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>>2113804
The other applications for such a spell make you very glad Er Yin loves you and is on your side. You shudder to think of what might happen if someone like the Kaga or Toshio Ryoga got their hands on that kind of subtle magic.

The first indication that something has gone wrong is a loud altercation at the secondary side exit, where you and your own heavily disguised group are mingling with the crowd of less fanatic theater-goers. Shinkai Yamada and his wife, it seems, are leaving this way as well, avoiding the crowds, fans and the possibility of seeing you again. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that he's berating other Yakuza and telling them to keep an eye out for you. Tachibana is there, along with Yamada's remaining bodyguards, and with two more bodyguards. Undoubtedly Natto's remaining thugs, protecting Shinkai Mikurabe, who still looks somewhat despondent.

Akari, who currently looks like a Japanese schoolgirl (big stretch, obviously), glances at you, while Yui and Shoko move a little closer to Kiki-hime. Yuuhi, on the other hand, lays the fingers of her right hand along your wrist, waiting for the merest hint of an order. Kiki-hime looks worried, but not unduly so. Her faith in your people and you is unwavering.

[] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.
[] Have Akari-niji-chan see what's going on personally.
[] Shoko and Yui can take the princess on a cloud, since you're less worried about other spirit children.
[] A medical emergency might be in order – taking Yamada hostage might let everyone escape more easily.
[] Side step the issue and take your people off to one side; wait for the commotion to die down.

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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2095289/

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

Kissing! http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/574453/

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

Megaupload of the RTF document of Ryukusa Quest (links to archive included): https://mega.nz/#!d2xySaAJ!jUydCgDx6Q68PH6u4L_qFR03IhSGrAxak_m0PBorN5o

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

>Ryukusa's Treasures

Her name: Ryuu Yorihokura

Rie, the God's Eye Nekomata that protects your Family.

Matagama-no-Shitoki, a necklace kami in its 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 that appears to be made of some alloy of titanium.

Seido-no-Shinpi-Tekina-Ken – a mysterious bronze sword given to Ryukusa by the mermaids of Japan; actually found to be the legendary blade Ame-no-Ohabari.

Go-Yurei-no-Rensa, the Five-Ghost-Chain, used to summon or send messages to your (actual) older sister Ryuu Nabiki.

Her Penthouse in the Secret Apartments of Tsathoggua in Shikoku prefecture, Tokyo.

Shikoku Naya, her fashion teacher and seamstress.

Hisaka Subaru, her weaver and dressmaking teacher.

Ryukusa's Family.

>Talismans:
Akari – Black Jade Centipede (Mukade)
Er Yin – Black Jade Scorpion (Sasori)
Kiki – Black Jade Toad (Hikigaeru)
Kiku – Black Jade Lizard (Tokage)
Yui – Black Jade Snake (Hebi)
Inau – Black Coral Ear Cuff (Amatsukami)

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Ryuu Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8"; 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Matagama Kiku is 4' 1” for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Ryuu Akari is 5' 3" and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch, cosplayer.
Ryuu Yui is 6' 3” and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control. Dyke, switch.
Ryuu Kiki is 5' 6" and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Er Yin Long is the tall at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant.
Ryuu Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches. 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, just 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 is much less 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 scattered to the winds and blessed in death.
Toshida Ginka is 5” 3” and fully grown. Turtles have a reputation.
Ryuu Wakaba is a head shorter and also deceased.
Margaret Steinhausen is gratefully dead.
Ryuu Sakumo is dead and spread far and wide.
Ryuu Nabiki is 5' 3” and fully transformed. Embarrassingly straight.
Ryuu Shinju is 4' 11” and fully grown. She is coy, maybe a dodomeki-child.
Ryuu Himeyuri is 5' 5” and is supposedly straight.
Ryuu Fuuta is 5' 6” and slightly less soft.
Kaga Kei is 5' 4” and fully grown. Might be experimental.
Kyubi-san is 6' 3” and fully grown. Hard to say.
Hisaka Subaru is 5' tall and 9' tall, and peculiar as all get out.
Shikoku Naya is 5' 4" (not including heels) and is fully grown. Entirely flexible.
Shinkai Yamada is 5' 7” and is straight.
Shinkai Mikurabe is 5' 2” (without heels) and is probably less straight than you thought.
"Shinkai" Hiei is a possible curse in the Theater.
"Shinkai" Serious Onii-san is 5' 6" and is asexual.
"Shinkai" Yoshihano is 6' 1" and may be a little gay.
Tachibana is 5” 7” and mostly asexual.
Natto is a wisp of black smoke in the wind.
Hebiki Rishi is 4' 10” and has a number of inches to grow. Questionable sexuality.

