~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore
A New World: Book 1 Completed
Dan-Heron:
... placebo, of course it would work without a doubt!
I could almost imagine the scene in anime setting, with Aya and Hatate flying over the Temple as Maribel processed what had just happened.
Iced Fairy:
?What!? My rebirth is a sin?? Maribel couldn't believe what she was hearing now.
?I'm sorry.? Byakuren made a placating gesture. ?Perhaps I should start by saying that you are NOT Yukari Yakumo. The fires of hell burnt down to the core of her being, and from that you were created. You are no more her then a plow is the sword that was melted down to forge it.?
Maribel's eyes narrowed. ?I sense a 'but' there.?
Byakuren nodded. ?But you do have the same soul. Just as Yukari was burned away, so you will be too upon your death, unless you abandon the self and advance to enlightenment. The essence will remain but the 'you' that will be born will be different.?
Maribel nodded. ?Okay. So, what does this have to do with me specifically??
Byakuren sipped her tea. ?Part of what is supposed to be burned away is the powers and memories of the past life. They still exist of course, but you should only be able to access them through mystic disciplines.? Byakuren pointed at her eyes ?You however kept your powers. While sometimes hell makes a mistake, given the people involved in Yukari Yakumo's case, I imagine it was more a breakout.?
Maribel felt her face flush with anger. She wanted to squeeze the teacup until it broke. ?So I'm going to be punished in the afterlife for something she did??
?Yes,? Byakuren nodded. ?Though by that point I imagine there will only be Yukari's stray memories left, so it will be her punishment. However, your reincarnation will still be delayed.?
Maribel took a few deep breaths. That was stupid bullshit, but after a few minutes she decided it didn't matter that much how long reincarnation took. After all she'd be dead.
She took a sip of tea to finish calming down then asked, ?Okay, I understand that, but what does that have to do with the bossy fox woman??
?It's because you're a human wielding a youkai's powers.? Byakuren folded her hands. ?The Hakurei shrine wields the power of boundaries as well, but they use a human power. Ran and Chen are the only people alive who know how to use the youkai power. And if Ran won't teach you Chen won't either.?
Maribel stared into her tea. She really didn't want to hear that.
?If you decide not to deal with Ran I'll work with you myself,? Byakuren said softly. ?For that matter, if you choose to go with Ran, and later decide you don't want to deal with her any more I'll give you my support. But I think it would be best for you if you gave her a chance.?
Maribel kept staring at her tea. She didn't like this Ran at all. Perhaps she was overreacting a little. She could admit she was still touchy about the Yakumo thing. But controlling her powers wasn't just a nice ability. It would open the world up to her. Perhaps literally if it let her back through the border.
Finally she sighed. ?Alright. I'll talk to her at least. After I go to the Hakurei Shrine.?
Byakuren smiled. ?Perhaps I can teach you something that will help you there.?
---
Renko was proud of Mary when she stood up for herself and walked out on Ran. But now she realized there was a problem with that action. Specifically, she was still here.
'Here,' was in between a tiger youkai that claimed to be the avatar of a god, and a fox youkai that acted like she was a goddess. Worse, they both seemed to have taken an interest in her. And while Keine was still here, the school teacher had whipped out a pencil and was just recording everything.
Ran eventually spoke first. ?You have an interesting power. I can't quite place it. It seems to be the opposite of your friend's.?
Renko nodded warily. ?Thanks? I'm not sure why you'd say that though. I mainly can just see where I am and what time it is.?
Ran raised an eyebrow and her ears twitched. ?Oh you didn't know? Your eyes also have a centering effect.?
?Oh!? Shou placed her fist in her palm. ?I see. That's how she saw Nue.?
?Indeed,? Ran stated.
Great, now they're talking around me, Renko thought. Out loud she said, ?So what does that mean.?
Ran turned her judgmental gaze back on her and Renko reconsidered her desire to be in the conversation. ?It means you don't need to interpret what your eyes tell you. You accept that as real. Which means if what you see IS real to you, you can enforce that reality.?
Shou coughed lightly. ?Sorry. That's the basic explanation. You don't have to process vision like other people, so you can spend that mental power interpreting the details of what you see, instead of just trying to make sense of light and darkness.?
?It's a good trait. You'd make a fine Shikigami.? Ran stated.
Renko felt a chill at that statement. ?Thanks??
?Ran was Yukari's shikigami,? Keine whispered to her. It wasn't reassuring.
?I'd think you'd be a better magician,? Shou said. ?You don't seem like the type to serve others unquestioningly.?
?Hm... she'd make a terrible magician,? Ran stated in her even voice.
Renko was starting to understand Maribel's annoyance. ?Why's that!?? Renko asked.
For the first time Ran actually blinked and looked her in they eye. ?Oh, right you wouldn't know. Good magicians are all insane. You're far too sane to be a good magician. You'd be good with spells of course.?
?Hey!? Renko jumped as the entire crew turned their attention to Ran again. ?Byakuren isn't insane!? Murasa yelled at the kitsune.
Ran took the yelling in stride. ?She was, back when she was obsessing over keeping herself alive. She's mellowed now, but she's stopped developing new spells too. Now she just steals other peoples spells or sticks to mystic works.?
