Warning

Shinigami kept quiet at first, letting them decide and process on things. She still had something in mind for what she was told but she waited for now. As Jumi made her suggestion, Mitsuko nodded to her and began going, "That sounds like a fun change of things. I want to see more of what this place has to offer. It was pleasant to see the library but I will admit, also a little disturbing after what I heard here. I know the book is to blame, though... I suppose it's best that we don't stay too long, though.", she said to Umi while waiting for them so they can ultimately follow her out and see the closing and locking of the door. From that point of view, it really seemed like nobody could enter it easily, not even a demon. Shinigami had observed the door a bit before walking besides Umi this time. "I don't think you have to worry about that book or about anything like it. But if you must know, I would bet my tail that it used the same way I do to move around.", she said then quickly summoned her power to create a gate of sort near the wall. Further in the hall, another gate formed at about the same time, showing that part of it through the first portal. "You can't do that, can you...? The power of nothingness and void. I'll be good and let you study me to find a way to nullify it. In exchange, you play nice and don't try to hurt me. I have no reasons not to give a hand... Think of it like the start of an alliance.", she kindly suggested to Umi.

Shinigami easily noticed Umi's attempt to exorcise or dispel the energy emanated by the book. If not demonic, whatever that book's dark magic was was not exactly harmful but the mind of its own was a concern of sort or so it seemed like. As it was, the fox already knew what she was going to do with it. Eyeing the book to see if it would react or anything, she finally decided to use her power on it. A small void of darkness formed near the book to pick it up and lock it inside until she made her magic tear it apart almost instantly within it, making the void disappear along. "No need to keep that thing around, now do we...? I'm done playing this game.", Shinigami said calmly but still coldly, ending with a smile. Mitsuko blinked at the reaction but with the book destroyed, they wouldn't see or hear anything special now. Whatever that book was and how it was related to the fox, they might never know now unless she spoke of it herself. Still, it seemed to be for the best. Shinigami turned to focus on Umi for now, almost able to guess what she was thinking. "You don't want to know why that book was here. It doesn't follow human rules. I don't even think I do, myself. It's gone now and it won't come back.", she reassured before she gave a look to the two girls. "I believe that's fine...? You know who your enemies are. Just find a human who knows better. Or a god, if you know any.", she told them, with a bit of curiosity. Shinigami wasn't really sure if she was a goddess of sort herself but knowing that humans had gods helping them, she wanted to see what they looked like. What would they see if they looked at her? With her being a lost puppy in this world, with no real memories of whatever she might have done in the past, would they see her as a threat due to her power or look? Whatever the case was, she was bound to the two human girls for now. Mitsuko seemed fine with doing something else for now but looked at both Jumi and Umi. "If this is alright, maybe we should try Jumi's idea. I wonder what Nall is doing but I think he will find us soon or later...", she said to them, hoping Umi was fine, with the book gone.

Mitsuko was not really less confused with the response she got but Shinigami took over, "It might have been the souls I talk about. You don't want to know what happens to them once they're captured. Or you already know.", she said mostly to Jumi. Mitsuko wondered what horror Jumi really saw but perhaps it was best not to dig too deep. She didn't like that girl, though. Something between the two baited her attention, though. What did Jumi mean? Shinigami looked confused for a second herself, "Hm? Did I say back? I said back, didn't I? I don't remember being alive before, if that's what you're asking. The damned relics existed for a while, though. That's not an issue anymore.", she just said with a light grin. This made Mitsuko wonder if such relics could really just have been destroyed but if they were connected to Shinigami somehow and she destroyed them, perhaps they really were gone. The fox focused on Jumi at the moment, considering what she had said. "You two are not just humans but humans with magic or whatever you call it. Especially, you. Maybe she values your souls more than what she got from common humans. With that manor gone, those souls are gone. Nothing she can do about it, now. She had two of you within her grasp and I ruined it.", Shinigami told them, almost with some delight at the last part. Just her playful nature seeing destruction used for what seemed like a good thing for once. Mitsuko sighed softly at all of that. In a way, she was glad that the two were safe but that still didn't stop the threat. And not only that... "We still don't know what you are, though... Or if we have a way to prove to anyone that you're friendly. B-but I mean, it's also not important. You're you and without the relics, you're no different than us, right? Honestly, I am tired of thinking about it. If she is a threat, we will do our best... For now, I think I want a break. We can always ask someone about Lenneth... Unless, we want to search the library more.", she told her friends. Shinigami eyed Mitsuko a bit then leaned back, "Fine by me. Do you want to know anything else or are we done here?", the fox then asked Jumi, just in case.