>>2113807
>[x] Have Akari-niji-chan see what's going on personally.
Akari can handle most things!

>>2113807

Hi XS! How are you?

>[] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.

>Discretely use Water Eyes on the Shinkai's little group and the other Yakuza, in particular Mikurabe. You're curious if today's events let her see her husband's mad plans for what they are, and what she's willing to do about it.

>>2113834

Eh, Akari can do it, but I'd rather not break the group until we're in the car.

Water Eyes can take care of the urgent stuff we need to know.

>>2113807
>[] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.

>>2113807
>[] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.
wonder how much mikurabe has figured out about our little fight earlier

>>2113837
Eyes isn't a bad idea. If there's ever a good time to get a little extra info...

I feel void eyes might go better to see if he has any other mystical types in his group.

>>2113871
Honestly most of the time it's tempting to spam all manner of eyes. Void might be better, we do often default to Water since it's what Ryukusa's most expert with really.

>[x] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.

Using eyes is an investiure of energy, can we afford that right now? I'm voting against.

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[X] Continue as planned – it would look weird if you didn't.
[+] Water Eyes

A sweeping glance across the crowd with Water Eyes tells you nothing that wasn't particularly obvious, of course. The general agitation, dismay, and concern is typical of a large group of people which have been blindsided by some obstinate or outrageous person causing a commotion. There's a fair bit of embarrassment for someone shaming themselves so much in public as well.

A more specific look at particular people, on the other hand, is much more enlightening.

Yamada is going ballistic. Not only has his most powerful and effective killing machine been killed, but the person who is subverting his control of Chisato (and therefore the Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shikoku districts) is in there somewhere, alive and barely hurt. He wants his men to make it much more hurt, preferably dead, now! Serious-onii-san and Yoshihano are having none of that shit; Serious-onii-san doesn't know precisely what happened, but he knows it wasn't natural, and he's not letting Yamada get killed over it. Yoshihano doesn't have the first clue as to what's going on, but he trusts his gut, and currently his gut says 'get the fuck out'.

Tachibana, along with the Sharp Dressed Man, is much more concerned with the well being of Shinkai Mikurabe, whose despair at realizing that she has not only been outmaneuvered but outclassed has become an intolerant depression. Oh, she can play the good wife for now, keep her head down and not say anything, but she's done with Yamada for a good long time. He's squandered her talents, been unable to help her gain any status in her own clan, and screwed up the one chance that she's had to make a name for herself among the Kaga.

It seems that she hasn't realized the Kaga are moving against you just yet. She must be out of touch with her immediate family. That won't last long if she's this annoyed at Yamada.

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>>2113887
Water Eyes also reveals a third individual watching out for Shinkai Mikurabe. This fellow blends in perfectly to the crowd, despite his long jacket concealing a sword – not a katana, some kind of long sword or straight blade – and his pale complexion indicating that he's a foreigner. He is searching for you, though he doesn't know he's specifically searching for you. He is most curious as to what kind of person or thing could possibly have killed Natto and Natto's son, and riled the ordinarily unflappable Shinkai Yamada, a man of iron control and great patience. The thing that makes him most dangerous is exactly that curiosity.

Well that and his nekomata blood; he's a child of the cat youkai.

[] Shut down Water Eyes and point him out as a threat to your clan.
[] He hasn't noticed your Water eyes – and he shouldn't – so see what more you can learn.
[] Have Akari invite him over for a short, to the point talk.
[] Have Yui-niji-chan deliver an invitation to him and his master for a small, private meeting.
[] Let Akari and Yuuhi know, but don't alarm the others – he's only a half dozen people away, mingling with the crowd like your people are.

