Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3, Part 6 [COMPLETED]

[Oldmansour]

>Was that question directed accusingly at us, or did she seem uncertain WHAT that was?

>She seemed surprised as to what it was she heard or thought she heard.

[DracoOmega]

>If she doesn't seem to think that was our doing, just pause silently for a moment and maybe she'll shrug it off. If she does not continue her train of thought after a bit, we can add a gentle "What?"

[Oldmansour]

>If she doesn't seem to think that was our doing, just pause silently for a moment and maybe she'll shrug it off. If she does not continue her train of thought after a bit, we can add a gentle "What?"

>She casts her eyes around the room suspiciously for a moment, then seems to shrug slightly. "Perhaps I've spent too much time underground today." she mutters to herself.

>Just before she does, however, the voice replies with a short, staticy message. You are fairly confident it said We are coming.

>"Where were we?" Satori asks you casually, seemingly unaware of the reply.

[DracoOmega]

>"I believe you were about to ask me if I had the power not to have to kill?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I believe you were about to ask me if I had the power not to have to kill?"

>"Yes. Thank you. You see, my power affords me that ability. I've been working towards this goal for almost half a century, and never once have I taken a life to do it. Do you have that kind of power as well?"

[DracoOmega]

>"The demon champion we defeated and subdued is still alive and healthy, but imprisoned safely out of reach of any she might harm until I believe she is no longer a threat to those around her. I believe we can repeat this for the rest.  And the youma they created, I have purified and returned to their original forms without injury to them. So yes, I can also put an end to these threats without needing to take a life."

[Oldmansour]

>"The demon champion we defeated and subdued is still alive and healthy, but imprisoned safely out of reach of any she might harm until I believe she is no longer a threat to those around her. I believe we can repeat this for the rest.  And the youma they created, I have purified and returned to their original forms without injury to them. So yes, I can also put an end to these threats without needing to take a life."

>That makes her pause. "Did you say 'youma'? But that was Lunarian magic."

[DracoOmega]

>"Not wholly, it seems."

[Oldmansour]

>"Not wholly, it seems."

>"And you have the power to reverse a youma transformation that doesn't destroy the transformed? The shrines believe that to be impossible. Even Haruka couldn't find a way to do that, and she would if anyone could have."

[DracoOmega]

>"Haruka herself witnessed me do it this evening, just before I came here."

[Oldmansour]

>"Haruka herself witnessed me do it this evening, just before I came here."

>A breath of laughter comes from Satori. "I suppose she was as surprised as I am."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes. But she was satisfied that it had indeed worked, and the horse seemed in fair health afterward."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes. But she was satisfied that it had indeed worked, and the horse seemed in fair health afterward."

>Satori nods. And then you feel a distinctly uncomfortable sensation, like someone has stuck their fingers into your head. A pained sound escapes your lips as you endure the sensation of someone poking around inside your head. Or at least trying to. Despite the psychic discomfort, even outright pain, you feel the fingers hit some kind of block. Repeatedly. After several long moments, the hands retreat. "It would seem I'll have to take your word for that for the moment." Satori says evenly as you try to catch your breath.

[DracoOmega]

>Catch our breath a moment.
>"Was that... was that really... necessary? I am trying to share with you... in good faith, as someone who would like to see less suffering in the world, much as you also profess."

[Oldmansour]

>Catch our breath a moment.
>"Was that... was that really... necessary? I am trying to share with you... in good faith, as someone who would like to see less suffering in the world, much as you also profess."

>"You presented me with an idea that, until today, I believed to be impossible. Even if you were a beast youkai, I would want to see that scene for myself."
>"If it's any consolation, though, it wasn't intended to be painful. I don't normally inflict pain just by looking, and I don't enjoy it when I do. But your mind is different."

[DracoOmega]

>"I take it you couldn't see what you were looking for?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I take it you couldn't see what you were looking for?"

>"You assume correctly." Satori replies, sounding a little petulant, despite herself.

[DracoOmega]

>"I've never had someone try to look around in my mind before. At least, not like that."
>"I could... describe what happened, if you'd like?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I've never had someone try to look around in my mind before. At least, not like that."
>"I could... describe what happened, if you'd like?"

>"No, I'll wait until I see Haruka next." She pauses to look you in the eye. "Understand, you are still human. My well of faith in that area is not deep."

[DracoOmega]

>"I know it is an extraordinary claim, but I promise I am being truthful. ...I suppose you're not altogether accustomed to having to simply take people at their word about such things, are you?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I know it is an extraordinary claim, but I promise I am being truthful. ...I suppose you're not altogether accustomed to having to simply take people at their word about such things, are you?"

>"As a matter of fact, I'm not." Satori replies sourly. "And don't think I'm happy about it, either. You two have put me in a very uncomfortable position."
>The shrine maiden sighs and steps in Rin's direction. "But we can discuss that later. Setting aside this youma situation, this demon you say you have captured. Where is it now?"

[DracoOmega]

>"In what I suppose you could refer to as a pocket dimension that we created to hold it. It resembles Memorial Park, or at least some of it - the parts nearest the pond; I'd wanted some place it could hopefully feel comfortable in. We can come and go between here and there, but it cannot leave unless I allow it to."

[Oldmansour]

>"In what I suppose you could refer to as a pocket dimension that we created to hold it. It resembles Memorial Park, or at least some of it - the parts nearest the pond; I'd wanted some place it could hopefully feel comfortable in. We can come and go between here and there, but it cannot leave unless I allow it to."

>Satori pauses in mid-step to look at you in confusion once more. Seemingly despite herself, she laughs a short, smiling laugh. "You ARE an idealist, aren't you?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I do my best to live the values I profess."

[Oldmansour]

>"I do my best to live the values I profess."

>The purple haired woman sighs again as she starts walking again. Surprised as you were to see your Rin in the state she was in before, you didn't notice the simple wooden table situated near where the green-haired woman was standing, with a paper lantern resting on it. Satori pulls the chair out from the table and sits. "You know, if your memories weren't closed to me, I think I might be enjoying this conversation." She gently massages her temple with two fingers, and you see the black splinter pulse with its ugly energy again. "But this power you two have, assuming it IS your power that shields part of your minds to me, makes it difficult for me to decide just what I'm going to do with you."

[DracoOmega]

>"It must leave one feeling rather adrift to be without the certainty you're used to being able to operate within. For what it's worth, I do sympathize; I am not trying to be closed - rather the opposite. It is something of an unpleasant irony in this situation to have more difficulty proving one's honesty to someone who can read thoughts than to most of those who cannot."
>"But assuming that all of what I've said is true, what do you think you would do then?"

[Oldmansour]

>"It must leave one feeling rather adrift to be without the certainty you're used to being able to operate within. For what it's worth, I do sympathize; I am not trying to be closed - rather the opposite. It is something of an unpleasant irony in this situation to have more difficulty proving one's honesty to someone who can read thoughts than to most of those who cannot."
>"But assuming that all of what I've said is true, what do you think you would do then?"

>Satori rubs her head again. "Well, since I won't kill you, I seem to have but one choice. And that, I'm afraid, is to keep you here until I find a way to penetrate your mental defenses. I don't relish the idea of keeping you here that long, since I doubt this will be easy, but I seem to have no other choice."

[DracoOmega]

>"Is it that difficult for you to contemplate the thought of trusting someone whose thoughts you cannot read?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Is it that difficult for you to contemplate the thought of trusting someone whose thoughts you cannot read?"

>"I don't trust anyone human." Satori replies. "Not anymore."

[DracoOmega]

>"And what of an animal youkai who trusts a human?"