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

[Oldmansour]

>Until later, then.

>To Rin: "My apologies. It's... a little tricky carrying on two conversations at once."

>"Well, there's some folks I've known have trouble carrying on the one." Rin says. Then she frowns. "Dat was mean, wasn't it?"

[DracoOmega]

>"It's understandable to have frustrations with people sometimes. I'm sure you didn't mean anything spiteful by it."

[Oldmansour]

>"It's understandable to have frustrations with people sometimes. I'm sure you didn't mean anything spiteful by it."

>Rin smiles at your understanding. The kasha doesn't always broadcast her emotions, but she has an honest face. You can tell plain as day how much your understanding means to her.
>"Was it good news?" she asks.

[DracoOmega]

>Assuming we're still somewhere relatively discrete: "Perhaps not as such, but matters on her end have at least remained status quo. Disarmingly normal, in fact; she and Satori not long ago were discussing plans for a possible Christmas party, so she says. I told her of the situation here, or rather lack thereof. At this rate, perhaps it may end up being a relatively quiet evening for all of us."

[Oldmansour]

>Assuming we're still somewhere relatively discrete: "Perhaps not as such, but matters on her end have at least remained status quo. Disarmingly normal, in fact; she and Satori not long ago were discussing plans for a possible Christmas party, so she says. I told her of the situation here, or rather lack thereof. At this rate, perhaps it may end up being a relatively quiet evening for all of us."

>"That's good, isn't it?" Rin asks. "A day without fightin's a good one in my thinkin'."

[DracoOmega]

>"I agree. Though I know full well that there will be more to come before this is over with; if anything, perhaps it makes the respite that much more precious, for how fleeting we might fear it will be."

[Oldmansour]

>"I agree. Though I know full well that there will be more to come before this is over with; if anything, perhaps it makes the respite that much more precious, for how fleeting we might fear it will be."

>"'Respite means.... 'break'?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Sorry, yes."

[Oldmansour]

>"Sorry, yes."

>"May-" Rin starts, then stops herself. She glances around and, although the coast is still clear on the wooded, well traveled path towards the lake, returns to her thought telepathically, Maybe while we're out here, I should transform, get in some practice with my power. After we clear the lake, of course.

[DracoOmega]

>Not here, I think, unless some immediate need arises. Kiku felt it worth warning me that this area is monitored spiritually by the mikos of the shrine and they may well detect our transformations. Which could raise uncomfortable questions, among other things....

[Oldmansour]

>Not here, I think, unless some immediate need arises. Kiku felt it worth warning me that this area is monitored spiritually by the mikos of the shrine and they may well detect our transformations. Which could raise uncomfortable questions, among other things....

>Spiritually?
>The kasha slows her step and narrows her eyes. "Just a second, please."

[DracoOmega]

>Slow with her
>Can we tell what she may be looking at?

[Oldmansour]

>Slow with her
>Can we tell what she may be looking at?

>Matching your pace to hers, you glance in her direction. She, is looking straight ahead, where the path you are following takes a rather sharp right turn. Nothing out of the ordinary appears to be in sight.
>Actually, that's not entirely true. The light pole in the center of the bend has a paper talisman stuck to it. Looking around, you note that all the poles within your line of sight have similar charms stuck to them, some more than one.
>Rin's ears twitch for a moment or two, then she shakes her head. Quietly, she says, "If someone's watchin' us, I can't hear em or smell em."

[DracoOmega]

>"I did not mean to suggest they were physically present, merely that potential threats within their grounds are monitored by some spiritual power possessed by the shrine maidens."
>Point to one of the talismans
>"For example, those talismans there. While I certainly do not know the details of their rites, I would not be surprised is something similar could serve as a ward or way to detect hostile presences."

[Oldmansour]

>"I did not mean to suggest they were physically present, merely that potential threats within their grounds are monitored by some spiritual power possessed by the shrine maidens."
>Point to one of the talismans
>"For example, those talismans there. While I certainly do not know the details of their rites, I would not be surprised is something similar could serve as a ward or way to detect hostile presences."

>"I figured that's what you meant by 'spiritually', but a good listen and sniff never hurts, just ta make sure." She taps her nose with her finger. "I know this a lot better than I know that, after all." Her eyes dart to her ring to show what she means.

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes. Myself as well, to be honest, though it's somewhat remarkable how quickly I can feel myself growing accustomed to it."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes. Myself as well, to be honest, though it's somewhat remarkable how quickly I can feel myself growing accustomed to it."

>"I ain't surprised at that."

[DracoOmega]

>Smile
>"As I am sure you will in time, as well."

[Oldmansour]

>Smile
>"As I am sure you will in time, as well."

>"I reckon I will, too, and soon." Rin says confidently. "I ain't about to be a burden."

[DracoOmega]

>"A burden?"
>Put a hand on her shoulder
>"Rin, no matter whether you could have wielded this power or not, you could never be that. Not to me."

[Oldmansour]

>"A burden?"
>Put a hand on her shoulder
>"Rin, no matter whether you could have wielded this power or not, you could never be that. Not to me."

>"What I mean, Mistress, is now that I GOT this power, I can protect you now." The kasha's eyes shine with her determination. "You'll never have to worry that it's me watching your back; I'll master dis power as quick as you blink and keep you safe and sound."

[DracoOmega]

>Smile
>"We shall keep each other safe."

[Oldmansour]

>Smile
>"We shall keep each other safe."

>Rin smiles. "I never doubted you can and will protect me, no matter what we find her or anywhere else. But I wanted you ta know that you can count on me, too."

[DracoOmega]

>"Of this, I never had a doubt."

[Oldmansour]

>"Of this, I never had a doubt."

>Rin's eyes glisten, but her ears twitch a moment later, and she looks down the path towards the lake. "Someone's comin'."

[DracoOmega]

>Smile and give her hand a little affectionate squeeze
>"Very well, then."
>Continue onward and observe who we're about to encounter

[Oldmansour]

>Smile and give her hand a little affectionate squeeze
>"Very well, then."
>Continue onward and observe who we're about to encounter

>Interrupted before you and your Rin can really finish on the topic, you make a note to ask her what she was about to say later, if she doesn't broach the subject herself the next time you're alone. You also note her squeezing your hand back. It's a nice feeling.
>Turning back to the path, you look for the source of Rin's warning. You see nothing for a moment or two, but then a tall, muscular shrine maiden comes into view, walking from the direction of the lake. She's nearly as tall as Haruka, and thicker bodied than even Dragonhawk was, resulting in her miko's clothing fitting her frame rather tightly. Not that there's much to show off in this manner, apart from musculature. Her hair is a rather unhealthy looking shade of green and falls down about halfway down her back, and a long thick scaly tail drags the ground behind her. A crocodile's tail, if you're not mistaken. That might explain the toughness of her body.
>Her right hand is in her pocket, but her left hand waves to you as you approach each other. "Evening, girls." she calls in a thinly accented voice, the origin of which you can't quite place.

[DracoOmega]

>Nod politely
>"Good evening to you."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod politely
>"Good evening to you."

>The large youkai looks between you and Rin as your paths nearly cross, then she grins. Her angular eyes, with their slitted pupils bisecting her yellow irises makes the gesture almost predatory. "I don't suppose either of you enjoy a card game or two, do you?"

[DracoOmega]

>Do we have much experience with card games?
>And are we basically in the middle of the woods at the moment now?