>>41584822
Horobi a cute.

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>>41584822
So, now you're in a Barrier you made, with Colonel Friedrich Blitzenberg, his and his daughter's Void oni-child bodyguard Mankatso, and Melinda Blitzenberg, whom Toshio and the Colonel have decided would make a wonder combination of sorceress and youkai, specifically a two-mouthed woman, a futakuchi-onna. Which wouldn't be nearly so bad if she hadn't resorted to eating spirit-children to maintain her spiritual strength and existence in other countries. Now she's either possessed, or worse, ~not~ possessed, because if she isn't possessed then she's on the edge of becoming an ACTUAL youkai, not a half-human, half-youkai spirit child.

Oh, another plus: Hebiki Akari, dressed as hot as you are, is at your side ready to fight along you in Barrier Combat, jade and scales and unstoppable power of Stone. You're fairly certain you're going to need that edge, too. Because, just yikes, that Melinda chick's fucked up.

Slender and pretty as she was, right now she's a horrifying combination of pale skin, a beautiful dress, and a mass of living black hair with eyes, mouths, and a vacuous hunger that makes true oni seem like they all suffer anorexia nervosa. Her own pale blue eyes gaze out at you from that writhing mass of horrifying ink, and she smiles brightly. “You're different than the others I've seen....why are you different? What makes you so special?”

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>>41584874
Colonel Friedrich takes a step towards his daughter, his chest puffing up and his eyes narrowed, looking ready to release a tirade to bring his daughter under control. Mankatso has his actual hands hidden in his sleeves, the dark aura that projects images of his hands around him flickering in the light of his Ghost Fire lanterns. He looks properly scared, and torn between duty and common sense.

Akari, of course, is just waiting on your orders. Her trust is absolute, her obedience unquestionable, and her power augmented by the sacrifice of the Kamuy of Oni.

[] Suggest that she could become a real youkai, if she sees a certain priestess you know....
[] Stop the Colonel, he's going to get eaten if he isn't careful....
[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
[] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....
[] Initiate Barrier Combat.

>>41584895
>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
>[] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....

>>41584895
>[x] Stop the Colonel, he's going to get eaten if he isn't careful....

>>41584895
>>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
>[] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....

>>41584895
>[] Stop the Colonel, he's going to get eaten if he isn't careful....
>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....

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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/41390758/

Interlude: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/37879167/

Threads in Chronological Order, including writeups by XS : http://pastebin.com/Z53TyK0N
or search for Title: Ryukuza on Suptg

Barrier Combat Guide: http://pastebin.com/rZLwzvGx

Kiku is 5' 1" for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Akari is 5' 3", and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch, cosplayer.
Yui is 5' 6" and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control. Dyke, switch.
Kiki is 5' 6", and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8", but this becomes 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Er Yin is the tallest at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant.
Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches above the ground or floor because of her nature as a seer. Straight.
Hinata-hakase is 6' 3". Sexuality is terrifying.
Hidesato is 5' 5". Straight.
Kushinada is 5' 8". Straighter.
Taisho Ryoga is 5' 9". Who knows.
Hyun Chisato is 5' 4”, and is fully grown. Lolicon with plausible deniability.
Rie is 8” tall or 5' 5”, and is fully cat. Her sexuality is cat.
Hagyu Genso is 12' 5” standing upright. He is by and large gay.
Mizumi Shoko is 7' 2”, is fully grown. Bisexual top.
Yuuhi is 4'11” and is fully grown. Yuuhi a cute.
Tokei Isusangi, Inau-kun is 5' 3” and still confused.
Reiha is 5' 5 1/2”, and is milfy.
Peta is 3' 2”. Peta is \>.</ aka Her Most Imperial Highness Patanjali Piri Yokuhime Kuronogitsune Pa
Detective-san is fully grown at 5'11”, and straight.
Kenji Soomi is 5' 4” and gothic lolita.
Musumi Kanako is 5' 6.5”, and is pretty straight.
Hebiki Naoto is 5' 9” and belligerently omnivorous, sexually. You hope only sexually.
Kodachi Umetsume is 5' 4”, and fully grown. Practicing asexual.
Ryuu Wakaba is a head shorter and also deceased.
Margaret Steinhausen is gratefully dead.

>>41584980
Hope you've had a good week XS!

>>41584895
>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
>[] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....

>>41584895
>[X] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
>[X] Initiate Barrier Combat.
She can see what makes us special as we destroy her.

>>41584895
>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....

>>41584980
I might be misrembering, but didn't Yui get taller when we made her a Herald?

>>41585032
Huh, I'd almost forgotten about that.
Did she get bigger booms too?

XS! I hope you feel great.

>>41584895

>"Different? I suppose you never met a demigod before."

>"Is there anything that would convince you to not fight? I know other youkai I will bring inside the cosmic order, maybe I could do it for you, too..."

>[] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
>[] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....

>>41584874
Guess there's little chance we'll be able to diplomance miss Melinda, huh.d

>>41585032
>Yes, the current chart is accurate.

>>41585063
>No, sorry. More massage and milk is required.

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[XXX] Suggest to Mankatso that he needs to get his priorities straight right fuckin' now....
[XX] Have Akari move around her, flanking is good, you can keep her nicely distracted....
[X] Stop the Colonel, he's going to get eaten if he isn't careful....
[+] Play coy a little, ask if she could use a hand.

You point your wakizashi at the colonel, who looks both surprised and indignant. “You'd better get your principle under control, Mankatso-san, he's going to get himself killed if he's not careful.” As you say this you make the slightest of gestures with the gleaming black blade of Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume. Akari doesn't acknowledge, but she doesn't need to as you start to carefully walk to your left; everyone else assumes you're just threatening the colonel

Several balloon-like blobs of hair rise up from the floor as Melinda follows you curiously, approaching you as you sidle off. Red eyes open and mouths open in them as well The mouths opening in the black masses of hair, aside from laking lips, look pretty human inside, other than in size. And number. And – you know, you're just going to ignore you started that sentence. There's nothing normal about this at all.

“So, are you still going by Melinda, or do you have a different name now?” you ask the spirit-child as she slowly stalks you. You hate to use that word, but it really does look like she's stalking you at the moment, her human hands twitching and jerking, her blue eyes wide and glassy, her....her hair sliding across the floor like a big black amoeba. “You're not the first youkai I've met, but I don't think you're quite all youkai yet, are you? I'm not quite typical for a spirit-child either.” Telling her you're a demigod might make her curious about how you taste, at least at first.

It's somewhat terrifying to think that the landlady's staff is actually more natural seeming than this spirit-child is.

>>41585474
>No, sorry. More massage and milk is required.
Clearly this is of the highest priority then!

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>>41585489
“I'm still me. I haven't changed very much at all. Just become stronger. I like it here, there are a lot more things to eat than most other places. Except maybe Great Britain.” She licks her lips. About four or five times, with different mouths, including her human one. That's somewhat worrisome – she's she's gone cannibal herself, that could be really bad.

Moving with the slow deliberation of the tectonic places, Akari is gradually moving into a flanking position. Mankatso-san is speaking urgently to the Colonel about duty and contract and insanity, but you really should concentrate on Melinda.

Who is right up in your face now.

She didn't move, not naturally. There was no walking, no sound of footsteps even in the muted sounds of a Barrier. She just appeared, and not like the speed of a fire dragonette either. She's just THERE. Akari is frowning, and and slightly crouched; she didn't catch it either, which is really bad. Kamidamnit, you need Kiku-chan now. Your Water Eyes are definitely making things difficult rather than more understandable – her youkai nature is twisting anything human in her mind into unreadable gibberish.

[] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
[] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want....
[] Tease her with information about yourself.
[] Suggest maybe she should break it off with her dad. No, the plan, not ~like that~!
[] Hell, suggest she should break it off with her dad ~like that~, that counts as distracting.

>>41585511
>[] Hell, suggest she should break it off with her dad ~like that~, that counts as distracting.

>>41585511
>[] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
>[] Fire Eyes
Maybe?

>>41585511
[x] Tease her with information about yourself.
[x] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
[x] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want...

>>41585511
>[X] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
>[X] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-
children, and what she might want....
>[x] Suggest maybe she should break it off with her dad. No, the plan, not ~like that~!

The Colonel won't walk out of the building alive, in any case

>>41585511
>[] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
>[] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want....
>[] Suggest maybe she should break it off with her dad. No, the plan, not ~like that~!
Teleport? Already scarier than most things we fight!

>>41585511
>[] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want....
>[] Hell, suggest she should break it off with her dad ~like that~, that counts as distracting.
>[] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.

>>41585546

Fire Eyes would probably tax us even more

>>41585511

>[] Tease her with information about yourself.


>[] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.

[] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want....

>[] Suggest maybe she should break it off with her dad. No, the plan, not ~like that~!

>Tell her about the different youkai we've met or have decided to meet

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Pretty funny how the beings the Colonel and his cronies have created are nearly more wrong than the ones we met during our Farspace travel.

Then again, those beings weren't created by morons.

>>41586238
The human mind can be a terrifying thing anon!

>>41585546
We need the Shen, we're at 4/5 levels.

>>41586238
More to the point, they're perfectly normal by their own standards. They just have wildly different standards compared to us. They're their own thing, they're just foreign.
This chick is just fucking wrong by any standards, compounded by the fact her starting point was far more familiar.

They're both a long was from normal, but this chick had a much longer trip.

>>41586272

We're just apes that looked at the starry sky and said "I'm going to fuck that"

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[XXX] String her along, she's cute for a horrific abomination.
[XX] Ask her what made her start eating spirit-children, and what she might want....
[X] Suggest maybe she should break it off with her dad. No, the plan, not ~like that~!

You step towards her, your sword safely at your side and blade turned away from her. The startled look in her eyes as you do so is gratifying; she's human enough to react normally to an invasion of Her space, as opposed to invading yours. She stumbles back a bit as you smile warmly at her. You keep your voice low and soft.

“Do you know what the word 'youkai' really means, Melinda-san?” She blushes at the way you're speaking. Meanwhile, Akari works her way to place Melinda squarely between herself and you. While Melinda's hair might be aware of Akari,m Melinda is focused on you, and you're going to keep her focused there.

The youkai-born woman smiles indulgently. “Demon, doesn't it? As I recall, most supernatural creatures are youkai....” Taking heart in her studies and intelligence is the obvious plan. Her smile falters and her cheeks bloom rosily as you step even closer, ignoring the way her hair is sneaking around to the sides and trying to get behind you.

“When you write it, the first part means...well, while a part of it means, 'bad luck, the other meanings are....attractive....” You reach up with your left hand slowly, and lightly touch her cheek. “Bewitching.” You lean closer and you let your lips part slightly. Her heart is racing, and you can see her confusion and shock as you let your glowing eyes drift half closed. “The other part....well, suspicious coincidence is part of it, but the other meanings....” Practically breathing the words across her cheek, you turn your head to the side. “Apparition....but I like....” You whisper the word into her ear. “~Mysterious.~”

>>41586383
Wow, laying on the sweet honey quite thick here Ryukusa.

>>41586430
>[x] Take Mankatso out.
>[x] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!
Eh, gamble but sure.

>>41586402
XS, that pic may be NSFW.

>>41586402
>not sorting your image folders
XS plz.

>>41586462
>Right numbers, wrong folder!

>>41586474
You have a lewd octopus girl folder?

>>41586484
...do you not?

>>41586484
XS probably has a lot of folders for a lot of things.

>>41586491
S-should I?!

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>>41586383
Of course, you're also checking on Akari, who is steeling herself to launch an assault if she needs to – and to check that the colonel and Mankatso aren't doing something foolish.

Melinda steps back quickly, her cheeks hot and bright red, her blood rushing and filled with all sorts of confusing chemicals for her. You're fairly certain she's never had another woman do that to her before. Wringing her hands together and nearly stammering, you scratch that and are VERY certain she's never had ANYONE do something like that to her before. “That's....that's very interesting....Japanese is such....such a complex language....”

With a smile you tilt your head, letting the light catch your horns. “How did you start on this strange path, Melinda-san? I don't think someone as lovely and elegant as yourself just stumbled into eating people....you're not that kind of girl at all. I think you're an entirely different kind of girl....at least, you could be, with a little help.”

She flushes in embarrassment, and murmurs quietly, “It was at a meeting my fatehr was having with Kaga Kunito and Kumatori Hojo....there was cabbage soup, but the pork in it....wasn't ~pork~ really....” She smiles, starting to recover her wits. “Taisho Ryoga said it would help me feel better....I was feeling very weak, very ill so far from Europe....”

You control your expression perfectly, but you're going to feed Taisho Ryoga something all right. Two of them.

“You know, you really could walk away from all this safely. I know several people – people like US, not like your father or Hojo or Kunito – who will be willing to help.” The head of Hojo Group, the Colonel, and the head of trhe Kaga Clan. What utter monsters, doing something like THIS to someone. You're not sure who is worse, them or Melinda now. Oh wait, Oba-san is worse, that's right.

>>41586513
I mean, you don't HAVE to. That is, if you don't mind being a basic bitch plebeian for the rest of your life.

>>41586530
Oh man...guess I gotta go scour pixiv again.

>>41586474

>superior nippon porn, folded a million time

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>>41586524
Still.

She looks haughtily sure of herself, that you're bluffing. Then you drop the other shoe. “I know one person who can help you along this path too, if that's your choice.” Akari blinks her eyes of swirled carnelian, and doubt returns to Melinda's human expression. “I mean it. Sometimes what others want us to be isn't what we're meant to be. If you want that choice....I'm not going to stop you. But I can help you from being hurt by it.”

Colonel Blitzenberg says two sharp words to Mankatso, who grits his teeth and raises his long sleeves towards you....you can feel him shifting into Barrier Combat, a Void oni-child style that involves his power of the Void and his martial arts.

[] Take her out by surprise.
[] Take Mankatso out.
[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!
[] Barrier Combat.

>Stupid button, delete image, not post! Oh well.

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!

>>41586474
>You remember them by their number
Interesting memory, XS.

>>41586484
Anon, XS has a folder for cloned spacegirls dying in firefights and consoling each other in dying hugs and kisses.

No really, she does.

>>41586430

>[] Take Mankatso out.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!
>Continue the conversation with the cute abomination. You don't let a lady waiting.

>>41586547
>] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!

>>41586597
I feel my mind will be best served by not thinking on this too hard.

>>41586547

Well, linking >>41586600


Question: " He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!" means we're preventing Mankatso to try and do something to Melinda, correct?

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!
Wow, rude. We're just talking, there's no harm to be had in that. It's not like he's trying to hide something from his beloved daughter, right?

>>41586637
>Yes, even if that's not what is really happening.

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!

>>41586547
[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!

>>41586547

>[x] Have Akari take Mankatso
>Continue the conversation with the cute abomination. You don't let a lady waiting.


Question, what does red bean soup signify in japanese culture? I recently attended a chinese wedding and saw them, do they mean the same or is there a variation?

>>41586637
It also might convince her of certain things, our delude her even more.

>>41586670

Mmmh, that mean we would be lying to her.

