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

[Oldmansour]

>"Oh?"

>"For 'coming to her rescue', I believe my brother would say." she says with a sweet smile.

[DracoOmega]

>Smile back
>"Well, she did seem a little like she was looking for a... way out, as it were."

[Oldmansour]

>Smile back
>"Well, she did seem a little like she was looking for a... way out, as it were."

>"In most circumstances, Reimu-sama can handle Tenshi-sama, if you'll pardon the expression, without a great deal of difficulty. However, the result of that duel of blades took her by surprise. Tenshi-sama's gambit was extremely unconventional."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, I imagine so. It... didn't seem to go over entirely well with the audience, either."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes, I imagine so. It... didn't seem to go over entirely well with the audience, either."

>The woman nods. "Indeed not. You see... Ah, you are not familiar with the rules of such a dual as that, correct?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Not specifically, but I assume that Tenshi taking hold of Reimu's sword itself counted as a losing contact for her?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Not specifically, but I assume that Tenshi taking hold of Reimu's sword itself counted as a losing contact for her?"

>"Correct." the woman replies with another nod. "Strictly speaking, one solid contact on any part of the body is required to claim a win, or three light touches. You'll recall I was announcing grazes during the duel for that purpose. Three grazes, or one blow, and you win." She pauses to step aside, allowing a teenaged boy to walk between you. "The dual was done the instant Tenshi-sama caught Reimu-sama's sword, so technically, Tenshi-sama struck her after the end of the fight. Which is why the strike was so negatively received by the onlookers."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes..."
>Frown a little
>"Well, though this feels a little strange to say, I somehow feel as though she didn't mean any harm by it."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes..."
>Frown a little
>"Well, though this feels a little strange to say, I somehow feel as though she didn't mean any harm by it."

>The purple haired woman gives you a bright, gentle smile. "That's very kind of you, Hijiri-san."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, that is just how it seemed to me; you know her better than I do, I imagine. But it felt more as though she were trying to make a point than to be unsporting to Reimu."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, that is just how it seemed to me; you know her better than I do, I imagine. But it felt more as though she were trying to make a point than to be unsporting to Reimu."

>"That's.... mostly true." the woman says after pausing for a moment, probably to find the right words. "Tenshi-sama is a very proud woman, and she and Reimu-sama have been dueling for many years. In truth, Reimu-sama does possess more skill with the blade, but Tenshi-sama..." She shrugs slightly and gives you a somewhat helpless smile. "Well, she's the sort of girl who refuses to admit being worse than someone at something, especially when she's caught up in something. And her rivalry with Reimu-sama always brings out her passionate side."
>She chuckles a light, airy laugh. "Not that making Tenshi-sama fired up is exactly hard."

[DracoOmega]

>"No, I gather that. But there's no need to be shamed by someone else besting you, no matter your skill. Perhaps it's not my place to say, but it saddens me to see people be so... exacting of themselves - I have seen some suffer a great deal for trying to denounce what was instead of accepting that it is and making peace from there."
>Shake our head slowly
>"Sorry. Perhaps Tenshi is right; I do seem rather philosophical tonight. I don't mean to presume."

[Oldmansour]

>"No, I gather that. But there's no need to be shamed by someone else besting you, no matter your skill. Perhaps it's not my place to say, but it saddens me to see people be so... exacting of themselves - I have seen some suffer a great deal for trying to denounce what was instead of accepting that it is and making peace from there."
>Shake our head slowly
>"Sorry. Perhaps Tenshi is right; I do seem rather philosophical tonight. I don't mean to presume."

>"You needn't apologize, Hijiri-san." the woman says. "This mote of philosophy speaks to your kind heart. A sympathy for those you've known. And that's not something anyone should apologize for."

[DracoOmega]

>Smile and let out a quiet self-effacing chuckle
>"Thank you, um.... I don't believe I know your name?"

