Ryukuza Quest: Protector of Smiles and Youkai Hunter

Er Yin's spell is still active, so I'd bet that at least some of them are directed to us by it.

[] Slow down a bit and act with extra caution.
[] ….you know, it might be an opportunity to gather more allies.

Hey XS what did they feed you?

>[] ….you know, it might be an opportunity to gather more allies.
>[] Take a very circuitous route home, just in case.

We have some incentives, at least for a few of them.

>[] Slow down a bit and act with extra caution.
Thanks for running instead of... hanging out with whoever wanted to eat with you?

>[x] Take a very circuitous route home, just in case.
Hey XS! Here I was all annoyed that I'd missed the first vote having dinner with visiting family, and it turns out I'm not the only one late after all. How serendipitous.

Hi XS! How are you?

>[] ….you know, it might be an opportunity to gather more allies.

I'm surprised our visit went so smooth despite our lack of Good Stuff.

Playing smart helps. Also, I get the feeling that was a low difficulty challenge.

Our Good Stuff might play a factor in trying to get allies here, though...

Yeah, those are good points.
Let's hope we can build up some more and get our cushion back again.

You build Good Stuff by having Bad Stuff happening.

Also, let's remember we were only at 0 of both, when we talked with Himeyuri.

Yeah it's why I'm a bit concerned we might be pushing our luck right now.

>You build Good Stuff by having Bad Stuff happening.
Surely we should be full on Good Stuff after poor Akari's travails then!

I don't see how being at neutral will penalize any efforts here.

It's later that we'd pay a price.

We were nuetral before we managed to convince Himeyuri. Pretty sure getting her cost some good stuff. There's a decent chance that we're in negative now.

We leaned her towards our understanding and left her with a poor opinion of obashit. While it helps it doesn't quite measure up to some great benefit on our part, more of an advantage for a later time. Besides this little karma mechanic doesn't quite seem to bounce back that sharply.

[X] Slow down a bit and act with extra caution.
[XX] ….you know, it might be an opportunity to gather more allies.
[XX] Take a very circuitous route home, just in case.

Slowing down, you take advantage of your current head start to consider your current enemies more carefully. Not to mention see if anyone is actually following you; you're somewhat surprise Hebiki Rishi hasn't tried flying you down, to be honest.

Musumi Kanako, Water dragonette, and one of the odd ones out with wings. You suspect that's from Western influence in general, but she is a rather prideful young dragonette, and won't by talked down to. On the other hand, you humiliated and scared the last group of Clan Ryo warriors she tried to hunt you down with, which is why she was probably relegated to 'baby sitting' the young warriors she was with.

Ryuu Neriko was one of the Void dragonette 'triplets' who was helping your cousin Hauko. She turned out to be rather forthright and understanding of your situation, but she has had plenty of time to be thinking on what happened. Still, she's hanging with one of the other people your cousin is interested in, so that may not be so bad. It is interesting to note that Oba-san has allowed her to return to Ryo Clan, even though you were technically supposed to sanction her for teaching outsiders Clan secrets and interfering in your mission.

Ryuu Natsuo is a Fire oni-child who is as hot tempered and quick as they come. She seems to be hitting it off with Neriko, but since your cousin is a Fire oni-child himself, she may not be part of his harem. Oh, and you may have embarrassed the hell out of her earlier. By suggesting that she become part of his harem. Still, she didn't simply attack you when she could have. Interesting.

Actually thinking back, we just build up a debt from doing well constantly until it inevitably blows up in our faces. Oh well.

Ryuu Juiichi is a Fire Oni-child, whom you knocked unconscious before eavesdropping on the conversation of his fellow clan members. It was difficult, even though he is supposed to be weak to you, so he's got some mad skills, or he's really stubborn. Maybe both. He's going to hold a grudge, probably. Then again, sometimes oni children surprise you.

Ryuu Ichika is definitely your cousin's harem member, a wood oni who has a spirit companion of some sort. She's a little strange, but she really loves your cousin and apparently Neriko as well. Both she and Neriko get along badly with Kanako....