Can you ignore the "he's attacking her" part of my vote here >>41586600, please? /tg/ won't let me delete it

>>41586666
Checked

>>41586666
More likelt he probably didn't take kindly to us telling his daughter to go full demon if she really wants.

>>41586597
And...you know this how? Not disputing, this is just extremely specific.

>>41586723

"Red Bean Soup in Japan and China

Much cultural sharing has occurred in the history of the far northeastern Asian countries: China, Korea and Japan. China was the big brother to Korea and culture was diffused onward to the little brother country. Often times from Korea the culture was further diffused to the islands of Nippon (Japan). And within these three countries, red bean soup exists; however, of course the basic soup recipe has been borrowed into and adapted to harmonize with the cultural tastes of each country.

China's present red bean soup is called 紅豆沙 (hǒng dòu shā). The color red is a lively color evoking luck and happiness, and therefore, red bean soup is eaten at special celebrations like Chinese New Year, weddings, birthdays, among many others. In and unique to China, red bean soup is a sweet dessert especially served hot in winter (as a yang food it is warming), but it's also served cold in summer frequently as the main dessert following a meal. Leftover soup can also be frozen on a stick to make a frozen red bean popsickle.


In Japan the red bean soup is called shiruko (汁粉) and has mochi in it. The bean paste itself is much sweeter than that in Korea and the bowl of sweet soup may accompany a sour or salty dish as a complement to complete the meal.
This compilation is a reorganization of Jang Moon Young's phenomenal presentation on the origin, superstitions and various forms of red bean soup around Asian countries. Some additional information was taken from Wikipedia to add more clarity to the materials given, but the interesting structure was Moon Young's. :)"

http://ethnoscopes.blogspot.ch/2011/11/beliefs-about-red-bean-soup.html

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] He's attacking her of course, you're just protecting her from them! It's obvious to anyone!

Don't lie to the qt horror, guys. She's not really being attacked, here.

Ryukusa always valued honnesty, and she's more than heroic enough without faking it

>>41586727
>Noted.

>>41586547
>>41586457
Guess I'll link just to make sure.

>>41586774
If his concern lay with her choices, he'd have objected through persuasion. By moving to immediately silence the conversation he showed that his aim is controlling information.

After all, killing someone right after they made her a tempting offer won't convince her to disregard what they'd said. But if he does so before they mention WHO can help her, he removes the option.

>>41586843

Thanks!

Pretending to save her from harm that way would be a sad parody of us giving our arm for Kiki.

>>41586838
Fair enough, changing this vote: >>41586608, though I would point out that Daddy siccing his pet oni on us means that he's keeping her in the dark and doesn't trust her knowing what we can tell her

>>41586821
Also, remove the >He's attacking her bit from mine.

>>41586786
There was a weird thread about cloned spacegirls who considered mutual suicide to be the ultimate expression of love for one another and she posted a series of pictures based on the precept. Or the thread was an outgrowth of the pictures in response to a 'can I get pictures of girls in spacesuits in combat?' thread. It was a long time ago. I don't even remember which board it was, /u/ or /tg/.

>>41586799
I was talking about how Ryukusa & co served akari and yui red bean soup somewhere way back in the past threads. I meant the meaning of serving a couple the soup. Thanks tho

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] Continue the conversation with the cute abomination. You don't let a lady waiting.

>>41586874
>>41586875
>>41586838

>Noted also.

>>41586862

He's kind of incompetent, clearly out of his depth, has just learned his "allies" completly played him and is seeing his daugther tasting honey made by lily-addicted bees.

>>41586547
>[] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[] Continue the conversation with the cute abomination. You don't leave a lady waiting

>>41586880
Red Bean Jelly, served after wedding...specifically, after consummation of said weddings.

>>41586878
/tg/.

>>41586902

I'm the same guy here >>41586727
and here >>41586838.

Just wanted to make that more clear, if it changed anything

>>41586907
And the natural, reflexive response to something like that is yelling denials and insults, not to quickly and sharply order a subordinate to kill them. If his motivation were shock, disgust, or outrage at the idea itself, he'd have expressed such, probably with something along the lines of "You monster, how dare you try and talk my daughter into damnation" or the like.

Again, it seems like he's concerned less with her inclination towards making that choice versus her having the information needed to act on the choice at all.

>>41586547
>[x] Have Akari take Mankatso.
>[x] Continue the conversation with the cute abomination. You don't leave a lady waiting

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[X] Have Akari take Mankatso.
[+]Defend yourself and keep her out of danger too – you're having a polite conversation, it's rude to interrupt!

There are a number of ways you could deal with this situation as it develops. Assassination, misdirection, complication, assault....but to hell with it. She's an abomination, but she didn't ask to be one, even if she's a cannibal and a murderer (and that last you're in no position to talk about, either). You didn't ask to be a demigod, or immortal, but now you're both. And by the Kami, if you can't change fates, then why the heaven did they bother making you a demigod in the first place, right?

So you step forward, pulling your sword out of the way of viscous and vicious lumps, clumps and wads of snarled hair that rises and twists on masses of tentacular strands. You wrap your arm about her waist, and place yourself between them and her slightly, but not enough so that it seems like she's the target. She's not; you are.

There are limits to even your deceptiveness.

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>>41587224
A trio of hands fly out of the air, shimmering and trailing streamers of ghost fire. You take two with the edge of your wakizashi, and Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume sings in pain as you slash open the 'hands' to reveal the Ghost fire inside. The Ghost Fire etches the metal where it strikes, and the third one sails past you, vanishing as it misses. “Akari!”

The sound of her name in that authoritative voice is all she needs, and she rounds on Mankatso with killing intent!

>Akari initiates Barrier Combat.

[] Impenetrable and Inscrutable( Even a half-youkai isn't going to care about such things; against a Void oni-child, it will be very effective.)
[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)
[] Stone and Earth. (Not even a two-mouthed woman can devour the world; a Void oni-child's magic is far too ephemeral in comparison.)
[] Strength and Movement. (She seems a little fluid for this – but she still has a human body too. Against a Void oni-child this is not the best technique.)

Impenetrable and Inscrutable.
>You are stone given life, unbreakable and invulnerable. Your mind and heart are the darkest secret the earth can keep.
Scales and Claws.
>Your scales are as sharp as razors, and your claws rend the very fabric of of the world, oh dragon.
Stone and Earth.
>The earth itself will swallow your enemies, and its bones and teeth will rise up to smite your foes as your Elemental nature demands.
Strength and Movement.
>You are the immovable object, the unstoppable force. The strength of the world is infinite in scope and marvelous in breadth.

>>41587253
>[x] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

>>41587253
Oho, now this is interesting. Hmmm...
>[x] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

>>41587253
>[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)
Seems like a good all-rounder.

>>41587253
>[x] Strength and Movement. (She seems a little fluid for this – but she still has a human body too. Against a Void oni-child this is not the best technique.)
Doesn't seem like we have that great a chance with Melinda, but it's worth a try dammit! She still has a smile!

>>41587362
Kind of a creepy one though, from last thread.

>The colonel is shocked and his daughter smiles broadly, looking at you with wonder in her eyes

>>41587362
Technically she has a lot of smiles anon. That's why it'll be so tough, Ryukusa's protection will be stretched to its limits trying to cover all of them!

>>41587253
[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

>>41587389
It's not her fault anon!

>>41587253
>[] Impenetrable and Inscrutable( Even a half-youkai isn't going to care about such things; against a Void oni-child, it will be very effective.

>>41587253
>[] Scales and Claws.

>>41587253
>[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)
Sounds good.