Mitsuko gave a look of surprise as she heard the question, "Wait, a book spoke to you before?", she asked, not really knowing what had happened exactly. Shinigami seemed to guess what this was about right away but in case she was wrong, she still attempted a theory, "If you mean the whispers, I don't think that book is the only thing doing that. The whispers of the shadows are also named the whispers of the dead. If you heard the voice before, you might have heard souls...", she said as explanation, showing at least some knowledge in how death worked. Her eyes then shifted between two girls and the book which didn't really move an inch. "I might have answered for it...", she concluded, scratching her head. Mitsuko only knew of the dream and how it appeared like a game of death but slowly, she was finding out more about what Jumi had gone through. If she heard such whispers in a dream, She would see it as a nightmare and nothing less. "That dream still happened in that manor, didn't it...? If it’s as you say, then others died there before we even arrived, didn’t they?", the schoolgirl risked the question, which brought Shinigami to step back and lean back against the opposite shelf. "...She needed a lot of souls. The more she got, the stronger she became. Truth is, she didn't need me to get souls for her but I was a key to her power. She used souls to bring me back to life before that.", she said, not caring to hide it. If it was true then the ritual to bring Shinigami to life was one based on death... Still, Mitsuko still worried about something. "What is stopping her from continuing, then? She will find more innocents to kill and... do whatever she is capable of.", the schoolgirl said nervously. Shinigami shrugged and shook her head, "This is her game. Without the relics, she can't bring another one like me to life. She really went rough on me to punish me for it but it was worth it.", she said with a grin, enjoying her little adventure so far. "If you want to stop her, you're free to try. I am useless to her now but not to you. She may try to find a way to help her get souls.", she simply told them, not knowing more than this on this matter.

Mitsuko sighed softly, unsure if she should feel better or not but she looked at Jumi. "Somehow, I doubt that the book is trying to mislead us so I doubt that it comes from her. Why would she tell us about Shinigami? It did react to her, though. That sound is one I don't like to hear." she said before Shinigami, looking less bothered by it, took a better look at the book, "That sound is not new to me. Whispers of the shadows... I wonder if that book obeys me.", the fox asked, mostly rhetorically. "ሠⶴዐ ፪ዪዐ፱ፏⶴፕ ሃዐ፱ ⶴቹዪቹ?", she then asked in her language, clearly addressing the book which soon shook slightly again, flipping a few pages it showed: "I followed the thread of fate, drawn to the one who would open me." Mitsuko was confused for a moment, wondering if the book was not just drawn to Shinigami... Or to Jumi. The second half of the message was not clear as Jumi was the one to draw the book and allow it to be opened. The deathly fox only reacted like it was a normal response but not exactly a most satisfying one, "Not very useful but this book loves me.", she commented with a smile. "I bet I can make it give me answers if you have questions. I don't know what it knows, though." she continued, making Mitsuko look at Jumi for a bit. "I am not sure myself. I don't think it would know about Lenneth... What could we possibly ask it?", the schoolgirl queried, wondering if Jumi herself might have questions for this tome.

Shinigami quietly looked at Jumi, her expression showing that she was not pleased with what she was hearing but she had to admit that she may be right. "She has her power but I never tried to fight her. Her magic was not something I would have thought about underestimating. Besides she showed herself as the one who brought me to life. If she was nothing but a dirty human, it may be for the best that I am here and not there." For the rest, she shrugged. "We might not have seen the last of her... Destroying the relics, if I really did, may have slowed or ruined her plans for now. Whatever she has in mind, I'm here with you both now. I can still have my fun on my own. More so if you have enemies to fight.", she told them. Mitsuko however felt a little bad about their situation, despite the fact that what she heard about Shinigami at least sounded good for her. The book didn't appear to leave any evidence but now, she knew a bit more about the fox and that she might behave if given the chance. There were no ways to link her to demons if she was not one. Anyone with capabilities to sense them would know as such. Still, they were not done yet. "I feel relieved but I still can't help but think I brought you to my troubles...", Mitsuko confessed to Jumi, "Lenneth, at first... Then Shinigami and her mother or summoner. It's hard not to feel a little guilty.", she continued, looking down a bit. Shinigami grinned and stepped closer to pat her head.

