lily, since she wants to be the face, "Who was that other person with the wings?"
>"Lliekwise." Chie utters, taking a few seconds before seeming to remember to return your bow, which she does only moderately awkwardly before sitting next to Lily and returning her attention to her food.
>To Lily, since she wants to be the face, "Who was that other person with the wings?"
>Lily rubs the back of Chie's head, drawing a rather feline expression of contentment from her, as she replies, "That'd be the Eagle. Asuka Nagashima." Both name and title ring a bell in your mind; they're definately familiar to you, but you can't quite but a finger on from where. Noting the expression of thoughtfulness on your face, Lily supplies a little more. "I think you'dve been a first year when they were still in school. Do you remember the Manari?" That term makes your memory click.
>The Manari were a quartet of female youkai, who were in the third year during your first year at Mayoiga high. They took their name from an old Moscovich word meaning 'Predators'. They took the name literally. The four were a traveling thunderstorm, spreading trouble and mayhem wherever they went. A gang of bullies of the highest order, they made life miserable for everyone around them. They attended school at their leisure, up until principal Unzan challenged them all to a 4 on 1 wrestling match, and won. After that, they at least tried to clean their act up a little. From what you recall, they had little success. Rumor has it, not long after their graduation, the four of them had a run in with the law, but the details of which depend on who who you ask. You hadn't heard of them around town for the better part of a year now.
-
>"Ah..."
>Take one of the riceballs at random.
>"Does she often take your money, Chie?"
-
>"Ah..."
>Take one of the riceballs at random.
>"Does she often take your money, Chie?"
>You grab one of the onigiri Lily mentioned was seasoned with cinnamon in addition to salt, and have a bite. The flavor of cold rice is never an entirely exciting one, but the combination of salt and cinnamon is an interesting mix, and you find the flavor is surprsingly enjoyable. The fact that you're hungry probably helps as well.
>Inquiring about Chie's monetary experiences with the Eagle, the cat youkai, her mouth again full of rice ball, replies with a "Smhphfff". Which Lily, with a smile, translates as "Sometimes. But not like your basic 'Give me your lunch money' bully, no. She usually makes bets that she can't lose. And not just with Chie; I think about the only one she hasn't suckered is Satori." Lily produces a pair of chopsticks and offers them to you, while snatching a turkey sandwich for herself. "I think she used to be the brains of the Manari, back when they ran together."
-
>Nod.
>"Is it just a hobby for for, or is she actually making a living on that?"
-
>Nod.
>"Is it just a hobby for for, or is she actually making a living on that?"
>"Far as I can tell, she does it for kicks, at least here." Pausing a moment to nibble on her sandwich, Lily continues. "This job pays well enough to get by at our age, even for cons like her. ... I don't mean con ARTISTS, I mean actual cons. That's why she's here; community service." Another bite. "The four of them got stuck with community service last month, and the Eagle got assigned to Satori."
-
>Working on that riceball whilst conversing. "Has she done well here? Does the work agree with her?"
-
>Working on that riceball whilst conversing. "Has she done well here? Does the work agree with her?"
>Inquiring furthur into the Eagle's status between bites, Lily responds in kind, as Chie starts in on her second onigiri. "That usually depends on what she's doing. Changes from day to day, depending on who else is on. Only ever seen her try to get one over when Satori's around, but, I guess that goes without saying." She pours a cup of what appears to be hot orange tea from the thermos, and extends it towards you. "Guess she doesn't wanna too much to get a bad review from her supervisor. Might get a worser job than this."
-
>Accept the tea.
>"So, aside from being a good gambler, has she caused much trouble?"
-
>Accept the tea.
>"So, aside from being a good gambler, has she caused much trouble?"
>Lily pours a drink for herself, then open a cabinet in a desk behind her, producing a bottle of water and handing to Chie. "Not TROUBLE so much...." she says thoughtfully, before popping the rest of her sandwich in her mouth. "She's always got an angle, yknow? Got something to sell ya. New pictures, concert tickets, little knicknacks."
>Chie pauses her mastication to look at you with her pale purple eyes. "Her being here is not bad. Her prices for things are. She knows what people want, and profits from it." Lily nods in agreement with that assessment. "Heck of a businessman, that one. Just shady as heck."
-
>"Hmm, so operating within the confines of the law, technically. Has she actually made any friends here?"
-
>"Hmm, so operating within the confines of the law, technically. Has she actually made any friends here?"
>Lily and Chie exchange a look, as though they're both thinking about it. "She acts friendly with people..." Chie supplies. Lily nods, "And folks here like having her around, even if she DOES have her hands in everyone's wallets." They pause again, Chie chewing her rice ball meditatively. Lily continues, "But as for real friends.... I'm not sure. 'f I had to guess, though, I'd say no. You can tell she keeps folks at arm's length. Being friendly with someone isn't the same as being their friend."
>Before today, that sentiment would have surprised you coming from Lily, who seems rather... flighty, you would describe. Today, however, you've learned that your winged companion is far deeper than most people might have given her credit for.
-
>"I expect there's been no lack of effort to bring her closer than arm's length. Hm."
>Sip tea.
-
>"In fact, there have probably been more efforts to the contrary."
-
>"I expect there's been no lack of effort to bring her closer than arm's length. Hm."
>Sip tea.
>"In fact, there have probably been more efforts to the contrary."
>Chie blinks her eyes in confusion at your phrasing as you sip on the pale orange tea. It's not as bitter as your usual fare, heavily laden with milk and sugar, and you detect a dash of cinnamon as well. Lily interprets for her colleague. "That means she thinks no one's really tried to be her friend." Then she looks at you. "And she's never really tried to befriend anyone here, at least not in the usual way. The Eagle's only here because she has to be- her own words."
>Chie adds, "She's a predator. Can't be friends with predator. Eat you." She accentuates her point by chomping on her onigiri, of which little remains.
-
>"Well, of course she's only here because she has to be. This is why one must break through that exterior and try to make her want to be here."
-
>"Well, of course she's only here because she has to be. This is why one must break through that exterior and try to make her want to be here."
>In the process of sipping her own tea, you hear a slight choking sound from Lily, then she places her little hand to her mouth and coughs a couple times before laughing quietly. Chie, for her part, cocks her head to the side in curiousity. "Why?"
-
>"It's how one affects a positive change. For her, she's only here because she has to be. It's nothing more than a job, one she doesn't get paid for. She really doesn't have a lot at stake here, as it stands. The idea, I would think, is to give her a reason to want to be here. Friends worth seeing, things worth doing, and so on."
-
>"It's how one affects a positive change. For her, she's only here because she has to be. It's nothing more than a job, one she doesn't get paid for. She really doesn't have a lot at stake here, as it stands. The idea, I would think, is to give her a reason to want to be here. Friends worth seeing, things worth doing, and so on."
>Chie seems to have trouble following your logic, and it shows on her face. "Why?" she asks again. Lily chuckles, the offers her opinion on the matter. "Byakuren tries to make the world a better place, for everyone in it." Chie nods, then asks you, "Why do you care about people that make the world worse?"
-
>"To put it simply, it's not very fun when the world's made worse, even for the people who make it that way. So by getting them to not make the world a worse place, it becomes a more enjoyable place for everyone, even the people who wanted to make the world worse in the first place."
-
>"To put it simply, it's not very fun when the world's made worse, even for the people who make it that way. So by getting them to not make the world a worse place, it becomes a more enjoyable place for everyone, even the people who wanted to make the world worse in the first place."
>Lily nods and smiles. "The world's a better place when everyone gets along." Chie looks between the both of you, still evidently a little confused. "People don't change. They have their natures, like animals." She looks in your eyes, her pale puples wide with curiousity and confusion. "Pretty lady thinks people can change?"
-
>"It's all a part of growing older. People mature, grow calmer from a more energetic way of living, or perhaps more energetic from a calmer way of living, as they grow older."
>Smile.
>"I suppose you'll understand it more as you get older, I guess. There's still much more to be learned by all three of us after all."
-
>"It's all a part of growing older. People mature, grow calmer from a more energetic way of living, or perhaps more energetic from a calmer way of living, as they grow older."
>Smile.
>"I suppose you'll understand it more as you get older, I guess. There's still much more to be learned by all three of us after all."
>Chie nods, as does Lily, ever smiling-Lily. "We have a lot of life left ahead of us all." Her smile takes on a strange, strong look for a moment as she sends you a private look, one that says And we'll make sure it stays that way.
>Chie nibbles on the remnants of her rice ball, obviously pondering her words. "Animals don't change. Wolves are always wolves. Birds are always birds. Cats are always cats. People are strange." Lily laughs and pats the catgirl on her head. "But good strange!"
-
>"Well, possibly a bad analogy, but wolves can become dogs, right? And then they aren't so vicious. I think that everyone deserves a chance to change."
-
>Don't say that. Instead, say this: "You changed, when you became a youkai. So did she. Why shouldn't she be able to change again?"
-
>"Living things always change as time passes. Slowly, but it is still change."
-
>"I think that everyone deserves a chance to change."
>"You changed, when you became a youkai. So did she. Why shouldn't she be able to change again?"
>"Living things always change as time passes. Slowly, but it is still change."
>Strictly speaking, you're not certain the Eagle was born an animal, as you've never spoken to the woman herself about the subject. Still, when it comes to animal youkai, this is usually a safe assumption.
>"Animals become people... People become different people...." Chie visibly turns your words over in her mind. "Satori says same thing. People are different from one person to next, each person a little different. Some things about people don't change. Some things about people change often."
>Lily nods. "The important thing is to give people a chance, and never give up on 'em. People will surprise you." She gives you another look. "In all kinds of ways."
-
>"And speaking of changes, how are you finding your time here, Chie?"
-
>"And speaking of changes, how are you finding your time here, Chie?"
>Chie offers you a big smile. "Chie likes it here! Satori and friends helped Chie learn how to be people!"
>The catgirl scoops up her third riceball before Lily pats the floor next to her. Chie plops down next to your winged comrade, who proceeds to give Chie a scritch behind the ears. "Chie came here a little after I started working here, courtesy of the Saigyojis. A lot of ascended animals come through here, once the Saigyoji's help them acclamate to their new existance, especially land-based animals." Chie makes a vaguely purring noise as Lily alternately scratches behind her ears and rubs her head. "The Tiger is the patron of the Beasts of the Land. Plus, Satori has a talent for communicating with animals. That extends to Youkai that aren't quite as.... Humanized, as, say, the Eagle is. Satori is pretty sharp and skilled at helping animal-youkai become more youkai than animal."
-
>Give Chie a pat on the head. "I'm glad you're doing well."
>"Shame you're hanging out with a bunch of worthless shintos"
>Have a bit more lunch.
-
>Give Chie a pat on the head. "I'm glad you're doing well."
>"Shame you're hanging out with a bunch of worthless shintos"
>Have a bit more lunch.
>Chie looks like the cat that ate the canary as she receives the ministrations of two of the prettiest girls in town. She stretches out and lays down on her belly, her head resting on Lily's leg, as she continues to much on her riceball.
>Not touching that one with a 20 foot halberd.
>Settling in to satisfy your hunger, you polish off what little was left of your own riceball before selecting one of the sandwiches before you. For a seemingly plain affair, it has quite a lot of flavor. The mayo is rich in texture, and you think you can detect a hint of oregano garnishing the meat. For her part, Lily selects one of the octopus-shaped meat bits and pops it in her mouth, before feeding one to Chie, and taking a segment of egg for herself after. Making rather short work of your sandwich, you select one of the bite-sized sausages for yourself, and devour it. For a boxed lunch, this is nearly on par with Minoriko's fare, and she's the best cook you've ever known, better even than your own mother.
>You catch Lily looking at her new ring a couple times as you work your way through lunch. It looks good on her little hand, the colors somehow matching her personality, but you suspect she still be may turning over the events of earlier today over on her mind.
>After a little while, you start to feel that your hunger is nearly satisfied, when you catch the sounds of a harmonica floating in from the direction of the temple.
-
>"Who is that?"
-
>"Who is that?"
>"Eagle." Chie replies in a very contended voice. "Plays harmonica. Good sound."
>Lily smiles down at her feline fellow miko. "It's one of the things she doesn't charge for, playing." She glances out the door, despite the Eagle not being in her line of sight. "She and Satori have a bit of a tradition. The Eagle's great with numbers, as you probably guessed, so she goes over the books once a day, and then Satori does after her. And since Satori doesn't like people looming over her when she's doing maths, Eagle usually comes outside and plays a few tunes." She glances down at Chie. "Futaba's on today, right?" Chie nods slowly. "Mmhmm." Lily giggles slightly. "Might get a group performance, then." She looks at you. "There's a lot of folks here that love music, and play it, too. I sing with them, sometimes, too."
>Chie looks up and gives Lily a grin. "Lily has a pretty voice."
-
>"Shall we go show our appreciation more openly?"
-
>"Shall we go show our appreciation more openly?"
>"Mmm, you can, if you want." Lily replies, reaching for another piece of egg. "I'm still hungry." And she hasn't been slacking on her portion, either. Girl must have a vast appetite.
>Chie, for her part, offers a small yawn of contentment and returns her head to Lily's leg. Obviously she doesn't want to go anywhere anytime soon.
-
>Take a riceball for the road, and step out to see what's going on. Stay a little wary for Satori appearances.
-
>Take a riceball for the road, and step out to see what's going on. Stay a little wary for Satori appearances.
>With only one riceball surviving the three of you so far, you snatch it up and rise, making for the temple proper.
>Spotting the musician in question isn't hard, as she sits on the porch in front of the temple, playing a surprisingly upbeat tune out of her mouth organ. She sports a pair of bands on her arms, one on her right wrist and one just below her left elbow, both decorated with feathers, some seemingly from her wings, some of a very different coloration. And her feet are bare, as well.
>Of Satori, there is no sign, but you remain on guard.
-
>Stop and appreciate for awhile.
-
>Stop and appreciate for awhile.
>You take a moment to groove to the Eagle's tunes. The harmonica isn't among your favourite instruments, nor is it especially popular in Yamato, being essentially an Eagleland instrument, but the Eagle plays it well. She glances over at you in mid-note, then extends one finger up in a sort of 'Just a sec' gesture. You can't put a name to her tune, though it does sound vaguely familiar, but, after about another 15 or twenty seconds, she trails off and lowers her instrument.
>"Sorry 'bout that. I always finish a verse, unless it's an emergency." Tucking her harmonica inside her shirt, she hops to her feet, then gives you a bow. "Redundant though it may be, welcome to the temple of the Metal Tiger."
-
>
Lancer will smite us for underappreciation of the blues =[
>"I'm sorry, I was just listening."
-
>Lancer will smite us for underappreciation of the blues =[
>"I'm sorry, I was just listening."
>Oh, I'm sure he can be understanding and forgiving of pretty girls.
>Straightening up, the Eagle says, "Huh. Wouldn't have pegged you for a harmonica type."
-
>"It's an unusual thing to hear around here, so one doesn't have many opportunities."
-
>"It's an unusual thing to hear around here, so one doesn't have many opportunities."
>The Eagle gives you a nod. "True that." She plops back down on the wooden porch of the temple. Her speech is colored by a touch of a strange accent you can't quite put a finger on, and has an odd flow to it. If anything, she sounds a little like Rin. "Most folks 'round here prefer hearing me play the flute, 'r tin whistle, but haven't heard too many complaints 'bout my harp yet."
>She glances back at the shed you came out of, then back in our direction. "Look, if this's 'bout that little exchange you saw between me and the kitty, 's nothing personal. Just a friendly wager, didn't mean no offense to you."
-
>"They explained it, no worries. If you don't mind me asking, though, where are you from? I can't quite place your accent."
-
>"They explained it, no worries. If you don't mind me asking, though, where are you from? I can't quite place your accent."
>The Eagle rubs the back of her head. "Ah, yeah. Must've slipped through. Accent tends ta show whenever I break out the harp." She takes a moment before continuing. "Was born... Well, I suppose 'ascended' is the better word, down south. Hanakaze Island."
>The indicated island is one of the islands south of mainland Yamato, one of the larger ones down there. Rin herself was born on one of the smaller islands, one of the ones with an odd name, Anthemossa.
>"As I recall," the Eagle continues, "That little cat of yours, Rin, hails from down there, as well, don't she?"
-
>"That she does, but I was never sure if it was an accent from there or something more personal to her."
-
>"That she does, but I was never sure if it was an accent from there or something more personal to her."
>"It's a regional thing. Lotta folks on those islands have that accent, some stronger than others. Of course, I imagine your pet's lingo's a bit more unique than even mine, handled by Oni for as long as she was." She pulls one leg up to rest her elbow upon her knee. "Lynx and I had a running wager, actually, which student in old Mayo was gonna work up the stones to try and 'come to the poor girls rescue.' She was figuring on Marissa, which let's be fair, seemed safe money, it more ways'n one." She offers you a friendly-seeming smile. "But I knew it'd be you."
-
>"I'm pleased you have that kind of faith in me."
>How long ago was that, again?
-
>How long ago was that, again?
>September the 17th, not long after the start of your third semester in Mayoiga. The Manari would have long graduated before that happened.
>"I'm pleased you have that kind of faith in me."
>She chuckles in reply. "'Faith' implies believing in something unknown, uncertain. Faith implies at least some level of doubt, be it conscious're otherwise. I never doubt. Ain't in me. I knew was only a matter of time before someone stepped up to bat and knocked Konngara down a peg or two, and among the students at Mayo, I knew you'd be first in line. Though I admit, Marissa was a real close second."
-
>"Mmm, I don't think it was that certain. There's an aspect of time and place, which could have gone either way. And I certainly don't look for fights, typically. It's not as sure as something like the sun rising, if you ask me. But, let me rephrase it. I'm glad you think that well of me."
-
>"Mmm, I don't think it was that certain. There's an aspect of time and place, which could have gone either way. And I certainly don't look for fights, typically. It's not as sure as something like the sun rising, if you ask me. But, let me rephrase it. I'm glad you think that well of me."
>The Eagle laughs a pleasant laugh, though it has aspects of a cackle about it. "You've a way with words, y'know." She rests her chin upon her hand. "The other three were also pretty surprised you didn't turn her loose soon's you got the chance. 'course, they don't know Oni law well as we do. Now, I admit, I had wondered if you'd go looking for someone else to take care of her, least till her ten years were up. You ain't the 'owner' type, to my thinkin'. But..." She grins at you. "Rin's happy wi'cha, ain't she?"
-
>"She is quite happy. She really brings a lot of energy to her work. As long as she's happy with what she's doing, then I have no right to take that from her."
>Smile.
>"And as a plus, it's always nice to have more people to enjoy meals with, food is always more enjoyable with friends."
>Who generally cooks between us and Rin?
-
>"And, it would be an issue if some other oni picked her up in the meantime."
-
>"She is quite happy. She really brings a lot of energy to her work. As long as she's happy with what she's doing, then I have no right to take that from her."
>Smile.
>"And as a plus, it's always nice to have more people to enjoy meals with, food is always more enjoyable with friends."
>"And, it would be an issue if some other oni picked her up in the meantime."
>The Eagle smiles again. Somehow a more geniune expression this time. "Yeah. Most things in life'r better, when ya got someone t'share em with." She fiddles with the feathers on her armband for a moment. She seems about to say something else, but then thinks twice.
>Who generally cooks between us and Rin?
