Team Cybele: The Leaf and the Sand

[Princess Tracy]

Amon nods at Cybele sending off for help. "The illustrious Sune then? It is nice to have such people to help us when we need them, isn't it?" Amon says, forcing a bit of a smile. She gives a lame thumbs-up at Cybele's insistence they focus on moving forward. "See, now you're getting it," she says, smiling with at least a little more sincerity.

She recoils a bit at Cybele's smile, trying to recall if she'd ever seen her smile like that. "Huh? What are you..." At Cybele's sudden inspiration though, Amon claps her hands twice, a light returning to her eyes, though her gawking mouth failing to keep up. "Y-You think? We can save her just like that?" Throwing her hands up victoriously, she quickly bends to Houshi's side to patch him up. "What are we waiting for, let's kick this woman's ass!" Some part of her knew Houshi's concern about 4 hours before he voiced them though she keeps her lips pursed, hoping for the best.

Spoiler

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Houshi is healed of 22 damage, giving him a net gain after the journey of 12HP

Amon nods at Cybele's plan as they travel, not quite grasping how the blood worked in some ways, but glad to see her sensei on her A-game

---

"Don't worry Houshi," Amon reassures him. "To my knowledge, no technique exists to prevent such a summoning. Setsuna might develop one if she is sufficiently paranoid, but it is unlikely she already possesses it." No, whatever trick she plays will likely be of a more mundane type "Let's just hope her perspective on things is so twisted she wouldn't even consider this angle."

Amon grinds to a halt as Cybele does, walking briskly alongside her as they approach the gate. Thinking, she suddenly digs out her headband that had been absent from her head throughout the last 4 days, slipping it back on and tying it in her old practiced fashion, and before long her hair sits like she'd never taken the bandanna off, her Soragakure symbol shimmering more proudly now in the flickering sun. She turns to the group, Yousuke and Cybele in particular, nodding to them. "For Camille," is all she says for a while, looking with determination towards the village

Amon smiles at the knowledge they were being followed. "Ha, good to know the Grass is more on top of things than the Leaf then if they think to keep an eye on the foreign ninja. You know your way around best, Cybele, why don't you lead the way?" She tilts a smile Houshi's way. "Remember - best behaviour," she emphasises in his diretcion, though with her tone, if one weren't watching her face, they might conclude she was reminding herself of that objective. "Anything we should know about the village before we go in?"

Spoiler

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Ninja Lore to know about Kusa. i take 10, hitting 19

Amon digs around for her identification in her bag, touching upon the scroll Cybele gave her. "Hey, Cybele, do you want this message back or should I deliver it?" I obviously don't know what it says or anything....

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

Cybele shakes her head when Amon mentions the Grass being more on top of things than the Leaf. "It's not a question of proficiency, but of necessity. The Leaf could weather a surprise attack from anyone: Even one of the other Great Villages. The Grass is much weaker, and must be vigilant or it would be severely damaged in a surprise attack." Regardless of her thoughts on Kusagakure, the sky-jounin shares what she knows fairly freely. The group eventually arrives at the main gate of the Village Hidden Among Grass.

Two ninja with Grass headbands stop the group, and Cybele attempts to explain her situation. One of the ninja leaves in order retrieve their boss, and after a few minutes he returns with a balding older man in tow. The older ninja listens to their story once more, then issues each of the sky-nin a small laminated card. The cards state that they're one-day passes through the village for whomever has signed them. He requires each of them to sign their name and home village on the card, then signs his own name on the back of each card. Finally, the sky-nin are allowed to go into the city. Cybele immediately starts heading toward the city's north wing, and after almost thirty mintues of walking the sky-nin arrive at the Euryale compound.

The compound is a massive walled in section of Kusagakure. The ten-foot walls have a single large gate, which is guarded by two young boys with bright purple hair. Each of them wears a set of glasses, and it's not hard to guess that they're Euryale. The two boys, whom neither could be older than fourteen, look up at Cybele. They shake their head, but she speaks her piece anyway. "I am Cybele, of Mother Chairlaine, of Greatmother Claire. I claim the right to entry in order to speak to the current Greatmother."

The boys look at one another, then sigh and look back to Cybele. The one on the right speaks while the one on the left leaps over the wall and heads into the compound. "The Sacrifice is dead to the Euryale from the moment she leaves the city. That is our law and you know it well Sacrifice. I deny your claim."

Without skipping a beat Cybele continues speaking the moment he stops. "Then I claim my right to enter as a newborn Euryale. The tainted blood in my veins marks me as your sister." Cybele starts to remove her glasses, but the boy stops her.

"I do not need proof, Sacrifice. Your hair and your eyes are enough. I cannot deny the claim made open to all Euryale by our ancestors, but know this: Your new form will not give you elder status among us, for we know it to be a lie. The Sacrifice could not be so old." The boys stand aside, and allow the group entry into the compound. Inside, they can see a very wide training ground. Children, ranging from ages five to ten years old, sit in meditation poses on the training grounds. Each one bears the distinctive purple hair of the Euryale clan, and all of them are quietly meditating. Some have the same pained expressions as Camille once had, others are more serene, and still others are gasping and clutching their chests. However, none of these incidents seem to correlate with their age. Some of the youngest members are the most serene, whilst some of the oldest are in the most pain. However, whatever kind of meditation they're undergoing, it's obviously much more painful and stressful than normal meditation.