Mitsuko had to think about this but Jumi was right. Perhaps the message did not exactly mean what she thought it meant or they were missing a key element of the riddle. "With the way the message read, I'd think it's not meant to be taken literally. A rite to summon Shinigami using the relics... I don't really get it, though. That book did not explain anything about the relics. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?", she asked the fox who shrugged, "All I was told was that the relics were bound to me and that I should use them to help her. Being forced in her chores didn't feel right, though. But that trick about the relics and controlling them, that was something that felt just right.", Shinigami explained somewhat. Mitsuko was thinking while she was listening but she still felt a bit clueless. "Bound to you... They were used as a rite to bring you to life. If they get destroyed, you become weaker...? Is this why you almost died to Lenneth? You could have bled to death, you know? It might sound like a joke but I wouldn't have liked that... Besides, we would have been stuck in your home, too. Who knows what she could have done to us...", Mitsuko replied, pouting a little. The valkyrie didn't exactly know the full story behind what happened between the two but she could at least guess this much. Shinigami grinned to what she was asked, "I may have released the relics within the manor before I went after her...", she said, eyeing Jumi a little. Mitsuko's eyes widened as she got a confirmation of her hypothesis. "So, you... But... You destroyed your home afterwards or at least that terrible shockwave made it feel like you did... The relics were inside when you did. Did you do that on purpose?", she asked with a somewhat angry tone. She wasn't really upset but the whole endeavor with Lenneth already stressed her. Shinigami, however, looked amused more than anything else, "Maybe. I tried to get you both out of there but I did not care about the relics at that time. Whatever goddess I supposedly was, that was what that girl wanted me to be. I'm just a fox who likes baths.", she said almost innocently but still in her playfully snarky attitude as she leaned back gently. Mitsuko sighed but looked at Jumi, "If that is true, this is still a lot that not many will understand, is it? If we put aside the goddess word, Shinigami sacrificed the powers of death that she had back at the convention. That girl can't use her anymore to hurt anyone... Still, she could try something else. I wonder what happened between her and Lenneth...", she said while Shinigami remained quiet. Umi was also in the room, able to listen to their entire conversation or having witnessed everything. Mitsuko and Shinigami both looked quiet in their thoughts for now. The book itself didn't really do much more on its own, just remaining blank and without any energy or sounds, giving the library its usual peaceful tranquility back.

Me neither so I just watch. No idea if I want to do anything yet or what I'd do if I tried so yeah. This is just on my watchlist for now...

Mitsuko tried to put together what she had seen, considering it had disappeared afterwards. She had to remember it clearly. "You're right. This is not a language spoken by anyone, these days...", she replied to Jumi. Whatever the intention of the message was, the drawing could still be recognized. It did not really make any mention of the girl but if that was this girl's "game" to mislead them... Both the girl and Shinigami knew a very different language, though. With this thought in mind, she looked at both, "I will admit, I have troubles remembering the exact words because of the way it was written. I did see the word 'goddess', though. Also, a rite... Then, there was something about relics, which you mentioned.", Mitsuko said. If she did not understand everything, something came to be a little more clear or at least, she could always make a guess. "What if we got this wrong? The drawing did not look anything like that girl but it looked liked... Shinigami. I did mention it about her name at first but I did not think much of it back then.", she explained a little, looking more at the fox who kept quiet to listen. "Your name means god of death. Whatever the girl told you, what if she lied to you?", Mitsuko asked to Shinigami before she looked at Jumi, "I think she's the real deal. Shinigami is the one who used that time magic on someone at the convention." Shinigami slowly looked annoyed... Maybe she had more control than she thought she actually had.

The book didn't exactly react upon being touched alone nor did it feel like anything but a book. Mitsuko still kept her eyes open, ready to do anything if something happened. Shinigami however did not seem to know what to expect, looking as curious as she was herself. Most likely, she had no idea what the book was about or if she did, she certainly hid it well. Only once the book was finally pulled out of its shelf, did it suddenly react and open with the pages flipping fast. Once it stopped, a drawing appeared on the pages that the book stopped on. The drawing was almost the same as the one Jumi would have seen on the wall in her "dream", a creature floating with the title "ጋቹልፕⶴ" written above the drawing. This time however, the shape took a more definite form, resembling like a tribal drawing of Shinigami with her fluffy tail. Three objects were drawn around her shape, showing the three relics that she once had discarded back at the manor. Finally, words that first were in her language appeared nearby the drawing, magically translating for Jumi: "Three relics of death, bound by forgotten rite, did quicken the unborn goddess, she who bringeth end and silence. Only one marked by the shadowed art may wield the rite, and awaken that which slumbereth beyond death. Should the relics be unmade, the goddess of death shall not perish, but walk as mortal, bound to sorrow and breath.", the writing then finished. Shinigami only blinked as she tried to read the converted magic words. Mitsuko seemed to grasp some of it, silently opening her mouth in awe or shock. Whatever this meant for the fox, she was not sure if it was good or bad. Soon afterwards, the magic faded to leave the book blank but also Shinigami's fur back to normal. "...Does this mean what I think it means?", Mitsuko then asked Jumi, her eyes unable to not look at Shinigami a little. The fox's gaze met with Mitsuko's for a moment then turned to Jumi before she sighed, "Will one of you give me an explanation or will I have to bite one of you to get it?", she then asked in a playful manner, as she looked lost since she couldn't read the words that they saw.