>>41587362

Why are you voting for the technique that probably won't work well against both her and the oni-child, then?

The "not harming Melinda" option would most likely be Impenetrable and Inscrutable.

>>41587253
>[x] Scales and Claws. On the oni

>>41587253
>[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

>>41587473
>>41587466
>>41587392
>>41587283
>>41587282
>>41587277


I'm not sure I get it right. You guys want Akari to have the possibility to attack Melinda?

>>41587518
..yes?

>>41587518
no >>41587442
>>[x] Scales and Claws. On the oni

>>41587518
I don't see why not. I'm all for trying to help her out, but why would we want Akari helpless if things go south?

>>41587518
If she has to, but I'd rather us talk to her if possible

>>41587518
It's better to be prepared.

>>41587253
>[] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

I wonder if just killing the Colonel would make the oni-child surrender.

>>41587671
Hmmm, perhaps. But I bet it'd make Melinda pretty mad, at least if we do it unprovoked.

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[X] Scales and Claws. (Possibly a strong technique against a futakuchi-onna; very effective against any oni.)

If Akari's first transformation was impressive, her second one is awesome. She crosses her arms and flexes her hands, and her nails grow into six inch longs curved claws of shining, smooth jade. The scales that appears along hers arms and legs grow too, and she literally grows six inches taller and far more muscular. Her eyes turn into orbs of deep red-brown carnelian, her pupils become pits of darkness within them. Her short hair grows three feet longer, and her horns take on the same long, smooth, sharp look as her claws have instead of their usual chipped look. Her pearl shines with a soft green radiance and she slams her eight foot long tail into the ground once.

Melinda is staring and the Colonel is looking rather shell-shocked. You lightly take your hand from around Melinda's waist, ignoring the lick that one of the large red mouths gives your arm. “What....what did she do?”

“In a place like this we can become closer to what we're really meant to be. We can't use powerful magic in the physical world, but the kami allow us to use it here.” Akari's first attack is simplistic enough – her tail slap propels her at Mankatso and she slices through the image of where he was. He gasps, and three ribbons from his kimono flutter to the ground, and there are three lines of red on his bare chest, even though she only struck his image

>>41587792
Hopefully Melinda won't want delicious Akari for dinner.

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>>41587792
Both of them move into their Second Tiers, golden arcs and lines and swaths moving about the field if battle, leaving you to deal with Melinda for the moment. Turning to her you notice she's absolutely fascinated by the transformation Akari has undergone. “I wouldn't recommend playing around with it. It carries a heavy price if you lose, and I don't have any idea what it might be like for you to try Barrier Combat.” Of course, you do know a few people who do.

[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
[] Point out that her father did order an attack when you started discussing the idea of her leaving on her own.
[] Let her on Akari-niji-chan's secret; Melinda is not a oni, so it won't help her.
[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587846
[x] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
[x] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
[x] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.

>>41587846
>[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587846
>[x] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.

>>41587846
>[] Point out that her father did order an attack when you started discussing the idea of her leaving on her own.
>[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587846
>[] Let her on Akari-niji-chan's secret; Melinda is not a oni, so it won't help her.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
If she was less dangerous and scary I bet Ryukusa would want to feel her in and out and all about!

>>41587846
[X] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
[X] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
[X] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.

>>41587846
>[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587846
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.

>[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
>[] Point out that her father did order an attack when you started discussing the idea of her leaving on her own.

>>41587909
Anon! she is married with wifes and children she cant go around doing things like that.

>>41587846
>[] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587846
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
>[] Point out that her father did order an attack when you started discussing the idea of her leaving on her own.

>>41587957
Now now, I didn't say she'd ACT on it!

>>41587846

>Tell Akari she's awesome and cheer for her

>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
>[] Point out that her father did order an attack when you started discussing the idea of her leaving on her own.
>Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.

>>41587869
>>41587871
>>41587888
>>41587916
>>41587921
>>41587925

Involving Hinata is probably not a good idea. We own her a bunch already, and Melinda might not be better off dealing with her

>>41587846
>[] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
>[] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
Wooo, go Akari!

We're still flirting, right?

>>41588095
We're just being friendly anon! Whatever would make you think we were flirting?

Hmmmm, I am starting to think that this Quest may have a slightly unusual number of lesbians.

>>41588299
Nonsense anon. It has a perfectly normal number!

>>41588095
And this is why all of you cant have a waifu. The second she is not around you start flirting with a random foreigner. Telling her about all the things you can do for her.

>>41588299
Maybe Ryukusa just has that effect on girls

OZOI A CUTE! A CUTE!

>>41588353
Anon please, it's necessary! It's just work!

>>41588372
Anon, Ryukusa is mysterious, and she makes girls curious. Plus they can give it up any time they want.

>>41588314
No, no. I'm sure of it. Reading through the list at the beginning of the thread 9 of the 24 living characters have been openly involved in a lesbian relationship.

>>41588443
Oh, is that so? You may be right, it does seem unusually low...I suppose the number of bisexual women threw me off.

>>41588443

I'm pretty sure there is more than 24 living characters.

[X] Ask her if she's experienced anything like it in the other countries.
[X] Tell her about the other youkai born and actual youkai you've met.
[X] Gently feel her out – OUT, ecchi dragon! – about speaking with Hinata-hakase.

You glance at her as she stares, fascinated by the transformation of Akari, and now awestruck as Mankatso hurls One Hundred Ghostly Strikes at her, each loaded with Ghost Flame, a swirl of fists, knuckles, finger strikes, and....you know, someone must have seen a similar technique. If he were shouting 'ora-ora-ora' or 'ta-ta-ta-ta' a bunch he'd fight right into a few anime and manga. He's not, he's too busy concentrating on his power. “You've never seen something like this here? What about other places?”

she smiles faintly and shakes her head. “Nothing like this....the few times I experienced it there was a lot more chaos and craziness about it.” Akari is leaping up and spinning, slicing apart the deadly Ghost Flame imbued hands. It hurts her, there's no doubt, but not nearly as badly as all that. As she starts falling, he snarls a series of curses at her. “Won't she be in danger of him striking before she can?”

“No, he's already dead,” you say dismissively, and she looks at you doubtfully. “If he were fighting me, I'd be in more trouble, but Akari's not like me – she might be weaker magically speaking....” You glance at her. “But she's tougher than me in a lot of ways.”

“What if she gets really hurt?” She asks, her voice low and strange. You ignore the sensation of all those eyes and moths watching you. Yeah, they're all doing it, you can tell. “Will you go rescue her?”

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>>41588485
You laugh and that startles her out of her threatening demeanor; it's not what she expected. “No, she'd probably get mad at me and be embarrassed!” You glance at your niji-chan as she spreads her fingers wide, her long curved claws elongating impossibly, and slicing massive furrows through the walls, the flooring, the counters, the chairs, and Mankatso-san.

Blood sprays far and wide as she turns him into an art-deco sculpture and lads neatly on the ground, shimmering magic floating from her body in the form of a huge, spectral oni-mask.

Nikne Kamuy, the God of Oni.

She rises and looks at you, and you smile, proud and pleased, though it doesn't surprise you in the least. That would have fucked ~you~ up. “You know, you're not the first youkai i've seen. I'm friends with a few. Both youkai-children and youkai. You lift your sword, showing it to her as she stares at you. “This one was a mukade youkai, a centipede spirit. Now she is a kami, my personal protector and weapon. She....” You look up and all the flesh on your shoulders tries to creep up the back of your neck as she stares vacantly at you, her mouth open just a little, a tiny thread of drool spilling from one corner of her mouth.

