SataiRolePlayingGuy

No sound was getting a little troublesome. Was their prisoner too scared to make a noise? The demons being silent for any reason other than hoped for ambush was not reassuring either…or was there something else going on here? Jumi was silently cursing Reika’s refusal to speak clearly. Was the girl they were sent to help the one hiding, trying to elude the demons? It would be nice, but maybe too optimistic. She let Shinigami take the search to the basement, only now wondering if she could see in the dark better than humans. It would not surprise her if she could. She was not surprised, but not thrilled to hear confirmation of her suspicions that it was not just a basement down there, as she carefully made her way down. “Most likely why we have not seen or heard anything.” She said with a soft sigh. “Depending on how far it goes, it might not just be the few demons we were warned about.” If it was part of a wider system, it could lead to other demons, or less pleasant like that lived down here. “It’s always risky, but so is wandering around in darkness.” She hesitatingly agreed with Mitsuko’s light idea. It would draw attention, but other than maybe Shinigami, they could not really fight like this.

Judging the worn floor to be risky to step on, especially upstairs, but maybe ground level as well if she was right about the basement, Jumi was mostly using her wings to float slight above the floor. It was not an especially long check of the upstairs, even being cautious to not enter a room too quickly. “A basement, maybe more. If it is just the house, it won’t take long to search. But should quickly check the ground floor, unless we hear something below us.” If it was not in such bad shape, and possibly connected to demons, it might have been worth considering as a secondary place for Shinigami to stay, especially if she felt too cooped up in the apartment. She slowly glide down the stairs to the ground level. “They don’t seem to be advertising their presence. But it is not impossible this was still a trap, bait. Not for any of us specifically, but maybe Magical Girls in general.” She was tense now. “But even if not, be on guard. We are not likely to catch them by surprise. Not enough to get to get an easy hit in at least.” The warning was mostly to Mitsuko, though she hoped Shinigami was not reckless. Sadly, unless they were already having fun with their captive, they were not likely to be very distracted. Jumi did not want to get surprise that way. They could not rush in blindly, but not be too slow either.

Not having the dragon would be unfortunate, Jumi could not really blame Kaida’s judgement though, even if it was probable no one had lived here in years. She did try to look for anywhere the dragon could fit without causing more damage. Also giving a warning to all of them of what she thought was possible. “It might not just be the house. Would not be surprised if they dug into it from below. If they did, no idea how deep it might go.” If that was the case, the dragon could potentially be quite useful and safer to use down there. But it was just a guess. Whether there was anything below or not, everyone might be in the house. Whether they were in the house or below was the biggest question in whether there was any chance of this being a surprise. She only hoped the use of the house was not a sign of the demons motives, that they wanted beds or other softer spots. She got off once they landed. Looked the outside of the house up and down. No light, electric or supernatural. No sounds. “It is hard to say if she was what they want, or she was bait for others like us.” She sighed as she approached the door. “If she is just bait, better chance they have not done anything to her other than restrain her. Like I said at the temple. Whether it is her or us they really want, there are two very different they could have here.” Hopefully their numbers would protect them from either. But if they were strong as implied, they could not be careless. It was not impossible they could all be overpowered and taken together. She opened the door, quietly as she could. “Probably best to try to find the stairs. Check up their first and work our way down if needed. Hole or not, I suspect there is at least a basement too.” She quietly stepped in and waited for the others.

