Kioku nods at the Kitsune, looks at the sample again and starts working. She prepares thoroughly, scanning over books and typing away in a genetic analysis software in the computer open before her. She doesn't touch the sample again yet, though.

"Kitsune-san... with that in mind, will you try to bind it?"

(OOC:
The Bonds of Ningen-do Spell reads:
[quote="Bonds of Ningen-do]
If the targeted creature is within range of the caster(s) when the spell is successfully completed, the creature can be either bound or dispelled. If it is bound, it must obey the caster's commands for the duration of the spell, although suicidal commands will break the spell - this is how the Kuni have forced mujina spirits to labor for them in their iron mines. (It should be noted that this use of the spell is considered controversial and even blasphemous by many in Rokugan.) If the creature is dispelled, it immediately leaves Ningen-Do for its native spirit realm, and cannot return until the spell's duration ends. Either way, the spirit creature will regard the caster as an enemy thereafter, and is likely to seek vengeance if it can.[/quote]

If you dispel the spirit, the sample is likely to be lost. You could bind it to try and avoid it from hurting Kioku, although you won't be able to contribute to the cleansing itself while that happens. That means it may take longer to cleanse the sample (as only Kioku will be rolling), although it's safer.

Otherwise we can just keep working on the curse itself)

Kiyoshi had considered the binding spell for a time, but ultimately decided against it. It was too risky without a clear idea of who the spell might affect the sample. The Fox prepared himself as he had before and continued the cleansing ritual. He could feel what little energy he had left draining out of him, but he pressed on for as long as he could. Hopefully, it would be enough.


- - -
I probably shouldn't risk being cursed by another realm, so....

[D9 LA] More heavy lifting, Casting Reversal of Fortunes, Fatigued | 5k3-5 ⇒ 20 (TN: 10)

[D9 LA] More heavy lifting, Lore: Theology/Intelligence, Untrained, Fatigued, Reversal of Fortunes roll 1 | 2k2-5 ⇒ 13 (TN: ?)
[D9 LA] More heavy lifting, Lore: Theology/Intelligence, Untrained, Fatigued, Reversal of Fortunes roll 2 | 2k2-5 ⇒ 6 (TN: ?)


Result: 13

Total accumulated: 47/60

Sumiko had remained while the others were working, although there wasn't anything more she could do in terms of the actual curing of the samples, but she could at least be on hand if assistance was needed.

So while the two Shugenjas worked, Sumiko tried to keep the drakes that always follow Kioku distracted so they didn't interrupt anything!

D9 LA playing with Drakes? unskilled animal handling | 4k4 ⇒ 17 (TN: ?)


(from previous thread)

Soshi Kioku wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 5:48 pm

Sumiko - Kioku will still be busy with the Rainbow Olm sample in the next slot. She could help you in the EE if you leave the sample with her (I'll just post her roll and whatever happens, you don't have to be around. This 'may' put her in some risk - the spirits seem to be particularly hungry for Kioku!). But that's a way to do it so you can start working on developing the silk sample afterwards

Sumiko will leave the sample with you - you only need to roll 6 to complete

Soshi Kioku
Kioku pressed on as well, despite the danger and her wounds - now better thanks to Sakura's help, which Kioku thanked heartily.
"We're almost there, Kitsune-san", she says, emotion, determination - and gratitude - ringing in her voice.

As she went forward to handle the sample for what she hopes will be the final parts of the ritual, the spirit shows itself again.


Angry Spirit
NO! ⅄on ɯnsʇ uoʇ! ⅄on ʍıll ɔoɯǝ ʍıʇɥ ns, ʎon ʍıll ɔoɯǝ ʇo ns ɐup sɥɐɹǝ onɹ ɐup Oɯoı-ɔɥɐu's ɟɐʇǝ! ⅄O∩ Ɔ∀NNO⊥!"

The salamander-person spirit's teeth now sink deep into Kioku's left arm, but she pushes forward and, slowly, laboriously, forces herself to perform the last parts of the ritual.

The spirit creature's teeth, then its head, then its body, all slowly reduce in size. Its human-like face becomes that of an Olm, a transluscent olm.

Rainbow Olm Spirit(s)

It lets out a deep sigh, then those in the room hear a faint voice, like the echo of water dripping on a lake deep inside a cave.

"Kioku-mom? Where is Omoi-chan? What happened? We're so tired...", you hear before the image disappears and the room goes quiet.

----
Rainbow Olm spirit pushback again! | 3k2 ⇒ 22 (TN: 10) - voided to 12!
Kioku's now at 16 wounds, so at +5 TN penalty (or -5 to the cumulative result).

Lore: Biology/ Int vs Rainbow Olm sample. 47/60 done; exhausted if below 15 | 7k4 ⇒ 41 (TN: 13) - 5 from wounds, so 36.

83/60 - curse is broken!

Susumu Sumiko wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 7:41 pm

Sumiko had remained while the others were working, although there wasn't anything more she could do in terms of the actual curing of the samples, but she could at least be on hand if assistance was needed.

So while the two Shugenjas worked, Sumiko tried to keep the drakes that always follow Kioku distracted so they didn't interrupt anything!

D9 LA playing with Drakes? unskilled animal handling | 4k4 ⇒ 17 (TN: ?)

The few drakes that are in the room with them take some time to get used to the new face, but some of them take a liking to her. Two drakes you may recognise from Kioku's pockets the other day join the others to play as well. One of the other drakes, with calico-like scales in Black, red and blue, flies close and tentatively perches on her shoulder... but that's just before it's scared away by the spirit's appearance!

-----

Sumiko will leave the sample with you - you only need to roll 6 to complete

(Ok! I'll roll that later and let you know)

"Is it... viable?" Kiyoshi asked.

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:48 pm

"Is it... viable?" Kiyoshi asked.

Kioku's voice is still trembling when she answers, but she's smiling. "It should be", she says with her eyes on where the spirit was, then turns to Kiyoshi. "Thank you, Kitsune-san.", she adds with a low bow. "This means a lot"

"Let me tend... to your wounds, Soshi-sama." he offered, picking up his densai again.

- - -
[D9 LA] More heavy lifting, Casting Path to Inner Peace, Void Slot, Fatigued | 5k3-5 ⇒ 23 (TN: 10)

13 wounds healed

"You are really too kind, Kitsune-san. Thank you, I feel much better."

Then, looking at him. "I hope Kitsune-san was not hurt because of me?" Then, looking at Sumiko. "Susumu-san? Are you okay?"

She walks over to the table again, where the sample now sits peacefully. "I still have much work to do... but thanks to your help, minasan, they will be back to the world".

They will be back to us, Omoi-chan!. A strong sense of nostalgia takes over her, and she wipes something on her cheek. Sweat, surely.

"If you need help with the other samples, please let me know."

Then, turning to Kiyoshi. "Kitsune-san... you were asking the other day how you could help the Sanctuary. I would say your answer is here. Helping me with this was a huge service. You are welcome to come back and help us with the Drakes at any time, if you want to." A friendly smile, her head pointing outside. "And... I'm sure Goldwing will be happy with have a tutor", she says with a grin.

"I look forward to that." he smiled. "I should be fine, but I think I should take a nap."

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 29, 2022 12:44 am

"I look forward to that." he smiled. "I should be fine, but I think I should take a nap."

She nodded to him. "A well-deserved one. Thank you again, Kitsune-san. I think I'll have some tea myself before I set down to look into Susumu-san's sample..."

(/scene?)

/scene