Ryukuza Quest: Protector of Smiles and Youkai Hunter

Hour and a half is quite a bit of time for planning and plotting, there's no reason we can't talk with multiple best girls.

Ryukusa quest! Fuck yeah!

Hi XS! How are you?

>Check with Yuuhi. She isn't an Immortal for nothing. Well, she is an Immortal because of Nothing... anyway.

>[] Hang with Yui-chan – she's got experience.

We can ask Er Yin and Kiku later.

>[] Join Kiki-hime and Yuuhi-chan – Inau-kun needs reassurance.

Always reassure our friends and beloved.

I have noticed a possible loophole in the orders we were given.

We have to kill the servants of Enma-o-sama, but does it includes people who were his servants once or just worked for him inderictly /made a deal with him without really "serving" him?

>Noted for Ryukusa to ask.

Because even with Ruykusa loving Amaterasu-okami and respecting the Jade Emperor, may he lives a million times a million years, as much as he deserves, there is no way that she'd kill her sister

I mean, the way the instructions were writen seemed to imply it's the servants in the present moment, but the thing is, gods and immortals just have a bigger present.

>[] Contact Er Yin-sensei through the Void – it's her homeland.
Ugh, I must have missed a session. I don't remember this happening.

So, if we're to kill the employees under Emperor of Hell, VP, do we have to actually go out and do it immediately, or can we, like, send a department wide email that a termination order has come down but if they tender their resignations and move out before such and such a date and time, HR can get them a severance package that's preferable to immediate and permanent termination?

It's pretty hard to forget so you probably did.

>Noted for Ryukusa to ask.

>[X] Join Kiki-hime and Yuuhi-chan – Inau-kun needs reassurance.
>[X] Contact Er Yin-sensei through the Void – it's her homeland.
>[X] Hang with Yui-chan – she's got experience.

[XXX] Contact Er Yin-sensei through the Void – it's her homeland.
[XX] Join Kiki & Yuuhi – Inau-kun needs reassurance.
[X] Hang with Yui-chan – she's got experience.
[+] Check with Yuuhi-chan to see if she's dealt with similar incidents.
[+] How tight is the wording? How immediate are the orders?

While you would much prefer to reassure Inau-kun and cuddle with your wife and your foxy girl (heh, that will get you slapped), at the moment you're not likely to be very reassuring, because you're only on edge, your not really sure of anything. Well, what you are sure of is scaring you, that's the kamidamned truth. The ruyi, tucked safely into ~Nowhere~ as it is, is still making your skin tingle and your nerves jangle. You've never felt anything like this before, even when you first tested the power of Horobi.

And that was in a Barrier, where your spiritual sensitivity was HIGHER than it is now!

Of course, you've changed a lot since then as well. Still the best person to go to right now is someone who knows the source of this trouble personally, apparently – or at least is vaguely related to the source. It's not really surprising that she might be related, even distantly – the Jade Emperor is ancient beyond even your conception of time. (Er Yin, may we speak?)

You don't close your eyes, but your vision is largely blacked out despite that, and you're not entirely surprised to fine yourself sharing Er Yin's head-space with Kiku-chan. She is mostly asleep, though and Er Yin directs her calm, soothing thoughts to you. (Are you all right, Ryukusa-sama? You feel....different. You feel more like Zen.) Here her eyes function normally, or seem to, so it's literally a feeling. However, the concept of Zen she provides you with isn't the religious one, but the previous incarnation of Horobi, Amako Zen.

You make a note to self: Er Yin can 'feel' the difference the ruyi is making in you. You have no idea if that may come in handy or not, but it is worth noting.

(The Jade Emperor, may he live Ten-thousand times Ten-thousand years, gave me an edict. Aaaaannndd, Amaterasu-Omikami is backing it, so it's literally an Edict I have to obey and can get executed for. I asked the messenger.) Another note added to the half-dozen, ask about Kyubi-san later. (So, how strict is the wording on these edicts meant to be followed?? I mean, I'd really rather not be executed for failing to be a good little assassin because someone got duped.)

(The wording tends to be very strict, but I would have to be allowed to read or to know what the edict is. If you can tell me, you will be able to do so, Ryukusa-sama.)

