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>>2391780
The road ends in a massive double gate, and the demons guarding it are something out of nightmare – even for you. Half flayed, multi-limbed, taloned, vast snakelike creatures. Both are female and you feel a warning from your Seer, Er Yin's soft, quiet voice in your mind as you gaze upon the nightmare beasts before you. (The Snake Mothers, the King of Hell breeds them to birth his demon armies; not one is below level forty, and most are above level sixty. They are cruel, evil, and deadly.)

The twinned monstrosities chuckle and murmur, leaning towards one another and caressing one another with those vicious, terrible claws. They're almost fifty feet long, and they tower over you and your guide. When you come close – though not close enough to actually reach you even if they lunge – one says something to the other in Chinese, which prompts laughter from both.

You're pretty sure it was obscene, and definitely rude.

[] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.
[] Did they want to repeat themselves in a civilized tongue.
[] Ask them if they wish to renounce their evil ways and take on the task of becoming human.
[] Have your guard translate for you; you don't need to put up with this crap.
[] Remind them that Lord Zhuanlun is waiting on you, and you would hate to mention anyone making you late to see his Most Regal Judge of The Dead.

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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

AskFM: https://ask.fm/XSQuestmistress - For any and all quest or story related questions.

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2366279/

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.
Hideyama Kenako is 6' 1” and is fully grown. Sexuality is probably cat.

>>2391784
>[] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.

>>2391784
>[] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.
Eh, as fun as it could be, we already picked one fight just a couple minutes ago.

>>2391784
>[] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.

>>2391819
I wouldn't say we "picked a fight", we just let his anger issues get the best of him.

>>2391784
Ryukusa time!
>[x] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.
Patience is key.

Hi XS.

I know you don't have much interest in video games, but I think this might be funny for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZlGSEB2bGI

>>2391784
>[] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.

Thinking about it, we might decide how to deal with them later if they continue.

Though if I recall correctly, one of those Snake Mothers was with Enma-Oh the first time we met with him, right?

She was jealous we might try to seduce him, I think.

>>2391915

Now I'm expecting that those two said something like "she's so much a perv I'm sure I can her sleep with me effortlessly" or the same register.

>>2391928

half-expecting, rather.

Maybe we should ask our guide once we're out of range.

Although, folks, I have to remind you that we got Good Stuff last time. So maybe we're given a chance to spend it here?

Dunno, it seems like too much of an opportunity, to have those two shows up like that right now.

>>2391784

QM, adding to my vote here:

>>2391915
>[] Remind them that Lord Zhuanlun is waiting on you, and you would hate to mention anyone making you late to see his Most Regal Judge of The Dead.

>They want to be rude? Fine, you'll just be extremely Polite if they continue.

Sorry for changing my mind so often.

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[X] Just wait for your guide to usher you through.
[+] They can be rude. You'll just be polite.

You study the fearsome and tremendously weirdly put together demon women, but say nothing. At least, not yet. You suspect it would be poor form to fight them, despite the fact that they are demons; you are Enma-Oh's guest, regardless of whether or not they recognize that fact.

Your guide struggles to steel himself and manages a half-hearted job of it. He raises a hand and speaks in strident bellowing tones, Chinese of course, and you make a note to get a few books. Still when the two demons turn their gaze to him he struggles not to quail; he digs his hooves into the gravel road.

The trio of demons stare at you in shock when you step forward and bow deeply to each of the demonic woman. You're dead, so it doesn't seem that your innate sense of propriety keeps you from bowing deeply, which is fortunate. “Please excuse this stupid and unworthy lizard's intrusion upon your duties and your homeland, great demons of the underworld; I did not intend to trouble you this day or any other, and profusely apologize for inconveniencing you both this evening. Please forgive me!” You don't stay bowed. Not only does that offend your sensibilities, it triggers alarms in your mind related to the Five Brothers Tengu Demon Slaying Techniques.

Which you totally didn't know was a thing. Kind of neat.

The two demons look down at you both, and one glances at the other. “It speaks very prettily for a corpse.”

The other frowns, speaking in very poor Japanese. “Not tasting sweetly I think.” Your guide nearly has a heart attack.

XS, I say that honestly, you're a genius.

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>>2391994
The previous one slithers forward, the wing-claw-talon appendages grabbing at the ground and helping drag her immense bulk forward. You blink as you realize that the raw wounds and open flesh aren't cuts and stripped meat; they're folds and crevices, slick with hot blood and smelling of raw meat....but they're otherwise very familiar pieces of anatomy.

You kind of wonder what form Enma-Oh would take to fill a hole that large.