>>2113889
>[x] Let Akari and Yuuhi know, but don't alarm the others – he's only a half dozen people away, mingling with the crowd like your people are.
>[x] He hasn't noticed your Water eyes – and he shouldn't – so see what more you can learn.
Iiiiinteresting.

>>2113889
>[] Have Yui-niji-chan deliver an invitation to him and his master for a small, private meeting.
>[] Let Akari and Yuuhi know, but don't alarm the others – he's only a half dozen people away, mingling with the crowd like your people are.

>>2113889
>[] Shut down Water Eyes and point him out as a threat to your clan.
>[] Have Yui-niji-chan deliver an invitation to him and his master for a small, private meeting.
nekomata means trouble, even if he isn't hostile

>>2113902
Seconded. Let's make him a known quantity.

I'm guessing Yamada's people know about him, if he knows about them. Incognito guard or inconvenient meddler though...

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[XX] Have Yui-niji-chan deliver an invitation to him and his master for a small, private meeting.
[X] Let Akari and Yuuhi know, but don't alarm the others – he's only a half dozen people away, mingling with the crowd like your people are.
[X] Shut down Water Eyes and point him out as a threat to your clan.

Turnign your hand in Yuuhi's and gently holding it....and enjoying that her ears stand straight up while she blushes as you hold her hand in public....you trace kanji along her knuckles, informing her of your observation. She picks him instantly once she knows what to look for. Nekomata-born are rare, even more rare than bakeneko-born. The cat youkai are standoffish at the best of times, and rarely do they get the attention of or try to have an affair with a human.

Yuuhi-chan turns around, smiling toothily, and giving you that patented 'he he he' of the knowing lovebird type, before slipping between you and him switching her sword to the other hand. She once more takes your hand in hers, cheeks still pink and tail lashing behind her as she sidles close.

Alerting Akari-niji-chan is merely a matter of flicking a tiny dart of a breeze at her, which she deftly avoids. You are already making signs to her, faster than a curious Yui-niji-chan can follow. While Akari-niji-chan doesn't acknowledge, she does take Yui-niji-chan aside and puffs a soft breath into her ear, her hand tracing rote-learned symbols onto a bare spot on her arm. A number of theater goers notice their intimacy, and they get smiles, disapproving looks, and adoring looks in equal measure.

Kiki-hime notices something is up of course, especially when Yui-niji-chan and Akari-niji-chan trade places. Shoko ignores it all, naturally, though your sister – using Water Eyes herself – is looking fairly upset. You don't particularly blame her – the crowd near the door is staring ti become more uneasy.

[] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
[] Casually engage in some light conversation. That will help.
[] Be up front – a crowd like this is it's own noise screen.
[] Ask Jinyuu-onee-sama what's wrong, as if you didn't know, before she panics someone.
[] Cooling the blood and stilling the adrenaline of the crowd before you will help some.

>>2113939
>[] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
>[] Casually engage in some light conversation. That will help.
yuuhi is best bodyguard

>>2113939
>[] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
>[] Casually engage in some light conversation. That will help.

>>2113939
>[x] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
>[x] Cooling the blood and stilling the adrenaline of the crowd before you will help some.
Crowd, this guy, mad yakuza, geez. Ryukusa just wanted a nice evening at the theatre! Gonna need our family focused and ready to go here.

>>2113939
>[] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
>[] Casually engage in some light conversation. That will help.

Sounds good.

Reminds me we have a cat youkai to meet again.

>Shinkai Mikurabe, whose despair at realizing that she has not only been outmaneuvered but outclassed has become an intolerant depression. Oh, she can play the good wife for now, keep her head down and not say anything, but she's done with Yamada for a good long time. He's squandered her talents, been unable to help her gain any status in her own clan, and screwed up the one chance that she's had to make a name for herself among the Kaga.

It seems that she hasn't realized the Kaga are moving against you just yet. She must be out of touch with her immediate family. That won't last long if she's this annoyed at Yamada.


Well, depending how loyal to the Kaga she is, I say we make her an offer before she contact hr family. She has skills that would still be useful to our clan, not to mention easier access to her husband's secrets.

