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

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>I do not know. And yes, the possibility that it's a demon trick did occur to me. Do you think that's what this is?

[Oldmansour]

>I do not know. And yes, the possibility that it's a demon trick did occur to me. Do you think that's what this is?

>The timing of it seems too great to pass off as mere coincidence. If this youkai does have a latent connection to a divine spirit, these demons would take advantage of it, if they could. Of this I am sure
>Have you seen her recently? Was she wearing a new ring, like the one the demon used to control that woman? Like it nearly did me?

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Was she? Whatever the answer, tell Kiku.

[Oldmansour]

>Was she? Whatever the answer, tell Kiku.

>She was not.
>That seems to be how the Water demon controls its victims. I don't know if the others would employ the same means, but it does seem logical.
>Still, if she is reporting nightmares, that means that the demons may not have fully taken control of her. I suggest that one of us investigate her personally. Our Light powers may be able to detect demonic taint upon her, and remove it before it is too late.

[DracoOmega]

>Coincidentally, I had actually spoke with her myself earlier this afternoon, before my friend had told me of these nightmares. She had seemed pensive, but not otherwise unlike her normal self. Though my ring did seem to have a reaction in her presence, unlike those it has had with you or Lily. There was a swirl of yellow inside it which dissipated as I grew more distant from her; I was not fully certain what it meant.

[Oldmansour]

>Coincidentally, I had actually spoke with her myself earlier this afternoon, before my friend had told me of these nightmares. She had seemed pensive, but not otherwise unlike her normal self. Though my ring did seem to have a reaction in her presence, unlike those it has had with you or Lily. There was a swirl of yellow inside it which dissipated as I grew more distant from her; I was not fully certain what it meant.

>Yellow? Kiku makes a thoughtful noise. That was the color of the ring Water's first victim wore. And the color of the ring it tried to use on me. But then again, your ring was also yellow. Well, gold, but, you know what I mean. I wonder if that might be signifigant.
>Regardless, you sensed no demoic power, no taint, from her when you spoke with her?

[DracoOmega]

>We did not, correct?

[Oldmansour]

>We did not, correct?

>Correct. Although your ring swirled with color, you sensed nothing out of the ordinary from either it, or Utsuho herself.

[DracoOmega]

>I did not. In fact, aside from the coloration of my ring, I sensing nothing at all unusual from her.

[Oldmansour]

>I did not. In fact, aside from the coloration of my ring, I sensing nothing at all unusual from her.

>That does not mean it was not there. If you were not in your Lotus guise, your senses may not have been as accute.

>By this point, Rin has led you inside the shrine itself, offering you her arm over the wet floor on the outside. The antechamber of this shrine is layed out identially to the one at the Tiger shrine, though it is somewhat larger, and it has an extra doorway set in the left wall, leading to a flight of stairs going up.
>A trio of shrine maidens are present here, one close to the exit on her hands and knees, cleaning up more spilled liquid. This one, with her aqua-green eyes and gorgeous blonde hair currently tied into a ponytail, seems strikingly familiar to you. You think you've seen her in Aya's studio, though you've never worked with her if she is a model. She certainly has the looks for it. At least, she would, but her face is presently engaged in showing her distaste for the task she is performing, as she wrings her rag out into a nearby bucket of water.
>The other two stand towards the center of the room, slightly to the right. The shorter flat chested one has red hair of moderate length tied in a pair of braids encircling her head around the back. You suspect it would be somewhat long let down. She stands speaking with a very tall youkai whom is currently back on to you, but you recognize her wings, currently wrapped around her body, her hair, and the color of the uniform. It appears to be Haruka, the miko from the Fire Bird shrine.

>I suggest one of us investigate her in our Magical form. Kiku continues. To be sure.

[DracoOmega]

>Spilled liquid? So it doesn't look like the floor is just wet because someone was cleaning it?

[Oldmansour]

>Spilled liquid? So it doesn't look like the floor is just wet because someone was cleaning it?

>By the looks of it, the blonde is just getting started cleaning it up.

[DracoOmega]

>Can we tell what it looks like has spilled here? And how sizable is it?

[Oldmansour]

>Can we tell what it looks like has spilled here? And how sizable is it?

>Based on the smell and yellow-whitish appearance, you would guess lemonaide. And you would guess about.... maybe a small pitcher's worth?

[DracoOmega]

>That does make sense and I will certainly do so when next I get the opportunity.

>Continue forward, and keep a casual ear in Haruka's direction. Can we tell what they're talking about?

[Oldmansour]

>That does make sense and I will certainly do so when next I get the opportunity.

>Continue forward, and keep a casual ear in Haruka's direction. Can we tell what they're talking about?

