[OOC] Sapphire Roses

[Genkai]

Darn, well you're back now and though I have an essay to do this weekend and another over this week, I'm hoping we can get 1-2 posts in before shit decides to hit the fan again. :3

I think in terms of adding a danger element, it might make more sense to have Yoko's rival send some kind of lesser demon minions when she school is more filled. So maybe next day after school, Kurama and Botan can be doing more recon and run into a demon? Would that work for you? I do have an idea that adds some kind of suspense to them taking readings right now though lol

[SoleAccord]

I got so much math and writing to do that I don't even want to get into it with you lol. Positive vibes!

That would work for me, we should set a location they attack in, the number of them sent, and how they appear. I admit, I just want Kurama to save Botan's fine ass xD what's your suspense idea? :O

[Genkai]

Urgh writing. I'm just happy i don't have math anymore, I know your pain. But yes...positive thoughts! YYH thoughts!

So in terms of them being attacked tomorrow, should it be in the cafeteria? Or maybe on the roof? I imagine the demons would wanna be sent during a busy time so maybe it could happen during lunch or right after school lets out? Maybe the big bad guy (we need a name) wants his minions to pick out a new victim and maybe to harness the energy of the students for food or something? And I see maybe 2-3 demons lurking? Kurama can save the day and Botan can swooooon~

And I'm not tellin' you my idea, it has to be a surprise! XP

[SoleAccord]

I have math coming out of my fucking eyeballs.

A cafeteria is populated, but if they attack during a busy time wouldn't that close the school until further notice, so I'm guessing you meant that Kurama and Botan are somewhere isolated while this happens. They can attack after school and make their presence known by being the only ones not leaving out of the crowd, and just staring at Kurama/Botan--Kurama picks up on it pretty quickly so he tells Botan to stay close because they will use her against him the minute he lets her out of his sight.

The big bad guy can be name... -googles Japanese names- ...Katsu? Or do we want a more dickish name, like Goshigi or Mekukiro or some shit? Anyway, I'm agreeing to 2-3, but I think the attack should be less about winning and more about Kurama and Botan knowing that the enemy knows their true identities--OR, we could make it so that their unnaturally high spiritual energy made them targets, but that defeats the purpose of this being an old enemy, and if that happened, why did he not just do this at the funeral or something? So yeah, we'll just say this attack is a message and they weren't meant to win. So Botan can't go anywhere alone outside of the school; she has nifty tools but the second this foe gets serious, she probably cannot hope to survive unless the foe sees value in their survival i.e. torture Kurama and hold Botan against him.

Damn it Genkai, your surprises, they kill me so :C

[Genkai]

Ewww. :/

I meant like if it was the cafeteria, it would be when school gets out so most people would be leaving. So if we did do it with school having just ended, would we want to assume these lesser demons have taken the form of kids or are actual goblin-like demons who can only be seen by Kurama/Botan? I assume the big bad guy is still parading as a human classmate at the moment though. So if they just know of Kurama (and not Botan or her relation to him) wouldn't they just go for him or maybe want to avoid him since their boss wants to deal with Kurama himself? I'm rambling. >_>'

A dickish name? How about a combo: Goshikuro? Sounds nasty and mean.

I'm not sure if the demons would attack to send a message, but if they think Botan is now a threat, I can see them attacking her too. Though I saw the demons as just wanting to do recon for Goshikuro and to make sure Kurama is feeling the hurt. But then again if they see Botan as a new means to get to Kurama, they'll be happy to exploit her and relay said information to their boss. Maybe one lives, the other 1-2 could be killed by Kurama?

Hehehe, I'm a good girl, I swear.

[SoleAccord]

I think the core issue with decision-making here is that we need to give this foe--Goshikuro--a personality. I was thinking that Yoko worked with him for heists in the past, but his sadistic tendencies were unsavory, even for Yoko. So he wanted to end their partnership, Goshi didn't like it, they fought, Yoko came out on top in the end, injured but alive. Goshi survived and you know the rest from there.

Let's get this guy a little fleshed out before we make the choices.

[Genkai]

So what sort of actions would Yoko oppose? He's murdered people and stolen things. Are we saying something like maybe rape or extreme pointless torture? I mean one of Kurama's more intense attacks (like the plant based ones) are pretty insane. So the only thing I can see Yoko not liking is something like rape or the selling of people who don't really serve a purpose to him (like Goshikuro ruining lives without any gain, just for fun).

And since it looks like I'm not seeing a movie tonight I think my post will be up soon, rather than tomorrow. XD

[SoleAccord]

Yoko steals and kills if he has to, but I think even his skin might crawl with some of the pointless shit Goshi does. We can include violent rapes if we really have to but the point is that he thrives on chaos and has no tact. Put someone smart with someone stupid--doesn't always work out the best. The intense plant ones are basically only used for serious threats I imagine. Comparing him to Goshi may also be seen as an insult, so Botan better use the right wording lol. This guy's just a monster. Yoko wasn't running around killing people for no reason.

