Start of #Youkai buffer: Fri Apr 24 06:27:56 2009 [17:29:26] [Last time, you finally found your way to what you believe may be the source of all this.] [17:29:28] [Session Start] [17:33:19] * Berny stares at the tree. "Wow." [17:33:35] Um, hey, guys. Take a look at this. [17:33:51] * Kentaro heads over to the tree. [17:33:56] * The tree is a tall, thick, gnarled, black thing. Its branches bend and curl at unlikely angles and waves. The roots that can be seen poking out of the soil, on the other hand, are jagged and sharply angled, almost like claws. Or teeth. [17:34:28] Scary-looking tree. The kami pointed me over to it. [17:34:41] * Megumi walks over, arms folded behind her head. "Whoa, what the hell." [17:36:38] * Kentaro grimaces. "This probably shouldn't be here." [17:38:45] So, uh, what do we do? I think chopping it down might just make things worse [17:45:46] What IS that? [17:47:26] * Kentaro shakes his head. "Whatever it is, it might be what's killing the fields." [17:52:46] * Berny walks around the tree slowly, studying it from every angle. She approaches the trunk and knocks on it tentatively. [17:53:20] Hello in there? [17:54:00] * Megumi walks up to the tree, glaring. "Hey! Tree! The hell are you doing, anyway?" [17:56:14] * Berny sees a wide red eye materialize from the tree. It turns its gaze upon her. [17:56:33] * Berny gasps and shrieks. [17:57:48] What's wrong? [17:58:25] * Megumi turns sharply to look at Berny, then back at the tree, then back at Berny again. "What was that?" [17:58:26] * Berny fumbles in her pocket, and her tightly closed fist comes out decorated in holy symbols of all types: a cross, a pentacle, a Buddhist swastika, the works. [17:58:50] ( they're amulets x_x realized that wasn't clear) [17:59:38] * The eye turns away. Its expression, if it can be called that, doesn't change. It watches Megumi. [18:00:48] * Berny holds up the holy amulets, still panting from her earlier scream. "Do you see that eye, or is that my kooky kami vision again?" [18:01:20] * Megumi boggles at the amulets. "Uh..." She turns to look at the tree, looking more carefully. [18:01:55] * Megumi can't really see the eye. [18:02:02] I don't see a thing... [18:02:03] It's looking at you. [18:02:59] * Kentaro rests his hand on his chin thoughtfully. [18:03:03] Punch it in the eye. [18:03:25] * Megumi grins. "Now that's my kind of plan." [18:03:26] ...Punch it? I can't! [18:03:32] Whereabouts is it? [18:03:43] * Berny points. "Right...there." [18:04:50] * Megumi 's grin widens. She tightens a fist, hauls back, and slugs the tree right where Berny pointed. [18:05:22] * Berny looks the tree in the eye, though she's not looking very brave. [18:16:21] * Megumi punches the tree directly in the 'eye' with all her might, though she's not entirely on target, having based her aim on finger-pointing. She pulls back, shaking her hand. "Fuck! The hell is this thing made out of?" [18:17:31] * The eye pulls back into the tree. If not out of injury, then surprise. [18:18:17] * Megumi looks at Berny. "Well?" [18:20:03] * Berny blinks. "The eye pulled back into the tree. I dunno if it's hurt." [18:20:46] * Megumi grins triumphantly, turning back to the tree. "Hah! Yeah, that's right! You want some more?" [18:20:54] Even the damn trees are afraid of me! [18:22:01] So, uh, usually I'm not one to advocated burning down trees, but does anyone else think that might be a good idea right now? [18:22:24] You mean with all that dry grass around? [18:22:35] Maybe. I haven't tried talking to it, but it might be a little late now to try. [18:24:20] * Berny re-pockets the trinkets she pulled out earlier. [18:25:07] * Kentaro looks slightly shocked, then smiles back at Miki. "Lady, I'm so glad you're always around to keep me from starting wildfires." [18:25:21] Maybe we've established dominance by punching it in the eye [18:25:49] Uh huh... [18:26:05] * Megumi shrugs. "I can hit it again, if you want." [18:26:40] The tree's... probably had enough of that. [18:29:07] Pft, it can take it. [18:29:26] Maybe we should