Magical Lotus - Episode 1 (Complete)

[Oldmansour]

>"She seems to be, but it's difficult to tell. We must keep up the appearance of master and thrall in public, and it becomes a barrier between us, I think. I would be much happier to toss it aside. But, I suppose that is dancing around the question. I am happy to have her as a friend, but not pleased because of this situation."

>"So you tolerate this situation for her benefit, even though it causes you discomfort and unease."

[Hello Purvis]

>"It is preferable to the alternative, yes."

[Oldmansour]

>"It is preferable to the alternative, yes."

>She takes in your features for a moment, then smiles again. "I know that our time here is limited, and that I mustn't dawdle. But.... I'm going to hug you now. Is that alright?"

[E-Nazrin]

>Smile and spread our arms for her.

[Oldmansour]

>Smile and spread our arms for her.

>Your companion flutters towards you, and exchange a warm embrace. 'Marisa' rests her head on your shoulder for a moment, and a small sound seems to escape her. You cannot be certain, as it was so very brief, but you think she was stifling a sniffle, or a sob. And then it passes, and she parts from you, smiling lightly.
>"Thank you, my child. Come, then. I shall try to explain where we are."
>She resumes her flight towards the western part of town.

[Hello Purvis]

>Follow that ghost!

[Oldmansour]

>Follow that ghost!

>Even though the counterfeit Marissa is ahead of you, you find that you can hear her voice quite clearly in your ear, as though she were next to you.
>"You were correct when you guessed that this is a between place, at least partially. It's not quite a matter of 'between your world and another', it's more like.... between dream and reality. There's a part of you still in your world, though that is presently beyond my sight. There is another part of you that is dreaming peacefully. And between the two, there is this. I admit, I'm not certain if you will recall this place once you return to your world, but let's assume you will."
>"Because of the bonds upon me, I cannot enter either your world, nor the dreamtime. I have been aware of this place for some time, but until now, I've never been able to find my way here. Even now, it is only a part of myself that I may not even remember that is here. That would be a great irony, wouldn't it? If neither one of us could recall this place, this light."
>"But even if this place is not your world, that does not necessarily mean it is not real. Or at least, it is real enough to you. If I were really here, it would probably be real to me as well, but I don't think either one of us would enjoy that creation."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I would think, if two separate people are experiencing roughly the same thing, that would make it real enough. Perhaps it's not a permanent place, but it's good enough for now."

[Oldmansour]

>"I would think, if two separate people are experiencing roughly the same thing, that would make it real enough. Perhaps it's not a permanent place, but it's good enough for now."

>"Let us hope." Her pace slows then for a moment, and you hear her mutter, "Hope.... How many aeons...."
>Sure enough, as did the school sports fields, and Moonside as well, the city below comes to life as you pass overhead, and fades away once you and your companion have moved on. The traffic in the streets, both pedestrian and vehicular, are lively and quick paced both. Yet the people do not appear to be in a special hurry, none of the animosity that other large cities so often display. Performers on the street entertain those that walk past, with song and dance and story. Yet these people are neither derelict nor destitute, most, you know, do not even do this out of a real need for money. Merely to amuse their fellows, and if they make a couple bucks, so much the better.
>You do, however, pass over a pair of women that do appear to homeless, but you also notice them being attended to by men in the uniform of Saigyoji Outreach. You recall one of the philosophies Hatori Saigyoji declared when they were rebuilding the city after the war, 'No man, woman or child, regardless of age, gender or race, shall ever want for food or shelter in my city, whatever price tag that entails.' 40 years later, his family has yet to fail in this task, as far as you know.
>Your companion slows as she passes over this sight, her expression a mystery. "The weak of your world, they are not preyed upon by the mighty?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"They are, if we are not vigilant. But, it is not a thing accepted as how the world should be, even if it happens despite our notice."

[Oldmansour]

>"They are, if we are not vigilant. But, it is not a thing accepted as how the world should be, even if it happens despite our notice."

>'Marisa' nods. "Vigilance, it seems, is a price that all worlds must pay. Yours, mine, and those beyond. I know you would do the same as those men, and have done. To know that others would, as well, is a pleasing thought. Your people truly have gained at least a measure of peace with themselves."
>She flies on, slowing again as you arrive at Shirou street. This side street, sitting between the western shrine and the grand Hakurei Inn hotel, is one of the many things that make Mayoiga unique among the cities of Yamato. Nearly every establishment there, with the exception of a pizza parlor, is a bar of some sort, be it a dance bar, an Eire-style pub, you name it. In fact, it has more bars and pubs per square foot than any other street outside of Eagleland. Seeing it in this 'daylight' is a bit strange, but not quite as strange as seeing it deserted, no music, no people, no cars. It's a bit jarring.
>"You're probably wondering why I wanted to see this place.' your companion comments as she descends towards one of the bars on Shirou, the dance club Edgewalkers.

[Hello Purvis]

>"It does seem an unusual choice, yes."

[Oldmansour]

>"It does seem an unusual choice, yes."

>"For a very simple reason, my child." she replies, placing her hand upon the Edgewalker's door. "Something your world once possessed, and still does, but its nature seems to have changed, over the years."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Which is dance clubs?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Which is dance clubs?"