Jumi climbed up, took her spot between the two women. A little more secure, though her wings still flapped a few times reflexively. Not enough to lift her or shift her position. This was something new to her. More used to flying on her own, she was not sure what to expect here, except that it would probably be faster, higher and longer than she was used to flying on her own. There was not a chance to say anything in response to Shinigami, though the words did cause her back to press against a little, reflexively. Her body at least acknowledging that they had become closer, especially after last night. Being between the two helped a little, cut down on any wind in the face and secured her seating a little more. She kept an eye open, but this was Alexandrine’s territory, not her own. She did not know the city as well as someone who lived there. Maybe they should have seen about bringing Hikaru as well. He would know better, and someone else to help fight. But too late for that. At least Umi would be able to let him know what happened, why they were gone and uncertain if they would return to the temple tonight. Alexandrine had certainly destroyed anything she was aware of connected to Zorn, years ago. That did bring up the question though. She was almost certain Zorn himself was not doing this, but were they connected to him? Was this bait for Alexandrine/Magical Girls in general? Were they looking for violence…or ‘fun’? All she could hope was their captive, Nymphia or not, was still not hurt/violated by the time they got there. If it was not bait, they just might be waiting for a moment they liked. Demons were also something like an infestation of course. Even without a connection to Zorn, destroying their holes and lairs was a temporary solution, before new ones were made. And Alexandrine was not as thorough as she might have been, while mourning the old team. Jumi did have experience hunting demons in her own area though. She knew the sorts of places they liked to hide. Sometimes discretely, but if as powerful as Reika implied, there was a chance they would advertise their presence or at least not try to hide it. As they got further out she looked on the city’s edge and a little past it for any of the usual signs. Sometimes created by the demons, sometimes using natural features or human structures, abandoned or conquered. But even if Alexandrine’s mourning period, the temple being as close as it was discouraged anything more obvious. Hikaru would have done something, or asked assistance in it, unless it was quite new. Her eyes caught something, she reached around Kaida to point. “It could be there”. A house, old, worn, looked abandoned for some time. Not comparable in size to Shinigami’s house, but several floors, big enough it could have fit a large family comfortably. More importantly, built into a rocky hill, she would not be surprised if there was more, not made by humans, beneath the house. A place that might have been dug up into.

“Not always, primarily only the males too, but they try often enough to be on guard for it.” Shinigami was another one Jumi was not sure how would react. She had experience with tentacles, but with the possible exception of Kaida no one else here had been violated by a proper demon. There was not much time to say more on it. To clarify there were some demons with anatomy like Shinigami, or try to figure out what went through the demon’s heads. Jumi was not sure what sure what made them choose sex over killing at times, but she suspected in many cases they only decided in the middle of the fight, after judging how dangerous their opponent(s) were, and how likely it was for the victim to get revenge for the act later. It was also a sensitive subject for Jumi, she was willing to teach others about it but not like to talk about it casually. She walked over to the dragon. Looked at, not really nervous, but never really expecting to ride such a thing. She trusted Kaida, no risk of falling off, and even if she was somehow knocked off, her own wings would at least keep her out of danger from falling. She waited for Kaida to get in first though and figure out exactly how she and Shinigami were going to ride this.

“The only small…I hate to use this word…consolation, I will add, is yeah if they fuck you, you’ve lost….but”. Jumi was going to go rather blunt with the language, but that or rape was the only two words she would use for a demon doing that to one of them. “…while death is also real danger in this life. But if they fuck you, they almost always let you live. Leave you there, feeling the shame after it is over. Hopefully shame. If you start feeling like you want more…that’s very dangerous. I assume they consider the pleasure and the shame is enough of a victory for them. The fact you know deep down they defeated you, might do it again if you see them again. Now if you do end up in that position, I won’t say don’t try to get free, but be aware you probably won’t be able to. That said, having experienced it myself, I intend to fight hard that you never do.” This was different from Jumi’s fading hopes of sharing the experience like those two had with Reika. Mitsuki would hopefully never find out what it felt like to be raped by a demon. To find out if she enjoyed it or not as it happened. The biggest point was, while Mitsuko should never trust a demon, if she ended up in that state her life was unlikely to be in danger. At least Mitsuko was not too bothered by what Shinigami did to her. There was a reason behind it, Shinigami forced herself on Mitsuko but not just because she could or out of cruelty. Everyone seemed to understand and took it as an unfortunate necessity. Jumi nodded to Mitsuko’s last statement. “Alright, last thing to figure out is how we do it. Back to the question of ‘where’, some hideout on the other side of the city is all she told us.”

