Shinigami's Manor. (Shinigami's Entry)

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Jumi finally shifted back.  There she was again, and she hoped the girl had lost interest in them or would not appear again so soon or in what should have been the safest place.  But at least she was confident there would be backup this time, and not just Hikaru.  At least Nall was pulled away from the whatever the woman was.  She rubbed her forehead a bit in frustration with a soft sigh.  “You and your damn apples.”  She was not sure how much they could really trust her to be honest even if they went along with it.  Or if she might try something like what happened to Shinigami last time they ran into her.  Was not excited about the idea of eating another apple of hers.

”We just talked to the master of the place.  I don’t think he appreciates your trespassing, or threatening our souls.”  They did have that advantage.  Whatever ‘Death’ really was, could she just shrug off the idea of offending Maxim in the center of his temple?  They were presumably than anywhere else this might happen.  Though she glanced to Shinigami.  Most curious how she wanted to handle this.  Did she, or Mitsuko, want to take their chances with this, ask any questions?

[Warning]

Nall had been tossed behind the fox but without harm, now just left to fly around. He wasn't sure how to react to the pair yet. The comment of Jumi seemed to make the catgirl twitch but at least she was being held back by the girl standing near her and appearing to enjoy the situation. At least Jumi seemed to remember her time with her. The words spoken to her next however did not appear to do much to bother her. Her arms opened wide as she replied, "Threat? You misunderstand... I've come to offer a fair deal. Three free questions then any further ones require a payment. You do not have to take that deal. He would not care either way.", she said, smirking gently. The catgirl only showed a serious expression.

Mitsuko didn't like it. First Lenneth then this woman who could change her form like them, who caused troubles for them and Jumi and who almost killed Shinigami by doing horrible things to her. "I won't forgive you for what you've done... Who are you?!", the valkyrie then shouted. wanting a clear answer. The question didn't faze the girl, who had expected it either way. Taking one of the apples, she started eating it before she spoke, "Right to it... I am the Emissary of Death. I miiight have lied to you about cert-", she started saying before Shinigami raised her hand and charged a ball of darkness quickly before she shot it at both the girl and the catgirl, causing a blast of darkness in the hallway where the two were.

Nall flew quickly in front of the fox's face. "Not inside the temple! You will make gods mad!", he yelled at her, making Shinigami push him away in frustration as the catgirl appeared out of the hallway to try and attack her in retaliation, leaving the fox to barely avoid a slice of her scythe before she kicked her away forcefully. "...Hold it, Mao. Very bold of you, Shinigami. I guess I deserved that...", a voice spoke as the darkness dissipated, showing the girl standing with some torn clothes. Mitsuko was confused on her side but the answer at least seemed to confirm something about her. The fox didn't look very happy and the tension could be felt. "The game goes on... Two questions remain.", she then said with a smile.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Not a surprising question, from Mitsuko.  But a disappointing answer, even if it was cut off.  Disappointing Shinigami’s was not very effective.  It might have been interesting to hear whatever else ‘Death’ had intended to say, but Jumi was not sure how honest or informative it would be.  But one more figure made his appearance finally in the moment of quiet.  Maxim did not intervene yet, but Hikaru stepped into the doorway.  Transformed.  A Knight is shining golden armor.  Sword at his side, still sheathed, but hand on it.  Prepared to draw if necessary.

”Forgive me for being late.”  He said to his guests and Umi, before looking over the intruders whose presence led to him transforming on the way.  “I invited the three ladies here, I did not invite you.”  He had not heard much of what they said, which made him more cautious.  “This temple only accepts its members and guests.  Whatever you might be, let my guests have peace.  If you are not here to help them leave.  If you are, be quick about it.”  Jumi was relived he did ask any questions, in case he got pulled into the ‘game’.  He was not friendly, but not recklessly hostile, perhaps experience warning him this was a very dangerous potential enemy.  Not one who could be approached like a simple demon or monster.

[Warning]

Despite what happened so far, the Emissary did not seem too surprised by the interruption but still looked cautious now. "The hero in shining armor, I presume. So literal, in your case. You're not being very fun right now. Disappointing... Shinigami, for you to be called a lady guest, you must really be proud.", she said with some sarcastic delight before she snapped her fingers and transformed into her magical form or whatever it was, with her floating torn robe. A void gate appeared behind her anew, showing pitch black darkness and unexplainable metal shapes. The fox was not sure what to think of it except for what familiar feeling emanated from it. A feeling of death or at the least a complete lack of life...

