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>>43483372
(Well, hopefully the red and white jade blessed by Amaterasu-Omikami will counteract that. But more immediately, I need to learn about kappa and specifically the Mill Pond Demon.) You don't like the hurry that you need to be in, but being interrupted while on the beach at Mikimoto Pearl Island could be troublesome. Still, you pull Er Yin-sensei a little closer. (There is so much I want to learn from you, and not all of it is about protecting our family and loved ones, you know.)

Er Yin smiles and nods. (Then let us discuss the Mill Pond Demon....)

She floats elegantly to stand at your side and you turn to face the same direction; the darkness is swirled away from before you, gathering more compactly behind you as you look upon a mill-house next to a large stream just past a large pond surrounded by this trees and plant growth. The pond is thick with algae and the mill-wheel is still despite the rushing water. The building is old, antique even, and other than dragonflies and mayflies, there is nothing to disturb the stillness of the pond or it's environs.

>Choose no more than two.
[] History.
[] Current Situation.
[] Etiquette.
[] Powers.
[] Temperament.

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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/43370910/

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

Ryukusa's Treasures

Eight hundred and sixty-two cat youkai live in your aura

Nyoi-ju, the Wishing Jewel.

Matagama-no-Shitoki, a kami in it's own right that protects Ryukusa from inimical magic.

Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume – Ryukusa's mukade possessed wakizashi; a kami. “Daughter of my Centipede of Rain.”

Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki - Invincible Weapon of the Present Age, a secret kami-blade given to Ryukusa by Wakaba

Ryukusa's Family.

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>>43483409
Ryu Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8", but this becomes 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
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.
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, aka Mugon Chujo 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.
Melinda Blitzenberg is 5'10”, fully grown and horrible. Maybe confused.
Ryuu Wakaba is a head shorter and also deceased.
Margaret Steinhausen is gratefully dead.

>>43483391
>[] Etiquette.
>[] Temperament.
These two seem to be the most important in avoiding combat and getting what we need from him without pissing him off

>>43483391
>[] Current Situation.
>[] Etiquette.

>>43483391
>[] History.
>[] Etiquette.

>>43483391
>[] Etiquette.
>[] Temperament.

I agree with >>43483475
If we're skilled with these, can avoid angering him, and effectively negociate

Hi XS! How are you?

>>43483391

Two choices? Damn this is too hard.

History is important to know who the kapa is. Current Situation and Temperament would let us learn what we must prepare for right now, but those are not absolutely needed. Powers could be very useful if we went as a foe, but here we go as a potential ally. But I'm a bit worried not taking Power this would mean Er Yin doesn't tell us about what she wants healed

Etiquette, though, is is indispensable when talking to a Kapa.

Thus, I will vote

>[] History.
>[] Etiquette.

This is not info gathering for a military operation or learning about the target of a con, it is preparation to be a good host for a healer we'll be asking a favor

>>43483391
>[] Etiquette.
>[] Temperament.

>>43483475
>>43483563

Temperament can be good, but we could deduce how he tends to act from his History. We need to know him as a person, rather than as a collection of traits.

Temperament would teach us how he acts, not why (which would be History).

It's the same thing than when we scanned Kiki's history files for the first time and finaly understood why she acted like she did

>>43483391
If I could I'd vote for history + whatever she consider important. There may be something in its, say, history or situation that matters a great deal, but we won't know which.

>>43483623
This is a good point. We can probably get his temperament using Water Eyes anyways if we absolutely had to. Aside from us not many people can sense them being used (Hinata seems to be an exception to a lot of rules).

Seriously, guys, Temperament is a bad idea, without context.

The youkai doesn't behave the way he does just because, and while immediate knowledge could be useful if we were trying to defeat him, we'll have to go deeper if we want to convince him to do us a favor

>>43483643
>Noted.

>>43483643

Why can't you vote?

>>43483647
If on the other hand the kappa *can* tell if we're using it he may become offended. Of course etiquette would probably cover that, but we won't know until it happens.

>>43483647

did you vote History +Etiquette?

>>43483655
We do know some of his history - he was a painter, who misses his painting.

>?Neriko shakes her head, but then seems to remember something. “Hina-chan used to tell me he was once a master painter, but since he became a kappa, he hates the fact that his water dilutes all his paints. She said it makes him very bitter and angry.”

>>43483665
We'll for one it isn't an option, and second I already voted but just thought of it. I'd change my vote if write in were explicitly allowed.

>>43483662
Encouraging!

>>43483680

We don't need to use them, we can see how he acts.

Also, given that Kapa have the powers similar to those of Water dragon-children, among others, I would bet they can see if someone is using Water Eyes. On the other hand, we're talking about a youkai, so using WE on him would be funky at best.

>>43483702
Write ins always take precedence, even in a limited vote.

>>43483693

Well, this give us bits of his temperament as well.

Point is, the more we know about his History, the more we can deduce his temperament. The other way around is way more hazardous.

>>43483717
Given the lack of consensus it may work out best anyway.

>>43483809

The consensus seems to be Etiquette, though.

Which is wise, since Kapa are crazy for politeness.

>>43483717
If we go with that we should mention that we already know about the painting issue, so we don't cover the same ground again.

>>43483831
Yes, but it's two options not one.

Also, we need to hug Er Yin more.

Mmmh, I wonder if she and Kiku would enjoy a "evil temptresses capture pure priestess" kinky scenario.

>>43483832

She might know more about the issue, though.

On the other hand, I'm sure it was said people lost their personality nearly completly if they turned into a youkai (which only arrives in pretty horrifying circumstences anyway).

I can't begin to imaging what would transform a painter into a kapa. Maybe it's actually just a rumor/legend?

>>43483918
If we say what we know she won't have to repeat that portion, at least.

As for transforming into a kappa, who knows. Even if the personality changes greatly they'd likely still hold onto some traits and quirks, possibly magnifying them. So starting out as a reasonable guy who enjoys painting he could become a very touchy kappa obsessed with it.

>>43483988

Transformation into personifications of things or events don't usually happen to reasonable people, though.

>>43484075
Well, we don't know the circumstances in detail but fair enough.

>>43484075
Not at the moment of transformation, certainly. But I'm sure whatever process results in a kappa can start with a normal person, before his life going totally sideways.

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[XX] Etiquette.
[?] History.
[?] Temperament.
[+] What does SHE think is important?

You look over the pond and the mill-house....well, it's something of a misnomer, it's not really much of a house at all. It's barely a milling silo, and the stream is far too slow to push the wheel now even if it isn't locked in place by rust or a braking rod. (Tell me about how to treat him with the manners he deserves and needs, Er Yin, if you can. I know that kappa are a little out of your normal situation, even as a sorceress, but I am hoping my sister was able to give you some help.)

Er Yin-sensei nods. (She did; the Mill Pond demon is an old creature, though not ancient. This is fortunate, and it will make things significantly easier.)

You hesitate, knowing your time is limited, but indecision is leaving you with a split decision. (I'm not certain whether his general temperament or his history will be of greater relevance, Er yin-sensei. So, let me ask you, what do you think would be of the greatest use to me in understanding how to deal with him best.) Er yin-sensei doesn't seem to be surprised by your question; like you she knows there is a limited amount of time for you to do these things, and far too much to learn.

To your surprise she starts with his current situation. (The Mill Pond Demon is a lonely old creature, bitter at his fate and wishing things had been different. He cannot pursue his art, he has no living family to give him prayers or concern themselves with his well being, and he is trapped in his location.) You feel the shiver run down your spine. Humans who become youkai are never a good thing. (But of these things, I believe you can solve one or two. That may help.)

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>>43484283
She gestures and there are ripples in the water as something moves under the scummy water surface. (Kappa are loners at the best of times, and they are secretive and cunning. But more to the point, they are loners who wish to be less alone, much of the time. As a result even the most vicious, crude, angry kappa will be polite and respectful. Bowing is not enough, of course. It is far too simple an act to make them spill the water from their heads so they bow in manners that will avoid such a spill and yet cannot be considered rude.) The ugliest green skinned man crawls on hands and knees from the bod, skin slippery with scum and blinking huge eyes that bulge from a flat face with yellow lips that appear hard and tough, like a turtles beak.

