Stage 115: Kith and Kin.
There are a great many thing you thought you were going to do with your life. Kill people, that was almost a certainty. Lay the beat down on various spirit-children of rival clans, sure. Gather mystical knowledge and power until you were a force to be reckoned with, that was a sure thing. Sleep with some of the hottest chicks in Tokyo for sure. Get a reputation that would make other members of your clan speak of you in awed tones. Beat the crap out of legendary youkai. Childish things, really.
Of course, you've actually achieved all of those things, though not ~quite~ in the manner you'd planned to, and certainly not for the reasons you'd dreamed them up in the first place. So technically you can call yourself a success at your childhood dreams, which is more than msot people can say about their childhood dreams.
But coming face to face with your real father, the Dragon Kami of the Sea, was definitely not on that list.
So, here you are, standing in front of your father's left eye, which is four feet taller than you are, as you float slightly above the ocean floor. Your new friend Toshida Ginka, a rather nice and very sheltered – relatively speaking – youkai-born, is kowtowed next to you, trembling in absolute terror of the manifested deity. Which you really can't fault her for in the slightest, mostly because....well, he's Ryujin. Even if he did just compliment you on a job well done. Defeating the twin Daimyo of Clan Ryo without killing either of them is pretty impressive, but you still have blood on your hands and you're supposed to present your father with the transitional offering for protecting Mikimoto Pearl Island.
>>46009102
Which your family and Ah-sama have spiritually wrecked, which means sometime soon Mikimoto Pearl Island – with the important and notable exceptions of the ocean floor and the temple on the island – will eventually suffer an equally destructive occurrence in the physical world. You're fairly certain that's going to be your fault, so it was kind of inevitable, but at leas the opportunity to rebuild is present. Yay?
First things first, however. You have a rather delicate situation on your hands.
[] Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
[] Clean up, finish the ceremony, then you might be able to relax.
[] Face it, you're fairly reverent but this fellow does have some things to answer for.
[] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
[] ….thank you? Sorry for messing up the island, dad? What the heck are you supposed to say at a time like this?
Twitter: @XsQuestmistress
Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/45798013/
Interlude: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/37879167/
Threads in Chronological Order, including writeups by XS : http://pastebin.com/Z53TyK0N
or search for Title: Ryukuza on Suptg
Barrier Combat Guide: http://pastebin.com/rZLwzvGx
>Ryukusa's Treasures
Eight hundred and sixty-two cat youkai live in your aura
Nyoi-ju, the Wishing Jewel.
Matagama-no-Shitoki, a kami in it's own right that protects Ryukusa from inimical magic.
Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume – Ryukusa's mukade possessed wakizashi; a kami. “Daughter of my Centipede of Rain.”
Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki - Invincible Weapon of the Present Age, a secret kami-blade given to Ryukusa by Wakaba 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.
Ryukusa's Family.
>Talismans:
Akari – Centipede
Er Yin – Scorpion
Kiki – Toad
Kiku – Lizard
Yui – Snake
>>46009165
>[] Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
>[] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
I had completely forgotten that the US had DST this weekend. Wasn't expecting this for another hour. How's the health doing, XS?
Ryu Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8", but this becomes 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Kiku is 5' 1" for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Akari is 5' 3", and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch, cosplayer.
Yui is 5' 6" and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control. Dyke, switch.
Kiki is 5' 6", and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Er Yin is the tallest at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant.
Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches above the ground or floor because of her nature as a seer. Straight.
Hinata-hakase is 6' 3". Sexuality is terrifying.
Hidesato is 5' 5". Straight.
Kushinada is 5' 8". Straighter.
Taisho Ryoga is 5' 9". Who knows.
Hyun Chisato is 5' 4”, and is fully grown. Lolicon with plausible deniability.
Rie is 8” tall or 5' 5”, and is fully cat. Her sexuality is cat.
Hagyu Genso is 12' 5” standing upright. He is by and large gay.
Mizumi Shoko is 7' 2”, is fully grown. Bisexual top.
Yuuhi is 4'11” and is fully grown. Yuuhi a cute.
Tokei Isusangi, Inau-kun is 5' 3” and still confused.
Reiha is 5' 5 1/2”, and is milfy.
Peta is 3' 2”. Peta is \>.</ aka Her Most Imperial Highness Patanjali Piri Yokuhime Kuronogitsune Pa
Detective-san, aka Mugon Chujo is fully grown at 5'11”, and straight.
Kenji Soomi is 5' 4” and gothic lolita.
Musumi Kanako is 5' 6.5”, and is pretty straight.
Hebiki Naoto is 5' 9” and belligerently omnivorous, sexually. You hope only sexually.
Kodachi Umetsume is 5' 4”, and fully grown. Practicing asexual.
Melinda Blitzenberg is 5'10”, fully grown and horrible. Maybe confused.
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.
>>46009345
>I had forgotten that as well; nevertheless.
So far, healing well, no infection, no further injury. We're calling it a win.
>>46009165
[x] Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
[x] Clean up, finish the ceremony, then you might be able to relax.
>>46009165
>[]Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
>[] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
We should not dally, but things still need to be done properly...
>>46009165
>[x] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
>[x] ….thank you? Sorry for messing up the island, dad? What the heck are you supposed to say at a time like this?
Wooo early Ryukusa time!