So that is what it was, Jumi had hoped to give Mitsuko training, but did not think there was time. But then Shinigami was also perhaps more able to give Mitsuko the training she most needed. Shinigami was not a demon, but more capable of fighting like one than the rest of them. Could give Mitsuko a taste of the sort of physical combat they were probably heading into. …And there was that, Shinigami said it herself. Her body was capable of doing what she just warned Mitsuko about. The threat was not the same as from a demon, but since Mitsuko did not want to do it here and now, it would still be rape if Shinigami succeeded. She was mostly quiet as it all began, not contributing to the conversation on either side. Watching intensely. She wished to have eased Mitsuko into it more, but Shinigami was probably right. There was no other way with so little time. Mitsuko was conflicted. Feelings and desires she would not feel towards an actual demon, but it was reducing her ability to fight Shinigami. She might not have wanted sex here and now, but there was arousal. How much better would she be doing with a clear mind? Unfortunately Jumi already guessed Mitsuko might not be able to stop Shinigami from doing it. She had to fight harder, to keep Shinigami from having a chance. Have nothing on the mind except defeating the enemy, supporting allies or helping captives/innocents if necessary. Mitsuko got a little better after that, but could she keep it up. Lack of experience and prior training did not help her chances of course. If Shinigami wanted to win badly enough, she was not sure if Mitsuko could win this time. Then it happened. Jumi both wanted to look away, but could not. On the hand it was Mitsuko and Shinigami, on the other it reminded Jumi of what several demons had done to her. Mitsuko did want to do it, but once it started, all too familiar reactions. Mitsuko wanted more, she loved it, in the moment at least probably did not care that others were watching. Jumi was sure that it being Shinigami was part of the reason…but there was more wasn’t there? She remembered those times. She fought so hard, but was overpowered, sickened by the idea…but, when the demon was inside her…It was so wrong, something so evil, inhuman…yet it felt so good. Was it the taboo? Being claimed by enemy. All she knew was she was in bliss while it happened, wanting them to go as long as they could. Yeah, demons had given her legitimate orgasms. The shame only came after it was over. Telling herself never again, of course it was a few times, and she enjoyed every one of them while it happened. Shinigami was doing it a little differently. Most demons did not give you chance to fight it off in her experience, they made sure to wait until you were too worn down and overpowered. To them the sex was a sign of victory, a prize. Jumi could not deny it either. She won most of the time, but those demons defeated her. She did not know if that influenced her reactions to it. What would Mitsuko’s reaction be if a demon raped her? No warm feeling or emotion between them. An enemy. Perhaps more importantly it would almost certainly be male, would that dull her reaction to it? Demons like Shinigami, with both parts, did exist, but they were the exceptions. Far more likely it would be a male. But she did not intend to find out, would protect Mitsuko from that. Unless the whole group was somehow overpowered and violated, there was not any way she saw it happening to one of them here. She could not deny she felt sone arousal watching it, but not enough she needed to relieve herself. She could push it down, like the other thoughts on her mind. She just had the final point to make to Mitsuko. “With our numbers, we are hopefully safe from that, regardless of their power. The one thing I would warn you though. You might not be able to fight it off if it happens for real. Most of them wait until they have overpowered you, worn you down, before trying to fun.” She added while Mitsuko masturbated, not looking away but not looking as excited as she might have at other times. She looked to Shinigami. “Hopefully, she should be able follow up on that. Fight even harder without demons.” She would accept Shinigami’s judgement on it. They did not really have time to do more.

“That’s what it sounds like, to the extent I can figure out anything that girl says.” Jumi said with some frustration, not the old hostility, but wishing Reika had stopped talking somewhat in riddles. Perhaps deep down preparing not to hear any more of it as well. But it was not a good moment to tell Shinigami about that part. “Like wanting to keep an eye on Mitsuko first a few days, then deciding she is healed enough to fight one or two apparently high tier demons and maybe that goddess chasing her, with no combat experience.” Clarifying what happened there to Shinigami and further venting on the frustration of trying to figure out Reika’s thought process. ”Of course she was quite vague on where we need to go too.” She added to Kaida before returning to Shinigami’s point, apparently the two of them were at least somewhat on the same page, though she had no idea what Shinigami had in mind. “I don’t know what you can do to prepare her quickly for something like this, but if you have any ideas that will help go ahead.” She would accept just about anything that might help Mitsuko here.

It had probably been inevitable, Catherine had not been optimistic about avoiding this. At best she might have been able to delay it, maybe not today, if she had done things delicately enough. But it was inevitable, since she could not imagine anyone finding out she was here. She groaned in pain, as he forced himself in, she had never been taken to roughly, aggressively. It was not unlike how imagined the stories she heard of demons violating human women. Of course this bastard’s spirit was essentially with them, even if his body was human. For the moment it was still mostly pain she felt. Motions so familiar yet violently twisted. Worse, her brother-in-law, trying to steal her from his deceased brother. It twisted her. Worse, hearing how he intended to rape her daughter as well. Not just rape her. But kill her afterwards. “…N…neither of us…will ever, think of you…a man…I will die before I let you hurt her!” She was the one he really wanted. She was sure he would enjoy forcing himself on Elie, but he did not truly want her. This was the one thing she could do. He talked about making her submit. That was the only way he had a chance of doing g of what he hoped. To make her submit enough she would choose him over her own daughter. She refused to let him have that victory. Though sadly, now that the challenge was up, and he crossed this line, she expected him to try. It was what he wanted most after all.