And our clan offer both to give her a better position than what she has now (with means to get even higher in term of power), and we won't squander her talents.

Also, her husband's ship is sinking, and she has to see it.

I say contacting her soon is for the best.

>>2113939
>[] Ask Jinyuu-onee-sama what's wrong, as if you didn't know, before she panics someone.
>[] Cooling the blood and stilling the adrenaline of the crowd before you will help some.

>>2113968
It's tempting, though she might be too loyal to go for it. Her marriage seems certainly done for though. Complication may be if we do this before we deal with Yamada - he might be able to use that as leverage when we go to the yakuza, arguing that we stole his wife (hah) and he was justified or some shit. Granted nothing can justify his acts, but who knows if his boss is supernaturally educated.

>>2113974

Yamada's been betraying the yaks for a while, we can find the evidences. Hell, the sorceress could tell us about it.

in any case, worth a shot

>>2114036
True, in that way getting her on our side would be even more advantageous.

>>2113939
>[X] Be up front – a crowd like this is it's own noise screen.

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[XX] Calm the others down; no need to panic yet.
[X] Casually engage in some light conversation. That will help.
[x] Cooling the blood and stilling the adrenaline of the crowd before you will help some.

Your first instinct is to reach out and ease the adrenaline building in the blood of those nearest the door. The fact that you actually start to is a pretty good indicator that you're not in the clear yet, and you refrain from using your power on anyone except yourself. “Jinyuu-onee-sama?” you call just loud enough to be heard over the crowd.

“Yes, Ryukusa?” she asks attentively, her frown vanishing in the indulgent smile she offers you.

“I think chamomile tea would be very good for me. Will you make some for me?” Kiki-hime looks at you like you've gone nuts, and Yuuhi flicks her ears, 'hearing' the undertones of your question perhaps.

Akari-chan nods thoughtfully. “i think that would be the best possibly thing for our whole family. Maybe we should brew enough for everyone.” Jinyuu looks surprised, given that you and your family take pains at making sure everyone's favorites are readily available at home despite how many people live there.

Shoko-chan lays a thickly gloved hand on Kiki-hime's shoulder. “I think we could all do with a relaxing evening tonight, aniki. I have a tub of green tea ice cream at home that will help everyone cool down after how hot the theater has been.” Kami bless your setai-nushi; the theater is tightly temperature controlled, and Jinyuu-onee-sama (being a Water dragonette) undoubtedly felt it.

Jinyuu-onee-sama's expression doesn't change at all, as she realizes what you're actually asking finally. Her nature as a seer and her lack off experience in the world of spirit-children Yakuza clouded her thinking concerning using her powers on humans, but this is something of an emergency. “Of course. But you will still have to take medicine as well, imouto-chan.”

Kiki-hime covers her mouth with both hands as she hides the smile that immediately comes to the for as you blush hotly. Yuuhi-chan gives you an odd look and leans close. “She is your older sister, aniki!”

“Yes, Yuuhi, thank you.” You do manage to keep your temper out of your voice, though. She's a sweetheart, but sometimes....

You feel the wash of your sister's power sliding over the crowd, cooling tempers, easing the crowd's concerns, lowering the amount of adrenaline in the general area. Tensions ease, people relax, and most importantly, they become receptive to things outside of the slightly less angry diatribes slowing the exodus down.

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>>2114069
“I'm not quite sure what to think of them having a sixth actor, to be honest. It's not really something that's done. I could see it more in a kyogen, but as part of the play it seems a little outrageous.” A normal speaking voice catches the attention of people aside from your family of course, but it is Yuuhi-niji-chan who answers, unthinking and unconcerned by any ulterior motives you may have.

“She wasn't truly an actor in the play, aniki. She was more like a prop. A pretty, living, animated prop, but just a prop otherwise.” Yuuhi-chan doesn't say anything directly to Fuuta-chan or apologize to her, which is good. Fuuta-chan, realizing what you are doing, doesn't take any offense at all.

