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

[Oldmansour]

>"While it is good not to be beholden to one's desires, there is also little to be gained in austerity or aestheticism. I think it's fine if you largely are comfortable in the temple, but it does benefit the soul to escape it every so often and see what the rest of the world is doing, don't you think?"

>"I know my place in the world, L... Byakuren." Kiku catches herself. "I am a servant of the gods, an enemy of evil spirits, and second eldest miko of the Metal Tiger Shrine."
>"Who enjoys poetry." Lily says simply.
>"Who enjoy-" Kiku catches herself again, giving Lily a glare. Lily only laughs, and gives Kiku that brilliant smile of hers. Which seems a bit subdued, likely due to her fatigue.
>"Byakuren's right, y'know, Kiku. It's good to get out now and then. Cities may be cities, but there's things to see even here."
>"My life may be simple, by most other's standards, but it suits my purposes. I have my books, and my poetry to protect me. .. I mean, they serve me as well as I need." Kiku adds quickly.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Protect you?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Protect you?"

>"Never mind."
>"Isn't that a line from a song?" Lily asks aloud. And she's right, too, it's from a song you know called I am a Rock.

[Hello Purvis]

>How does Kiku react to that observation?

[Oldmansour]

>How does Kiku react to that observation?

>She doesn't seem entirely comfortable (in fact, you'd say she was slightly embarrassed), but she says nothing about it.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I didn't know you were into folk music, Kiku."

[Oldmansour]

>"I didn't know you were into folk music, Kiku."

>"There's the... occasional song that catches my ear." she admits grudgingly.

>At this point, an attractive woman with long wheat-blonde hair in the garb of a waitress emerges from the kitchen and saunters over to your table, a genuine smile on her somewhat exotic face. You would guess she's not a native to Yamato. She bows slightly to you in greeting, and then glances at Lily.
>"You didn't mention your friend was the Morning Star, Lily." she says in slightly accented Yamato. "The idol of town and a Tiger shrine maiden. You're keeping good company tonight."
>Lily merely gives the woman a small giggle, and the waitress turns her attention back to you. "My name is Stephanie, and I'll be your server tonight. And if this is your first visit, welcome to Szenska's."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Thank you. I'm ready to order. Kiku?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Thank you. I'm ready to order. Kiku?"

>The waitress produces her notepad as Kiku considers. "You first, Lily."
>"All right. I'll have the pirozhkis tonight, with the fish and rice stuffing. With tomatoes and mushrooms."
>"Good choice, Andrei's on tonight. Drink?"
>Lily's smile wavers a little at the mention of the current chef's name, but merely continues, "Pomegranate juice. And a bowl of the barley soup, please."
>Stephanie jots down the winged woman's order, then turns to you. "And for you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll have the steak special, medium. Hmm, what soup do you recommend tonight?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I'll have the steak special, medium. Hmm, what soup do you recommend tonight?"

>"I'd go for the beef barley. The meat's nice and tender."
>"And the steak come with a side of french fries, mashed potatoes, or hash browns."

[Hanzo K.]

Well man, I'd say we go for the Mashed Taters. Personal preference meself, but they're something nice, easy to eat, and quite filling.

[Hello Purvis]

Fries uber alles. Though the lack of a baked potato is blasphemy to the name of Eagleland Cuisine.


>"The beef barley, then, thank you.  And mashed potatoes, please. Large water to drink."

[Oldmansour]

>"The beef barley, then, thank you.  And mashed potatoes, please. Large water to drink."

>"Gravy for your potatoes?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Of course."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Of course."

>Stephanie, finished with your order, turns to Kiku. "And for the shrine maiden?"
>"Do you any seafood soups?
>"Mm, not today, no. Beef and barley and vegetable medley are the soups we have today."
>"In that case, I shall have the beef stirfry. Only lightly seasoned, please."
>The waitress makes a note of Kiku's addendum. "And for your drink?"
>"Water will do."
>"All right, I'll bring your soups out in just a few minutes." The pale haired waitress gives you another smile, and then takes her leave of your group, sliding between tables with practiced ease towards the table where the two women sit.

[Hello Purvis]

>Keep an eye on the front doors. Don't need Eagle coming in while talking shop.
>"Lily, now that Kiku's with us, there's no way that Satori won't find out about things that have happened. What do you think we should do?"

[Oldmansour]

>Keep an eye on the front doors. Don't need Eagle coming in while talking shop.
>"Lily, now that Kiku's with us, there's no way that Satori won't find out about things that have happened. What do you think we should do?"

>While keeping an eye on the entraces, you question Lily about what to do with Kiku.
>"I don't know." Lily replies with obvious uncertaity. "I was just a part timer, me leaving was easy. But Kiku?"
>"Are you certain you wish to discuss this here, Byakuren?" Kiku asks you.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yes. Because we are going to need to hear your thoughts. And I want you to hear what Lily has to say."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes. Because we are going to need to hear your thoughts. And I want you to hear what Lily has to say."

>"Say about what?" Lily asks you.

[Hello Purvis]

>"About Satori and the circumstances around why she's not fully trustworthy right now."

[Oldmansour]

>"About Satori and the circumstances around why she's not fully trustworthy right now."

>"You mean- You mean when we met...." Lily trails off.

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "And other things."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "And other things."

>"Then... it's true?" Kiku asks your winged friend. "What Byakuren said about... You've actually MET..?"
>Lily, seeing Kiku slightly lost for words, nods once. "Well, I didn't, not directly. But He sent me a vision, a vision of the darkness that was threatening to swallow the world. Byakuren's the one that met Him in person... As much as a God CAN be in person."
>Kiku seems rather stunned. "But... why you? Why you two, why not Satori, or myself, or one of His followers with power?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Perhaps it's because there's no time? It's possible he was as blindsided by this as the rest of us."

[Oldmansour]

>"Perhaps it's because there's no time? It's possible he was as blindsided by this as the rest of us."

>"He is a God. One of the four wardens of the natural world. Surely the activies of the demons would not have escaped His notice until today."

[Hello Purvis]

>"You're right, I shouldn't presume to understand his motivations or such. I'm sure he had his reasons."

[Oldmansour]

>"You're right, I shouldn't presume to understand his motivations or such. I'm sure he had his reasons."

>The tiger youkai leans back in her seat. "To stand in the presense of the Tiger himself... It is... unbelievable. Even we of the shrine do not dare to dream of such an honor."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I suppose it's just a sign of how serious things are."

[Oldmansour]

>"I suppose it's just a sign of how serious things are."

>Kiku shakes her head slowly. "It simply makes no sense... I don't mean to disbelieve you, but, I can think of no reason, none at all, why..." She closes her eyes, and takes a few steadying breaths. "No. If what you say is true, if you both were visited by Great Byakko, then I'll inquire no furthur into it. What you have experienced is sacred, and not for my ears. If He chose to reveal himself to you, then His reasons are His own."
>Lily rubs her jaw thoughtfully, her expression one of thought.