There was not much else to say to Umi. Nall and Shinigami at least knew where they were, but Jumi was not sure if they would come up here or wait for them, maybe near the main door. They were in a bit of a rush though, so it was better to not waste time and look for them. “Be careful. I don’t like this, it is not common for one or two demons, as strong as suggested to act on their own here. Remember what they are capable of.” It reminded her of stories of some of Zorn did when he went wandering on his own, found a stray Magical Girl. There was the more obvious danger, what happened to Alexandrine’s old team, but there was also what Jumi had experienced before. Was that what they were planning to do to Nymphia? It did not seem to be a case of a trap/bait. Unlike Zorn and Alexandrine’s old team, there theoretically was no history between these demons and any of them. Not trying to specifically lure any of them over. Reika saying their captive was not hurt presumably also meant not violated, but how long would that last. She walked quickly towards the door, hoping to find the others, sure Shinigami and Kai’s would also be surprised to see Mitsuko, but they would not have much time to talk about that right now.

Jumi mind was focused, walled off, she would likely brush off of any question not related to the immediate issue, at least until the battle was over. Concern about Nymphia, if that was who they were being pointed to, as well if Mitsuko would be able to handle it even with whatever changed in her was weighing on her of course. One or two demons that needed all of them? Really? That made it sound like demons equivalent to Zorn, though probably not Zorn himself. Reika also suggest that goddess after Mitsuko could show up. They were really unprepared for something like this. At Nall’s suggestion, she nodded and took a more familiar route. At least she knew which way to go for this. She walked quickly down the familiar route, to the door, knocked on it. Umi opened the door. A small smile, that faded when she saw the serious look on Jumi’s face and a bigger surprise. “Oh! Your are back, Mitsuko?…Something is wrong though, isn’t it?” Another nod from Jumi. ”Looks like someone else needs our help before going home. Nall is looking for Shinigami and Kaida, sounds like we have to go into a battle that will not be easy. Maybe riding the dragon, not sure if it can fit all of though, probably not an easy for my wings either.” ”That is unfortunate, but I will pray for your success. Will you be be returning here after it is over or seeking another way home?” Umi asked, with an uncertain sigh from Jumi. “Good question, have to figure it out as we go. Safest bet is if you don’t see us by the morning, we found another way. But I’ll reach out to you guys to confirm, when it is over, if we don’t come back here.”

“Yeah, Kaida’s ride here. The dragon might or might not help us.” What emotion had been in Jumi’s last statement was gone, as well as the more positive energy in many other things she said. It was a dull seriousness, a veteran preparing herself for battle, knowing it would be Mitsuko’s first battle, before she got any of that training she desperately needed. “They went inside, to do Kaida’s look over Shinigami, probably still inside, though I don’t know what room they chose. Me and Nall stayed out here to watch Reika, until she decided to take us to you.” She walked to the door and went inside. ”Should find Umi too. She went to her room to rest. She was expecting to take me, Shinigami and Nall home after Shinigami and Kaida were done.” She added, wondering whether it would be better to go to Umi first, but watched and listed for hints that might lead them to Shinigami and Kaida.

Nothing seemed to be going as planned, though it was not all necessarily bad. Jumi was not going to complain about Mitsuko coming with them, though it seemed strange the Reika changed her mind just like that on keeping her for a few days. Not suspicious, Jumi just thought she should have been released already if it was not that important. She was a little more confused about Mitsuko’s words. Not Nymphia, but someone only Mitsuko knew? Maybe she misinterpreted, but it did not seem worth clarifying, they would find out who it was soon enough. ”Last moment, all of us, hm?” That was more on Jumi’s head, conflicting emotions subtly in the tone, with all the complicated thoughts and feelings in her head, she had rather conflicted feelings about also missing the one on one session, punishment or not. A hint of what on her mind without airing it to the crowd or wasting time, sounded like one reason or another, it was not up to discussion. Final made it sound like there would not be another chance. Whether or not Reika being gone from their lives would be for the better would have to be seen. Maybe more difficult for Shinigami. Though she walked through the portal before Reika could say whatever she wanted to that, or anyone else could ask. Her mind switching from that to what needed to be done now. Focus on the fight, those were thoughts/feelings for another time.