Keeping your musings to yourself, you look up at the she-demon, and lift both hands to press them together at your throat, bowing slightly and not taking your eyes off of her. Those talons of hers look deadly, and you can see that she's fanged, and those fangs carry venom. “I am afraid my taste is very poor, tainted by the flesh of immortal beasts as it is. It would surely not slay someone as magnificent as yourself, honored mother, but it would surely make even one of your kind ill.”

Being breeders, they have anatomies, and you can feel their hearts pumping demon ichor through their veins. You have no power over it still, as it's not really a liquid as much as it is an essence, but it's a good thing to know. The she demon lowers herself a bit, and you keep your gaze on her face, mask-like as it is.

“You speak very prettily. I'm told that you increase the fertility of those around you....” Uh oh. “Tell me how it is done, and I shall let you pass, pretty little immortal.” She licks her lips with a forked tongue, and you narrow your eyes, struggling to keep them up and not at the massive, cavernous folds of her unearthly sexual flesh.

[] It is simply in my nature, though I should point out that my nature isn't that of fertility....
[] A curse, laid on me by an evil spirit, that alas only works upon the living mortals.
[] I could not honestly tell you how it works, because I'm unsure of it myself.
[] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.
[] Dead people can't breed, so it's not like you could actually help her; better not to say much.

>>2391994
This is probably a bad time for demon-slaying or general provocation, whatever the tengu techniques may think.

>>2392018
>[x] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.
But I do believe this clash in tone would make a delightful cocktail of this social event!

>>2392018
[X] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.

>>2392018
>[X] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.

>>2392018
>[] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.

>>2392018
>[] It is simply in my nature, though I should point out that my nature isn't that of fertility....
>[] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.
These chicks are pretty disgusting, but in a kinda sexy way. Or sexy in a kinda disgusting way.

>>2392018
>[] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.
Probably not the wisest choice, but definitely the funniest while still answering her question. Which... I don't think is a problem? Like I don't think we even have any Jing in our current state, and even if we did, I don't think she can take any.

Are we still dressed in the white kimono, or did we find time to change after all?

>>2392018
>[] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.

>>2392094
Still in white.

>>2392103
I am obligated to point out that being in Ryukusa's presence WILL increase fertility - at least in mortals. If you intended to gloss over/lie about that, it's fine.

>>2392103

Wait, are they pregnant right now?

The text implies they are, right? Or am I going crazy?

If there is no way to tell, please disregard the last line of greentext.

Though we can compliment them as mothers who had children, I suppose.

>>2392125
Alright, it would be nice to look more stylish, but on the other hand neutral default at least won't get us in too much trouble.

>>2392018

>Congratulate her and her colleague as befit mothers who are expecting children.

>>2392125

Nevermind, then. I was mistaken, I thought she was asking talking about what we did with Akari.


QM, I have another question:

We know several deities of fertility/childbirth, but they're Ainu. What is their relationship with Chinese Hell, from what we know? Polite indifference?

>>2392018
[x] It is simply in my nature, though I should point out that my nature isn't that of fertility....
Don’t get into fights with the secretaries of someone well above our paygrade

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[XX] Just all that manly Jing essence, babe. Wouldn't do you any good, it's strictly the stuff of mortals.
[X] It is simply in my nature, though I should point out that my nature isn't that of fertility....
[+] It's more a gift from a goddess to assist in keeping my wives happy and ensure I have heirs in a situation where that wouldn't normally be the case.
[+] Being the fertility goddesses you are, I must congratulate you on your coming broods.

You tilt your head, and then place your arms on your hips, and smile. “Well, honestly, it's my divine nature, which isn't actually a fertility deities' nature mind you. Still, all that manly Jing I carry around is good for something, hot stuff. Strictly mortal essence though, so not really suited for what you want it for.” You suddenly switch modes on the startled demoness, and leans forward, hands tucked behind your back. “Not that a fertility goddess on your scale would ever need such a thing, beautiful! I mean, you two are surely the envy of your kind, with all those eggs swelling your bellies and ready for His Most Loathsome Majesty to fertilize them all.”

You finish with a purely Ryukusa flourish: a solemn wink and a totally coy smile that suggests so much more than you say. “And I just bet he does fertilize them all, doesn't he, that handsome man of yours, doesn't he?”

Your guide is hyperventilating, and is probably going to faint if you don't get him out of here.

The snake mother blushes – blushes! – and looks absolutely flustered by your compliments and judicious flattery. It's also somewhat truthful; you can sense the eggs they carry, unfertilized but whole. You're not sure how that works biologically speaking, but there's enough actual liquid in them that it does impinge on your sense of water. She rises and opens one of the doors, much to her sister-serpent's surprise. You suspect she couldn't catch everything you said, but then again, that might be for the best.

