[IC Board] All the World's a Game - Season II

[SereneGrace]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

After a good nights sleep Bang had woken up quite early. In fact he had woken up well around 4:00 AM alongside his subordinates Kiiro, Gosai, and Midori. The four of them upon waking up had quietly left their room and had gone out for their morning routine. Four almost a good hour they had been out doing their morning exercises in nothing but their pants, and sleeveless white T-Shirts despite the cold winter air. Once their exercises were done they managed to get back to the temple at around 5:06 AM.

Upon their return Bang and his men saw Kyouko busy sweeping the Temple Grounds to make the temple as clean as possible.

"Ah why hello there Miss Kyouko. I see you are up early. I assume that you are busy preparing things for this most joyous of days?"

[WriggleRid3r]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

---

"GOOD MORNING!" Kyouko, in her usual vibrant voice, shouted her greetings back at the four outsiders. "Waking up early to tend to the chores is a characteristic of a diligent individual. Don't you think?"

[SereneGrace]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

When Kyouko spoke to Bang and his disciples with her energetically loud voice, the 3 disciples covered their ears as Bang seemed to be rather unfazed.

"Ah yes. The earlier the better I always say! My master had taught me the benefits of waking up early. The earlier you wake, the more work you can get done in the day. It reminds me of all those days where I had to wake up at the break of dawn to train. I would train from the moment I woke, til' the moment the sun set in the afternoon. Oh was the training harsh! But I never gave up! Not once did I quit!... Oh I apologize. I got ahead of myself there. Anyways is there anything you might need help with Kyouko? My men and I are willing to help with cleaning the temple if you'd like."

[WriggleRid3r]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

---

"Well, some villagers like to visit the temple early in the morning! I don't know if I can finish sweeping the temple ground by the time they begin to arrive-" Kyouko began, but her voice, a bit hushed now, trailed off into silence as her eyes traveled to the entrance of the temple grounds where a very elderly male, accompanied by a man similar to Bang's age with a wooden scabbard behind his back and a younger woman holding a worn-out elder bow, was catching a breath after a long walk.

"GOOD MORNING!" Kyouko shouted her greeting as she normally does. The man and the woman, startled at the sudden appearance of a Youkai, drew their respective weapons, but the elderly male guffawed instead.

"Good morning to you, Kasodani-san." The elderly man chuckled as he walked towards Kyouko and Bang's group. Up close, he looked ancient: with wrinkles that resembled tree barks and a hunched back. The two bodyguards hurried to him, their guards still up.

"E... elder, you never told me this temple has-" The swordsman cautiously asked.

"Yes. Myouren Temple is a buddhist temple that is run by Youkais." The elder chuckled, took a glance to realize that Kyouko was not alone to begin with, and asked. "Kasodani-san, may I ask who these gentlemen are?"

"They're Byakuren's guest, and therefore the temple's guest." Kyouko answered with a cheerful smile. It was evident that Kyouko and the elder knew each other for quite some time. "I don't know about the other three, but the big guy's name is Bang."

The elder offered his hand to Bang, who looked almost twice as tall as the old man. "Good morning, Bang-sama. My name is Hon, and I'm one of the elders of Human Village. Pleasure to make acquaintance with you."

[SereneGrace]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

Bang turned to his man, and when the two bodyguards drew their weapons, Bang's subordinates did the same. Bang however seemed relatively calm, he did not raise his guard, nor did he even bother to calm his men down.

Just by looking at the Village Elder known as Hon. He had a feeling that if things were to have gone south, Hon would quickly help settle things down, alongside Byakuren and the others of the temple. Bang did not return the hand shake to Hon just yet though, instead he continued to look at him with a rather gruff look on his face. However after a minute Bang's expression changed to a more calm one as he finally returned the handshake.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well Hon. I can see just by looking at you that you are quite a kind, and wise man. In fact you remind me of my old master quite a bit. Ah... the good ol' days indeed..." Bang said as he finished shaking Hon's hand.

"Now I assume you are here to pay your respects on this day?"