“Am I ever going to be able to go home?” A moment of frustration rather than selfishness. Jumi asked with a sigh, after hearing all that, not intending to ignore what had been said of course, she would never abandon anyone to demons, but she was frustrated it was just one thing after another. It was quite rare to have this many things come up in a row with no time in between. But with Kaida’s and Shinigami’s help, hopefully this would not be too time consuming. “Looks like we have to beat some sense into some demons, teach them not to pick on a poor isolated Magical Girl.” She then looked to Mitsuko. “Unfortunately, sounds like you are stuck here for a few more days. I would certainly hope me Shinigami, Kaida and maybe that dragon too can handle one or two demons. If they are powerful enough to dangerous to all of us combined, that is something to worry about. Just try to find something to relax or distract yourself, either alone or with Reika. Wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself in the middle of healing.”

Thankfully Jumi was not actually excited, had been rather skeptical of the idea, though it would have made things a lot easier. This might help, there seemed to be some sort of improvement, but was it enough? Beauty? Certainly was an improvement there, Jumi did not have any goddesses to compare it too, but she was certainly not going to complain. She glanced to Nall at the question of the source of the sword. She assumed it was ultimately from this Althena in some way or another. The original source, if not the direct one who put it in Mitsuko’s hands. She did not know much more than Reika about any of this stuff though. The talk of another potential ally distracted her though. Someone with Shinigami’s scent over her? A playful fox? Didn’t exactly describe Nymphia, the one person who immediately came to mind that might have Shinigami’s scent, unless there was more than she knew. “Just can’t ever be clear, can you?” She was half tempted to think of Reika as some trickster goddess, or spirit, in spite of her denials, with the way she loved to talk in riddles. “Though yeah, we probably need about any help we can get.” Short of making deals with actual demons, Jumi was willing to consider just about anyone, probably needed to, if they hoped to fight a goddess.

Did not have much time for this, so this post will focus on one sub-idea I had. ‘The Forgotten’. While most who die in the world, at least in the middle of this crisis, go to a Hellish works for the afterlife, there is an alternative. No paradise or anything like that, but an area of the world isolated from the rest, spared from much of the suffering. It is an elaborate building, appearing as a large fortress from the outside. But once inside one does not leave, but the place also seems to shift, halls going different ways from one day or another, rooms disappearing or (re)appearing at seemingly random. But who finds themselves in such a place? The purehearted, who have no where better to be sent? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Perhaps it was always like this, or perhaps the afterlife was twisted along with the living world. But if one dies while others grieve or morn, they get thrown to the demons, to face life under their torment. While those who are forgotten, who had no one to remember them, find themselves in this quiet place. Watched by the ‘keepers’. Who are the keepers? Even they perhaps do not know, or forgot. They are not demons, but always been part of the world. Something other than human, maybe they were once angel like, or at least some were, maybe they were something else. But they are there first the forgotten souls, try to help them adjust to their new home. (This is my initial thought at least, open to make additions/adjustments).

Jumi had looked before and looked again, there were the subtle differences of course, though it was still Mitsuko’s appearance. It was also not completely clear what happened, what Mitsuko was. The sword was apparently part of her now, and the power within it. But… “The power of the sword makes her goddess?” She asked with some skepticism. She did not doubt it changed her, maybe made her more powerful, but was there really enough power in it to make her comparable to one? Did that goddess put so much of her power into the sword, or was it more complicated? Something divine but distinct from her? But then what was causing the difference in what Nall was sensing. “You suggesting those two have become one, that was the figure I saw when she transformed, or something else?” Of course it was possible even Reika did not completely understand what was going on here, but she would welcome any sort of clarification. Only taking some comfort in whatever was going on here, it seemed at least partially to be what this goddess Althena for out of Mitsuko, Reika was not screwing with anything other than maybe making it happen sooner than expected.