(Well, that sounds easy enough.) with perfect recall, you recite the edict to her word for word. (Mmmm, here: 'To Ryuu Ryukusa of Clan Ryu, Keeper of the Kimoto of Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado. You are required to eliminate all servants of His Most Loathsome Majesty Yanluo, also known as Enma-Oh and their Tools and servitors. To facilitate this I present you with the ruyi of Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado, to be returned upon successful completion of this task. Signed and Chopped, The August Jade Personage of the Harmonious Celestial Heavens.' and that was the end of the letter.) With a grin you recite the last sentence. (Oh, he also added a post-script. Let me think....oh yes. 'P.S. My great-great-great-grand niece can marry her little Fireball, as long as I get an invite. S&C~J.E.' That was everything in the edict.)

While Er Yin doesn't seem shocked, surprised, or even amazed by the edict or the contents of the associated package mentioned in the edict, her stoic silence melts and you are surrounded in warmth and joy which half-waken Kiku-chan from her slumbering contact with Er Yin when you give her the good news. (I am amazed he would allow such a thing....or perhaps, I am surprised he approves, even if tacitly. I would guess it is because we are in Japan and the rules are becoming more lax here that he can say such a thing.) You don't have the heart to explain they're not that lax, but you suspect she knows.

(Well, I'll draft an invitation. Be we have more to do before we can get that far. Besides, Kiki-hime's wedding comes first. You, Akari, Yui, and Kiku-chan have to fight over whose is next. But gently.)

You trade supernal hugs through the Void and you can't help but feel a lot better with the warmth of her love taking the edge off that incessant buzz along your nerves. You also 'pet' Kiku-chan, sending her back into sleep. (The key word is 'eliminate',) she explains. (As long as you are moving to fulfill the edict, and you cause the servants and proxies of His Most Loathsome Majesty to no longer serve him in any way, shape or form, you are considered to be following the edict. Unfortunately, that also means that the edict is now your first priority. You can deal with any other matters that present themselves or that will assist you in the endeavor, but you ~must~ consider the edict your top priority.) She becomes even more serious. (Don't think that you can play it off or work around it, Ryukusa-sama; the Jade Emperor knows everything under his jurisdiction, past, present, future. That includes this edict and the efforts you take to fulfill it.)

[] Eh heh....I was just wondering.
[] That's pretty obnoxious, you know.
[] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
[] ….exactly how omniscient is he?
[] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....

>[] ….exactly how omniscient is he?
>[] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....

>[x] Eh heh....I was just wondering.
>[x] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....
Are supernatural hugs fluffier than regular hugs?

>[] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
>[] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....
In a way, it's not so bad. At least we have something to focus on, and an excuse to put off other unpleasant things!

>From: Office of Horobi-no-Mikado
>To: Hell_Buddhist_Dept_Japan
>Subject: Branch Restructuring Plans
Per Imperial Edict, an aggressive payroll reduction action plan has been mandated and Phase One is to take effect immediately.
We are scheduled to enter Phase Two, at which point auditors will begin going down the org chart for exit interviews with all related employees, contractors, and resource assets.
As this will take some time, there will be a grace period in which members of the department can file for transfers/tender their resignations before Phase Two starts in full.

[] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
[] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....

...now I'm just imagining Er Yin in some secretary get-up. Very good.

There absolutely nothing that says you cannot send such a letter to Enma-Oh.

It's hilarious too.

Hmm, I dunno if such an outfit would suit Er Yin, Ryukusa herself, or Kiki the most. Gotta be one of the taller family-members though.

In the middle of holding court the Jade Emperor begins to laugh, moments later all the gods of the heavens hear Emma-Ohs enraged shouting, cursing some strange Japanese name

Well, does Enma-Oh know about the Edict yet?

I kinda want to send it now, but if it'd give him and his more time to prepare then that would be bad.

>[X] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
>[X] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....

Business(Read>Lone shark) Ryu at work.

I was thinking of having it sent to all official and unofficial subordinates of Enma-Oh in Japan, with a CC to Enma-Oh himself.

To be more serious about things though, could we diplomacy him out of here?

I mean, if we just explain the Edict he'll understand that Ryukusa has literally no choice but to throw his minions at the pain of death. There's no easy way out. If he concedes willingly he thus could keep as many of his assets as possible, if not his position of power over here. Not exactly optimistic he'd go for it, but maybe.

Would that be a breach of the Edict?

In Ryukusa's estimation, it's exceedingly unlikely anyone knows about it except herself and Er Yin. She hasn't actually discussed it with anyone else for precisely this reason.

Hmmm...well I guess it's a fun message if Ryukusa wants to play fair. If not, we should probably wait until we've gotten started first at least. I dunno if we can AFFORD to play fair, even with Ryukusa being Ryukusa.