You turn, hurling your sword into ~Nowhere~ an instant before Akari shouts your name. The Colonel hurls another chunk of Mankatso's body into a large waiting maw, held up on a pillar of writhing hair. The chunk he hurls at you isn't exactly bait to make a mouth accidentally swallow you – it's obvious he wants to coat you in the gore and blood.

He wants to make it eat you on ~purpose~.

He knew....the fucking bastard KNEW!

[] Dodge easily.
[] Paint him red.
[] Turn about it fair play.
[] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.
[] Let him reap what he's sown.

>>41588471
No, you don't understand. That was including the bisexual characters. Clearly XS is slipping in the area of purest love.

>>41588519
[] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.

>>41588519
>[x] Dodge easily.
>[x] Let him reap what he's sown.

>>41588519
>[] Paint him red.

>>41588519
>[] Dodge easily.
>[] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.
Lets focus on keeping the Colonel's daughter sanish, and on the task at hand.

>>41588408
Kiki view
>Ryukusa is working hard keeping me and my unborn child safe from harm. I hope she is ok. I am so worried about her.
Ryukusa view
>I need a bigger harem.

>>41588519
>[] Paint him red.

>>41588525
Hmmm, truly worrying. But have faith anon, I'm sure 'tis but a minor blip on the radar of reality!

>>41588519

>Grab Melinda, dodge the thrown object and make sure both of you are far away from it

>>41588519
>[] Dodge easily.
>[] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.

I'd feel better letting her kill him, saves us the chance of getting blamed.
Though I guess the chance for peace might be over for good now. Fukken colonel.

>>41588636
This.

>>41588519
>[x] Turn about it fair play.
>[x] Paint him red.
>[x] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.
>[x] Let him reap what he's sown.

>>41588590

>Implying Ryukusa doesn't love Kiki every bit as much as the Wood Dragonette loves her

>>41588636
Won't she just eat us?

Not sure what the "turn about it fair play" option is

>>41588654

We won't be blamed anyway, and it would be better for Melinda's already fucked up Karma to not do it

>>41588519
>[] Dodge easily.
>[] Let him reap what he's sown.

>>41588698
And not in the sexual way, mind. More's the pity.

>>41588698

No? The Colonel is trying to make her eat us by putting blood on us

>>41588519
>[x] Dodge easily.
>[x] Human or not, he's broken the Rules: just kill him.

>>41588519
>[x] Dodge easily.
>[x] Paint him red.
>[x] Let him reap what he's sown.

>>41588636

forgot to add

>Continue speaking about the youkai and youkai-born.

>>41588737
Yeah, and looks like she's already entered eating mode to me.

Pretty sure "reap what he sown" mean his daughter kills him. Which is against the Rules

>>41588785

What makes you say that? Sure, she got a drooling mouth near us, but that doesn't change from before

>>41588519
>>41588636
Yeah, I guess I can back this. Hopefully it works.

>>41588788
He broke the rules first!

>>41588788
>>41588856
>not ruuuuuuuuuru

>>41588856
Yeah and we don't need her adding patricide to the list of bad things she's done.

>>41588856
That doesn't change things. He did this, all of this. He knew. No flashy ending for him, hens not even a father at this point. He's more monstrous then he's made her.

>>41588671
Of course in truth i know that to be true but i just feel like a harem of 7 is already pretty big. They are struggling for attention from us and XS. Don't you feel for poor Er Yin and Yui? Don't you have a heart anon?

>>41588944
She is still an abomination and not meant to exist. Maybe we should keep her alive long enough to show the Old Hag what a client has been doing.

>>41589046
She's a good girl anon.

>>41588993

Of course I feel for them. But I do think the harem can be a bit bigger. 10 is a max, though.

>>41589077
Noooooo greedy!

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[X] Mister, you done fucked up.

Just because your immortal doesn't mean you enjoy getting chewed on by anyone that isn't a sleeping Yui. Well, it was more of a nibble, but still, you're not really in the market for being eaten alive by a possessed youkai-born. And if she isn't possessed, she's certainly not home to make any decisions on her own.

You leap into the air, your tail lashing in a seeming wild manner as you grab the blood in the vile lump of bloody meat he's thrown at you and launch it at him, covering him in the blood of his bodyguard. The hunks of no-longer-bloody meat you swatted out of the air fall around Melinda's unmoving body, to be quickly snatched up by tentacle like hands made of her living hair. They are jammed into mouths that form elsewhere, crimson eyes vanishing as the youkai portion of Melinda Friedrich consumes the spirit-child's flesh.

You soar over and lad behind the Colonel, who hanks a pistol from behind his back and fires at you. Well,. Towards you anyways; Akari is there before he has the gun halfway drawn and she takes the shots on her arms and shoulders, protecting you with her invulnerable body despite the fact you don't really need such protection. On the other hand, it'll make Kiki-hime happy that Akari totally ignored your immortality and survivability to protect you.

Not that you would have let her try it if she wasn't completely immune to small arms fire at the moment, of course.

>>41589046

She may be not meant to exist, but part of our self-imposed mission is to include unnatural youkai in the cosmic order

>>41588856

That's why we have the right to destroy him.

Like, it's not because a guy is a death row convict that anyone can kill him in total impunity.

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>>41589101
Akari stands up, and starts towards him, but you step forward, gently laying your left hand on her shoulder. “It doesn't matter. He and Taisho have written this ending already.” Akari pauses, looking at you with her beautiful, deep eyes of shimmering carnelian and obsidian depths, accepting but not certain quite what you mean.

Turning your glowing eyes upon the Colonel, you say for his benefit, as well as Akari's, “They honestly thought they could keep a ~youkai~ under their control.” Akari's eyes widen and she looks to Melinda, alarmed.

The Colonel looks too.

And his screams are very short as the futakuchi part of Melinda responds to the blood covering his body.

“Sorry, aniki. I did not really think about what I was doing....” Akari's apology is soft, but she doesn't look away. Her fault, her responsibility.

Of course, you're still watching also. You chose the Red Robe, after all.

[] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
[] Both out faults, really, niji-chan.
[] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....
[] I should have warned you.
[] I think it's really better this way.

>>41589129
>[] Both out faults, really, niji-chan.
>[] I should have warned you.
Well, that's not ideal.

>>41589129
>[x] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
>[x] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589129
>[] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589129
>[] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589129
>[x] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
>[x] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589066
Do you even have 3 you would want to add? with Rie missing and Chisato and Peta taken whos to be added? Maybe the other goddess who would have reincarnated? did we ever get what her name was meant to be?

>>41589129
>[] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
>[] I should have warned you.

>It may not be the best, but there is nothing to blame, here. Let's hope it's not too late for her, though

>>41589077
sorry mean for >>41589077

>>41589066
sorry mean for >>41589077

>>41589194

We know her name.

Personaly, I would like Ryukusa's and Umetsume's relationship to begin anew

>>41589129
>[] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
>[] I should have warned you.
Part of being clan head means that any fault made by our subordinates is our fault, especially if they were following our orders to the letter. Not that I think she's at fault of anything to begin with, but even if she did make things worse, it's not "both of our faults", only Ryukusa's.
>[] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589129
>[] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589129
God damnit, now we have to kill her. We could prevented that, by you know, not practicaly pushing her dad into her waiting mouths.

>>41589129
[] Both out faults, really, niji-chan.
[] I should have warned you.
Time for sad end with some bad mixed in.

>>41588993
>>41589077
Seven is already too big, but thankfully Ryukusa's harem is only five strong. Rie is family guardian and Inau is just family.

>>41589234
While I thought their reunion was quite touching, I'd say her 'practicing asexual' status shoots that down pretty decisively, sadly.
Still, I do hope she'll find some romance eventually, would be a pity for her to lose out.