>Generally speaking, for breakfast, it depends on which one of you gets up first. Today, for instance, Rin had breakfast ready for you. When you're up before her, you prepare breakfast for your both. And that all depends, of course, on if Minoriko has done the cooking for the both of you, which she's been known to do. When you first acquired Rin, she wanted to do all the cooking for you. At first, this was out of a sense of obligation, given her role as your slave. Then, after you made it clear that what you did, you did for her sake, not yours, she wanted to do the cooking for you out of gratitude. But you'd much rather divvy up the duties between you both, rather than let the girl do all the work.
>Supper, on the other hand, is more a communal affair among the residents of Moonside. Minoriko loves to cook, and the rest of the girls, yourself included, love her cooking. Every once in a while, Rin or Reisen or youself will cook for the group, but Minoriko does the lion's share. Patchy's not the cooking kind, Letty's usually too busy with school or her extracirrucular activities, and Nitori's cooking doesn't always.... appeal to the palate of non-Kappa.
-
>"That is a lovely armband, where did you get it?"
-
>"That is a lovely armband, where did you get it?"
>She grins, then tousles the band on her wrist as she holds it up. "Made em meself. Some of the feathers're mine, as I'm sure you can tell, but the rest? Some were gifts, but more're payments." She glances back at the shack before continuing. "Sure Lily told ya, but, I do a lot of business, make a lotta trades. And whenever I deal with folks with wings, I always ask at least one feather in exchange. Every feather y'see here's a story. Sometimes, that's all I ask, a feather, when it's someone with pretty, or unique, wings. Or sometimes, a few locks of hair, from someone with pretty or unique hair. Someone not unlike yerself, in fact." she adds as an afterthought, her eyes falling upon your gradient tresses.
-
>"I suppose I shall have to be especially careful not to take any bets."
>Have a closer look at the armband, since she's holding it up.
-
>Have a closer look at the armband, since she's holding it up.
>The band around her wrist appears to be made of a black leather, whereas the one around her arm is white. Each one bears three feathers that clearly came from the Eagle's own wings, and each is wrapped in long strands of hair, ranging in color from pink all the way through the spectrum, including a black hair on the white band, and a white hair on the black band. Apart from her own, no two of the feathers on each band are alike. One is blue with a black tip, one is pure white, one is green with a pink tip, one solid pink, and so on and so on. Some appear to be 'mundane', as far as winged humanoid feathers go, but some are truly exotic. Despite yourself, you find yourself wondering about the stories behind each of them. A couple, you recognize belong to students at school. One of the black feathers COULD belong to nurse Utsuho, but you're not certain on that. The pure white one, however, you're almost positive belongs to Lily.
>Actually, you correct yourself. There are two feathers, one on each band, that are identical to each other. Both are green and pink.
>"I suppose I shall have to be especially careful not to take any bets."
>The Eagle chuckles again. "I'd think a couple strands of hair's quite a fair trade for services rendered, 'specially depending on the service in question. Now, I don't know what Lily or her catfriend have told ya, but, I consider myself a proper businesswoman. I find things for people, be it items, goods, information, favors, you name it. And I never cheat nobody, despite what folks might tell ya. And you, Byakuren- May I call ya Byakuren?"
-
>"Yes, you may."
-
>"Yes, you may."
>She nods. "Byakuren, then. You, my friend, have some pretty potent currency there." She accentuates her point by pointing at your hair with her toe, all of which, you now note, have toenails sharpened to a pretty decent point. "Money's all well and good, but I like coming to... alternative methods of recompense just as well, or better."
-
So, do we really need her to search out anything? Well...anything that likely wouldn't get her killed in the process?
>"I'll keep your offer in mind, when I need something found. Though, now you make me wonder exactly how you find things."
-
>"I'll keep your offer in mind, when I need something found. Though, now you make me wonder exactly how you find things."
>"Oh, I'm more than just a simple Seeker, Byakuren." she grins in reply. "If, say, you wanted to know what, if anything, old Konngara's plotting to get her property back from ya, well, I can find that out for ya." Her grin wavers a little. "Not that I'm especially fond'a dealing with Oni, but, I'll still do it, when the need rises."
>"And as for how I do what I does, well..." she leans backwards, reaching inside her shirt (which affords you a rather clear view of what it conceals, incidentally. Which isn't all that much, in this case, but still.) and produces a different instrument, a small whistle, and twirls it around her fingers. "That depends on what someone asks me t'find, now, don't it?" she finishes, chuckling softly.
-
>Try not to frown at mentioning Konngara. No need to be manipulated.
>"Well, let's hear some hypotheticals?"
-
So, do we really need her to search out anything? Well...anything that likely wouldn't get her killed in the process?
Well this offer did come quite conveniently.
Maybe we can consider asking her to help with finding Chen's locket?
-
>Try not to frown at mentioning Konngara. No need to be manipulated.
>"Well, let's hear some hypotheticals?"
>You restrain a disapproving expression. Best not to take everything this woman says at completely face value.
>The Eagle gives you a grin at your line of inquiry. "Why so curious? Is... Ah, that's right, you've never actually dealt with me personally, have ya. Or any of us. Come t'think of it, I'm willing to bet you hadn't heard much about any of us Manari since we left Mayo, have ya? 'least beyond vague rumors and hearsay." She points at the shack with her flute. "Bet they warned ya about me, too, didn't they."
-
>"They didn't, really."
>Chuckle.
>"They told me a bit about why you were here, and what they knew of your past. But, it wasn't warnings so much as filling me in. Well, I suppose it's not entirely true, but it's hard to talk about your gambling prowess without taking it as a warning."
-
>"That being said, I do find myself looking for something. Not something of mine, but I promised to look for it."
>Summarize what we know about Chen's locket.
-
>"They didn't, really."
>Chuckle.
>"They told me a bit about why you were here, and what they knew of your past. But, it wasn't warnings so much as filling me in. Well, I suppose it's not entirely true, but it's hard to talk about your gambling prowess without taking it as a warning."
>The Eagle chuckles a friendly chuckle. "It's alright. I know the rep I have. I suppose it's not entirely unfair- I mean, I'm here, after all. But ya listen t'some folks, and they'd have ya believe I was selling babies, or something. N'I admit, I ain't exactly a Celestial here, but I ain't near as bad as folks'd tell ya. Though I've gotta admit, I was a touch surprised to see somone like you walk up to someone like me. Not that I'm complainin', or anything!" she adds quickly, "just sayin'."
>"That being said, I do find myself looking for something. Not something of mine, but I promised to look for it."
>Summarize what we know about Chen's locket.
>The Eagle leans forward with interest as you fill her in on what you know of Chen's missing keepsake. "Ah, yeah, the Yakumo girl. Heard about that, but didn't know she'd approached you, as well. I's wondering how long it'd take her mama to look me up, or have someone do it for 'er. Ol' Ran's pretty much had the west side of town torn apart, by this point."
-
Sweet catch, Guy. I completely forgot about that.
>"And what can you do about it?"
-
>"And what can you do about it?"
>"At the moment? Nothin'."
-
>"And with a few moments?"
-
>"And with a few moments?"
>"Pr'aps I should've been more specific. I can't do nothin' yet, because, nobody's actually asked me to." She pauses, scratching one foot with the other. "Are you asking for my services?"
-
>"I'm certainly considering it. If I do ask for your services, what could you do?"
-
>"I'm certainly considering it. If I do ask for your services, what could you do?"
>The Eagle offers you a somewhat amused smirk. "Oh, come now. Y'don't expect a girl to reveal her trade secrets, do ya? 'f I told every Tom, Dick and Dyke that came down m'pipe how I do what I do, people'd try t'do it themselves, and I'd lose all me business."
>"Now, I'll grant ya, tracking down a missing piece of jewelery isn't my usual fare, but, I'd have a couple ideas how to go about it, and I'm certainly willing to give it a bash."
-
>"Well, you seem to have the advantage of them, then. What would you like in turn?"
-
>"Well, you seem to have the advantage of them, then. What would you like in turn?"
>She places one of her mottled brown wings under her chin in a thoughful gesture, somewhat mirroring Lily. You wonder now if that gesture is shared by all winged humanoids.
>"Well, since I've enjoyed this little chat of ours, and since this is our first transaction, I'll make ya a deal. Part of the payment, I'll take now. But I'll only accept the other part if I can deliver the goods. If I can't, then I'll just chaulk up time spent as experience gained in a different field, and you owes me nothin' else. Sound fair t'you?"
-
>"So far, so good."
-
>"So far, so good."
>The Eagle takes another moment to consider, before lowering her wing. "One picture. Of you and me sitting side by side."
-
>"I presume this comes with the assurances that you'll do nothing untoward with it?"
-
>"I presume this comes with the assurances that you'll do nothing untoward with it?"
>"But of course. Matter of fact- and this goes against my usual policy- but, if you'd like, I'll tell ya xactly why I wants that."
-
>"Please."
-
>"Please."
>She sits back, spinning her flute idly as she elaborates. "To make a long story short, I've a number of acquantainses, some of em even friends, that'd never believe the Morning Star of Mayoiga would be caught within 50 feet of someone like me, if she could help it. Much less be willing to be seen in the same picture with someone like you. She's too upstanding, and I'm just scum." She stops spinning her instrument to give you an even look. "I admit, there's a part of this that's me tryin' to rebuild my reputation. Help me be welcome in a place like Yakumo's, without security hawking my every move. Having proof that someone like you's willin' to at least give me a shot's a decent start."
-
>"Ah, well, I'd be happy to do that free of charge. And what is the other thing you're asking for?"
-
>"Ah, well, I'd be happy to do that free of charge. And what is the other thing you're asking for?"
>The Eagle seems pleased to hear yor acceptance. And at your next question, she simply points her flute at your hair.
-
>"Very well, then. But, I have a condition. Lily and I will accompany you during the search."
>After all, we've had one heirloom-like item become a problem, with a second one on the horizon.
-
>"Very well, then. But, I have a condition. Lily and I will accompany you during the search."
>After all, we've had one heirloom-like item become a problem, with a second one on the horizon.
>The Eagle casually folds her arms across her rather diminutive chest. "Now, what'd I just tell ya about me lettin' folks know how I does my business?"
-
>"That's okay, we're not folks. If that were the case, you wouldn't want a picture with me, would you?"
-
>"There is a reason I don't want you to go alone. Don't repeat what I'm about to tell you, all right?"
>Assuming she agrees: "I think someone may have taken the ring. I don't know who this individual is, although we have encountered each other before. I do know that you likely will not be able to protect yourself against this individual, but I know how to, and Lily can help me. I can't tell you any more than that, though."
-
>"There is a reason I don't want you to go alone. Don't repeat what I'm about to tell you, all right?"
>Assuming she agrees: "I think someone may have taken the ring. I don't know who this individual is, although we have encountered each other before. I do know that you likely will not be able to protect yourself against this individual, but I know how to, and Lily can help me. I can't tell you any more than that, though."
>Don't say this just yet.
The less we have to tip our hand,the better.
-
>"That's okay, we're not folks. If that were the case, you wouldn't want a picture with me, would you?"
>The Eagle lets out a small sigh. "Look, I like ya well enough. And your rep speaks for itself. But lemme be blunt. I ain't lookin' for company on this job, and I don't need any help. This Eagle flies solo, or with her Sisters. Which you ain't."
>"Now, I hope you don't take that the wrong way. It ain't personal, and I'd really hate for us to get off on the wrong talon. But, I gotta do things my way. Alls I ask is a little trust. I'll get the job done. And if I can't, well, no more skin off your beak. But, if you're gonna insist-which I might add is a bad way to start off a business relationship with someone like me- then I'd need a minute to consider. I MIGHT, and I emphasize MIGHT, be willin', but it'll cost ya somethin' extra, that's fer sure. I don't break m'rules on the first date, certainly not for free, anyway."
>"There is a reason I don't want you to go alone. Don't repeat what I'm about to tell you, all right?"
>Assuming she agrees: "I think someone may have taken the ring. I don't know who this individual is, although we have encountered each other before. I do know that you likely will not be able to protect yourself against this individual, but I know how to, and Lily can help me. I can't tell you any more than that, though."
>Don't say this just yet.
>You consider telling the Eagle a little more about your situation, then reconsider. With individuals like the Eagle, it's best to play your cards closer to the vest.
-
>"All right, then. How about this: go ahead and search your own way, and if you find the ring just lying somewhere or anything like that, then that's great. But I think someone else-I don't know who-may be after it, so if it's in someone else's posession, don't try to get it back. Instead, come to me immediately. Is that acceptable?"
-
>"All right, then. How about this: go ahead and search your own way, and if you find the ring just lying somewhere or anything like that, then that's great. But I think someone else-I don't know who-may be after it, so if it's in someone else's posession, don't try to get it back. Instead, come to me immediately. Is that acceptable?"
>She quirks an eyebrow. "Think ya mean 'pendant', there, pretty. But that sounds pretty fair. 'f it turns up in someone else's hands, I'll give ya a call, let you know in whose. An' then, you can decide how you wanna get it back to it's right proper owner." She gives her flute an idle spin. "You've had some run-ins yerself with a rough crowd, ain'cha? Before me, I mean. You thinkin' I might run into somethin'... someONE, that's dangerous?"
-
>"I have enough to leave myself with a strong suspicion of the likelihood, and not enough to comfortably rule it out, which is why I must insist upon coming. I would respect your methods otherwise."
-
>"I have enough to leave myself with a strong suspicion of the likelihood, and not enough to comfortably rule it out, which is why I must insist upon coming. I would respect your methods otherwise."
>She chuckles shortly, then collects herself. "Lemme just get somethin' straight here. You think this job is dangerous enough that you fear my safety, and yet you think that, somehow, YOU, Byakuren Hijiri, can offer me more security than I have on my own? Need I remind you who I am, and the crew I run with?" Her expression doesn't change outwardly, and yet, somehow becomes a little less endowned with humor. "That's almost insulting, yknow."
-
>"I say that, knowing those things. I mean not insult by it. In turn, I ask you if you have any reason to believe I'm being dishonest, knowing of me as you do?"
-
>"I say that, knowing those things. I mean not insult by it. In turn, I ask you if you have any reason to believe I'm being dishonest, knowing of me as you do?"
>"Oh, I believe ya when you say you think there's some potential for danger involved here, don't get me wrong. I mean, between the two of us, even I'd bet on me bein' the liar here." she grins. "But what could you possibly be involved in that you think me and my Sisters can't handle?"
-
>"Going into details would be...difficult, shall we say?"
-
>"It's a long story, and you probably wouldn't believe it anyways. Let's just say it involves magic items. It is the one I have that would protect me and enable me to protect you. And no, you can't use one; they are, as I understand it, usable only by the ones they're attuned to, and I don't have one that's attuned to you."
>"Also, I would ask that you not repeat any of what I've said to you to anyone else."
-
>"It's a long story, and you probably wouldn't believe it anyways. Let's just say it involves magic items. It is the one I have that would protect me and enable me to protect you. And no, you can't use one; they are, as I understand it, usable only by the ones they're attuned to, and I don't have one that's attuned to you."
>"Also, I would ask that you not repeat any of what I've said to you to anyone else."
>Not this yet. Again, no need to tell more than necessary, and possibly get her ensnared. No one needs that.
-
>"Going into details would be...difficult, shall we say?"
>The Eagle throws her head back and laughs. "So even the Morning Star has secrets." She levels a gaze of curiousity at you. "Now I'm even more interested." She cups her chin in her hand. "Someone in town that's a threat even to the Manari themselves...." She takes a few moments, evidently to consider the possibilities. "Old man Unzan hasn't flipped out and lost it altogether, has he? That'd be a scary thought."
-
>"I don't think any of us would be safe, if that were the case. Now, as i recall, you said you would be willing for an extra fee. What would that be?"
-
>"I don't think any of us would be safe, if that were the case. Now, as i recall, you said you would be willing for an extra fee. What would that be?"
>"Le's not get ahead of ourselves here. You presented me an offer that went as follows: 'Go ahead and search your own way, and if you find the ring just lying somewhere or anything like that, then that's great. But I think someone else-I don't know who-may be after it, so if it's in someone else's posession, don't try to get it back. Instead, come to me immediately. Is that acceptable?'"
>"Now, I myself find that a perfectly acceptable arrangement. I'dve hoped yer own idea would satisfy you, as well. If it ain't, well... You're askin' me to violate my ethics, my standards and my code of business. For a threat that I don't believe is near as bad to me as it would be to, say, you. Think about that before you insist."
-
I'm thinking just taking what we can get without getting her feathers in a mess is best for us guys.
-
Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. As it stands, we have an enemy that can strike largely out of nowhere. If it's involved, just turning her loose would be terribly irresponsible, regardless of any agreement to turn back.
>"Because I'd rather do that than see you hurt for the sake of pride, on either of our parts. I offered that compromise as a last resort, frankly I would rather pay more to assure your safety, whatever the odds may be. I hope you understand this isn't a thing I'm saying lightly. Whether professional ethics or personal pride, I cannot let you take the risk so lightly. And, I hope you understand at this point that if I could say more, at this point, I would. It's entirely possible I'm fretting over nothing, but I would not want to leave it to chance. It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust what I fear if it's involved."
-
>"Because I'd rather do that than see you hurt for the sake of pride, on either of our parts. I offered that compromise as a last resort, frankly I would rather pay more to assure your safety, whatever the odds may be. I hope you understand this isn't a thing I'm saying lightly. Whether professional ethics or personal pride, I cannot let you take the risk so lightly. And, I hope you understand at this point that if I could say more, at this point, I would. It's entirely possible I'm fretting over nothing, but I would not want to leave it to chance. It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust what I fear if it's involved."
>The Eagle waits until you finish outlining your point of view. Her expression is one of.... you're not sure what it is. When she speaks, nearly every trace of her accent is gone. "You only know me through reputation, and we both know my reputation's not very good. And yet, for the sake of someone else you barely know, you're willing to take on a danger that you think even the Manari can't handle, all for the sake of someone like me?"
-
>"I am."
-
>"I am."
>A sound something like halfway between a snort and chuckle escapes the Eagle's lips. She shakes her head slowly, a small, mocking grin on her face. Weirdly, you're not certain which one of you she mocks. "You can't possibly be that good a person. Nobody is in this world."
>"Byakuren is!" Lily's voice unexpectedly rings from behind you. Turning your head, you see her standing at the bottom of the stairs of the shack, with Chie standing in the doorway. "She'd go to the ends of the earth for anyone, even someone worse than you!" Chie nods her her enthusiastically in asent.
>The Eagle chuckles again, but there's little humor in it. "She ain't just sayin' that. She really means it. And she says it like someone that'd know." She spins her flute a couple times, then clutches it suddenly. "Gimme a minute to think about this. The last time I had a first job that came with me, it didn't end well for her. For all our sakes, I'd hate to have that happen again."
-
>Let her think.
-
>Nod to Lily. "Thanks for vouching for me. ...You weren't listening in, were you?"
-
>Let her think.
>Nod to Lily. "Thanks for vouching for me. ...You weren't listening in, were you?"
>As you give the Eagle a moment, you inquire how much of that conversation Lily heard. "We weren't listening. Not... on purpose, anyway."
>She manages to look a little sheepish. Chie, however, looks rather downcast. Even her ears droop a little. "Chie sorry. She has very good ears."
-
>"It's okay. Don't worry about it."
>Wait for the Eagle's response.
-
>"It's okay. Don't worry about it."
>Wait for the Eagle's response.
>Chie's expression brightens as you reassure her.
>After a long few minutes, the Eagle looks up. "Fine."