Awesome <3

[Genkai]

That's true, Yoko only took what he needed and I assume, killed as necessary. Yoko isn't heartless but I do think he can be ruthless if it suits the situation. Maybe if in between the time Goshi did escalate and commit rapes and such?

Though why would Yoko even align himself with the guy if they are polar opposites? Was it just for say, one heist?

[SoleAccord]

Yoko seems more of an anti-hero than a villain, which is why Kurama and Hiei seem to get along. They get that sometimes someone has to freaking die. So if Botan does not approve of Yoko and what he does, when it's usually in self-defense these days, she is going to recognize a true monster--worse than Toguro, who could kill his own lover without a fuck given. Botan is going to think Yoko is a SAINT!

I think it was for one job where he needed a distraction large enough to alert the entire complex. So Yoko got what he needed, but the guy went above and beyond for 'distraction' and massacred them all, and I guess if we need rape as a plot device, was in the middle of raping some of the guards or whatever.

[Genkai]

Well if you wanna drop the 'rape charge' we can, I just figured, even murderers tend to frown upon rape these days. I think the general gist we have is fine, Goshikuro worked briefly with Yoko, Goshi ended up taking things too far and when they fought, Yoko thought the issue (aka Goshi) had been properly handled but it hadn't.

[SoleAccord]

I'm sorry if I'm coming off as a bit rude. Rape is just a very overused trope; I mean it WORKS to sell how despicable someone is, but I think it would be better if the rape was a minor thing compared to how much this guy kills for the THRILL of it. Doesn't matter who: Man, Woman, Child--they'll be killed because it gives him a rush he can't get any other way (other than rape) and he carves a path of destruction wherever he goes. The only way Yoko probably got him to be a distraction is by telling him he could kill, but I think Yoko believed the rumors about him might have been overdramatic until he actually SEES what this guy is capable of.

Yoko tried taking him out, believed he succeeded but didn't, and then just left it as is. The fact he isn't wreaking havoc in the world may not only be that he's still weak, but that he may be trying to force Yoko's hand to confront him where he is strongest, and it's likely to be a place absent of life to put Yoko in a weaker position. That, OR he has a subordinate making these suicides occur, and the subordinate is just a mid boss for who he's REALLY working for. What do you think?

[Genkai]

No no, you weren't coming off as rude, maybe a bit dismissive but honestly, I'm not chained to the idea so I don't mind one way or another. ^^; I can see where you're coming from though, and I think you explained your thoughts of Goshikuro better, since he seems like a real maniac in terms just killing for fun and pleasure and not for logical reasons. Maybe for Botan's understanding of the threat, we could have another layer to Goshi's crimes? It doesn't have to be rape but I do still think another element to his cruelty would give at least Botan, more fear of him.

It probably would make sense to have a peon below him killing people or making people kill themselves, but I do still think it would be more interesting to have him influence the victims personally. Maybe after slaughtering so much, his aura alone (maybe in certain concentrations?) would make people around him kill themselves? Like the essence of Goshikuro has evolved enough to just inflence people to die of their own free will to save themselves from his wrath? Or something. While he is weak, I would like to think that in the span of time, he's been able to get new tricks up his sleeves.

[SoleAccord]

Yeah, sorry, I just think that there are other ways to paint someone as terrible and rape is just so freaking easy. But, maybe we can use it to the plots advantage: what if he took Botan at some point and threatened her--and Kurama by default--that if he does not come for her--ALONE--then he will soil her repeatedly until he tires of her and mounts her head on a pike. Botan's in danger against someone Yoko barely beat before and Yoko himself does not have time to waste, so he's probably going to end up walking into some sort of trap, but what choice might he have? We have a lot to cover before that point but Botan is going to be what always forces conflict that Kurama won't have comfort time to plan out. He also denied him the opportunity to contact Yusuke, Kuwabara, or Hiei, so he puts him at that disadvantage as well. Maybe Botan can eventually find her own way out of the bind and manage to save herself due to Goshi's carelessness? You know, a twist on the whole "needing to be saved" bit; she still needs to be saved but she got herself out and now Yoko only has to do half the work.

That's an interesting take on it. Maybe the peon has some sort of item of power that connects him to his master, so the aura that he gives off to certain students begins to plague them and put them through such torment that suicide is the promise of release from his horrible influence? It would help explain why Anabe looked at peace in my post. He was free from it. He talked less, smiled less, and eventually he couldn't take it anymore. If this is a WEAKER version of Goshi's aura, the real thing must be pretty insane right now. Botan might even be driven to self-harm if she's exposed to it for too long.