The book did not seem to be affected by any counter prayers but seemed to react to who approached it. Shinigami herself saw her fur glow slightly unnaturally with the book. At this point, the whispers and dark magic energy didn't really stop if no one touched it. They didn't seem to speak anything clear, if they even spoke any language they knew. Mitsuko didn't like the sound but as she heard Jumi, she started coming around toward them. "Well, isn't that special...? A book left behind by her, maybe? Or did this appear here by magic? I don't believe in coincidences.", Shinigami said snarkily, staring a bit at it before she spoke again, "ጋቹልፕⶴ.", she said shortly, making the book shake slightly, its whispers quieting down. Mitsuko arrived after, to notice what was happening. Shinigami's fur gave a faint glow that didn't mean anything as light. If anything, that was some of her dark magic that reacted to the book still glowing itself. If the book wanted them to find it somehow, this was equal to a neon sign. "...What is this doing here?", the valkyrie asked, confused about why this place would have a book reacting to the fox like it is. Unless Shinigami was right and some magic or witchcraft was at play. "Well, you found it, you touch it...", Shinigami then said to Jumi with a grin. Even if she didn't mean malice, her state right then was not inspiring confidence. Still, she looked curious. "I will do it if you don't want to, Jumi.", Mitsuko proposed.

Mitsuko heard Jumi from where she was, half busy looking at the books as well. "...It's not very easy. I am used to how a library functions but the books here are oddly sorted. What is the pattern...? And if a book about one of these existed, where would it be?", she asked while keeping her eyes on books. Where she was, there were some about names even she didn't know about but obviously, a book would not easily be titled Lenneth or Althena. Could a book about Valhalla even exist? At this point, Mitsuko wasn't sure what to believe anymore. The world of magic had shattered some beliefs that she had about what was real and not real. Secrets she may never have known about without becoming one of them. Depending on how quiet the library was, an unpleasant sound may faintly be heard as they went around searching, sounding like quiet whispers mixed with dark energy vibes. The sound did well to make Shinigami's ear twitch but when she stopped to look around, the sound seemingly stopped. Jumi or Mitsuko may also have heard it. The fox thought it only was her imagination at first and kept walking to the other end of the shelf. The sound made itself heard again however as Shinigami moved but became a little more persistent. It was not loud enough to be clear and whatever it said was undefinable but the source was clear if they listened. A book closest to Jumi in range emitted a strange glow, marked as ጋቹልፕⶴ. The name written from top to bottom would be symbols she saw in her dream, on the wall scriptures that depicted a godly form of sort. If she went closer to it, the whispers would feel stronger around it. Shinigami herself seemed bothered by the sound enough to be slowly attracted to the place but Mitsuko had stopped moving on her side but wasn't approaching yet. "Anyone hears this...? This can't be normal to this library, is it...? It gives me the creeps. Being alone here makes it so much worse...", she just said, looking around her nervously but not daring to move toward where the sound came from just yet. As much as she wanted to keep searching for books, the sound was a bit too distracting for her to do so.

Mitsuko entered the library first, being with Umi at the time. At the sight of the shelves, she gave an impressed look as she wondered how they were going to do this. "It's larger than the manor's library. I suppose we just need to find anything that may help us.". As Jumi and Shinigami joined them, she looked at the two. "Hmm, perhaps we could try and find anything we can about Lenneth. I know Nall also spoke of Althena... With who they are, they might be easy to find if it's here. For Shinigami or that girl, it might be harder.", she told them before she started going. Shinigami didn't seem to mind having to dig some books but she eyed Jumi. "I'll do what I can. If I see something, I'll tell you.", she said before she moved. Mitsuko went by what labels she could find. A lot of the subjects were interesting but unless they wanted to be there for quite a while, it was best make better use of their time. She knew some mythology and folklore that she studied at her school but where to start first was still quite the question. Anything regarding gods would be a first good attempt, even if the gods involved were not any deities known by japanese cultures. How much information did this library have was yet to be found. Something regarding divinities attracted her attention to one shelf but now, the issue was to find if these would speak of the ones she looked for. "I'm going to be here for a while...", she said quietly before she started checking books. Shinigami, on her side, was not exactly a good reader and so her experience with a library was pretty limited. She was a fox born to kill or at least fight. Besides, she barely knew of Lenneth so her only hope was to search about something related to herself or the girl claiming to be "Death" if anything of it even existed. Would humans even have written about that? With this amount of books, chances were she would find more nonsense that she didn't understand than a piece of information giving her answers. She was not going to complain anyway. Heading to the shelves then walking between them, she gave a look at the books and tried to see if anything picked her curiosity. Anything that may feel familiar or magical.