-
>"Thank you. You have my word that I won't repeat anything about it to anyone."
-
>"Thank you. You have my word that I won't repeat anything about it to anyone."
>"And it's still gonna cost ya."
-
>"Of course."
-
>"Of course."
>"First, wherever we go, you follow my lead. May get a little out of your element here, princess."
-
>"I will do my best."
-
>"I will do my best."
>She nods. "Second, there's gonna be some cash involved, but how much depends on how much work we're looking at. We get lucky and find the thing on a curb, y'ain't gonna owe me an awful lot, obviously."
-
>How're we doing for money?
-
>How're we doing for money?
>Better than a lot of folks would guess. Although you only have 56 bucks and change on you at the moment, currently, you have $8,547 in your bank acount. In large part, this is courtesy of Aya and her modeling jobs she's given you. Needless to say, she pays very well, and offers favorable contracts to her employees. She, like Koakuma, takes good care of her employees.
>You don't generally make a big deal of your net worth.
-
"That should be acceptable, but if it becomes necessary for me to intervene for your safety, I'd like it waived."
-
"That should be acceptable, but if it becomes necessary for me to intervene for your safety, I'd like it waived."
>The Eagle's face twitches slightly. "Accepted, on the grounds that I decide when I need your help, not you."
-
>"I cannot accept that, but I'm willing to be reasonable on debating what can be considered such after the fact. I assure you that I won't just try to duck the bill."
-
>"I cannot accept that, but I'm willing to be reasonable on debating what can be considered such after the fact. I assure you that I won't just try to duck the bill."
>She offers you a small grin. "That much, I was willing to grant you anyway. Alright, I'll concede that point. Hopefully won't be an issue anyway."
>"Third, a question. And this is actually more in the league of a curiousity, but we'll consider it a form of payment, just to satisfy my mercantile instincts."
-
>Don't like the sound of this.
>"Yes?"
-
>Don't like the sound of this.
>"Yes?"
>Despite your misgivings, you accept this third thing. In response, the Eagle points her flute casually at your chest.
>"Why's your pocket glowing?"
-
>Ah crap, what pocket is that?
-
>Ah crap, what pocket is that?
>The one she's pointing at seems to be the one you've been carrying that engagement ring-turned-youkai-turned-engagement ring in. Despite the pocket flap being closed, upon inspection, there does appear to be a faint gold light coming from your pocket.
-
>Frown, and take the ring out.
-
>Frown, and take the ring out.
>As you open your pocket, the light within becomes much brighter. The ring within is indeed glowing a brilliant gold. When you reach in and touch it, you find it very warm to the touch.
>Not surprisingly, this draws some startled reactions from the people around you. Each one of them lets out a short gasp, even the Eagle, whom thus far had seemed fairly unflappable. Chie whispers, "How pretty..." The Eagle squints her eyes at the glowing ring. "'kay. THAT'S new."
>Lily, however, simply stares at the glowing object.
-
>Hold it in our palm.
>"It's beautiful..."
-
>Hold it in our palm.
>"It's beautiful..."
>You regard the trinket in the palm of your hand. Glowing its warm, golden light, it's hard to believe this pretty little piece of jewelery was ever twisted into that abomination you battled a few days ago.
>But there's more to this warmth, as well. A strange sensation is emanating along with the light. It almost feels like... If you didn't know any better, you'd swear something was reaching out from that ring. You have a sense that something is reaching out to... something. You can't quite pin down what, yet, but it feels very close.
>"Yeah, it's pretty, alright." The Eagle speaks, sounding rather out of place. "But why's it doin' that? No ring I know ever did that, 'less it was magic, and those're bloody rare."
>"Ring never glowed before?" Chie asks in a rather hushed tone.
>Lily, for her part, is wearing a very mysterious expression on her face as she gazes at the ring in your hand.
-
>"No, it's never done this before."
>"Please come with me for a moment, um... you know, I never did get your name."
>Lead her off somewhere alone. Lily can come, but if anyone else tries to follow, ask them to affort us some privacy.
-
>"No, it's never done this before."
>"Please come with me for a moment, um... you know, I never did get your name."
>Lead her off somewhere alone. Lily can come, but if anyone else tries to follow, ask them to affort us some privacy.
>She waves her hand. "Just call me Eagle. I like it better than my other name." She then gives you a curious look when you ask her to accompany you elsewhere. "Somethin' weird's happenin' here, isn't it?"
>"Yeah..." Lily breathes. "You feel that, Byakuren?"
>"Feel what?" Chie asks.
>"I don't feel nothin'." The Eagle adds.
-
>What do we feel?
-
>What do we feel?
>That ring is definately putting out an unusual sensation, in addition to that light. Focusing on the sensation, it feels that, whatever is generating that reaching sensation, is reaching out towards you. No... Not JUST you. It's reaching out to you and Lily.
-
>Do we feel we can reach back? If so, try for it.
-
>Do we feel we can reach back? If so, try for it.
>The sensation is distinct, and yet somehow elusive. It is as though your mind is groping in the dark for a hand, neither one can see the other, yet both know the other is out there.
>Correction. Both of your minds. You have a sense that Lily is reaching out as well.
>"Wanna clue in the rest of the crowd?" the Eagle prods, starting to sound a little antsy. You and Lily exchange a look. She jerks her head in the direction of the shack.
-
>"As soon as I understand, you'll be the first to know."
>Head toward the shack. Try to welcome that hand along the way.
-
>"As soon as I understand, you'll be the first to know."
>Head toward the shack. Try to welcome that hand along the way.
>"You damn right I will." the Eagle asserts, coming to her feet as you turn for the shack.
>"It's okay, Byakuren." Lily says quietly, the ghost of a smile on her face, as she herself takes a couple steps back towards the shack. "If I'm right, this is something good."
-
>Nod to Lily. "That is what I'm hoping."
>To the love shack!
-
>Nod to Lily. "That is what I'm hoping."
>To the love shack!
>Where'd that sax music come from? Why's the Eagle takin' off that shirt? Where'd Lily get that massive... Oh my.
>As a unit, the four of you head into the little room, Chie making way and coming in last.
>The sensation of reaching remains elusive still, but you sense that you were getting closer to whatever it is as you and Lily got closer to each other. Now that you're both in the shack, which is only marginally more crowded by the addition of the Eagle and her wingspan, you feel you're both even closer to the 'something'.
-
>Get as close as we can to Lily. Make physical contact with her.
-
>Does we feel that our attentions to reciprocate it's reaching is having any effect?
-
>Get as close as we can to Lily. Make physical contact with her.
>Does we feel that our attentions to reciprocate it's reaching is having any effect?
>Somebody just turned up the volume on the sax music...
>It seems that Lily has the same idea, and steps towards you as you approach her. You definately feel that you're reaching closer to whatever property of the ring is generating that sense. The ring itself actually glows brighter as you stand eye to eye, shining brilliantly in the upturned palm of your hand. It is this hand you reach out to her with, and Lily slowly stretches out her small white hand, laying it gently in yours, atop the ring.
>Instantly, you have a sense that whatever is reaching out to you grasps your hand, both of your hands, firmly. The light from the ring erupts, blanketing you in a blinding gold light. You hear Chie yelp in surprise, and the Eagle yell in a mixture of surprise and pain. You feel the ring in your hand dissapear. At the same time, you have a sense of another hand coming to rest atop the linked hands of yourself and Lily. Whose hand, you cannot tell, but there is a distinct sense that someone is now standing very close to you and your fellow Ringed champion.
>When the light passes, and you can see again, there is another woman standing in the shack, her hand resting atop yours and Lily's. She is shorter than you, her face pretty, almost beautiful, her chin tapering to an elegant point. Her eyes are closed, and her black hair, which falls down to between her shoulder blades, is somehow tied back in a braid, though it is a touch unkept on top, wiry bits of hair sticking out here and there. Unclad as she is, you can she she's on the underdeveloped side, but hardly flat; certainly not as flat as the Eagle. And upon the ring finger of the hand resting atop Lily's is a golden ring.
-
>Does she look anything like the youma we fought?
>"Can you understand me?"
-
Blech, need sleep, want to do this scene so bad =I
-
>Does she look anything like the youma we fought?
>"Can you understand me?"
>As near as you can estimate, she appears to be about the same height. About the same size of chest, as well. However, the Youma was practically bald, with only a handful of wirey hairs. Her skin was also a sickly shade of yellow, this woman is distinctly fair-skinned. Her hands have the standard five fingers, as opposed to the youmas four claw-like digits. The youma's face and eye sockets were distended beyond the norm for humanoids, while this woman's is definately not.
>The black-haired woman takes a deep breath in and out. "Yes I can, mother."
-
>Huguhfludugafasadawha?
>"Um..."
-
>
Goddamnit Lancer!
>Compose yourself!
>"...Do you remember anything from before?"
-
>Huguhfludugafasadawha?
>"Um..."
>Goddamnit Lancer!
>Compose yourself!
>"...Do you remember anything from before?"
>That was clearly not what you were expecting to hear! This temporarily leaves you at a loss for words, which is rare for you.
>Your hear the Eagle doing an admirable job at stifling a chuckle. Chie, for her part, looks between you, Lily and the braided woman, and simply blushes.
>"Oy, can't blame me for this one." Lancer smirks as he macks on Satori and Tohsaka. "You got to miss Wings there before I could."
>"Before what?" she replies.
-
>"Before... now, I guess."
-
>"Before... now, I guess."
>"Kinda question is that?" the Eagle chuckles from behind you. "Ain't like she was alive before now, she was a ring. They ain't got a lotta thinkin' power."
>The braided woman takes another breath. "Yes." You hear the Eagle's feathers ruffle.
-
>"Oh thank heaven..."
>Hug the shit out of her. Don't cry, she remembers, she didn't really die, don't cry... don't cry...
>Waterworks.
-
>"Oh thank heaven..."
>Hug the shit out of her. Don't cry, she remembers, she didn't really die, don't cry... don't cry...
>Waterworks.
>With little warning, you enfold the braided woman in a fierce embrace. And as you do, all the pain, the guilt, the doubt you've experienced since fighting that youma comes pouring out of you. The relief, the joy that that creature did not truly die, that you did not take its life... She feels so warm, so real, true flesh pressed against your own. This is what she was meant to be, what she should have been. What she can be now.
>Lily's little hand comes to rest upon your shoulder, her own face streaked with tears. She knew. She understands. She saw your soul when your jewels were connected, saw what you'd been putting yourself through since that day. She still feels your heart, though the bond you now share, as you can sense hers. The beauty of this moment would have brought tears to the eyes of your good-hearted friend as it is. Now, though, she weeps at more than just the beauty. She weeps for you.
>"Mother... Why do you weep?" the braided woman whispers.
-
>"Because-"
>Catch breath
>"-I'm so happy. You're here..."
-
>"Because-"
>Catch breath
>"-I'm so happy. You're here..."
>You stammer out your happiness at seeing the woman, and try and catch your breath. This is a little easier said than done, with your heart in your throat the way it is, your hot tears still falling from your eyes.
>"I heard you call for me." she whispers. "I heard you both calling for me. And I came."
-
>Let the tears out. We'll be better for it afterward.
-
>Let the tears out. We'll be better for it afterward.
>The last time you cried like this was the first time you saw Myoren after his kidney transplant last year, which none of you were certain he would make it out of. The relief, the joy, you felt then is just as palpable as it is now. It takes you the better part of a minute to compose yourself.
>Once you pull youself back together (mostly anyway), Lily offers you a handkercheif.
-
>Put the handkerchief to use.
>Recall the situation we're in. Let Ringly go, see how the others are doing.
-
>Put the handkerchief to use.
>Recall the situation we're in. Let Ringly go, see how the others are doing.
>Accepting Lily's offering, you dab your eyes and nose, wiping the tears from your cheeks after disentangling yourself from the woman.
>Well, trying to, anyway. You find the braided woman's arms rather firmly encircling your waist. "Mother feels better now?" she asks in that same quiet tone she's used all along.
>Lily quietly laughs a little laugh, her face lit by a brilliant smile, her own eyes still rather damn. Even with tear-stained cheeks, she still looks so lovely.
>Chie is doing her best to keep a respectable distance between the three of you, and although no tears are in evidence, she does seem to have a sense of wonderment at the scene before her.
>The Eagle is wearing a smirk, her arms resting lightly on her hips. "That's a heck of a sight from the other side." Chie nods her agreement.
-
>Nod to
Storm Eagle, then say, "Can you find her something to wear, please?"
>Look to Ringly: "Do you have a name?"
>Where does one dump off newly minted youkai; aside from a proper dumpster?
-
>Where does one dump off newly minted youkai; aside from a proper dumpster?
>Scratch that; there's no way we're just dumping her off somewhere.
-
>Unscratch.
Not planning on doing it. I'm just curious about what one would typically do when one of your possessions suddenly turns into a youkai and you can't possibly afford it. So we know what social and legal norms we're bucking.
-
>Nod to Storm Eagle, then say, "Can you find her something to wear, please?"
>Look to Ringly: "Do you have a name?"
>Where does one dump off newly minted youkai; aside from a proper dumpster?
>"Yeh, I'll see what I can scrounge." she replies easily, before breezing out of the shack. "Chie surprised." the feline miko states quietly in her wake.
>"No. Should I have?"
>Not every major city in the world has proper facilities for that sort of thing. Fortunately, for all parties involved, Mayoiga does. Founded, owned and operated by the Saigyoji group, in conjunction with the Hakurei group, the Center for the Recently Ascended (or CRA for short) is a place that helps newborn youkai of all origins acclamate to their new existance, as well as new fairys that emerge from... well, wherever fairys come from, as there's several schools of thought on that one. Personal items becoming youkai is hardly unheard of, and many who find themselves in the proximity of new youkai simply lack the means to care for them until they adapt, and are unwilling to simply turn them loose. This applies to feral youkai as well; it's been known to happen that someone would become attached to a wild youkai, but lack the means to care for it themselves, for whatever reason. That's where the CRA comes in.
>You're not entirely familiar with the inner workings of the facility, but it has an excellent reputation around town. Yuyuko has spoken highly of its staff and its process, in her own way, and between school, your jobs you've worked in the past, and generally about town, you know of several youkai that now fit in perfectly among society that have come through the CRA program. In fact, from what Lily mentioned earlier, Chie herself is a product of CRA, though perhaps she hasn't assimilated entirely perfectly just yet. Every youkai is different, of course.
-
>"You'll need one, but we can handle that."
>Guide her toward a seat. "I'm...not sure what we do now."
-
>What was the gem that was set in the ring?
I'm thinking we should name her after the gem that was in the ring.
-
I'm gonna go with Freddie.
-
>"You'll need one, but we can handle that."
>Guide her toward a seat. "I'm...not sure what we do now."
>After you disentangle yourself fully from the youkai, you guide her to sitting on the floor, as the place has nothing for seats readily available. Although you have to demonstate what 'sitting' is for her. You note that, now that her eyes are open, that their gold color is identical to that of the youma's pinprick irises. This reminder of her previous.... existance, is somewhat unpleasant.
>She tilts her head to the side in confusion. "You mean I was an accident?!"
>What was the gem that was set in the ring?
I'm thinking we should name her after the gem that was in the ring.
>The ring was a simple band of gold; it had no gemstone, only an inscription.
(Which is a pity, if I'm honest, because that's a nice sentiment. But yes, if you folks choose, naming the newborn is entirely your call. Though you might want to ask Lily for her input. After all, it took both of you to make her.)
-
>"Lily, what do you think a good name would be?"
-
>"Lily, what do you think a good name would be?"
>Your question seems to surprise Lily. "Huwheh? Uh..." She visibly ponders for a moment. "I, uh... Well, don't.. Don't youkai usually know their own names? Or, I dunno, name themselves?" she adds, glancing over at Chie. The feline youkai nods. "Chie knew her name, before Chie knew to talk. Don't know how, or why."
>"I am different from other... youkai, mama?" the newborn asks Lily. Whose face turns very, very red at the title thrown her way. "M-Mama..." she stammers, her hands flying to her cheeks for a second or two. "W-well... I'm not an expert, but, uh... I think that most-many youkai just, uh... Well, they're 'born' on their own. At least the ones I know. I'm not sure if.... Well, I don't know if anything quite like this has ever happened before."
-
>"We'll, ah, figure something out. Um, is there anything you'd like to be called, perhaps?"
-
>"We'll, ah, figure something out. Um, is there anything you'd like to be called, perhaps?"
>The newborn takes a moment to think. She looks down at her hands, and the gold band on her finger.
>"This ring... it is made of... gold. That is the word, yes?" Lily gives her a "Yup." The newborn nods slowly. "Then, if you wish to call me something, Gold will do."
-
>"That's not really a name, though... Well, not a proper name, it's a general name. Hmm. But, Marigold is a proper name. Would that do?"
>Glance to Lily as well for confirmation.
-
>"That's not really a name, though... Well, not a proper name, it's a general name. Hmm. But, Marigold is a proper name. Would that do?"
>Glance to Lily as well for confirmation.
>"As you wish, Mother."
>Lily laughs. "Well, she's certainly accomodating." she says lightly, a smile on her still slightly-flushed face. "I like the sound of Marigold, but, it kinda sounds like a Fairy name, don'cha think?"
-
>"A little, but faerie names are fine, don't you think?"
-
>"A little, but faerie names are fine, don't you think?"
>"Mm!" Lily nods. "Fairy names are pretty."
-
If yalls got better ideas, speak up.
-
Sounds fine to me man.
-
I'm good with it.
-
>"Then we'll call you Marigold."
>Take a good, long breath.
>"This is rather difficult. I'm not sure what to do next... Lily, do you think it might be a good idea to have the CRA give here a look over? Actually, would they even have a reasonably quick testing service?"
-
>"Then we'll call you Marigold."
>Take a good, long breath.
>"This is rather difficult. I'm not sure what to do next... Lily, do you think it might be a good idea to have the CRA give here a look over? Actually, would they even have a reasonably quick testing service?"
>"I understand. I am Marigold." she replies. "Well... for now, at least." Lily adds.
>Then you pause to gather your thoughts.
>"Uh.... I actually don't know how fast they work, myself. I think it probably depends on the youkai. Chie was with them for... three months, was it, Chie?"
>"Five." Chie corrects. "Chie spend five months with See Arr Eh. Help Chie learn to talk, teach her about the world, people, things, clothes, money, food, reading, writing, what smells mean, what smells like what-." Lily laughs lightly. "Okay, thanks." Chie nods, then looks at you. "See Arr Eh helps all youkai learn to live in world. Take care of youkai until youkai can take care of themselves. Then help them find a place for themselves. That's why Chie's here!" she finishes, a perky smile on her pretty face. The smile on Lily's face is more subdued as she gazes at the feline youkai.
-
>"Hm, well, that's one advantage Marigold does have, knowing how to talk... Hmm."
>To our knowledge, is there any kind of certificate that graduates from the CRA's programs would get, to prove they've met basic social standards?
>Glance toward Lily. "It might do to pay them a visit, just so they can help us figure out what kind of paperwork needs to be filled out so she's a afforded the basic decencies of a citizen."
>Look to Marigold. "Sorry, I'm just trying to figure out what to do next, this has caught us a bit by surprise."
>Check the time, they'd probably want a time of birth...
-
>"Hm, well, that's one advantage Marigold does have, knowing how to talk... Hmm."
>To our knowledge, is there any kind of certificate that graduates from the CRA's programs would get, to prove they've met basic social standards?