>>46009165
>[] Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
>[] Clean up, finish the ceremony, then you might be able to relax.
Follow proper protocol.
>>46009582
Wonder if dad's strict on protocol, really.
Ryukuza Quest, yay!
Hi XS! How are you?
>>46009165
>Clean up
>[] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure
>Make sure Ginka-chan is ok. This is a lot to take in
>He is not the first great Kami you've met. Act like you always do in those situations: polite and respectful, but undoubtly Ryukusa.
>>46009709
He's a Kami. They don't exist without protocol.
"In the ancient Shinto traditions there were 5 defining characteristics of Kami.
1. Kami are of two minds. They can nurture and love when respected, or they can cause destruction and disharmony when disregarded. Kami must be appeased in order to gain their favor and avoid their wrath. Traditionally, Kami possess two souls, one gentle (nigi-mitama) and the other assertive (ara-mitama); additionally in Yamakage Shinto kami have two additional souls that are hidden, one happy (sachi-mitama) and one mysterious (kushi-mitama).[13]
2. Kami are not visible to the human realm. Instead they inhabit sacred places, natural phenomena or people during rituals that ask for their blessing.
3. They are mobile, visiting their places of worship, of which there can be several, but never staying forever.
4. There are many different varieties of Kami. There are 300 different classifications of Kami listed in the Kojiki, and they all have different functions, such as the Kami of wind, Kami of entryways, and Kami of roads.
5. Lastly, all Kami have a different guardianship or duty to the people around them. Just as the people have an obligation to keep the Kami happy, the Kami have to perform the specific function of the object, place, or idea they inhabit."
>>46009165
>[]Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
>[] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
>>46009709
Protocol in Shinto isn't just about politeness and being neat; these are spiritual biohazard protocols to prevent contamination.
Protocol is therefore a very Big Deal with the kami.
>>46009891
Of course, as a Kamuy, Horobi is, shall we say, more wild.
>>46009751
Note: I meant "clean up" as in "clean up, but don't do the ceremony"
I'm pretty sure we can't purify ourselves enough for it, and it would of bad taste to take over Ginka's role.
>>46009165
>He is not the first great Kami you've met. Act like you always do in those situations: polite and respectful, but undoubtly Ryukusa.
Note that "following the protocol" doesn't always mean "acting formal"
Getting a kami out of reclusion by making her watch a plump woman do a strip-tease is quite protocolar
>>46010383
Making your foe drunk before killing them in their sleep also is protocolar.
[XX] Formality is the best path you can take at this time.
[XX] Help Ginka-chan up and have her finish the required parts – she's still pure.
[X] Clean up, finish the ceremony, then you might be able to relax.
[x] ….thank you? Sorry for messing up the island, dad? What the heck are you supposed to say at a time like this?
Taking refuge in the spiritual is something you've done time and again, to great effect. Or at least no harm to yourself or those around you, for the most part. You draw some water from around you – notably not that which comes from him like a strange wellsrping, but from the ocean itself – and swirl it around you. It the best you can do for a cleansing ceremony. Still, better safe than sorry, you decide, as you take a deep breath, inhaling deeply of the cold ocean that seems to drift away from Ryujin Owatatsumi like an overflowing current, before clapping twice. His massive eye fixes on you, and you can feel his amusement wash over you like a tidal wave. Which doesn't really bother you, given you're a sea dragonette yourself. Ginka shudders, but she isn't swept away by the power he exudes.
You gently help Ginka to her feet, and she blinks at you, her eyes wide and shocked looking. Carefully, making no sudden movements, you direct her attention to the bundle of sticks, which is surprisingly intact despite being submerged for so long. She looks at you, her eyes flick towards the massive eye of the Dragon Kami of the sea, and then she looks back to you.
Nodding encouragingly, you help her to the bundle and she picks it up gingerly by the tassels made for that purpose, that hold the nusa together. Returning to his eye you gesture for her to lay it down, which she does, and then kneel, which she does as well, clapping her hands twice with a touch more effort than you needed.
>>46010480
(Great Ryujin, Owatatsumi, Kami over all the Oceans and the Waters that return to them, please accept this humble offering on behalf of Mikimoto Pearl Island and the Ama divers that serve here. Protect them and nurture the oceans which give them their livelihood.)
“I accept your offering, Ryuu Ryukusa; I accept your offering, Toshida Ginka.” She looks up startled. A massive set of claws extend from the darkness of the ocean past him, the talons extending until he can touch the nusa bundle with one massive point. The bindings fray and fly apart, the sticks transforming into miniature dragons and serpents, translucent blue, green and black serpents that swirl about you and Ginka before scattering throughout the ocean.
“You have both done well. I am pleased by your offerings and your devotions, and leave you in safety and peace. Mikimoto Temple will be protected, as it has ever been, and the oceans will continue to provide for the Ama so long as they remain.” That catches your attention; he said nothing about the island itself, only the temple and the ocean. Ginka hasn't realized the difference, but she's a little awestruck by the Dragon Kami before her.
Slowly he starts to rise.
[] “Father, wait!” Not entirely rude, per se, but it should keep his attention.
[] Close the ceremony, and accept that you'll have to find him later.
[] Pray for guidance perhaps; a personal prayer, but still a prayer to him.
[] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
[] Ask him to protect those on the island who might not be Ama, but still live and work there.