try talking to it, and if that doesn't work, you can beat up a tree [18:29:55] Oh, fine. Talk to the damn tree. [18:31:07] * Miki raises an eyebrow [18:32:16] Hey, um, tree kami? [18:32:29] * Berny taps the tree trunk experimentally. [18:32:37] * The eye resurfaces for Berny. [18:33:01] * Berny jumps again. "Uh, hi. Can I talk to you for a bit?" [18:33:10] * The eye observes Berny [18:33:50] We were wondering...are you, um, say, sucking the life out of the other plants and earth around here, by any chance? [18:37:58] * The eye gazes at Berny. For a very brief moment, she sees a slavering mouth ringed with jagged teeth and a long tongue, snapping at anything that comes near. Another mouth, morehuman-like, opens. "Perhaps." [18:38:36] * Berny shivers. "Why's that?" [18:39:46] Life consumes. [18:40:46] * A branch shakes a little, and a single leaf falls to the ground near Berny. [18:41:31] * Berny looks down at the leaf and examines it without touching it. [18:42:17] Well, um, is there any way you can, ah, 'consume' without hurting others? All the plants are dying. [18:42:51] * The leaf has a vibrant shine to it. It also happens to smell exactly like Berenice's favorite food. [18:43:08] * In fact, it happens to smell like all of your favorite foods. [18:43:33] * Berny sniffs the air around her and reaches out for the leaf before reining herself in and stopping. [18:43:35] * Miki regards the leaf with suspicion. [18:44:01] Hey! Are you trying to trick us into...I don't know what, but stop it! [18:44:29] * Kentaro eyes the leaf. "Is... What *is* that?" [18:45:19] * Berny hurriedly glances over at Kentaro. "I dunno, but I don't know if it's safe to touch." [18:45:25] Damn, that smells good...wait, it's a leaf. Why the hell does a leaf... [18:45:49] * Megumi stares at the tree. "Um...bait?" [18:46:30] This is a gift, offered freely. You smell it. You may touch it. Taste it. [18:46:38] Why would you offer us a gift? [18:46:51] Life consumes. [18:48:05] 'Life consumes'? You keep saying that, but we all try to consume without harming others. Can't you do that too? [18:48:06] [from this point on, Berny is assumed to interpret anything the tree says or does] [18:48:30] Does... does the tree want us to consume *it*? [18:48:59] He's offering it to us to...uh, taste, so I guess so. [18:49:11] * Berny looks down at the leaf dubiously. "I don't know, though." [18:49:54] I don't trust it. Maybe that's how it's killing everything. [18:49:56] I may consume differently. But I will consume. [18:51:10] What is it that you wish? [18:51:53] Well, all the local plants and veggies are dying because they can't get enough to eat. Could you maybe at least share? [18:54:10] I just want the field to be back to growing, so that Kawashiro-sensei goes back to normal. [18:54:52] Wait, what's this half to do with... [18:55:06] * Megumi stares at Kentaro, her eyes widening. "Wait, he's not...is he?" [18:55:26] * Kentaro sighs. "Look, I get that sometimes, stuff needs to be die so that other people can eat it, you know? I get it. But it's a dick move to take more than you need. It's just- It's stupid!" [18:56:23] If that is your wish. [19:01:18] * The tree shakes loose some more leaves. "Atonement." [19:02:44] What, just like that? I don't buy it. [19:02:49] * Megumi scowls, folding her arms. [19:05:27] Atonement? [19:06:57] * Berny glances down at the leaves. [19:08:29] * Kentaro smiles. "I think the tree's not messing with us. And the leaves... Well, they're not *meant* to hurt us." [19:10:12] I have no idea what's going on... [19:10:31] * Megumi blinks at Kentaro. "You can tell?" [19:10:49] * Berny relaxes. "Thank you, tree kami. You promise?" [19:10:59] Certainly. [19:11:19] * Kentaro nods. "It's hard to say, but I kind of have a knack for this sort of thing." [19:11:26] Thanks, Kentaro. [19:11:30] * Berny smiles. [19:11:44] * Kentaro picks a leaf off the ground and rolls it between his fingers, sniffing experimentally. "Glad I could help." [19:12:30] * Berny picks up a leaf from the ground, looks at it, and pockets