>Glance toward Lily. "It might do to pay them a visit, just so they can help us figure out what kind of paperwork needs to be filled out so she's a afforded the basic decencies of a citizen."
>Look to Marigold. "Sorry, I'm just trying to figure out what to do next, this has caught us a bit by surprise."
>Check the time, they'd probably want a time of birth...
>Not so far as you know.
>Lily nods slowly. "I'd kinda like to look after her myself, but, that's impossible right now..." she trails off. "CRA would be good, too. I mean, that's what they're there for."
>Marigold regards you with that serene expression of hers. "Surpirse... is when something unexpected, or unusual happens, yes?"
>The time is now 5:09 PM.
-
>"That's exactly right, Marigold.
>Give her a pat on the shoulder. Then look toward Lily. "I think I can arrange for something, and have no intentions of leaving her with the CRA unless it she wants it or it becomes absolutely necessary. But, I think it would be best they give her a check-up and make sure that everything is fine. There might be some some good details they can give us that we wouldn't anticipate on our own."
-
>"That's exactly right, Marigold.
>Give her a pat on the shoulder. Then look toward Lily. "I think I can arrange for something, and have no intentions of leaving her with the CRA unless it she wants it or it becomes absolutely necessary. But, I think it would be best they give her a check-up and make sure that everything is fine. There might be some some good details they can give us that we wouldn't anticipate on our own."
>"Why not?" Chie asks you, her big eyes curious. "You think they bad people? Do bad work? Not trust them with new youkai?"
>Lily supplies an answer on your behalf, "It's not that, Chie. It's just, Byakuren is a very responsible woman. And if she... If WE, helped bring Marigold into this world, in the form she's in, that means she's our responsibility." A noble sentiment, but, she can't quite keep a small blush from forming under her blue eyes. But it fades as she regards you, her expression serious. "But, Byakuren, I'm not sure we have a lot of choice. The CRA really is the best place for new youkai, far as I know, and I'd guess Marigold here will adjust faster than most. I mean, she seems bright enough." She pauses to give the newborn a big smile, which is returned by a tranquil smile from Marigold. "And besides," she continus, "It's not like we couldn't see her. Right, Chie?"
>The feline miko shakes her head. "They probably like that happening, Chie thinks. They big on adapting to 'real' world. Helps to have people in that world that care. People waiting for you."
>"No, really, there's only one choice." Lily says, standing and gazing into your eyes. "I'll do the right thing here." She crosses the shed to you and, to your surprise, drops to one knee. "I have no ring to propose with, Byakuren. All I have is myself. But, if you'll accept me... will you marry me? And we can raise our baby together."
-
>"Then Lily, there's only one thing to say: GODDAMNIT LANCER! BOTH OF THEM!"
>"What were your experiences like, Chie?"
-
>"Then Lily, there's only one thing to say: GODDAMNIT LANCER! BOTH OF THEM!"
>"What were your experiences like, Chie?"
>"Good!"
-
>"Well, I mean what did they actually do? What were the first things, for instance?"
-
>"Well, I mean what did they actually do? What were the first things, for instance?"
>"Give Chie a bath and food."
-
>"The former doesn't seem like a bad idea, come to think of it."
>Is there anything left of Lily's lunch?
-
>"The former doesn't seem like a bad idea, come to think of it."
>Is there anything left of Lily's lunch?
>Apart from a lingering scent of cinnamon tea, there is nothing apparant. Evidently Lily and Chie cleaned up after lunch.
>"Should've thought of that myself." Lily adds, then smiles at Marigold. "Are you hungry, Marigold?"
>"What is 'hungry', mama?"
-
>"Well, it's... um..."
>"I suppose you probably don't know what food is, either, do you? I don't really know how to explain it if you don't."
-
>"It's an unpleasant sensation you'll feel when you need to take in some kind of substance that your body will use to sustain itself. You'll know it when you feel it."
-
>"Well, it's... um..."
>"I suppose you probably don't know what food is, either, do you? I don't really know how to explain it if you don't."
>"It's an unpleasant sensation you'll feel when you need to take in some kind of substance that your body will use to sustain itself. You'll know it when you feel it."
>The newborn's expression doesn't change too much, but you have a sense she's not following you all that well.
>"Well, I didn't see that coming." Lily says quietly, her smile looking a little more uncertain.
>"Chie not surprised." the feline miko supplies. "Marigold different from Chie. Chie was cat; animal. Knew hot, cold, hunger, day, night. Didn't know words, had to leard those, but understood ideas. Marigold was ring. Not living, never lived before. Never felt before."
>Lily spares a glance your way, and you sense she's trying not to react the to irony in Chie's statement. "Yeah... guess that slipped my mind. Still a little overwhelmed by all this."
>Chie nods at her, then turns her attention to you. "See Arr Eh teach youkai these things. Have people to reach youkai that don't know words, have people to teach them words. Help find foods they like, sometimes how to cook, what food good and bad for them. Satori not only person in town practiced at handling and teaching new youkai. Many people there do that for living. Everyone there want to help youkai." She pauses for a moment, her expression growing a little... dreamier, is the word you'd use. "Boss Yuyuko very good at it, too. She visit now and then. She... 'got' Chie. Her heart is very big, she thinks different. Thinks with her heart."
-
>Nod.
>"That she does. I think, Lily, it may be best for us to split up. One of us should take Marigold to see those people, and be certain she's healthy. I am sure it will be no problem for her to stay with me, if it's impossible for her to stay with you. And the other should go with Eagle, we still need to address that situation, before it can become a problem."
-
>Nod.
>"That she does. I think, Lily, it may be best for us to split up. One of us should take Marigold to see those people, and be certain she's healthy. I am sure it will be no problem for her to stay with me, if it's impossible for her to stay with you. And the other should go with Eagle, we still need to address that situation, before it can become a problem."
>Lily leans forward slightly. "You're convinced that the Eagle's above board? That's she not working some angle of hers?"
>"Big lady shouldn't trust Eagle." Chie asserts again.
-
>"I think, if she's up to something, then she will quite regret it by the time things are through. But no, I feel no worries in trusting her."
-
>"I think, if she's up to something, that she will quite regret it by the time things are through. But no, I feel no worries in trusting her."
>"Ain't often someone vouches for me and threatens me in the same breath." The Eagles' voice sounds from behind you. "Or is this you 'worrying' 'bout me again?"
-
>"It is. I can't just send you into potential danger on my behalf, even if I am paying you."
-
>"It is. I can't just send you into potential danger on my behalf, even if I am paying you."
>Leaning against the doorframe, the Eagle shakes her head slightly. "This danger of yours's interestin' in and of itself."
>"But that's besides the point. I'm curious, how'd you expect t'put Goldie there up in Moonside?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
>"Well, ya said 'It'd be no problem for her to stay with me'" she replies, in a surprisingly good imitation of your own voice. "And I happen to know that the occupancy of Moon and Sunnyside apartments is no more than two per unit."
-
>"I'm afraid I don't see your point. There's plenty of room for her."
-
>"We'll have to scare up an extra futon, but that's no problem."
-
>"I'm afraid I don't see your point. There's plenty of room for her."
>"We'll have to scare up an extra futon, but that's no problem."
>The Eagle shrugs casually. "'s your nest."
>"I dredged up some skins for yer kid here." she continues, giving Marigold a once over. "No shoes, though, didn't know the size of her pretty little feet there."
-
>"Well, hopefully no one will pay much attention to her feet."
>Take the clothes, and help Marigold get dressed.
-
>"Well, hopefully no one will pay much attention to her feet."
>Take the clothes, and help Marigold get dressed.
>The clothes turn out to be a little more fancy than you'd expected. It is a long gown with thin straps, modestly cut colored a vivid shade of indigo. The skirt of it stops just below Marigold's knees, and the Eagle also produces a pair of detached sleeves, a dark blue shade bordered on top and bottom with white, red lace intertwined.
>"Where'd you find this?" Lily asks ask she aids you in adorning Marigold.
>"Toune." Eagle replies. "Lost 'n found didn't have anythin' Goldie's size, but Toune saw me siftin' though, and asked what was up. So, I told 'er. And she gave me this little baby, albiet with a couple caveats."
>After about a minute, you stand back and appraise the sight before you. Marigold cuts a mighty fine figure, honestly. She fills the bosom of the dress well, and the modest cut shows enough to leave plenty to the imagination.
-
>"There, how does that feel?"
-
>"There, how does that feel?"
>Marigold's face again shows that sense of quiet confusion. "Why have we done this, mother?"
-
>"Social conventions. It's considered uncivilized and undesirable to walk around wearing nothing. And it's often unhealthy. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
-
>"Social conventions. It's considered uncivilized and undesirable to walk around wearing nothing. And it's often unhealthy. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
>Marigold looks at herself slowly, still uncertain what to make of this.
>Lily says quietly to you, "Do you know what 'caveat' means?"
-
>"Don't worry, Marigold, you've not done anything wrong. You're doing very well, in fact."
>Nod to Lily, "At least in theory."
-
>"Don't worry, Marigold, you've not done anything wrong. You're doing very well, in fact."
>Nod to Lily, "At least in theory."
>Lily nods. "And?"
-
>"Essentially, 'Quid pro Quo', This for That. Correct?"
-
>"Essentially, 'Quid pro Quo', This for That. Correct?"
>Lily's expression resembles the lost look on Marigold's face.
>"It means 'conditions', in this context." the Eagle calls out. Decent ears on this one. "Toune gave Marigold here the clothes, but, I had to trade for't. Much as she loves youkai, I seem to have that effect on folks. Always think I'm tryin' to get something out of em, so they try t'get somethin' outta me first."
-
>Shrug.
>"I rather expected you did it to help out a newborn, myself."
-
>Shrug.
>"I rather expected you did it to help out a newborn, myself."
>The Eagle's grin drops off her face. She seems stunned. Completely stunned. Her mouth works for a couple seconds before she finds the word she was looking for. "What?"
-
>"Wouldn't most people?"
>"But if you need to be reimbursed, that is fine. This is a rather unexpected situation for us all."
-
>"Wouldn't most people?"
>"But if you need to be reimbursed, that is fine. This is a rather unexpected situation for us all."
>She gapes at you some more. "No, it's not...." she trails off.
-
>Give her a moment to find her words.
-
>Give her a moment to find her words.
>You allot the Eagle a moment to collect herself. Chie, however, snickers quietly. "Not see Eagle lost for words before." she remarks sideways to Lily.
>Rather than flip off a quip to the catgirl, the Eagle simple keeps her eyes on you. "You'd... You'd think that I... would just HELP someone? Just like that? With no angle of my own?" She says it like she simply cannot believe it, cannot believe you'd think that of her. That anyone would think that of her, even. Or, perhaps, that anyone ever has.
-
>Shrug.
>"I don't see why not. It would be terribly inconvenient to collect a fee for every little thing, if nothing else. And, you've not quite struck me as so mercenary that you'd turn your back on someone like Marigold-"
>Gesture toward her for emphasis.
>"-to avoid a small comforting gesture. If nothing else, the cost of not doing it would probably be greater than any cost of doing it."
-
>Shrug.
>"I don't see why not. It would be terribly inconvenient to collect a fee for every little thing, if nothing else. And, you've not quite struck me as so mercenary that you'd turn your back on someone like Marigold-"
>Gesture toward her for emphasis.
>"-to avoid a small comforting gesture. If nothing else, the cost of not doing it would probably be greater than any cost of doing it."
>A small sound, part breath part laugh, escapes the Eagle's lips, which seem to flicker back and forth between that stunned expression and the ghost of a smile. "Nobody's given me the benefit of the doubt in over a decade. Nearly as long as I can remember."
-
>"Well, I'm sure I would like this nobody person, then. Regardless, thank you."
-
>"Well, I'm sure I would like this nobody person, then. Regardless, thank you."
>A cautious smile comes to the Eagle, with a little effort. "You..." she breathes, then shakes her head, as if she can't quite make up her mind about something.
>"Well... In this case, reimbusement isn't necessary. She only wanted two things, and that's to see our girl here, and for me to play a song with em. Well, HER, I suppose, but I imagine the crowd'll stick around to see the show." She pauses then, her collected nature returning, albeit gradually. "Tell me, Byakuren, you know the song 'Bad timing'?"
-
>Do we?
-
>Do we?
>Very well. You can play on guitar it as well as sing it. That's one of Marissa's favourite songs, in fact. For someone with so... BIG a personality, she sings that bittersweet song very beautifully herself. As a matter of fact, over the summer, you and she sang that song as a duet, for a karaoke event charity drive for one of the local Hakurei-backed food banks in town. You had the crowd in tears by the halfway point of the song, even had the fairly unflappable Reimu herself misty eyed, not that she'd admit it. Apart from Mima, of course, she was as stoic as ever. Precious little cracks her imperious hide.
>"I didn't know you knew it." Lily notes to the Eagle, who responds with a shrug. "I know a lotta tunes. Japanadian tunes ain't always my thing, but a good song's a good song."
And for this of you not familiar with the song, Here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5I242rof2o) Don't say I never gave ya nothin'.
-
>"I know it well enough. I assume you want some help?"
-
>"I know it well enough. I assume you want some help?"
>That draws a chuckle from the Eagle, her smirk becoming much more certain of itself. "'Help'? Hardly. But just imagine their squeeees if the Morning Star herself graces 'em with a song."
>At Marigold's confused expression, Lily provides, "She means Mother's singing makes people happy." Marigold seems less confused. "Happy is good."
-
>"I suppose I couldn't say no for one song..."
-
>"I suppose I couldn't say no for one song..."
>The Eagle seems rather pleased. "Capitol!"
>Chie sidles up next to Lily. "Lily sing too? Chie likes Lily's voice."
>Lily smiles at the compliment, but does not answer immediately. "Before we get to that, Eagle, can me and Byakuren have a few minutes with Marigold? In private?" she adds, glancing at Chie. The Eagle merely shrugs casually. "Suits me, I gotta find my guitar, anyway. C'mon, kitty, let's inform the girlies." Chie nods, then follows the Eagle out of the shed, leaving you and Lily alone with the newborn. At which point, Lily's face grows more serious. "Marigold, how much do you remember about what happened before now?"
>Marigold's face shudders for a moment, she draws a long breath and presses her hand to the side of her head. "Darkness.... Cold..." Her eyes flutter, and she lowers her hand. "Then- Light."
-
>"Need we dredge up unpleasant memories for her now, Lily? Let us give her a few days to have a few good ones before pressing her on that."
-
>"Need we dredge up unpleasant memories for her now, Lily? Let us give her a few days to have a few good ones before pressing her on that."
>Marigold shakes her head slowly. "Not memories. Wasn't... alive. Wasn't myself." Her gaze holds your eyes. "It is alright. It happened. Talking or not talking about it doesn't change that it happened. Doesn't change what I am now." She pauses. "What I am now..." she seems lost in thought, as though giving words to the idea has lit her mind. "Before, I was... not aware, as I am now. No... mind. No personality. Just.... awareness. A sense of the feelings around me. A sense of being incomplete. Part of something more."
-
>"Well, alright. Do you remember anything that happened, if you were aware? Did you have any...doubts? Anything that made you stop for a moment?"
-
>"Well, alright. Do you remember anything that happened, if you were aware? Did you have any...doubts? Anything that made you stop for a moment?"
>"There was no doubt." she replies, her voice oddly distant. "No awareness, at least not like this. No me. Only... rage. Cold, cold rage. Such anger... And sadness... Betrayal. Such loss..." She seems to run out of words, and stops and breathes in and out a couple times. "It wasn't the same, though. One belonged to someone, one belonged to someone else. The rage was old. The sadness new."
>Lily looks understandably confused.
-
>"I remember, when we met then, that you seemed to stop and consider for a moment. Or that my words seemed to reach you in some way. Does that sound familiar?"
-
>"I remember, when we met then, that you seemed to stop and consider for a moment. Or that my words seemed to reach you in some way. Does that sound familiar?"
>She shakes her head. "I don't see how. There was no me to reach. Maybe a part, but...." She pauses, evidently thinking, then shakes her head. "I remember the feelings, the emotions, the deep deep darkness." Then she smiles that calm smile of hers. "I remember the light most of all. The light was... warm. Peace."
>Lily then asks, "Did the other 'two' feelings react to the light?" And Marigold nods. "Hatred. Desire."
-
>"Do you remember doing anything? Or seeing anything?"
-
>"Do you remember doing anything? Or seeing anything?"
>Marigold shakes her head. "Only darkness. Only light."
-
>"And you could not put words or thoughts to it at the time?"
-
>"Could you sense any... other presense? Like you mentioned with the sadness? Something like... well, maybe like there was another there with you?"
-
>"And you could not put words or thoughts to it at the time?"
>She shakes her head again. "There was not enough of me."
>"Could you sense any... other presense? Like you mentioned with the sadness? Something like... well, maybe like there was another there with you?"
>Marigold does not answer immediately, but her eyes grow distant, like trying to see something very far away. "The rage and the cold were louder. Stronger. Crushing..." She seems somehow to shrink, her voice growing quieter and quieter. "So much pain... Pain, before I knew what pain was... Why was it so angry, couldn't see, only darkness, so much anger, so much pain..."
-
>"Do you know what caused that pain?"
-
>"Do you know what caused that pain?"
>Marigold takes a few measures breaths, trying to gather her thoughts, it seems. "Couldn't... Mm.. maybe.... The cold and the rage, no. There was nothing but anger, no reason, none I can remember. But the sad pain.... That is... clearer, somehow. Someone... was sad. Lonely. He was lonely, he was... his heart was damaged, she didn't... want him. She didn't want him, so he didn't want me."
-
>"Did it feel like all of these things came from one source, or many sources?"
-
>"Did it feel like all of these things came from one source, or many sources?"
>"Many is more than one?"
>Lily supplies, "Yeah. One means... well, just one. As in 'only one'. Two is one more than one. Three is one more than two. Then it goes four, five, and keeps going."
>Marigold waits until Lily finishes outlining the basics of numerical sequention, then ponders some more. "The cold anger had one source. Sadness had one source."
-
>"And you didn't understand the anger at all?"
-
>"And you didn't understand the anger at all?"
>"No."
-
>"Alright. I think that's all I need to ask. Do you think there's anything else you want to tell us about that experience, Marigold?"
-
>"Alright. I think that's all I need to ask. Do you think there's anything else you want to tell us about that experience, Marigold?"
>The newborn takes a slow, measured breath. "The anger is still out there. It ran from the light, but it still exists." She reaches out and takes your hand, smiling that quite smile at you. "But I know that light. The light that beat it was you. You are brighter than the darkness. I may be... incomplete, but I know that I wouldn't be what I am now, if you hadn't saved me."
-
>Pat her on the head.
>"We'll help you along, don't worry."
-
>Pat her on the head.
>"We'll help you along, don't worry."
>At first, Marigold seems a little uncertain how to react to this act of yours. But she considers it, and smiles. "What is worry?"
-
>"You'll understand it soon enough. Until then, just put it from your mind."
>"So, Lily, would you take her to the CRA while I accompany Eagle?"
-
>"You'll understand it soon enough. Until then, just put it from your mind."
>"So, Lily, would you take her to the CRA while I accompany Eagle?"
>Marigold nods in answer, but Lily pauses. "I still gotta call Konpaku-sama, tell her that I want to go work there. She may want me to head there right off. I mean, I'll explain about Marigold- much as I can, anyways- but I dunno what she'll say."
-
>"Tell her you have a family matter, and she'll have to wait?"