>>46010513
>[x] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
We also need to talk to him about Hinata's request.
>>46010513
>[x] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
Yeah alrighty!
>>46010513
>[] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
Err... should we let him go now, or ask for the youkai-miko's request?
>>46010513
>[] Ask him to protect those on the island who might not be Ama, but still live and work there.
>>46010513
>[] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
>[] Ask him to protect those on the island who might not be Ama, but still live and work there.
+Hinata's request
Hopefully keeping him here won't be a rude thing to do.
>>46010513
>[] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
Hopefully this isn't rude...
>>46010513
>[] Ask him to protect those on the island who might not be Ama, but still live and work there.
>[] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
>[] Ask him to grant Hinaka's request.
We have debts to pay. I just hope it won't hurt us too much.
>>46010513
>>46010673
This sounds good, yeah.
Is it really the time to bring up our requests? I mean its a offering to him feels almost like we should does our personal requests in other sermony also not in front of Ginka.
>>46010879
It's a point, not sure when we'll find the time to see him again though.
>>46010879
Ginka's there to carry the jewel for us until we can properly cleanse ourselves. But that's only if he grant Hinata's request, and we did not make any promises about bringing the jewel to her, just that we would ask our father to grant her shrine the jewel.
>>46010879
Well, the logic is that clapping your hands twice attracts their attention, then twice more closes the audience. So clapping twice in succession closes the ceremony but may open up a personal dialogue.
>>46010513
>[X] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
>>46010879
>>46010959
We will meet him in the future, but Hinata's request should be dealt with as soon as possible.
[XX] Clap your hands twice....then twice more; that should get (or keep?) his attention.
[X] Ask him to protect those on the island who might not be Ama, but still live and work there.
[+] Relay Hinata-hakase's request.
(Please, protect those who serve and work here beyond the Ama, Great Ryujin; they deserve their lives and have assisted and protected the legacy of the Ama for generations, evben in this sad day and age where much has been forgotten!) You can feel, more than hear Ginka continuing to pray as well; probably in thanks or respect, but it's hard to tell with most of your attention on your father.
“I cannot protect them from the doom the nihonjin have called upon themselves. Amaterasu-Omikami has spoken, and Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado rises from yomi to serve her will.) You can't help the frustration you feel at being unable to protect them more, and the massive head lifts and turns, both eyes fixing upon you. Well you both is your assumption, because they're so damn pig you really can't tell where they're focusing. (Those that take refuge in the Temple of Mikimoto will be protected, regardless.) Well, you can't really ask form much more than that. You WANT to, but you can't. He studies you long and hard, and really, the ceremony is undoubtedly over at this point.
So you and Ginka both clap your hands firmly, heads bowed in reverence as the Dragon Kami of the Sea rises to take his leave, turning his head to the East, to the depths of the Pacific.
Then you abruptly clap your hands twice more, the noise reverberating like a thunderclap around you.
>>46011519
Ginka is pushed to one knee by the potency of the effect, which you suspected might be stronger with the kami in your presence. You have been the victim of that particular call yourself, when Kiku-chan commanded your attention as the personification of her deity. Ryujin's massive head turns and he gazes at you, the shadows in the water not entirely made of distance as much as they are by the mingling of the spiritual plane and the material world. He gazes down at you, his eyes glowing orbs of shifting blues and greens as the sunlight plays across his head and scales.
Yeah, you now have the attention of The Dragon Kami Who Rules The Sea, focused solely on you.
Not one of your more brilliant plans, perhaps, but it's working.
Now would be the ideal time to ask for Hinata-hakase's favor; that dept is one you've owed for a while, and you're in no particular danger by asking for it now. But there's so much more that you want to know. He's your father after all, and there really isn't anyone in a position to tell you more about yourself than him.
[] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
[] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
[] Request that he use Water Eyes upon you and see that you speak the truth when claiming to be his daughter.
[] Make a personal sacrifice to him for your temerity – perhaps return the treasure given to you?
[] Use Water Eyes – see if you can gain some kind of edge or understanding of his attitudes and nature.
[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011551
It's working, that means nothing can go wrong.
>[x] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
>>46011551
>[] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
>[] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011551
>[X] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>>46011551
>[] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
>[] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011551
>[x] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>[+] Make Hinata-hakase's request.
>>46011601
Don't let hubris blind you.
>>46011551
>[] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask if he would recognize you as such
Don't make this a request or a demand. Just ask him if he's willing to do so
>Bow deeply and apologize for your action
>[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011621
>>46011680
>>46011624
>>46011674
I think that asking him why the false identity would be a big faux pas
>>46011551
>[x] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>[x] Make a personal sacrifice to him for your temerity – perhaps return the treasure given to you?
>[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011551
[x] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
[x] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011551
>[] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
>[] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
>[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
>>46011766
I doubt it'd be an option if it was, or there would be some indication of it.
>>46011766
You got any reasons to back that up?
>>46011769
I'm against making a personal sacrifice for now.
I'm all for being polite, but our dad own us at least the time to listen to us, given his conduct toward his daughters.
>>46011906
I suppose, I just figure sacrificing would be safest.
>>46011866
A personal faux pas, I meant.
Like, putting the finger on something he would be pissed we think he has to explain.