Of course they still had to worry about that one. An enemy fairly higher ‘tier’ than she was used to fighting. If this was someone else’s plan, maybe it was for the better. They did not have a huge number of allies and some, like Alexandrine, were busy with their own battles. It was hard to say how much help they could get from the Demi-god they recently met in this area either. Jumi was not panicking, but it was troublesome. Hopefully this would help enough to not make it as difficult as it would otherwise be. ”This what you were telling me I’d be happy to see when Mitsuko was back, or are there more surprises?” This certainly felt like what Reika was hinting at, but it seemed worth checking if something else was meant when she said that. It was always hard to tell if there was more or not when it came to this woman. Make sure nothing else was going on.

Jumi was not really surprised Reika came to them, at this point she always assumed there was at least a chance she was listening, even if she only seemed to some of the time. It was easier anyway. Not like they were saying anything she was trying to keep secret. She was mostly quiet as she listened. Yeah, there was an explanation of that in the middle of everything last night, but Reika could reexplain that better than she could, and of course she could only guess at what was being suggested with that final question. A few random ideas, but not any that she was confident enough to suggest, and they were very big implication if it was true. Of course another similarity between Mitsuko and Shinigami through Reika, but this was not one she was as likely to want to share in the experience, even if she could. But as far as she knew she was ordinary, at least compared to other Magical Girls. As the last question was asked, she looked to Mitsuko. “I’m suspecting you don’t have any good answer for that?” Based on what she heard so far, she doubted Mitsuko would have any idea, did not seem to think there was any special like that about herself until the night she ran to the convention.

“I’m not upset about what you did with her, or how you pass the time here over the next few days if you get too bored or restless…besides…well that is something to talk about later.” Jumi made it clear she was not upset over the choice Mitsuko made, or if those two got up to more while Mitsuko was stuck here, though she did not openly encourage it or make it clear what she was implying. She also only very vaguely implied what she might be doing with Reika later, not caring whether it was figured out or not, though if Nall was not there she might have spelled it out. More likely she would tell Mitsuko and likely Shinigami too, after it was over. As long as Reika did not break the trust at least. ”The figure was only there very briefly, too short for me to even really describe it. Just knew I saw something that was not there previous times.” She further clarified about that as Mitsuko looked around. She took another soft sigh. “We can try to get answers out of her, but like I said, it isn’t always easy and I don’t know if this is the ‘time’ she suggested for things she says she wants to tell us. Not sure how long we will be here, how long Kaida and Shinigami will take at the temple. Doesn’t hurt to try to talk to her some more.” There probably was not time for much else, though she supposed it depending on if Reika was right, if Shinigami still wanted to ‘play’ and if Kaida was open to doing that with Reika’s ‘daughter’. That might influence how long they were here.

Jumi bit her lip a little, considering what was being suggested. “I did briefly see a a figure as you transformed now, though I had no idea who it was.” She thought about the implications. This was very likely breaking that agreement about no lies, if that suspicion was correct. Reika also suggested she had no idea what happened to the sword. “Could she do such a thing though? Does she really have the power to do such a thing to a goddess?” But then Reika’s just mentioned a little goddess, did she mean Mitsuko after all? Did she realize what happened after all? There was also the question of whether it was something she intentionally did. It could have been unplanned but she figured it out later. If Reika was being honest, when she asked what use she would have for the sword, this would seem to be a use for it, if she had intended it. There was some unease, she hoped there was no betrayal here, but as she said, she had completely let her guard down. She had a cautious momentary trust of Reika, not an unbreakable one. She would not rule out betrayal, but she would give Reika a chance to defend herself and accept a defense that provable or reasonable enough to believe. “I do want to hear what she knows or thinks about this. None of us know what her final goal is, but this all feels too unplanned for something so significant. She had no idea Mitsuko was going to make that offer last night.” Reika clearly had some longer plan in the works, but that would have been about Shinigami, not Mitsuko. There was of course still the biggest uncertainty, if this partially or completely Althena’s idea, to protect this girl she chose.

