[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IGhr5Pf.jpg[/img] [h2]Major Arc 1 The Great Blaze of Kyoto[/h2] [h3]Kyoto International Conference Center[/h3] [b]Wednesday, June 1st 20XX Morning[/b] [/center][hr] Kyoto, the city of tradition, history, mysticism and culture, as far as Japan went, Kyoto was considered by many as the most Japanese city. It's idyllic shrines, castles, mixed with the urbanisation seen in many cities of Japan gives it the unique touch of a fusion of culture and urban society. The city was on the cusp of summer as there was a tizzy in the air among the population. It was June after all, and for Kyoto, June through to August was the season of festivals, some even going back to back. There was no shortage of a festival to attend while here in Kyoto. Unfortunately however the enticing outdoors and interesting cityscape these students could see out the window, served only to be a groaning reminder of why they were here. Yet they bore with it through the promise of free time after today. [i]"So welcome, to the 2nd Japan Arcanis Alliance Conference, hosted by the Kyoto Mystics Alliance. Those attending today are from places far and wide around Japan. As you know, there is an effort to bring Arcanis and Earth closer together in unity, and harmony..."[/i], The speech bore on for awhile. Some students were a bit too tired from the trip to the hotel and then immediately having to make their way here. The stage of the conference hall had what many are to be believed very important people. Most of which were adults, or very old men, but only one stood out among them, which was a young girl sitting in the center of the rows. It was strange that she would not be mentioned having such an important position, but everyone was a bit too bored to really question it. [i]"... in particular the academy known as Silver Gate has been making good progress over the last two decades. This conference we hold every year starting from last year is to help those interested in the craft and practice of magic here in Japan to get to know..."[/i] The general point was understood already, the droning seemed to knock a few of the less interested students to sleep already. Kuuto and Utsumi for some reason seemed rather dauntless to this seemingly effective sleep spell of sorts. [i]"...so we'd like to introduce the head of the Fujiwara Clan who has been working with Arcanis practitioners, to help us understand the benefits of cooperation. Please, give a warm welcome to Motsumine no Fujiwara"[/i] Taking the stage in a complete set of onmyouji gear, the long hat, the white robes, he appeared as if out of a tapestry depicting such figures in Japanese feudal courts. He wasn't the only one dressed this way, those sitting down along the stage wore such things in a variety of styles to represent their schools of exorcism, in fact it came to the attention of some that there were new interested persons this year. Blacksmiths in particular. [color=fff79a]"Yes, thank you. I would like to speak today in regards to the equipment that I have made use of from Arcanis"[/color], he began. Motsumine was a rather well-done up person, his face was clean, sharp, and eyes that seemed to laugh and scrutinize all at once, and an everpresent slight smile. [color=fff79a]"The iron of our world has served us well for generations, and our smiths are the best I could ever ask for, but as our country has faced many trials, so too did our weaponry. When faced with inferior iron, we created the tachi. When the opportunity showed itself, we used the superior iron found on western soil. In the midst of war, we even borrowed the technology of our enemies at the time. Today I ask that we do no different, for you see, the materials of weapons and equipment I have found in Arcanis are among the most effective I have ever had the pleasure to use"[/color], he waved a hand as a curtain behind him revealed a set of swords. Those of Arcanis present today might instantly recognize their unique stylings. Motsumine took one of the swords, a gleaming straight sword with a golden edge boxing in a bright silver body. [color=fff79a]"I am sure we are familiar with the properties of silver, being able to cut away the impure and corrupted, but what if I told you that within Arcanis lay an even better silver? This sword I hold here is made from Indranite, this is an impressive metal that mere presence can keep the wearer safe from demonic disruption"[/color], There were some murmurs among the blacksmiths, looking to each other and giving some kind of reaction. It was a mix of interest and skepticism. [color=fff79a]"So today I have invited many blacksmiths who would be willing to heed my call, to inspect these weapons. I also have invited investors from Arcanis who sit among the crowd today should my esteemed craftsmen wish to purchase some material to try out. I surely hope that my actions today would create a foundation where both our worlds become stronger"[/color], there was an applause following his bow, signifying the end of his speech. As he concluded his time on stage he headed back to his seat, letting the host return. [color=fff79a]"Thank you Motsumine no Fujiwara! I will also surely be interested in seeing what comes of this. Now onto our next guest..."