>>46011867
He let several daughters suffer gruesome fates because they weren't good enough for his goals. Asking him to explain his reasoning on how he dealt with the issue seems like the kind of thing he'd answer "how dare you question me? Just do what you have to."
>>46011947
It's not like we don't have the right to answers.
>>46012041
Well, we have the right to be listened, but I'm not sure we have the right to question.
>>46011741
This sounds good. We don't know him to be a parent likely to indulge an over bold daughter.
>>46012618
Does this count as a vote?
>>46012641
Probably far too late to matter either way.
>>46012618
>Yes, it counts.
>>46011741
Supporting
>>46012673
Write-ins with relevant action are only too late if XS has posted another part of the story and we can't still do what we wanted. And even then, not always.
>>46013234
I meant the supporting vote itself, the original one that got backed obviously counts.
[XX] Introduce yourself formally as his daughter, and ask that he recognize you as such.
[XXX] Ask for forgiveness for your sudden request, and start with asking why you were give a false identity.
[+] Make Hinata+hakase's request.
[+] Kind of hold off on the demanding bits, really. Dad is kind of scary.
The fact that you can't speak underwater means you have to communicate largely through the Void, which is technically a form of prayer given that he's a strictly spiritual entity.
Which suddenly explains why Horobi has to be a spirit-child: so that he can interact with the physical world personally while acting as a kami at other times. Half in half out, and beyond the rules that govern the kami as a whole in certain ways.
Huh.
(Ryujin Owatatsumi, I am known as Ryuu Ryukusa, but that is not my true name. My true name was hidden from me, and those near me. I would ask that you call me by my true name, the name that I would have if it had not been hidden from me. I ask that you do so as your respectful daughter, otousan, if I may be forgiven for doing so.) Those huge eyes blink once, and the utter alien-ness of them is a little worrisome. Bowing deeply over folded hands, you find yourself wondering at the wisdom in your actions.
The fact that Ginka-chan is looking at you like you are insane really isn't helping your confidence here.
(Please otousan, grant me this small request; I have lived in ignorance of myself, my destiny, my nature, and my kimoto for so long; I do not wish to remain in such ignorance while asking of you a boon on behalf of those who I am duty bound to cause pain and suffering for by Amaterasu-Omikami. If I am to beg for a blessing, let me do so with my own name upon my lips, to my father who may chastise an impertinent daughter properly.) Only then do you submit yourself to him, the ultimate in humble dignity and selflessness. You couldn't do this before anyone else, but to him – for him – you can do this.
>>46013485
You kowtow to your father, Ryujin.
The Dragon Kami swims closer by a million miles, by a few feet. A rush of cold seawater surrounds you as his talon lightly touches your head. “Rise, daughter of mine, daughter of Mikami Tamayoshi; rise, Ryuu Yorihokura, and ask your boon of me.) A tingling rush fills you; you have another name, a REAL name, a name your mother and father gave to you! A name that is truly yours, known only to you, and that is sacred to yourself as nothing else you have been called is.
Except maybe being called father to your daughters by your loved ones. That means something special too.
You rise slowly, floating in the ocean as Ryujin regards you. There's a little less coldness in his gaze, though that could be your imagination. (Otousan, I make a request on behalf of the Priestess of the Shrine of Forgotten Stones and flowers; she wishes the boon of the Tide Ebbing Jewel, to protect her sacred shrine and those that are bound to it and within it's borders. To defend those who have no one to defend them, and to protect those under her care.) The Dragon Kami gazes down at you calmly and his coils move restlessly behind him.
“I will not grant your request at this time to she who must hide herself from Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. I will hear your request in my palace, when I meet your wives and slaves.” You clamp down on your initial reaction to his casual use of the word slaves, and his nearly dismissive use of the word harem. He's an old, old thing, and he has both in great numbers; heaven, he's almost as bad as the damn sword was. “Your priestess will guide you in allowing you to bring your servants, slaves, and wives to my palace without issue. There are secrets in the Pearls that few remember.”
>>46013534
You feel the distinct and unpleasant urge to clap your hands twice more, to end your prayers and begone from this place. It's not you, though – it's your father's will, pressing upon you.
[] Resist, but only for a moment.
[] You're not quite done yet!
[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
[] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
[] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>>46013556
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
Old things gonna old
>>46013556
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
There's a time and a place to explain things, If he wants to leave then I don't think now is quite the time.
>>46013556
>[] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
No you shut the fuck up dad!
>>46013556
>[] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
Better to show our true attitude upfront.
>>46013556
>[] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
>[] Resist, but only for a moment.
Just long enough to tell him to respect our Yui!
>>46013556
>[x] Thank him and then close the prayer.
>>46013556
>[X] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>>46013556
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
We can correct him the next time we meet.
>>46013556
>[x] You're not quite done yet!
>[x] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
Ryukusa doesn't start taking shit just because it's a Kami dealing it.
>>46013556
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
Correct him later.
>>46013556
>[] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
>>46013570
>>46013600
We still should make sure he call our beloved the right ways.
He's a great Kami, what he says has a deep impact on reality, and Ryukusa will not her loved one be defined like that.
>>46013556
>[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
>>46013697
>>46013632
>>46013629
>>46013615
He's testing us. He doesn't mean it.
>>46013785
Surely if he's testing us that's only MORE reason to call him out.
How is Ryukusa gonna protect her family if she doesn't stand up for them whatever the risk?