>"You're actually closer to right than you might think. The nature of those has changed as well, over the years. But in this case, what I meant was..." She opens the door. "Music." and enters.
>Despite her declaration, there is no sound coming from within, nor does there appear to be anyone inside.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Well, I would certainly agree that music has changed. The question on my mind, though, is about how music is significant in our case here."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, I would certainly agree that music has changed. The question on my mind, though, is about how music is significant in our case here."

>The counterfeit Marissa pauses at the door, then glances over her shoulder at you. "That will become clear when I ask you what I wish to ask you."

[Hello Purvis]

>Follow her in.
>"I expect it's not been the right time to ask?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I expect it's not been the right time to ask?"

>She nods. "I couldn't, until we were seeing the same thing."

>Follow her in.

>Once you pass through the inner door (the first time you've done so without paying cover, or being carded, you note dryly) the place comes alive. The two-story building features a wide open dance floor on the ground floor, with the bar on the east face, and a flight of stairs next to the bar, as well as another staircase on the west wall. The upstairs floor features a smaller bar, as well a smaller space where people can dance. One of the places' attractions is the big named DJs they get to play nearly every night, including arguably the best DJ in the world, currently, Mystia Lorelai, whom you've heard is a part-owner of the joint. The club was named in honor of her most popular song, Walk the Edge, so even if she isn't an owner, she's said to always be here in spirit. In fact, she's the DJ now, playing that very same song.
>The scene before you, of a jubilant crowd full of familiar faces drinking, dancing, chatting, flirting, seems very familiar. It is not until you see Nitori's figure on the dance floor that you place this moment. It is the weekend of your 18th birthday, some months ago, and the girls of Moonside took you out to celebrate.
>'Marisa', you notice, is standing by one of the small tables along the west wall, beckoning for you to join her. Even in a crowded room, which looks as real to you as it did that night, and is every bit as loud, 'Marisa' seems to stand out amongst those around her.

[Hello Purvis]

>Does anyone seem to notice us?
>Approach that ghost!

[Oldmansour]

>Does anyone seem to notice us?

>You would have to say no. On the night in question, you certainly turned your fair share of heads, but now, people's eyes pass over you without even pausing.

>Approach that ghost!

>You weave your way through the crowd as politely as possible. Nobody seems to hear you, either. For a moment, you wonder what would happen if someone were to fall into you, if they would simply fall 'through' you. This however does not happen before you reach 'Marisa's' table, and she holds out a chair for you.
>"I can see your curiousity, child, about more than simply why I wanted to come here. Is there anything you'd like to ask me, before I answer that question?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"You're told me a lot about what you can't answer, for arcane reasons. What can you tell me?"

[Oldmansour]

>"You're told me a lot about what you can't answer, for arcane reasons. What can you tell me?"

>She pauses for a moment, closing her eyes. When she opens them again, she says, "That what we discuss here is important. Even if neither one of us can remember it after we return to our own worlds, we will remember it when the time is right. And that moment will be critical, for all worlds."
>She glances away, then quickly returns her look to you. "I think that might actually be why this part of me found you. To give us that moment. I don't know when that moment will be, or where, or anything beyond that it will happen, but it will happen. And when it does, we will be prepared."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Very well. What do you want to discuss?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Very well. What do you want to discuss?"

>She waits for you to sit, then sits in the chair across from you. She waves her arm at the jubilant crowd around you. "We are here, because I must ask you, why are they here?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Look around. Does the scene seem to be replaying our own memories, or just having people we recognize.
>Who do we notice is here?  Does it seem like anyone is conspicuously missing?

[Oldmansour]

>Look around. Does the scene seem to be replaying our own memories, or just having people we recognize.
>Who do we notice is here?  Does it seem like anyone is conspicuously missing?

>As closely are you are able to determine, it is a replay of your memories. There are faces among the crowd beyond those you recognize, in fact, strangers comprise the majority of the crowd. Though your friends took you out to celebrate your birthday, it was a normal night for the establishment. There are several faces from school that you recognize as well, but whether they are here because they knew you would be, or simply because they came to hear Mystia perform, you did not know at the time. You notice Aya, as well, sitting at the bar, and you remember speaking to her upon your arrival that night, learning that Minoriko had informed her of their plans. You recall she bought your first drink that night, as well, though this moment you are witnessing now is beyond that point, as Aya appears to be flirting with the young bartender. You see Nitori still on the dance floor, flanked by Minoriko and Patchouli, the latter of which appearing only slightly out of place. You recall her mentioning that Reisen had to convince her to come along, but you're not quite certain how she managed that. Reisen herself, you see, glancing up, is sitting at a table on the second floor, which has a large gap in the middle so those seated above can watch the DJ and dancers below, and she is seated with Letty.
>The only face conspicuous by its absence from the scene is your own. Even though this scene is from your memories, you feel you should be able to see yourself among it from your current position, when you do not.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I suspect because this seems to be based on a memory of mine, from not too long ago. Or are you implying there is something other than that?"

[Oldmansour]

>"I suspect because this seems to be based on a memory of mine, from not too long ago. Or are you implying there is something other than that?"

>'Marisa' chuckles lightly. "Forgive me, perhaps I should have been clearer. I meant, why have these people gathered here in dance, and song, and drink?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, largely to hear her."
>Gesture toward Grandmaster Sparrow
>"My friends and I came here for my 18th birthday."