How would knowing about the edict help Enma? He's going to be trying his hardest to capture us anyways. Plus we aren't mentioning the ruyi, would he be able to guess that we have it?

If he knows Ryukusa has to come after him* he could consolidate all his resources and use them to set up a trap that's as advantageous for him as possible, unlike the current situation where he'd be actively pursuing Ryukusa and thus his servants fight on our terms and locations instead.

*well his servants, but same thing for this.

>[] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....

>[] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
>[] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing...

Oh bugger, I left my trip on. Sorry

Ryukusa in a loan-shark business suit

Yes, but how many of Enma-Oh's servants will be willing to go against an Imperial Edict that essentially is telling them to GTFO of Japan?

Sure, technically, the edict only orders Ryukusa to hunt them down and doesn't explicitly say that they have to leave Japan.
But there's gotta be a lot of the small fry, and some of the mid-level managers that are going to consider a career change when it seems that the winds of Imperial Favor are shifting against them.

Wouldn't it be better to reduce the number of people we will have to hunt down, fight, and kill?
Because we HAVE to make this our top priority, and everything else has to be considered secondary.

As Ryukusa understands it, the Eight Immortal Devils (or whatever they call themselves currently) are only here to take her to Enma-Oh, and they might have some pawns. It would be exceedingly unlike that a full scale invasion is current or that he has too much going on in Japan aside from that from the Chinese side - the risk is too great for the cost (e.g. not starting another Buddhist-Shinto war is kind of critical). The edict also lacks a command to "seek them out" - she can set up ambushes or allow them to come to her. She merely has to 'eliminate' them.

>If it's the Jade Emperor, may he live Ten-thousand times Ten-thousand year, and Amaterasu-okami-sama, it can't be helped.

Enma-Oh cannot act against the wishes of the Jade Emperor.

Adding to my vote here >What does it means for my sister and people like her who made deal with them?

Hmmm, fair enough. I was worried if Ryukusa sat around waiting with an ambush too long it'd break the terms.

Lets just redeem all his demon overlords to be our "Friends"

>Enma-Oh cannot act against the wishes of the Jade Emperor.
This is incorrect. Enma-Oh can explicitly act agaisnt those wishes. That's his exact purpose.

Otherwise I'm sure our boy JE would just send a quick text down without using Ryukusa as an intermediate!

[XXX] Okay. But there is this ruyi thing....
[XX] Oh. Well then, I have tasks for you....
[x] Eh heh....I was just wondering.
[x] ….exactly how omniscient is he?
[+] What are the chances of Enma-Oh knowing all this is happening?
[+] Define servants and tools, please?

(Um. Well, that's....yeah, I was just kind of curious, okay?)

Er Yin's soft amusement is like being wrapped in a down comforter.

(How omniscient is he anyways? I mean, he would know what is going to happen, given the things he's told me to do and such. He could easily identify the opponents and have someone else....ah, kami stuff. I'm the someone else. Still I would like to know.)

(Perfectly, Ryukusa-sama. He doesn't act because it would disturb the Harmony of Heaven, the Middle Kingdom, and Hell. It is up to humanity to solve it's own problems, and us to solve ours, even if they are problems he puts forth.)

You mind flits across a few scenarios and you find that the pivotal point is one thing. Well, one Kami. (Er Yin, what are the chances that Enma-Oh knows about this edict?) You mentally “stroke” Kiku-chan, long, slow strokes from her downy hair to her slim tail; you “feel” her arch into your “caresses”, even as Er Yin's cool presence surround her. (It's kind of important.)

(Next to none, Ryukusa-sama. He is most likely aware someone has been given an Edict, but since they are delivered by Lord Venus-) The concept that she projects to you is mind-boggling.

(….the PLANET VENUS delivers The Jade Emperor's mail?!) It wasn't figurative; the image was literally just that.

Er Yin's amusement makes Kiku-chan stir and you gentle pet her back into her half-doze. (It is called the Celestial Heavens for a reason, Ryukuza-sama; there is a star that serves as one of the Thirty-Six generals.) And again she literally conceptualizes A STAR. (Since it if obvious when Lord Venus comes to the mortal plane-)

(Then he doesn't know. It wasn't delivered by....Lord Venus.) You have a hard time not conflating the concept of the planet and the character in that one anime. Even with the masculine ideal Er Yin projects. Wait, does that make her....well, that's not important right now! (So, servants and tools?)