>>41589286
One day, when Umetsume's soul is healed, Ryukusa will be the best man at Ume's wedding to the love of her life.

>>41589270
i liked 5 too anon but the others have hedged Yuuhi into the harem.

>>41589330
This needs to happen if we survive till the epilogue.

>>41589129
>[X] I should have warned you.
>[X] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

>>41589286

Don't need to have sex to be in a romantic relationship, anon.

I mean, I know Ryukusa like to do the do, but it's not like she's with her loved ones for that. She'd be just as happy cuddling with her girlfriend and hugging the nightmares away

>>41589286
Hey, practicing asexual just means she's on a break from that kinda shit! One day she'll be ready to brave the world!

>>41589345
Meh, she's the family pet if you ask me. I'd feel like we were taking advantage of her purity/loyalty if we tried to bed her.

>>41589408

Actually it means she doesn't have sex. Asexual isn't "can't be in love"

>>41589456
Yes, but it's unlikely she'll be looking for a relationship right now I'd say.

In any case, no matter who is or isn't Ryukusa's girlfriend, it's an amazing story and I can't thank XS enough for it

>>41589486
Are you saying the status of Ryukusa's girlfriends isn't of utmost importance anon!?

>>41589474

True.

>>41589444

She may want it on her own, you know.

>>41589398
I feel like that ship hue has sailed, but that doesn't mean Umetsume deserves to be alone.

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[XX] Nonsense. You did as I ordered.
[XX] I should have warned you.
[XXX] We're not to blame for this. What happens next though....

You lean down, then sweep Akari into your arms. “Don't be ridiculous. I gave the order, you obeyed. But this isn't really our fault, and we both know it.” Leaping into the air, you slide around the lengths of writhing black hair as they launch at you, the mouths of Melinda Blitzenberg howling in agonized starvation. The ocean surges in through the doors and the long rifts in the walls as you wash the blood from the ground and the few remaining pieces of the Colonel and Mankatso away.

The living hair lifts the unconscious-though-awake body of Melinda up on pillars and masses of itself to avoid the water, her body a limp, twitching doll as it stalks after you. “I could have told you to make it bloodless if I'd been thinking, but oni-children don't break easy.” She nods, accepting your taking the blame from her, but judging herself at fault anyways. Which is just Akari, really.

“Have you ever seen Kyuketsuki Miyu?” A thrust of your hand and hurricane force winds and water blasts an opening through the severely weakened wall your niji-chan slashed in a rather artful spiral cut.

“Vampire....princess...?”

“Mmm. Her mother asked her a riddle, in a flashback scene. About her life.” You fly around the corner of the building, the possessed girl following as you rise slowly towards the roof. Akari is freaking HEAVY in this form! “Would you prefer a red robe, or a white robe?”

Akari frowns at you, looking nearly annoyed.

>>41589502

It's of the utmost importance in-story. From a meta perspective, I don't think who Ryukusa is in love with deserve any salt

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>>41589530
“Think older than that. White robes were for burials and to be laid to rest in. Red robes were word to identify slaves and prisoners.” She blinks slowly, and looks down at the slithering creature as it crawls up the wall towards the roof that you are about to land on, the body of Melinda hanging suspended in midair, blood showing at the roots of her hair. Though that might only be because of what she just ate. “So....would you want a white robe? Or a red one?”

Landing lightly on the roof, you gently put your niji-chan down, and run your fingers through her long, shining hair. Her horns catch the grey light as she tilts her head up the inches it takes to meet your gaze. She's taller in her dragon's form as well.

“You know the answer already, Ryukusa,” she says softly. The murmuring mouths are coming, but they're not here yet.

[] Yes. Yes, I do.
[] Just smile and nod.
[] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.
[] Just....you have a moment; take it.
[] Yeah....me too.

>>41589561
>[] Just....you have a moment; take it.

>>41589561
>[x] Just....you have a moment; take it.
>[x] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.

>>41589561
>[x] Just....you have a moment; take it.
Feels bad

>>41589561
>Smile and kiss her

>[] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.
>[] Just....you have a moment; take it.

Man, I must be really tired, because I don't think I've ever had a harder time getting what the choices mean in this quest, before

Just once I'd llike redemption not meaning they have to die.

>>41589561
>[] Just smile and nod.
>[] Just....you have a moment; take it.

>>41589630
Can't stop the suffering anon!

>>41589630

Well, we chose the red robe, so maybe death isn't what will happen now

>>41589561
>[] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.
>[] Just....you have a moment; take it.

>>41589486
Agreed its the only quest on /tg/ i have followed since the first chapter.

>>41589630
She's unconscious, anon. Death doesn't have to be the result here, we're just going to have to seal her till later.
[] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.
[] Just....you have a moment; take it.

>>41589561
>[] Just smile and nod.
>[] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.

>>41589623
The choices more often mean looking at how people will look at Ryukusa after she makes them. "Right, kind of right, wrong, kind of wrong, wrong, and fuckall", is more like "love, fear, hope, sadness or resignation" in this quest.

>>41589704

I know, but usually I manage to understand which is which. Tonight, I feel mostly blind

>>41589561
>[x] Just smile and nod.
>[x] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.

>>41589779
>Rule 1: Never miss a chance to cuddle with your harem.
This is always a good starting point for decision making.

>>41589825
This will surely help with our decisionmaking today anon, thanks!

>>41589779
Remember that XS prioritizes custom stuff over standard choices. Go with what feels right for the character. Read the quest again if you feel you don't know enough.

>>41589860
>Read the quest again
That's quite the tall order, anon!

>>41589895
Anon, believe me, it's an enjoyable thing to do over a weekend.

>>41589895
Not really. XS's threads do tend towards the short side, storypost count wise. Quality over quantity, I guess.
I mean, I've reread this quest six times. It only takes, what, maybe five or six hours at most.

>>41589974
>six times
Jaysus anon!

>>41589974
Somehow it doesn't feel that way. The quest draws in and sates in a way. Time is a weird concept, anyways.

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[X] Just....you have a moment; take it.
[X] Hold her close, and decide what to do about Melinda.
[+] A kiss makes things better, right?

You embrace your best friend, your lover, your left hand girl, and kiss her, soft and slow and deep. Her eyes are moist, as close to crying as she can get, and she hugs you back. Of course she chose the red robe – she's here, with you, wearing one the same color as yours.

Breaking the kiss slowly, you hold her close. Akari is warm, as though she's been lying in the sun all day. You're always cool, but this time, feeling her warmth is comforting. Melinda's unconscious form rises as the horror she's become crawls and slithers it's way onto the roof. Akari turns to look at her, but remains in your arms, holding onto you as you decide that you don't want this to end the usual way.

Time to change the rules that got broken.

You reach up, and pull the clouds together, grey becoming black in the night sky of the timeless Barrier. “All right, Melinda....time to make your choice.” You close your hand, feelign the rain, the icy water, the lightning waiting for you, still and heavy, the clouds pregnant with power that only waits for you to lay your claim to it before rushing to return to you.

Not yet.

Not.

Just.

Yet.

You yank the storm out of the sky, and the freezing rain falls in sheets against the writhing, howling, screaming, babbling monstrosity that was possessed of Melinda. It writhes, shrinks, retreats, as she blinks, her pupils shrinking, her blue eyes alive and awake. She stares at you, holding Akari close.

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>>41590063
You don't HAVE to shout, but in this case it just feels right. “Time to make a decision, Melinda-san! You were possessed! But it doesn't have to be that way!” She looks at her twitching, trembling hands, the blood washing out of her dark hair. Then she looks at the sky, pouring rain upon her. “You can follow your path to monstrosity, safe and cared for....or you can give up you choice and go mad....or you can try and find your own way....”