>Rin in tow, you proceed towards the large double sliding doors in the north wall, letting your attention wander towards the tall winged youkai and the redhead in front of her. As you approach, you note a third miko, whom Haruka's frame had obscured from you, a young woman with short gradient hair, orange tapering into a light blue at the back of her head, falling just down to barely touch her shoulders. She has a single horn protruding from her forehead, but it's much shorter than any oni's horn you're even seen. Blunter, too. She wears a black cord in loose necklace, large purple beads threaded through it at intervals, and has a metallic flask in her hand.
>The redhead seems to be discussing her impression of a TV show you're not familiar with with Haruka. Something about 'which brother is better', but you can't place the names of the characters she tosses out. Haruka has the bearing of one who only slightly knows what the other is talking about, but is politely interested nonetheless.
>As you walk past the trio, the oni, taking a swig from her flask, pauses and points in your direction. "The Morning Star!"

[DracoOmega]

>Pause and smile in her direction
>"Good evening to you."

[Oldmansour]

>Pause and smile in her direction
>"Good evening to you."

>"This is a pleasure." the oni says, walking boldly between the redhead and Haruka, both of whom also look in your direction. You spare a moment to wonder about Rin. The girl spent many years with an oni family who left her in a bad way, so you've wondered how proximity to oni would affect her. To your relief, Rin doesn't seem at all uncomfortable as the oni approaches you with a big smile on her face. "What brings you to our little piece of the city tonight?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, it had occurred to me that I'd never been to this shrine before, and I felt like doing a little sightseeing."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, it had occurred to me that I'd never been to this shrine before, and I felt like doing a little sightseeing."

>"Not here on a photo shoot, are you?" the oni asks, walking right up to you, somewhat uncomfortably close, if you're honest.
>"No way, Nora." the woman scrubbing the floor behind you remarks sourly. "If Aya was doing a shoot here, I'd have known about it by now."
>"Don't be a spoilsport, Kirino." the blunt-horned oni retorts, still smiling.

[DracoOmega]

>Even if she's uncomfortably close, try to keep our own bearing as comfortable as possible and don't back away
>"I'm afraid I meant what I said; I simply felt like having a look around the shrine and the grounds. I hope this doesn't disappoint you somehow."

[Hello Purvis]

>Grin. "It sounds as though you're looking to make your big break."

[Oldmansour]

>Even if she's uncomfortably close, try to keep our own bearing as comfortable as possible and don't back away
>"I'm afraid I meant what I said; I simply felt like having a look around the shrine and the grounds. I hope this doesn't disappoint you somehow."

>She may be closer than you'd prefer, but you've been this close to people more overbearing and less pleasant. This girl seems genuinely friendly, though you have to wonder if she respects personal space.
>The oni does indeed seem a bit crestfallen. "Well... Yeah, a little. I've been a fan of yours since your first spread."
>"So have I." The redhead next to Haruka says, her voice showing nervousness, a blush upon her face.

>Grin. "It sounds as though you're looking to make your big break."

>"Who, me?" Nora the oni asks.
>"She means me." Kirino the human (at least you're fairly sure she's human) says irritatedly, coming to her feet and shaking the water off her hands. "And pretty soon, people will pointing me out in shrines." she adds.

[DracoOmega]

>Smile gently at Kirino
>"I have no doubt that someone with your looks could go far in the industry. I believe I've seen you at Aya's studio before, yes?"

[Oldmansour]

>Smile gently at Kirino
>"I have no doubt that someone with your looks could go far in the industry. I believe I've seen you at Aya's studio before, yes?"

>The blonde smirks and tosses her ponytail. "Keen eye. Yeah, I signed on with Aya a couple of weeks ago. Kirino Kitaya." she introduces herself.

[DracoOmega]

>Nod politely
>"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kirino. Perhaps we shall find ourselves working together some day."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod politely
>"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kirino. Perhaps we shall find ourselves working together some day."

>"Someday soon, if you've talked to Aya lately. You know she's got a few jobs on the block for this week, right?"
>"She does? You do?" the oni asks, her interest clearly piqued. Enthusiasm aside, you wish her breath didn't smell of whiskey.

[DracoOmega]

>Give the oni a sympathetic smile.
>"She does, yes. And I'm sorry if I'm dashing your hopes a second time now, but I'm afraid I don't think I'll be participating in those shoots, either. Life has been very busy for me lately."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Although if I find myself having the time, I may show up."

[Oldmansour]

>Give the oni a sympathetic smile.
>"She does, yes. And I'm sorry if I'm dashing your hopes a second time now, but I'm afraid I don't think I'll be participating in those shoots, either. Life has been very busy for me lately."

>Nora's face is rather sad. "Why not?"
>"Yeah, Byakuren, why not?" Kirino asks.
>Haruka, however, supplies, "I'm sure the Morning Star has many demands on her time."
>Rin, you note, gives Haruka and appreciative look.

>"Although if I find myself having the time, I may show up."

>The oni's face perks up again, hopefully.