(Ceremony is the key to their respect, and gentility is king to them. They may be rude in speech and act, but they will not be impolite if you accept it as it is meant.) You frown at the apparent dichotomy of the words, but you file away the knowledge for later use. Her crawls over to the mill-tower, gazing up at the higher window, meant to assist the finest dust from milling escape out the lower windows and door. (The most important thing to remember is that if you assist one, if you do anything to help it, it will be greatly indebted to you. That is the key to the kappa's helpfulness.)

(I have an angle on that, honestly. One of my prisoners that I released a while ago said he was a painter, and he is frustrated that his painting suffers from his living in water. I think I may be able to figure a way around that.)

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>>43484311
(In that case, his history may be more enlightening.) She reaches out and the darkness swirls around you both, and the pond becomes cleaner, the stream stronger. The mill-wheel turns and the stones it drives grind the rice between them slowly and surely. A man stands at the side of the mill-house and watches his daughter carrying baskets of rice to be ground. The scene changes, and you are inside the mill-house. He is painting on rice paper with a simple brush and a black ink stone. (A sumi-i painter who never was greatly successful, he nevertheless enjoyed his work and made a successful living milling rice for the locals.)

Time passes, and there are several men paying their respects to the miller – or rather to his daughter, and the consternation on the painter-miller's face is quite clear. (He was torn between his daughter's well being, and the fact that he would have to work the mill entirely by himself if she left. None of the suitors wished to work as a miller, and it was difficult.) The scene changed and things became confused; the miller kneeling by the wheel trying to pull a log or branch from it. (The entire question became academic when he was killed-) The branch pulled free but trapped his wrist in the wheel. (-by the very mill wheel that threatened everything he held dear.)

[] No wonder he became a youkai.
[] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?
[] Please go on.
[] ….tell me about his family lineage.
[] Do I dare ask how you and my sister learned all this?

>>43484333
>[] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?
>[] Please go on.

>>43484333
>[] ….tell me about his family lineage.
>[] Do I dare ask how you and my sister learned all this?

>>43484333
>[x] Please go on.
Quite the tale so far.

>>43484333
>[] Please go on.
>[] ….tell me about his family lineage.
Nothing else is worth our limited time.

>>43484333

>...Something happened to his daugther afterward, didn't it? Humans don't transform into youkai from such a death only, do they?

>>43484572
Well, maybe if they're reeeeeeally stubborn? But you're probably onto something yeah.

>>43484333
>[] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?

>>43484333
>[X] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?

>>43484333
[x] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?

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[XXX] Why didn't he become a ghost instead?
[XX] Please go on.
[X] ….tell me about his family lineage.

His drowning was, as all of them are, painful. It's something you can't quite imagine; you could always breathe water, even as a little dragonette. Those not meant to breathe water, though suffer intolerable agony, before the peace comes over them and they die. Except his own peace never came – even as he died, he fought the wheel that was killing him, trapped under it against the bed of the stream.

(His death, the struggle to see his daughter happy, the daily grind that kept him from the joy of his painting so often, it all became a morass of outrage and bitter hatred that kept him from dying entirely. Oh, his body died, crushed and drowned, but the water infused his corpse, and since his body was not found for many days, his spirit never entirely left it.. He was not discovered for weeks, and in that time his death became a new life, one twisted by the spirit world into the gruesome life of a youkai.) Er Yin-sensei looks sad, but her non-voice is soft and sure. (So he became the Mill Pond Demon, a monster who drove away all whom approached his mill house, or his pond. He has drowned a few unlucky, or unwary humans, but the legends keep them away.)

(It seems very odd to me that be became a youkai instead of a ghost. Even as conflicted as he was, as pained as he was, it seems to me he would have become a curse, or yurei.) You kneel, watching the twisted, gnarled body claws its way from under the mill wheel, bones disjointed by quickly becoming the malformed and grotesque ones of a kappa. (Did his daughter suffer? I imagine that would cause him pain enough to become obake....)

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>>43485030
(Quite the opposite, Ryukusa-sama, she went on to life a healthy and fruitful life. The funerary rites were performed and she and her family maintained a shrine in his name for some time. They thought, you see, that a local boar that had gone rogue had killed him and dragged his body away. It was not the first time such a thing had happened in those years, and so they performed the proper bodiless rites.) She gestured and the scenes sped up, a collage of scenes as the time passed, the daughter growing up, having kids, growing old, passing her skills and knowledge to younger generations. (Though the family lines do fall into history and fade away, leaving no lineage worth mentioning. She lived well, and her family does well for the many years before a few years where only daughters survive the family line-)

(Wait, what do you mean?) You open Water Eyes and study the moments of time, seeing the pieces as they fall into place. (Son, died of snake bite; son, adolescent schizophrenia or possession; son, died of snakebite; baby son, crib death....when did this happen?) Only daughters survive, and no one carries on the family name. No coincidence, and not with those kinds of deaths.

Er Yin studies the scenes before you. (Two hundred and fifteen years ago.) Shortly – well in a relative sense – after Er Yin-sensei was bound into Kiku-chan's Barrier.

(I would make bets that his death wasn't entirely accidental either.) You frown. With four generations, that makes his....almost 300 years ago or more, meaning close to the time the Ryuu, Kaga and Hojo Clans were formed. (It's a trap of some kind, it has to be.)

Er yin looks worried now; she can put two and two together as well as you can. (What will you do Ryukusa-sama?)

[] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.
[] I'm just going to be more careful.
[] You needn't concern yourself, I'll be careful.
[] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....
[] I'll have to think of something else.

>>43485073
>[] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....

>>43485073
>[] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.
>[] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....
Iiiiinfo!
Still, this is kinda worrying.

>>43485073
>[] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.
>[] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....

>>43485073
>[] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....

>>43485073
>[] I'm just going to be more careful.
Could we use Void or some rites to see into the past and find out who set the trap? Could we use the information that his death wasn't accidental but planned, and give him the identity of his killer, as currency we can use with the kappa?

>>43485156
I don't know if that alone would be enough; we'd probably need to know who did it at least absent any evidence we could provide. Otherwise we could just be lying for all he knows.

>>43485073
>[x] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[x] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....

>>43485073
>>43485154
Backing!

>>43485073
>[X] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[X] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....

>>43485073
They set a trap by going after some random dude and his family 300 years ago? That's...thorough I guess?

>>43485156

We could perform the rites for someone who was murdered, maybe

>>43485073
[] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.
[] I'm just going to be more careful.
>[] Tell me about the eight Demons who call themselves Immortals....

>>43485357
Er Yin and Kiku should be able to tell us if such a thing is doable.

>>43485073
All these Snakebites plus all the coincidence and long term plotting some bad. I dont want to walk into another one of her traps. The last one cost us 200 years.

>[X] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals....
>[X] I'll have to think of something else.
>[X] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.

>>43485309
Remember they have seers and diviners too.

>>43485073
>[] What I planned to do, of course, don't be silly.
>[] I'm just going to be more careful.

>You still haven't told me, Er Yin-sensei-chan: how do you wish the healing to be? I am seeking this Kappa for a reason, after all...

We really need to address this point.

>>43485427
And get kiku unloli'ed.

>>43485424
Damn annoying really, has had so much more time to use and sheer combined power over us in that field as well. Not to disparage our family of course.

>>43485440
You want to deprive us of loli Kiku!?

Fine, if she wants to I GUESS

>>43485407

The last two things you voted for are in contradiction.

>>43485424
>>43485309

It is a trap for the incarnation of Horobi's mikoto. It's not far-fetched, compared to the "hijack gods' souls" plan of Oba-shit.

>>43485073
Adding to my vote here: >>43485427

>Would performing the rites for the real cause of his death help?

>>43485440

Well, we'd have to get this bakeneko again. I don't know what Rie did with this youkai, after Kiki refused to take the gift

>>43485480

I'm pretty sure it's bad for her, in the long term.