Her breath hitches, as she stares at you, and you can see she's no just scared....she's finally starting to understand what's been done to her.

“But I can't let you kill anyone else. Not anymore!” The thunder rumbles across the sky, echoing hollowly. “I can help, if you let me!”

She lowers her head, clearly thinking about it. You don't bother protecting yourself or Akari from the rain. If you're going to to it, do it right!

[] Wait patiently, she's got a hard choice.
[] Tell her about Hinata-hakase.
[] Tell her about Wakaba.
[] Tell her about Rie.
[] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.

>>41590089
>[x] Wait patiently, she's got a hard choice.
>[x] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.

>>41590089
>[x] Tell her about Wakaba.

>>41590089
>[] Tell her about Hinata-hakase.
>[] Tell her about Wakaba.
>[] Tell her about Rie.
>[] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.
Kitty!

>>41590063
The thing I like most is that it's not an actual picture of the shadow. It's a picture with a HINT of a shadow, because otherwise people would go crazy from seeing it, or horrible things would happen to those that would face it. Hell, the painter would probably commit suicide afterwards.

>>41590089
>[] Tell her about Wakaba.
>[] Tell her about Rie.
>[] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.
Meow?

>>41590089
Fuck, uuuh, uuuuuh
>[] Tell her about Rie.
>[] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.
Cats are nice right?

>>41589986
What? Don't you reread books you like?
There's all the more reason to reread quests, where you're effectively forced to wait a week between chapters. A solid reread now and then really helps keep shit straight.

>>41590180
Not really, no. There are so many stories out there, I have a tough enough time reading them once!

>>41590180
>six times
I think you are crazy, but I respect your dedication to the cause. Or do you just have a shitty memory?

>>41590175
Of course they are, anon. And Rie is especially nice, because she's Helping.

>>41590207
Well, maybe I'm spoiled by my reading speed. Apparently going through stuff like Dune in a day is unusual.

>>41590207
Get Terry Pratchett's shorter stories or some of the decent EU novels (Hard Contact or the Thrawn Trilogy) and go from there.

>>41590229
You forgot to put Quotation Marks around "Helping"

>>41590089
>>41590263
Oh, I like that. Sure!

>>41590251
Actually, I think HELPING is the best description. Quotation doesn't truly do it justice.

>>41590251
>>41590300
Be nice, Rie is a very nice cat and can only do good!

>>41590226
Uh, neither. I do that with every book I like. I've read Desperation three times, for example, Neuromancer three as well, and the whole Young Wizards series about four or five times through. I lost count of how many times I'd read everything Redwall as a kid, although now I can't parse a word of molespeak.
And the Simarillion eight times, but I admit it took about three reads for the whole thing to stick.

>>41590089
>[X] Tell her about Rie.
>[X] Fuck, you just had to mention that damn cat.

>>41590322
But as I typed those posts, I was grinning, Anon. I never said she wasn't, it's just a very different kind of good that can easily be mistaken for pure chaos.

>>41590089

> Finish the story of our centiped blade, and what Hidesato and Kushinada tried to do with her

>Tell her about Wakaba

>Tell her how all choices are valid, but tell her the results of each


>>41590298

Sorry, anon, I deleted my original post.

>>41590389
You monster...

>>41590405

what

I kinda worry if we tell her about Wakaba she'll try honorable sudoku too.

>>41590089
Changing >>41590373
to have this >>41590389 added into it

>>41590422
So you would take the choice from her instead?

>>41590422
She is both an abomination and gaijin trash. Sudoku is too good for her.

>>41590422
It's her choice, anon. The important part is giving her the information she needs, along with the knowledge that she can choose her doom, even if she doesn't have great choices ahead.

>>41590416
What did that poor post do to you!?

>>41590422

She must know, anon. Not telling her would be like saying "Yeah, here is the red pill to stay in the Matrix" without saying there is another possibility.

>>41590475

Sexual bullying

>>41590461
Unlike Wakaba who was in sound mind at the time, the mind of an experienced woman who knew what she was doing and the implications of her particular plight, Melinda is basically an ignorant kid. Yeah I think letting her choose something as big as that on no more info than a story would be irresponsible.

>>41590538

And let's not forget that Wakaba was a warrior who was prepared to die at any moment, but prefered it happening the honorable way.

>>41590538
Wakaba was tricked into thinking she'd acted honourable. We're showing her what she can do, along with the implication that redemption IS POSSIBLE, but she's gotta reach for it. Choosing for her removes her choice and makes her our prisoner.

>>41590625
We wouldn't be choosing for her, merely avoiding bringing up one particular (permanent) choice. She'd still have the original choices to pick from as outlined in >>41590089.

Especially since Wakaba's choice, being informed and one she was ready for, was a perfectly good one. I would be far less so for her. But if we tell her Wakaba's tale, we'd be presenting it as an honorable thing to do, but she'd be lacking the context and experience to understand why and how her own situation is different.

In the end though, I also don't think that removing choice from her short-term is inherently a bad thing. She's in no position to make life-defining choices to be honest. Sadly we're also not in a position to force her one way or another until she gains the life-experience necessary to take control of her own life, but if we can steer her one way over another I see no issue with that.

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[X] This is just one more battle. You just have to fight it just right.

You let her have just a moment o herself. Then you pull out Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume and hurl her between you, burying her halfway into the rooftop.

You'd apologize, but strangely, she seems to be enjoying the rain and the turmoil Melinda is in. Go figure.

“That was once a powerful youkai, a centipede spirit. She was possessed by a powerful sorceress who forced her to fight for them. I brought her to the edge of death....” Melinda's hands clench and her hair rises up, mouths and eyes opening all over the inky, soaked mass. “....and then placed her spirit into this blade. She went willing and has served me well, for....years.” Yeah, centuries would sound silly to a Westerner. “She is one of my kami, a god in her own right now!”

You the pull out the long curved blade you inherited from Wakaba. “Yama-no-Musume-no-Okurimono belonged to someone I fought with, trained with, and who was tortured and cursed into nearly becoming a youkai. A dragonette like me, like Akari, turning into a monster.” You point to Musume with Okurimono. “I took her head with that blade because she asked me to! To avoid being a monster. I did that for her, at her request.”

You take a deep breath and start to tell her about the other youkai, who of-fuckin'-course says from behind you, “I'm wet, dummy.”

>>41590754
Dohohoho

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>>41590754
Shit. “Gomennasai gozimasu, Rie-sama....” You warm the water in her fur, and then dry her immediately. Finally, you let the rain slowly come to a stop.

Rie steps around you, and blinks. “'s a big hairball.”

“Not mine,” you mutter at the cat youkai.

Akari turns her face into your breasts, but you can feel her smiling, which just makes your cheeks burn. “Rie-sama....”

“You haven't been home. Tha' blind girl is missing you.” You could just about cry with relief. “Can I have it?” You turn to look at Rie, who is, as you feared, looking at Melinda Blitzenberg.

[] Uh....not my call, Rie-sama.
[] If she wants to go with you, yes.
[] Let me explain to her first?
[] ….okay, sure, not arguing with the youkai.
[] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?

>>41590754

Girls being wet around Ryukusa is hardly unusual

>>41590804
>[] Uh....not my call, Rie-sama.
>[] Let me explain to her first?

>>41590804
>[] If she wants to go with you, yes.
>[] Let me explain to her first?

>>41590804
>[] Uh....not my call, Rie-sama.
Kinda curious..

>>41590804
>[x] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?
>[x] Let me explain to her first?