“You may pass, you little flatterer. Maybe another time I'll try your essence for myself.” Her serpentine tongue slides around her fanged mouth, and her lower wing-claw things reach up and stroke the folds and crevices (crevasses, really, and the idea of sex with one of them is bordering on nauseating even for you, who isn't supposed to be able to get nauseated by mere thoughts). You tip her a wink and grab your guide's wrist firmly.

“Time to go,” you tell him under your breath, never losing that winning smile of yours as you pass through the archway.

>>2392278
We made a snake monster with a literal cavernous vagina blush....

Hot?

>>2392278
We can always rely on Ryukusa when the subject is flirting it seems

>>2392278
Getting sickened by what Enma considers vanilla. What a normie.

>>2392286
>>2392288
>>2392297

>>2392278

>and the idea of sex with one of them is bordering on nauseating even for you, who isn't supposed to be able to get nauseated by mere thoughts

>it felt so wrong, it felt so right

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>>2392278
The door closes after you and you very nearly collapse, covering your mouth and nose and shuddering. “Kami, how the hell can you stand that?” you ask him rhetorically.

“Oh, believe me, you don't want to go there, man.” He pulls out a cigarette case and summons up a tiny flame from his palm, lighting the marijuana cigarette and inhaling deeply through pursed lips. “There's a reason us oni got a reputation for drinkin' so much, dude.”

He offer you the joint and you shake your head, looking at the halls light with pale lamps and ghostly flames. Strangely dressed figures, often masked, shuffle from here to there, stoppign at strange shrines, and placing offerings of food and colorful money on altars. Some of the altars are occupied, and others are empty, though these seem to have even more offerings. Large plaques hang from ledges, and the buildings carved out of the living rock of the walls are incredibly intricate and even, if you dare say it, beautiful.

Your guide slowly leads you down the boulevard, and you blink as you see cut up people parts hanging from the tops of food vendor's carts, toys carved of still bleeding bone, weapons of black steel and stranger things still. At one point a procession of snakes made out of brass – crudely shaped, mere holes for eyes, and simple smooth metal – passes before you, and the mezu-oni bows solemnly to them, though they don't seem to acknowledge his deference.

On your way you do catch sight of one extreme oddity: a strange combination of gothic lolita and tomboy, in a short, dark alleyway, sitting cross legged on the steps of a tiny, nearly empty shrine. There are almost two dozen....uh, well, demons, you're betting, but also ghosts and bone creatures, possibly some kind of youkai, kneeling before it and offering prayers and burning hell money. They don't seem to see her, and she blinks as you slow your walk to look at her. She smiles and beckons you, pawing at the air in languid catlike motions.

[] Okay, that sufficiently odd to warrant another look....
[] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
[] ….shake your head, but toss her the Black Jade Coin; you probably won't need it this time around.
[] Bow slightly but shake your head. Better safe than sorry!
[] Cute, and probably the most dangerous thing you've met yet – aside from Enma-Oh himself, of course. So, no.

>>2392297
If Enma-Oh had internet I'm sure he'd appreciate some of the furry fetish stuff out there.

>>2392324
>[x] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?

>>2392324
>[x] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
...cute gothloli tomboy you say? Is she a gift tailored for Ryukusa?

>>2392324
[x] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
Feels like it may be a trap if we acknowledge.

>>2392324
>[] Okay, that sufficiently odd to warrant another look....
>[] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
I feel a MIGHTY NEED.

>>2392324
>[] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
I really wanna look closer, but it's also probably not a good idea to keep Lord Zhuanlun waiting more than we have. Maybe we can do that on the way back assuming we're still in hell after meeting with him.
Huh, you still burn hell money in hell?

>>2392324
>[] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?

>>2392324
>[X] Okay, that sufficiently odd to warrant another look....
Whats the worse that could happen...

>>2392324
>[] Okay, that sufficiently odd to warrant another look....

>>2392363
We get enchanted by a demon trickster and get stuck in Hell forever?
We're late to our meeting with Enma-Oh who takes offense and dooms Ryukusa to an even worse fate somehow?
We pick up a cute girl for our harem but now have to find a way to get her out of Hell without breaking any rules related to Chinese mysticism/hospitality/human trafficking/the laws of causality?

>>2392324
>[] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?

>>2392379
That last ones awsome!

>>2392379
The former two seem reasonably unlikely.

>>2392379
I am obligated to remind you Ryukuza has a Black Jade Coin for buying her way out of Hell. a way around that.