(The emphasis on 'Tools' indicates his demons. They're less free willed beings and more like enslaved minions. The most powerful ones can direct themselves and are free willed – unless Enma-Oh gives them an order, in which case they must obey. No demon is truly free willed until they kill the king and take his place.) Interesting. Disgusting, in your opinion, but interesting. (Their servants and tools would be those tricked or coerced into obedience. Eliminating the demons would free them, or should, in most cases.)

That eases your mind quite a bit. Exorcisms after all the Eight Immortals die would work wonders, it sounds like. (But now I have tasks for you. I need to you draft an invitation to talk for Enma-Oh, preferably with his Eight Immortal Devil-People or whatever they are. If I can convince them to get out of Japan that's fine, if we're interpreting this correctly. I seriously doubt the Jade emperor wants me to fight the Ruler of Hell.) That does bring up one thing. (So how would you get a hold of him?)

>read about the Jade Emperor
>see how much time he spent doing literally anything
The dude is much, MUCH older than the Solar System itself. I don't see how anything could challenge him or his edicts.
Unless he's pulling an El Cid.

(I would not, Ryukusa-sama; that is the duty of your priestess. I can certainly draft such a letter for you, if you will give me exact details of what you wish to have him do.) Er Yin considers, and then starts very slowly. (I want you to understand....Enma-Oh is a being of his word, but he is utterly devious and while his word binds him, it is entirely possible for him to play by the rules he writes. You understand, Ryukusa-sama?)

(It's just Water Dragon Diplomacy, Er Yin-sensei. You really don't need to worry on that account.) It isn't entirely hubris talking there, though you are Clever enough to manage a battle of wits with the King of Hell. The ruyi is proof enough that negotiation is just an option. (What can you tell me about the ruyi of Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado? The Jade Emperor sent it to me, and it's making me....concerned.)

Her breath catches and Kiku-chan 'wakes up'. (What?)

[] Tell them the whole story.
[] No time for explanations, just ask for their explanations.
[] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
[] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
[] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.

>[x] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
>[x] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
>[x] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.

>Conflict is against the Tao. The Dutiful Ruler rules only when necessary.

>[] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
>[] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.

>[] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
>[] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?

>[x] Tell them the whole story.
>[x] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.

>[X] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
>[X] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
>[X] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.

Not sure why she's surprised? JE mentioned it in the letter and we recited the whole thing.

It's just now catching up to her.

[x] Tell them the whole story.
[x] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
[x] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?

>[] Tell them the whole story.
>[] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
Look on the bright side, however bad it may be!

He mentioned it in the letter, but Ryukusa didn't tell her she actually had it with her.

[] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
[] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.

>[X] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
>[X] Tell them the whole story.

What a cute dragon.

>>Check if there is anyone or anything that could be listening clandestinly

>[] Tell them the whole story.

[XXX] Apparently it's on loan, like letting me borrow a nuclear warhead or something.
[XX] Uuhhhh....how bad is it?
[X] Ruyi. Powers. Details. Please.
[X] Tell them the whole story - securely

(….okay, you two really have to start giving me real details when you think something is very very bad, because me asking “how bad is it” is kind of embarrassing, you know?) Your gentle rebuke doesn't phase either of them. Kiku-chan is waking up and paying attention now. (….okay, so, um, how bad is it again?)

(Have you touched the ruyi, b....aniki?) asks Kiku-chan softly, and in probably the most frightening manner possible: very calmly, like she is trying to tell a child to put down the AK-47. Even worse, she didn't call you baka. After she started to.

(I have not. It is in ~Nowhere~, because I'm pretty sure anyone can feel it from a mile away.)

(No, Ryukuza-sama, that would be just you, unless you are holding it,) Er Yin....well, you'd like to say reassures you, but that is so not what the fuck she is doing. (When you hold it, even humans will know.)

Kiku-chan speaks very softly, very calmly. (The ruyi of Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado was made so that when the Ainu needed his power, he could assist them, even if they were in the oceans of China, Russia, and Vietnam. With it, Horobi will have his full strength regardless of how far from Japan he is.)

Your heart pounds and you swallow slowly. (So, if I pick it up....)