Mitsuko felt some annoyance as some more of the girl's power showed to them. Something that felt familiar but for different reasons than what Shinigami felt. "W-wait. We should still hear what she has to say.", she told Hikaru while taking a step forward. The girl's gaze locked on Mitsuko, smirking to her softly. "A smart girl... She wants the game to go on.", she commented but Mitsuko shook her head. "This is not for you but for Shinigami.", the valkyrie replied, careful with the way she avoided questions as well. The fox calmed down but said nothing, crossing her arms for now. The catgirl appeared to keep an eye on them as well but before anything, Mitsuko wanted the permission of Hikaru to continue.

Maybe with his help, they could get something out of it. The girl and her cat could have escaped anytime they wanted by now but the reason for her being there was not quite clear yet. Mitsuko didn't think that it only was to give them information. She didn't trust her like she did with Shinigami, who admittedly looked pretty scary at first. Still, there was something else to her. She said she was allowing them to ask three questions... If they did not go beyond them, would the girl hold her side of the deal and leave them alone? There were too many things that they needed to know, about her, Shinigami, Lenneth, Death maybe? Mitsuko's plan was not to leave her any chance... But if maybe they got answers...

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Hikaru watched the transformation, gripping the sword tighter, but still not drawing.  Watching carefully, nit intending to start the fight just yet but prepared to act immediately if it looked like there would be one.  Mitsuko’s choice to along with this, at least to a degree, would be respected.  For now he would just observe, be back up if needed, hopefully make the invader more reluctant to fight.

”All the mysteries to be revealed, with just two questions, or giving up souls, what a wonderful and fair game.”  Jumi remarked with some sarcasm and caution.  Two questions was very unlikely to tell them much, unless this ‘Death’ was rather wordy and even then maybe not too much.  Shinigami might not be a demon, but this game felt more like a demon’s style.  “You want to play this game, or ask ‘mom’ anything?”  She asked Shinigami.  If they were going to ask one or both of these questions, it was best to give Shinigami first chance.

[Warning]

Jumi's sarcasm was not unjustified and Mitsuko knew way too well. She was not going to allow things to go that far. The fact that Hikaru allowed it was already a lot but she could tell that he would react if that girl and her cat went just a bit too far. Two questions and nothing else. The deathly girl seemed slightly annoyed by Jumi's lack of faith. "Rude of you, little fairy. It's only a game as far as you play by the rules. I will do the same... I will give you this one since you didn't let me finish. I am the Emissary of Death. His most loyal servant and devotee. The one and only who truly understands the beauty of death. In this regard, Lady Shinigami was born as a perfect symbol of his fearsome power.", she said playfully.

Mitsuko opened her mouth as she wondered if it meant what she thought it meant. If she was not a demon then... Once Jumi proposed her little sarcastic offer, the fox snarled back at her, now being a bit annoyed by the fact that she was lied to. The hostility was not toward Jumi herself, anyhow. "Tell me more about me, then. Why am I here?", she ended asking with a menacing tone. The girl figured that she would ask and nodded, snapping her fingers and making an apple disappear but also a triangular magic symbol appear under the fox's paws, "You are the daughter of Death, that part did not change. You were the hallows made flesh and given the powers of the relics. Now, you're Shinigami.", she told her.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Jumi bit her tongue, not saying more.  The whole experience with the dream and what this woman did to Shinigami weighing on her still. But like Hikaru, she did not want to be the one to provoke a fight.  Maxim would probably get involved, at least if there was a fight in the temple, especially unprovoked.  But it was still too dangerous.  It was hard to know if they had any chance, even if it was finally a little clearer what this woman was.  Not literally death after all.  It was still not clear if she was human or not, but with so few questions, it was not worth clarifying.

Though it looked like she was not Shinigami’s mother after all.  Unless Death was the ‘father’ and her the mother?  But no, probably not that, and not worth overthinking that part either.  Death, however you classified such a being, was apparently Shinigami’s creator, whether a parent in the traditional sense or not.

A tense silence from Jumi, Umi and Hikaru.  No one planned to give up their souks here, so there was only one question left.  Not something to waste on something insignificant.  The most important things had probably been resolved.  The woman’s identity and what Shinigami was were both a little clearer now.  Hikaru felt that gave some more hope for Shinigami but would save such words for after the woman man left.  Feeling her replies probably would not help.

“If anyone else wants to ask the final question.  I’m still passing my ‘turn’.  I probably have nothing worth asking, and I don’t intend to give her my soul, even if she seemed to like it.”  She was reminded of the interactions in the dream that she was informed was probably about a desire for her soul, though she interpreted it differently at the time.  Though this woman desiring either her soul or body were both rather unappealing.