“She's got a point you know,” an older fellow in a comfy-looking and slightly rumpled ssuit says as he stands next to you. He adjusts his glasses and nearly drops the book filled with papers and notes. Once he recovers it safely, he smiles at you. “When they translated Shakespeare, Yorick-kun was played as a ghost in the drama, as a sixth actor. He only moved to reflect the moments of the main player, so he was technically a prop as well.”

Another person pipes up nearby, a young woman, perhaps a college student. “But she was playing the part of Kuraokami, so technically she was the one whom the play was about, indirectly, right?” Her friend nods twice, making agreeable noises.

“Well, she did respond to the foolishness of the oni, it's true,” Shoko replies, “but I think she was there more to show us that the spirit world was aware of the goings ons. So, not quite an actor, but not merely a prop either. Maybe a representative of the spirit world the play is meant to appease?” That does make Fuuta-chan blush, and you can't help a little smile creeping across your lips.

Yui-niji-chan steps up behind you and places an envelop in your free hand. You mouth a thank you to her, and she smiles gratefully, pleased by even the smallest of compliments. You suspect she'll be that way all her life. Which isn't a bad thing in your opinion. Tucking the letter in your jacket as the crowd starts to move forward more steadily, the conversations you started continue, and you relax, keeping an eye on the bodyguards and other notable people.

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>>2114074
To your immense surprise, you make it outside without any incidents or any of your people being accosted or harmed. It's a freakin' miracle, in your opinion, and you thank the Kami for their protection and guardianship – as well as one particular God's Eye Nekomata. Er Yin-sensei and Kiku-chan, along with a carefully inconspicuous Chisato, await you near an extra logn limousine. You make sure Kiki-hime is in after Shoko, with Yui behind her, then you allow yourself to be helped in by Yuuhi-chan, who watches you move with more concern in her large crimson eyes than you're really comfortably with seeing.

Only when your entire clan is inside and safe do you relax a little, and Chisato joins you in the back, rather than driving. Which, for once, you are perfectly happy with. You're not certain you could take her driving techniques at the moment.

“Man, Aoi-chan, I don't know how you handle seeing some of the shit you got around here!” she claims, while Kiku-chan and Yui-niji-chan start conferring softly. Kiki-hime takes you other hand, settling in next to you while Akari sits on your right, leaning against you lightly. “Seriously, some of those people are weird!”

“See much fucking weirder,” comments Shoko-chan as she sits on the floor and pulls a large jar of sake out of Nowhere. Yuuhi immediately grabs Inau-kun's hand and pull her out of the seat she's been planning to take and whirls her around, crashing her into Shoko's lap, much to their mutual shock and amazement. Not to mention giggles all around.

[] You get used to it. Or you have a psychotic break. Now these three stars....
[] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
[] Just smile and relax a little now that you're safe, enjoy your family's sweet banter.
[] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!
[] Have the driver take you to Hinata-hakase's. You need some serious help and you owe her a visit at least.

>>2114081
>[x] You get used to it. Or you have a psychotic break. Now these three stars....
>[x] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!
Success! Hopefully!

>>2114074
>Yorick-kun
haha

>>2114081
>[] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
>[] Just smile and relax a little now that you're safe, enjoy your family's sweet banter.
>[] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!

>>2114081
>[] Just smile and relax a little now that you're safe, enjoy your family's sweet banter.
>[] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!
Even though we do need to visit Hinata pretty soon, I feel like it might be best to be at the top of our game first.

Also loved the theater discussion earlier.

>>2114081
>[] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
>[] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!
more chisato makes everything better
hope we didnt forget anyone haha
how long is the car ride home?

>>2114081
>] You get used to it. Or you have a psychotic break. Now these three stars....
>[] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
>[] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!


The question is, whose lap(s)?

Should we ask them now about what they'd suggest to do with Shinkai Mikurabe?

>>2114081
>[x] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
>[x] Just smile and relax a little now that you're safe, enjoy your family's sweet banter.
>[x] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!

>>2114130
Probably the closest laps!
Doing something about her can wait until we get back...though there's nothing wrong with discussing it in the car beforehand.

>>2114104

>Also loved the theater discussion earlier.

It was amazing, indeed.

Why would we meet with Hinata now, though?