(You will have the entirety of your power, as if you had taken up the mantle of Horobi yourself in Japan. But because the ruyi is supplying that power, there will not be a disaster; you will just be supplied with the power you should have as Horobi.) Kiku-chan lays her mental hands upon your horns, gently. (So, if there are instructions with it, be certain you obey them, so that there is no lessening of power or accidental....problems that come of using Horobi's power.)

you extend your senses through the Void, touching briefly upon the minds of not only your family and loved ones, but many of those nearby. They're almost entirely humans, with three exceptions – a tengu-born hitching a ride on top of the train five cars down, kitsune-born two cars over, and the two youkai-born in the car behind yours who are studiously ignoring your car and everything to do with it. (It's strictly on loan to deal with Enma-Oh and his minions,) you explain, telling the story of how you came by it, and the edict; surprisingly, neither of them seem to know Kyubi-san, the nine-tailed kitsune that served Inari. (Which is why I was curious. So....all I have to do is hold it. Is it safe for me to carry ~Nowhere~? I know some objects of power can't be.)

(Yes, it is safe. The feeling of it is merely the proximity of being close to your own kimoto, in a way,) explains Kiku-chan, sounding more bold, and less cautious. She was kind of scaring you there. It was not a comfortable feeling at all. (Just be aware of how dangerous that power is. It is pure destruction, aniki. There is no comparison to it in any way. Such power shames the bombs of the Americans.) That brings up a point.

>With it, Horobi will have his full strength regardless of how far from Japan he is.
well fuck

No girl can run or hide from Ryukusa ever again.

(Er Yin – you, Shoko, or Jinyuu need to find out if the Iron Shadows are demons that are associated with Enma-Oh or if they are demons associated with the Christ-kami. I would really like to be able to erase them. Do the same for the Mill Pond Demon, but I think you'll find ties to that in Clan Ryo or the Kaga Clan, to be honest.) Dealing with the Iron Shadows would be a load off of everyone's mind, especially Yuuhi-chan's. (Draft that Letter. Kiku-chan, you need to send a letter inviting Enma-Oh to discuss with me the radical implementation of a series of asset cuts that well force staff reduction across the board for Enma-Oh. Invite the Eight Immortal Devils if you can. Also, be careful. I don't like the fact that an omniscient being gave me this before I got home.)

That worries both of them as well.

[] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
[] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.
[] Ask for an I Ching reading from Jinyuu-onee-sama concerning the Eight Immortal Devils, plans or just in general.
[] Inquire about how bad it might be that you haven't decided on the third element of your three yet.
[] Ask if there's anything else that you forgot to mention, like exactly how to cope with Er Yin's fiancée coughing up lava.

>If you select the I Ching Reading:
>>I Ching Reading: dice+1d4+5 to get a number from 6 to 9. First six rolls only. First roll is first line (but the lines are read bottom to top).
>If the I Ching Reading gets six choices, it is automatically selected, if it does not by the time I update, the choices will be ignored.

>[x] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.

>[] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
>[] Apologize for interrupting

>[x] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
>[x] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d4 + 5)

>[] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
>[X] Ask for an I Ching reading from Jinyuu-onee-sama concerning the Eight Immortal Devils, plans or just in general.

>coughing up lava
Didn't we already cover this with Er Yin? Something about keeping a cast iron cauldron on hand?

Rolled 1 + 5 (1d4 + 5)

>[] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.
>[] Inquire about how bad it might be that you haven't decided on the third element of your three yet.
>[] Ask for an I Ching reading from Jinyuu-onee-sama concerning the Eight Immortal Devils, plans or just in general.
Fuck year, dice!

I think it's more about revealing the "fiancee" bit.

Clearly that's the tease Kiku option.

>[] Inquire about how bad it might be that you haven't decided on the third element of your three yet.
>[] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.

>] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
>[] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.

>[] Ask if there's anything else that you forgot to mention, like exactly how to cope with Er Yin's fiancée coughing up lava.

Let's do I Ching only when we have our sister and our loved ones near.

We'd have trouble dealing with it otherwise

>[X] Inquire about how bad it might be that you haven't decided on the third element of your three yet.
>[X] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.
>I Ching Reading: dice+1d4+5

You have to put the dice+1d4+5 in the option field, user.

Rolled 1 + 5 (1d4 + 5)

Yup yup just not done it in ages.

Certainly not a quest filled with dice, this.

XS seems to like diceless systems if her other quests are anything to go by, and personally I prefer quests with way with the writer taking a stand for what the character would do.

Well, other than Dramatic Princess Rescue Quest at least.

Was about to say, clearly XS is experimenting some with dice nowadays!

To be fair, that quest was meant to be one that was not obviously her style to test how much of a viewership qst can generate.

I Ching in this quest is pretty terrifying.