-
>"Tell her you have a family matter, and she'll have to wait?"
>Lily's face is lit with a smile at your choice of words, as she glances between you and the newborn youkai. "Family... Yeah. I guess we kinda are now." She pauses a moment, seeming to enjoy the sensation. "I'll handle Myon-senpai, Byakuren. I think she'll understand. She seems a bit too serious for her own good, but a good person."
-
>"Alright, then I'll accompany Eagle, and we'll see what we can find. Where shall we meet at?"
>We did get Lily's number, yes? If not: "And let me have your phone number, in case something comes up."
-
>"Alright, then I'll accompany Eagle, and we'll see what we can find. Where shall we meet at?"
>We did get Lily's number, yes? If not: "And let me have your phone number, in case something comes up."
>"Mmm.... Probably the CRA building. Don't think things'll be fast there. And if I have to go to the south shrine, or get stuck there, I'll let you know."
>You exchange numbers with Lily, but as you do, Lily seems to be thinking of something. "I wonder...." She looks at her ring as she puts her phone away. "We're still connected, with these rings. It's faint now, obviously, but it's still there. I wonder if we can... I dunno, if we need to touch jewels to sense each other."
-
>"That's an interesting question, Lily."
>Make sure we don't hear anyone coming before continuing.
>"Have a look to see if Eagle or someone else is coming. If not, step outside and touch it. Try to make it look natural."
-
>"That's an interesting question, Lily."
>Make sure we don't hear anyone coming before continuing.
>"Have a look to see if Eagle or someone else is coming. If not, step outside and touch it. Try to make it look natural."
>There's the sounds of general gathering coming from the direction of the temple proper. Evidently word of your impending duet has spread. But as near as you can tell, none of them appear to be heading in your direction at the moment, so you continue.
>Lily walks to the door and sticks her blonde head out. She whistles quietly. "Nearly everyone but Satori's out there." She chuckles lightly, then steps outside and turns the corner.
>You sense nothing immediately, however you do notice Marigold is, and has since Lily brought them up, staring at your ring.
-
>"Does it interest you?"
>Try to pay attention for sensations.
-
>"Does it interest you?"
>Try to pay attention for sensations.
>The faint connection between you and Lily remains largely unchanged. You can sense her presense, but only a vague sense of direction and distance. A fluttering sensation comes though a time or two, but no additional sensations. You can determine that Lily is indeed outside the shack, and seems to be fairly close, but nothing beyond that.
>Marigold's expression is one of fascination. "Rings are..." she seems stuck for the word. "They mean something. Every ring. Rings are.. special."
-
>Nod. "That they are."
>Give our ring a tap, see if she feels anything.
-
>Nod. "That they are."
>Give our ring a tap, see if she feels anything.
>Marigold says nothing more, but her eyes do not leave your ring.
>Giving the jewel on your ring a light touch does not seem to have any effect on the connection between you and Lily, at least as far as you can discern. Touching the band yields the same result.
-
>Oh well, that didn't work.
>Whisper into it: "Lily? Can you hear me?"
-
>Oh well, that didn't work.
>Whisper into it: "Lily? Can you hear me?"
>Raising the ring to your lips, you whisper into it, sending your words out to Lily. The fluttering sensation along the connection between you two returns again, although it is stronger, this time.
-
>"If you can, let me know. I'm talking into it."
-
>"If you can, let me know. I'm talking into it."
>Several seconds pass, then several more seconds, before the faint, disembodied voice of Lily drifts out from the jewel in your ring. Or, more accurately, Lily's laugh, which you'd describe as 'pleasantly surprised.' Then her voice, "Whaddya know? It worked! That is so cool."
-
>Chuckle. "Indeed it is. I'll keep it in mind in case of emergencies. And, hopefully it won't pick up any background noises. That would be annoying if either of us walked through construction. Do you see Eagle, yet?"
-
>Chuckle. "Indeed it is. I'll keep it in mind in case of emergencies. And, hopefully it won't pick up any background noises. That would be annoying if either of us walked through construction. Do you see Eagle, yet?"
>"Not yet. I think I heard she was changing, or had to tune her guitar. Or both, my ears aren't as good as Chie's."
>Her voice sounds a little odd to your ear, posessing a kind of ethereal quality, but is still quite clear. Curiously, the jewel in your ring now appears the match the same cherry-blossom shade of Lily's ring.
-
>"Alright. Then you can come back inside if you like."
-
>"Alright. Then you can come back inside if you like."
>"Gotcha." And a few seconds later, her smiling face comes back through the door. "Okay, that was cool!" she beams. "I could hear you, but it was like, I could really hear you, yknow? Talking though magic rings, saving the helpless from evil..." She chuckles airily, then, rather enthusiastically, sprits forward and glomps you. "We're really real heroes!"
-
>"Well, let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard."
>Assuming she's not pinned out upper forelimbs, pat her on the back.
-
>"Well, let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard."
>Assuming she's not pinned out upper forelimbs, pat her on the back.
>Fortunately, you had the foresight to elevate your arms when you saw an incoming glomp; one of the many benefits of years of friendship with Marissa. Although she can still get the drop on you, from time to time.
>Giving the blonde girl a friendly backpat, she laughs her golden little laugh, then pulls her face off your chest to aim her gloriously bright smile at you. "A little's good, though." And with little warning, she pushes herself up and gives you a quick kiss on the lips.
>Disengaging from you, Lily then bounds over to Marigold and embraces her enthusiastically as well. "And YOU! Talk about a happy surprise!" she beams. Marigold simply smiles quietly and returns her 'mama's' embrace.
-
>Group hug!
-
>Group hug!
>Lily's enthusiasm proves infectious, and you embrace the both of them from behind Lily, sandwiching her between you and Marigold. Lily emits a delighted little 'kyaa' at the experience, and Marigold's smile widens a little herself. The pretty little blonde in your arms smells faintly of spring flowers.
-
>Let them go.
>"I think I'll keep to the cell phones, outside of emergencies. It's easier to use in public and such."
>Wait for Eagle to get back.
-
>Let them go.
>"I think I'll keep to the cell phones, outside of emergencies. It's easier to use in public and such."
>Wait for Eagle to get back.
>Despite the fuzzy feelings of a good group hug, you release the other two girls.
>Lily, however, gives Marigold another quick squeeze before pointing her smiling face back at you. "Sure!"
>Marigold seems lost in thought after leaving the arms of her 'mama', but says nothing immediately. She sits down slowly as you move to lean against the wall of the shack, watching the temple door for signs of the Eagle, while trying not to dwell too much on Lily's kiss. This was not your first kiss, but it was your first in a while, and rather unexpected. Currently, Lily is using her lips to chat quietly with Marigold.
>After a couple minutes, the Eagle emerges from the temple door, her wings setting her apart from the crew of girls sitting/standing in front of the temple, now wearing street clothes and carrying a guitar case
(Nicely played, Guy. Sour's a sucker for group hugs.)
-
>"It seems we are on."
>Approach Eagle and the gang.
-
>"It seems we are on."
>Approach Eagle and the gang.
>Lily nods and smiles. "Go on, I'll give Konpaku-sama a call while you make their days." Marigold stands and follows behind you.
>There's about 8 young women gathered near the entrance of the temple, not including Eagle, each of them garbed in the traditional attire of the miko, nearly all with obvious signs of being youkai, with varying colors of their long skirts. Half are a shade of bronze, three more are a brighter shade, kind of coppery, and there is one silver skirt, worn by a tall woman, older than the rest, with cat ears and a swishing tail, with a very foul look directed at Eagle. Eagle herself wears a rather arrogant smirk, as if she's proud of the scowl aimed at her, as she produces a weather-beaten acoustic guitar from her case.
>As you and Marigold approach the gaggle of young women, one of them, with long aqua-green hair and a rather downcast expression, turns to face you, and sprouts a small smile. "That must be her." you hear her say, and she, followed by a trio of others. She breezes past you, stops in front of Marigold, looking her up and down. She nods slowly. "I knew it'd look good on you." states in a rather soft voice.
-
>"It was very kind of you to lend it to us, thank you."
-
>"It was very kind of you to lend it to us, thank you."
>The aqua-haired woman nods absently at your comment, seemingly fixed on her appraisal of your 'daughter'. The woman behind her, a shorter girl with a big, puffy squirrel-like tail, brown with white stripes, and matching ears, grins mischeviously. "Kind, nothin'. Toune here can't resist dressing folks up when she gets the chance."
>The woman indicated as Toune merely mutters under her breath, which draws a bemused chuckle from the apparant squirrel youkai. "Ah, but ya make it so easy, Toune. 's why we all loves ya!" And with that she leans in, throws her arms around Toune and kisses her cheek. This gets her attention, as she blushes fiercely, trying (half-heartedly, you suspect) to push the squirrel off. "Leave off, Risa..." The other two girls that followed, one tall with long black hair and a matching tail, the other short with short green hair and dragonfly-like wings, laugh heartedly and Toune's predicament.
>Marigold, for her part, seems a little lost, amidst the goings-on.
>"Come away from there!" the miko in the silver skirt and sour puss calls out to her fellow shrine maidens. The air of authority in her voice mathes the rather imposing aura she radiates. "New youkai doesn't need to see your shenanigans!" Even the perky squirrel seems to wither at the sound of that voice, and the four of them take a few steps away from you and Marigold.
-
>Quietly to Marigold during the tussle, "They're just having some fun. But try not to do those sorts of things yourself until you understand things a little better."
>Once Sour Puss arrives. "It's alright, it's good for her to see people being friendly and enjoy themselves. No harm has been done."
-
>Quietly to Marigold during the tussle, "They're just having some fun. But try not to do those sorts of things yourself until you understand things a little better."
>Once Sour Puss arrives. "It's alright, it's good for her to see people being friendly and enjoy themselves. No harm has been done."
>Marigold nods slowly, smiling slightly as Risa 'assaults' Toune. "I understand, mother. But... I don't know the words, but seeing two... people.... connect... Feels right."
>The silver skirted miko doesn't leave her place near the temple, merely folds her arms across her chest, her dark expression unchanging. Now that you're giving her a better look, you can see that she, like Chie, has feline ears and a tail. But hers are an orangy-red, with prominant black stripes, and her hair has the same coloration. A keen eye denotes she also has razor-thin black stripes on her skin, as well. You'd describe her as beautiful, but her severe bearing and downright mean expression kind of takes some of that away.
>Eagle levels a smirk her way. "Could learn a thing or two from that one, Kiki."
>"And you could learn to keep that forked tongue away from me." the feline youkai snaps, before returning her molten gold eyes to you. "The discipline of the maidens of this shrine is MINE to maintain and judge, human, not yours. I'll not have them act like a bunch of kittens in front of a new life, or any life, for that matter."
-
>"Are harsh and unpleasant words considered more fitting for a new life, then? Or insults toward Eagle?"
-
>"Are harsh and unpleasant words considered more fitting for a new life, then? Or insults toward Eagle?"
>"Insult?" She quirks an eyebrow. She glances between the two of you, and sighs slightly. "Right..." She levels an almost sad look at Eagle. "How in the world did you manage to wrap THIS one around your finger so easily? So looks wise enough to know better."
>The Eagle's grin never waves. "Well, she hasn't known me that long." she remarks casually, plucking a D string.
-
>Oh, so many openings to exploit if we were a worse person...
>"Regardless, I believe we have promised everyone a song?"
-
>Oh, so many openings to exploit if we were a worse person...
>"Regardless, I believe we have promised everyone a song?"
>Plenty of time to expound upon those opportunities in the postgame.
>Your last word brings a pleasant buzz back to the crowd of girls, as the somewhat darkened atmosphere brought on by your exchange with the striped youkai dissipates, replaced by one of giddy anticipation. You'd think the vaunted Flan herself was rolling up the temple steps, instead of yourself, accompanied by a rather dubious character with a beaten guitar and a battered harmonica.
>Three of the miko walk apart from you, back towards the entrance of the temple, the squirrel still looking somewhat subdued. She does, however, have her arm firmly linked around Toune's, who still seems to be blushing slightly.
>The short one with the dragonfly wings, however, remians in proximity to you, smiling somewhat uncertainly. "Please don't be too upset with Kiku. She takes her role here very seriously, and we all actually like her for it, but Asuka's being here makes her... unhappy."
-
>"Ah, why is that?"
-
>"Ah, why is that?"
>The small girl blinks in confusion, then her face shows some sympathy. "I guess you really DID just meet her, didn't you?"
-
>"Mmm, I see. Forgive me, we had yet to really be introduced properly, so I though maybe you were talking about one of your companions."
-
>"Mmm, I see. Forgive me, we had yet to really be introduced properly, so I though maybe you were talking about one of your companions."
>The small girl nods in understanding. "Asuka's the Eagle's real name, Asuka Nagashima. I don't know why she prefers 'Eagle', but, that's just her way, I didn't pry. I myself don't like nicknames, so, I always call her Asuka. Sorry for the confusion."
-
>Nod.
>"It's alright."
>Keep pace with that raptor!
-
>Nod.
>"It's alright."
>Keep pace with that raptor!
>Given that the raptor in question is stationary, this proves to be an easy task, as she finishes prepping her guitar, then produces an odd metal apparatus with two elongeted prongs around a semicircular hoop of steel and her harmonica, as you close the distance between you, the miko with the dragonfly wings and Marigold behind you.
>"You sure you can play botha those at once, Eagle?" asks a copper-skirted woman of medium height with short black hair, standing behind Eagle.
>"This tune and a lot harder ones, Streaks." Eagle replies, with only a hint of pride. She places the metal gizmo over her head, letting the frame rest on her shoulders, then affixes her harmonica between the two extension, placing the thing in front of her mouth. That explains how she intends to play both instruments, then. Giving her harp a couple test blows, she leans back. "Right, all set."
>One of the seated bronze-skirted miko, a tallish woman with canine ears atop her head, long white hair with blue streaks in it, stands quickly and moves to one side, seemingly offering you her seat. You note Kiku nod slightly in approval.
-
>Wave a hand to the canine youkai, a seat won't be needed.
>"So am I. Start us off?"
>Once she begins, join in at the appropriate time.
-
>Wave a hand to the canine youkai, a seat won't be needed.
>"So am I. Start us off?"
>Once she begins, join in at the appropriate time.
>The canine spares a sidelong glance back at Kiku, who gives her an approving nod, prompting the canine to give you a nod of acknowledgement.
>Eagle nods an affirmative your way, and the buzz around the crowd dies down as she blows out another couple test notes of her harmonica, replaced by an expectant hush.
>It had been a while since you last heard the song, and even longer since the last time you sang it, but when Eagle starts playing the first few notes of the song, it comes back to you very easily, and you nail your cue. While your voice is of a higher timbre than the original singer, this does not affect your ability to carry across the same emotional intent as the original, as it does in other peoples' cases. Your rich, full, beautiful voice (the words of your fans, of course, not your own, you'd describe your singing talents as modest, at best) croons the bittersweet tale told in Bad Timing. Eagle joins you for the first chorus, and while her voice doesn't entirely harmonize with yours, she has a surprisingly pleasant baritone.
>On the second chorus, however, two more voices join you and the Eagle; another baritone, this one belonging to the youkai with the long black tail, currently seated, with the woman Eagle was speaking to leaning over behind her, her arms wrapped around the youkai's shoulders; the other a bass, coming from Toune, who is standing hand in hand with Risa. Despite her previous objections to the squirrel youkai's affections, she seems very comfortable with her proximity now, despite the great tears streaming down the face of her partner.
>When you finish your song, as the Eagle's last notes drift away into the air, Risa darts forward and envelops you in a hug, weeping dramatically. You think you hear her say "Beautiful!" but it's hard to tell through the overly dramatic noise. The other mikos aren't as overly dramatic, but they do give you a rousing round of applause. Except Kiku, of course, but even she is smiling at you now.
-
>Return the hug. "Thank you, but please don't give me too much credit. Eagle did her share, as well. And so did everyone who joined us."
-
>Return the hug. "Thank you, but please don't give me too much credit. Eagle did her share, as well. And so did everyone who joined us."
>"Credit where it's due, Superstar." Eagle smirks as she lays her guitar aside. "You've a fine singin' voice on ya. Ever thought about makin' a living that way?"
>"Indeed." Kiku intones. "I thank you, Hijiri-san, for gracing our shrine with this gift." She bows formally. As do the other miko around you, except for Risa, who's still weeping, and Toune, who gently tries to pry her off you. Without a tremendous amount of success.
-
>"Is...she going to be alright?"
>Gently subtly toward weepy Risa.
-
>"Is...she going to be alright?"
>Gently subtly toward weepy Risa.
>Toune nods slowly. "She's.... overly emotional. She may need a minute." she replies in a tone that seems to say she's kinda like this all the time. Risa responds by quickly disengaging from you and enveloping Toune in that massive glomp of hers, prompting a "Glccck!" sound from the human. You wonder if that happens all the time, as well.
>You hear Kiku's voice adressing the throng, "And now, Sisters, with the show over, I believe we all have duties to attend?" The assembled females begin to disperse, most back into the temple, all chatting happily amongst themselves, some of them calling back another 'thank you' to you, while the miko with the dragonfly wings exchanges a farewell with Marigold before heading for the shack.
>Kiku then walks down from the veranda, towards you. "As I assume entertaining my Sisters was not why you came to visit the shrine today- which I thank you for again- has your visit proved satisfactory? Or do you desire a private consult with Satori, or one of our other Sisters?"
-
>"No, I think I'm fine for now. Thank you for being kind hosts."
-
>"No, I think I'm fine for now. Thank you for being kind hosts."
>"It is our duty to serve." Kiku takes a moment to give Risa and Toune the eye, looking slightly displeased, but also resigned. She then glances back at the Eagle, closing her guitar case and slinging it over her shoulder. "If I may offer some advice," she adds, "I would take great care when dealing with her, if you intend to do so in the future. She does nothing that she cannot profit from. I would hate to see her exploit yet another."
-
>Quietly say, "I would believe that kind of thinking would lead a person to believe they have no reason to act any differently. I'm keep caution in mind, but she's not done anything particularly wrong to me yet."
-
>Quietly say, "I would believe that kind of thinking would lead a person to believe they have no reason to act any differently. I'm keep caution in mind, but she's not done anything particularly wrong to me yet."
>"'Yet' being the optimum word." Kiku doesn't bother to keep her voice down. "It always starts with 'yet', with her and those like her. You would be well served not to associate with her at all." Despite her obvious dislike of Eagle, you'd swear you saw a flicker of fear in the striped youkai's eyes when she looked at her.
>"But that is your decision, of course. You did not come here for a consultation, so I offer none. Forgive me, if I have said too much."
-
>"I do not think I am the one whose forgiveness you need to ask. But thank you."
>Wait for her to go, then look to Eagle. "You must have a hard time resisting the urge to really take advantage of some of these people."
-
>"I do not think I am the one whose forgiveness you need to ask. But thank you."
>Wait for her to go, then look to Eagle. "You must have a hard time resisting the urge to really take advantage of some of these people."
>Kiku frowns briefly at your advice, and that same flicker of fear crosses her eyes again briefly. For a moment, she seems to want to say more, but she does not. Merely bows briefly and walks back towards the temple.
>"Hope ya liked the show, Kiki." Eagle remarks a little too pleasantly, eliciting a snarl and a scowl from the feline youkai as she passes by. Eagle chuckles softly, then stands, pocketing her harmonica in her old blue jean jacket.