Hebiki Gii is a human sorceress undergoing shinobi style training, as a counter to the Kaga clan warriors. She's smart and quick, and more than a little enthusiastic; she is pretty straightforward. She's also prone to act before she thinks, not a strong point for a shinobi or a sorceress, which makes her fun to play with.

Hebiki Rishi you only met for long enough to steal her belt and pull down her pants while she was chasing you; she DEFINITELY holds a grudge and she's entirely too eager to try and fight you. She has none of her cousin Akari's stoic demeanor, but hey, Fire dragonette. Still, she is bright and eager, and not stupid at all. You suspect the same trick won't work twice, but then again, you're thinking in other terms now.

And then there is Fuuta. Ryuu Fuuta is a Void oni-child, and one you were rather on good terms with. She was a favorite sparring partner, partly because she didn't mind losing clothing during your duels (mostly because they made her itch, rather than any other reason). You didn't tease or bother her about it, and even after your personal preferences became known, she didn't mind sparring with you. She was well on her way to mastering oni magic, and she is both intelligent and very cool tempered. Most importantly, she never feared you or considered you weird, nor did she pick on or bother Akari, which meant a lot.

The amount of Void and Fire is not surprising, but so many weak to you and so many who have the potential to overcome you....it's a good mixture, in all honesty. Speed and skill combined with magical power, headed by a strategic and tactical mastermind of your own element. And throwing in people you don't have that much experience in fighting was smart too. Still, their relative inexperience....it's a hard situation.

[] Try and turn three of them to your side.
>Name three – that is all that Ryukusa believes she has time to try for.
[] Skip it – head home as fast and circuitously as possible.
[] Wait a moment and see how Kanako has them set up; they may not even be after you (ha ha).
[] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.
[] Try and find Neriko and see what she's REALLY up to....

I am afraid I have to take a short break, about 1 and 1/2 hours or so. I will return and run a late game, and at the end of the session, as a bonus, go into how Stuff works a bit more.

Please forgive me - I'll be back as soon as possible.

>[x] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.

That's okay XS, good luck!

Is what it is, Xs. Though, I hope you don't go in to too much detail about Stuff. I like that we don't really know too much about it, since it keeps us from worrying too much about it.

>[] Skip it – head home as fast and circuitously as possible.
>[] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.

>[] Try and turn three of them to your side.
Let's try Kanako, Neriko and Gii.

>[] Try and turn three of them to your side.
Ichika, Neriko, Natsuo. Seems like a set.
>[] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.
>[] Try and find Neriko and see what she's REALLY up to....

I suppose it's a question of whether Ryukusa should go for three like-minded girls (or boy) or try three somewhat separate ones.

>Gii
Were already replacing the sorceress we never bothered taking out of storage? Poor girl.

>Try and turn three of them to your side
>Gii
>Fuuta
>Kanako

Gii would be very useful and we'd do her a favor bringing her into our clan, Fuuta is talented, intelligent and nice, and Kanako is among the ones who have begun to understand who we are, and has more than enough skills to back it up.

just in case

>[] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.

We can have an army of sorceresses!

It's not replacing. We are just finding any help we can.

Reminder that the human sorceress would be the one who's the most directly trained to deal with Enma-oh's human servants.

I don't think dealing with our cousin's harem is very relevant right now.

We've already told them where he was, they can't help us much beyond that.

Hmph. Fine.

Changing the recruitment suggestion here to this one

>[] Skip it – head home as fast and circuitously as possible.
I'm going to hedge my bets and both wish you feel better and hope you enjoy yourself.

Also while hearing more about Stuff could be neat, I'm afraid it'll encourage our paranoia too much.

Nah, it's ok.

It's better when we don't see the man behind the curtain

>[] Try and turn three of them to your side.
Kanako, Fuuta, Rishi

I have returned, and counting, and writing.

Appreciation for the concern.

The sorceress you have in storage is an actual Kaga sorceress trainee.

Wonder if Ryukusa will remember to take her out at some point BEFORE we tie up the whole plot.