Curses aren't things you're supposed to just accept and live with.

>>43485510
XS droped a hint about a way of using the kappa to heal kiku and Er Yin at the same time a couple of months ago.

>>43485525
But....cute...
I guess it can't be helped.

>>43485546

I'm affraid I don't remember. Then again, this is not the best of times for me to do so.

Man, I should really stop reading depressing stories. My lack of sleep wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't in a bad mood

>>43485610
Cheer up anon this quest is for love and smlies.

>>43485557
What if the Mill Pond Demon can change the curse's 'owner' to Er Yin, so that she can curse and uncurse Kiku as she sees fit?

>>43485685
I remember in my day curses let something. Now curses are used for nothing other the lesbian s&m.

>>43485713
Anon, look, if we can figure out why Kiku was cursed (I have my suspicions), we can help her change, while still giving Er Yin and Kiku the benefits of the curse.

>>43485713
Sounds like the best possible use of curses to me.

>>43485683

Indeed.

It's just sad hentai can't into BDSM, most of the time

>>43485748

Can I ask what are those suspicions?

>>43485833
Hentai can't into a lot of things very well, but I think that's just from the japanese not understanding intimacy or emotions at all. They cover my fetishes but it never seems satisfying.

>>43485833
While it's not strictly hentai (main pair haven't even seen each other naked), Nana to Kaoru is pretty good that front in my opinion.

>>43485943
Kiku has an ego. She was cursed to not age beyond a child-state. She was also drunk and pissed off bakeneko. This sets the scene for something, but as to what...I mean, she probably was throwing her opinion around, or possibly acting like she was an authority when she really wasn't, but we weren't there, so we can't fall on assumptions.

>>43486069
Hell, it's a cat. Kiku might have just been sitting where it wanted to sit.

>>43486116
Maybe the cat was sitting there first, then Kiku sat on it.

>>43485988

>tfw when you keep running into mindbreak/rape stories because authors tend to add your fetishes as an afterthought after those.

> but I think that's just from the japanese not understanding intimacy or emotions at all

Eh, hentai are sexual fantasies, they don't reflect what people understand or not, just what they think is hot.

It's not just Japan, though. It's porn as a whole.

>>43486052

I think I've read the first chapter of this. Kind of sweet, but not necessarily my cup of tea.

Well, not all works can be "Sunstone", eh?

>>43486069

Eh, I don't think Kiku is the kind of person to act like this. Of course, it was a long time before, so she might have changed in that regard.

>>43486131

Maybe Kiku made a joke about pets and pussies, and the bakeneko thought Kiku was talking of them. Who know?

Though, this Void flashback thing we're currently in could be useful to find out.

>>43485988
If you look carefully, you can find the good stuff in the crap, but you are for the most part correct.

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[XXX] Tell me about the eight Demon Immortals, Er Yin-sensei.
[+] Check on the rites helping him, and ask if she wants Kiku-chan healed.

You make a swift cutting gesture, which she seems confused by. (I'm just going to be that much more careful when I confront him. I doubt he knows who killed him, and while he might be set against me by whomever did kill him, you've already given me plenty of understanding on how to work with him to get past the things he might think in favor of being polite.) When you smile at Er Yin her steel blue eyes shimmer with worry and hope. (It's just one more battle for me, Er Yin-sensei, and I've worked with the tiles stacked against me before.)

(As you say, Ryuu Ryukusa,) she says, with a low bow.

(Besides, it's nothing more than a continuance of what I planned, which was to heal you, and get Kiku-chan uncursed if I can. Which reminds me, I don't know if I will be able to have him cure your blindness. But if you would like, allow me to try please.) She blushes and looks down; a tacit yes if you've never heard one. (Now....me what you can about the Eight Immortal Demons, or the Eight Demon Immortals, or the Eight Celestial Nitwits, or what have you.)

(Ryukusa!) she exclaims, shocked.

(Ah, gomen, gomen.) She relaxes a little and the scene fades, replaced by pictures of Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. (In the Middle Kingdom, all the Heavens are ruled by the Jade Emperor, may he live ten thousand times ten thousand years. The Middle Kingdom is China and the related world. But everything under the earth is the province of Wang Mo, the Demon King.)

>>43485988
So i guess natorare is not one of your fetishes cause they cover that well. Cant wait for the day kiki and Yui natorare Ryu and Akari.

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>>43486227
She gestures and a bunch of red, blue, and black skinned humanoid creatures appear, ranging in size from tiny to massive. Strange alien insects and weird slime appear as well. (Though it is called demon chi, it is not really chi – it is essence, and that essence is used to fill the shells of these demons. Demons have no blood and bones unless they are promoted to high levels by the King himself. It is poisonous, but unless swallowed it is not immediately so – except for dog demons and insect demons.)

She gestures and the images change to a group of eight strange demons. One you immediately recognize – the bird themed demon-girl with the scale armor. The others not so much. Only one other is female, and she is a nearly faceless creature with shadows extending from her body, a white or blue dress, and a wicked smile that gives you the creeps. The others are all men, red, blue or ocher skinned, looking more like oni than anything else, but all wearing armor and carrying Chinese weapons; the only exception is a many-headed dog demon. (The Eight Celestial Demons, or the Eight Immortal Demon Lords are a group of demonic beings that are revered as Mo Wang's most trusted warriors and weapons. They serve him as retrievers of valuable subjects and people , and have caused much trouble for the Middle Kingdom.)

>>43486209
>I don't think Kiku is the type to act like this
Ryukusa had to physically choke Kiku to get her to settle down. She NEEDS a master to keep her emotionally stable. Now imagine her drunk and with a cat that frankly wouldn't take her shit.

>unloliying the Kiku
I hesitate to just change someone after they've owned it for a few centuries. It may look like it's a good service, but it's really the kind of lifelong turnaround that brings a heap of unintended issues.

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>>43486250
She selects four of them – the Dog, the Red Skinned Warrior, the White Robed sorceress, and Fenghuang-san. (These are the four you should be most concerned with – the others are not so dangerous to you. Hui Daji, the Black Fox-) The name startles you; your sister has warned you about them. (Fyusumi the Demon Sorceress; Ti Hou Yu, the Stone Bride....) Since she said there were two women, you have the feeling you know why he was in hell. (….and Shou Ngang the Eater of Fire. These four are the ones who specialize in taking dragons.)

(Don't you mean dragon-children?) you ask softly.

(No, Ryukusa-sama, they hunt dragon shen, spirits of dragons.)

You know you're running low on time, but you have so many questions.

[] A quick overview is fine.
[] Can you or Jinyuu-onee-sama tell me how long I have before they return?
[] Why these four specifically?
[] Why such powerful demons for someone like me?
[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43486227

I'm not sure who she is, bu we must compliment Fyusumi's sense of fashion

>>43486263
>[] Can you or Jinyuu-onee-sama tell me how long I have before they return?
>[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43486251

Oh, angry, I can see without problems. It's the smug/cocky part I can't imagine

>>43486209
> It's porn as a whole.
Yes but not always. Cheer is like chicken soup for the dick, for instance.

>>43486263
>[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?
That would be swell! Don't need no Chinese up in our grill at this time.

>>43486235
...It kinda is? Mixed feelings on that one.

>>43486263
[] Can you or Jinyuu-onee-sama tell me how long I have before they return?
[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43486209
>Kind of sweet, but not necessarily my cup of tea.
"Sweet" isn't really the word, since the MC is completely convinced that Nana is out of his league and will inevitably move on far beyond his reach after they graduate, causing him to push her away from any interaction beyond their "breathers" in an attempt to keep her from realizing he loves her, which he thinks would destroy the sub/dom dynamic by giving her leverage over him. This, in turn, causes her to think that she's being an annoyance who burdens him with unreasonable requests, while being disgusted with herself for being jealous of the other girl Kaoru does BSDM with (which is a whole other story) when she thinks she has no right to have those sort of feelings for him. It all keeps spiraling down from there.
Shit gets pretty depressing at a few points, honestly.