>>2392412
Oho, I suppose it's only two out of three then.

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[XX] Ask your guide what she is – that's what guides are for, right?
[X] Okay, that sufficiently odd to warrant another look....

“Mezu-san, what's that?” Your innocent query calls the dazed oni's attention to the small, out of the way, and over-attended shrine.

“Ah, shit, gotta stop for a moment. Just wait here, it won't take long.” You blink, startled, and walk with him rather than stay there.

“I was actually just asking about the girl,” you point out, and he gives you a funny look. “What girl? It's just one of his Majesty's shrines. Theres a few hidden on every level. And once you pay attention you have to pay your respects, you know.” The girl is watching you with a wicked little smile, and winks slowly, her eyes shimmering with amusement. “Won't be a sec. Hey, don't bother anyone, ya know?” He half staggers into the alleyway, and you follow a short distance away.

It doesn't take long to realize that you seem to be the only one who appears to pay any attention to her – everyone else seems to ignore her entirely, though she makes a point of not getting in their way as they light incense, place offerings, and burn Hell money (which is a really weird thing to do given they're already in Hell). She's not a ghost, or at least she's not something you recognize as a ghost, and she doesn't seem to be a youkai. She has real blood though, and that right there is pretty freaking strange, because aside from yourself – whose blood isn't even moving – the only other things you met with real blood are the two snake mothers and Enma-Oh himself.

When she notices you looking, she gestures mildly to the altar, with a smile, bidding you to join in the people making offerings and gifts to Enma-Oh. You suspect a number of them are praying that he won't look their way, more often than for his guidance or attentions. He strikes you as that kind of guy. Girl. Whatever he is. Oh, right, King of Freakin' Hell. Guy.

Mezu-san bows low, twice, sets on incense on fire and waves it out, then sets it up, muttering prayers along with everyone else.

[] Water Eyes.
[] Void Eyes.
[] Politely decline.
[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.
[] Eh, the coin will be good enough an offering, and it is Enma-Oh's shrine, so perfectly sensible to offer to him by proxy.

>>2392467
>[X] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.

>>2392467
>[x] Water Eyes.
>[x] Void Eyes.
I'm not sure if 'sensible and 'offer to him by proxy' should ever be in the same sentence!

>>2392467
>[] Water Eyes.
>[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.

>>2392467
>[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.

>>2392493

we're still in Hell, I'm not sure we'll like what we see.

>>2392467
>[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.

>>2392467
>[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.
We sure are nice and polite with our consensus today

>>2392531
Seriously, it's freaking me out.

>>2392493
Using both is possible, but in Ryukuza's experience burns Shen at an alarming rate. Not enough to harm her currently, but it might lower her an entire tier of Barrier Combat.

>>2392542
Hmm, alright. I still think we should make eyes at her though. Water alone might suffice.

>>2392535
Don't worry, I'm sure it won't last the thread!

>>2392542
I forget what the eyes do
Stone Eyes see the essential nature of a thing
Fire Eyes see the truth of a thing
Water Eyes can see a being's thoughts/feelings
Wood Eyes can see a person's mind and can kind of direct how they grow
Void Eyes... something about the future?

>>2392577
Void Eyes see magic, chi, shen, and other ephemeral energies.

Water Eyes reads the underlying psychology of a person, even more than their feelings and thoughts (though this is because they're Ryukusa's naive form of vision).

>>2392467
>[] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.
I'm kind of feeling Fire Eyes, but Water Eyes should be fine as well.

>>2392605
Using two eyes at once had weird effects, I seem to recall. I don't know how those work, we haven't tried most combinations.

>>2392640
While we've been getting by fine at our current eye usage, we definitely haven't been using them as much as we could be.

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[X] Accept and make a few prayers, not just to Enma-Oh.
[X] Water Eyes.

You slip easily through the tightly packed....beings, that's a good word for them. They mostly ignore you, concentrating on their prayers and offerings. She watches you approach with wide, curious eyes, her smile bright and her curiosity evident. You return the gaze with one of your own, but yours is carrying the understanding of your element: Water Eyes.

She is, at heart, a manipulative, conniving, careful, expert schemer, a creature of slow, careful, detailed plans and decisions – when she bothers to make them at all. She is perfectly content with her current status, and does not seek to undermine, replace, or otherwise remove His Most Loathsome Majesty's crown (or head). She knows where to get the tools to do so, and would not hesitate to take the tools from those who would try, but she herself is uninterested. What has her interest now is you: an immortal, but not enlightened; a demigod, but not fully divine; a dragonette, but a father; a warrior, but willing to talk. A fascinating curiosity that isn't particularly threatening to anyone here....right now.