[/color], the rest of the conference was not quite as interesting as Motsumine's speech. Many of them were about relations, the issue on handling both demons and yokai, as they had some differences as well as similarities. [hr] [center][h3]One Hour Later[/h3][/center] As soon as the conference ended, people were free to walk around and speak with the guests. Before that though... Motsumine had approached the class group as Kuuto was telling everyone what they were allowed to do while here. [color=fff79a]"It is rare to see you, heir of Kirizanto. Perhaps you are here on business?"[/color], Kuuto turned to see Motsumine. [color=slategray]"School business. I see you haven't done anything about your showmanship"[/color], [color=fff79a]"Please, you say that as if it were a bad thing. Think of it, perhaps you would rather a better blade than your family's flimsy demon cutting swords. As effective as they are, you find yourself with a new one every other day"[/color], Kuuto looked down in thought, and after a moment he turned back. [color=slategray]"True, perhaps a better weapon would serve me better, but it will be one crafted by our family"[/color], Motsumine laughed lightly. [color=fff79a]"Yes of course, the pride of our traditions are what keeps our arts alive is it not? All the better to help those arts evolve even further"[/color], he waved his paper fan lightly. Despite the somewhat hostile nature of Kuuto and his unwavering frown, it seems the two seemed to enjoy the conversation somewhat. [color=slategray]"Now then Motsumine, surely you have better to do than talk to a teacher. Perhaps it'd be more productive to speak with potential investors"[/color], Motsumine laughed heartily, waving a fan lightly as he did. [color=fff79a]"Come now, surely I am afforded a conversation with an old friend after so many years! Perhaps you would even have interesting stories to tell, which I would prefer over talking about numbers and trade"[/color], Kuuto just pressed his forehead as he looked away a bit, sighing then turning back. [color=slategray]"Fine, but it'll be later. I'm sure we still have some business for the day before we can relax"[/color], he gave in. Motsumine's fan snapped back closed in a distinct clap. [color=fff79a]"Excellent! I shall contact you thereafter! We have many things to discuss, why I believe it may be a good chance to show you a new tea set I had obtained! Well then, do not let me keep you"[/color], Kuuto nodded as Motsumine began walking away. An interesting man to be sure. Kuuto turned back to the class, [color=slategray]"Alright, so for today we're going to be going around to the various shrines around Kyoto owned by exorcist families. Though that will be after lunch. Until lunch time, you may go around the centre and look at the stands people have setup"[/color], he was referring to something akin to employment expos, which was indeed something that was setup in the next hall. [hr] [center][h3]Over the rest of the day...[/h3][/center] The rest of the day went by rather quickly, the class went from shrine to shrine, all of them quite large, and were introduced to the many styles of exorcism that existed and were crafted by the various families. They even had time to visit some blacksmiths who were headquartered here in Kyoto, and even went by Kuuto's family house, during which he was mysteriously absent. Utsumi though for a majority found himself explaining to students the many types of exorcism that existed, at least the ones besides the one they were taught in class. He went into some detail about western style exorcism, as well as what he knew about Arcanis style. Though it was not a classroom setting, so unfortunately there were no books to distribute during this. Eventually though, everyone would retire to the hotel. Only a select few people realized some people were missing, but when they asked Kuuto or Utsumi about them, they simply said they were on extra-curricular activities, and really, no more than that. As no one could get anything about the missing people out of them, most just went off to do their own thing. At the very least it seemed the two knew what was going on... [hr] [@ERode][@I-Am-X][@Kafka Komedy] The showcase of Exorcism Arts will be coming soon. For those of you waiting for a special event, please send me a DM on discord. I know in particular [@Lonewolf685][@Kal-El] are looking for one. [hr] [i]For our Yokai frens[/i] [@Takumi Enishi][@Amaterasu][@Ginnungagap][@TheHangedMan] [hider] [h3]Koyuki[/h3] [hider] The young