>>43486263
>[] A quick overview is fine.
>[] Why such powerful demons for someone like me?
>[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43486254
Its a curse she suffers from it. Imagine if you lost your leg and had to like like that for 50 years and then someone gets you a replacement. Sure you got use to living with one leg but twos better right?

>>43486263
>[X] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43486371
But it isn't objectively worse in this case. It's just a small and youthful appearance, which she seems to have gotten used to or perhaps even attached to.

>>43485407
Don't forget the one who died of insanity, another sphere of influence Oba-san has been trying to control

>>43486263
>[] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?

>>43485440
We already had that chance with Rie if you recall. She brought us the cat that cursed Kiku and everything and we politely turned her down

>>43486263
>[] A quick overview is fine.

>It's true that when we met Fenghuang-san, she said she was here on behalf of Enma-o-dono... She was strong, true, but nothing about her, from her clothes to the way she acted, indicated that she was respected. And you said I could ... affect her fate. How are those things possible, if she is a literal dragon hunter?

>>43486413
Well that's not certain - for example, her genitals seem to certainly be mature enough judging by Ryukusa's...intimate experience, but her frame would probably make child-bearing incredibly risky. Unless she's infertile anyway - I can't remember if we know anything about it - that could be an issue for example.

>>43486437
No, Kiki turned it down, and not because she didn't want her sister freed but because she believed it was not her place to have that power over her sister.

Her objection was with the means, not the end.

>>43486350
Ow so its ok for us to sleep with everyone but if they want to sleep with each other its wrong? I find it cute. They can snuggle each other with their worries when Ryu and Akari fight.

>>43485546
How do we know XS was referring to Kiku's body? She clearly has more issues with the way she literally NEED to be dominated every now and then to stay mentally healthy than with being a loli.

The two issues could be related of course, but let's not make any assumptions here

>>43486371
That's exactly it. By the time I'm 60+ there is a lot more to life than "I lost my leg". Both in the good and the bad columns.

If I'm young and have a routine, sure let's go. But Aad the prospect of violence to it, and I would hesitate to make any sudden changes rather than work with what I already have.

>>43486466
You do realize she's already pregnant, right? She's carrying an egg.

>>43486483
I think anon may have been commenting on the fetish itself rather than the situation you put forward. 'cause that's not really NTR at all...

>>43486235
It's netorare, not natorare, anon. Natorare sounds like something to do with sticky soybeans.

>>43486508
I can't keep track of which ones got that far alright!

Only makes it more relevant though, but who knows what kinda magical midwifey powers Ryukusa has access to, maybe it won't be a big deal anyway.

>>43486493
That may be, but at 60 a human is more than halfway through life and settled into their ways. Kiku still has centuries ahead of her.

>>43486547
>but who knows what kinda magical midwifey powers Ryukusa has access to
A demigod of midwifery, which I think is a way of saying "pretty much all of them."

>>43486413

We don't know what the curse does to her, exactly. It could be slowing her powers, or be part of the reasons why she risks to lose control. And curses are bad for your spiritual balance, anyway


We just have to ask her if she wants the curse lifted, and respect her choice.

>>43486464

I mean, even if Fenghuang is the Yamcha of the group, she would still be an immortal dragon slayer. Something doesn't add up, for me.

>>43486437

We can get other chances, though. And technically, it was Rie trying to get favors form Kiki


>>43486235

If it happens, it wouldn't be netotare.

>>43486609
Indeed, we don't know if there is one for Kiku's situation though. But can hope!

>>43486547
>>43486508
That's what Inau is here for. It's also worth noting that Kiku already has a healthy son working for some heavenly power in Japan.

Apparently her version of morning sickness includes vomiting lava.

>>43486610
I was under the impression that the demon we fought was a follower or minion of Fenghuang, not the being herself. She seemed entirely too weak, poor, and inexperienced to be someone with such a title.

You know, since we see the setting through her eyes, the ones of her loved ones and friends or, in one case, a powerful foe, it's kind of hard to appreciate how utterly terrifying Ryukusa must look to the general public, right now.

Though, I hope her good deeds are at least acknowledged.

>>43486664
>Apparently her version of morning sickness includes vomiting lava.
Hot.

>>43486693
Yeah seems a bit suspicious.

>>43486693
>was under the impression that the demon we fought was a follower or minion of Fenghuang, not the being herself.

Well...

>One you immediately recognize – the bird themed demon-girl with the scale armor.

> She seemed entirely too weak, poor, and inexperienced to be someone with such a title.

Well, this is not something unusual, in mythology. Odin went around as a poor traveler, for exemple.

Heck, just in this quest, remember our first meeting with Peta. Or what humans see when they look at Ryukusa

>>43486466
She's not *that* small.

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>>43486710

>>43486581
>Kiku still has centuries ahead of her
And we're already skirting around pregnancies and fighting. I mostly don't want to pile new stuff on the Fire temper sub - at least not right now - without being sure it's all pearly good if we do.

Now I kind of want to find Fenghuang again and give her a hug.

Being a Chinese demon AND being treated like that must suck

>>43486781

We can just ask her, though.

>>43486816
We should before we start planing the mill pond demon expedition.

>>43486791
Demons are people too!

>>43486852
Maybe but the Chinese demons are pretty alien mentally if you recall.

>>43486879
Aliens are people too!

>>43486852
>>43486879

Demons are sapient beings, but they're still personifications of the things society thinks suck.

>>43486984
Who's the demon of blocking the escalator, or stubbing your toe on the dresser?

>>43486959

Well, demons and aliens are persons, but they are far from humans. You can't treat a youkai like a human, and you can't treat a demon like a youkai.

I just hope the fortune telling we got last time doesn't mean Fenghuang is stuck in her current Dao, now.

>>43487031

Have you read Terry Pratchett's "Hogfather" ?

>>43487060
It's been about 12 years now, but sure.

>>43486757
>Odin went around as a poor traveler, for exemple.
He did that for a reason, though. It was an act, and when the act was up he threw the disguise aside.

There's little reason for Fenghuang to appear to us, feign incompetence, and then LEAVE with her task unfinished. That's the real kicker here, I think. It's one think to play the fool so you can trick the enemy into misjudging you. It's another thing entirely to do so without taking advantage of it.

I think she was honestly confused by the situation because she was ordered to either accept our surrender or drag us back in chains, and she went in expecting one of those two to happen. She didn't plan for a third option and got flustered, leading to her simply accepting our actions once we took control of the situation.

That's practically the essense of "inexperienced subordinate."

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[XXX] So....how do we get them off my back without a fight?
[X] A quick overview is fine.
[X] Can you or Jinyuu-onee-sama tell me how long I have before they return?
[+] Wait, wasn't there something you said about changing Fenghuang's fate? But she's a dragon hunter....

(Tell me what you can quickly, and also let me know if you or Jinyuu-onee-sama can tell me how long it will be before they return, Er Yin-sensei.) She nods agreeably. (Also....you said something about me changing Fenghuang's fate. I need to know more about that.)

(I will try. Jinyuu-sama says that they will not reappear until after the next full moon.) A week's grace. Finally, something on a timetable that isn't insanely immediate. (They generally avoid the sun and the moon in Japan, because they are deities themselves, unlike in China. Hui Daji is the trickster, and is capable of making illusions and blocking magical communication. He is the one whom you must be most careful of, for he will lead you into the traps the others wait in.) She gestures towards the red skinned oni-like demon. (The Fire Eater is number four of the eight, a strong demon who can kill dragon kami. He is a creature of demonic essence, not an elemental nature, so be wary of his power.)

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>>43487562
You walk forward, stepping around the demon, who sneers at you. He's almost twelve feet tall, and incredibly strong looking. He had a massive dao, the wide bladed Chinese sword blood red and shining. The demon warrior has a wakizashi as well, but it has an unusual design element you don't recognize. Worrisome. (His sword is a Wudang sword, forged by the disciples of the martial arts in the Heavens of China. He is dangerous.) Yeah, really not good. (The demon Fyusumi took her name from your language, but she is Chinese. Her powers are those of an evil Taoist magician. A sort of immortality in hell. She revels in her corruption, but the Tao does not consider any act of good or evil, only those in line with the Tao and not.) You find her digression a little odd, but save your comments.