it, then steps over to the evil-looking tree and gives the trunk an awkward little hug. [19:12:42] * The eye resubmerges. [19:14:01] * Kentaro bites off the end of the leaf, chewing thoughtfully [19:14:19] * It tastes just like it smells like. Maybe even better. [19:14:44] * Berny glances at Kentaro. "What's it taste like?" [19:15:04] It's *incredible*. [19:15:34] * Kentaro closes his eyes. "Tree, I'm sorry I told Megumi to punch you. If this doesn't kill me, you're all right." [19:16:51] ... did you just eat a leaf? [19:16:54] * Berny nods. "I'm sorry, too." [19:17:39] * Berny takes her leaf out of her pocket, sniffs it, and pops it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. [19:18:40] * Kentaro blinks, then turns to Miki, grinning widely. "Ta-daaaa! I hope you enjoyed our production, Miki! I mean, it's a little avant-garde, but I figured if anyone could appreciate an open-air performance piece like this, it'd be you, lady." [19:18:51] Uh... huh. [19:19:03] Well, it was... interesting. [19:19:21] Hmph. _I'M_ not sorry. He had it coming. [19:20:21] * Berny thinks. "Well, I guess you're right too. A lot of those other kami were suffering." [19:20:55] * Berny suddenly blushes, hearing Kentaro's comment and remember that Miki was there the whole time. [19:21:25] * Miki picks up a few leaves and pockets them out of curiosity [19:21:59] Um, yeah! I hear you're in the drama club, so we thought--you know. [19:22:09] * Berny blushes furiously and has no idea how to continue. [19:23:45] * Berny checks on the kami she talked to before finding the tree. [19:23:55] * Megumi looks over at Miki and shrugs, apparently not at all self-concious at having fought with a tree. [19:24:10] * Berny sees them! [19:24:20] * Kentaro nods, scooping up a few more handfuls of leaves, and then begins to walk back to town. "Maybe it just didn't realize the repercussions. I mean, my family used to hunt, and I guess it's easy to get carried away." [19:24:26] * Berny kneels by the one she spoke to earlier. "Hey, are you feeling better?" [19:24:54] Strength is no longer being taken. [19:25:15] Oh, wonderful! We talked to the tree kami, and he said he would share. [19:25:39] * Berny beams at the kami. "Take care!" She stands up and returns to the group. [20:22:43] [The next day...] [20:22:50] [Saturday morning.] [20:22:54] [Megumi's big day] [20:23:36] [Morning passes by quickly. Lunch soon arrives.] [20:24:30] [Today's lunch is hanbagu] [20:24:38] * Kentaro nods at Berny. "Want to head down?" [20:24:45] Sure! [20:25:00] * Berny grabs her bag and follows Kentaro to the cafeteria. [20:28:04] [You arrive at the cafeteria without incident. Daisuke, Natsuki, and Shizuru are sitting around your usual spot.] [20:28:26] * Berny waves to Daisuke, Natsuki, and Shizuru. [20:29:04] * Kentaro takes his usual seat and begins getting into his bento. It seems to be rice with leaves from the strange kami tree from the day before. He looks up, grinning. "Hey, Daisuke, Nat-chan, Shizu-kin." [20:30:13] * They look up and wave. [20:30:20] * Megumi (dlarmour@wnpgmb1307w-ad02-33-117.dynamic.mts.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 180 seconds) [20:32:41] * Berny sits down and unpacks her usual vegetarian lunch, then starts on her sandwich. [20:33:18] So, Kentaro, what did your leaf taste like, besides incredible? [20:33:21] * Natsuki sniffs. "Aburage rice?" [20:33:52] * Megumi (dlarmour@wnpgmb1307w-ad02-33-117.dynamic.mts.net) has joined #Youkai [20:34:22] For me? It was like tempura batter, and a little bit of... Well, I guess we can say it tasted like chicken. And onion. [20:35:00] Mm. Mine was strawberry tiramisu. I wonder what Megumi's was. [20:35:41] * Kentaro grins up at Natsuki. "Man, you guys won't believe it when I tell you. And I think I've got to save it for after school, since I don't think this is something we want getting around." [20:37:07] * Berny nods and covers her mouth. "I have to be more careful." [20:37:24] * Megumi enters the cafeteria, looking around for the table, and takes a seat after