Closing your Water Eyes, you make an offering of incense to not merely Enma-Oh but also to Amaterasu-Omikami, Rie, your family, and Inari. You don't make one to Izanami; you're too deep in an underworld for that to be safe. Inviting her here might have....repercussions. You even – grudgingly – include Susano-Oh, and of course the Brothers Five.

Oddly, you've never really felt the urge to honor your father than way directly. It's very strange.

The demon – she has to be a demon – watches you with great interest, silent and still ignored by everyone. When you finish you wave, and she waves pack, and then you slip carefully out of the alley, ignoring the confused and threatening looks from those around you.

Mezu-san is there, smoking another joint, and he casually waves you don the boulevard, towards a castle of black stone with golden tiles and decorations, dragons and gargoyle-like demons supporting pillars and roofs. The design is terrifyingly top-heavy, though it's obviously stable. The chances of you being in a locale with earthquakes is hopefully very slim because it wouldn't take too many to cause that place to crash down into the city of demons.

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>>2392757
And it is a city. The Tenth Layer of Enma-Oh's Hell is apparently home to hundreds of thousands of demons, and they pass the time here like humans would on earth. With far more eating of humans, tormenting human servants in passing, and violent displays of power and brutality, of course. You resist the urge to interfere. For one, this isn't like Yomi, where deeds do not matter, only life and death matters. Second, your host was pretty clear that you wouldn't be able to fight anyone....

….in your home away from home.

You keep your thoughts to yourself, of course; it wouldn't do to have a city of demons know a demon-killer was in their midst. Then again, a lot of the immortals are demon killers, so more likely they just don't care much. So it's entirely possible they realize you're a demon killer, but just trust that you will be a quiet and less than troublesome guest. They are avoiding you though. So it's possible, even probable, that it's just common courtesy.

The palace is much larger than it looked from a distance, and a red and blue oni-demon stands on either side of the massive doors. They open the onyx and gold doors for you, the shimmering obsidian building glistening in the cavern's pale lanterns and ghost-flames and cooking fires. You enter fearlessly, and see that the audience chamber, despite its vastness, is almost full of human souls, slaves, and servants, as well as demons of all sorts. Many of them are mezu and gozu oni, of course, but more traditional oni are present, as are the oni-like demons of China.

Apparently Buddhism's impact was pretty pervasive in Japan. Or you're in Japan's section. Might not be a good idea to think of it overmuch.

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>>2392763
Your guide starts throwing his weight around, pushing humans and other oni out of the way, conjuring a heavy bladed naginata with a number of rings on the back edge and casually smashing people aside or stabbing souls to get them out of your way. You see the crimson and black and gold of the Judge of Hell, a floating table holding various placards of judgment before him. A massive black mirror stands behind him, reflecting images out of a life, one filled with strife, pain, and suffering, as well as good and wonder and joy. Typical human life, really, with a few unfortunate and apparently damning exceptions.

King Zhuanlun picks up a placard and throws it at the feet of the woman in ragged clothing that knees before him, and she cries out, sobbing as a gozu oni and mezu oni appear and take her kicking and screaming into the left hand corridor. A massive boom follows their exit, and her screams stop abruptly. A three eyed demon with a book, calls out a number, and a sickly, pale human walks up the hundred and-and-thirty-four steps to face his judgment.

[] Tell him to stop that, it's not necessary.
[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
[] Get the attention of one of the other guards and see what he has to say.
[] Use the wind to carry your voice to Kin Zhuanlun and announce yourself politely.
[] There are a few flying demons, scanning the crowd; you could probably fly over, maybe even carrying Mezu-san.

>>2392769
>[x] Get the attention of one of the other guards and see what he has to say.
Seems an unpleasant place this.

>>2392769
>[X] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
Don't mess with the bureaucracy, it doesn't end well.

>>2392769
>[X] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.

>>2392769
>[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.

>>2392769
>[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.

>>2392769
>[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
When uncertain, let's follow the herd

>>2392769
>Ask Mezu-san what exactly you're allowed to do right now, including flying over or using your powers to more effectively push people out of your way.

>>2392769
changing >>2392823 to:
>[] Tell him to stop that, it's not necessary.
>[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
if yes:
>[] There are a few flying demons, scanning the crowd; you could probably fly over, maybe even carrying Mezu-san.

>>2392769
>[] Get the attention of one of the other guards and see what he has to say.

>>2392769
[] Tell him to stop that, it's not necessary.
[] Get the attention of one of the other guards and see what he has to say.
[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
>[] And not because you want to skip it, but you tend to get bored, and that has unfortunate consequences. Be polite, though.