[Warning]

Shinigami looked slightly annoyed but otherwise didn't interfere with her answer, this time. The girl was at least right on one thing, she indeed was Shinigami and it's all that mattered to her. The relics, the gifts of Death, she had thrown them away in the mansion when she was trying to relax with Jumi. Whether they were still a thing in the hands of Death or not, she had no regrets about it. The girl looked at all of them but grinned to the words of Jumi. "Oh, you're no fun. Still irked by what happened back then, aren't you? It was a fun game and you won, you should be happy. Besides, you saw things you should not have. It could have went worse, you could have died in there... Or found Mao.", she joyfully mocked.

The catgirl still there had remained quiet without speaking a single word yet. Whoever she was for this girl, she always looked serious and ready to launch if she was ordered to do so. Her golden eyes appeared to keep their gaze on the surrounding people of the temple. The tension held for a moment, as Mitsuko wondered if anyone would advance to ask the last question. Nall himself looked afraid to see what would happen while Shinigami kept her cool just fine but looked annoyed by the girl's game. "You can leave. Tell Death I will find him later. Next time I see you, I will send you to him myself.", she threatened, making Mao's ears twitch but stay still... The daughter of Death herself was being serious about this.

The reaper girl pouted but respected her choice. "As you wish... Don't think it's over, though. Enjoy your humans while you still can. Let's go, Mao~ ♪", she told the cat who stared at Shinigami a little longer before she obeyed and floated closer to her master. Mitsuko moved closer to Shinigami before interjecting, "Wait... Where is Lenneth...?", she asked, getting the girl to look at her for a bit, "The cat who was after you...? She put up a fight and almost destroyed me. She's out there and for you to deal with. Bye bye, now...", she said while she threw an apple for Mitsuko to catch then disappeared through her portal. The cat took a final look toward Shinigami and the others before she finally flew through, closing it.

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:02 AM by Warning

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

That was it then.  Maybe Jumi would have asked something if no one else did, but she was honest when she said she probably did not have anything worth asking.  She was just glad the woman did not hint at further interest in her personally.  The question about Lenneth probably would have counted as one too, so better that she did not ask.  She just sighed in relief that they left with trouble, eyeing what was left in Mitsuko’s hands.  “Goody, she gave us both an apple now.  Probably harmless, but I still wouldn’t eat it.”  She had no idea if there was anything behind leaving them with apples, but she was reluctant to treat any gift as harmless. “At least we did not need his help after all.”  She said with a look to the statue of Maxim.  Who knew how much damage there could have been if he got involved.

”We learned something.  Though not as much as I would have liked.”  Hikaru added, releasing his hold on the sword and returning to normal form.  “We have confirmation Shinigami is not a demon.  And that woman is not death.  Though exactly who she is is a more troubling question.  Some broken Magical Girl, or something else.”  It was not even certain she was actually human, though it seemed more likely now.

[Warning]

Mitsuko eyed the apple in the hand, looking fresh and rather big at first touch and sight. If Jumi was right then she would have to be cautious with it but why did she give her it anyway? Was it just a game? Shinigami, still looking annoyed, turned to them. The magical circle that had once appeared under her was gone now. A remnant of what true power she once had. "Am I really different from one? I have no idea how your humans rules work but I am after all the daughter of Death. I might even be worse...", she said with a sort of grin. Mitsuko had to admit that it did sound frightening. Demons from hell were no good but a daughter of Death didn't exactly sound good either. Shinigami still felt real to her.

Without a thought, Mitsuko moved closer to the fox like to seek confirmation and embraced her, wanting to feel her fur. At this time, she felt oddly comfortable with just doing that without fear of getting hurt while doing it. Shinigami just looked down at her, sighed softly but held her back albeit a little awkwardly with her lack of human contact experience. She then looked at Hikaru and Jumi. "She may not be Death but she's close to him. Last time she used her powers on me, I barely could think straight. I don't think she is too powerful, though. She only caught me off guard. If she is one of yours, she is loyal to him.", she explained, leaving the lewd part of it for those who knew. Mitsuko did blush a bit herself.

Shinigami thought for a bit before looked at Umi a little. "My deal is still open. You can check me if you like and find out yourself what I am made of, body and mind.", she said with some fun in mind. "You can then see and find a mean to protect yourself against her, if you can. After this is over, I wouldn't be against some good time...", the fox continued, leaving some thoughts in the air. Mitsuko didn't dare to show her face, instead just burying it in Shinigami for the moment. At least, it managed to hide any feeling she may have had in the moment. She didn't mind Jumi noticing but she couldn't bring herself to have Umi or Hikaru see her like this and Shinigami didn't really help. Nall only seemed oblivious.