grabbing lunch. She's grinning widely. "Oh man, I've been looking forward to this all week." [20:38:20] * Berny waves to Megumi, noting her good mood. "Hey, Megumi. Is today the day?" [20:38:26] * Kentaro shrugs. "Strawberry tiramisu is neat. I've never really been a fan of pastry. I guess I'm just kind of a meat-and-vegetables guy." [20:38:30] Hey, Megumi [20:39:14] * Megumi nods happily. "Yep!" [20:39:44] I see you're pleased. [20:40:47] Of course! [20:40:53] * Megumi digs into her lucnh. [20:42:07] * Everyone else takes out their lunches and starts eating. [20:42:41] You heard about the fights lately? [20:45:04] * Megumi nods. "Yeah." She sighs. "I miss all the good stuff." [20:45:55] Sometimes it's better if you wait. [20:47:22] * Berny chews her food. "Who are you fighting, Megumi?" [20:50:41] * Megumi thinks over Natsuki's statement. "You think so?" She brightens. "Maybe after a few days only the really strong ones will still be fighting, so I don't have to waste my time with the real small fry." [20:50:47] * Shizuru looks at the leaves in Kentaro's lunch. "That doesn't look like aburage." [20:52:07] * Berny nods at Megumi. "That's a good point." She smiles. [20:52:08] * Megumi looks at Berny. "Well, the letter didn't say who it was from, but I've got some guesses." She grins widely. [20:52:11] * Kentaro looks up, mouth full of food. "Long story, magic tree." [20:52:43] A magic tree, you say? [20:53:03] * Kentaro nods vigorously [20:54:33] Fascinating. I'll have to ask mother about that. [20:55:35] Is she an expert on trees? [20:58:21] She's an expert on a lot of things. [20:58:47] Oh, neat. [20:59:38] * Megumi reaches over and quickly grabs one of the leaves from Kentaro's lunch while everyone's busy talking. [21:00:25] * Miki comes by and sits down. [21:00:38] So what were you doing yesterday anyway? [21:01:27] * Megumi stuffs the leaf into her mouth before anyone can react. [21:01:43] * Kentaro looks up at Miki, smiling. "Hey, lady, what's up?" [21:01:54] * Berny glances at Megumi and laughs. [21:02:10] Raw tempura batter, chicken, and onions...? [21:02:22] * Miki smiles. "Ah, not much. Seeing you again yesterday reminded me about how long it's been since we've spent time together. [21:05:12] * Kentaro nods, putting an arm around Miki's shoulders. "I've been a terrible man, and a worse boyfriend, leaving you alone like that! My heart weeps with what I've done, and I can only hope you can find it in yourself to forgive a reprobate like me!" His voice swells dramatically as he speaks, and he makes grand gestures with his free arm [21:05:34] * Miki blinks. "Uh... yeah.Sure." [21:06:10] * Megumi stares at Kentaro in silence. [21:06:17] * Other students stare too [21:06:27] Seriously, though, sorry. I kinda got caught up with the start of the new year, and you know how things go. But I won't screw it up again. [21:06:42] * Kentaro grins and waves broadly at the students at other tables staring at him. [21:07:22] * They stop staring and return to their food [21:09:08] So you visited a tree and spent time with Miki, huh... [21:10:17] * Berny hastily adds, "Well, we were all there. It wasn't like, you know. That." [21:11:04] * Shizuru sniffs. "Oh, of course not." [21:12:02] * Kentaro sighs exaggeratedly. "Yeah, I get something going on, and then some girls have to tag along and ruin it. You know how it is, Shizu-kun." [21:12:33] Ruin? Oh. Yes. Of course. [21:12:44] * Berny laughs. [21:13:36] * Kentaro laughs, and rolls up another leaf, popping it in his mouth [21:14:05] * Miki watches the leaf eating uneasily. [21:16:49] Oh, it's alright. It's just, you know, fiber and roughage? [21:17:04] Like how cats eat grass to help their digestion, except I am totally, inarguably a human. [21:17:27] Uh... right. [21:17:31] Absolutely. [21:17:49] * Berny nods along. "Not bad at all, really." [21:24:10] [Soon, lunch ends. Then there's more class. Then class ends.] [21:26:38] * Berny steps outside and stretches. [21:28:23] * Megumi is already outside, doing warmup exercises. [21:28:59] Hey, Megumi. [21:29:27] * Kentaro