Mitsuko gave a smile as she heard the response. Maybe there was hope after all. "I don't know about noble... I didn't think about it yet. Shinigami made me curious at first but I never imagined how far that it would go. To be honest... I like it, too. Anyone I know would call me crazy for staying with Shinigami but while she has a certain style to her compared to what I'm used to, I can't help but feel something for her... She and Jumi are opposites but they're both good things that happened in my life recently. I think I cared less about what would happen to me after I should have died...", she said, speaking of her first experience with Lenneth. Though she soon shook her head. "B-but anyway, I appreciate it.", she finished. Nall did not appear to be around, wherever he went. If there was no possibility for him to enter the room, he may have went to explore elsewhere. As for Shinigami, she did not make things last longer than they needed to be, perhaps getting used to the attention given to and by a human. Rebellious maybe but a certain maturity in her playfulness lead her to stand back and pat her head as she grinned. "Cute like you are, I can see why Mitsuko likes you. Look can be deceiving, though... I would not mind another time alone with you. Or with Mitsuko watching, this time.", she teased before she started going back to the others, "More importantly, we have business here. Hold my tail if you want. Or anything.", she said.

Mitsuko followed with the others while Shinigami remained close to Jumi, which made the schoolgirl happy. As much as she had an interest in the fox, she didn't want her for herself alone... In fact, she did hope that the two would somehow get along with each others. For now, she walked besides or at last close to Umi and eyed her, "Sorry for all this. Our adventure with Shinigami was not what anyone may call normal in any way. In fact, it still feels like a dream that didn't end yet and I'm afraid to wake up. And then there's Nall. I hope we're not being too much troubles coming to see you like this. I really do appreciate the help, though... I think I still have all of my mind but I do want to help her.", Mitsuko told their host. Shinigami, behind them with Jumi, listened to the fairy before she looked at her, "Honest but don't blame yourself. She was the only one to blame and I didn't want her to get funny ideas with you. At the same time, it worked well at the end. That home was not a bad place but that cursed beast died along with it. Besides, I also got rid of those relics; I don't need them. Maybe I deserved what she did to me but you helped me yet again.", she said then shrugged, "I am finally free but I'm in your debt. It's not bad, though... She is snuggly and you're not bad yourself. Those other friends of yours showed that I might be just fine. But for now... You get one, too.", the fox told Jumi before she leaned in to also give her a kiss.

Mitsuko seemed relieved to hear about Nall, thinking he might just be roaming around and they would end up seeing him again sometimes anyway. She listened for now but remained quiet. Though, even Shinigami herself looked surprised a little by what she was told. For a moment, she thought about something then looked at her. "Other than my mother, is what I meant... Me being her pet, if she actually was human. With you both, I feel like I am not understanding everything and I don't know if I should be upset about it or relieved to be free. It has been more entertaining than with many other humans, though. You, her or that pink girl too helped me when you could just have left me.", she said to the fairy. Mitsuko felt odd about it but she was still confident that she had done the right choice. "Yes, you might have tried to use us... I'm new at this but I liked what we did at your home. It's something I would never have imagined doing if I kept living as a normal girl. You could have done much harm to us but you made us feel good and you bathed with us. Maybe I am naive but I had a good time. I can't say as much for Jumi but this experience allowed me to have a good time with her as well...", she said while giving a blush of sort. Shinigami raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "You asked for a good time, if I remember what you said.", the fox teased but Mitsuko froze for a second, "Please... Don't repeat it.", she warned. Shinigami grinned but looked at Jumi a little. "I admit, I don't know much about humans but I've come to enjoy something that they do, much to the annoyance of my mother. If their library has anything for us to find then let's go see what secret we find. You and I, though, have unfinished business... The girl may like me but I still have to understand what makes you tick.", the fox told to Jumi while Mitsuko watched quietly. "We had a bad start and some playful nonsense but that does not explain why you are risking your human life for me, if being with non-human creatures is so badly seen by your kind. I can't ask her the same since she was obvious since first time she saw me.", she said, making Mitsuko pout.

