Magical Lotus, Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 2

[Oldmansour]

>"And you didn't understand the anger at all?"

>"No."

[Hello Purvis]

>"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?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>Pat her on the head.
>"We'll help you along, don't worry."

[Oldmansour]

>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?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"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?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Tell her you have a family matter, and she'll have to wait?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>"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."

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>"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."

[Oldmansour]

>"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.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Does it interest you?"
>Try to pay attention for sensations.

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "That they are."
>Give our ring a tap, see if she feels anything.

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[Hello Purvis]

>Oh well, that didn't work.
>Whisper into it: "Lily? Can you hear me?"

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[Hello Purvis]

>"If you can, let me know. I'm talking into it."

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[Hello Purvis]

>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?"

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Alright. Then you can come back inside if you like."

[Oldmansour]

>"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!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard."
>Assuming she's not pinned out upper forelimbs, pat her on the back.

[Oldmansour]

>"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.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Group hug!

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[Hello Purvis]

>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.