heads outside, and stops when he sees Megumi. "Hey, what's up?" [21:30:05] Getting ready, of course. [21:32:02] [As a reminder, the meeting place was behind the school] [21:32:26] * Megumi heads to the meeting place. "Don't want to keep them waiting." [21:32:52] * Kentaro follows Megumi because, hey, what else is he gonna do, go to work? [21:33:26] * Berny walks after Megumi, too. "This should be exciting." [21:35:10] [Behind the gym stands a tall male student with his arms crossed, leaning against the building. He's muscular, his uniform's in bad shape, and he wears a worn black cap.] [21:35:34] * Megumi raises an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you?" [21:35:39] * Berny eyes the student, trying to remember if she's ever met him. [21:36:01] * Berny hasn't. [21:36:02] * Kentaro does as well [21:37:11] Doumeki Choutarou. What does it matter? [21:37:49] * Kentaro recognizes him as a second year with a penchant for getting into fights. [21:38:03] * Megumi shrugs. "Not a whole lot." [21:39:24] Uh huh. Now scoot. I'm waiting for someone. [21:40:21] * Megumi starts to scowl, then smirks nastily. "Funny, so am I. But you look like a pussy, so it's probably not you." [21:40:24] * Berny looks around for a shady spot, preferably with a bench, to sit down. [21:41:17] Hmph. I don't fight kids. [21:43:00] Yeah, that's probably a good plan. Stick to babies, you might actually win. [21:43:22] Hmph. I'll humor you. Throw one punch. [21:43:51] * Kentaro sits down on the ground near Bernie, leaning forward as he watches [21:44:50] * Berny crosses her arms over her chest and waits. After all, she's never seen Megumi fight. [21:44:58] * Megumi grins, and rushes at Choutarou, ramming a fist into his gut. [21:50:34] * The fist smacks into him with a solid impact. He grits his teeth a little. Then smiles. "So you must be the tournament organizer, isn't that how this usually goes? Everyone fights each other, then the winner fights the strongest?" [21:52:20] * Megumi grins. "Ooh, good, a tough one. Wait, there's a tournament?" [21:53:11] Sort of.... ? That's what the letter I got said anyway. Some of the others were a bit confused on that detail. [21:54:26] You wanna throw down, or no? [21:54:45] * Megumi pulls back a bit. She frowns for a moment, then grins nastily. "Then I just need to take you down and I'm in. Sounds like fun." [21:55:25] * He throws off his large black coat. The inside's got a tiger stripe pattern. "Good!" [21:55:37] Go Megumi! [21:55:48] * Berny whistles loudly. [21:55:55] Take him down! [21:56:34] * Kentaro leans over to Berny. "Looks like the dude might be special. This is gonna be good. [21:57:03] * Berny nods. "That looked like some punch. I was surprised he was still standing." [21:57:51] * Megumi 's eyes widen slightly as she sees the pattern. "Heh." [22:09:41] * Berny leans in toward Kentaro. "So can you tell what he is? Like, from his smell?" [22:10:18] Same as her, I'm pretty sure [22:10:34] * Megumi dashes towards Choutarou, delivering another quick body blow and then grabbing onto his right hand, twisting his arm as she steps past him. As she puts pressure on his arm, she kicks him in the back of the leg, attemtping to drive him to the ground. [22:15:58] * Megumi takes a glancing blow to the head from Choutarou as he forces free of the hold. "Doesn't hurt at ALL!" The two exchange blows for a while, until Megumi backs off and rushes at Choutarou, leaping and wrapping one arm around his chest, slamming him into the ground with her momentum. [22:16:14] Oof! [22:16:50] Heh.... not bad. Not bad at all. You're a lot tougher than the others. [22:18:57] * Megumi grabs Choutarou's arm again, wrapping her legs around it and pulling it to the ground. "You better believe it. Ready to give up yet?" [22:20:00] Hmph. Yeah, sure. For now, at least. I've found what I wanted. Let's do this again sometime. [22:20:51] * Megumi releases Choutarou's arm, getting to her feet and dusting herself off. "Anytime, anywhere." [22:22:03] * Choutarou gets up and dusts