[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [center] [hider=Another Day in the Life] [Youtube]https://youtu.be/COjEoKQxB6Y?t=735[/Youtube] [/hider] [/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek] [@The Irish Tree] [@Hammerman] [@Crowvette] [@Nakushita] [@Rezod92] [@Enkryption][/sub] [b]Terauchi Temple[/b] [hr] Shizuka was still carrying the unconscious Alice with him as he exited the training grounds, he and the rest of the team present had emerged back onto the temple grounds. Taking in the natural air, Shizuka read the chi around him for a moment to note any changes since they had be gone. Along with Ayu, Yuki, the refugees and temple monks...and Kasseros, he immediately noticed the reading of a foreign signature. [color=0072bc][i]Someone new's been here.[/i][/color] He said to himself. Of course, the utterly out of place tool bench setup to the side confirmed this as well... More instances of outside technology the swordsman had no experience with. He could tell the chi over it belonged to a mamono, a species that wasn't native to this land. He supposed this was a good thing, they could use members with unique skillsets. Not to mention, Eula in particular could most definitely benefit from having someone like this around. He still felt bad about the last mission, in addition to how he treated monk who showed them the grave... Ayu came up to them after a little bit, noticing the peculiar state the members were in. [color=0072bc]"The training went fine...sort of."[/color] He quickly replied. [color=0072bc]"The later part of it...let's just say that things started to get a little hectic. But, everything was put under control."[/color] He assured Ayu, who no doubt sensed the mamono chi that emanated from him. [color=0072bc]"I see that Takeshi-dono and some of the other team members have gone out."[/color] Before he could ponder further, Kikyo came riding up on a horse. Apparently her men acted on their own and made after the young lord. That sort of thing never spelled good news. She pointed at the sleeping Alice, demanding her aid in finding him. Well, she wasn't really sleeping anymore, having sprung to life at the woman's provocation. In an instant, Alice was standing on top of Kikyo's horse, with Carroll pointed at her. [color=0072bc]"You idiot! What are you doing?!"[/color] He exclaimed. He still hasn't had time to mentally settle after the training, so Shizuka wasn't really in the mood for anymore shenanigans. Gringor didn't help things, sniffing around like a dog to see where the others went. Kerry chose to ignore the scene entirely, spazzing out over the work bench setup. She acted as though she knew the maker of that workspace well, and immediately when off to find them. Liliana was the next to enter the scene, having summoned yet another cow, and was riding it like a...horse? From the looks of it, She and an nonconsenting Alice had volunteered to ride to the young lord's rescue. With that, they rode off on the bovine into the distance. Gringor left in the same direction as well, still striding on all fours. He's right eye twitching, he simply didn't have the energy to process or question the scene. Only then did it occur to him that Alice was out in about while in the nude... Shizuka didn't actually nab her clothes when they exited the training ground. He gave up, and simply trusted that they would be able to aid Takeshi should he need it. He honestly needed to take his mind off of recent events, perhaps going on another quest would put him back in his groove. He decided to go after [b][i]Kazenosuke the Dancing Blade[/i][/b], a ronin with a spinning blade that could deflect any attack and counter faster than the eye could see. Such an ally would be invaluable to the team, and Shizuka felt he had the perfect skillset to tackle the mission. [color=0072bc]"Ayu, I'm heading off to find Kazenosuke. If anyone else wishes to join me, feel free to come along. I'm confident in my bladework, but other minds to bounce off of never hurt."[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] [center] [hider=Past Lives][Youtube]https://youtu.be/6NksUf0xg9k[/Youtube][/hider][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek] [@The Irish Tree] [@Hammerman] [@Restalaan] [@Enkryption][/sub] [b]Kozukata Cemetery[/b] [hr] Atsuha looked at Yurine, who made her statement about the decision she had made. With a sober smile, Atsuha held a defeated expression on her face as she began to tear up. She placed a hand on Hinami's head, gently stroking it. [color=9e0b0f]"Perhaps...you are correct, Deathkeeper. There is no doubt that the only person who's benefitted from my selfish decision is me. I've cursed my sister to a path of self-loathing and feral hunger that she didn't ask for or deserve, and despite my supposed magical talents all I've been able to do is soothe her with pretty words and talismans that are as valuable as cheap medical gauze."[/color] While her eyes were covered by her ivory bangs, the stream of tears were visible for the world to see. [color=9e0b0f]"But, if there's any form of empathetic equity in this wretched world, I would ask that it is only I that suffer for my decision. I don't see what form of meaning can be drawn from my sister knowing only suffering and dying before having a chance to find happiness, it may not have been my place but I didn't care. I saw fit that my sister deserved a second chance, and if given an opportunity I'd do it a thousand times over. I'd gladly suffer until time ends, but not her."[/color] Her hand no longer on Hinami, she was clenching it so hard blood began to sip from it. [color=9e0b0f]"Not her, she's gone through enough. She will be saved, and anything within your power you'll able to do, I will even give my own life if it can help!"[/color] The Jorougumo had broken down, eyes red with swelling and desperation. [color=9e0b0f]"My sister isn't a monster, she is the kindest person who I know in this world. She's just a young woman who wants to be happy with other people. Please...save her..."[/color] It seemed Atsuha was pleading to the gods themselves, less so Yurine specifically. It was pointed out that the others were taking long to gather the spider lilies than normal, and Skarsneek offered to go an check on them. [color=9e0b0f]"I won't leave my sister's side, I am grateful if you wish to go Skars-kun."[/color] She responded to her goblin betrothed. She perked up a bit, at that point, sensing the chi of Alice, Liliana, and Gringor quickly closing in...