Author Topic: Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4 (Read 46203 times)

Oldmansour · « **Reply #510 on:** May 08, 2015, 05:43:12 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 07, 2015, 02:42:33 AM

>Let's get ourselves as comfortable as we can and center our thoughts.
>Remember, we have established a safety net for ourselves. Let us put our trust in that and brave whatever cold thing lies beneath without holding back.
>Let us reach out for that veiled memory once more.

>Left now largely alone in your room, you sit yourself down on your bed, Rin's words and the Purpose's reaction to your threat still leaving a sour sound in your ears. Your determination to get to the bottom of this seems to have offended both of them in different ways. But, though it pains you to admit, for your purposes this may actually be helpful. If positive feelings proved to isolate you from that memory, then the immediate lack of them might help your efforts.
>It takes you a moment to regain that feeling of familiarity, turning your thoughts back to the strange sensation you felt from Patchy, and how it might relate to you. The memory of something that you and she somehow shared. As before, you try to stretch your brain back down the path of years to find something more than you found before. Some stray fragment of memory that might help lead you to the truth.
>Eventually you think you get back to the point you were at when the Purpose interrupted you before. Remembering its words, you pause for a moment, in the event it decided to ignore your threat and try and stop you anyway. But it does not. Good, you think to yourself. This has been hard enough without any interruptions. And a moment later, you think you have results. Something that could be a woman's voice drifts across your memory like a stray breeze, gone as fast as it came but definately making its presence known.

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 27.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #511 on:** May 08, 2015, 05:55:22 AM »

>Try to recall that voice

Oldmansour · « **Reply #512 on:** May 08, 2015, 06:40:10 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 08, 2015, 05:55:22 AM

>Try to recall that voice

>A difficult task. Remembering a conversation from a year ago is tricky enough sometimes, leave alone one from you don't know when. But at least now you have something more concrete to look for, that's progress in and of itself.
>After several long moments of concentration, the voice returns. You can't make out what it's saying, the words are staticy and quiet, fuzzy with the passage of time. But the voice itself is familiar somehow. You can't put a name to the voice, but it definitely a woman's voice. And though you can't quite tell what she is saying, the voice somehow sounds warm, inviting, even comforting somehow.

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 30.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #513 on:** May 08, 2015, 06:53:38 AM »

>This voice doesn't, by any chance, sound like the one that spoke to us during the battle with the death titan, does it?

Oldmansour · « **Reply #514 on:** May 08, 2015, 07:21:55 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 08, 2015, 06:53:38 AM

>This voice doesn't, by any chance, sound like the one that spoke to us during the battle with the death titan, does it?

>No, that much you're sure of. That voice was like poisoned honey to your ears, doom hidden poorly beneath reason and logic. This voice feels almost like a mother's voice. The kind she used to try and make Myoren and you feel better when you were sick, or after you'd woken up from a bad dream.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #515 on:** May 08, 2015, 07:26:02 AM »

>Does it sound like our mother's voice, or some other with a reminiscent tone?
>Listen closer to the voice. But even if it feels inviting, do not let it invite us quite yet. Remember, we are here foremost to observe. Let us seek to understand it better.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #516 on:** May 08, 2015, 08:55:19 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 08, 2015, 07:26:02 AM

>Does it sound like our mother's voice, or some other with a reminiscent tone?
>Listen closer to the voice. But even if it feels inviting, do not let it invite us quite yet. Remember, we are here foremost to observe. Let us seek to understand it better.

>You can't rule out the possibility that it could be your mother's voice. After meeting Madame Knowledge, stuck-up aristocrat she is, you can't imagine it'd be her voice, but yours? That you're less sure about. Though if it is, it means she was talking to you and Patchy years and years ago, and you can't see how that's possible.

>Pleased to finally be getting somewhere with this investigation of yours, even if it has gotten considerably colder in here, you narrow your thoughts towards the woman's voice. Or at least try to, there's lots of other bits swirling around in your memory down here. Thoughts of your mother has stirred memories of you and her and your father sitting by Myoren's bed as he grappled with another part of his weak body failing, the impotent anger you felt at such a bright soul being forced to endure such a life. How your mother tried to assure you that everything would be okay, but the uncertainly, the worry, the dread in her eyes spoke to her true feelings. Was there some guilt there, too? Perhaps there was.
>Memories of Marissa talking about her mother, wondering how her life would have turned out had she survived. The woman died when Marissa was barely two, yet even now her presence looms in the life of your friend. Would she have turned out the way she did had her mother lived, her father not remarried?
>Memories of Madame Knowledge, and a new anger that accompanies them. Someone like Marissa barely got to know her mother, yet this woman squanders the chance she was given? Every day it seems that distance between Patchy and her mother grows greater and greater, and from what you saw, you doubt she'll do anything to change this anytime soon. Why her, and not Marissa's mother? How is that fair?