[Oldmansour]

>Smile and let out a quiet self-effacing chuckle
>"Thank you, um.... I don't believe I know your name?"

>"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself." With a slightly apologetic smile, the woman gives you a formal nod. "Kohaku Daidouji. I work as an aide for Reimu-sama."
>The family name rings a bell. Reimu mentioned the Daidoujis once before. That family is part of the larger Hakurei clan, and hold a lot of esteem within the clan. Their position, as you understand, is rather similar to the position of the Konpaku family within the Saigyouji clan.

[DracoOmega]

>Nod polite back at her.
>"Pleased to meet you, Daidouji-san."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod polite back at her.
>"Pleased to meet you, Daidouji-san."

>"Likewise, Hijiri-san. And please, call me Kohaku. 'Daidouji-san' makes me sound like my mother." she says with a quiet laugh in her sweet voice.
>The two of you walk up the steps leading to the series of maple doors that open into the temple, stepping between the two large jade-encrusted dragon statues with sapphire eyes on either side of the main door.

[DracoOmega]

>Can we sense what direction Rin is in here, once we reach the temple proper?
>If not, or not specifically enough, ask her: I've reached the temple. Where are you now?

[Oldmansour]

>Can we sense what direction Rin is in here, once we reach the temple proper?
>If not, or not specifically enough, ask her: I've reached the temple. Where are you now?

>You can sense her right now, now that you think about it. She is in front of you, about.... Thirty feet? No, a bit more than that.
>To cover your bases, you ask her. Still inside the flame room. Been trying to make sense of this second feelin. I've actually got the place to myself, now, the two women that were here before left.

[DracoOmega]

>I shall be there shortly.
>Smile
>"Very well; Kokaku, then."
>Continue towards the flame room, saying a polite goodbye to Kohaku if she parts ways before then

[Oldmansour]

>I shall be there shortly.
>Smile
>"Very well; Kokaku, then."
>Continue towards the flame room, saying a polite goodbye to Kohaku if she parts ways before then

>Understood.

>The antechamber of the Dragon temple is laid out virtually identically to the Tortoise shrine, though the room is a bit bigger all around, and the stairs leading up into the main body has two extra steps than the Tortoise shrine, as well as an extra ramp for handicapped access. The floors are made of a rougher, darker wood as well, maple, or perhaps elm. The door at the back of the room, which you presume leads into the flame chamber, has a carved dragon head hanging above the middle. Granite, you believe.
>Only one other individual is present, as you and Kohaku pause to remove your footwear, as is tradition. Another shrine maiden, very tall, with long hair as green as her skirt, a silver bracelet studded with jades on her left wrist. She had been leaning against a potted tree on the left side of the room, but when she sees you and Kohaku enter the shrine, she pushes off her backrest and heads in your direction.

[DracoOmega]

>If she seems to approaching us, pause and smile as she draws near
>"Yes? Is there something I can help you with?"

[Oldmansour]

>If she seems to approaching us, pause and smile as she draws near
>"Yes? Is there something I can help you with?"

>She most definitely is, so you greet her politely.
>Upon closer inspection, you note that the pupils of her yellow eyes are slitted, like a cat's, a sign of her youkai nature. "I am looking for Byakuren Hijiri."

[DracoOmega]

>"That is me. What can I do for you?"

[Oldmansour]

>"That is me. What can I do for you?"

>"You are the master of one Rin Kaenbyou?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I am, yes. Is there a problem?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I am, yes. Is there a problem?"

>The green haired woman pauses for a moment, then says "I do not believe so, now that I see you. But, I wonder if you would be willing to grant me a small favor?"

[DracoOmega]

>"What is it?"

[Oldmansour]

>"What is it?"

>She holds out her left hand and opens it to you. It contains a rough hunk of jade about the size of a walnut. "Would you mind holding this, please?"

[DracoOmega]

>Examine the object a little before touching it
>"Might I ask why?"