>>41590804
[x] If she wants to go with you, yes.
[x] Let me explain to her first?
[x] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?
Hairball youkai best youkai

>>41590804
[] Uh....not my call, Rie-sama.
>[] Let me explain to her first? She's here because others chose for her.
[] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?
[] If she wants to go with you, yes.

>>41590804
>[] Uh....not my call, Rie-sama.
>[] Let me explain to her first?

>>41590812
Yeah, but not in the fur.

Hmmm. Well, I guess SOME of them in their fur, as it were. But you know!

>>41590804
from
>>41590859
>>[x] Let me explain to her first? She's here because others chose for her.

>[x] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?
>[x] If she wants to go with you, yes.

Man, Rie showed up just at the wrong moment

>>41590804

>[] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?
>[] If she wants to go with you, yes.

>*Give her a polite bow* "I am sorry, Rie-sama, but she and I cannot answer before you explain the result of this choice to us."

>"Melinda-san, let me introduce you to Rie-sama. She is a god-eye nekomata, a powerful cat youkai."

>Fire Eyes

We probably don't need the charge right now

>>41590804
>[] Let me explain to her first?
>[] If she wants to go with you, yes.
>[] May this small dragon ask why, exactly?

>>41590912
Wrong anon? Surely you mean right!

>>41590804

adding

>"she's here because others chose for her"

to my vote here >>41590912

>>41590905
>>41590804
I like this.

>>41590912
>wrong

>>41590912
>Using Fire eyes around youkai can be an unpleasant experience for the trained, according to Kiku-chan. Would you care to reconsider?

>>41591045
>>41590912
Please no, none of this.

>>41591045
Most definitely, XS, I don't think Ryukusa needs to learn their harsh truth.

>>41591045

Didn't Kiku use Fire Eyes on Hinata, during the flashback?

Beside, the situation is hardly pleasant to begin with

I have an errand to run. I will return in 15 minutes and commence writing.

>>41591103
Hinata is only half-youkai if I remember properly.

So I guess I'm the only one who's getting tired of Rie butting in on shit that doesn't concern her at all. She really isn't helping the situation by being here.

>>41591104
Isn't it getting late (for questing) over there XS?

>>41591142
We need to reacquire good stuff somehow.

>>41591134

Nope. Full youkai.

>>41591142

I'm not exactly tired of her butting in, but right now it's kind of annoying. It's true she isn't helping, here.

Then again, she helped us a lot recently, and she's always been a valuable ally. We can't just have the advantages.

>>41591183

Using Fire Eyes on the youkai ?

>>41591242
Rie-sama's presence can mean bad things are going to happen to us.

>>41591175
I thought XS just sleeps on a weird schedule and lives on the west coast.

>>41591142
passing the ball to her is better then owing hinata even more. speaking of which i guess we should contact her sometime since we have been throwing a lot of odd stuff her way.

Returned, writing.

>It's a cat, of course it shows up at the worst possible moment.

At least Ryukusa gets a few seconds warning.

>>41591488
Yeah, so late for questing!
It's like 4:30PM there, I dunno what XS usually does at a time like this but she's usually too busy for this.

>>41590804

“You haven't been home. Tha' blind girl is missing you.”

Wonder which home she's talking about

>>41591610
The question is, does it matter?

>>41591610
>>41591638
We need to go to Ryutakijin?.

>>41591610
>>41591638
Its Er Yin i hope you already know that and are just kidding.

>>41591610
Betcha the landlord got pissed that things were getting at her tenants, so he secured it so that we can't even void link to people at the penthouse.

>>41591674

The castle under the sea isn't exactly our home

>>41591665
My first thought was "how would Die know he's our dad?"
Then I realized what a dumb question that is. Obviously she knew because cat.

>>41591879
so who is this other blind girl we have not met yet then?

Thread is quickly dying to death.
First time in forever falling off the board has been relevant, huh. Should last a couple hours hopefully.

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[X] CAT. CAT CAT CAT CAT CAT. CAT.

There are reasons dragonettes and nekomata don't get along well. Probably related to the fact that if you combined the worst qualities of every type of dragonette and dragonne and distilled it into a youkai, you'd have a nekomata or a bakeneko. Depending on how pissy it was.

You bow politely, dipping Akari in doing so, which probably looks hot as all heaven considering you're both wearing skintight leather halter-top vests and hot-pants, with matching boots. Akari even drops one arm and levers out one leg for the pose effect, and you kiss her forehead. Totally unnecessary considering her tail, but it probably looks hot.

Rie is looking sat you with those blue eyes of hers, so you straighten up and Akari slides around you gracefully. “Eh hem. Rie-sama, she is not what she is or where she is by her choices....I do not own her, and she is very troubled.” Tact, tact, hmn....oh yes. “She has been possessed at least once, and has tasted of flesh that she should not have, but despite that she is still herself now.” Great, she's even more interested now. “Please allow me the chance to explain to her, to help her on her way?”

Rie shrugs, and wanders off to catch droplets of water from the lip of the building in her natural – as in feline – form.

Well, maybe this IS good. You start walking over to Melinda, who looks confused and scared, and more than a little unhappy. Akari follows at a short distance, giving you space but also making sure she's just out of Melinda's current reach. The youkai-born's hair starts to lift in clumps and tentacles, but only a few small mouths and eyes appear. You kind of wish you knew how to interpret that.

>>41592223
Clearly she needs a comfy cat to cuddle.

>>41592273
Everyone needs a cat to cuddle.

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>>41592223
“Melinda, that is a cat youkai. A very powerful cat youkai. She's a guardian of my family. I help sustain her by giving her prayers and offerings. She helps protect my family and brings me warnings.” And totally scares the kami out of you, but you're not telling her that. “She is something like you could become, if you wanted to. Of course she might also just eat us both.” You doubt she could digest Akari, with her blessings and all.

“It has two tails....” Great, Rie didn't show Melinda her true form, just you and Akari. And maybe not Akari – you glance back and make a sign, and Akari nods slightly with just her eyes. Well, at least you're not crazier than you were before.

“Yes, that's how I know it's a nekomata. But she has black spots above her eyes too, making her a Kami-Eyed Nekomata, and even more powerful than a normal one. She's probably three, maybe four hundred years old.” You look at her and she looks back, miserable, though not cold at least. You're not that into dramatics. “I really do want to help. But maybe....you want to learn more about what you are from someone who might be able to-”

A pair of slender white arms slides around your neck from behind and you feel Rie lifting herself up on her toes, barely high enough to look over your shoulder at Melinda. Melinda starts to breath awfully fast, and her heart races....but Rie simply says, “It's a foreigner. Why's-it foreigner?”

You try and slow your own heartbeat down, and answer politely. “Because they made her with science and magic.”

“Brrrt.” What the fuck? “Fine. Tell it to follow me. 'T can stays with me a while.”

[] Look at Melinda and shrug. You can't be much help on this one.
[] Tell her quickly and carefully what she can expect.
[] Tell her it would be a good idea, honestly.
[] Ask her if she trusts you with her life.
[] Kamidamnit, you're reduced to relying on a cat youkai to help a near bakemono youkai.

>>41592312
>[] Tell her quickly and carefully what she can expect.
>[] Kamidamnit, you're reduced to relying on a cat youkai to help a near bakemono youkai.

>>41592312
>[] Tell her quickly and carefully what she can expect.
>[] Kamidamnit, you're reduced to relying on a cat youkai to help a near bakemono youkai.

>>41592312
Tough stuff.
>[x] Tell her it would be a good idea, honestly.
>[x] Ask her if she trusts you with her life.
>[x] Kamidamnit, you're reduced to relying on a cat youkai to help a near bakemono youkai.