[X] Inquire about how bad it might be that you haven't decided on the third element of your three yet.
[XXX] “Hug” and “kiss” them both, and let them get to work – or whatever they were doing before you interrupted.
[XX] Apologize for interrupting and tell them they can wait to start work in the morning – you'll all be home soon.
[x] Ask if there's anything else that you forgot to mention, like exactly how to cope with Er Yin's fiancée coughing up lava.

(I know I am supposed to have strength in three of the Five Elements, but to be perfectly honest I'm having trouble deciding between Fire and Wood. It's been pointed out by a couple of enemies so far that I'm going to be weaker by not concentrating on one, but how bad is it, exactly?) You've been getting some good use out of Fire Eyes for sure, and the regeneration is nice, but you're not entirely sure what will happen when you focus on one – specifically, will you lose all access to the abilities of the other or not.

Kiku-chan “frowns” mightily. “Baka dragon, if you don't concentrate, you'll be a dragonette instead of a demigod when you call on Horobi's power for true.)

(Hougyoku-chan is correct, Ryukusa-sama. While it will not matter if you have the ruyi, you will be only a dragonette. While being a dragonette is not entirely a bad thing, Horobi must be ma power to be reckoned with by all, especially Susano-Oh and his get. If you cannot change the fate of the world, you will not be able to serve Amaterasu-Omikami's will properly.) Er Yin studies you carefully. (Your Fire element is much stronger, but the Wood Element is not out of reach. But you must decide – and soon. We are starting to face those enemies who were already strong before you were aware of your mikoto, and they will not become weaker.)

(Will I lose access to the power of the other if I give it up?)

Kiku ”snorts”. (For a Water Dragonette, you are being stupid. How can you forget what you have already accomplished and learned!?)

(Gomen, gomen. Forgive this stupid lizard. Also, I apologize for interrupting you both. I wasn't aware.) You envelope them in the warmth of your love, holding them close and feeling them against you, in you. You “kiss” them each, slow and deep. (We'll be home in an hour or so, give or take, so you needn't concern yourself with work until then.)

They both radiate their agreement.

(Oh, also, will a fire extinguisher from a train prevent your fiancée from melting the care we are riding in to slag? It would be really inconvenient if I had to wait to announce your upcoming nuptials without you present, Er Yin.) Your wicked amusement embarrasses the poor seer, while Kiku-chan's temper explodes.

(Bakayaro, I can't get married to another woman!) Er Yin blushes, but doesn't agree or disagree with the angry Fire dragonette.

(Ah, but the edict demands I send an invitation to the August Personage of Jade, may he live Ten-thousand times Ten-thousand years, and since it would really upset my wife if I were to get myself beheaded, I HAVE to make sure you get married.) The embarrassment and aggravation of Kiku-chan is absolutely nothing compared to the astonished shock that Er Yin is suffering. It hadn't occurred to her that you would interpret the edict that way.

Which you did because you could, of course, but it's way more fun to do it this way. Still totally the winner.

(Bai bai!) you murmur as you blink yourself into the real world once more. Things haven't changed significantly out here; now that you know what is causing the thrumming power along your nerves to feel so intense, you start blocking it out, carefully. Not entirely, you like knowing that it is in your possession and safe, but it affects your temper a lot less. Especially now that you have some answers.

Kiku-chan is drowsing against Akari's shoulder, while Akari continues her web-work. Yui-chan is settled on her other side, snoring slightly, though you note their tails are wound together. Akari doesn't notice you, of course, which means she's perfectly aware of you.

Rising, you walk over to where Inau-kun is sitting next to Kiki-hime, who has her hands in her lap and looks up with an uncertain smile. You smile back and her smile becomes beatific, her eyes shining with love and warmth. Yuuhi-chan is sitting on the floor in front of them, both arms wrapped around the sheath of her nodachi. You idly wonder how she would manage with it in the confined space of the car, but the answer comes clearly enough – she'd stay low and use it as a staff rather than a sword. You also note that Ina-kun is by the door to the next car, the solid wall of the corner next to Kiki-hime, and Yuuhi looking out the window and back.

Very good coverage.

[] Yuuhi-chan first, she's closest.
[] Inau-kun first, so you can check.
[] Wife has priority this time.
[] Just settle down on the floor, and relax.
[] It's your turn for some lap time, by the kami!

>[] Inau-kun first, so you can check.
>[] It's your turn for some lap time, by the kami!

>[] Inau-kun first, so you can check.