As it is, the Death girl (coincidentally) sounds like a Pelintira of sorts. Not as cool as the great witch, though. I also want to make sure that the characters fit some of the settings. I go a little crazy because we have demons, aliens, etc. I figure that forms of magic not completely classic to standard magical girls would be fine. The truth is, I wanted to have Death at first but slowly, I am wondering if I should not give a lesser role to her. (One that is not ultimately something that's way too overkill as an entity and so one that might not be fun.) Shinigami can as well be the same kind of deathling as a magic creature or something. If a spirit of life can exist then a spirit of death could also work. I admit things are a bit all over the place but while I do like the idea of going original with ideas, I also don't want to dominate and make other characters appear like lesser threats. That's not fun for anyone. Same reason Lenneth is not, well, an overkill goddess of sort. Shinigami herself could just really be a dark magic creature (Darkness) rather than one based on demons (Underworld). I also wanted her to differ from demons a little so she can have a chance in the world and not give the wrong idea about what she can do. Like, she can't corrupt or mark targets as hers like a succubus can, by example. Her origins, actually, come from Harry Potter's deathly hallows so she's basically a voldemort kind of character. Might as well compare her to death eater or such, with the death mark. None of it really feels demonic but remains very "dark magic", though. It's at least a little bit of what I was going for. Scary, not demon. P.S.: I asked ChatGPT for ideas and I got some good ones. Not sure about the girl yet but I'll wait for a reply before I really decide anything about that.

By the way, I realize that the topic is locked on turning around Death being well, Death or not Death. I have ideas behind what I want to do with this but I still have troubles not making this a bit awkward. In this world, I am not sure if it's entirely a good idea to have Death itself as a character but at the same time, things seem to twist with it being odd if there was no such thing either. I think Shinigami is taking the blow for the awkwardness of it, though. Plus, I'm not sure I want the fox to have any demon energy or it will ruin the premise. So right now, I want to keep things interesting while developing my fox but I am being a bit aimless with the way I want to end concluding it. (And I think the story might suffer for it as well). Sooo. At this point, I am wondering what is best to do with it. AND what are they even supposed to find in the library of that place? With ideas potentially being argued around who the characters are, I have no idea if a history would even be written or not (And by whom). And in some cases, if anyone would even know the character (as things seem new) What would be one good approach about this? (And yeah, I figure I'd best ask here instead of trying to do this on my own and potentially ruin everything by doing so.) I get that Shinigami gives demon vibes too, with her upside down cross in her face. The entire part worries me a bit since if I try to pull the rail tracks together to get where I want, I may still crash the train in the attempt. I am probably overthinking this but at the same time, something "might" be off with what's going on and maybe I'm not seeing the entire picture so yeah.

Shinigami did well to control herself, only showing her self for explanations. After a fine moment without much reactions, she returned to her normal form, letting her tail in Mitsuko's grasp for her to dry it, which she did quietly. Jumi however raised an interesting question that made the fox turn to her. "I am not one to frown on good sex but these beasts were too invasive for their own good. I only had them inside me twice and you were witnesses to one of those times. Getting these things in all of your holes sure make you cum but they don't let go easily. She knows how good they feel...", Shinigami told and without much shame, to a point Mitsuko had to squeeze her tail to get her attention or make her stop talking. The valkyrie tried not to meet gaze with her, though. "Shinigami, we don't need to talk of it so openly... Although, I guess we are more open than some others now but we should keep it between us.", she tried to say, also because Umi was in the room as they spoke of very private matters. Or at least things that happened between them. Shinigami didn't seem to mind the squeeze but shrugged to what she was being lectured about, not knowing what they were allowed to talk about or not. "She is the one who asked. Whatever you find anyway, I am not sure how it will help you but I'm willing to see.", the fox said and she gave a smirk to Jumi. Once they were done, Mitsuko proceeded to go dress herself up for now. Shinigami didn't have to do much for that, only using her own magic to give herself her usual clothes. The two would at least be ready soon enough. "Where did Nall go anyway?", Mitsuko suddenly asked, not seeing him anywhere. If Umi interacted with him anyhow, he would have left back to the main place, likely in search of the library before the girls went. It was not like he had any better idea, anyhow. If they left soon, Shinigami would stay not far of Jumi this time, shifting her attention to her as Mitsuko already had plenty enough. "If I happen to be a pet to a human, will that make things easier?", she asked teasingly, wondering how much Jumi would mind or not if they found what or who she and Death were.

