Author Topic: Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 2, part 4 (Complete) (Read 33086 times)

GuyYouMetOnline · « **Reply #840 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:05:34 AM »

>Oh, yeah, scanning ourself is fine. Just don't go beyond that.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #841 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:11:06 AM »

Yes, don't worry; I have no intention of doing further investigation that requires speaking with other people or getting closer to the shrine or whatnot. It's clear that we're way, way past being useful for much of anything. My concern was just that the manner in which our intention to return here intruded upon our thoughts might be a possible indication of something like a post-hypnotic suggestion and if so, could be dangerous to leave unexplored, even at this point in time. We definitely don't want ourselves operating with a gap in our own mind, after all. But other than that, I figure what remains here is perhaps another short exchange with Kiku, trading contact info and leaving her with a cautionary note or two, and then heading straight for bed as fast as Marisa can take us there. And then we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed that nothing bad happens until we're rested enough to deal with it.

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #842 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:19:58 AM »

We do still have a brainful of the hunger juice, too. Just because we think it's gone don't mean it is.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #843 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:55:47 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 05:39:34 AM

>As best our tired focus can muster, can we feel any presence inside ourselves that does not belong? Any presence like the veil we saw in Lily or the snow leopard? Think back to the encounter with Isumi and the strange sensations we encountered then. Try to recall what we experienced as clearly as possible; make sure we're not somehow forgetting anything.

Quote from: GuyYouMetOnline on November 28, 2012, 05:52:34 AM

>No, worry about that tomorrow. We REALLY need to get home and rest. We can't help anyone when we're this worn out.
>"For now, at least, I need to return home. I'm far too worn to do anything else tonight."

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 05:54:30 AM

>Hang on a sec. There are at least a couple other things we should ask Kiku before we leave. At the very least, we need to exchange cell phone numbers.

Quote from: GuyYouMetOnline on November 28, 2012, 06:05:34 AM

>Oh, yeah, scanning ourself is fine. Just don't go beyond that.

>After a brief debate with yourself- another one, more accurately- you make an attempt to turn your extra senses inwards, to see if anything you found in Lily or the grumpy cat is within you. The experience is a different one than what you've experienced before, obviously, and between your physical exhaustion and your lack of magical energy, it's hard to be certain of your search. Nevertheless, you soldier on to the best of your abilities, but you sense nothing akin to what you felt in Lily or the leopard within you.

>You think back to speaking with Isumi and Chie. You had asked Chie if anything had been out of place here at the shrine, or with Satori, and she mentioned that Satori had appeared to have something on her mind recently, by Chie's reckoning. She mentioned that Isumi might know more, given her position of seniority within the shrine, so you went to ask her about it. But your fatigue was very keen at the time, your thoughts scattered and diffused. You felt more tired than you ever felt in your life. In point of fact, you still do, but Kiku's presence has given you something more tangible to focus on, something to FORCE yourself awake, at least for now. Though even that is starting to fade.
>After a particularly bad wave of fatigue washed over you, both Isumi and Chie expressed concern for your health, so you decided that it would be better to come back tomorrow, when you're fresher, more rested, more energized. Isumi thought that would be the best thing to do as well, asked if you had transportation home, and then asked Chie to walk you out. Knowing Chie, she probably would have offered anyway. And with Chie escorting you, you departed the shrine.
>Wait, there was one other thing. Isumi hesitated for a second before answering one of your questions. It's possible she may just have stopped to think about it, and your mind was wandering a little at the time, but taking into consideration everything else that's happened here, and may still be going on, maybe she didn't just stop to think about it.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #844 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:18:34 AM »

>"What you say makes a certain sense, but I worry nonetheless about having you face this alone; remember, we stand together in this. Whatever power is at work here may well require all of us to confront it together, though obviously we must exercise prudence in how we expose ourselves its gaze."

>"And this may sound like an odd question, but do you know any charms or techniques that could induce sleep?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #845 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:28:17 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 07:18:34 AM

>"What you say makes a certain sense, but I worry nonetheless about having you face this alone; remember, we stand together in this. Whatever power is at work here may well require all of us to confront it together, though obviously we must exercise prudence in how we expose ourselves its gaze."

>"And this may sound like an odd question, but do you know any charms or techniques that could induce sleep?"

>"I have faith in Him." Kiku says confidently. "Of course, that doesn't mean I'm doing to take any foolish chances, either. I made that mistake today, and I'm not about to repeat it. I know I'm tired myself, my power is not at full. I don't intend to investigate any tonight, not until I have my full powers back. Plus," she adds, gesturing towards the temple with a half smile on her face. "I don't think they'll leave me alone much tonight, anyway."
>"Sleep?" She considers that for a moment. "Yes, I do. I can scribe ofuda to infuse sleep. It's not part of the usual Metal school of magic, but I felt it could be useful when dealing with someone who had been possessed, or if I needed to operate unobserved. I haven't actually used it in years, though."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #846 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:30:05 AM »

>"Do you think anyone else here might possess the same skill?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #847 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:34:34 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 07:30:05 AM

>"Do you think anyone else here might possess the same skill?"