>"You mean Kiki there?" she smirks, strolling towards you. "Well... a little. But, honestly, her, I don't mind as much as some others in my time. I understand her." She chuckles softly, shaking her head. "She KNOWS I do, too. And that just makes things worse, for her."
-
"Reputation is a strange thing. Even one such that I have, which is a useful tool, and something that I feel I have done some part to earn, can twist lives in subtle and blatant ways. We can never truly know what it is to be another with out being them, and even that is sometimes not enough, but forgive me for my philosophy."
hmm..not quite right, probably projecting to much of my self into our Bya-chan.
-
>"Reputation is a strange thing. Even one such that I have, which is a useful tool, and something that I feel I have done some part to earn, can twist lives in subtle and blatant ways. We can never truly know what it is to be another with out being them, and even that is sometimes not enough, but forgive me for my philosophy."
>Eagle shrugs, smiling easily. "Reps, philosophy, we all got em both. I try not to hold either against someone, but I suppose I'm a little biased on the former, being the person I am, and having the rep I do." She tilts her head sideways slightly, her smile becoming more a grin. "You're a real interesting bird, yknow? Looks like yours, a good heart, and a thinker on top of it." Her grin becomes somewhat self-mocking. "What the heck you doing with someone like me?"
>"Beh, whatever." she shrugs, shifting the guitar on her back. "You got change for the bus? We got a pendant to find." Her grin then becomes cocky. "Unless you wanted to go with Lily to her new shrine?"
-
>"I should be able to cover bus fare. Let's go."
-
>"I should be able to cover bus fare. Let's go."
>You set off for the stairs leading down to the main road, Eagle falling into step behind you.
>"One thing I can't figure out, though, Youmu or Suika?" she asks casually.
-
>"Hmmm?"
-
>"Hmmm?"
>"That's the one thing I couldn't figure, which shrine Lily's moving to. Youmu's closer her age, but Suika's... Well, Suika."
-
>Nod and proceed.
>"I suspect she'll favor Youmu, but we'll see what happens. If I may ask, how have your experiences with Satori been?"
-
"Brief, for the most part. Stern perhaps."
-
>"What sort of stern? I would hope that someone who could read your thoughts would be able to show some understanding that others would not."
-
>Nod and proceed.
>"I suspect she'll favor Youmu, but we'll see what happens. If I may ask, how have your experiences with Satori been?"
"Brief, for the most part. Stern perhaps."
>"What sort of stern? I would hope that someone who could read your thoughts would be able to show some understanding that others would not."
I'm not entirely certain what happened here, but let's try that again.
>Nod and proceed.
>"I suspect she'll favor Youmu, but we'll see what happens. If I may ask, how have your experiences with Satori been?"
>"Satori's a tough boss, can't get nothin' over on her. But she's fair, too. You do her right, and she'll do you right. She knows how to let people do what they're good at; even has a sense of what they're good at, without asking." She shakes her head as you walk down the stairs. "I'm pretty perceptive, but you'd think the woman could read your mind."
>"You met her, out in the woods. You get that feeling?"
-
This is what happens when people keep changing names and avatars.
>"I wouldn't be surprised. So, she's treated you well?"
-
>"I wouldn't be surprised. So, she's treated you well?"
>Eagle chuckles. "Lemme put it to you this way. As long as I'm here, she knows how to use me. She knows what I'm good at, and she lets me do it, to benefit the shrine. She also knows what I don't like , and doesn't force me to do it. So yeah, compared to a lot of bosses I've known, she's a fair woman."
>"That said, though, I get the distinct impression that she ain't exactly gonna miss me when my sentence is up. Sometimes I wonder why she ever volunteered for this gig at all..."
-
>Nod.
>"Well, she might have expected someone different? Or, perhaps she's just blinded by preconceptions."
-
>Nod.
>"Well, she might have expected someone different? Or, perhaps she's just blinded by preconceptions."
>"Maybe, but I'm inclined to doubt it. She knew what she was getting when she asked for me, she had to. I can't confirm this, of course, but I suspect suspect she had her own reasons for asking for me, and all the cons she's handled before, I'm not the first. Reasons beyond the stipend the government pays the shrine for assisting their correctional program." Her face betrays a hint of vexation as she continues, "I just haven't figured out what, yet. She keeps her cards real close to her chest."
>As the Eagle ruminates on the head of the western shrine, a small shudder runs down your spine, one you suspect has nothing to do with the chill wing blowing around and up your legs. Three years plus of being the school idol of the Mayoiga system has given you an almost preternatural sense for when someone has their eyes on you. It feels like that now, although a quick glance around reveals no one at least in plain sight.
-
>Does Eagle seem to be cagey at all, as though she felt it too?
-
>Does Eagle seem to be cagey at all, as though she felt it too?
>If she has any sense of being observed, she gives no outward sign of it.
-
>Fold a hand over our ring, and try to employ some of our more esoteric senses to find the source, if we can.
-
>Fold a hand over our ring, and try to employ some of our more esoteric senses to find the source, if we can.
>Covering the ring on your right hand, you send out a sort of 'psychic probe', trying to employ some of your newfound abilities to identify the indivual that seems to be snooping on you. As you continue down the long stairway to the main road, you begin to have a sense of... not so much an individual, but a distinct presense instead. It is virtually identical to the sense of age that you felt when in the woods with Lily, but on a much smaller scale.
-
>Can we put a location to it?
-
>Can we put a location to it?
>Vaguely behind you, more to your right than left. You cannot be more precise without a more focused effort.
-
>Can we discreetly make a more focused effort?
-
>Can we discreetly make a more focused effort?
>Your abilities are still mostly unknown to you at this point, you're not entirely certain how to concentrate in this manner on the move. You suspect that could narrow your focus, but at the very least, you would have to stop moving.
-
>We'll wait until we get to the bus stop, then.
>Keep an eye on it in the meantime.
-
>We'll wait until we get to the bus stop, then.
>Keep an eye on it in the meantime.
>Opting to wait until you come to a natural stop, so to speak, you continue down to the bottom of the stairs, affording you quite a view of the city below you. Well, it would, if you weren't a bit distracted. You're not entirely certain, but you believe that whatever was putting out that sensation is following you down, but at a leisurely rate, letting you pull out ahead of it. As it is coming from behind you, you obviously can see nothing, but no sounds out of the ordinary cross your ears, either.
>At least not until you reach the threshold of the torii gate leading to the road proper. As you stand before it, and the Eagle crosses under it, you hear a slight but distinct rustling in the plantlife behind and to your right, some distance back.
>Weirdly, Eagle makes a *tsk tsk* sound and shakes her head, almost in amusement. "Very sloppy, Kiki..." she remarks quietly, more to herself than you.
-
>Is the rustling roughly where we are sensing things?
-
>Is the rustling roughly where we are sensing things?
>It seems to line up with the general vicinity.
>"Tiger or jaguar this time, I wonder..." Eagle mutters.
-
>"What's this, now?"
-
>"What's this, now?"
>Eagle chuckles archly, then whispers. "Have a look back there, tell me what kinda cat ya see there. Or dog, maybe she wrangled one of the other girls."
-
>Have a look.
-
>Have a look.
>Looking back, you see the Eagle was right about the 'dog', wrong about the 'girls'. It's a fox. As a matter of fact, it is Hideo, the fox you met before you and Lily entered the woods. He is sitting in the middle of the staircase.
-
>"It's a fox, actually. Something of an old friend."
-
>"It's a fox, actually. Something of an old friend."
>"A fox?" She actually sounds a little surprised, and turns to have a looks for herself. "Huh. That ain't one of the lucky ones. He one of the local animals, or just an old boyfriend?"
-
>"Hideo, they call him, I believe?"
-
>"Hideo, they call him, I believe?"
>Eagle ponders the name for a minute before nodding sharply. "Ah, yeah, that guy! Never seen him myself." She then seems to ponder again. "Old friend, eh? So he was the guy that took you and Lily on that merry little romp of yours?"
-
>"That's the one. He's over there."
>Gesture toward him.
-
>"That's the one. He's over there."
>Gesture toward him.
>Eagle gives you a look. "I CAN see him, yknow."
>As you gesture towards the fox, it occurs to you that the faint sense of age is coming from him. He seems no different than before, but that is definately the sense you're getting.
-
>Metal Tiger? Are you here?
-
>Metal Tiger? Are you here?
>Go with my blessings, Hero of the Heart. And beware the serpent that was never mine.
-
>And may you and yours have no difficulties during this time.
>Depart, once Eagle is done gawking at Hideo.
-
>And may you and yours have no difficulties during this time.
>Depart, once Eagle is done gawking at Hideo.
>The Tiger's voice does not return, but Hideo's tail does wave back and forth, just once. Eagle chuckles wryly at the sight. "Think he came to say goodbye. Idn't that sweet."
>Passing underneath the gate, the sense of age fades entirely, and is gone when you reach the road, Eagle walking abreast from you, as you head down the road towards the little glass bus stop rest box. The Eagle, you note, seems a little more alert now.
-
>"Is there anything I shall need to know about this, beforehand?"
-
>"Is there anything I shall need to know about this, beforehand?"
>"This what?" Eagle replies, her eyes scanning the plantlife to your right.
-
>"This search."
-
>"This search."
>"Ah, right, that." She casts her eyes about again once more, then continues, keeping her voice on the low side. "Well, that depends on where we go first. And THAT depends on which driver arrives first; I think it's Hol, but his schedule changes now and then. I've got some ideas in mind, some of which I actually do need an extra set of hands for, and at least one that doesn't."
>A strong breeze blows past you, and the Eagle turns her eyes towards the rustling plants again, her sentance trailing off. She mutters something else that you don't quite catch.
-
>"Hm?"
-
>"Hm?"
>Your companion emits a quiet but high-pitched noise, akin to a short snarl. "Damn fox got me thrown off. Seein' the cats...." she mutters out loud. Then she snaps her wings, in a manner that reminds you of a human shaking their head, or slapping their cheeks. "Screw em, I'll figure out which one it is later."
>"Where was I? Oh, right, the plan. I also may need you to make a call or two for me, depending. I'm not allowed to have a cell for a while."
-
>"What a strange probation requirement... But that is fine. And, don't worry about them. They're probably just assuming we're running off for some make-outs, if I've gauged how things around there work correctly."
-
>"What a strange probation requirement... But that is fine. And, don't worry about them. They're probably just assuming we're running off for some make-outs, if I've gauged how things around there work correctly."
>Your comment makes the Eagle slow, and an amused smile spreads across her face. "Don't suppose that was an offer?"
>"Naw, I'm just tuggin' your talon!" she chortles, but her smile again has that faint hint of mocking to it, for a second. "But this isn't the first time I've left the shrine with someone else since I started. Kiki's taken it upon herself, or gets one of the other lucky ones (she emphasizes the word 'lucky' with just a hint of bitterness) to shadow me. Make sure I don't "SHAAAAME the temple" and all that jazz. Not that I BLAME her, exactly, I just consider it a matter of pride to spot em before I get where I'm going." She pauses, rubbing her wristband thoughtfully. "Though now that you mention, I gotta wonder where scoring with the Morning Star ranks on the 'divine shame' charts, or whatever.
-
>"Hmmm, I'd say about up there with waking up in a dumpster. But I suspect the only shame they're interested in is good gossip. Isn't it wonderful to be loved?""
-
>"Hmmm, I'd say about up there with waking up in a dumpster. But I suspect the only shame they're interested in is good gossip. Isn't it wonderful to be loved?""
>The Eagle chuckles quietly. "I suppose it must be. Maybe you'll educate me on the subject."
>"I actually kinda like their gossip, if I'm honest with ya. They don't mean harm by it, and they never start no rumors. 'least they haven't since I've been there. Given some of the crews I've run with over the years, that's a refreshing change. And... Of course, it does yield the odd opportunity or two."
-
>"Dare I ask about those opportunities?"
-
>"Dare I ask about those opportunities?"
>"I think you saw you one yourself, after you were done playing with Lily and the locals in the woods. I admit a simple 'did they or didn't they' wager isn't the most... imaginative venture, but it's always fun."
-
>"And will I be seeing any of the take?"
-
>"And will I be seeing any of the take?"
>She blinks. "Beg your pardon?"
-
>Chuckle.
>"Just a joke."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Just a joke."
>The winged woman eyes you for a moment longer, her expression somewhat dark. After that moment passes, though, her expression lightens.
>"Right. Some people joke about that kinda thing..." It seems she takes matters of money rather seriously.
-
>"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to annoy you."
-
>"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to annoy you."
>She nods slowly. "It's fine, it's... Well, let's just say I've gotten used to dealing with a.... shall we say, less polished class of person than you. You develop some instincts. Gotta adjust."
-
>"I suppose so. I imagine there would be some things one doesn't joke about in such a crowd."
-
>"I suppose so. I imagine there would be some things one doesn't joke about in such a crowd."
>She nods. "Got that right, Byakuren. Well... Then again, I suppose that's true for everyone, idn't it. I mean every group has their 'buttons', just some're bigger than others. Even you and Marissa, I'd wager."
-
>"Oh certainly. And it would please me if you didn't try to dig too deeply to figure out what those buttons may be."
-
>"Oh certainly. And it would please me if you didn't try to dig too deeply to figure out what those buttons may be."
>She looks at you with somewhat exaggerated surprise, and just the hint of a grin. Not entirely unlike the look Marissa gives you now and then. "Would I do that?" Then she chuckles, and places a hand dramatically over her chest, although her expression is one of a person impressed by their jousting partner. "Touch?, Byakuren, touch?."
>The glass box of the bus stop comes into view now, holding one figure currently, sitting upon the stone bench within.
-
>Have a glance at Benchly.
>"Either way, I'll be following your lead, I imagine."
-
>Have a glance at Benchly.
>"Either way, I'll be following your lead, I imagine."
>The figure on the bench is an elder gentleman, with a small grey moustache and similar shaded short hair, wearing a simple but proper suit and a bolar hat. He is leaning on a lacquered wooden cane, and his eyebrows are rather bushy. He appears to be enjoying the view of the city below him.
>Eagle nods approvingly. "But don't lose ALL your initiative, Byakuren. I've got two stops in mind right off the bat, and one of em, I can't even enter. That's where you come in."
-
>"Why can I enter? Probation restrictions, or something else?"
-
>"Why can I enter? Probation restrictions, or something else?"
>Eagle looks from side to side. "Mostly the something else bit." she replies, somewhat cautiously. "But, that brings to mind a point. Technically speaking, I'm not allowed to discuss the details of my probation, unless I have permission from my PO."
>Arriving at the bus stop, the Eagle leans her back against the plexiglass, laying her guitar case down beside her. "Which is easy enough to come by, she's a decent sort. And one of the few in the system, I might add. And I don't mind sharing the story at all. I just can't call her myself, obviously. But I do have her number, if you wanted. 'f nothing else, saves me having to tapdance around the issue all day."
-
>"What an absolutely silly stipulation. I'd be happy to make the call for you."
>Whip out our phone.
-
>"What an absolutely silly stipulation. I'd be happy to make the call for you."
>Whip out our phone.
>The Eagle laughs easily, then produces a scrap of paper with a number scrawled on it and a name, Kotohime.
>"Wanna get sillier? By the letter of the conditions, I ain't even allowed to hold a cell."
-
>"Did you kill someone with a cell phone?"
>Dial that number while she answers.
-
>"Did you kill someone with a cell phone?"
>Dial that number while she answers.
>She grins, amused. "You'd be surprised how often people ask that."
>It takes a few rings before you hear the sound of someone picking up. "Kotohime. Are you calling about the piano?"
-
>"No. I'm calling about Eagle, actually, and the terms of her parole."
-
>To Eagle: "You should probably be the one to talk to her."
>If she agrees, hand her the phone.
-
>To Eagle: "You should probably be the one to talk to her."
>If she agrees, hand her the phone.
>The Eagle gives you an arch look. "Now you're TRYING to get me in trouble? I just said I'm not allowed to hold one, let alone with a cop on the other end." She rustles her wings. "Just turn up the volume, I can hear from here."
>"No. I'm calling about Eagle, actually, and the terms of her parole."
>"Eagle, Eagle.... Ah, yes, the Manani of mine. Was that her just then?"
>"That was me, Kotohime." the Eagle calls. "Girls' got my okay, but you know how the brass are. Had to go through you before givin' her the skinny."
>Kotohime makes a sound like a pleasantly surprised breath. "My, how thoughtful. Well, I'd be happy to give you permission, Eagle. You-"
>"Hold up." Eagle cuts her off. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
>"I am?" Kotohime makes a thoughtful noise. "Didn't I do the regulation questions already?" The Eagle gives you a look that seems to say she's like this all the time.
-
>"Well, let's do them over just in case."
-
>"Well, let's do them over just in case."
>"I'm sorry, these things slip my mind from time to time."
>There is a rustling of paper on her end of the phone, accompanied by some quiet muttering. Then more rustling. Then more muttering. Eagle gives you a somewhat bemused look. Then the rustling stops, and you hear Kotohime clear her throat. "Please state your name and age, for the record."
-
>Glance to eagle, cover the receiver, and ask, "Mine?"
>If so, state that stuff!
-
>Glance to eagle, cover the receiver, and ask, "Mine?"
>If so, state that stuff!
>She nods, and you relate the relevant information to Kotohime. She makes that pleasantly surprised sound again. "The Morning Star? Wait, the Morning Star? Why are YOU with Asuka-chan?" Eagle almost manages to suppress a sneer at the mention of her given name. Or perhaps the 'chan', you're not certain which.
-
>"Mm, let's just say I have my reasons."
-
>"Mm, let's just say I have my reasons."
>You note the Eagle nod slightly, approvingly, at your choice of phrases.
>"Ah, I see, one of... Oh, my." She sounds somewhat dissapointed. "I'm very sorry, Hijiri-san, but that's actually one of the questions I have to ask."
>"If I may?" Eagle asks quietly, before stepping forward and speaking louder. "I'm doing a job for her- WITH her, actually- Kotohime, and I don't want to have to trip over my tongue every time the issue of my probation comes up."
>"Ah, is that all? Ah, well, that's fine then, I see no problem there. But what kind of job do you need with someone like Asuka-chan, Hijiri-san?"
-
>How often to people talk to us like they know us like this?
>"We're looking for a thing. It's nothing to worry about."
-
>How often to people talk to us like they know us like this?
>"We're looking for a thing. It's nothing to worry about."
>Fairly often, actually. You're one of the most well known figures around town, with one of the best reputations around, and have been for some years. Between you and the Evening Star, Marissa, you'd be surprised if there's an individual in town that hasn't heard of at least one of the idols of Mayoiga High. Point of fact, about the only individual in town that may be better known that you two, among the general public, is Miko Miko Suika. She's everybody's buddy, and everybody knows it.
>"I see. Well, watch yourself, Hijiri-san." she adds, in a tone that implies she's not altogether serious. "Asuka-chan's a shrewd one."
>"While I got ya, Kotohime," Eagle continues hurridly, as if to move past her own name, "Tell Onozuka I've had another case come in."
-
>Cover the receiver. "Case?"
-
>Cover the receiver. "Case?"
>"'nother job."
-
>Nod, and wait for Kotohime to say something.
-
>Nod, and wait for Kotohime to say something.
>"Case?" Kotohime asks. "Ah, yes, that! I think she wanted me to... or did I....? Yes, I'm sure I did. Anyway, Asuka-chan, you can talk about your case with Hijiri-san as much as you want. Oh, wait, weren't you calling about the piano?"