Shou raised her hand and the babble of retorts quieted. ?I've heard something similar from Hijiri, but I think you could have phrased that better, Ran.?
The kitsune shrugged. ?Perhaps.?
Renko gave the woman a long look. ?Are you trying to make everyone hate you??
Ran looked away, her ears drooping. ?Since you'll end up hating me later, why wait??
There was a long silence. Murasa and Nazarin continued to glare at Ran. Nue and Unzan looked mildly annoyed (though it was hard to tell with Unzan). Meanwhile, Keine, Ichirin and Shou looked disappointed.
After a moment Shou sighed and turned her attention back to Renko. The tall woman leaned over and whispered in Renko's ear. ?I saw the look you gave me when your friend Maribel was distracted by my aura.?
Renko flushed, she opened up her mouth to deny it, but that would only draw attention.
?I don't know if that's just you being a protective friend, or something else, but either way you should stay close to her.? Shou continued. ?She'll need a friend like you.?
?And while you should study magic, if you wish to learn more martial pursuits feel free to come and speak to me. The gatekeeper's techniques are better then mine admittedly, but I can teach you what you need to know in less then 50 years.?
Ranko nodded her thanks, then went back to analyzing her actions.
Her thoughts however were interrupted by Mary and Byakuren's return.
Mary came over to her first. ?Sorry for the wait Renko.?
Renko smiled. ?No problem. So, how are we getting to the shrine??
Mary hesitated a moment, then turned to Ran. ?I'll listen to your offer, but I want you to take us to the Hakurei Shrine first.?
Ran sneered briefly then shrugged. ?Well you should speak to them anyway.?
Renko tapped her friend on the arm. ?Mary, what if she decides to just ditch us somewhere until we agree with her??
Keine stood up and nodded in agreement. ?While normally I wouldn't expect Ran to attack a human, in this case....?
Mary smiled slightly. ?I figured out something for that.?
With that Mary stared in front of her. After a second her eyes flashed gold and a rip just like the one they had fallen through to the moon appeared in front of her. Then Mary blinked and relaxed, and the rift vanished.
Renko stared in shock. As did everyone else in the room, except Byakuren who simply clapped lightly. ?Well done.?
Ran was the next person to recover. For the first time she honestly smiled without any rancor. ?Clever. Learned that off me when I entered, didn't you? Well I guess I won't need to worry about ferrying you back to the village. Just don't try that to places you haven't seen yet.?
?That was awesome Mary,? Renko said. ?So we can go anywhere you've been??
Her friend frowned. ?Only places I was actually paying attention to.?
?Still that's very useful,? Keine said. ?With that I think you two can go on your own, though if you want me to I can accompany you.?
Mary smiled at Renko and gave her a thumbs up, then turned back to Ran confidently. ?I think Renko and I can go with Ran. For now.?
Ran nodded in acquiescence. ?I'll be happy to take you to the Hakurei shrine.? The kitsune paused for a moment, then her ears folded back. ?Er, though I suggest you get some money to donate first.? For some reason everyone else in the room nodded solemnly at that.
Mary and Renko blinked. ?Why?? asked Renko.
Shou stepped forward and handed Renko a string of coins. ?It's better that way. Trust us.?
Keine handed Mary a bill. ?Most people need armed escort to make it to the shrine. Visitors who don't donate are frowned upon.?
?Oh,? Renko said simply.
Ran stood up straight. ?Well now that the donations are covered, let's be off.? She waved her hands and a gap once again appeared in space time.
Renko moved over and took Mary's hand. ?Sure you don't want to bring Keine?? she asked.
Mary shook her head. ?I want to talk to this Ran on her own. In private where she doesn't need to save face as much.?
Renko nodded, then bowed to Keine and Shou. ?Thanks for bringing us here, Keine. And thanks for the offer Shou.?
Mary bowed to Keine and Byakuren. ?Thanks for everything.?
Byakuren just smiled and bowed, while Keine said, ?I'll expect you back for dinner, alright??
Shou nodded. ?May Bishamonten favor you with the strength you need.?
?Well if you're done?? Ran said gesturing towards the portal.
Renko adjusted her grip on Mary's hand, then disappeared with her friend into the boundary between spaces.
Hideki:
--- Quote from: IcedFairy on October 05, 2010, 03:35:13 AM ---?I'm sorry.? Byakuren made a placating gesture. ?Perhaps I should start by saying that you are NOT Yukari Yakumo. The fires of hell burnt down to the core of her being, and from that you were created. You are no more her then a plow is the sword that was melted down to forge it.?
--- End quote ---
I'm sorry, I have to ask. do you or have you ever played Magic: the Gathering?
Iced Fairy:
--- Quote from: Hideki on October 05, 2010, 06:18:46 AM ---I'm sorry, I have to ask. do you or have you ever played Magic: the Gathering?
--- End quote ---
Back when it was first created actually. But I've known about that phrase even before then.
Tengukami:
I gotta say, this is probably the most interesting take on this pair that I've read. I especially enjoy your take on the Maribel/Yukari thing.