Edited Friday at 03:48 AM by Warning

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

“That remains to be seen, but for now I take it as something else, and you are something distinct.  Whatever is precisely meant about you being his child.”  There was the question of what ‘Death’ really was.  Hikaru did not think demon was the correct term.  Maybe something like a god?  Force of nature?  Was he hands off, like most gods tended to be, mostly acting though agents like that woman?  They would have to wait and see.  But he did not consider Shinigami an enemy, and not a demon without more evidence.  Though exactly what she was had only been partially clarified.  They could only wait and find out, whether through research or later encounters.
 

“I could reach out to other teams, see if anyone missing meets her description.  But even if there is, it would probably be a while before they got an answer.  “…Or if any fallen members meet her description.”  It occurred to him, she might not even be ‘undead’ in the traditional sense, but if she was connected to ‘Death’ could they have met through her death or near death?  Perhaps not, but it was worth looking in to.  The others would probably leave before any confirmation, if that was the case.  It would likely take days to successfully reach out to everyone.

”She doesn’t look like anyone I ever met, or heard of.  Though with a whole world of teams to check, who knows?  It might not be impossible.”  Jumi added with a shrug, ignoring what she assumed was included in Shinigami’s offer to Umi, something she guessed the first time it was offered.  She doubted Umi would be too bothered by that, the temple was big on marriage as the only way to join it, but as far as she could pick up, they were not as obsessed with purity as some religions.  The only question was, would it just be the two of them?  She did not mind either way, but seeing Mitsuko’s mood, she walked up, put a hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder, trying to reassure her.  She would keep her company, if Shinigami and Umi had their privacy.

Umi still did not guess what might come with it, but she thought the offer was good and should be followed up on.  “Yes, I don’t know how much more help we can offer, beyond Hikaru looking into the woman’s possible origin.  But that could be valuable to learn.  I am curious to know more about you as well.”  She knew much about demons and other monsters, but like Hikaru, believed Shinigami was something else.  She had a curiosity to learn about this woman who drew Jumi and Mitsuko to her.  “Would you like to do this somewhere more private, and alone, or with witnesses?”  She asked it innocently, more to check Shinigami’s presences and comfort level, if she would find it easier with Mitsuko and/or Jumi.

[Warning]

Shinigami wasn't sure how their magical world worked but "trying to find if any of them went missing" sounded like a good idea. "If you find who she is, you might find where she comes from or how she got there. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to join Death at the end of her own life...", she replied, both to Hikaru then to Jumi. "At least you have a good idea of what to do to find her...", she said, not focusing on the first part. Daughter of death or not, she still felt things that weren't exactly fitting of a bringer of death. Mitsuko was embracing her for a moment until Jumi went to touch her shoulder, making her look up to the fox then shift her hug to Jumi instead, holding her close and enjoying the moment.

Once free, Shinigami focused more on Umi. "I don't mind letting you learn... Maybe Death wants me to give humans troubles but as fun as it is to toy with you all, it hasn't been bad to be with a couple of you.", she vaguely said, feeling like her random experience with Mitsuko and Jumi wasn't bad for what they meant to be at first. Being accepted by humans wasn't in her cards back then. As Umi spoke of her curiosity, Shinigami smiled but the question caught her slightly off guard. "I don't mind watchers. They might mind, though.", she replied, curious about who Umi meant. Not all humans might like what they see. "Mitsuko and Jumi can be there if they like.", she added, treating Umi like she treated Nymphia.

Edited 19 hours ago by Warning

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

“I will leave you to get to checking, then.”  Hikaru said with a turn.  To begin to try to look into it.  The real problem would be if the woman did get pulled in the moment of death but had no connection to Magical Girls, or had fought by herself.  The important thing though was he had a starting point.  Something that would keep him busy for a while.  If Jumi and Mitsuko split off on their own, at least he knew Jumi was familiar enough with the place to know where they could go to wait as Umi and Shinigami took care of what might be their last task here.

Jumi held Mitsuko, trying to help her settle down a little, considering Shinigami’s offer.  The other concern was whether Umi would like some privacy with what that was going to end with.  She might not be as purity obsessed as other religions, but she was not a Magical Girl either, was not quite as casual about such things.  For all she knew Shinigami might be her first time with anyone, she doubted Umi would feel any shame about that, but maybe she prefer it to be private?