>>2114138

Can we go in Shoko's lap, too?

>>2114139
I think because there are one or two things she could help us with, but aren't we already in her debt?

>>2114139
Hinata is a better healer than Yui and Kiku combined and both would admit it readily. QM tries sort of to be fair about such options.

>>2114144
It seems occupied at the moment though!

>>2114139
>>2114104
>loved the theater discussion
/qst/ and it's world-building fetish, I swear.

>>2114081
>[] You get used to it. Or you have a psychotic break. Now these three stars....
>[] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.

>>2114151

Shoko is huge, we can share.

I at least want Shoko to feed us that tub of green tea ice cream while we are in her lap, at home. If she would enjoy that, of course.

>>2114153

This one scene made your world seem more alive than many pro authors can manage in a whole book

>>2114149
Seems awkward to rely on her unless we can offer something in return.

[XXX] Time to lie down and relax. You have laps, lots of them, time to use them!
[XX] Shoko has a point – she works with a privacy screen. No, really, it's her secretary.
[X] You get used to it. Or you have a psychotic break. Now these three stars....
[x] Just smile and relax a little now that you're safe, enjoy your family's sweet banter.

“Don't move,” you caution both Akari and Kiki-hime suddenly. You turn and slowly lower your upper body into Kiki-hime's lap, and then you slowly and very, very swing your legs out and over, sliding your hips into Akari's lap. Your tail flops over Fuuta's legs and she immediately begins stroking the soft fur along the top side of it. You take a deep breath, relaxing as much as you dare. “Left shoulder to lower ribs is off limits, and right thigh is off limits. Otherwise you can pet me,” you murmur as you start to shut down any nonessential muscle groups and become a length of liquid reptile along your wife's and best friend's laps.

Yuuhi settles on the floor opposite, near Chisato. You don't mention that it's because if Chisato threatens you even slightly she'll be able to intercept and kill her. She's really taken the warning of shapeshifting enemies to heart.

“I think the strangest I've seen was a dodomeki-child,” murmurs Fuuta-chan. “They can hide their forms very well, but when they take off the illusion, it's really very unnerving.” Sounds like you might have been right about Ryuu Shinju after all. Gratifying.

“Shoko does have a point,” you add. “She works with a privacy screen.” Kiki-hime smiles, recalling the conversation, and Yui pipes in with an “Ooh, yeah!”

“Why would a housekeeper need a privacy screen?” asks Chisato innocently enough.

“It's her secretary.” Chi-chan blinks and Shoko shrugs mildly. “Mokumokuren-san will be receiving a lot of prayers to help recover her strength, never fear. Anyways, you get used to it, generally speaking. It doesn't drive too many people crazy, but there are a few things that live in the high mountains and the oceans that would mess your head up for certain, even with Kiku-chan's assistance.”

“Such things are rare,” Kiku-chan elaborates. “They are things that make little sense to most Japanese, and are so powerful they are more like kami than youkai. Or perhaps tsukumogami that are things like truly ancient trees or mountains have, instead of merely kami watching over them.”

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>>2114205
“Hey hey, I'm just a stupid Yak,” Chisato claims, making you snort laughter, as Kiki-hime strokes your back slowly. “Hey, you shut up!” she complains, “you're gonna make them think I'm competent or something.”

'Too late,” comments Akari, smiling as she rests her hands along the small of your back, rubbing that spot on either side of the base of your tail that feels so good.

“Well, yeah, all right, I'll give you that,”Chi-chan admits grudgingly, much to the amusement of your family.

Sighing softly, you let yourself drift, enjoying the soft, friendly banter and quiet laughter of your growing clan. Even Fuuta-chan makes a few remarks, and Chisato helps her along with anecdotes and stories about your childhood with the Yakuza. Kiki-hime's fingers edge towards your injured shoulder and you murmur softly, the wind carrying your words only to her. “It would only upset you, Hime-chan, even if it won't hurt me.”

Your loving wife hesitates, and touches the edges of the injury. She tenses, realizing what she's touching beneath the layers of cloth and the tight bandages. The young dragonette manages to hold back the tears and you trace the kanji for love and duty on her thigh idly. Leaning close, she whispers to you, “I'll make this up to you, I promise.”