We were going to do that in the morning, I think.

Interruptions have a way of coming fast and hard for Ryukusa, I imagine we'll have three new situations to deal with by then!

B-but, XS promised family cuddling time!

Well clearly they're coming AFTER cuddle-time but BEFORE interrogation-time.

[XX] See if you can isolate Fuuta-chan and talk to her alone for a moment.
[X] Try and turn three of them to your side.
>Kanako
>Gii
>Fuuta

Kanako being Kanako, she's going to want to have a bird's eye view of the situation. The best way to do that is literally go up. Communication would be best through the Void, so Neriko with her. Natsuo and Juiichi on the ground, Rishi in the air to get the most out of speed for when you are found, probably somewhat stationary or slow scouting – put the oni-children off to each side, Rishi ahead, so put Kanako and Neriko behind instead. Send Gii ahead to try and ward some of the obvious underground escape routes, with Ichika to back her up and protect her. So, that means take advantage of Fuuta's obvious prescience and place her towards the middle and off to one side, to make it less obvious.

It would take Kanako as much time to figure out that plan as you did, but she has to actually implement it. So....Gii and Ichika escorted by Natsuo and Juiichi, who split off after. That put Fuuta under Rishi's protection; Rishi would fly her there. Put Kanako and Neriko in the back to watch them....so Rishi would fly up to keep an eye on Fuuta. That would be best done....back there, and so give them three minutes and they should be moving forward. First Fuuta and Rishi arrive, wait for the others to pass....that gives you maybe seven minutes to deal with Rishi and talk to Fuuta.

[] Talk to Fuuta and Rishi at the same time.
[] Make Rishi unconscious, talk to Fuuta alone.
[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.
[] Let the plan roll, talk to Fuuta, but entice Rishi into an attack.
[] Neriko can't use a cloud; Kanako is vulnerable and can be forced to listen!

>[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

>[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

Rishi might be too hot-headed to be convinced right now.

>[x] Make Rishi unconscious, talk to Fuuta alone.
Go go Ryukusa!

>[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

>[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

>[] Neriko can't use a cloud; Kanako is vulnerable and can be forced to listen!
So bets on who's our natural enemy?

>[] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

[X] See if your plan goes as planned, and then talk to Fuuta.

You find a secluded, relatively invisible spot among some trees and wait patiently. Very patiently. Your heartbeat slows to nearly nothing, and your blood flows almost of it's own accord through veins and arteries, as you diffuse your awareness into your senses almost completely. It isn't a technique for the weak, inexperienced, or the sane. Luckily you're none of those things, and you learned this in a place as insane as Oba-san must be to pull the shit she's pulling.

You feel as much as see and hear Rishi dropping Fuuta in the best location for her to encounter you if you had been more cautious and less quick in your withdrawal from your encounter with Natsuo. They are talking quietly, Rishi complaining about the chances of you actually being around very slim because she recalls how fast you moved; Fuuta-chan gently tells her that Kananko-sama knows best, and that if she trusts Kanako-sama, all will be well and she will have her chance for revenge. Rishi snorts and kneels, arms crossed on her knees and tail lashing unhappily.

Fuuta-chan is wearing a massive scroll – easily twenty to thirty pounds if it's paper, even more if it isn't – hung along her back by a chain around her shoulder. It's not black, so it is most likely simple steep. She's got her wakizashi, ans she's wearing a very nearly too-short half-kimono with sleeves tied high on her upper arms. Her one visible eye looks as inexpressive and cool as ever, despite the huge, blood red pupil. Her hair, half wild yet constrained hides her other eye. The colorful tattoos that go up the entire left side of her body shimmer faintly to your Dragon's Eyes, which is something new. She still has that short, soft look to her, though in her case it's a softness that has little to do with fat and everything to do with smooth muscle.