Jumi said nothing either way about what Reika might or might not get up to. She had no idea if the girl had any interest in that and would not get Mitsuko thinking much about it unless it happened, just her thoughts about how much time the two of them might around each other. “Think Reika is going back to the temple after we are done here, she seems to be interested in what is happening there, with those two. After that, far as I know, she will be back here and probably around here most of the next few days, until you leave, though me and her have a little more to work out at a time I do not know yet.” Leave it at that for the moment, about what she and Reika might get up to. Mitsuko at least seemed to know who Kaida was, though based on what Kaida said, it sounded like they had not interacted much directly if at all. “…Oh, she’s a Magical Girl too…or something like one, still don’t know all the details. Called a dragon and rode it to the temple. As for Reika, seems she was also a student there at some point, though I did not ask how long ago.” She would not say anything about what Kaida told her about Reika just yet. This would go easier if there was not hostility between them. Last thing she wanted was Reika to mess with Mitsuko’s dreams or anything like that. She let go of Mitsuko and let her step back as the question of the sword came up. Apparently she had not intentionally done anything with it after all. “Honestly, until she said it was there in the machine, I wondered if you did something with near the end at the temple.” She watched the change. Briefly noted what seemed to be someone else, but it was too short to get a look, no idea who it might have been. Had Nall seen it? Recognized it? She would probably also ask him that as they left. “Absorbed into your body as you healed, or something else? I had wondered if it became part of you somehow, whether intended or not, to protect itself….”

Jumi listen to Mitsuko but caught the slightly strange reaction from Nall. Now that he was here, in front of Mitsuko, did he sense something unexpected? Maybe something to ask after they left, since he did not seem to want to say it say it here and now. “That’s what she says. She said I would be very happy to see you, after it’s done. Implying something more than just seeing you again. But getting straight answers out of that woman is often difficult. There are things she says she still has to tell us, but now isn’t the time.” She said with a soft sigh. “Hopefully she is not too troublesome for you, alone with her over these next few days. Though she has been showing both of us a side of her I would not have expected. Hopefully you do not get too bored either. Big place, but don’t know how easy it is to keep someone entertained or busy by herself.” She could only guess what the two of them might do, she did not seem too worried though, mostly hoping Mitsuko was not lonely or hoping to get out. “Well, answering that, will give you some of what happened. Shinigami is still at the temple. After what happened last night, we delayed leaving, but we probably will later tonight. Two of us spent some time together. After that got to talking with Reika, partially cleared things up between us. Tried to figure out more about her, who she was, but like I said, difficult to get answers directly from her. She surprisingly told me to go to your school and ask around about her. Turns out among the staff there was someone who knew a while ago. Found out some about Reika, and she wanted to meet Shinigami, take a look at her, maybe help us with her. That is what Shinigami is doing right now. After those two are done, and we are done here, will probably work with Umi, and Kaida, the staff member I mentioned, on getting Shinigami home.” ”It does seem to be the same place, in design. Asked Reika about it, she answered but it was one of her strange answers. Not very clear where we actually are. Though she said Shinigami does not know an out and can’t get to this version of the place…”. It would not hurt to see if Mitsuko could answer something. “There is one thing we have all been wondering about, do you know what happened to the sword? None of us have figured it out. Reika said the last time she saw it was when she put you in that machine.”

Over the weekend hope to add some more here, both details on the setting and initial profile for the sisters I mentioned. What I post will be open to feedback, and may make adjustments/decisions based on others ideas.

Were they in that place after all. Jumi figured it was better not to ask about it, what the world was or how it came to be. Just hope it was a place that had long or always been like that, that Reika was not involved into making a world into something like that. She was not thrilled Shinigami could find the place, but if necessary hopefully Mao could help her get there in the short term. Though it was uncertain if she was going to be hanging around Jumi the whole time until Mitsuko was healed. Speaking of which, she silently followed, not quite sure what to expect. It had sounded before like she was not going to see Mitsuko until this was all over. Now, though, they were walking towards her, something good, or an unpleasant surprise? She tried to remain optimistic, as they made their way to the room and Reika led them in. It was a pleasant relief to actually see Mitsuko, she was not how long they would actually be here, but after Reika excused herself, Jumi stepped forward and embraced Mitsuko. “Just visiting, unfortunately, sounds like we might not see each other for a few days after this visit is over.” Hopefully Mitsuko had not been worried about it, but Jumi showed no sign of being upset with Mitsuko’s decision that led to this. Was just happy to see her and that she did not seem to be hurt. “A surprisingly lot happened since I last saw you. Maybe too much to go over now, though I can update you when you are back.” She would answer any question she could that Mitsuko had of course, but it would be a little much to summarize everything that happened over the last night after Mitsuko left and today.