-
Can we tell if shes speaking to us or Asuka?
-
Can we tell if shes speaking to us or Asuka?
>You're... not 100% certain. The woman doesn't seem to be entirely focused.
-
>"Pianos have nothing to do with this. We'll get off the line so you can get that call."
>Presuming no objections, hang up.
-
>"Pianos have nothing to do with this. We'll get off the line so you can get that call."
>Presuming no objections, hang up.
>"Ah, I see. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Hijiri-san." she bids you farewell, and you close your phone.
>The Eagle, for her part, is smirking slightly at your exchange with Kotohime, but a slightly pained smirk. "'magine that on a BAD day."
-
>"I don't suppose you have any idea what that piano thing was about, do you?"
-
>"I don't suppose you have any idea what that piano thing was about, do you?"
>"She's got an old baby grand she's trying to trade. Not having much luck, though. See, she's trying to trade a piano painted with pink and green stripes for one that's even weirder looking." She chuckles. "Even I'M having a hard time with this one."
-
"It's hard to find something that does not exist. So, now that you can talk a bit more freely?"
-
"It's hard to find something that does not exist. So, now that you can talk a bit more freely?"
>"I'll spare you a lot of the details, but, to make a long story short, the last cell phone I had wasn't.... shall we say, quite legal. As a result, someone shoehorned this particular clause into my plea bargain, and it was deemed appropriate by a judge. Until my community service is up, I'm barred from using cellular phones, except in the event of a life-threatening situation, or otherwise justifyable extenuating circumstance."
-
>"I am surprised you haven't played chicken with them in some regards, claiming that take-out food is a life-saving call and the like."
-
>"I am surprised you haven't played chicken with them in some regards, claiming that take-out food is a life-saving call and the like."
>"I actually know someone who'd try that and mean it. But the name of the game is knowing the system, and its players. I know what I can and can't get away with."
-
>Nod.
>"Any other parole quirks I should know about?"
-
>Nod.
>"Any other parole quirks I should know about?"
>"I suppose you count having to play at the police new years' social."
-
>Cackle. We haven't had a good cackle in awhile.
>"Now that really is just exploitative."
-
>Cackle. We haven't had a good cackle in awhile.
>"Now that really is just exploitative."
>It HAS been quite some time since your last cackle, and you relish this one. Marissa would be proud.
>Eagle for her part merely smirks quietly. "The justice system of Yamato, at work."
-
>"You must have done some pretty bad things to get all of that put on your shoulders."
>Shrug.
>"You'd think having a run-in with the principal would be bad enough."
-
>"You must have done some pretty bad things to get all of that put on your shoulders."
>Shrug.
>"You'd think having a run-in with the principal would be bad enough."
>"Doin' books for a miko, couple free concerts, no cell phone bills... Sure beats prison time. Although, compared to goin' another round with old man Unzan, I'd have a long look at jail time."
-
>Nod.
>"I can imagine."
-
>Nod.
>"I can imagine."
>She tilts her head over her shoulder, having a glance at the bus schedule on the inside of the hut, then nods, before looking back at you.
>"So, you'd heard about our little run in with the old man, did ya? I'm curious, which version'd you hear?"
-
>Which version did we hear?
>If it's the version where they all got their asses kicked, say, "The version where you were all given a thorough defeat. I would often be inclined to question that, but in this case..."
-
>Which version did we hear?
>If it's the version where they all got their asses kicked, say, "The version where you were all given a thorough defeat. I would often be inclined to question that, but in this case..."
>They attended school at their leisure, up until principal Unzan challenged them all to a 4 on 1 wrestling match, and won. After that, they at least tried to clean their act up a little.
>That version. Which definitely qualifies as getting their asses kicked.
>"Yeah, even I wouldn't have bet on us up against him. Of course, Bear and 'hawk jumped at the chance, Bear especially, she thought she could wrestle the moon out of orbit. Until the old man damn near suplexed her INTO orbit. It went into a bit of a dive for us after that."
>"Still I'm a little surprised, I'dve expected at least a few more rumors about our... confrontation, with the old man to have circulated by now. There's a few different versions, but the true story still's the most popular version. Myself, I like the version where Unzan and the faculty challenged us four to a hockey game, and he threw Bear into the top row of the stands."
-
>"It would have been quite a sight if that version was the real one."
-
>"It would have been quite a sight if that version was the real one."
>"Id've sold tickets to that one, no matter which side won. There was also the bike race story, and the pink dress showdown, but frankly, those ain't as good."
-
>"I would imagine that tickets to any of those events, as well as the real one, would have sold well."
>BUS! >=[
-
>"I would imagine that tickets to any of those events, as well as the real one, would have sold well."
>BUS! >=[
>"Something I've kept in mind for the next time this happens."
>Bus schedules being what they are, there's still a bit of time before the next one arrives, which you spend alternating between idle conversation with the winged youkai and sorting out your thoughts over everything that's happened so far today, not the least which being your current companion. Thus far, you've not had all that much reason to think she's as bad as people have been warning you about; you've seen enough to believe she's on the crafty side, but perhaps may be the victim of a somewhat exaggerated reputation. She seems to have accepted the justice meted out to her, and still be willing to joke about it, as opposed to being bitter and trying to weasel her way around her conditions. That's gotta be a plus.
>After a few minutes, however, you note an odd noise around you, a kind of high pitched wheezing whine. It takes a moment to track down the source: despite the fact that his eyes are open, the old man seems to have fallen asleep. Eagle chuckles at the sound and skill displayed, and you decide to let the old codger sleep for the time being.
>After precisely 17 minutes have passed, the city bus pulls up, disgorging a middle aged man in a suit, and then a pair of young women in the traditional red and white miko robes, shrine maidens of one of the other shrines in town.
>Eagle picks up her guitar case and climbs aboard, stopping to exchange a word with the driver.
-
>Follow her on. Try to overhear what she's saying discreetly. Handle the fares.
-
>Follow her on. Try to overhear what she's saying discreetly. Handle the fares.
>Mounting the stairs up into the bus, you produce a couple bits and deposit them into the change receptacle, and open an ear to what Eagle, wings folded in to accommodate the small space, and the bus driver are saying. This doesn't prove hard, as Eagle isn't exactly trying to keep the conversation.
>"You're due, Hol." she states simply to the man with the dark blue hair and the dark sunglasses sitting in the drivers' seat, wearing a sharp grin. He produces a brown envelope and hands it to the youkai.
-
>Have a seat. And once a seat is had, ask, "Would I be upset if I learned what that was about?"
-
>Have a seat. And once a seat is had, ask, "Would I be upset if I learned what that was about?"
>Ignoring the somewhat unsettling expression on the driver's face, you select a seat for yourself towards the end of the bus, on one of the benches along the side, taking into account Eagle's wingspan. Other passengers include a bored looking teenage boy, a teenage girl sitting on a male teenagers lap, and a pair of elderly women in the back.
>"My regards to the lucky ladies." Eagle notes to the driver she called 'Hol', and follows after you, plopping down in the seat two seats away from you, and opens the envelope, producing a handful of bills. "I doubt it." she replies, counting out an amount that you'd estimate at around $1000, give or take fifty bucks. "I introduced him to his wife. TWO of his wives, actually. I may not look like it, but I used to be a fairly decent matchmaker. And love's a lucrative business."
-
>"Impressive. How many matches have you made? And how many have held together?"
-
>"Impressive. How many matches have you made? And how many have held together?"
>Eagle counts out the money again, then replaces it in the envelope and pockets it. "Well, it's been a while since I've had a customer for that particular skill of mine; most folks don't want a con setting them up, yknow. But before that... Depending on how you score polygamy, anywhere between 9 and 14. Check that, 10 to 15, I'd forgot one."
>"As for the ones that've stuck together, I'm not honestly sure. Once my business with the couple's concluded, the rest is, to put it delicately, their business. Well, okay, that's not ENTIRELY true, I have done some work for a couple of my lovebirds- I'm ALWAYS open for more work- and they still seem happy enough. I only know of two of my fix-ups that didn't last; one of which involved a couple that were a little too career oriented to stay together- bit of a miscalculation on my part, I admit- and the other one's a bit more... complicated."
-
>"It's good that you're doing well for yourself. Have you ever considered going into social work? It seems you have a knack for it."
-
>"It's good that you're doing well for yourself. Have you ever considered going into social work? It seems you have a knack for it."
>"I prefer the freelance style. I'm not really one for bosses and rulebooks, outside of me and my own. Besides, it means fewer hands in my pockets." She pulls her harmonica out of another pocket and twirls it idly. "I do what I can for the people that can pay me, in money or otherwise. It's a simple life, but it works for me." She flashes you a quick smile. "And it's never boring."
-
>"I would feel very bad for the person who would consider our day thus far boring."
-
>"I would feel very bad for the person who would consider our day thus far boring."
>She chuckles, her wings rustling with amusement. "Any day that sees one of the Manari having a chat with the Morning Star is a heluva day, in'n'of itself. Everythin' else is pure gravy."
-
>"I'd consider it the least impressive part, really. But I don't think I could say no to gravy in any event."
-
>"I'd consider it the least impressive part, really. But I don't think I could say no to gravy in any event."
>"You'n me both, Byakuren." Her face twists slightly. "Now I've gone 'n made myself hungry." she mutters, producing a small rice cake from one of her jacket's breast pockets, practically inhaling the little treat. Then she leans forward, resting her elbows on her legs, and her chin on her folded hands. "Well, now you'll be wanting to know just what I've had in mind for this little civil duty you've undertaken." she poses.
-
>"Yes, if you would."
-
>"Yes, if you would."
>She nods. "I didn't wanna say too much before we left, cuz I wasn't sure which bus route was slated for today; drivers' schedule's been a bit up in the air for the past little while. But I know Hol's route here, and he's the guy I was hoping was on, because one of his stops in just near one of the three places I've got in mind, before I have to start getting exotic."
>She pauses, and then grins slightly. "Yes, three. I said two earlier for the benefit of whoever's furry ears were following us. Cats ain't the only ones that can play, and not knowing exactly what I'm up to drives Kiku's fears up the wall. Anyway," she carries on, "like I said before, there's a place that won't deal with me, and there's another place that I won't deal with; that's actually the place Hol drives by first, we can stop there first, if you'd like. Still your show, after all. And the last place that's immediately on my mind is Ran's itself. The scene of the crime, if you will."
-
>"Which would be most informative, do you think?"
-
>"Which would be most informative, do you think?"
>"That depends." She leans back slightly. "When you're looking for jewelery that isn't quite... above board, the first place you should look is a pawn shop. A fair number of the ones here aren't entirely inquisitive about every bit of merchandise that comes across their counter. They can't traffic in engraved jewelery, but Chen's pendant isn't, according to her fliers. There's five pawn shops in town that might have acquired that pendant and not have contacted Ran or Chen, or the police for that matter, by now. And it's not at four of them, or Id've known by now. That leaves the fifth, and that's the one that won't deal with me. That one, however, is basically on the other side of town, and it keeps long hours, even on Sunday so it wouldn't hurt to check into the other place first."
>"There's a little store called Kourin-dou, that's the place we're closest to. It's not a pawn shop per se, but it takes in all manner of merchandise. It's possible the owner acquired Chen's pendant, and isn't even aware that he did. Or that he forgot, he can be pretty damn absentminded, when he's not talking business."
>You have heard of this Kourin-dou before, and it's owner and seemingly one of only two employees, Rinnosuke Morichika. The place is rumored to be a repository of all manner of wacky and exotic things that some can't even put names to, and is agreed to be one of, if not the, most disorganized stores in the entirely of the country of Yamato. Although you would bet Marissa's place is worse. Rinnosuke himself has a bit of a dual reputation, some say that he's immensely scatterbrained. Some others say he could sell rain to a cloud, although this version of Rinnosuke doesn't seem to be as popular as the former. You've heard your classmates discuss the store before, but you've never had cause to go there yourself.
>"And even if he doesn't have the thing," Eagle continues, "he might have heard something useful. And hey, ynever know, you might find that piano Kotohime's looking for while you're in there. But as for Ran's, well, that's honestly a question mark. I'm sure the Yakumos and their flunkies have gone over a four mile radius and more looking for that thing, but there's at least one good reason for me to have a stab at it. It's not a guarantee, but it's a chance."
-
>"It's worth looking into Kourindou, if it is close by."
-
>"It's worth looking into Kourindou, if it is close by."
>"My thoughts exactly. Only hitch is, Rinnosuke's one of the few guys in town that I won't deal with. But, I doubt you'll have the some problem with him that I would."
-
>"Is there a problem between the two of you?"
-
>"Is there a problem between the two of you?"
>In a moment you find a little surprising, given what you've seen of her, the Eagle looks somewhat uncomfortable for a moment.
>"I bring out the best in him. Or worst, I suppose, depending on how you'd look at it. But his best is better than mine." She pauses again, then looks away from you slightly. "Guess that doesn't really answer your question, does it."
-
>"Not particularly, no."
-
>"Not particularly, no."
>She sighs quietly, still not meeting your eyes. She thinks for a moment, then shrugs slightly before raising her head again. "Alright, then let me perfectly honest. I'm good. I'm not being arrogant, it's a fact, I know how good I am. I can sell someone a three-legged horse, and convince them they got the better end of the deal. But the only reason I'd have a three-legged horse in the first place is because HE sold it to me in the first place. That's how good HE is."
>"I'm a businesswoman. And he's a businessman. Put the two of us in the same room, and it brings all our best instincts to the surface. And his trump mine." Speaking that last line brings an expression to her face akin to one that just took a swallow of some very vile liquor.
-
>"It's nothing to be ashamed of. If he's better at it than you, it just means you'll have to improve, right? There's always someone better, but you shouldn't let that get you down. Instead, let it motivate you to improve."
-
>"I imagine you probably have some niche talent he doesn't."
-
>"It's nothing to be ashamed of. If he's better at it than you, it just means you'll have to improve, right? There's always someone better, but you shouldn't let that get you down. Instead, let it motivate you to improve."
>She manages a small grin. "You ought to put that on a poster. I got a guy for that." She glances out the window, then back at you. "But you're right, too. There IS always someone better. ... For now." Another grin, also brief. "It just galls me a little. I thought he was an idiot, and he beat me at my own game. That hurt worse than Unzan's octopus hold. And I'm still not in Rinnosuke's league. I'll get there, make no bones about that. I'll get there. I'm just not there yet, and until I am, I'm keeping my feathers out of his store. Now, you, on the other wing." she flicks her finger in your direction. "I doubt you'll even see that side of him. You hatched from a different nest than I."
>"I imagine you probably have some niche talent he doesn't."
>She rustles her wings briefly. "Other than the obvious?" she quips.
-
>"Better at playing the stocks? I meant in relation to business."
-
>"Better at playing the stocks? I meant in relation to business."
>"Of course I do. That's the nature of the beast. Well, like anything else, I imagine, every player in a league has skills and talents that someone else doesn't. Well, let's take you and your modeling gigs, as well. Safe to say there's things you can do, or are willing to do, better than the rest of Aya's birds, and some that others can do better than you, or are willing to do things you aren't. Capitalism, modeling, hockey, wrestling, doesn't matter. A person gotta find what they're best at, and use it to their advantage, be better in at least one thing the other guy isn't."
>"I'm sure you'd phrase that different than me, though."
-
>Nod. "Precisely. Anyway, I will be happy to deal with him."
-
>Nod. "Precisely. Anyway, I will be happy to deal with him."
>"Excellent. And, if I may make an observation, I think you've got another advantage over a lot of other folks, in the department of being better or worse than the other guy. You don't strike me as the type to choke on pride. Not that you HAVE no pride, that's not what I mean, but I doubt you'd let it rule you, wouldn't let pride cloud your judgement."
-
>"You flatter me, but I'll try to keep this in mind."
-
>"You flatter me, but I'll try to keep this in mind."
>"Oh, you want flattery?" she says somewhat exaggeratedly, her wings puffing along with her voice. "Well, then." Her voice drops a couple registers, becoming very smooth. "I admire a woman with a firm grip on her ego."
-
>Laugh.
-
>Laugh.
>You have a pleasant chuckle at the Eagle's antics. She's no Marissa (but then again, not many folks are, as you can personally attest to) and of course you know better than to take her seriously. But you have to admit, she has a fairly effective voice at that register. You wouldn't be surprised if she used that tone to help her make a few deals. For now, however, she simply joins you in a laugh. "Ahh, been a while since I did that."
-
>"Really? Why not?"
-
>"Really? Why not?"
>In a light tone of voice, she answers, "Wanna list?"
-
>"Hm, just give me the entries that are prime numbers."
-
>"Hm, just give me the entries that are prime numbers."
>"Short list: I'm Manari."
-
>Nod, and leave it at that. It's clear she gets some level of garbage for what she is.
-
>Nod, and leave it at that. It's clear she gets some level of garbage for what she is.
>Being one of the dregs of society certainly has its drawbacks. Or at least, that certainly seems to be how she regards herself and her fellow Manari. From what you saw back at the shrine, this may not be entirely wrong, but from what you yourself have seen of her, you have to wonder if it is entirely justified a reputation, at least in Eagle's case.
>She is silent for a moment, then glances sideways at you. "You feelin' sorry for me?" she asks quietly, her tone simply curious.
-
>"Not quite. Just there's nothing else to say in regards to that. Either I say that you're wrong and people look beyond that which belittles your feelings and experiences, or I agree and reinforce the idea that it's okay to think like that."
>Shrug.
>"It's just better I let it go."
-
>"Not quite. Just there's nothing else to say in regards to that. Either I say that you're wrong and people look beyond that which belittles your feelings and experiences, or I agree and reinforce the idea that it's okay to think like that."
>Shrug.
>"It's just better I let it go."
>The winged Manari is silent for a few moments more, then gives you a simple smile. The expression looks... somehow strange on her. But she simply says, in a quiet voice, "As you wish."
-
>Nod, and return the smile. "Thank you."
-
>Nod, and return the smile. "Thank you."
>At the conclusion of this exchange, Hol brings the bus to a halt. Checking your surroundings, you have reached what's generally referred to as the outskirts of the west side of town, where the residential sections end before the short wooded road leading to the temple of the Tiger. The big machine doesn't brake as smoothly as Aya's Ferrari, obviously, so you lurch sideways slightly. The Eagle lurches even more, almost falling over before catching herself and straightening. She scowls momentarily, then banishes the look from her face. The young woman sitting on the young man's lap seems to sneeze.
>Once the doors open, one of the women towards the back of the bus departs. A grown man and two children, boys, embark at the front, the little boys embroiled in a very spirited discussion about something or other, then man wearing a somewhat bedraggled expression as he deposits his fare, maneuvering his children towards a seat before the bus sets off again. You note Eagle look almost as unsettled by the launch as by the landing, again scowling briefly.
-
>"You don't have problems with motion sickness, do you?"
-
>"You don't have problems with motion sickness, do you?"
>She exhales with some force. "Motion sickness? No."
-
>"Well good, it would be adding injury to insult at this point. Are you alright?"
-
>"Well good, it would be adding injury to insult at this point. Are you alright?"
>She sucks in a breath though clenched teeth. "More or less." she says evasively.
-
>"Let's assume it's less. What's wrong?"
-
>"Let's assume it's less. What's wrong?"
>"Well... If you MUST know, there some parts- Well, first things first. I'm gonna assume YOU assumed that I was an ascended animal, a youkai in the same vein as Chie back there, or your Rin?"
-
Manari?
What other possibilities do we know of?