Shinigami still felt a little enjoyment in how they were trying to figure out things. With a small grin, she took the moment that Mitsuko dried her to relax from it as she replied, "Playing by human rules, you did not consider that she might be using that name as a way to hide her real one...". She felt a little proud to make this a game of sort, whether she knew the answer or not. Being the one who was closest to the girl in question for a time, there was something odd about humans not really knowing about her more. Maybe there was a reason behind it. What more could she even tell them? More about herself or what she may have liked? Shinigami knew of her as a creator with a certain power and with deathly relics. Who was she herself, anyway? There was a lot about her being created but past that... Shinigami was a fox humanoid with a female appearance that she shared with the girls she was with. Breasts that were a joy, a pussy that was a pleasure but on the other hand, also a penis that gave plenty of good pleasure and else. Her name, however, had a meaning of death according to Mitsuko but this alone didn't tell much about who she was other than "Death" naming her after herself or as a synonym, without really looking like her. She was fairly certain that she was not a demon, though. Annoyance still showed on her face for knowing so little. Mitsuko, or Jumi in some instances, made her feel better than being with her. Shinigami sighed but, to confirm her position, she leaned and gave Mitsuko a kiss that dazed her before she turned around and put her tail in her confused grasp, looking at Umi. "If you want to know, the books she used were not hers. My mother took an interest in dark magic but this is all I know. The beasts that raped me twice also fucked her body, human or not. I can tell you that she felt very real, if you were to ask mine.", the fox said and teased as she made her penis appear to give a clearer meaning to her words. "I've had my times with her, at her request.", she explained, revealing more while her body seemed to get a little excited. At first, Mitsuko saw it as a moment to dry her tail but her face soon blushed.

Mitsuko agreed and waited for Jumi to leave before she forcibly but gently took Shinigami's hand to have her follow as she got out herself. As if dealing with a child of sort, the fox just smirked and went along, following behind her as her fur dropped a quantity of water. As Mitsuko headed to Umi, she paused for a second before taking a towel. "Y-you heard everything, didn't you? Not that I'm worried but maybe it should tell you how much we care about her... There are still lot of things we don't know about, though.", the valkyrie said to her, not minding her own nudity right now. Afterwards, she went back to her things but took a good look at the fox and how wet she was. Perhaps it was best that she helped her dry first. Doing that, Mitsuko used another towel to try and absorb as much water as she could from her fur. Feeling that it was only another kind move from her, Shinigami just stood there and let her do her thing. Her head did turn toward Umi a little to try and figure what she had heard or how she reacted to it, though. "I'm guessing you don't know anything about what you heard, do you?", she then asked, to see if there was something to get out of this. How many humans were even aware of either the manor or its owner? Shinigami herself was not a thing of long time in this world, mostly because she only barely did what she should have done, using most of her time to instead enjoy her newfound hobbies focused on baths.

Mitsuko remained quiet while the two had an exchange while Shinigami watched and listened. She had an idea of what Jumi may have seen but she also knew of what kind of power her "mother" had. She was however questioning her reality as it was with what she was told. Whatever Jumi may or not remember could tell more but to dig further in their past, the fairy had more in mind. "The manor, huh? She lived there before I was given life there. With me being there alone, it was easy to think that I may have wiped humans and stole the place, wasn't it? How long, though? Hard to say. There are rooms there even I didn't have access to. She had a mad pleasure making sure I obeyed her.", Shinigami explained a little. Mitsuko pondered as she listened, soon moving back and looking at her, "There were locked doors... One of them could have been one of her rooms. Maybe that's why we didn't find any hint of who lived there... She hid it all.", she concluded, feeling she might be on the right track. Shinigami shrugged though, "Can't help you there and I wiped the manor. Any history she may have is gone... Good riddance if I was to be honest. It has been refreshing to break free, except for how much I had to cum for it.", she said, making Mitsuko instantly blush at the last part, remembering how Shinigami had been raped. All of it kicked her memories back to what she had felt from her as well... Having sex with her... feeling her cum. The reaction made the fox grin in amusement but soon gave a short sigh, "Anyway, she might rebuild her manor. I don't think she can create another me, though... The room she made me in didn't look like anything you humans know about. My fate was to destroy humans and I instead am bathing with them. I can hardly ask for more... She hoped for me to die at the hand of humans and I'm still alive. For the time being, I'd say I'm doing pretty well.", Shinigami told them, being vague about who she really might be. Mitsuko calmed down for a moment and looked at Jumi in hope to think about something else, "W-we should head out of the bath and to the library... We need to try to find what we can...", she only said.

