Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4, Part 2

[DracoOmega]

>"Of course; go ahead."

[Oldmansour]

>"Of course; go ahead."

>"Onee-sama's told us about the demons and their youma that they make. Was that woman you were fighting one of those demons?"

[DracoOmega]

>"No. Though she is... linked with one of them. But the battle here today had nothing to do with their agenda, and was in fact opposed by that demon. It was... a personal grudge."

[Oldmansour]

>"No. Though she is... linked with one of them. But the battle here today had nothing to do with their agenda, and was in fact opposed by that demon. It was... a personal grudge."

>"I see." The jay's brown eyes narrow ever so slightly. "And that woman who appeared after the last explosion. Was she also linked to the demons?"

[DracoOmega]

>"She was a demon. Or at least what you are referring to when you use that word. I am not altogether fond of it; it ascribes them more malice than I think she or some of her compatriots possess."

[Oldmansour]

>"She was a demon. Or at least what you are referring to when you use that word. I am not altogether fond of it; it ascribes them more malice than I think she or some of her compatriots possess."

>"The encounter that Onee-sama described certainly seemed sufficiently 'malicious'." Ruri counters. "And I could say the same for the sensation of power I registered from that woman you fought as well."

[DracoOmega]

>"I would not disagree with either of those. There is a clear and present danger to their activities here, as I explained to Haruka last night. But their species is no more of like mind and dark heart than any other."

[Oldmansour]

>"I would not disagree with either of those. There is a clear and present danger to their activities here, as I explained to Haruka last night. But their species is no more of like mind and dark heart than any other."

>Ruri seems to consider that for a moment before saying, "Considering the fact that the demon who left with the woman did not strike at you, I have no cause to doubt that claim. Have you any idea why she did not do just that?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Because I believe that she, too, would like to see a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Not all her kin may agree with her, but it's a start."

[Oldmansour]

>"Because I believe that she, too, would like to see a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Not all her kin may agree with her, but it's a start."

>"Then you believe the situation here is secure?"

[DracoOmega]

>"For the time-being, at least, yes. Though given how frequently the unexpected has happened lately, I hesitate to promise much."

[Oldmansour]

>"For the time-being, at least, yes. Though given how frequently the unexpected has happened lately, I hesitate to promise much."

>"I understand. And, the Metal Sister who was fighting with you. What is her status?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Sleeping. She's injured, but I don't think think it's anything too serious; a doctor who was here has already taken a look at her."

[Oldmansour]

>"Sleeping. She's injured, but I don't think think it's anything too serious; a doctor who was here has already taken a look at her."

>"So she said. But I make a point to double check matters of safety whenever I can. And, what of you and your comrades? I hope none of you suffered any serious injury."

[DracoOmega]

>"Nothing serious, thankfully. Though I feel more than a little worn out, I will admit."

[Oldmansour]

>"Nothing serious, thankfully. Though I feel more than a little worn out, I will admit."

>She nods. "Which actually brings me on to my next point. Onee-sama had mentioned to us that you and your comrades might be joining us for some training later today. I will inform her that this will have to be postponed."

[DracoOmega]

>Chuckle a little
>"Yes, I'm afraid we've already had quite a workout today already."

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle a little
>"Yes, I'm afraid we've already had quite a workout today already."

>"She will understand." the jay assures you.
>"One last thing, about that woman you were fighting. Onee-sama informed us that our magic would have had no effect on these demons. But what of that woman? Would our magics affect her? I did not arrive in time to witness her strike the woman with her magics."

[DracoOmega]

>"The containment gel she used on her did hold her briefly, though only briefly. The iron dome she raised in her defense blunted some attacks, but was soon destroyed. So while it's possible she might not possess the same immunity that the demons do, the magnitude of her power was still great enough to effectively defeat the techniques used against her."

[Oldmansour]

>"The containment gel she used on her did hold her briefly, though only briefly. The iron dome she raised in her defense blunted some attacks, but was soon destroyed. So while it's possible she might not possess the same immunity that the demons do, the magnitude of her power was still great enough to effectively defeat the techniques used against her."

>"That is excellent news. The idea of a threat of this magnitude that was beyond our ability to combat was not sitting well with a number of my Sisters."

[DracoOmega]

>"I do want to stress that even if they are not immune to your powers, engaging one in direct combat should be considered to present an extreme danger - and something best avoided, if at all possible."

[Oldmansour]

>"I do want to stress that even if they are not immune to your powers, engaging one in direct combat should be considered to present an extreme danger - and something best avoided, if at all possible."

>"I do not know if you are aware of this, Magical Lotus, but extreme danger is a possibility we shrine maidens are made aware of before our training starts. It is our responsibility to maintain the safety of this city, this world in fact, from threats supernatural. The fact that we seem to share this responsibility with you now does not diminsh it in any way."
>You appear to struck a nerve with the blue jay.

[DracoOmega]

>"My apologies; I did not mean to cause offense. I just wanted to emphasize how much more powerful these are than most supernatural threats you may have faced. I do not doubt your order's bravery or dedication for a moment; I have fought alongside them several times already, and seen them stare down death itself. But I do not want any of them die because they underestimate the power they face."

[Oldmansour]

>"My apologies; I did not mean to cause offense. I just wanted to emphasize how much more powerful these are than most supernatural threats you may have faced. I do not doubt your order's bravery or dedication for a moment; I have fought alongside them several times already, and seen them stare down death itself. But I do not want any of them die because they underestimate the power they face."

>Ruri works her jaw for a moment, then nods. "I will take your warning as you meant it. However, I would suggest you speak with Haruka-sama about some of the threats the four shrines have faced over the years. You might be surprised at what she has to say."
>"Incidentally, did you have any other messages you wished to pass along to Haruka?" she asks diplomatically.

[DracoOmega]

>"None that I can think of at present, I believe."

[Oldmansour]

>"None that I can think of at present, I believe."

>"Very well, then." The blue haired miko gives you a stiff nod. "I believe I have enough to make my report to Onee-sama. I will leave you to your rest."

[DracoOmega]

>"Thank you. And be well."
>Let's return to our room

[Oldmansour]

>"Thank you. And be well."
>Let's return to our room

>The blue jay gives you a stiff nod, then blurs slightly as she shifts into her animal form, heading for the sky. You observe that the rain has ceased to fall, and the chill in the air has abated slightly. The clouds seem to have thinned slightly as well, you might even see some sunlight before the end of the day. That would be a most welcome sight.
>Alisaie has left the room again when you return to your friends' presence. Rin and Reisen are sitting next to each other now, and though they are not speaking vocally, their general bearing indicates a private telepathic conversation. Lily, for her part, seems to have dozed off again.

[DracoOmega]

>Let's give them a little wave, but otherwise leave them to their conversation, and go plunk ourselves down again

[Oldmansour]

>Let's give them a little wave, but otherwise leave them to their conversation, and go plunk ourselves down again

>Rin returns your wave as you select an empty bed to have a sit upon. I was just telling Rin what I was telling you earlier. Reisen informs you.