Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4, Part 3

[Oldmansour]

>So... is that everything for now, then?

>Just one thing more, a theory I have been unable to confirm at this point. In regards to Satori's jack.

[DracoOmega]

>Yes?
>For that matter, do we even know what 'jack' means here, aside from that being how Satori referred to her?

[Oldmansour]

>For that matter, do we even know what 'jack' means here, aside from that being how Satori referred to her?

>In some novels you've read, it refers to the concept of a 'personal fighter'. A warrior of some kind whose purpose is to fight for their master. Not entirely unlike a bodyguard, or even a slave, but more martial, even more aggressive in nature.

>Yes?

>Based on your description of your meeting with Satori, and the events that preceeded it, I suspect that her jack, whose name I still don't know, may have been the spider that bit you before Satori captured you.

[DracoOmega]

>I thought the same thing. Though I did not have much opportunity to investigate that line of thinking at the time.
>And she's been mostly non-communicative, has she?

[Oldmansour]

>I thought the same thing. Though I did not have much opportunity to investigate that line of thinking at the time.
>And she's been mostly non-communicative, has she?

>Very. Apart from a handful of sentiments she repeats in slightly different ways, she simply stands in the corner and looks imposing. I think she may have been a gladiator before joining with Satori, possibly in Moscovia, though I can't tell for certain.

[DracoOmega]

>What sort of sentiments?

[Oldmansour]

>What sort of sentiments?

>Kiku pauses a moment to put her thoughts in order, then reads off from a mental list, That she won't let us touch Satori, that she won't let Satori hurt herself, that her only loyalty is to Satori, that she doesn't trust anything that comes from our kitchen since she can't be sure we didn't poison it- Ah. Yes, I had forgotten. How careless of me. Perhaps you could bring something for Satori? Her jack might be more trusting of you than us.

[DracoOmega]

>Have neither of them eaten anything today, then?

[Oldmansour]

>Have neither of them eaten anything today, then?

>I do not believe so. Satori's jack might have taken a fly or two, but that's little good for Satori herself.

[DracoOmega]

>I don't suppose you know of any foods that Satori particularly likes?

[Oldmansour]

>I don't suppose you know of any foods that Satori particularly likes?

>She's expressed a fondness for peaches in the past.

[DracoOmega]

>Don't suppose we have any of those on hand?

[Oldmansour]

>Don't suppose we have any of those on hand?

>Not yourself, but you believe Minoriko received a box of fruit from home a day or two ago. She may have some you could borrow.

[DracoOmega]

>Then I'll see if I can bring her some.

[Oldmansour]

>Then I'll see if I can bring her some.

>Thank you.

[DracoOmega]

>Well, if there's nothing else for now, I shall see you later this evening.
>Assuming Kiku has nothing else to add, let's quietly snuggle up with Rin for just a little bit longer, then go attend to supper

[Oldmansour]

>Well, if there's nothing else for now, I shall see you later this evening.
>Assuming Kiku has nothing else to add, let's quietly snuggle up with Rin for just a little bit longer, then go attend to supper

>Very well.
>She does have nothing to add, and leaves you to your more pleasurable passtime. Duty waits for no woman, but not until you connected with Rin did you wish that you could call in sick once in a while.
>But after a little while, pesky little other matters demand your attention, so you and your Rin return to your feet. She has pretty feet, too.... How the heck does Marissa focus enough to get the grades she does? Anyway. While Rin attends to matters in the kitchen, and tidies up your room a bit, you grab yourself a quick shower. By the time you've finished, Rin has prepared a meal of mackerel, rice and steamed vegetables.

[DracoOmega]

>"That looks great, thank you."
>Dig in!
>And over the course of supper, we can explain what's up with the Satori situation at the shrine and our plan to head there shortly

[Oldmansour]

>"That looks great, thank you."
>Dig in!
>And over the course of supper, we can explain what's up with the Satori situation at the shrine and our plan to head there shortly

>"Well, it's good that nothing bad's happened yet over there." she says as you fill her in. "Do ya think we'll have to fight that jack of hers?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I doubt she will be hostile unless she feels Satori is under threat from us, and I should hope she doesn't get that impression. But I admit that I'm not quite sure what to make of her. Satori was outright abusive to her last night, and still her devotion seemed unyielding; I do not get the impression she was under her thrall, or she likely wouldn't be defending her as she has today."

[Oldmansour]

>"I doubt she will be hostile unless she feels Satori is under threat from us, and I should hope she doesn't get that impression. But I admit that I'm not quite sure what to make of her. Satori was outright abusive to her last night, and still her devotion seemed unyielding; I do not get the impression she was under her thrall, or she likely wouldn't be defending her as she has today."

>"Jacks can be like that." Rin informs you. "I never met one, but I heard about 'em when I was with Konngara. They can be almost crazy loyal, even when their boss is cruel to 'em."

[DracoOmega]

>"I do worry about her, too, though. Not her danger to us, but her own well-being. For how many years might she have been kept cloistered away, used to attack and trap people, and treated cruelly? Even if Satori's had a sudden change of heart, that isn't the sort of thing that just evaporates overnight."

[Oldmansour]

>"I do worry about her, too, though. Not her danger to us, but her own well-being. For how many years might she have been kept cloistered away, used to attack and trap people, and treated cruelly? Even if Satori's had a sudden change of heart, that isn't the sort of thing that just evaporates overnight."

>Rin nods slowly. "Got that right." And she would know, too.

[DracoOmega]

>"I hope there is something I can do to help them. For all the harm Satori has done, I think she's a kind person at heart; that makes this all the worse for her, of course."

[Oldmansour]

>"I hope there is something I can do to help them. For all the harm Satori has done, I think she's a kind person at heart; that makes this all the worse for her, of course."

>"You saved her once already, Mistress." Rin says with a smile. "You can do it again."

[DracoOmega]

>"Well, I will certainly try."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, I will certainly try."

>"And even if that jack does get ornery, she can't be a match for the two of us, now that Satori's back ta normal. I don't think we need Lily or Reisen for dis. Unless ya wanted 'em to come along."

[DracoOmega]

>"I think it will be fine with the two of us; we're not supposed to be fighting anyone, just talking."

[Oldmansour]

>"I think it will be fine with the two of us; we're not supposed to be fighting anyone, just talking."

>"We weren't supposed t'be fighting anyone last time we were there either. Look how DAT turned out."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, that was.... Surely I won't be that wrong two days in a row, will I?"
>Sheepish smile