>>46013556
>[] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>[] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
No need to go full bitch mode over a simple misconception. There's really no need to get upset at him unless he refuses to acknowledge Yui as your herald instead of your slave.
>>46013615
>>46013629
>>46013632
>>46013697
No reason to be that angry.
>>46013674
>>46013638
>>46013735
>>46013752
We shouldn't let it slide either.
Let's just be reasonable and tell him the truth, before politely saying goodbye
>>46013817
Then we call him out in the correct way. And if, finally, he had no good reason for all of this to happen, THEN we get mad.
>>46013925
Also, remember that Yui isn't the only one that could be considered our slave, and that the "terminology" question is not only regarding this
If you read the update, you notice how he's just matter-of-factly talking of slaves, but he's clearly using negative connotation for the concept of harem.
>>46013556
> Politely correct him...
>>46013556
Fair enough, >>46013615 I'll switch to
>[x] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
Seriously, can we keep calm with our father the ocean god?
Beside, even Ryukusa uses the term "slave". What she should correct him is more on his use of "wives" in a near-derogatory way.
>>46013993
>>46014049
These.
>>46014075
Both are by me.
>>46013556
>[x] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>>46013534
>Yorihokura
From the online dictionary I've found, it means "small shrine possessed by the kami" or something similar
>>46013759
Sorry, bu what is this supposed to mean?
>>46014316
It's a half-baked idea that I need to rewrite and have been thinking about since I posted. Thank you for pointing that out.
Next time we meet Dad, we should ask for a hug.
Also, ask about who our mother is, beside her name.
>>46013556
[] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
>[] My family is with me by choice and with knowledge of the consequences for their choices. They do not deserve to be dismissed for showing the courage to be themselves, despite those who would punish them for insignificance of just wanting to be themselves.
[] Thank him and then close the prayer.
>>46014520
Telling us our real name is equivalent to a headpat from him.
[X] ….NO ONE treats Yui like that. Not even your father!
[XX] Politely correct him in his terminology before ending the audience.
[XXX] Thank him and then close the prayer.
[+] Temper, Ryu-chan, temper.
Despite the fact that he is both your father and a Dragon Kami within his personal sphere of influence, you don't allow him to force the closure of your requested audience. The words he's used are insulting, casual, and derogatory – true as they might be – and you're not going to let that slide. Especially after killing the last people who treated Yui-chan like a slave and more often than not beating the crap out of anyone who insulted her. Especially since that same terminology now applies to Akari, who has been by your side through shit you'd much rather forget, if you were capable of it. And your lovers are not just some harem – they're your friends, your lovers, and your cherished family, people you've fought with and who have sacrificed a lot in your name and service, nearly including their lives on more than one occasion.
Rather than unleashing your temper, though, you use that anger to resist the force pressing you to end the prayer. He is, after all your father, and one of the oldest kami in existence, one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi like Amaterasu-Omikami and Tsukiyomi. His will is powerful, but you're not going to be anyone's pushover, and this is important to you. So you resist his will, and he pauses in his retreat, something like curiosity passing through those massive eyes.
>>46014642
I wouldn't call wanting to be themselves an "insignificance"
>>46014779
>Bad News.jpg
Ryukusa sure is, for some.Can't get over that face though.
>>46014779
(Otousan....I have no slaves. I have servants, yes, but my servants are family to me. My wife is the mother of my child, and my lovers are warriors and protectors of my wife. They have all fought at my side, and they are all cherished by me. They are neither slaves nor a harem. They are my family, the family of your daughter.) You look into his eyes, calm, cool, collected. (They are the family of Ryuu Ryukusa, of your daughter, Ryuu Yorihokura. They will be the mothers, teachers, protectors, and servants to your descendants, and deserve to be thought of as better than mere slaves and concubines.)
The ancient dragon stares at you for a very long moment. Ryujin's head jerks forward and you feel the rush of seawater that his snort pushes against you, stirring up the silt and making the seaweed wave violently. “Very well. I will expect you and your ~family~,” he says, humor evident in his voice as he uses the word 'keizu' that includes more than blood relations in your family, “to come to me when you are able to.” You get the brief and intense image of a well fed, but powerfully built man in gold and black robes, shaking his head at your insolence and youth, but dismissing it as his concubine's influence on your personality.
You bow deeply, and thank him in the most polite and generous manner possible, before clapping your hands twice and causing him and the spiritual world he half-brought with him to fade away.
[] Collapsing, collapsing sounds good.
[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
[] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
[] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>>46014779
>one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi like Amaterasu-Omikami and Tsukiyomi.
It's funny how easy it is to forget that Ryukusa is techinaly making love to her aunt.
>>46014838
>[] Collapsing, collapsing sounds good.
>[] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
>[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>>46014784
While my brain isn't working right, I'm trying to cross-translate the IDEA behind what someone would be saying in Japanese into english.
I'm saying that they are small people, simply trying to be themselves without flaunting it, thus if someone is trying to punish them for it, the fault is with the punisher/sjw.
>>46014838
>[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>[] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>>46014838
>[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>>46014898
>I understood the intent.
>>46014838
>Apologise deeply to Ginka-chan for bringing her into your mad life. It was selfish of you, even if you didn't mean harm.
We destroyed her world quite a bit
>[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
No time to collapse.