[Kristia]

(I honestly forgot about this)

Henir's Time and Space - Silent Hill

Nera's ears perked ip at the sound of footsteps, she looked at the source of the sound and only saw fog "Guys, another being is coming, be prepared to run in case we got another dangerous situation" She warned

Renamon nodded as her claws were ready for an attack, they were good against flesh, bit she had to test if the flesh here was fine to be cut or not, the risk of losing good assets was high already.

Russia - Outskirts of Vladivostok

Samus couldn't help but smirk "Shooting gallery it is" she spoke while charging her arm cannon. The bounty hunter was using her other limbs to physically hurt the lesser demons as the cannon charged

The commander was more serious as she fired at the head of her targets with the pistol and raining groups with the shotgun, every other time the redhead used the omni blade to the closest enemies "So what did you do to piss off this guys?" she asked quire calmly. It was an odd thing to see tso fighters against a horde of enemies as they were acting like if it was an everyday thing.

[wonderweiss]

Henir's Time and Space

---

Jack heard this as well.

"Do you think it's the one from earlier? The one who left the mess?"

He got into a fighting stance, but he was a little worried. Lack of strength, speed, weapons, he's in danger. In spite of this, Jack did not back down.

[SUSTIC]

Henir's Time and Space - Silent Hill

The sound of footsteps drew closer and closer to the trio before suddenly stopping. Just barely in the distance can the silhouette of what looked to be an ordinary person can be seen in the distance.

"H-Hello? Is anyone there? Called out a normal, human voice in the distance. The voice of this stranger sounded nervous and scared.

[Kristia]

Henir's Time and Space - Silent Hill


Nera, who was on the front of the group made a tentative step forward and called "Are you all right?" she spoke out loud so the person could hear, yet she was ready to either run or defend herself for anything that may come.

Renamon got on the back of the group eyeing the possible escape routes in the case of things getting sour, she still held the radio on her paw checking for anything that could tell about the giant blade user since when he got close, the radio made static "Get ready people, stay alert for the smallest thing"

[WriggleRid3r]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

---

"Opportunistically, yes. My main reason to be here, however, is to make a request." Hon the Elder explained.

"You see, with the recent insurgence of outsiders visiting Gensokyo due to the weakened Hakurei Barrier, the hostility and the number of Youkais preying on the poor humans have increased. No one has been killed, thankfully, but their aggressiveness knows no bound, and I feared that innocent lives might be lost if the village did not do something about this issue."

"It may sound strange that the human village is requesting Youkai extermination to a temple filled with Youkai, but Byakuren-dono is a trusted individual when it comes to jobs like this."

[SereneGrace]

((Sorry for being late.))

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

Bang stood back with his disciples as they all listened quietly to the problems that the Human Village was having. The interest that Bang took was noticeable as he placed his hand on his chin as he began to think of... something.

After a solid minute or two Bang finally finished collecting his thoughts as he stepped forward. "I may not be Lady Byakuren, nor do I know how to fully deal with a Youkai Threat... but I am a man of honor and valor! I cannot stand back doing nothing when innocent lives are in peril. I will aid you in your struggles against the current Youkai threat! The extent that my will to protect others knows no bounds..." He said as he clenched his fist in excitement.


"For I Bang Shishigami will go to the ends of the earth to protect others! So please... allow me to aid you Elder Hon!" Bang proclaimed loudly, his little words seemed to get his men riled up as well.


"YEAH!!! We'll help as well! If Boss wishes to fight to protect the village then we will fight as well! Please let us help!!!" His three disciples replied simultaneously and eagerly.

[WriggleRid3r]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

---

"We'll send someone to deal with the issue. Would you like to come inside to detail the mission? We'll need descriptions of what this Youkai is." Kyouko accompanied the elder into the temple with more methodical tone. As she did so, she also asked the four newcomers: "May I trouble you to sweep the ground and watch for visitors? If a visitor happens to arrive, lead them into the guest area of the temple where sister Byakuren is reciting a mantra."

And Kyouko disappeared with the elder and the two bodyguards into the living quarters of the temple.

[SereneGrace]

((Sorry! Sorry... Need to start posting more often... like... really more often.))

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

Bang and his disciples who were eager to go and help handle the situation almost immediately calmed down as a new kind of surprised caught them off guard.