Mitsuko looked surprised at first but a dream could easily be a nightmare. One detail stuck out, though. "A strange room? Could that be useful to us?", she asked. Shinigami listened but didn't really comment anything about it. How much did she really know the girl who brought her to life? Or the manor they were inside? "It probably was just a nightmare used by her to trap you. Not very nice of her to do that. She's lucky she isn't getting a piece of my mind...", the valkyrie said, getting the fox to smirk but Mitsuko was not in the mood to play right now, shifting her gaze to her. "And you... I helped you when you were hurt or weak. I need to be sure that we can trust you. For Jumi's sake and mine.", she told her. Shinigami wasn't amused for very long, leaning forward a little. "Oh? You think I'm here to plot something?", she replied with a little annoyance. Mitsuko however wasn't fazed, moving closer to her. "I did not say that... But she gave you life. I want to believe that you really wanted for us to escape... Together. Please tell me that I believe right...", Mitsuko pleaded, getting Shinigami to sigh and lean back. "Fine. Yes, she gave me life and told me to help her but I also destroyed her home and what relics they held. I paid the price for it, too... I'm here because you convinced her not to kill me. She sent me to my doom yet, I'm still here. You keep it that way and I'll be a good girl.", the fox said, not without amusement. Mitsuko stared at the fox a short moment, mostly at her eyes to try and catch a glimpse of honesty. She wanted to trust Shinigami, especially as she was the one who wanted to keep her around the most. If anyone would be put in danger because of her, it would ultimately be her fault. Still, there admittedly was a certain connection between the three of them. Moving closer still, she went to hug the fox, not having enough of the fluff. But also because she felt like she deserved one for the sake of showing some sympathy. At least it got Shinigami to relax, "You're more of a pet than I am...", she commented before she eyed Jumi. "Whatever she made you see in that dream, it may be a hint or a trick.", she said.

After Mitsuko was done washing Jumi, she pulled back but stayed close. "...I don't even know what I will manage to achieve myself but I feel stronger. That sword or its magic made me stronger.", she said to what Jumi commented. Jumi's following explanations only managed to confuse her. Aliens? Demons? And then there were gods. Something needed to be cleared up, though. "What did you see in that dream, Jumi? If it was nothing but a dream or a hallucination, was there not something important there? Though, I guess you might not remember all of it. But if she was hiding something there, maybe.", Mitsuko said, thinking that there might be more than what her own eyes could see. Only Jumi really dreamed, too. At least, if Jumi was right, there was something out there that maybe Jumi could tell about, that would reveal more about what that place really was. The question about guests brought a good question. If she had any friends, assuming she was more human than she seemed, did she know anyone? The question was directed to the fox who finally looked back to them, having listened but stayed quiet this far. "Playthings, you mean. Soon to be dead humans used for whatever she was doing with them. You were going to be sacrifices as well but we changed that.", she told them, getting Mitsuko to stare a bit at her. "Don't look at me like that... You wanted to follow a deathly fox without knowing anything.", she said to her. Mitsuko still frowned lightly but still, she could hardly blame her due to the way she had thrown herself at her to stop her from massacring everyone at the convention. IF that had been the plan. "She does not have any friends or anything, then? How did she get to create a fluffy fox like you, though?", Mitsuko said, not without showing a hint of blush. "W-well, Jumi is right, though. Maybe we could find more about this at the library but I wonder if she had met anyone before. I... I refuse to believe that she really is Death.", she said, getting Shinigami to sigh. That girl had zero survival instincts. She could not truly complain about her affection, though. However, Jumi's dream was also why they had escaped in the first place.

Mitsuko listened, realizing she really didn't know much about magical girls. However, that still made her wonder if that was impossible. "Right... I guess that it really is not my place to say... Still. While Death may exist in mythology, it also does not exist in a literal sense. Although, I suppose demons from hell should not exist as well but Death just sounds over the top, you know? I think that magic doesn't have any limit but I don't think I can use animated shows as evidence. Shinigami said that the manor was also hers. You wanted to know who it belonged to. What if that was the answer to it? She also said that a beast was sealed in the basement but she also was brought to life there.", she said while the fox looked away, quiet. For some reason, right now, a lot was coming together for her. She wouldn't pretend to know more than she did but some pieces of the puzzle started to make sense. A manor was large enough to hide a secret or two. "Jumi, I can't shake a bad feeling about this... What if we found something we were not supposed to? What if someone knew her?", she asked, wondering if maybe there was more to it. Then, she eyed Shinigami and paused before she finished washing her friend. "I'm sorry... I just thought that this may help us find something. I still trust Shinigami... But... I don't think it's over...", she commented before she went quiet. Shinigami, being behind Jumi, didn't say a word either, relaxing, looking to be in thoughts.