>>46014838
>] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now
>>46014838
>[x] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[x] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
>[x] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>[x] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>>46014922
Not everyone does, XS, it was for them.
>>46014838
>[x] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
>[x] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[x] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
You've earned a drink now, Ryukusa.
>>46014845
It's ancient mythology it would be odd if their wasn't incest among the gods.
>>46014838
[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
[] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
[] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
>[] Collapsing might sound good right now, but being with your family sounds better.
>>46014838
>[X] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>[X] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
Yui apparently has some booze strong enough to fit the circumstences.
Once we reach Shoko's palace, we should have a drinking night with her.
>>46014951
Not saying it wouldn't, just that it's easy to forget.
>>46014838
>[] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
>[] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
>[] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
Odd how Ryujin just assumed Ryukusa has wives, even if she's female. Guess they find girls liking girls less surprising than Ryukusa herself did.
Damn, we still haven't found someone to write this No play about the oni disgracing themselves.
>>46015470
Ryujin-okami probably knows a lot about what's going on. And Ryukusa wasn't exactly surprised by it.
>>46015470
>assumed
More of he knows. Also Horobi is still "male" so it was to be expected
[XXX] Help Ginka-chan up, and get back to your clan.
[XXX] Pat Ginka-chan's head. After all, she's part of all that now.
[XX] You have wounded to tend to, time to go.
[x] ….time for a fuckin' drink.
[+] You owe her a serious apology.
[+] It would be nice to collapse....
Ginka is floating nearby, utterly overwhelmed by what she's witnessed. Her eyes are huge, but her pupils are tiny, and she is drifting in place nervelessly. Alarmed you flick your tail, ending up in front of her, but her eyes don't react to your presence in the slightest. Water Eyes shows you that she's in deep shock, not merely physical but also a state of spiritual shock. Despite the purification and growing up in a temple, she was never really trained for this sort of encounter, and the fact that you had enough power to demand a Great Kami's attention (much less a Dragon Kami's attention!) seems to have battered her realtively defenseless spirit.
It probably doesn't help that she's a youkai-child as well; Ryujin Owatatsumi's children are awfully hard on such creatures. You settle next to her and stroke her hair slowly, looking into her eyes, but that doesn't seem to do anything to assist her recover at all.
[] Try the One-Finger-Attention-Splitter.
[] She'd definitely respond to the scent or taste of your blood.
[] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
[] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
>>46015634
>[x] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
I believe you Ryukusa.
>>46015634
>[] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
>[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>Do NOT give her blood.
Seriously, never give blood like that. Even symbolicly
>>46015634
>[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>>46015634
>[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>[] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
>>46015634
>[X] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>>46015634
>[] Try the One-Finger-Attention-Splitter.
I'm intrigued.
>>46015470
Please anons voting for a reverse/mixed harem?
>>46015634
>[x] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
>[x] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>[x] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
>>46015754
That's when Ryukusa pokes someone in the forehead to disrupt their concentration.
>>46015634
>[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>>46015634
>[] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
[x] Carry her up to the surface because even though she's holding her breath right now, it might be better to get her up to air
>>46015804
I thought it was when she stuck it somewhere else.
>>46015634
>[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
>[] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
>>46015804
Bet it'd work even better if she poked somewhere el-
>>46015853
Dammit anon!
>>46015853
>>46015911
That would be the attention GETTER.I'll see myself out.
>>46015634
[] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
[] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
[] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
[XXX] Blow in her ear. That works on most girls.
[X] Carry her up yourself and let someone with a clue check her over.
[X] Try Void eyes, See what that tells you.
You slide around to her side and gently lift her hair, exposing the ear on her least scarred side. Mostly because you're sure she would be discomfited by you exposing her scars so casually, even though she tries very hard not to let them bother her. Then you inhale a deep breath of the ocean, and warm it to slightly higher than body temperature for you, which is still lower than normal. Though she's also part reptile, she might have the same peculiarity.
Slowly you breathe the warmed water across her ear, through her hair, your eyes half closed. It would be like breathing warm air across the ear of someone who is outside the ocean, and you've caused more than a few swoons with it.
Which makes it all the more worrisome when the only response is a faint shudder from her slim frame.
You open your Void eyes, and blink at what you see. Not because it's unusual, but because you actually understand what it all means now, and can differentiate between all the various forms of energy and spiritual power you're looking at. Which does explain quite a bit, as the entire area of the Mikimoto Pearl Dive is suffused in the pure, gradient presence of a Great Kami, while poor Ginka-chan is something of a spiritual weakling even by normal spirit child standards. Her Shen is not particularly unusual, but her Chi is very low, while her Jing is even lower than it should be for a human. You'd say she has a less than human lifespan ahead of her, if that; she might make it to fifty if she took very good care of her health.
>>46015634
>[+]Surface before doing anything
Please remember to breathe, Ginka-chan. But not right this second.
>>46016451
Most of that is caused by the damage to her head and neck; someone did a lot of injury with something wickedly sharp, and though that damage as well repaired as it could have been by surgery it has left deep and permanent wounds in her meridians. You suspect the wounds are ten years old, at least, and it's been interfering with her life force ever since. Another side effect is that she's extremely susceptible to spiritual power, in the same manner as a Wood dragonette or oni-child might be, despite her kappa heritage. Ugh on her, but your own efforts upset what little balance she had left.