>>2392769
>[] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
Do NOT interrupt. It is a social faux pas that is only excused if you outrank everyone and they’re direct reports to you.

I wonder if we'll be called as Ryukusa or Yorihokura. Probably the former, right?

>>2392769

>[x] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
>[x] Use the wind to carry your voice to Kin Zhuanlun and announce yourself politely.

>>2393010
Depends on whether the divine courts treat name-changes as a matter of course like our mortal ones I suppose. Not that Ryukusa's situation is the equivalent of going in and swapping your first and middle name at the county clerk, but still.

>>2392978
What about the three-eyed demon with the book? Since it's his job to call people forth before Zhuanlun.

>>2393010

Ryukusa.

They're not going to reveal one of our treasure like that.

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[XXX] Ask Mezu-san if you have special dispensation to skip the line, because otherwise you're going to be here a while.
[XX] Get the attention of one of the other guards and see what he has to say.
[X] Tell him to stop that, it's not necessary.
[+] Because you being bored is a bad, bad, bad thing.

One thing that you immediately notice is that most of these 'people' aren't people, but spirits and ghosts. Not all of them, but most of them by a long margin. Mezu-san's casual brutality seems to affect them very little; they cower and some seem to suffer pain, but he doesn't actually move them much or cause any seeming 'harm' to them. It still annoys you, but you're not quite willing to cause an incident.

Yet.

Mezu-san being occupied by forcing his way through the vast throng of human ghosts and spirits that stands in your way, you find yourself with a moment to look around. You notice one of the more demonic denizens of the Court of Reincarnated Souls, Jade green flesh, complete with the unmistakable sheen, painted in red and gold makeup – or it could be his skin, it's hard to tell – carrying a thick bundle of bamboo scrolls under one arm. His robes seem to indicate a measure of importance, as does his mustache and beard of copper – most of the other oni and demons here have head hair, but little more.

Stepping up to him, you wait until he's almost right on top of you before opening your mouth to say something. Realizing your not going to move, the demon stops and tilts his head down at you, his independently moving eyes quickly coming to focus on you. His already deeply furrowed brow furrows even more deeply, and his mouth doesn't move as he asks aloud, “What are you doing here, little immortal?”

“Summoned by King Zhuanlun. Do they feel any pain?” He looks consternated and you gesture around you. “Them. Do they feel pain?”

His eyes move apart, looking to either side of him and around, before once again turning to you. Well, one does anyways; the other looks you up and down slowly. Kind of unnerving, really.

“They feel little more than fear and despair yet; pain is a gift they receive when they are incarnated, either within the Middle Kingdom or in the Hell they have earned a place inside. You should not be here; where are your keepers, little immortal?” He looks around without turning his face from you, his eyes actually turning to look through the back of his head apparently. Demonic flesh seems to prove no barrier apparently, as he spots Mezu-san slowly making his way through the crowd. He lifts a hand, and then points, and a half dozen birdlike demons swoop out of the air and grasp the suddenly bellowing mezu-oni. “And the other?” he inquires ominously, which you suspect is how he always sounds.

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>>2393078
“Went to pieces after he suffered gas. I think he bit off more than he could chew and couldn't swallow his pride.” The demon blinks at you, as the mezu-oni is unceremoniously dropped to the ground next to you, a trio of ghosts not really breaking his fall. “Stop bothering those poor souls, it's not necessary,” you instruct Mezu-san, who starts to protest and then looks mightily confused.

“You should have two escorts,” the demon says in an even more ominous tone, and he places one hand on the bundle of wrapped scrolls. He undoes one of the ties and the scrolls seem to bulge, as if eager to escape. You flex your left hand slowly, and gaze up at the demon calmly.

Before you can deliver a polite warning, a soft, almost breathless voice murmurs, “I will escort the Immortal Ryuu Ryukusa to the Judge, Pan Lo Hui.” You turn and look down at the delicate goth-loli-tomboy whom you saw at the shrine. The Mezu-oni yelps and cowers before Pan Lo Hui and the girlish demon, clearly out of his league.

Pan Lo 'hrrrms' for a moment, and then ties the bundle closed, much to the bundle's dismay. “Very well Mo Ku Jen. If it is you, there will be none other needed.” He turns his gaze on Mezu-san. “You are dismissed. Begone.”

Mezu-san rises to his knees and clasps his hands together, shaking them up and down rapidly. “Thank you your Awful Emine-” There is a soft bang, a cloud of sulfurous smoke, and Mezu-san is gone, though you suspect still in Hell somewhere.