[] Don't be ridiculous, it's my duty.
[] As you wish.
[] There's no need – if you'd been smart you'd be fine.
[] It will heal, because of what she's already done.
[] Well, if you really want to make it up to me.... <3 <3 <3

>>2114206
>[x] It will heal, because of what she's already done.
>[x] Well, if you really want to make it up to me.... <3 <3 <3
Gotta mix the sweet and the tease. Blend it properly. Maybe use a hand-mixer.
Nice to see Chisato fitting in too!

>>2114206
>[] It will heal, because of what she's already done.

>"There is nothing to make up for, Kiki-hime-beloved-chan. It is my duty, and while I don't like being hurt like that, being able to accomplish it without anyone else being harmed is a privilege I wouldn't have without your and everyone else's presence at my side and actions."

>Thanks Inau-kun for taking out the Nue-child once more.

>>2114206
>[] As you wish.
its not her fault or responsibility but telling her such things seems unlikely to work

>>2114206
>[] As you wish.
[] Well, if you really want to make it up to me.... <3 <3 <3

>>2114206
>[] There's no need – if you'd been smart you'd be fine.
>[] Well, if you really want to make it up to me.... <3 <3 <3

>>2114230
>>2114224

Nah, telling her such things would work. We had that kind of talk before

Please don't let her think she has to make it up to us.

>>2114243
belittling her promise doesn't sit right with me. its not like she believes ryukusa blames her for any of these complications, even old kiki probably wouldnt read her that badly and ryukusa has frequently told her so. seems more lile shes doing it for herself, both so she can feel useful and to show ryukusa how much she really values her, maybe try to make her less careless

>>2114257

We could say "you don't have to make it up to me, but you can thank me if you wish", maybe?

>>2114290
sounds fine, though im not certain it needs to be elaborated on between the two of them, but I guess theres no reason not to

>>2114206
>[X] It will heal, because of what she's already done.

>>2114206
>We'll do all we can for each other, and that will be enough.

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[X] As you wish.
[X] It will heal, because of what she's already done.
[XX] Well, if you really want to make it up to me.... <3 <3 <3
[+] My loved ones make all things possible and worthwhile.
[+] Inau-kun deserves as much if not more.

“Actually you should be thanking Inau-kun, not me.” She looks startled and Inau-kun starts turning a soft, bright red. “That was the most shinign example of Zen archery I have ever seen, and it probably saved my life.” That gets everyone's attention, and Inau-kun turns even brighter red, looking down and shifting uncomfortably in Shoko-chan's lap.

Shoko strokes the young woman's hair, and looks at you curiously. “What do you mean, aniki?” You open one eye and give her a half-hearted glare. The tall oni-chick snorts. “Give it up, bitch, you're never gonna get away from that!”

You sigh, but answer her anyways, closing your eyes again. “I don't know how many of you know what a nue is, but they're harder to kill than Wood dragonettes are. Apparently their older children are just as hard to kill.”

“The only two that have been killed were all killed by archers firing blind. That Inau-kun killed one of their children in a similar manner is nothing short of heroic.” Kiki-hime looks impressed by her older sister's statement, and Kiku-chan herself sounds honestly impressed. Being over two hundred and fifty, that is not an insignificant feat on the hunter's part.

“It is the measure of a demigod that they make the unlikeliest of successes seem ordinary,” Er Yin-sensei comments. Before Inau-kun can make a self-effacing comment or downplay her success, she continues. You would suspect coincidence, except you know Er Yin can hear someone's breathing change ever so slightly from across a table in a crowded restaurant. “However, one cannot presume just because one is a demigod that skill is meaningless. It would take a fantastic amount of skill and training to shoot an arrow through the heart of a monster through two rooms and a Barrier blindly with only a voice from the Void to focus upon.”

Yui-chan gives a low and appreciative whistle. “I know gods who have failed to make simpler shots,” she states. Inau-kun is rapidly turning a shade of red one sees only in boiled crustaceans.