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 36.
>The chill in your body gives way to a rush of hot anger as memories stir your emotions, but this lasts only a moment before a blanket of despair falls over your shoulders, the knowledge that you can't change any of it, nor change similar occurrences for your other loved ones' benefits. Even with the power you have, it isn't enough.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #517 on:** May 08, 2015, 09:12:31 AM »

>There may be things we cannot change, but there are still many things that we can. Maybe we cannot make the best world, but we can make a better world. That is why we are doing this.
>Probe deeper. Find that voice.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #518 on:** May 09, 2015, 03:18:03 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 08, 2015, 09:12:31 AM

>There may be things we cannot change, but there are still many things that we can. Maybe we cannot make the best world, but we can make a better world. That is why we are doing this.
>Probe deeper. Find that voice.

>But why can't you? With all the power you possess... And more besides. You know there's more you can do. You just need to find it. Maybe you'll find the way to that power here? You hope so. Of course you'd use that power to help Patchy and Sanae first. But after that...
>You think you hear another voice come to you as you try to isolate that matronly tone. Something that sounds like your own voice, maybe in a tone of caution, of warning. But you ignore this caution. You're close to your answer now.
>Surrounding the motherly woman's voice is a profound darkness. She spoke to you from a very bad place, or at least one that was very poorly lit. And you still can't make out her face, or her hair, or anything about her beyond the voice. Yet, somehow, you can tell she is looking at you, and smiling. An inviting smile, one that invites you into her confidences, and she says, "I can't do this without you."

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 48.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #519 on:** May 09, 2015, 03:38:27 AM »

>Answer the voice in our mind: "What is it you are trying to do?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #520 on:** May 09, 2015, 05:05:04 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 03:38:27 AM

>Answer the voice in our mind: "What is it you are trying to do?"

>"You're special. All of you. And-"
>"BYAKUREN!" the voice of the Purpose roars in your ears.

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 49.5.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #521 on:** May 09, 2015, 05:26:39 AM »

>But we're so close! Just a bit more and maybe we will understand what we came here to understand!
>But... but we promised. We promised we would stop here, if we had to. It's important that we keep our promises. Even if....
>Let the memory go and come back to our surroundings

Oldmansour · « **Reply #522 on:** May 09, 2015, 06:16:13 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 05:26:39 AM

>But we're so close! Just a bit more and maybe we will understand what we came here to understand!
>But... but we promised. We promised we would stop here, if we had to. It's important that we keep our promises. Even if....
>Let the memory go and come back to our surroundings

>The temptation to try and keep going is strong. You're close. The woman could have been telling you how to save your world. Save BOTH worlds. How to.... Well, the only way to know for sure is to keep trying. That little doll's already said it worries too much. How does it know when you've gone too far? You still need answers...

>Byakuren Hijiri Corruption Score: 49.4.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #523 on:** May 09, 2015, 06:19:26 AM »

>Whether it is wrong or not, we made a promise. Pull out.

Oldmansour · « **Reply #524 on:** May 09, 2015, 06:53:53 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 06:19:26 AM

>Whether it is wrong or not, we made a promise. Pull out.

>Is your word worth as much as your answers are?
>... Yes. Yes it is. You promised Rin. If the Purpose is calling you, then it has to have its reasons.
>At least, it better have...

>With more than a little regret, you turn away from your emerging memories, back to the present. To find the little doll just in front of your face. "We have a problem." it says aloud, its voice surprisingly human.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #525 on:** May 09, 2015, 06:55:26 AM »

>"What problem is that?"
>How do we feel?

Oldmansour · « **Reply #526 on:** May 09, 2015, 07:02:29 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 06:55:26 AM

>How do we feel?

>You feel rather sad at the moment. You feel as though you were on the verge of discovering something very important, something that would have answered any number of questions. Only to be pulled away by this little.... alien awareness. You may never get that chance again.

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 06:55:26 AM

>"What problem is that?"

>"I have detected the presence of the Champion of Air. It is heading this way."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #527 on:** May 09, 2015, 07:05:10 AM »

>And our physical condition?
>Can we sense Air ourselves?
>If so, how quickly do we think it will be here? If not, ask

Oldmansour · « **Reply #528 on:** May 09, 2015, 07:28:13 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 07:05:10 AM

>And our physical condition?
>Can we sense Air ourselves?
>If so, how quickly do we think it will be here? If not, ask

>Not bad at all.
>You can. The belligerant Champion is inbound from the southwest, a few miles out, moving at great speed. It isn't even trying to conceal its presence. By your estimate, it will be here in less than five minutes.
>You can also sense that the trail of power flowing from Sanae is flowing towards the Air Champion.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #529 on:** May 09, 2015, 07:33:50 AM »

>Not bad at all? None of the deep chill that we experienced the last time we plumbed that memory?
>We do feel... ourselves, do we? Give a quick once-over of our mental faculties.

