ITT: We are our avatars.

...oh right, I was telling a story, wasn't I?

There stood Yukari Yakumo, the Youkai of The Boundary. She was a major Youkai already then, though she did not hold much sway in the Higan yet. She commanded me to let her take care of lady Yuyuko. It was outrageous, of course. First of all, noone except The Judges could tell a Reaper what to do. Second, all dead were to cross the Sanzu River. But lady Yakumo insisted and I had no choice but to let Shikieiki-sama take care of it.

Now, I do not know what happened in the Courtroom of Souls, but Lady Yuyuko came out a spirit, but with the greatest spirit power I have ever sensed in a ghost. I took Yukari and Yuyuko to the Hakugyokuro on Shikieiki-sama's orders. They spent a week there together, before I heard the announcement of lady Yuyuko becoming the new ruler of Hakugyokuro, The Ghost Princess.

Interesting indeed! I wonder what happened there ... but clearly there was a reason for it.

edited 11th Feb '10 10:18:07 AM by Morven

I feel certain that the great god of the dead and Shikieiki did such a thing for milady because of her selfless sacrifice and her noble spirit. Her power is great, but she wields it with restraint. She is a kind and just Lady, and entirely worthy of the blessing given to her by the gods.

...ah, Komachi-sama is a wonderful teller of tales, is she not?

edited 11th Feb '10 10:25:21 AM by Zudak

I hope I haven't missed much... *walks back over to the group* I needed to find somewhere reasonably quiet to rest for the night.

Hello, Ozzy! We're just sitting around and resting and listening.

Hello, immortal. Fancy a grilled fish?

Lady Immortal, you say that you can recover from any injury, no matter how severe? Even being burnt to ash? And you say that you still feel the pain of these injuries?

^^Yuyuko: "I would."

Youmu: "Yuyuko-sama... oh, go ahead."

edited 11th Feb '10 10:34:11 AM by AweStriker

~abruptly, a crack appears in reality, a vertical, person-high one — and then two more horizontal cracks joined to it, and it opened outward. A door.~

~Jame stands, abruptly~ Mother Ragga?

~From inside, a cackle, and a yell~ Who else would it be, girl. You're late!

~Jame looks around~ I'm sorry. Looks like I'll have to go for a bit; clearly the Earth Wife has plans for me. I"ll try and be back soon ...

~stumbles over the doorway and pulls the door shut behind her~

back later!

edited 11th Feb '10 10:36:50 AM by Morven

What... Lady Jame!! ...Lady Jame...

—hangs head—

Fish would be lovely, thank you.

And I'm not sure about being burned to ash, but I've been able to recover from just about anything else. But yes, I do still feel pain if I'm injured. Er, why do you ask?

There are those in my world who have been cursed with such as fate, thanks to the magical medicine called the Hourai Elixir. It was thankfully destroyed, but those who were cursed by it will now never be free... what a sad fate. I feel great sadness for you, immortal.

*smiles a little sadly* It's strange... at first I thought it was some great thing, being immortal, being able to be reckless and all. Oh, usually nothing that would be much of a danger to others, but definitely would've killed me if such a thing were possible. Then the novelty of the whole thing wore off. Not so fun then. I try not to think of it too much; eternity is a pretty depressing thing.

Though it does have its advantages, I suppose. And I've never thought of myself as someone to be pitied or felt sorry for.

Aww I'm sorry... But I really don't mind, actually.

(The ghosts fly back after gathering some more magic fruits, and sit down to listen. Not much else to do on this world anyway.)

At least you seem to be better off than poor Mokou. A desire for revenge drove her to drink of the elixir, and now she and her rival kill each other almost every day. She has still managed to do some good, aiding those who might otherwise become lost in the bamboo fortress, but she cannot escape her own fury... I saw her by the bank of the Sanzu River once, trying to cross it, but she was unable to so much as set foot in the water. Eventually, she broke down crying. I've told no one else of this save milady Yuyuko.

Oh my... That's horrible! *frowns*

Yes. So many mortals, deluded in their thinking, believe immortality to be a blessing, when in reality it is a curse, at least for those not meant for it.

*nods*

Though given the choice, I don't think I'd want to die even if I could. At least, not yet.

Then you have yet to face your greatest challenge. For you will wish to die, eventually. And then, you shall discover how strong your spirit truly is. May the gods grant you strength to face this trial, and may the justice and honor of the White guide your steps.

Thank you. *smiles slightly*

Mega Man: I wonder if I can... Die?

Duo: As machines, I'm not sure about that.

I don't know how that would work, but you do seem to have spirits, somehow, so it should be okay.

...Wait, were we talkin' about death or somethin'? Sorry, I'm really not feelin' too good at the moment... I think I may have eaten somethin' I shouldn't have.

Immortality and the afterlife, to be precise. The afterlife is not so grim as it's made out to be... nor is immortality such a good thing.

...I don't have anyone to spar with, but I should practice my stances and motions, at least. Please excuse me.

Going to class in a few minutes

edited 11th Feb '10 12:47:01 PM by Zudak

So there really is somethin' to go to after death?