You can't use Water Eyes in this condition, but time passes more quickly. The runners – the two fire oni and their wards, separated currently and each set traveling down a separate road pass you and the other two spirit children. Fuuta-chan notices, but says nothing. Rishi crews on a claw, her brow knit in consternation. Fuuta looks at her, not patient as much as not knowing what to say. Rishi looks up and asks her something, about you. Fuuta-chan seems surprised, and then shakes her head. You can almost hear the words: “Ryukusa is Ryukusa.” Rishi and Fuuta take on that listening poise that indicates they've been spoken to from the void, then Rishi stands and flies up and back slightly, circling some to look for you as she ascends to her optimal hunting height.

By the time she's high enough to be where Kanako wants her, you're already sitting on the wall near where Fuuta-chan is waiting for you. She's toying nervously with the wakizashi she prefers, her head down, her eye wandering.

[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?
[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
[] Is that a giant scroll on your back, or are you happy to see me?
[] So, who would you try and recruit in my position?
[] This trap is officially sprung. Care to elope?

>[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?
>[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.

>[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
>[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?

>[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?
>[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.

>I have to compliment you, most of my foes do not understand me as much as you do. And that category include Water dragon-children, gods of at least two pantheons, and some of the best sorcerers of this country. The question is: does it includes you as well?

>[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?

>[] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?
>[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
>[] Is that a giant scroll on your back, or are you happy to see me?

>[x] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
>[x] This trap is officially sprung. Care to elope?
Ryukusa teasing best teasing

>[] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
>[] Is that a giant scroll on your back, or are you happy to see me?

[X] Wait for her to notice you, it's only polite.
[X] Heya, cutie. Still going no-pan style?
[+] Aww, you remembered!

Since you're mostly under a tree, you're not too worries about Rishi seeing you with Fire Eyes, and you've put a building between you and where Kanako and Neriko so Water Eyes are out. Not much you can do against Void Eyes, but the fact that she's most likely going to be using the Void to talk with the others means she won't be concentrating on her sight at all.

Fuuta-chan fidgets with her sword a little more, and then freezes. She slowly turns her head – just her head – to look at you, from fifteen feet away. The hands on her sword fidget with a little more purpose, and she studies you carefully with Void Eyes.

“This is a trap, Ryukusa-sensei,” she wars you softly.

“Yes, and it seemed such a shame to let it go to waste. Still going no-pan, Fuuta-chan? Or did you finally find something that doesn't irritate your skin?” Reaching down she pulls up her kimono's hem and shows you a pair of matching satin panties. “Oh, artificial fiber doesn't bother you? That's great!” She lowers her kimono and smiles a little. “Nice to see you remember me as well. I have to admit I'm flattered – you know me better than the kami, the kamuy, most of my once allies, and all of my enemies.” She tenses a little as she closes her Void eyes and goes back to playing with her sword. She lowers her head and paces in a slow circle.

A ruse, to buy you time.

“I can see you're willing to give me a chance. By the way, is that a huge scroll, or are you just happy to see me?”

“It is my dream journal.” That thing must contain nearly her entire life's dreams. “I dreamed that Orochi woke up. The dragons who bore money called him up; the demons who bear spirit would incense him; and the men who bear stones would waken it to anger.” She bites her lips slightly. “Oba-san says they're just dreams, but she lies. No one else believes them.”

“Well in that case would you care to elope with me, and we can get married and you can tell me all about it?”

“I saw Orochi kissing the Rice Goddess five time....” she admits reluctantly, a bluish blush staining her cheeks.

….well. That's more than scary. Your situation has just become nearly public knowledge, if people listened to young oni-chicks seriously.

[] I believe them. They're true.
[] So....would you prefer me to capture you and take you away, or stay here?
[] And what did they tell you about tonight? Right now?
[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

>[x] So....would you prefer me to capture you and take you away, or stay here?
>[x] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
>[x] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

>[] And what did they tell you about tonight? Right now?
>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
>[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

>[] And what did they tell you about tonight? Right now?
>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.

>[] So....would you prefer me to capture you and take you away, or stay here?
>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
>[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

>[] I believe them. They're true.

>Though, to be fair, I kissed others than her too. All wonderful women.