himself off. "How'd you get this strong anyway?" [22:22:40] * Megumi smirks. "Sorry, that's a trade secret." [22:23:23] Same, then. [22:23:26] * He puts on his coat [22:24:35] Heh. [22:24:51] Man, and here I thought this school was gonna be so boring. [22:25:38] Same here. [22:27:47] Well, seeya. I'll be looking forward to the next 'round'. [22:28:13] * He nods. "I'll see you around." [22:28:25] * Megumi walks over to Kentaro and Berny, beaming. "Best surprise ever." [22:28:57] * Kentaro smiles. "Glad I could help! And I'm happy it worked out so well." [22:29:54] Wasn't really expecting it to have anything to do with the fights we've been hearing about. I don't feel so left out anymore. [22:30:26] * Megumi lets out an uncharacteristic sounding giggle. [22:31:00] * Shizuru appears out of nowhere, applauding. "Splendid performance." [22:32:21] * Megumi looks over at Shizuru. "Hehe. You think so? So...are you this 'tournament organizer?'" [22:34:16] In a way, I suppose. I just gave it the initial push, and everything fell into place. Most of them had no idea this was part of a larger thing. [22:35:39] * Megumi laughs. "Wow, and all this time you were listening to me bitch about missing the fights." [22:36:20] Well, it's no fun if I tip my hand early. [22:36:47] So...did you do this all for Megumi? [22:38:21] I suppose I did. It was easy. Two letters, three phone calls, and I found the strongest person in the school from an initial pool of 16. [22:39:06] Wow. [22:39:17] * Berny seems impressed overall. "And great job, Megumi! We knew you'd win!" [22:41:15] * Megumi scratches her head, looking a bit stunned and embarassed. "Um, wow. I dunno what to say." [22:43:15] You can say more about that leaf. But maybe some other time. [22:44:15] * Kentaro nods. "For now, it's good enough that you're the strongest in the school. Nice job." [22:44:35] And, uh, good job making friends with that dude by punching him. I'm gonna guess that's an oni thing. [22:45:02] He's one too? [22:45:27] * Berny is asking Megumi, since she already knows Kentaro's guess. [22:45:40] Probably, I mean he wasn't being very subtle with the tiger stripes. [22:45:56] Hehe. A week ago, I would've just thought he was being, you know, flashy. [22:46:27] I would've thought so too, if I hadn't punched him like that. [22:47:53] I'm sure you two will have a wonderful future together. [22:48:44] * Megumi blinks. "Huh?" She stares at Shizuru blankly. [22:49:38] So, Shizuru...how do you know Kentaro? Just from school? [22:54:00] That's right. [22:56:04] * Berny nods. "Well, um, nice to meet you. I don't think I ever really introduced myself - sorry! I'm Berny." [22:56:28] It's good to meet you. I amShizuru. [22:58:01] * Berny almost sticks out her hand to shake, but then she remembers and puts it back down. [22:58:12] * Shizuru bows [22:59:59] * Berny returns the bow instead. [23:00:49] I'd love to stay and chat, but I must return home now. I look forward to seeing you again on Monday. [23:01:01] Okay. See you Monday. [23:01:03] * Berny waves. [23:01:07] * Shizuru walks off. [23:01:36] Whew, that fight was really something. I wish I had a useful talent like that. [23:01:48] * Megumi waves to Shizuru. [23:02:00] * Shizuru waves [23:02:01] Wait, how is what you do not useful? [23:02:22] I mean, you talked to that tree and everything! [23:03:32] Well, it's just seeing stuff and talking to things. It's not, you know, cool like being able to defend yourself or beat a guy in a fight. [23:06:49] * Berny rubs the back of her head. "Anyway, I gotta be getting home to do some homework and stuff, I guess. See you guys Monday!" [23:07:03] * Megumi nods. "Seeya!" [23:07:12] * Berny waves and makes her way to the train station. [23:07:59] * Berny (mahamari@adsl-67-116-237-202.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) Quit (Quit: ZzZzZzzZzzz.) [23:13:17] * Megumi is now known as Yon [23:59:00] * Yon (dlarmour@wnpgmb1307w-ad02-33-117.dynamic.mts.net) has left #Youkai [06:27:37] [Session End] End of #Youkai buffer Fri Apr 24 06:27:56 2009