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 Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 11:50 am
Long ago Youmu's teacher, grandfather and previous gardener of Hakugyoukurou, Youki Konpaku, had on day mysteriously disappeared without a trace. This left Youmu, whos training was still incomplete, swamped with all the responsibilities of tending to Lady Yuyuko and her massive garden and mansion. Little did Youmu know, this was all part of her training, a test of her will and spirit orchestrated by Youki and Yuyuko to help her grow stronger as a warrior.
After a half-century absence, Youki is finally returning to see how she has progressed, and take her training to the next level. Unknown to Youmu, Youki has arranged a meeting with Yuyuko during one of Youmu's training sessions, planing to study her in secret from afar for a while. When he is ready to reveal his presence to her, her REAL training will finally begin...
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 11:15 am
Slice!
In a brilliant flash of steel, a humble watermelon fell apart into neatly cut sections. The young gardener collected the pieces and carefully arranged them on a silver tray, ready to be served to her master as a delicious treat.
The air outside was calm, devoid of any breeze of any sort, and the trees were still. Youmu carried the silver tray as she walked across the veranda of Hakugyokoru, her spirit double in close pursuit.
"Lady Yuyuko?" she called out as she approached the main room. "Lady Yuyuu~koo?" Carefully holding the tray with one hand, she slid open the door slightly, allowing herself a peek inside. "I've brought something for you... May I come in?"
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:47 pm
Fold
Yuyuko was idly bending a small piece of plain paper into origami. She was able to hear the distant thunk of the watermelon in the eternal quiet of the Netherworld. The steps of her loyal gardener made tiny sounds.
A small smile on her lips, as she continued to work on her small piece of art with her eyes closed, letting her hands chose what to do.
Fold
"Ara, Youmu," Yuyuko turned to the door with her idle smile,"Come in; What is it you brought with you?" Truly curious she stretched her neck, resting her hands and her little origami figure on the kotatsu's surface.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 10:36 am
Once pardoned, Youmu obliged and slid the door open the rest of the way, and paused for a moment to bow graciously.
"Thank you, M'Lady. It's... just a treat for you."
Youmu approached her master carefully, skillfully, with as little displacement to her surroundings as possible. Perhaps a trait of her heritage, or perhaps the great effort she had put into her own training. Her presence could be a whisper if she chose. But, a whisper or not, Youmu tended to her duties with both pride and honor, including such menial tasks as keeping her master well.
The young swordswoman knelt and placed the tray on the kotasu where Lady Yuyuko rested.
"May I join you..? Ah, you are paper-folding... Origami, was it?" Youmu asked politely, watching Yuyuko work as she stood once more, taking a few acknowledging steps back until she was further excused. "Lady Yuyuko has always worked well with her hands..." She folded her own together, waiting and watching patiently. "It is an amazing sight, if I may."
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:30 pm
"Oh Watermelon~ They are in the perfect season as well. Thank you very much, Youmu~" The ghost picked her little origami off the table as the watermelon was set down, " Yes, origami. An old art I used to indulge with when I was younger and more... vital~" Yuyuko giggled at her own joke silently and joyfully. Her entire demeanor seemed idle; her constant state of peace.
Her usual smile, soft and persistent turned to Youmu,"Its a kill of practice; and practice you of all people must know, Youmu~ " She turned to her paper again...
Fold
Fold
Done, her paper was an intricate butterfly, with triangular wings in white. "Ta~Da~" She snickered to Youmu holding it up," Aaah.... will you return to your gardening, or will you join me after all~...?"
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:10 pm
From within the garden, there was someone hiding in a tree. "As quiet as a feather hitting the floor," The person said to themselves in a very hushed whisper, flying out of the tree and around to the back of the Hakugyokoru. They then made a motion with their hands, and an item wrapped in a spiritual energy followed up behind them, much like Youmu's phantom-half "As sneaky as a master of stealth," They said, proceeding to float through the walls of the ghost princess's home, "She strikes!" She whispered, enthusiastically, bursting (as best a ghost could) through the wall into the main room where Youmu and Yuyuko were.
It was Merlin Prismriver, the trumpeter of the Phantom Ensemble. Her trumpet blew a loud note as she appeared in the room. "SURPRISE!!" she shouted after her trumpet went off.
Elsewhere in the Netherworld, Lunasa Prismriver floated around, looking for a missing sibling. Where could she have gone? "Merlin! Merlin, come out! This isn't funny!" the violinist called out. Her violin and bow floated close behind her as she floated. In the distance, she heard the sound of a trumpet going off. "Did she seriously...?" Lunasa heaved a sigh and quickly began to fly over to the Hakugyokoru.
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Youkai Saint Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 5:11 pm
"You are welcome, My Lady." Youmu bowed a second time, and couldn't help but chuckle at her Master's small whismy. "Very humorous, My Lady." She smiled back to Yuyuko, continuing to watch as the elder ghost perfected her art. Lady Yuyuko may not have the skill to wield a blade, despite Youmu's attempted teachings, but her Lady's hands had a skill of their own.
How beautiful...
"Ah... Indeed, I know of practice. And... I would indeed like to join you, Lady Yuyuko, but on reconsideration I must return to my duties elsewhere... Forgive me, My Lady--"
The flourish of noise spooked the young gardener. In a heartbeat her scared, quickened footsteps guided herself behind Yuyuko, huddled behind and peeking over her master's shoulder. "Wh-Who goes there..?!" She stammered, pointing the tip of Roukanken in Merlin's direction.