Fuck.
You sweep her into your arms and bolt for the surface, using your power to equalize any pressure differences she might have problems with. Fortunately she seems as immune to that issue as you are and it takes no time at all to make the surface. Despite your concern for her as well as your loved ones, you force yourself to wade out of the ocean, rather than leaping out as you would like. There are a lot of human witnesses after all, and you can't afford to trouble them.
Naturally, your arrival carrying a catatonic Ginka is a cause for alarm among the Ama and the spectators alike. The problem is none of these people are equipped to cope with the issue as you are, including the two paramedics who are hurrying towards you with bags of tools and a portable monitor system.
Kamidamnit.
[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
[] Get Ba-san and her Ama divers to run interference.
[] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
[] Call Yui-niji-chan to you and have her get you and Ginka out.
[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
>>46016539
>[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
>>46016539
>[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>[] Get Ba-san and her Ama divers to run interference.
>>46016539
>[] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
>>46016539
[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>[] Explain to the paramedics that she forgot to take a specific medication, and that you understand how to properly give it and reverse her situation, and having multiple people fussing over her would be stressful to her.
[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
>>46016539
>[x] Get Ba-san and her Ama divers to run interference.
Poor Ginka.
>>46016539
>[x] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse
>[x] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
>>46016539
>[x] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
>[x] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>>46016539
>Most of that is caused by the damage to her head and neck; someone did a lot of injury with something wickedly sharp, and though that damage as well repaired as it could have been by surgery it has left deep and permanent wounds in her meridians. You suspect the wounds are ten years old, at least, and it's been interfering with her life force ever since. Another side effect is that she's extremely susceptible to spiritual power, in the same manner as a Wood dragonette or oni-child might be, despite her kappa heritage. The ritual might have been tough on her, but your own efforts upset what little balance she had left.
Autosave ate half a sentence in that paragraph.
So basically she critfailed a SAN check.
>>46016539
>[] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
>[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
>>46016539
>[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>[] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
>[] Explain to the paramedics that she forgot to take a specific medication, and that you understand how to properly give it and reverse her situation, and having multiple people fussing over her would be stressful to her.
Eh, her situation will probably be solved by the Kapa, if we manage to make her survive until we deal with him.
Please be ok, turtle-chan
>>46016706
Some actions cost way more than what one think
>>46016539
>[] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
>[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
>>46016706
So blowing on her ear made the situation worse?
>>46016625
>[] Explain to the paramedics that she forgot to take a specific medication, and that you understand how to properly give it and reverse her situation, and having multiple people fussing over her would be stressful to her.
>[] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
These two.
>>46016888
Systems were already overloaded and blowing on her ear increased the strain, so yeah.
>>46016539
>[] Get Ba-san and her Ama divers to run interference.
>>46016888
No, the second set of clapping set off that spiritual shockwave.
>>46016925
>Kiku what do I do, blowing on girls ears is too dangerous now!
>>46016888
Nope. The ceremony and the rest of the interaction
>>46016956
>Baka dragon, you can still blow on girls ears. It's was the... eeeEEEE.
Honestly, if I had known her troubles, I would have insisted to clean ourselves and do the ceremony.
Thankfuly, the Mill Pond Demon will probably help her, and Ryukusa's clan have ways to help too, but we better give her the nicest life ever afterward.
[XXX] Try and convince them that she needs spiritual care. It's not an unusual excuse.
[XX] You don't have time for this; make your way through them and get to the temple.
[X] Call on Kiku-chan for assistance in getting her to the temple.
[+] You have the perfect lie for this....
The last thing you – or Ginka – need is a bunch of well intentioned humans interfering with someone they've already fucked up by accident. Especially when you fucked her up in a way no medical doctor can fix.
(Kiku-chan! I need you!) The sense of why you need her is overwhelmingly for her skills and power; there's no mistaking that desperate plea for anything else, and her affirmative is accompanied by the knowledge she'll be there in less than a minute. That leaves you with your attention fully on the here and now, and all the people coming towards you.
You close your eyes, longer than a blink, barely long enough to be called closing them. When you open them you GLARE at the people headed your way, your full focus and intent clearly beyond them and your intention to plow right through them if they don't move. The medics are unaffected, but the humans and the Ama divers instinctively recoil at the intense feeling of threat you present them with. Ba-san, kami bless her, is quickly gathering her divers and coaching them to pray and hope, rather than allowing them to get in your way.
The paramedics approach you, but you already have this down by rote. “She's forgotten to take her medicine. She has a weak heart, and I need to get her to the temple where her kit is.” the instant you mention a weak heart the paramedics both hesitate. If there's one thing that makes a Japanese man fall over themselves in concern despite themselves, it's a girl with a weak heart. “She'll be all right, if I can just-”
>>46017397
“Move!” The high pitched command is accompanied by sharp slapping sounds as Kiku-chan sweats both of the medical personnel with a simple tamagushi stick with paper ribbons. “Get out of her way you people!”
They immediately move away from you as Kiku-chan berates them for their insensitivity and foolishness in getting in your way in the first place, even though they really weren't. It doesn't taker her more than a few sentences to have them thoroughly cowed and apologizing profusely to her. By that time you're nearly at the temple, where Yuuhi-chan has a door opened wide for you, her other hand clutching her sword as she scans the area for threats.