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>>2114393
Chisato looks at Akari. “Hey, does she really?” Akari nods with a slight smile. “Shit, I gotta get an introduction to the god of gambling.”

“He's fun,” agrees Yui-chan, and you smile at the thought of Chisato's expression.

“My loved ones protect me and nurture me – through them, all things are possible,” you claim softly.

“I thought that was Jesus-san,” comments Akari as she runs her cool, soft hands over your burning kidneys. Well, the one that isn't pulverized.

“He's neat. He told me a bedtime story once.” Kiku-chan is undoubtedly staring at the oni-child with disbelief, but more likely because the idea of a Great Kami telling a mere oni-child a bedtime story is as close as one can get to sacrilegious in Shinto.

Slowly you roll over, careful not to make any sudden moves that will put pressure on anything damaged or broken. Akari actually frowns at you once you do, her Stone Eyes seeing much of the damage you've suffered. You politely ignore her unhappy expression and lay your hands across your belly, allowing Kiki-hime to stroke your horn and place a hand over your folded ones. “Not that Kiki-hime is any less to blame for me being alive. Because her, and what she has done, I am not only alive, but healing. In a short time – yes, you two, I know – I will have recovered completely.”

Yui's and Kiku's glares could burn holes in steel.

“If you wish to make it up to me, I won't stop you, of course,” you murmur to Kiki-hime, who smiles and blushes. “I'd love to watch while you put Akari and Yui through their paces.”

Yui's blush is visible by the glow across the roof of the car. But that's nothing compared to the beautiful, delicate, and almost never before seen blush that your best friend suffers from as Kiki-hime stares down at you in shock. Right before everyone burst into laughter, of course, easing the tension at your 'joke'.

Kiki-hime doesn't, though, because your smile is slight, warm, and very sincere.

“Well, you did offer,” you reply with a wink and she suddenly smiles, leaning down – carefully – to kiss you. And partly smother you, because she's got some huge booms. There are many worse ways to go.

>To be Continued....

Thank you for reading and playing.

As always I'll stay a short while for questions before crawling into bed and pretending to sleep.

>>2114402
Thanks for running! Hope your week is going well. Did we dodge confrontations particularly well at the theater or had we already mitigated the risks well enough?

>>2114396
very cute, looks like yui has some connections huh

>>2114402
Thanks for running, I'm kind of surprised Yui got to meet so many deities, since I thought she was about as low in the rankings as you could be.

>>2114402

Thanks for running!

The return of the big booms.

Hope your sleep goes as well as it can.

>>2114409
There were some close calls, but by and large you worked hard to mitigate any issues and successfully avoided at least three serious issues.

>>2114424
>>2114421
while she might be a very minor and unimportant servant, one of the risks/privilidges of beign such a person is being used as a subtle insult by being offered as/told to guide deities through Kuraokami's heaven. Though, in some cases, it might not have been so much of an insult as a kindness on Kuraokami's part....

>>2114434
The big booms are always there, waiting in the shadows. Ready to be unleashed on unsuspecting dragons.

>>2114396
Now I have to know what story Jesus told her.

the booooooooooooooooooooooooooooms

>>2114436
Did anything happen with sending an invite to the mysterious catboy? It seemed to go into nothing.

>>2114820
Ryukusa received a letter. The contents are as yet unknown. She's relaxing.

>>2113807
>The other applications for such a spell make you very glad Er Yin loves you and is on your side. You shudder to think of what might happen if someone like the Kaga or Toshio Ryoga got their hands on that kind of subtle magic.
It must be useful, but I can't quite figure the applications here.

>>2115893
Imaging two gangs of Yakuza ready for a fight. then they relax, get talkative, unconcerned by the stress and worries of what's going on. Then something like Hiei drops in and starts slaughtering the unprepared guest.

Imagine a diguised group of assassins able to walk into a place with impunity because everyone is expecting them to show up as the disguised people, at the same time the real people are showing up somewhere else, an no one has any questions or sees anything wrong with it.

in other words, it overrides paranoia and common sense in favor or the person affected seeing just what they expect to see, regardless of what they're actually looking at or how impossible it is.

>>2115897
Wow. Yeah, that is incredibly powerful.