[Genkai]

I do like that idea, I think that's something that could happen in the far future when Botan is more capable. She wouldn't be able to take him on but she would be able to escape with the use of her powers. I just figured some other threat would give Botan (as a woman, who I assume might be able to evade death as a grim reaper) something more to fear. I think the idea you proposed is a solid one and I think that confrontation seems easier to have after Kurama has sort of meddled for some time in Goshi's plans.

Yeah, that's how I was thinking. Maybe Goshi is testing his aura's powers by 'lending' them to a peon and that's who is posing in the school as a student? Maybe the 2-3 demons Kurama/Botan run into the following day (Tue after classes) are assistants to the mock demon and are ensuring things are normal after the death of another classmate. Maybe Goshi is testing his skills which is why he sent a lower rank demon to Kurama's school? Goshi is watching and waiting but wants to ensure his skills are honed perfectly for their next showdown? Maybe he sends other peons to test other skills later on?

[SoleAccord]

Botan can feel pain; if he can't bring fear by taking her life, then making her suffer is inevitable, but the rape may also make it even more terrifying. The stakes rise not only from her capture, but from the lasting harm he might cause on her psyche. Do you think as a grim reaper she should have some spiritual resistance to his madness aura?

Nothing but possibilities xD His encounter with Yoko might have forced him to do something he has NEVER had to do before, and that's gather intelligence. The moment he felt his presence again during the Dark Tournament, that sense of hatred and desire for revenge sparked his recovery from the state of near-death he'd been in for years. Testing his abilities after all this time is smart since he's been pretty weak for a long time, so the mock demon being sent could not only be a test, but it could be a warning to Yoko that he needs to prepare to finish what he started all those years ago. Goshi sending little mini-bosses of all varieties would help keep up the action in-between all the fluff we have.

[Genkai]

Well the post didn't turn out as I wanted but there ya go lol

She can feel pain yes, that's true. But giving some emotional terror will also be a good thing to add I think and if Botan and Kurama are a couple by that point, I think that adds to the dire situation at hand. I do like the idea as you mentioned, of her considering self harm if the demon, let's call him Shin, targets her. I don't know if she'd be immune but maybe some resistance might be probable.

That is all very true. I think we fleshed out a good main baddie, at least for things to progress and give a good reason why other, oddly strong low rank demons start showing up. I do think the puzzle pieces should be slow to form though. I think the reveal of Goshi will be something we want to take our time with.

[SoleAccord]

It looks good at first glance. I'm getting drowsy so I'll reread soon; I may need to have more material to make a thicker post. Botan's fear was adorable. So once Botan gets the readings from the library (also I have no idea how the fuck it works even after you explained it. A lot of words there xD) do you want me to return them home for dinner, and for Botan to analyze her data and sort through the bullshit she mentioned?

I agree, however, I think we might end up slipping at some point. It can't be too soon of course, but Yoko is no fool, so just one little clue might make him suspect something. This may need to be something he wants to investigate in Demon World on his own, where Goshi died, and then get back to Botan about who he believes it is. I doubt Koenma knows Yoko took care of Goshi years ago, but he'll find out soon. Yoko has some good will for that, surely? xD

[Genkai]

I'll be able to explore it my next post as needed but I do have an idea of how I want it explained, so yeah, I'm not just saying words lol You can have them head back and start dinner, I didn't see us spending much more time at the school anyway. You better go to bed though.

I dunno, I recall intell for Spirit World to be pretty on point, I feel like Koenma would know of Yoko's brief partnership with Goshi and that Goshi was either presumed dead or the body was never located and assumed MIA or unknown or something. But I do think the hint Yoko gets, would still need to happen later than sooner. Even if they do know who they are up against and why, it still would be possible to have other demons sent before Goshi does want to show himself or kidnap Botan.

[SoleAccord]

I'll sleep when I'm dead, or too tired to stay up. Stop trying to send me off damn it xD Okay, so I just vaguely describe Botan doing her thing, with Kurama maybe chuckling at Botan's panic earlier, and then I need to find some Japanese dish for Shiori to be making. Did you want them to talk after dinner about it so Botan can be adored by Shiori, or do you want to play the dinner out a little with her?

So you think that maybe Yoko and Goshi was just a matter of the lesser of two evils destroying another and Koenma maybe wrote it off without investigating for sure? Then I guess Yoko wasn't the only one that didn't take as much care as he should have. We should discuss the big hint at another time, and maybe deal with the first demon appearance the next day.

So we said two to three demons that attack them during a big gathering at school while our heroes are away from the crowd. Did we want to go with them just scoping out another target, or actually singling out Kurama in particular now that the demons are aware he's on to them more than ever? Sorry, I just want our story straight ^^'