She gestures and the tomboyish demon-girl appears in full life size. (She is a lower level demon, hardly worth mentioning, except that she can use her demonic essence as a sort of energy to poison people with. It is a forbidden form of magic, but Mo Wang is not one for following certain rules, honorable though he may be. She is not bright, hardly worth the time to mention save that she is deadly poison.) You nod. (You are a demon tamer, able to accept demons who surrender themselves to you, and then guide them to enlightenment, Ryukusa-sama. But taming such a demon is not a simple matter; she will be little more than a mindless slave. She will be absolutely obedient and little more than an empty shell. She will serve, and through service, can become more human. It may take hundreds of years.

….you like protecting smiles, but this might be even beyond you. You can barely take care of your family consistently full time. Taking care of a demon and guiding her to humanity sounds like a full time job.

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>>43487608

(All right. So how can we get these demons off my back?) Er Yin looks uncomfortable. (….This bothers you?)

(The only way to make the demons stop is to convince Mo Wang to call them off, or destroy them all.)

[] ….kamidamnitall. Talking with Enma-Oh? No way....
[] I'll have to think on it.
[] Can we make that happen?
[] I think I'll send another letter.
[] Right, so, one last thing....

>>43487631
>[] Can we make that happen?

>>43487631
>[] Can we make that happen?
>[] I think I'll send another letter.
>[] Right, so, one last thing....

>>43487631
>[] I'll have to think on it.

>>43487631
>[x] ….kamidamnitall. Talking with Enma-Oh? No way....
>[x] I'll have to think on it.
Not that we seem to have many options.

>>43487631
>[] Can we make that happen?
>[] I think I'll send another letter.
>[] Right, so, one last thing....

>>43487277

Keep in mind three things:

First, how the supernatural beings act makes sense from their viewpoints, but their viewpoints can be far from ours. Think of how Yuuhi or Rie act, for exemple

Second, a Chinese demonic dragon hunter has all reasons to be confused when she gets hit by Japanese bureaucracy-fu on the face, with the equivalent of "tell your boss 'Sorry, colleague, it was me incognito.' "

It's a bit like if a CIA agent got stoped in the middle of his job by the bodyguard of a banana republic dictator and told "you're out of your juridiction, pal. Better call the boss and tell him the law 32030pooDC is in action"

It's not her usual job, too so it could have been a factor.

Third: we're in Japan, and this Chinese spirit was stil able to match our family. It's obvious she's quite powerful

>>43487631
>[] I'll have to think on it.
>[] Can we make that happen?

>>43487631
[x] Can't I kick this up to Upper Management, since this is interfering with the project I was assigned?
[x] I think I'll send another letter.
Isn't there a form we can file or an application we can send in to delay or stop this? It's a celestial bureaucracy after all.

>>43487631
>>43487770
Haha, I like it anon. Might as well ask right?

>>43487631
>to convince Mo Wang to call them off
>[] I think I'll send another letter.
Our lawyers should call his lawyers about the level of force necessary for this matter and how to properly handle a demigod that has yet to achieve its destiny inside the Heavenly Bureaucracy.

>[] I'll have to think on it.
And then we'll Batman something up for what is left.

This is terrible advice, but we could totally prevent him from being a problem by ascending to godhood entirely.

Just saying.

>>43487828
This isn't a bad idea. If we take up our duties there's no reason for them to come after all.

>>43487608

>The demon Fyusumi took her name from your language, but she is Chinese. Her powers are those of an evil Taoist magician. A sort of immortality in hell. She revels in her corruption, but the Tao does not consider any act of good or evil, only those in line with the Tao and not.) You find her digression a little odd, but save your comments.

Something tell me Er Yin disapprove.

> She is not bright, hardly worth the time to mention save that she is deadly poison.

Rude.

Though, this is quite brillant, actually. Emotions are always the part Dragons are the less protected. Like in this tale where the Lung became vainglorious and grew slothful and fat, and then was killed by the ones invading the palace he had to protect. Or how Orobi got defeated, for that matter.

Mmmh... She might have more brains than Er Yin give her credit for, or she has someone doing the thinking for her.


>>43487631
>[] I'll have to think on it.
>[] Right, so, one last thing....

>Hug the Er Yin, kiss the Er Yin

>>43487807
Susanooh may want our project and our job, but even he should see the problem of having the Director of a neighboring region mucking around in the resource allocation and project management of our office.

>>43487720
>Third: we're in Japan, and this Chinese spirit was stil able to match our family. It's obvious she's quite powerful
We're talking about entirely different spheres of power, here. A strong power spirit-child is still not peer to a proper spirit. While several of our family members are very powerful spirit-children, maybe even near the upper edge of the scale, actual dragons are measured in a completely different metric. Their "mediocre" is our "elite." Even if Fenghuang is the weakest of the eight, that just means she's the worst of the best, while we're the best of the middle.

Hell, one of our fourth-tier barrier techniques is asking a (The) true dragon to step on someone. Not actually attack, really, just move their leg.
That's the sort of shit these demons are apparently known for killing. Maybe that would qualify as an incredibly difficult fight for them, but for US that would just be a hopeless death sentence.

>>43487828
Everyone has a place in their cosmology, foreign or not. I'm hoping we can make him wait until we're "in office" and then we rekt Japan, say our greetings and go on.

Best case scenario, maybe we can get some help to do it properly, because Oba-san wants to impersonate a deity and I doubt that's allowed.

I wonder what exactly makes Ryukusa a demon tamer.

>>43487828

Actually, it wouldn't work.

It would just bring the battlefield to a different level. And leave Japan wrecked

>>43487948
I thought the whole reason they were after us was to stop us from ascending? And leaving Japan wrecked isn't exactly something we have a choice in, possible mitigation aside.

>>43487631
>[] I think I'll send another letter.
Does his concern with what we're going to do include that the disaster we will inflict upon Japan include that we'll effect Buddists in Japan? Wouldn't we be stepping in on his territory if we did that?

>>43488030

Well, Enma-Oh would rather have us not ascending, but it wouldn't stop the problem to ascend. It's just that now Enma-Oh can deal with the problem personaly

>>43487948
>I wonder what exactly makes Ryukusa a demon tamer
I think it just comes with the territory. We're coming into Power with a capital P and a position of Authority with a capital A, in service to AUTHORITY in ten-foot-high flaming letters.

We're just moving into the circles that demons are meant to obey by nature.

>>43488099
>Does his concern with what we're going to do include that the disaster we will inflict upon Japan include that we'll effect Buddists in Japan
I remember this was stated as one of the reasons that Enma-Oh even has any authority to do this at all.

But the project to wreck Japan to heal it spiritually was already approved by the Board. If he wants to stop it, he would need to stop Ryukusa/Horobi, and Susano-oh, who is the backup project leader. If he does that, it could result in the Great Kami of Japan taking offense at his interference, since they're still supposed to have final say on what happens in Japan.

So, now, we go see our kids?

>>43488099

It's probably part of his concern

>>43487900

One way or another, we'll have to deal with Fenghuan soon. Taoist corruption, sure. Illusions beyond real, alright. Incredibly powerful demon, why not. But emotions are something Ryukusa has really been struggling with.

>>43487631
>[] I'll have to think on it.
>[] Can we make that happen?
>[] Right, so, one last thing....

>>43488119


Dunno, dunno. I get the impression it's Ryukusa's personality that specificaly give her this option. Or maybe it just makes her try, when others don't bother.
>>43488205

Don't forget that messing up with the project leader risk to feed the fire of the conflict between the Buddhist shareholders and the others, but that it might be a deliberate move to make the market go crazy.

>>43488205
Trying to stop us could easily reignite the war though. We should consider that Enma-Oh thinks either they'll win in such an engagement, wants to change what nature the disaster will take (expanding Buddist influence, or possibly taking over a portion of Japan to have a place that is both Hell and Earth at the same time), and has something up their sleeve regarding this.