> "I had honestly not thought of it. I take it your origin lies elsewhere?"
-
> "I had honestly not thought of it. I take it your origin lies elsewhere?"
>"No, I am- Was, a bird. Most people assume, but, you ain't like most people, so, I wanted to make sure we were on the same page. But yeah, that's how I started life, as an animal, and then I turned into this. And I've had this body for a lot of years. But there's some things this body of mine just can't get used to. Vehicle acceleration and deceleration among them. Moving without actually moving.... It just throws me off."
-
>"I imagine that would make a carnival ride much less fun for you. Pity, that."
-
>"I imagine that would make a carnival ride much less fun for you. Pity, that."
>"Aw, don't get me started! Found that out the damn hard way...." With little care to public etiquette, she makes a spitting motion, albeit with a lack of a visible projectile. "A sharp dive from a couple thousand feet, that's fine, that's fun! 50 foot drop on one of those damn cars, that's another story. Consequences of a new life, I suppose." She looks down at her open palm, almost perfectly masking her distaste for the sight of flesh. It passes quickly.
-
Hmm seems like she misses her old body.
Can animal Youkai shape shift into their old forms?
-
Hmm seems like she misses her old body.
Can animal Youkai shape shift into their old forms?
>In your experience, this depends on the individual. You know Rin has the ability to return to her original feline form, but she seems to be among the minority. Of the ascended animals you know of around town and at school, you've only ever seen one that had the ability to return to his original body, and that was a bear youkai who graduated last year. His name escapes you at the moment, but he was in the drama club. It is possible that others retain this ability, but you couldn't say for certain. It certainly seems to be very rare, but you've never actually given the issue a great deal of thought, outside of one or two conversations with Marissa.
>You've also never really heard ascended animals complain about their new lives, either, apart from one or two complaining about the cold of winter and missing their fur. You expect Rin would have some insight on the issue, but you've never broached the subject with her before.
-
Try to feel if the Eagle wants to keep talking about this or shift to another topic.
-
Try to feel if the Eagle wants to keep talking about this or shift to another topic.
>Her expression now reveals no further sense of discomfort or distaste. That does not mean, however, this is an easy subject to discuss for her. It's rather hard to say. Her tone of voice a moment ago seemed to indicate that she might not be entirely unwilling to discuss the matter further, but again, you couldn't say for certain. She's certainly not throwing off any obvious signs of "Leave off the matter."
-
>"You sound almost as though you regret it."
>Have we ever met a beast youkai that regrets it?
-
>"You sound almost as though you regret it."
>Have we ever met a beast youkai that regrets it?
>She takes a moment before answering, that mocking smile returning to her face. "Regret? No, not regret, there's no point in regret. It's a useless emotion. I am what I am now."
>None that would admit to it. In fact, the majority of beast youkai you've known personally seem very happy with their lives, or at the very least, content. Seem no different, really, than a human of that age, just with with wings, or odd ears.
-
>She takes a moment before answering, that mocking smile returning to her face. "Regret? No, not regret, there's no point in regret. It's a useless emotion. I am what I am now."
>None that would admit to it. In fact, the majority of beast youkai you've known personally seem very happy with their lives, or at the very least, content. Seem no different, really, than a human of that age, just with with wings, or odd ears.
>"Perhaps not regret, but one doesn't have to look very hard to see you're pretty fundamentally unhappy about something and that seems to be related."
>If we haven't already, let's keep our voice low so this won't carry.
-
>"Perhaps not regret, but one doesn't have to look very hard to see you're pretty fundamentally unhappy about something and that seems to be related."
>If we haven't already, let's keep our voice low so this won't carry.
>Taking care not to let what may be a sensitive conversation float across the ears of the humans around you, you carry on, prompting a small chuckle from Eagle. "That's a bold assumption for someone that's known me half an hour."
-
>"Am I wrong, then?"
-
"And regret doesn't have to be useless..its only when it turns to melancholy that it becomes..hmm.. entrapping?"
-
"And regret doesn't have to be useless..its only when it turns to melancholy that it becomes..hmm.. entrapping?"
>"If that's how you fly."
>"Am I wrong, then?"
>"Does it matter?"
-
"Do you _want_ it to matter?"
-
"Do you _want_ it to matter?"
>"What's that supposed to mean?"
-
This is a hard one. Let's not rush headlong into it. We're obviously digging into very personal stuff, and there's a thin line between being respectful and prying. Moreso if we're coming off as challenging or dismissive. This may well have to be something we defer for a bit. For now, let's recoup, we might be able to get something else to work with.
>"It's...nothing. I'm being argumentative now. I'm sorry."
-
>"It's...nothing. I'm being argumentative now. I'm sorry."
>"It's alright. I don't think you could understand, anyway. No offense."
-
>"I'm certainly open to trying, but there's no need to force the issue. But it's pretty obvious that it would take a fairly strong person to cope, given you deal with mistrust based on who you are, and your old instincts are still giving you problems. So if it means anything, I think you'll be alright in the end."
-
>"I'm certainly open to trying, but there's no need to force the issue. But it's pretty obvious that it would take a fairly strong person to cope, given you deal with mistrust based on who you are, and your old instincts are still giving you problems. So if it means anything, I think you'll be alright in the end."
>The Eagle is quiet then, her face showing a kind of confusion. When she responds, it is in a voice almost too quiet to hear, but you're pretty sure she said, "Why do you care?"
-
>"Is there a reason I shouldn't?"
-
>"Is there a reason I shouldn't?"
>"I don't understand."
-
>"Well, let me try to put it in more mercantile terms. What would I gain by turning a blind eye to this? It would leave a reasonably nice person in a difficult position. If I do care, this reasonably nice person may well be able to make some progress toward coping with the burdens she bears. Following that, she'll be better able to interact and help other people, which becomes a net gain for society as a whole."
>Shake head.
>"Of course, that's only a utility basis, from a sort of game theory strategy, which overlooks many aspects such as simply not liking to seeing a friend be unhappy without making some effort to at least understand why and help out with it. But, we can consider it a reasonable place to start."
-
>"Well, let me try to put it in more mercantile terms. What would I gain by turning a blind eye to this? It would leave a reasonably nice person in a difficult position. If I do care, this reasonably nice person may well be able to make some progress toward coping with the burdens she bears. Following that, she'll be better able to interact and help other people, which becomes a net gain for society as a whole."
>Shake head.
>"Of course, that's only a utility basis, from a sort of game theory strategy, which overlooks many aspects such as simply not liking to seeing a friend be unhappy without making some effort to at least understand why and help out with it. But, we can consider it a reasonable place to start."
>The winged woman chuckles a quiet chuckle. "'Friend.' You barely even know me. But you... really care. I consider myself a good judge of character. I've had to be. People have feigned concern for me plenty of times, when they wanted something. You're different."
-
>"I may well throw around the term more freely than you do, but I hope you can forgive me that quirk if you understand I am being sincere."
-
>"I may well throw around the term more freely than you do, but I hope you can forgive me that quirk if you understand I am being sincere."
>You detect a hint of sympathy in the corner of Eagle's eye when she glances sideways at you. "How can you be that sincere a person, and not have had people take advantage of you?"
-
>"Well, I suppose I could say that it's because I'm sincere that they don't feel the need to."
>Shrug.
>"I also imagine I can see it coming often enough."
-
>"Well, I suppose I could say that it's because I'm sincere that they don't feel the need to."
>Shrug.
>"I also imagine I can see it coming often enough."
>"Hm. Yeah. I guess that's at least one thing we have in common. Neither one of us's the type to let people walk over them. Well, two, since I can see 'em coming, too, now."
>"You're an... interesting woman, Byakuren Hijiri. You've a wisdom, but untarnished by the world, and that is a rare thing."
-
>"You're more kind than I deserve. Thank you."
-
>"You're more kind than I deserve. Thank you."
>She offers you a cautious, somewhat lopsided smile. "No moreso than you've been to me."
-
>"Heh, alright."
-
>"Heh, alright."
>She looks away from you again for another moment or two, then raises her head and leans back. She seems lost in thought, but she doesn't stay that way too long before the bus comes to a halt again, a bit more suddenly than the first time, you feel. The Eagle lurches sideways even more than the first time, and you actually have to catch her shoulder, out of fear she might topple into you. She straightens out as the bus doors open, and swears. "Damn your wings, Hol!"
>Despite the fact that she wasn't all that loud, the blue-haired driver somehow answers her snarl with a positively evil chuckle.
-
>Have a look toward the front; does it seem like such a harsh stop was necessary?
>If not, say, "I think he may have taken issue with your pricing."
-
>Have a look toward the front; does it seem like such a harsh stop was necessary?
>If not, say, "I think he may have taken issue with your pricing."
>Not that you can determine. There IS a car parked in front of the bus, but given that this is the designated stop, this is likely someone simply illegally parked.
>She grumbles before answering, "Oh, he does that all the time. Just for badness. And in his own way, that's doing me a favor. Knew I wanted to stop at Kourin's, so... That's his version of a 'gentle reminder'."
>Hol chuckles again.
-
>"Is this our stop, then?"
-
>"Is this our stop, then?"
>"Yeah, this is us." she mutters, standing up and hoisting her guitar case. The she spares you a look. "Sorry 'bout that spill."
-
>"Yeah, this is us." she mutters, standing up and hoisting her guitar case. The she spares you a look. "Sorry 'bout that spill."
>"No problem."
>Stand and disembark!
-
>"No problem."
>Stand and disembark!
>As you walk down the few steps to exit the bus, a powerfully foul stench washes over your nose. It smells like rotten meat and low tide, like the back door of a field of cows after feeding time. It lasts only a few seconds, and passes as soon as you step off the bus, but the reek practically makes you gag. The expression on Eagle's face says she smelled it to, although that look, like the smell itself, fades after a few seconds.
>You find yourself in a semi-residential area of town, taller office buildings away to the east, houses and side roads in most directions. A small block of buildings lies across the road and down the street from you, seemingly businesses of some sort each: What appears to be a small lawyers' firm, a squat structure with "Laressa Debt Collections" written in blue and green on the front, a small Dai's Fries, a book store called Afterwords, with a small alleyway next to it... The rest have no obvious signage you can read from this distance. The scent of lilacs and barbequing meat, likely from one of the nearby houses, blows along with the cold breeze, accompanied by the distant sounds of voices. The sky shows signs of darkening as the sun passes further into the west.
>Eagle points towards the end of the block. "Kourin's down that way."
-
a book store called Afterwords
This is a real place around your way, isn't it?
>Have we experienced that odor before?
>Does there seem to be any obvious source of it?
>If not, open up our senses quickly and see if we can find something unusual!
-
This is a real place around your way, isn't it?
Not directly. Found it when I was on the mainland years ago. Doesn't even exist anymore. Place has been closed for.... 5 years? Maybe 6. Man, I'm getting old. And sad, too, place was nice. Always a shame when book stores close.
>Have we experienced that odor before?
>Does there seem to be any obvious source of it?
>If not, open up our senses quickly and see if we can find something unusual!
>Nothing quite like that before.
>A cursory glance around the area reveals nothing out of the ordinary that would produce such a reek. It's possible somebody's supper went horribly, horribly wrong, but nothing you can see reveals itself as such.
>You take a moment to center yourself, and sweep the area around you with your nascent preternatural senses. You detect nothing unusual within the first few seconds, but a burst of exhaust from the departing bus, and its distinct accompanying smell, distract your natural senses enough to break your concentration momentarily.
-
>"Does it normally smell like that around here? It's like someone connected a sewage line to a water fountain."
-
>"Does it normally smell like that around here? It's like someone connected a sewage line to a water fountain."
>"Ah, thought that's what had you distracted. You looked a little spaced there. But I know what you mean, about that stink. It's something on Hol's bus; I've noticed it myself now and then. But it's the damnedest thing, no one's ever been able to figure out what's making it. Or why you can't smell it all the time, either."
-
>"How long has that been happening?"
-
>"How long has that been happening?"
>"According to the bus company, years. At least as long as Hol's been here, and he's- Been around the block a few times."
-
>"Strange."
>Make a mental note of this for the next time we tabulate weird stuff to investigate.
>"So, which way to this store?"
-
>"Strange."
>Make a mental note of this for the next time we tabulate weird stuff to investigate.
>"So, which way to this store?"
>Quest received: Funkyass bus, yo! (An extraordinarily bad odor was detected, briefly, while disembarking the Mayoiga bus driven by the man named Hol. No source of the scent was readily available, and no explanation for the, apparently, years-long issue has yet been found. Investigate at your discretion, Hero! For the Horde! Quest rewards to follow.)
>The Eagle again points towards the end of the block of businesses.
-
>Proceed!
>Take note of the surroundings.
-
>Proceed!
>Take note of the surroundings.
>The both of you set off down the road, dashing across the road after an SUV drives past. There are a pair of cars parked on this side of the road, though these seems to be more legally parked than the one in front of the bus stop. The signage on the lawyer's firm reads Bailey, Potter & Gower, which doesn't ring a bell. The debt collector's sign has a picture of a club under the name, as well as what appears to be an actual club on the roof, and given the metal prongs attached to it, you'd guess it's being used as a TV antennae at the moment.
>Across the street, A young woman is walking in the opposite direction from you, walking her dog, a little poodle. A middle aged man emerges from one of the buildings ahead of you, a convenience store from the looks of it, and lights up a cigarette. Unfortunately, the wind puts you downwind of it, blowing the smell your way. The Dai's Fries you pass in front of, the scent of the best fast food in town, helps mask the smell, though. Place seems fairly active, as well. Eagle mutters something under her breath that you don't quite catch.
>Chen's posters have been stapled to every telephone pole on the street, you note, and to the side of every garbage can. A billboard stretches across the roofs of two of the building, promising an add for Remilia Scarlet's wedding planner business coming soon.
>Passing by the bookstore, a small clothing store, a small music store and a Moscovich-style restaurant leads you to the front of the square two-story building with 'Kourin-dou' plastered in red letters on the door. It is bordered by another small alley on one side, and a street on the other, leading with more houses on the other side. There are windows on the second floor, but none present in the bottom floor on either the alley side or the front. The store's hours are listed on the door. Looking through the glass of the door, you see there is a porch of sorts within. There are a few pieces of paper just inside the door, as well as what appears to be a shoehorn made of wood leaning against the wall, and a large pair of green rubber boots. There is a closed sliding door on one wall, probably a closet, and another door leads to the interior of the store.
-
"So, Eagle, any last advice?"
-
"So, Eagle, any last advice?"
>She jerks her thumb towards the cigarette smoking man. "Other than never take up smoking? Don't be surprised if he's up to something unorthodox when you go in. Pigeon or eagle, he's an odd bird, and he's usually doin' something that makes a woman scratch her head."
-
>Nod.
>"Should I be to the point, or try to be oblique about it? Given there's posters everywhere, I can't imagine he's unaware of things by now."
-
>Nod.
>"Should I be to the point, or try to be oblique about it? Given there's posters everywhere, I can't imagine he's unaware of things by now."
>"You'd be surprised. But I get the impression that, unless it's something he has a personal interest in, he needs to be reminded of things. Frequently." She smirks. "I understand his wife's taken to smacking him with frozen fish to get on back on track."
-
Did we know he was married?
-
Did we know he was married?
>You did not.
-
"His wife? I don't think I've heard of her."
*blink*
-
"His wife? I don't think I've heard of her."
*blink*
>She shrugs. "Never met her myself, just heard bits and pieces here and there. I know she works at the store occasionally, but I think she's more the 'books' type than the 'customer service' type. You might see her in there, but I doubt it."
-
"Makes sense. Well I'm going in."
We do have a description of the locket memorized, right?
-
"Makes sense. Well I'm going in."
We do have a description of the locket memorized, right?
>She nods. "Think I'll pop back to Dai's back there. No sense hangin' round out here."
>You do. And you also have one of Chen's fliers on hand, as well, in the event you need one.
-
>"Wish me luck!"
>Head inside.
-
>"Wish me luck!"
>Head inside.
>The Eagle gives you a thumbs up and a "Bonne chance." as you open the door, finding the inner door made of wood, with the knob in the middle of the door and a small window at eye level. A small bell tingles as you open this inner door, very classic sound, and the scene before you of the store's interior would best be described as 'organized chaos'.
>There are four steps leading up to the floor of the store. It's smaller on the inside than you'd thought. But then, that impression may be due to the insane volume of stuff contained therein. The left side of the store, which you're currently on, is dominated by the counter, which runs nearly as far back as you can see, and is covered by:
>Card holders
>4 Snowglobes
>3 Small boxes, two of cardboard, one wood
>Cash register of course
>Display cases containing dice of various shapes and material, music CDs, cassette tapes, a selection of musical instruments, old model video games
>1 medieval style helmet with spikes on it
>Several loose pens, pencils and highligheters
>The rest of the counter is concealed behind a sizable marble bust of a dashing male figure in a toga.
>The right side of the store is, well, very, very full of merchandise. And will be explained in subsequent posts, because I didn't want to make this one insanely long
>You can make out a flight of stairs towards the back of the store, leading up to the second floor. There is an ajar door off to the side, in front of the stairs, with a sign that you think says "employees only". The sound of boiling liquid comes from behind that door.
>The owner himself does not appear to be in evidence. There is a woman with very long, blue-white hair on her hands and knees next to a bookcase on the right wall. You think she's reaching for something, but not at a good angle to see anything other than the backside of her dark blue dress.
>A masculine voice drifts out from the back as the door swings shut behind you. "Welcome to Kourin-dou! I'll be with you in a minute!"
-
>"Alright!"
>What's on the left side of the store?
-
>"Alright!"
>What's on the left side of the store?
>The majority of the left side is taken up by the counter, which you are standing 'below', as in next to the left wall.
>Behind the counter contains:
>3 small fridges, one with various beverage cans, one with various beverage bottles, glass and plastic, and one containing various types of snack food.
>1 medium-sized jewelry case
>Several pieces of artwork, both framed and wall scrolls
>License of operation, signed Rinnosuke Morichika, owner
>Liquor license, signed Rinnosuke Morichika, owner
>2 closed wood cabinets, 1 closed black wood cabinet
>1 set of handcuffs hanging on the front of the black wood cabinet
>2 chairs
>1 teacup with tea in it, 3 empty teacups
>1 locked weapon case containing 1 broadsword, 2 knives, 1 composite bow, 1 mace, 1 halberd, 1 spear, 1 oversized paper fan
>1 Life-sized Eagle model, wings outspread, hanging from the ceiling.
>Small shelf lined with books
>You cannot see the entirety of what lies behind the counter, as a very large object covered by a tarp blocks your view. it has the vague outline of a statue, possibly humanoid, but you can't discern any distinct shapes under the cloth.
>The sound of bubbling liquid intensifies, and a sweet smell begins to emanate from the back room. You hear the male voice say something like "interesting." The woman on all fours sniffs the air, and asks out loud in your direction, "You smell that?" You recognize the voice as Keine-sensei's. No wonder that backside looked familiar.
-
>"I do."
>Try to get an idea what that tarped object is, without touching it.
>Then take a run at Keine and connect our foot with that bootie like a bullet train hitting a cow. It's time for her to take up astronomy!
-
>Then take a run at Keine and connect our foot with that bootie like a bullet train hitting a cow. It's time for her to take up astronomy!
>"A fine piece of ass like that, and your instinct is to go for a field goal?" Kaguya mutters disappointedly as she shanks you with a sharpened Wii remote. "And I thought we taught you kids better than that."