>Kiku thinks about that one for a few moments. "Toune might. She doesn't practice her onmyouji as much as she should, but she has a great deal of natural talent, and a broad range of magical interest. I don't know that she's branched that far yet, though, she hasn't been with us long."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #848 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:37:58 AM »

>"I feel like apologizing for this in advance and I may simply be imagining things since I am very tired already, but I would almost have sworn that I felt a distinct increase in my fatigue as I inquired about Satori with Isumi. Enough to wonder, given the circumstances of matters here, whether or not something could have been producing this effect deliberately."

Oldmansour · « **Reply #849 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:49:43 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 07:37:58 AM

>"I feel like apologizing for this in advance and I may simply be imagining things since I am very tired already, but I would almost have sworn that I felt a distinct increase in my fatigue as I inquired about Satori with Isumi. Enough to wonder, given the circumstances of matters here, whether or not something could have been producing this effect deliberately."

>"That type of magic DOES exist." Kiku informs you. "It's more easily cast by practitioners of Western style magic, though. Such spells in our schools are largely limited to the Water and Earth domains. And of those who dwell in this shrine, Toune and I are the only ones that have the skill and the interest to learn them. There are others that have the talent for it, they just don't have the interest. Or, some that might have the interest, but not the talent."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #850 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:51:43 AM »

>"As I said, it may have been my imagination; I am close to falling asleep on my feet as it is, I fear. However... I don't suppose your familiarity with those magics might extend to a way to ward against them?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #851 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:02:25 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 07:51:43 AM

>"As I said, it may have been my imagination; I am close to falling asleep on my feet as it is, I fear. However... I don't suppose your familiarity with those magics might extend to a way to ward against them?"

>"That's a more advanced trick. Generally, wards depend largely on what sort of creature or spellcaster is employing them. The nature of the spell is just as important as the user, you see. It's a basic tenant, but one that often gets overlooked."
>"That said, however, advanced though it may be, it isn't beyond my ability to learn. And I don't think it would take me too long to do it, either. If you think it will help, I can start my training on that tonight." She adds, with a grin, "Once the rest of them are done with me."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #852 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:08:25 AM »

>Smile.
>"Of course. And it may not even amount of anything. I guess it's just that in present circumstances, I think it better to be prepared for potentially unnecessary contingencies than not prepared enough."

>"One more thing before I go and get some much needed rest. About the sacred flame. You said that it gave off a vile sensation unlike anything you had felt before. Does that still include those sensations you've experienced this afternoon?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #853 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:25:41 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 08:08:25 AM

>Smile.
>"Of course. And it may not even amount of anything. I guess it's just that in present circumstances, I think it better to be prepared for potentially unnecessary contingencies than not prepared enough."

>"One more thing before I go and get some much needed rest. About the sacred flame. You said that it gave off a vile sensation unlike anything you had felt before. Does that still include those sensations you've experienced this afternoon?"

>"I would agree. I myself prefer to be overprepared than the alternative, by far. My sisters will readily attest to that."
>"It's hard to say." she says thoughtfully. "The sensation was very brief, a second or two at most. None of us were expecting anything like it, my senses were all but overwhelmed by it. It was like sitting down to a meal, only to have the plate in front of you explode and catch your head in the fireball. I plan to meditate upon this, to try and gain some further insight."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #854 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:27:08 AM »

>Nod
>"Very well. Who else was present to the event, by the way?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #855 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:33:52 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 08:27:08 AM

>Nod
>"Very well. Who else was present to the event, by the way?"

>Kiku chuckles wryly. "'One more thing', indeed." More seriously, she adds, "Satori, Isumi, Karura and Touka were there at the time as well. We were performing a benediction for the eclipse, a rite to maintain our purity, and the safety of this world, during a moment of darkness." She adds, somewhat darkly, "We seem to have failed."
>"Karura and Touka are of the silver rank, as I am, by the way. You couldn't have met Touka, but I wasn't sure if you met Karura tonight."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #856 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:37:54 AM »

>"I do not believe I did, no. And is Touka away or something, then?"

>"Have you ever heard of anything unusual happening during eclipses, either here or at the other shrines? Not to this extreme perhaps, but if there is a rite performed then, one suspects there may some specific that is attempted to be warded off."

Oldmansour · « **Reply #857 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:51:27 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 08:37:54 AM

>"I do not believe I did, no. And is Touka away or something, then?"

>"Have you ever heard of anything unusual happening during eclipses, either here or at the other shrines? Not to this extreme perhaps, but if there is a rite performed then, one suspects there may some specific that is attempted to be warded off."