Heck, Enma-Oh might already be doing things that are a violation of the peace.

>look up the Jade Emperor
This dude won't be any help. Everything he does, no matter how minor, takes him literally millions of years.

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[XX] I'll have to think on it.
[XX] Can we make that happen?
[X] I think I'll send another letter.
[+] Can I contact upper management, or have our lawyers call their lawyers....

(So, there's no way we can have our lawyers call their lawyers, talk over tea....) The look on Er Yin's face is terrifying, because she looks like you not only just kicked her in the gut, she looks ~guilty~. (….we don't....have to have the lawyers talk, do we. You're my seer, Jinyuu-onee-sama is my spiritualist....and I'm the boss.)

(Yes, Ryukusa-sama.) She bows her head.

(That's....really disconcerting. I thought there was another layer between me and the rest of the spiritual world, but there really isn't one anymore, is there.) Er Yin smiles, still a touch guilty but you reach over and take her hand, pulling her close. She looks a little startled, and then smiles as you nuzzle up to her and whisper softly. (I'll have to think on it, of course, and we can make it happen, so I'm not so worried about all that. If we have a week, I have time to make plans and deal with life. And there's a lot of life we're all missing out on right now.)

Your seer embraces you and strokes your hair, holding you close. (Oh, Ryukusa-sama, there will be time enough for us all.) Nodding, you pull her down for a slow, deep kiss. She fades and you can taste ozone and jasmine on your lips. The scent of cherry blossoms though, is coming from behind you on the breeze. The last thoughts in your mind are of the letter you had Akari draft for you, to invite the Mill Pond Demon for tea, that she has yet to send, and the knowledge that certain oil paints can be used under water, fruits of Er Yin and Jinyuu and Shoko trying to discover a way to paint in water.

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>>43488703
You blink at the bright morning sun, taking a deep breath, not only of sea breeze but of the sweet scent of Sakura that surrounds your wife. Opening them, you look out over the ocean, as Kiki-hime settles next to you, dressed in the simple pink and fuchsia yukata you first saw her in so many weeks ago. Before she understood what kind of world she truly lived in. “You know those really are terrible colors for you, kasan.”

She smiles and kneels next to you, digging her knees into the smooth gravel. “Well, perhaps I wanted to give you the chance to undress me again later, Ryu-chan.” You can't help but smile, despite your head still being filled with images and thoughts from your shared moments with Er Yin-sensei. “But I have a question, Ryu-chan....”

[] No difficult questions today, please.
[] Tell me how Akari is doing first please?
[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
[] Only one? You're losing your touch....
[] Ah, my hesitation earlier....

>>43488727
>[] Only one? You're losing your touch....
Silly Ryukusa, you're the one who can pick multiple options!

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
>[] Only one? You're losing your touch....

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
>[] Only one? You're losing your touch...

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
>[] Only one? You're losing your touch....

>>43488727
>[] Tell me how Akari is doing first please?
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
>[] Only one? You're losing your touch....

>[] Ask about Akari afterwards.

>>43488703
>The look on Er Yin's face is terrifying, because she looks like you not only just kicked her in the gut, she looks ~guilty~.

It's okay, I didn't need my feelings

>>43488727
>[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.

>>43488727
>[x] Ah, my hesitation earlier....

Time to let the fox out of the bag, probably

>>43488727
>[X] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
>[X] Only one? You're losing your touch....
>X[] Ah, my hesitation earlier....

>>43488727
[] Only one? You're losing your touch....
[] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.

>>43488945
Well if she was a better lawyer she would not have anything to feel guilty about. Thats what you get for over specializing in seer.

>>43488727

Adding to my vote here >>43488945

>Sit next to her

>>43489065
But she's already sitting next to us. What is this supposed to accomplish?

We never sworn to keep the events with Kodachi a secret, right? Ryukusa is just too ashamed to mention them.

Kodachi is definitively one of the persons I want Ryukusa to hug forever.

>>43489091

Oh, I misread a part. I thought Ryukusa was standing

>>43489131
Correct. Revealing another's failings, tragedies, and so on is pretty taboo. It stems from how the Japanese see karma (something bad is MEANT to happen to those who deserve it, someone raped must have been asking for it/done something terrible).

It's pretty sick.

>>43489202

Not to mention how shameful admitting weakness is

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[XX] Ask anything and I'll answer as best I can.
[X] Only one? You're losing your touch....
[+] Tell me how Akari is doing later please?

You take a slow, calming breath, but there is trepidation, and a little fear – yes, you admit it, fear – because there's not that much to ask about right now. “Well, you may ask anything you like, and I'll answer as best I can, but there's a lot of things I may not have answers for.” You turn and look at her, but her face is tilted down at her hands on her thighs, clearly calm and controlled with her eyes closed Thoughtful. “But I don't think this is going to be one of those questions.” You take a deep breath.

“But, since it's only one question, you must be losing your touch. You had all sorts of questions about things before, when we at home.” That does make her open her eyes and look at you sidelong, a ghost of a smile curling her lips. “But if it's just the one question....”

“Well....maybe two.” Hmn, not a very good sign for you.

“I thought I said three on you, one on Akari-niji-chan at all times, anyways.”

“Of course. My sister is with Akari-chan, and the rest are watching us now, from a little distance.” You nod, not too terribly concerned; Inau has that bow, and Yui is a cloud rider. If Yuuhi-chan really has samurai training, she probably has a yumi of her own too. “But I did not think I wanted them to hear the things I was going to ask you about, Ryu-chan.”

“You're being terribly formal, kasan....” you point out gently.

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>>43489305
“Yes, I suppose so, Ryu-chan. Because....I think you were going to say something, when you were talking about dealing with your anger. I don't think....I am pretty sure you don't just mean anger.” She leans forward and runs her fingers over one of the larger pebbles, the soft noise barely noticeable over the susurration of the surf. “May this small, ignorant dragon ask what it was that bothers you so deeply?”

[] ….um. Are you sure you want to?
[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
[] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

>>43489281
Indeed. Admitting someone isn't strong enough to do something? Whining, disrespecting the order of the world! Just git gud already.

>>43489325
>[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
>[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?

>>43489325
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.

>>43489325
>[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
>[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?

>>43489325
>[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?

>>43489325


>...Please do not judge this small, stupid dragon too harshly, Kiki-kasan-chan
>[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
>[] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

>>43489325
[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
[] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.
[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
>[] Sometimes I wonder if, this time, what if I think is right isn't.

>>43489325
think she needs some truth.
>[x] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
>[x] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

>>43489325
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
>[] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

>>43489360
>>43489378
>>43489393
>>43489400

I think we should tell her about the murders now. You can't sugar-coat that kind of things.

Eh. I wonder if this is the moment of the trial for Kiki's feelings

>>43489448
Adding
>[X] If she seems like she wants to know let her know loveling. This seems to be bothering her.

Should we ask the others to come closer?

>>43489485
Agree with you. We need to let kiki in on our feelings and past for her sake as much as ours.

>>43489325
>[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
I wonder if throughout all those codes of morality the Japanese have there's a line or a loop that allows our wife (and lovers?) to know our secrets, even if they involve a third party.

>>43489559
XS mentioned that between women there is a more lax version of those codes, and Ryukusa has used that loophole before but she has to actually think about it since it's not ingrained into her culture-wise.

>>43489559

>I wonder if throughout all those codes of morality the Japanese have there's a line or a loop that allows our wife (and lovers?) to know our secrets, even if they involve a third party.

Yes. It's called "telling them"

>>43489325
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
Silly Ryukusa.

>>43489623
Nice and sneak. I like it.

>>43489612

I say she should tell those codes to fuck off.

Ryukusa is Eta, there is no reason to follow proper conduct. Though it's true criminals and outcasts tend to be rather hypocritical about it.

>>43489492
>I am not certain what your phrasing is there.

>>43489653

Please, no reason to be cryptic

>>43489688
I think part of Ryukusa's problem is she tends to follow the more masculine code of morality combined with the criminals code of silence.