He turns and continues on his way. “I was going to ask if Mezu-san had any special dispensation, but I guess no....Mo Ku Jen? You know my name, but I've heard yours before....” You consider carefully. She smiles, even, human-like teeth behind softly golden lips in an olive face. Child-pretty, but not entirely childlike in looks, she bows to you....not taking those obsidian eyes from you for an instant.

“You do; if the Judge summoned you, then none is allowed to bar your way. Mezu and gozu aren't the brightest of demons, so they tend not to take the easy ways.” She bows and gestures, and a path that you hadn't noticed before appears. It's not really a path, it is just a way through the crowd that wasn't immediately apparent before.

You suspect it wasn't there at all a moment ago.

[] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
[] Walk with the she-demon and see if you can learn anything from her.
[] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
[] Sweep her into your arms and fly her over – you doubt anyone will stop you now.
[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.

>>2393084
>[x] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
>[x] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
It's dangerous to seduce strangers in hell, Ryukusa! Take it easy.

>>2393084
>[] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
>[] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
>[] Activate trademark charm

>>2393084
>[x] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
>[x] Walk with the she-demon and see if you can learn anything from her.
>[x] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
>[x] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.

>>2393084
>[] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
>[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.
>[] Walk with the she-demon and see if you can learn anything from her.

>>2393084

>[] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.

So, I might be mistaken, but it seems her name translates as "the Devil Who Cries for the Love of Humanity".

>>2393084
>[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.
>[] Sweep her into your arms and fly her over – you doubt anyone will stop you now.

>>2393084

forgot to add to my vote here >>2393138

>[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.

I think she might be a dragon slayer.

>>2393084
[] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.
[] Walk with the she-demon and see if you can learn anything from her.

>>2393084
>[] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.
>[] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
Well she's not one of the Eight Immortal Demons so there's that at least.

>>2393153
I think she might be cute.

>>2393179

She's cute, but also a demon.

It's not the first time XS presented us with attractive things we shouldn't grab, in hell.

>>2393153
That would be inconvenient. But I'm not sure what you're basing that on besides her interest in Ryukusa.

Though I sadly gotta turn in, I'm sure anons won't do anything too risky before the session's over either way!

>>2393185
Attractive things that shouldn't be grabbed is thematically relevant I suppose, in that look but no touch is a special kind of hell in itself.

>>2393214

>Behold, the Eager Big-Boobied Demons Who Loves being Grabbed

>Their boobies all have a terrible curse.

>>2393214
>I'm sure anons won't do anything too risky before the session's over either way!
Quick! Take the gothloli home!

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[XXX] Salute her officially and introduce yourself properly.
[XXX] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
[XX] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.
[X] Walk with the she-demon and see if you can learn anything from her.
[+] Be charming, of course!

You turn to face her directly, admiring the delicate she-demon in her much more elaborate robes, and then lower your head, sweeping your right fist against your left palm as you extend your right foot toes down. “Thank you kindly for your intervention, Miss Mo Ku Jen; Ryuu Ryukusa, Daimyo of Clan Ryuu, is in your debt for your kind assistance.” She shakes her head with a demure smile, and lowers her lashes, not quite coy. “Nevertheless, I appreciate it it a lot,” you repeat as you straighten.

She seems to be amused by the florid kung fu salute that you gave her, but the salute served another purpose: time to think. And think you did, hard. It wasn't difficult to come up with an answer, and you remember the basic meanings of the ideograms her name is made of. Mo, Ku, Jen: demon....no not demon, Devil, Bone, and Nun or Monk. Of course being Chinese they could have a number of translations when put together. You gesture with your right hand in a manner you recall Er Yin doing when directing someone to a place or to a chair, allowing her to take the lead, which she does.

Some of the parts of her elaborate costume are actually quite tight, and her jewelry is clearly martial as well as decorative. No actual weapons, but her fingers and long and firm, definitely a martial artist's hands, and her nails are short but very sharply cut. Her headdress is mostly for show; her hair is actually short. The style is an intriguing blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Gothic Lolita, and the colors are particularly suited to this section of Hell. The glimpse of bare hip you can occasionally catch is alluring as well, and clearly meant to be.

Bone of this distracts your mind from its goal: figuring out where you've heard of her before. In fact, you're positive that you should remember her name well....except it's not really her name, is it? It's a title. Because her name can't be spoken by her daughter. You suddenly smile, remembering where you've heard her name before. It's a genuine smile, but you're not really happy about this. “Excuse me, Lady Mo Ku Jen?” She stops and turns, looking up at you with those liquid shadow eyes of hers, soft and warm and very human save for the darkness that makes it impossible to differentiate between pupil and iris.