>"She is. She went to Eagleland two days ago, to visit her extended family."
>"It's a tradition performed at every shrine devoted to the Four Gods of the World. The story behind it is somewhat long, going back into the era of legends. But on the more practical side, there are certain spirits and otherworldly beings that becomes more active during moments of eclipse. Solar eclipses more commonly, but lunar eclipses as well. Moments of utterdark, they are referred to in the writings. Our prayers calm those spirits, lull them back to their rest, or keep the stronger ones from becoming too active. At least, that was the intent. And yes, there have been times when that has occurred. Most often, nothing of serious consequence occurred. Other times... it did."
>She scowls. "I wouldn't think that is what happened here, though. Of the creatures I know of that become stronger, more dangerous, during a lunar eclipse, none of them could conceal themselves for so long afterwards, not without some signs. Signs that would have been more obvious before now, I mean."
>"On the other hand, there is still a great deal I do not know about the forces of darkness."

Hello Purvis · « **Reply #858 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:01:09 AM »

>"What kinds of serious consequences? When did they happen?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #859 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:14:51 AM »

Quote from: Purvosan on November 28, 2012, 09:01:09 AM

>"What kinds of serious consequences? When did they happen?"

>"Let me think." she presses her finger to her temple in thought.
>"Kiku! Food's gettin' cold!" you hear Risa shout from the doorway of the temple. "Can I eat yours? Can I?"
>"I'll be right there." Kiku calls back. "The most recent serious incident was about eight or so years ago, in Eire. The ghost of a banshee manifested itself during a solar eclipse, and its wail resulted in the deaths of a large number of animals humanoids slaughter as livestock, as well as eleven humans, before it was exorcised. Farther back than that, I would have to refresh my memory. Unless you wanted to know the origin of the tradition, but that's a long story."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #860 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:19:13 AM »

>"No, I think that's good enough and I shouldn't keep you from your sisters any longer. Though it may be worth examining your shrine records for other such happenings, just the same, on the off-chance that something relevant to the current situation can be found there."
>"But in any case, I fear I may be reaching my absolute limit of productive thought. You go enjoy your meal and the companionship of your friends; I shall be in touch with you tomorrow."
>"Though on that note... do you have a cell phone?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #861 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:23:48 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 09:19:13 AM

>"No, I think that's good enough and I shouldn't keep you from your sisters any longer. Though it may be worth examining your shrine records for other such happenings, just the same, on the off-chance that something relevant to the current situation can be found there."
>"But in any case, I fear I may be reaching my absolute limit of productive thought. You go enjoy your meal and the companionship of your friends; I shall be in touch with you tomorrow."
>"Though on that note... do you have a cell phone?"

>"I had planned to. As a matter of fact, I had another avenue to explore, as well, but I can give you the details on that tomorrow."
>Kiku nods. "I don't use it very often, though."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #862 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:26:10 AM »

>"Well, it may be important for us to be rapid contact with each other and we still don't know the full range of our ring speech. Let me give you my number."
>Give her our phone number and ask for hers in return.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #863 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:37:37 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 09:26:10 AM

>"Well, it may be important for us to be rapid contact with each other and we still don't know the full range of our ring speech. Let me give you my number."
>Give her our phone number and ask for hers in return.

>"A sensible precaution."
>The two of you exchange numbers. "I'll get in contact with Lily tomorrow, get hers as well."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #864 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:38:15 AM »

>Did we already get Lily's number ourselves?

Oldmansour · « **Reply #865 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:41:04 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 09:38:15 AM

>Did we already get Lily's number ourselves?

>You did. And she has yours.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #866 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:42:41 AM »

>"I already have Lily's number. Given the circumstances, I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing it with you."
>Do so.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #867 on:** November 28, 2012, 10:11:22 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 09:42:41 AM

>"I already have Lily's number. Given the circumstances, I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing it with you."
>Do so.

>Kiku frowns for a moment, then nods. "You're probably right." She plugs Lily's digits into her phone.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #868 on:** November 28, 2012, 10:14:48 AM »

>"I think it more important to be concerned with preparedness than propriety, at the present. Though I suspect she would not mind in any case."
>"And that, I believe, is as much as I have in me for the rest of the night. I think it is time to go back home and sleep very, very soundly."
>Smile a little
>"I should like to think I have earned that much by now."

Oldmansour · « **Reply #869 on:** November 28, 2012, 10:31:23 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on November 28, 2012, 10:14:48 AM

>"I think it more important to be concerned with preparedness than propriety, at the present. Though I suspect she would not mind in any case."
>"And that, I believe, is as much as I have in me for the rest of the night. I think it is time to go back home and sleep very, very soundly."
>Smile a little
>"I should like to think I have earned that much by now."

>Kiku looks upon you with a smile of camaraderie. "And then some, Byakuren." She looks around, then continues, "I would offer to carry you home myself, but I'm not sure my sisters would like that at the moment."