>>43489722

Well, some of her problems is that parts of the moral standards are really here to ward off Bad Things, while others are just socio-cultural agreements more or less outdated

'Cmon, guys.

We need to tell them, and we said we will answer anything she asked the bast we could.

Let's not screw this up by not saying all the truth, right now.

>>43489325

Adding to my vote here >>43489412

>*take a deep breath, calm ourself. They are our amazing, wonderful loved ones, we must tell them what we did and hope they accept it.*

>>43489901

"hope" as in "we love them entirely, and we don't take them for granted"

>>43489689
Sorry just got off a 14 hour shift. I just meant we should make sure to tell her what she needs to know cause it feels like us not letting her understand us causes her to worry

I am disappoint on how this vote is going.

>>43490012
Add more custom votes XS puts them on a high priority.

>>43490012

I mean, if there is one moment we really need to be straightforward, it's right now. Note that "straightforward" doesn't mean "blunt"

>>43490012
What do you dislike about what people are voting for and what do you feel people should be voting for?

>>43489325
>[] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
>[] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
>[] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?

>>43489325

Adding something once again here:>>43489412

>I killed the brother of Kodachi Umetsume with the kami blade he carried. I was wounded, terrified, and so, so angry. And I couldn't help her...

>>43490102

I think Ryukusa should tell her beloved about the murders.

The majority of the votes are going for whish-washy or cryptic, instead of telling the core of the issue, which is a disrespect for everyone involved

>>43490214
Then you should make a custom vote yourself for what you think Ryukusa should talk about, avoiding the bits Ryukusa would consider improper/things she wouldn't discuss, or alluding to that. Custom votes are on a whole other tier to non-custom.

>>43490214

And I can't help but think that not telling them straightfowardly is a terrible idea that will have shitty consequences

>>43490279

That's what I did. The point is, this is a democratical process, and I find a bit disturbing (for lack of a better workd) than most of the other anons don't agree on this point with me.

>>43490335
*better word

I mean, it's not narcissism talking. Paranoia maybe, though. I can't shake this impression we're going to miss an important character moment

>>43490335
Point it out. I agree with you on the subject of telling her EVERYTHING, because that's Ryukusa's problem here. She's scared that Kiki loves an IDEA of her, and not actually her. Telling Kiki about everything she's done (within reason and certain promises) is something she really does have to do, and is the reason why their relationship is fragile.

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[XXXX] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
[XXX] Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
[XX] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
[X] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

[X] Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later....time to be honest with your wife to be.

“Akari-niji-chan is right you know.” She blinks and looks at you, a little taken aback by your seemingly non-sequitur statement. “Sometimes, I do have a hard time remembering that I am a good person.” To your great relief she simple listens, rather than disagreeing with you. This is hard enough without falling back into bad habits of hiding behind another's acceptance of your nature. Besides, it's not your nature you're trying to change, just some bad habits.

“See....I don't know how well you remember our times at high school. I don't forget much, not even after being trapped in a Hell for two hundred years. If anything it makes the memory more acute, because it's so....ingrained.” You look up at the blue sky, wispy white clouds forming and dissolving. “And I'm really not so sure it's something you'll want to hear. But it is something you have to hear. Deserve to hear. Because sometimes, I don't know if what I did was right, or wrong. I know that it was....necessary because of who I am.”

You close your eyes and resist the urge to clench your hands – the right would be fine, but the left is still healing. Also, you'd shred your nice outfit, not to mention the flesh under it. “I think that's what makes it worse. That it could be because if who I was meant to be that these things happened, and that Oba-san's manipulations made them happen less, or could have prevented them. It's impossible to know, really.” It was as though that didn't have any bearing until you were told you were truly a demigod. Because demigods do things. Change things.

Have things happen around them.

>>43490392

>Point it out

What do you mean?

So was listening to some music with a dark undertone in it, reading this, and suddenly had an image of Ryukasa smiling... and it was her Demi-God mode smile.

And I can't help but wonder what would have happened if she had gone bad. Not had enough Kindness in her to off-set the Destroyer or turned others away.

Just something to think about maybe. Alt world thread? Or maybe audience omakes on another thread. Or not, /tg/ doesn't really seem to do that stuff often. Or at least not in the GM/QMs threads which is only polite.

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>>43490408
“I murdered some people, kasan.” You can't miss the sharp intake of breath from your wife. “And when I say murder, I mean murder. Not necessarily in cold blood, no, but it was not because I was told to do so, or made to do so as part of my duties or training. I killed them because I thought they needed to be killed. So....it was murder. Unsanctioned killing of people.”

You take a deep breath, centering yourself, reminding yourself that they are family, and more than family. “I murdered Kodachi Umetsumi's older half brother. I murdered Ryuu Nezumi, Ryuu Asari, and Ryuu Togetsu. I murdered the first because I couldn't help Umetsumi any other way. I murdered the others because they were going to kill Akari.” You clench your hands, ignoring the pain it causes you. “I murdered them, and hid that from everyone.”

Kiki-hime's breaths are quick, uneven, and her eyes are wide and shocked. She doesn't speak, and you wipe tears from your eyes. Tears that fall because you don't know anything, at the moment. You don't know how she'll react, you don't know what you should feel, and you don't know if you've destroyed your family.

But you'll find out soon enough.

>To be Continued....

>>43490408
The true always comes out eventually.

>>43490429
Actually, I just remembered some threads have a story-time (like Maverick Hunter), so ignore me on that bit at least.

>>43490429
>And I can't help but wonder what would have happened if she had gone bad. Not had enough Kindness in her to off-set the Destroyer or turned others away.

Er Yin's test would have ended her.

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Thank you for reading and playing. Next session tomorrow, barring more migraines. 'Tis the season.

Short time for questions.

>>43490464
Hm, true. Didn't think about that part of it. Oh, well drop that idea in the trashbin I guess.

>>43490482
Thanks for running XS.

>>43490434
Thanks for writing XS was pretty intense at the end there.

>>43490408
schoolgirls kiki and ryu?

And the final tally when I finished writing was

[6] Sometimes I have a hard time remembering I'm good.
[5 Do you remember our days at the high school very well?
[4] I'm not sure it is something you want to hear.
[3] I have committed murder a couple of times, kasan.

Plus three suplimentary write-ins that pushed for a plea form clemency and admission of a lack of moral compass on Ryukusa's part (both of which will be dealt with more in depth next session), along with explanation of exactly how Umetsumi's brother died (also to be detailed next session0.

>>43490482
Since the destruction ordered by Amaterasu is supposed to revive the Japanese peoples' spiritual connection with nature and the kami, how would increased Westernization and Western morals/social codes fit into the restoration?

>>43490482
One day, XS, I'm going to actually get a decent education in human anatomy, biology, and being an apothecary, and I'm going to find a way to heal some of what ails you.

Thanks for running.

>>43490434
Thanks for running!

>>43490482

Thanks for running!

Your incredible mastery over words is only topped by the ones you have over feelings.

I have two questions: is this "demon taming" capacity something that many people have, or is it more exclusive, and how old were those three Ryuu our dragonette killed?

>>43490602
I think so, in their human appearances. Though Ryukusa wore boys uniforms more often than not.

>>43490494
I trust our humble questmasters writing enough that it wouldn't have been a simple game over. She would have changed the game.

>>43490482
Thanks for running!

>>43490644
While i'm curious how it would have been if it had gone that route, i'm pretty satisfied with how it is right now.

>>43490636
Dam i am going to have to do fanart of Ryu in boys school cloths i guess.

>>43490628
A lung transplant. That's it.

>>43490618
That is an excellent question, and I'm glad you asked it.

>>43490634
It's VERY exclusive. It's exclusive even among demigods - it has to do with Ryukusa's nature as a destroyer, and choosing not to destroy something because it has the capacity to achieve enlightenment. When a demon - or oni-child, for example - "turns", it's a way of refusing the base nature it had and dedicating itself to achieve a higher purpose, a human or even divine nature.

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>>43490644
You would be correct.

It would have become a much darker, far less joyful game though.