"Y-You...! How dare you, d-disrupting Lady Yuyuko's snack time?!" Though still wearing an expression of shock on her reddened face, Youmu stood from behind Yuyuko and, with shaky steps, attempted to chase the playful phantom away, swinging the nodachi in wide, unprofessional sweeps - she would hardly hit anything like that!
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Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:04 pm
" Oh, always so busy , Youmu, you should relax now and again," Yuyuko giggled at the gardener, ;particularly when the samurai grew tense. The ghost looked curiously about, looking for the source of the noise- another ghost.
Yuyuko only giggled amused, as Youmu went after Merlin in such a vague way,"Oh don't mind her, Youmu! Her music is quite nice~" Clapping her sleeve-covered hands, the mistress of Hakugyokurou grinned,"It nice to have guests now and again~"
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Youkai Saint Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:16 pm
Merlin started laughing like crazy due to Youmu's reaction, and she was still giggling as Youmu swung her sword around at her. "Yeah, like Ms. Yuyuko said, guests are nice~" Merlin said to Youmu. She then gasped and ducked as the sword came close to her head. "H-hey! Watch where you swing that thing!"
just then there was a knock at the door. Without waiting for an answer, though, whoever was at the door came in, or rather through. Lunasa appeared before the group, her violin following behind her. She saw Merlin and Youmu in their scuffle and heaved a sigh. "Merlin, what are you doing? Why are you disrupting Ms. Yuyuko and her gardener?" Lunasa asked, before casually ducking under one of Youmu's swings.
"Just visiting, sis!" Merlin responded with a giggle. Lunasa heaved a sigh from that answer.
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:20 am
Youmu gasped and panted and patted her chest, her heart threatening to burst from her ribcage. There was still a shocked look on her face, with her eyes wide and somewhat blank.
"Y-You...!" She still pointed the sword at the two performers, her hand shaking a bit. However, on her master's word Youmu quickly resheathed her blade with an annoyed huff.
"The only reason I am allowing you two to stay is because Lady Yuyuko allows it! However, please be considerate and show appreciation by letting Lady Yuyuko enjoy her snack time in piece!" Youmu stood tall, hands crossed in front of her skirt and with her chest puffed up with hot air in a mock of authority.
"Now, out, out! Shoo! Both of you!" Putting one hand on both Lunasa and Merlin's shoulders, Youmu attempted to usher them along and out of the room.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 4:20 pm
((Why didn't anyone tell me it was my turn?! @ @:;;;!))
Yuyuko continued to giggle behind an oversized sleeve, throughly amused by the small display,""It's alright Youmu don't worry too much~" She allowed her servant to usher off the two poltergeist, taking into account there was actually three.
Fold
Said fact brought to her attention a third visitor that did not belong to the Prismriver family...
Fold
"Say, Konpaku-san, it has been a while since you have come to visit your prodigy~" Yuyuko smiled as she worked on another piece of paper, overlaying two pieces, "You are still lthe best at hiding; Youmu doesn't seem to have noticed you~"
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:04 am
When Youmu said that the only reason that she was allowing them to stay was because Yuyuko sai they could, Merlin giggled and said, "Heehee, like that maid; the gardener is a-" Merlin was cut off as Lunasa slapped her hand across her sister's mouth before she could say anything more.
Lunasa and Merlin were then ushered out of the room by Youmu. Lunasa released her sister from her grasp. "Aww!! We still have to perform for Ms. Yuyuko!!" Merlin complained.
Lunasa looked at her and said, "Another time, perhaps; when the gardener isn't grumpy and when you don't give the gardener a heart attack, maybe." Merlin sighed and leaned back as she floated with Lunasa as they walked with Youmu. Lunasa then turned to Youmu. "Gardener, what plans do you and your mistress have for today?" The poltergeist asked. She was curious, really, and she wanted to see if they could perform for Yuyuko today anyway.
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Youkai Saint Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:42 pm
"I-I am not grumpy!" Youmu declared with another huff, folding her arms wound tightly. "I just don't like being scared, is all..!" The gardener let out a sigh and took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders and straightening her back. "Please excuse my outburst, Ladies Prismriver." She raised a hand to fix some stray bangs, smoothing her hair back into place under her headband while giving a thoughtful look. "Hm... I do not believe Lady Yuyuko has any important business planned for today. If you approve your performance with her a little later, then you may play if that is your intention!" Youmu turned and began walking back towards the kitchen, across the veranda, completely oblivious to the faint hint of a fifth ghostly presence nearby. "In the meantime, I must ask that you do not disturb Lady Yuyuko while she eats, and that you do not go about causing trouble on the palace grounds. ...I do hope you can entertain yourselves while you wait..." she casted a sideways glance to Lunasa, then to Merlin, as the ghostly-trio-minus-one followed her closely. What a bother they could be, though Youmu was certainly used to their presence by now!
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:17 pm
 As the door closed behind Youmu and the Prismrivers, Youki entered the room from a door behind Yuyuko and walked up next to her. "She is still quite the handful I see, and still seems to be allowing her fears to get the better of her. That is going to need to be worked on. A warrior must always remain calm and in full control" he said, crossing his arms as he spoke in a semi serious tone of voice. He then let out a quiet laugh. "And yes it has been a long time indeed Lady Yuyuko"
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