"Sweep the ground? Keep an eye out for any visitors? I suppose we could do that... Yes! We shall take your request and begin working immediately! Men split up! We shall get this temple cleaned in no time!" Bang said as he quickly took the broom, his men almost immediately ran off to begin cleaning the temple grounds along with Bang, who is now cleaning while waiting for Kyouko's return.

[WriggleRid3r]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

---

"What tea would you like, Elder?"

"Oolong. Make sure it's cooled off, hurts to scald my old throat."

The conference room in the Myouren Temple, which was also the living room for the resident Youkais, was not lit. The curtains were set, covering the windows, and the only thing that was lighting up the room was a small scented candle. This unnecessary darkness was for Byakuren to chant and meditate in, for the sun was beginning to rise and the bright sunlight was not an optimal condition to be chanting a sutra in.

"I do apologize for the darkness. I find the early morning sun to be very disturbing when meditating." Byakuren apologized as Kyouko brought in the tea, oolong for the elder and green for Byakuren. "So... tell me about this Youkai."

Elder Hon reached into his inner pocket, pulled out what looked like an old envelope, and handed it to Byakuren. Byakuren opened the envelope to find that it was filled with several films, and brought the photos up closer to the candle to look at them. The photos were mostly black with a few smudges of light here and there, but there were sufficient number of them that displayed a clear view of the surroundings: a dark farm road at night, with a skinny, white figure sitting on the ground, the back turned against whoever took the shot. The figure was humanoid in shape, although the skin was way too pale to be that of a human. The figure was naked and, given by the body shape, was either a female or a young boy. The figure, most likely who attacked the owner of the camera, had long black hair, almost indistinguishable from the darkness of the night.

"Those photos belonged to a traveler who was attacked by the Youkai yesterday." The elder explained as Byakuren flipped from photo to photo, taking careful analysis of each photos. "The wounds on the traveler were thin and sharp, so I have reasons to believe that the Youkai uses claws or swords. It disguises itself as a helpless female, luring both men and women in, and attack them."

"How many victims are there?" Byakuren looked up.

"4." The elder answered. "First two were found before the Youkai could finish them off. The third victim was with a crowd, so the Youkai could not finish him off. The fourth victim took a photo with his camera, and the light from the camera apparently scared away the Youkai before being able to kill the victim. They're all being treated by the most skilled doctors of Human Village."

"So a Youkai that lures humans in at night and attacks them to kill... sounds like a normal Youkai." Byakuren commented as she pulled her sorcerers' sutra scroll up. The light emanating from the scroll illuminated Byakuren, revealing a gentle smile. "I'll dispatch someone to investigate the farm roads tonight."

---

"Maaaaan, I really wish Reimu was around here."

A familiar, two-horned Oni named Suika Ibuki has been wandering around the Human Village early morning to look for things to do. Onis are an early riser, and without another early bird like Reimu to keep her entertained, Suika naturally began loitering around until she got to the Myouren Temple.

"Oh it's the Bakuren-whatsis-face's hideout." Suika mumbled, her voice slurred from hangover and sleepiness. She began trodding up the stairs to the temple grounds, swaying to and fro. "Temples like these bound to have booze, right? Maybe I'll start off with a bit o' sake to get rid of this damnable hangover..."

[SereneGrace]

Myouren Temple - Gensokyo

Bang was busy at work sweeping the Temple Grounds diligently.

"My word such a large temple to tend to... I am amazed at how well kept this place is. Truly the residents of this fair place of worship are devoted to keeping it in top condition! It is truly admirable..." The proud ninja muttered to himself as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Bang quickly turned his attention to whoever is approaching and gave a polite bow.

However Bang quickly found himself frozen with not fear, but unease as he had realized something... How should he welcome the visitor?

"Oh dear there are so many ways to welcome a visitor of the temple! What do I say what do I say!? Bang thought as he swiftly stood back up. "Goodmorning young traveller! It is a pleasure to have you here at the temple on this most graceful of mornings!!!" Bang said quickly and energetically.

"That was absolutely perfect! I did a great job at welcoming the visitor!"