>>2393084
[x] Try and recall where you've heard the name before....it shouldn't be eluding you.
[x] Thank her and let her lead the way; she is your escort, after all.

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>>2393282
“Yes, Ryukusa-sama?” she asks curiously.

“May I ask your name?” It's a simple question, but it is the one that matters.

She smiles a little more brightly. “You may ask, but I am afraid I won't be able to tell you. I am afraid that no one is allowed to say my name anymore; it's forbidden.” You're not really quite sure what to say to that, but it verifies who she is without a doubt.

Because when you first met Er Yin Lung, she proclaimed herself the daughter of Pan Lung and the Devil called Mo Ku Jen, whose name she could no longer speak.

>To Be Continued....

>>2393296
Haha well that's surprising.

>>2393296
Well, that's something I'd entirely forgotten. Taking your lover's mother home is a bit awkward, but I we could pull it off.

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Thank you for Reading and Playing.

I must turn in; as always, I will answer questions and discussion when I wake up for work.

>>2393316
>>2393308
Technically - well, exactly - Er Yin siad she was the daughter of the woman who became the Devil Mo Ku Jen.

>>2393318
Thanks for running

>>2393324
Ah that makes a bit more sense then.

...Do we have any idea how old Er Yin is? Because Mo Ku Jen seems to be pretty high up the Infernal Ladder and I'm not sure how impressive it is for her to have done that in a century or two.

>>2393340

Time in Hell is relative. The girl we killed became a full-fledged demon that can get away with bothering immortals in their home in a few human-world years, after all.

>>2393316

We could, but not necessarily here.

>>2393296

Thanks for running! It was great.

>>2393318

I do have a couple of questions: what's the relationship between the Ainu deities and Chinese Hell, currently?

And can gods of a different pantheon use their powers for the direct benefits of demons?

>>2393490
While that is true, that girl also apparently is low-ranked enough that she doesn't have flesh yet.

>>2393576
She has more skill she took with her, than power gained since. It'll take her far when she has both.

>>2393340
Er Yin is clearly older than Kiku, who claims to be 285. Her actual age is an unknown, though she's hinted at being a few hundred.

>>2393490
Yuuhi hinted that such encounters as demons or people you have killed or dealt with may be a common occurrence in the Tenth Hell.

Ainu, like Japanese Shinto, are believers in a quiet afterlife similar to that of Yomi, with exceptions of reincarnation occurring at the behest of the Hearth Goddess. Demons from the Chinese Hells are under the explicit and sole control of the King of Hell, and outside the jurisdiction of the deities with rare and specific exceptions (Kuan Yin can intercede on behalf of demons if they beg for her mercy, which she must grant, or those deities who can tame demons such as Horobi, Xuan Wu, and Buddha.

>>2394669

Didn't Horobi start as a Chinese Demon?

>>2394890
I thought Horobi started as an Ainu demon/god, Poronitne Kamuy, a monster that dwells beyond the horizon, best (only?) known for being an unwanted suitor to Yushkep Kamuy and being painfully pranked and humiliated by her servants until he had to flee.

So, you know, definitely moving up in the world from there.

>>2394890
See
>>2395024

>>2398753
When will we get to mix Japanese corporate culture with Chinese Celestial Bureaucracy again?
Inari is supposed to be up to date with modern corporate practices, but what about the other kami?

Because the kami of bureaucracy should have an email address and Twitter account by now, and have a liaison with their human counterparts.

>>2400444
The Kami generally seem closer to animism than the Celestial Bureacracy, so getting "up-to-date" in that manner might not be something most want to, or even CAN do.

Also I think given Inari's domain seems to include "worldly prosperity" I think she's the goddess of bureacracy, or at least the goddess of business. ...So I guess maybe leave that up to our brides?

>>2400472
The kami of academics and passing entrance exams seems more likely to stay up to date.

Also, I’m disappointed we haven’t met any tsukumogami of rifles and pistols, or at least of the Tanegashima matchlocks. They’re old enough and well taken care enough to qualify.

>>2400507
Good chance some are around, we haven't exactly run into a bunch of tsukumogami of any sort to compare.

>>2400507
Generally speaking,those tend to become kami rather than tsukumogami. They are cared for and have served humans as weapons. Tsukumogami tend to form from other kinds of household objects and are more often neglected ones at that.

>>2400444
Shinto doesn't typically allow for becoming 'up to date' in a lot of ways because it is, at the core, about tradition and purification. These things are difficult to merge with modern corporate 'ethics' and the comnputer age. Remember, computers haven't even existed long enough to become kami as a general rule, but they could easily become tsukumogami or worse kinds of youkai.