I find it very strong, symbolicly, that it's Kiki in the role of the judge here, both metaphoricaly and literaly.

And it's very interesting that it's Yuuhi, Yui and Inau who accompany her, while Kiku and Akari are outside of the scene

>>43490750
Interesting that you noticed it.

>>43490750

In fact, it's pretty much perfect on too many level

>>43490750
Could you elaborate for a tired anon that doesn't see the connections?

>>43490779

Thank you. Pattern recognition in stories is one of my few talents.

>>43490746
Don't sell yourself short, XS. It'd just be a different kind of story, and Ryukusa would be a different kind of person.

>>43490849
I'm not, i just know that if I started down that road, it would be very dark. Not bad, only darker.

I'm pretty sure there would have been a lot more heads rolling a lot faster....and that Susano-Oh himself would quickly have become involved.

>>43490893
Like this quest is an exploration of what THIS side of things is, it would be an exploration of the other. And while it'd be dark, it'd have moments of light, I think.

Just because that Ryukusa isn't nice doesn't mean she'd want the world to die.

>>43490893
Dark alt-reality quest one shot when?

>>43490893
Ryukasa the murder-hobo asshole... that last one being stepping on his turf and thus why he comes down?

>>43490958
You read my mind, didn't you? I was just about to say something like that
I'd support the idea. Could be "fun"

>>43490958
Original Anon who started all this here.

I was wondering the same thing, but didn't want to drop more work on XS.

>Ryukusa going "let's get serious, I'm going to kill everyone in this world"
She would've ascended faster, that's for sure. Would Inari still have been "gathered" in this iteration?

>>43491035
Oh, most likely - but it would have been a much different set of relationships indeed, since part of it would involve literally enslaving Er Yin to Ryukusa's will, pulling rank on her priestess, and using Akari and Yui to actually do the dirty work she takes on herself currently. The most interesting one would have been how Kiki reacted....I'm not sure how she'd have coped.

>>43490992
>>43490958
I'll have to consider it carefully, but it's unlikely until this questis done - cross contamination is actually a problem in my brain.

>>43490965
Yes, essentially.

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>>43491115
Another aspect of what might have changed is Ryukusa's appearance, which is partly based on what she's been through/how she gained power.

Of course, you're still going to meet at least one other potential version of her....Aokigahara's medium.

>>43491115
>I'll have to consider it carefully, but it's unlikely until this questis done - cross contamination is actually a problem in my brain.

Yeah, that's a very good reason not to do it. would suck if this became darker because of it when we have such a nice thing going. Still, an idea for later perhaps.

>>43491115
>Yes, essentially.

That... Where's the entirety of the Enterprise face-palming at once when you need it?

>>43490429
Yui would be dead, for one

>>43491115
> cross contamination is actually a problem in my brain.
Ah, my apologies. I can see that being a thing.

Now on that note, if we hypothetically ascended for whatever reason would the quest end shortly thereafter or would it just change the game a bit?

>>43491215
The quest ends when you ascend and finish dealing with the people who fucked with your family's lives for once and for all. That's how it was designed in the thread, that's how it will be.

Good note, bad note, joy or pain....that's still entirely up to the players. There isn't a 'set in stone ending' any more than there has been for any other quest i've run.

>>43491115
>I'm not sure how she'd have coped.
Mindbroken Kiki slave when?

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And with that, good night to all. See you tomorrow, if all goes well.

>>43491312
Cruel! Pls go!

>>43491312
The idea of Ryukusa being yandere for Kiki is somewhat terrifying.

"The best toy is one you can't break!"

>>43491344
>>43491361
Kiki would be a tree watered with poisoned water

>>43490634
Oh, to answer the other half of the question: Ryukusa was 12. Nezumi, Asari, and Togetsu were 10, 13, and 12 respectively.

>>43490834

[1/2]

Well, keep in mind I'm also a very tired anon, so sorry if it's a mess.

Akari and Kiku are specificaly outside the scene. Both are utterly devoted to Ryukusa, even if in different ways, and I don't think they wouldn't accept Ryukusa. Keep in mind that Kiku's is to see the truth, and that Akari has known her the longest. But now is not the time of certitudes.

Yui, Yuuhi and Inau are both, so to speak, "outsiders" and "newcomers". They are not elemental dragonettes, and they are from the margins, yet all are connected to Ryukusa in different ways. Yui, oni-child, who to Ryukusa's Protector of Smile aspect and showing the balance that allows Ryukusa to succeed Er Yin's test. She is known to see things differently from others. Yuuhi, enlightened nogitsune-child, who met Ryukusa as part of her duty toward the previous incarnation of Horobi, and who is also known for her very peculiar way of reasoning. Inau, aynu demigoddess, whose link with Ryukusa started from the latter's demigodhood and Kamuy nature, as well a Inau's midwife job. It is unsure what her relationship with Ryukusa will be, but she became part of the family regardless of how it will evolve.

All those things are not related to the fact Ryukusa murdered four people. Yuuhi will probably not be bothered by it. Yui, for her part, would certainly think murder isn't a problem to protect your loved ones, and Inau... well, long story short, Things happen around demigods, is from more primal deities than most Kami, and she knows how important defending someone is. Note that all three have a connection to the Void.


And then, we have Kiki. Our dear Kiki, for whom Ryukusa was a distant "white knight" that she could only dream to see close, until the day the dream became real. Kiki, whose relationship with Ryukusa is somewhat fragile, because it is more based on mutual attraction than on shared history. Kiki, who was at ground 0 of the bombshell.

>>43491115
>I'll have to consider it carefully, but it's unlikely until this questis done - cross contamination is actually a problem in my brain.
Clearly the solution is to throw canon out the window and run it as a parody, and then drink heavily afterwards to forget it ever happened.

>Ryukuza Quest: Twirler of Mustaches and Dastardly Dragonette

>Stage 90: Swerve on a Nigga

>You are Ryuu Ryukusa, and you have just defeated Colonel Blitzenberg through the application copious amounts of explosives.

>More specifically, you lured in everyone capable of breaking into a Barrier, whereupon they learned that it's rather difficult to enact Barrier Combat while you're drowning and also being depth-charged; after which, you strolled around the complex under the cover of another Barrier, laying down obscene amounts of timed explosives.

>Currently, you're washing away the evidence with a sudden torrential downpour, laughing maniacally, while Akari swoons beside you, her undergarments soaked from more than just the rain. She hovers, half drawn in by the drowning depths of your cold eyes, half-afraid to step too near for fear of her nigh-impenetrable Stone Dragonette flesh getting cut on all your edges.

>[] Think about the last time you blew someone up. (Flashback)
>[] Calm yourself and still the ice-cold blood that beats within your heart, calling its like that flows within the veins of your enemies. (Edge Decrease.)
>[] Pray and commune with the Kami. (Scare the Kami Shitless.)
>[] Twirl your mustache. (Edge Increase)
>>[] Grow a mustache. (Facial Hair Increase)

>>43491456

[2/2]

And of course, Kiki who is of Wood.

In front of her are the potential paths she can take. The potential branches of the tree she's been grooming.Ryukusa is of Water, she provided to her beloved what she needed to make the tree grow.

And it is up to Kiki, who was a few weeks ago ignorant of how the world of the spirits worked, to make her choice on which branch will grow.

>>43491456
>>43491591

I hope it makes sense.

To summarize: Kiki is at the crossroad, and Yui, Yuuhi and Inau are "neutral observers", who can each give her a different viewpoint

>>43491538
>[] Twirl your mustache. (Edge Increase)
>>[] Grow a mustache. (Facial Hair Increase)
But it has to be specifically one of those dragon whisker deals.

>>43491115
>>43491312
>>43491361

This is just too horrible.

>>43491653
Thanks!

>>43491538
>[X]Rape the Kiki
>again

>>43491857

You're welcome. Once again, it might just me going crazy form lack of sleep

>>43491653
So what you're saying here is that how Kiki chooses to react to this will decide both how Ryu will act from now on, how Kiki herself will view things, and the future of how their relationship will work in the future?
That's pretty heavy...