ITT: We are our avatars.

Yes. The God of Death did not specify the time, but he said it would occur within six Gensokyo months.

This does not bode well... is that all you know of this matter, Komachi?

A little in advance of when I'd need to do this - Should I bust out the Alice again and have her take us all back to Gensokyo, or what? I dunno if I totally want to Touhou-hijack this thread again so soon after that last one, but I also kind of want to see where this goes....

edited 10th Feb '10 11:19:08 PM by Zudak

Who is to be resurrected?

But don't mind me if you can't tell me ...

^^ For now, at least. I am to escort mistress Karakai's soul back over the Sanzu River when the time comes, so I suspect I'll get more details when the time approaches.

^ The one to be resurrected is Sennen Karakai, a great swordsmistress. It is most...unfortunate.

Her death is unfortunate, or her resurrection?

Her resurrection. It is a great shame that a soul that has finally achieved rest must be pulled back to the mortal plane like that.

Are you just making her up, Lemurian, because I can't find her anywhere. @__@

Such an thing does not happen often. I have heard of but four other instances of such an event, and they were times of dire need.

edited 10th Feb '10 11:25:04 PM by Zudak

Of course. I even made up the name.

That's what I thought — it would be quite regrettable to be pulled back, really.

It's a sad tale indeed. She taught me much about the ways of the katana, and life as well. To see her reborn would be painful for me, but I must go to aid her. My blade is pledged to her service.

edited 10th Feb '10 11:31:58 PM by Zudak

The katana is your sword, right? I heard someone around here mention that. Like every art of war, I'm sure it can be a lifetime of learning but to understand what it is to be a Master — let alone to be one.

Yes. The use of the katana... it is more than just a weapon, it is my very way of life. These blades are like a part of my soul separate from my body... well, my soul is already separate from my body, but you take my meaning. They are meant to be used honorably, to defend and protect, not to wound or destroy.

edited 10th Feb '10 11:41:45 PM by Zudak

(The ghosts disappear for the night)

You might as well... Nearly everyone has a Touhou avatar at this point! Night.

As is the Senethar, the unarmed martial arts of the Kencyr, and the sword skills that work in the same ways. Unfortunately I am never going to be more than passable with the long sword, I think; it's all they could do to train me well enough not to throw the sword out of the window at Tentir by mistake. The short sword is easier for me, by analogy with the knife, but my true skills are always going to be unarmed, claws, scythe-arms, and the knife.

However, it is the Senethar that I am always going to be best at; it helps that, since my Senethari was three thousand years old, I have what they consider a 'beautifully classic style'.

^^ Oy. We're just three persons with Touhou-avatars here. It's not like we're hijacking it.

^ 'sigh' This fascination with weapons of war...

Three? Only two of us have Touhou avatars.

It's quite a different style. One cannot stop a blade with one's hands. I myself have trained in the use of such swords as these from a very young age. It was my father, Youki, who taught me. He is a wise man, as skilled with his mind as he is with his blade, and a kind one as well. I know not where he now dwells, although I feel certain he still lives. We of the Konpaku clan are very long-lived, after all.

Komachi-sama, I've seen you practicing with that scythe of yours. You're quite skilled with it. I don't understand your disdain for tools of war. They are, after all, only tools, and as such, may be pledged to either the Black or to the White, as the wielder sees fit. There is nothing inherently evil in any blade. Save maybe for that uncanny dagger Milady Jame carries... but let us not speak of that Black-cursed contrivance.

edited 10th Feb '10 11:52:35 PM by Zudak

As are we; one hundred and fifty years is a normal Highborn lifespan, if we live out our natural length. Unfortunately senility in the later years is a problem.

I started learning the Senethar as a small child, although my father did not want me learning it; he believed it inappropriate for a lady.

Once he cast me from his keep at age seven and I was taken in by Gerridon, he had Tirandys become my teacher. Tirandys also trained my mother, and he taught me the same system he devised for her, one that compensates for the gracile Highborn female physique and works to its strength.

A mere hundred and fifty, truly? Even the lowliest of youkai in Gensokyo live to be over a hundred years old, and there are many youkai who've lived for over a thousand. I myself am nearly sixty, and I'll be alive much longer before it's finally time for my human body to die. We of the Konpaku clan live to be hundreds of years old. Of course, even the humans in Gensokyo are rather long-lived compared to those who dwell outside its borders. It's a land full of magic, and the Reaper is lazy. If you'll pardon my blunt words, Komachi-sama.

edited 10th Feb '10 11:59:53 PM by Zudak

Of course, there are ways to live longer, but they are not honorable, such as eating of souls.

The human here is a little non sober

edited 11th Feb '10 12:18:27 AM by Morven

None taken, Youmu.

The problem lies in the fascination. The ones that grasp the hilt of a blade with joy, with a lust for fighting. The ones who live for battle, who actively seek a way to inflict harm on another person. This *holds up her scythe* is my tool, my tool to complete my job. *puts it down* Nothing more, nothing less.

^^There were those in Gensokyo who practiced such things, once, but they are thankfully few these days. Some also have contracts with Komachi's Lady Shikieiki, although they are also few, because there are not many mortals who have something to offer her. There are a few who drank the Hourai Elixir long ago, they are cursed never to die, even if burned into ash, although they still feel the pain of their wounds. Fortunately, the elixir was destroyed by its creator. And then there are the celestials, who do battle with Komachi and her colleagues to win their immortality. Gensokyo is a land of living legends and myths, and as such there are many kinds of immortals who dwell there.

^I see. I feel as you do. I pledged to my father never to use these weapons for such purposes, only to protect the innocent, defend justice, and vanquish those who would do evil.

edited 11th Feb '10 12:25:31 AM by Zudak

I do not delight in killing, not one bit; it is horrible, and should only be done to avert greater horror.

But yet, the forms of practice of the arts of war are oddly beautiful, are they not?

There is no greater joy to me than the dance of combar, the clash of steel on steel. When I stay at Hakugyokurou in the house of Milady Yuyuko, it is ever my honor to spar with the spirits of the greatest warriors Gensokyo ever knew, the Lady Sennen Karakai being chief among these. Milady Karakai has had a cruel destiny placed upon her... ever since Komachi delivered her message, concern for her has lingered in the back of my mind. No matter the consequences, I am determined to return to Gensokyo, that I might defend her in her new life, and continue to serve Milady Yuyuko in the dark times I fear will soon fall upon Gensokyo. It was a peaceful land for so long... aside from the occasional incident. But I fear that even the Shrine Maiden of Paradise will not be strong enough to deal with this new threat, whatever it may be. Alas, I am helpless to aid my friends while I am trapped here... Would you excuse me? I have not slept for several weeks, and I think it's time I got a little rest to see me through what lies ahead.

turning in for the night.

edited 11th Feb '10 12:45:58 AM by Zudak

I should probably turn in for the night as well; I wish to be rested and alert for the morning's challenge.

Sleep well and wake, Youmu, m'lady. *starts cleaning the fish*

Good night, Zudak.

edited 11th Feb '10 6:24:38 AM by Lemurian