>What did they tell about you? About us?

Important.

>[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

Wasn't Orochi said to be one of our distant-but still alive- uncle?

Fuuta is just wonderful.

>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
>[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

I think that the "I believe them" part is very important

Sure I'll add this:
>>[] I believe them. They're true.

to my vote:

>[] I believe them. They're true.
>[] So....would you prefer me to capture you and take you away, or stay here?
>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.
>[] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?

>[x] I believe them. They're true.
>[x] And what did they tell you about tonight? Right now?
>[x] Then, care to defect to the Dragon's Clan?
We always need more useful clan-members!

I want to put Fuuta in a room full of satin cushion with a giant blanket, just so that she's extra comfy.

And Yuuhi is here too.

Is Fuuta Oba-san's "Oracle" that was mentioned in her POV?

How the meeting for this plan went:

>"So, let's put the badasses to guard the trap, and Himeyuri will stay alone in her hiding place."
>"What about the cute girl squad?"
>"Just put them somewhere. Like Himeyuri's home"

Well done.

>>[] I believe them. They're true.
>>[] And what did they tell you about tonight? Right now?
>>[] You know more about Oba-san than your entire clan, you know.

So comfy she doesn't need pantsu at all?

She is? She sounded too "ignored by everyone" for that.

So asking her those questions might be not the best idea. At least, if you want a direct answer.

Ignored by everyone but Oba-shit apparently.

The POV also mentioned that the Oracle has been less forthcoming with her visions of late.

That picture of Fuuta-chan still has a completely messed up sword. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

Reminder that Oba-shit probably has the oni-girl under her dominion.

So Ryukusa would need to break this link and take Fuuta as her own, if she wants to defect.

When Ryukusa is around, panties are only here for aesthetic purposes.

Adding to my vote here >Did you see what I did with my herald? I can offer you the same ... though the dating is optional, of course.

Actually, that's what a real sword with that edge design looks like edge on. It's fucking weird as hell.

[X] Fuuta-chan, you're too good for this world.

“Well, honestly, I've kissed a few other women too, all very lovely people,” you say ina modest tone of voice.

Fuuta turns to you, her hair catching on her kimono so you can see both her dark, beautiful eyes. “....you believe me?” Her voice is small, tiny even, you can see her biting her lip, worrying at it with the single fang that juts from her lower teeth.

“Seriously, I'd have to be an idiot not to believe you, and anyone else is just stupid. Oba-san believes you too, and I think you know that. I think you know much more about her than you dare let anyone know, especially her.” She nods slowly. You glance at the building next to you, then look at Ryo Fuuta seriously. So you know what's about to happen, right?” She nods quickly. “Good. So you want to fight, or just let me kidnap you?”

“I'll go quietly,” she says dubiously as you study her eyes carefully.

“Good to know.” You slide Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki out of her sheath and turn, parrying the claws flashing at your face in rapid succession, letting your instincts and training do all of the work, your brain already learning to cope with the vicious attacks. You dace back, giving her you back and Buki-san's edge and blocking every attack. Leaping back the Fire dragonette lands on the balls of her feet, staring at you with incredulity as you take a stance that is only mostly defensive.

“That's IMPOSSIBLE! You can't be that fast! I was perfectly silent on my approach! How did you DO that?!” Hebiki Rishi is trembling from her frenetic assault, and you grin slowly, baring your teeth in a feral smile that makes her shiver in atavistic response.

[] ….you do realist YOU'RE ON FIRE, right???
[] Age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm. By the way....
[] Casually stand up and bounce Buki-san on your shoulder.
[] My turn. Ready?
[] Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki would really like to hurt you....you want to quit now?

>[] ….you do realist YOU'RE ON FIRE, right???
>[] Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki would really like to hurt you....you want to quit now?

>[] Casually stand up and bounce Buki-san on your shoulder.
>[] Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki would really like to hurt you....you want to quit now?
>[] Age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm. By the way....

>[] ….you do realist YOU'RE ON FIRE, right???
>[] My turn. Ready?