>"That power emanating from the other woman downstairs... it is flowing towards the Air Champion. Can you still not sense it at all?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #530 on:** May 09, 2015, 08:15:21 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 07:33:50 AM

>Not bad at all? None of the deep chill that we experienced the last time we plumbed that memory?
>We do feel... ourselves, do we? Give a quick once-over of our mental faculties.

>"That power emanating from the other woman downstairs... it is flowing towards the Air Champion. Can you still not sense it at all?"

>No. Would it matter? You don't mind the cold. Besides, whatever cold you did feel was washed away by the tide of anger your memories stirred before. An anger that persists.
>You do feel just a touch fuzzy, but then, you've spent a while furiously wracking your brain to try and dredge up a memory from possibly as long as 17 years ago. That'll tax anyone's brain. The sensation fades even as you think about it.

>"I cannot."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #531 on:** May 09, 2015, 08:21:10 AM »

>It won't do us any good to be angry now. We need calm and focused for the battle to come.

>"Well, I'm certain of it, just as the other power reached out to Water. I do not know why."
>"A question first, though: when you called me, was it just because of Air's approach and not because I seemed in immediate danger from this other presence?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #532 on:** May 10, 2015, 11:37:45 PM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 09, 2015, 08:21:10 AM

>It won't do us any good to be angry now. We need calm and focused for the battle to come.

>"Well, I'm certain of it, just as the other power reached out to Water. I do not know why."
>"A question first, though: when you called me, was it just because of Air's approach and not because I seemed in immediate danger from this other presence?"

>Battle. Yes. Another chance to thwart the demons.

>"Nor do I."
>"It was not just because of the Air Champion." the doll answers. "The danger was growing too great. I felt I had no choice but to risk your anger."

DracoOmega · « **Reply #533 on:** May 11, 2015, 01:32:53 AM »

>Whoa there. Dial that back a little. No matter how necessary, battle is not a desirable thing, and this is not a desirable place for it. Remember, we want to help the demons in the end, not simply thwart them.

>"I will acquiesce to your judgement, and I thank you for respecting my request and not interrupting sooner. I know it was not what you wanted to do."
>Let's go out to where Rin is

Oldmansour · « **Reply #534 on:** May 11, 2015, 02:54:28 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 11, 2015, 01:32:53 AM

>Whoa there. Dial that back a little. No matter how necessary, battle is not a desirable thing, and this is not a desirable place for it. Remember, we want to help the demons in the end, not simply thwart them.

>"I will acquiesce to your judgement, and I thank you for respecting my request and not interrupting sooner. I know it was not what you wanted to do."
>Let's go out to where Rin is

>With a fair amount of conscious effort, you throttle back some of your darker instincts. Even though they started this fight, even though they seem to have chosen your home to menace, even if that means they directly threaten, Nitori, Letty, Minoriko, Patchy... Not to mention yourself and Rin.

>"You didn't give me a choice." the Purpose reminds you. "I only hope this does not affect our continuing alliance."
>Taking another steadying breath to rein in your emotions, you head back out into the main room. Rin is lying in her feline form, curled up atop one of the chairs in the room.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #535 on:** May 11, 2015, 02:57:09 AM »

>"Rin?"

Oldmansour · « **Reply #536 on:** May 11, 2015, 03:18:38 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 11, 2015, 02:57:09 AM

>"Rin?"

>The kasha's ears perk at your calling of her name. She raises her head to regard you. Did you get your answers? she asks silently.

DracoOmega · « **Reply #537 on:** May 11, 2015, 03:21:13 AM »

>"Not really, I'm afraid. Hints of more, but not quite enough to make sense of it. But I'm afraid we have more immediate problems. The Champion of Air is swiftly approaching our location, and the power flowing from Sanae is connected to it."

Oldmansour · « **Reply #538 on:** May 11, 2015, 03:30:20 AM »

Quote from: DracoOmega on May 11, 2015, 03:21:13 AM

>"Not really, I'm afraid. Hints of more, but not quite enough to make sense of it. But I'm afraid we have more immediate problems. The Champion of Air is swiftly approaching our location, and the power flowing from Sanae is connected to it."

>Straight away, Rin leaps from her chair and transforms in mid air, not just into her humanoid form, but into her Magical White Rose form as well. "What do we do?"

DracoOmega · « **Reply #539 on:** May 11, 2015, 03:37:41 AM »

>"Obviously we cannot let Air harm anyone here, but there are unusual... social complexities. I assume Air is here for Sanae specifically, so we may not be able to draw it away from the others without actually moving Sanae herself elsewhere somehow - and I don't know that we even have time to try. So many explanations that will probably be asked...."
>"Given that Water cannot have been initiating this power flow from Patchouli, I would be surprised if Air is responsible, either. They may even be as uncertain as we are about what is occurring, and have come to investigate. I know too little to say."
>"I don't suppose you can think of a good excuse to quickly spirit a girl away from her own housewarming? While no one notices either of us missing?"