“Thank you,” is all you have time to murmur before you have ginka in the temple, where Kiki-hime is laying out another futon for you to set Ginka on. Inau-kun's bleeding is the first thing you feel that is out of sorts, so you stop it; a quick check over Akari shows she's still battered and deeply bruised inside, and her ribs are still cracked, but she's healing nicely. The burns along Inau-kun's arms are swathed in sticky bandages, and you kneel next to Kiki-hime as you lay Ginka down. Yui places a pillow under Ginka's head; she has bandages along her legs and her arm is splinted, though you can tell the bone isn't broken but the splint is more to support a lot of badly bruised and sprained muscles. Yuuhi-chan lets Kiku-chan in, and the priestess hurries over as Yuuhi closes and bars the doors.
“What happened?” asks Kiki-hime, the question on everyone's mind.
“....I think I may have inadvertently given Ginka-chan spiritual poisoning....”
>To Be Continued....
Thank you for reading and playing; my apologies on my slowness.
>>46017436
Thanks for running XS
>>46017436
Thanks for running XS!
Hope we can help fix this whole debacle.
>>46017475
Thanks for running XS.
So are we going to have to kill the friends and family of that woman we threatened because she didn't stop the twins?
>>46017475
Thanks XS. And no worries.
>>46017475
No apologies needed XS. We got there.
>>46017436
>To Be Continued....
[Law & Order intensifies]
>>46017553
Ryukusa isn't presuming anything - she may have tried and her people simply failed. She'll investigate later, as she has slightly more pressing issues.
>>46017475
Thanks, XS!
>>46017553
I'm pretty sure we were deliberately more than vague enough so that we don't have to do that. But maybe remind her we could?
>>46017553
We don't know if she didn't try or if she tried and failed. We also left ourself an out that doesn't involve killing any people.
>>46017589
True and thanks again.
>>46017605
I dunno....
>>46017608
Oh good.
>>46017475
Thanks for writing.
>>46017475
Thanks for running, XS. How common are what Ryujin seemed to think about relationships and servants among Kami and spirit children in Japan?
>>46017475
I'm guessing we burned a lot of good stuff this session talking to our father.
>>46017589
Would it be possible for Ryukusa to write a short book similar to the Tao Te Ching for Kiki to help her with combat and the like? Water influences Wood and Void effects Wood greatly, so I was wondering whether such a thing would be helpful.
>>46017689
Among greater kami, the prevalence of slaves and servitors is almost necessary and thus institutionalized. Ryujin could control the oceans and make sure everythign runs smoothly, but he wouldn't be able to respond to prayers or pleas for assistance; he's be no better than a kami sealed into a shrine, and that's not what he wants to be. So he delegates and has a small army of other dragons and kami to serve him. Kuraokami, being less powerful, absolutely must have servants to do his bidding in order to make sure everything works smoothly.
So, the basic answer is it is fairly common with the most powerful kami and dragons to have slaves, servants, and lesser spirits to assist them. However, being that they are kami and not humans, they think of such beings as extensions of themselves - in effect, as possessions in a literal and spiritual sense.
>>46017715
Actually, you burned it in previous sessions - you're now starting to see the effects of the purchases you made both good (Void Eyes working properly, honor-bound enemies unable to assault you, magical weapons acquired) and the resulting zero/bad stuff (Ginka being placed into danger, your father's decidedly neutral approach to you outside of accepting your claim as his daughter, injuries among your family, etc.).
>>46017748
It is entirely possible for that to be a thing.
>>46017689
To complete the answer, most spirit-children are on the level of Ginka, Kiki, and the like - not realy involved in the spiritual happenings of the world except peripherally, and therefore more human in outlook. Clans such as Ryo and Kurosune are exceptions, rather than the rule.
Thanks for running!
>>46017888
So, if we hadn't made the twin warlords back down like that, our family would have been less wounded and our father would have been more positive toward us?
I hate when the bad stuff result in people getting hurt
>>46018109
That's possible, but not certain - your family WAS fighting a warlord after all, and your father IS a major deity.
Ryukusa doesn't have any particular understanding of why things happen the way they do, which is partly why there's no set values of 'stuff to benefit', only general guidelines.
The important thing to remember is that spending stuff brings a real benefit, and it is possible to spend int the negative for things that are really desired (with commensurate difficulties to follow after).
It is also possible for the players to go out of their way to deal with difficult things specifically for a goal, in essence forcing Ryukusa to cope with bad stuff for a future gain, even if she has good stuff banked.
>>46018340
Could we have called down true lightning while possessing Yui?
>>46018421
No, because that's Ryukusa's power. You could have supercharged Yui's ability to throw lighting though, using Ryukusa's Shen to boost Yui's innate ability.
>>46017715
Generally speaking, you don't burn any stuff speaking to someone regardless of circumstances or the nature of the conversation. You can potentially burn/gain stuff as a result of how the conversation ends, though - such as forcing Ah and Oh into an unwanted and unbreakable truce, or forcing your cousin to serve and learn from Hinata-hakase and thereby removing him as a threat entirely and possible gaining him as an ally (which you then have to balance with having forced Hinata into helping your cousin, which she might not take kindly to....).
>>46018565
When the vote for the cousin happened, I thought we just suggested him a safe place to go and heal, and that he'd be the one asking Hinata and paying for it if she accepted.