fox girl wandered the expo place to place. For her, the only worry she had was to make it back to the meeting place in time for lunch, which was a perfectly good reason as any to get back in time. But out of the corner of her eye she spotted someone, a courtesan, back turned, smoking a pipe, disappearing amidst the crowd of the forum. There was an alluring sense to her, but not in the way of attraction, but deep in her being she felt a connection to this person. And so she pursued. As she sprinted around, some of the people she brushed past stepping back in surprise, and some even telling her to be careful, she turned a corner around the hall as a haze obscured her vision, as soon she took but one more step, the entire area around her was but gray smoke. With no recourse other than to keep moving, backwards, forwards, left or right, none of it seemed to matter. The feeling of panic combined with curiosity filled her as she walked into the smoke, and pretty soon... She found herself standing within a new place. The pink ethereal blossoms that lined the air around her and the pathway before her almost beckoned her forward, the eternally dark sky above with a full white moon... She was no longer in Kyoto, so she felt.[/hider] [h3]Todoroki Tsurara[/h3] [hider] As lunchtime arrived, the lady of ice found herself fatigued by the heat of summer. While the inside of the hall was just fine, it was when lunchtime had come, and beyond when she began to feel her race's limits under the blazing Kyoto sun. Truly, a yuki-onna was not suited for such an environment. Comes to mind the story of a yuki-onna that simply disappeared when she entered hot water. Though no such event has occured for her specific kind, one cannot help but feel such fears may come to pass. She eventually found a nice place under the shade upon a bench, eating shaved ice as she sat there. Time passed as lunch time was almost over, but it felt as if the shaved ice wasn't enough, and the tiredness and lack of energy began to set in, a fate locked as soon as she began to rest, and just like that she began to doze off. Even if only for a moment. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted with what felt slightly familiar... Eiseikato. [/hider] [h3]Jhackson Micheal Mason[/h3] [hider] Mason kept with his classmates for the majority, in fact he almost felt at home among all these employment-expo-like stands. He would notice a bunch of them weren't just here to represent, but also to recruit, and as a result might notice that it wasn't just their school that was here, there were a few others too. As a result, he safely was untouched throughout until lunch. In the middle of lunch he had to go to the restroom in the park, but as soon as he emerged from it, there were some men in various suits and sunglasses with a mean look, surrounding him. "Wait so this the kid?", were they Yakuza? It didn't seem Mason had any room to run except back into the bathroom but somehow a few emerged behind him. "Just nab him and go, we'll explain everything later", before Mason could react had had a bag put over his head and felt himself being dragged off. Try as he might, he couldn't struggle, but somehow about these guys didn't seem human. Sure enough... He would have the bag removed from his head as he found hismelf flanked by some goons. Nervously, he would take the ride, not knowing where he was being taken... After what seemed a few minutes, he would be ushered out, "go on kid get out!", despite the rough words, they didn't handle him too roughly, though as he turned his head towards the outside of the car, he would notice it's ethereal beauty first and foremost, before then realizing this was not a crimelord's estate at all. [/hider] [h3]Icarus Ochre[/h3] [hider] The fire bird boy strode around the various stands curiously as he browsed the... Many methods to which he could be snuffed from this world. A strange thought to have but it was one that he had, being a slightly lackadaisical boy with a bit too many thoughts sometimes. Though as he went along he noticed something strange... A small fire bird. A very small one. No one else seemed to be able to see it but it flitted around him as if beckoning him to follow before it led him around the area for a bit. As Icarus followed it, turning a corner, he suddenly found himself looking at a shrine entrance, a big torii gate acting like a portal between the expo hall and... The shrine. The small fire bird beckoned him to follow as it went deeper in. Look behind him he might, and notice that no one else noticed this was here... Still, this was such a curious event that he could not help but step through, and as soon as he did the entire area changed. The shrine extended further out, disappearing beyond a long winding street as ethereal pink petals fell over an eternal night sky... He was definitely not in the expo hall anymore. [/hider] [/hider]