There was also the question of how Mitsuko felt, whether she realized where that was going or wanted to be around Shinigami.  Perhaps it would be best to let her decide.  “It might be interesting to watch, see what Umi learns.  But the process might be more effective if it is just you two.”  She gently rubbed Mitsuko’s back with the hand wrapped around her.  “You wanna go along?  If not I can show you the guests rooms.  Help you get rest while those two work on that.  The last chance for some rest before we leave the place.”  She was partially trying to keep the surprise, not speak of the fun Shinigami wanted.  Make it more special for Umi, even if it was not going to be the way the priestess expected it to happen.

[Warning]

Mitsuko held on Jumi tighter when the fairy mentioned watching. A part of her wanted to go along but not because she was worried about Shinigami or feeling like it would lead somewhere. She had seen all of Shinigami already and she knew that it would all be there just fine for another time. Her body had recovered from the sex but she probably was not ready for another rough round like what she went through at least twice already. Thinking that she had been mated with in front of both Jumi and Nymphia by the fox on two different times was embarrassing enough yet she minded less and less, with all of the sexual adventures she had been through so far. Being naked in the manor for a while had helped, too.

For now, Mitsuko thought about one thing in particular: A chance to be alone with Jumi for a while. Same rules applied for Shinigami. She didn't mind if the fox did something with another. She just hoped to have her around again later. Shaking her head gently, she looked at Jumi. "We don't need to... Let's head back to the rooms together, Jumi...", Mitsuko whispered before giving her a kiss. Nall was still around but the message was probably vague enough for him to not understand too well. He was more relieved about the event with the girl being over. As Shinigami didn't mind being left with Umi, she moved close to her and looked at them, "I will find you both after this is over. Put that apple somewhere safe." she said.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Jumi would decide whether to spell it out or not to Mitsuko, assuming she had not already guessed, after they reached the guest rooms.  By themselves, or probably with Nall.  Even if he had not figured out what Shinigami was planning, seemed more likely he would follow them than hang around Shinigami.  Though he was not immediately following.  Maybe he would watch the more innocent part and look for them when Shinigami got more playful?  She nodded, let go and began leading Mitsuko down the halls.  “I’ve stayed here occasionally from time to time.  It is not exactly luxurious but it is comfortable enough.  Not sure how long we will be waiting, but enough time to get some rest.”  She would be surprised if they spent the night, though it was hard to guess how long the research portion of what the other two were up to would be.  Or how long Shinigami would want to play with Umi afterwards. Especially if she guessed right about Umi being a maiden, and if she enjoyed it enough.  Though there would be some time rest, either way.

“I know where they are going, I will take you to them when we are done.  It will probably a good time to you all to Jumi’s home, when we are done.  Unless it is late enough you all want to spend the night.”  Umi added, also unsure exactly how long this would take and whether or not it would be a good time to leave.

Not knowing entirely how this would go, even the parts of it she expected, Umi was not sure if this was the best place to do it.  She saw no harm doing it in the altar room, since the purpose was to learn about Shinigami and perhaps what they would be facing from the other woman.  “Is this a good place to do it, or is there another place you think it would be easier?”  If they just needed space this was a fairly good choice, safe from other temple members walking by and getting in the way or misundersranding.  But if Shinigami preferred somewhere else, they could move.

[Warning]

Mitsuko followed her friend, trusting Shinigami to be fine with Umi without them. Nall was not a concern either since he was left alone as well before. "Y-yeah, rest...", she shortly replied to Jumi, thinking more about what she would want to do with her friend if she allowed it. She did feel a little stupid, though. While oblivious to Shinigami's intentions, she was not sure if thinking about fun times with her friend was a good idea in the temple. Some affection was fine but she feared being judged by Jumi for even thinking about it, if she did not make it obvious enough already. Still, she looked forward to some time alone with her anyway, holding Jumi's hand as they went, at the very least. She wanted to give her some attention.

Nall seemed to stay near the two others for the moment, being curious about Shinigami himself. The fox didn't seem too worried about the two now that the girl and the cat were gone. She also was getting used to Nall being around so she did not say anything about him for now. "That sounds fine... I am sure they will be having fun on their side while we are busy.", she said to Umi while then looking at the altar room. That place looked rough and not comfortable. "If you hope to check me and use my powers, we need somewhere I can lay down. A bed would do fine.", she replied to the question, thinking that it would be best. She was not certain how Umi would examine her but Shinigami would make herself comfortable for it.