Cybele guides the group along a stone path further into the compound. She makes a bee-line for a large traditional-style home sitting on the edge of the compound. As soon as she, and the group, arrives within thirty feet of the home two female snake-masked ANBU step forward from the shadows. They seem to materialize from thin air in the same way Cybele does, and they're obviously challenging the group's right to continue. Cybele nods, then forms the hand-sign for "Release". The sky-jounin explodes into smoke, then reappears at her normal fourteen year old age. The ANBU on the right nods, then speaks. "You may not pass here, Sacrifice. No matter your claim, the Greatmother recognizes your death and grieves appropriately. Your children may pass, and may assume the mantle left by your passing, but you must remain."

Cybele nods, as if expecting this, then motions for the genin to step forward. One of the female ANBU steps aside to allow the genin passage, but they both keep their eyes on Cybele.

---

If the genin step forward, then they walk into a traditional-style living room. Tatami mats cover the floor, a small table sits in the center, and a woman in her late twenties sits at it. Her body is covered by a thin blanket, and she shakes a little. Yet, her sharp crystalline purple eyes dart to the intruders immediately. Her long pale purple hair drapes across her shoulders like an old woman's shawl. She smiles a little, and that tiny movement shows the genin thick red lines running up her face from her left shoulder. The lines are similar to a snake's scales, and they cover the left side of her face as well as much of her neck. The woman shakily offers a seat to the genin with her left hand. All three genin can see that it's completely covered in red scales, and looks more like a lizard's limb than a human one. She breathes heavily as she tries to speak.

"I... am sorry... young ones. I am... not quite well. You have... caught me at a... bad time. But... They tell me that... the Sacrifice has... returned." She speaks in between breaths, and seems to be having a hard time both breathing and speaking. But she powers through it, even if it takes her awhile to express herself. She gives a faint smile as she speaks of Cybele. "I am glad... I was very... worried about her. But... My guards only spoke... of the Sacrifice. What of... Sune and... Nanako?"

Regardless of the genin's answer, the woman continues onward. "And... what did you... come here to speak of... children of... the Sacrifice?"

[zeone3000]

Houshi opts to stay outside, this was his teammate's mission. Besides, he felt Cybele would need some company. Though, he couldn't help but ask, "What is this Sacrifice they keep saying. I mean, obviously it's you but there's more to it then that."

[ZeroNumerous]

Houshi

Cybele, now being a foot and a half shorter than Houshi, has to strain in order to look up at him. "Kusagakure is a village surrounded by three of the Great Villages: Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Konohagakure. In order to survive, the Grass must appease these larger villages. They give up contracts, money, or assistance to the Cloud and the Leaf. The Stone, on the other hand, is much more malevolent in their demands. Every seven years a young Euryale is chosen to become the Sacrifice, and she is sent to Iwagakure to be the Tsuchikage's plaything. Seven years ago I was kidnapped by the Stone. My sisters, Sune and Nanako, saved me by killing the stone-nin who did it."

Cybele looks away as she continues her story. "The Stone demanded that I be the Sacrifice, and further demanded my sister's heads as payment for the dead stone-nin. The Greatmother of the time, Claire," Cybele uses the woman's name without an honorific to show her obvious distaste for the woman, "agreed to use me as the Sacrifice. But she also sent Sune and Nanako as additional sacrifices, because she expected that would preserve their lives. It saved Sune, but not Nanako."

Cybele finishes her story with a deadpan delivery like she were talking about the weather. Whether that's because the story no longer affects her, or because she's come to terms with it, remains to be seen. "Either way, the Sacrifice is declared dead in the village. She is shunned for one week, so that the Euryale may come to terms with the loss of everything important to her. Sune, Nanako, and I lived like homeless vagrants for the week before we were sent to Iwagakure. I have no love for this village any longer, but we need them."

[zeone3000]

Houshi heaves a heavy sigh, "Wow... I... Wow, now I can see why you are the way you are. I'm not gonna stand here and pretend I understand it or apologize for it, that doesn't feel... right. I do understand that if they didn't do it, Iwagakure would have attacked Kusagakure over it. Which is just asinine. Just to satisfy the whims of one person? I fear I'll never understand why some people are the way they are. Then, you're own clan just threw you away for the 'greater good'. Things will never get better like that." He let a moment pass, "So, I'm guessing Kaeda saved you or something."

[ZeroNumerous]

Houshi

Cybele simply shrugs her shoulders. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the Fifth Tsuchikage is... he's truly corrupt. There is no humanity left in that man. As for the clan... It's necessary. I do not hold a grudge anymore, but at the same time this place is no longer my home."

When asked about Kaede, the sky-jounin simply nods. "Kaede-sama tried to flee the village. Sune and I were sent to kill him. He convinced us to betray the Stone, and the three of us killed the group sent after him. That group included Hinami, whom Kaede-sama spared."

[zeone3000]

"Yes, Kaede is an alright guy in my book." Houshi motioned to the two guards, "Obviously... they don't even want you. Again, something I just can't understand. I'm guessing the village suffered some type of retribution for your escape."

[ZeroNumerous]

Houshi

The ANBU girls just watch the two sky-nin with disinterested gazes. Cybele casually responds in their stead. "It is to be expected. I am dead, and they likely remember my passing. I am not Euryale Cybele within this city, Houshi. She is dead. I am simply the Sacrifice."

[Bad Situation]

Yousuke bows and enters further into the compound. "I will be in your care. I welcome your gracious hospitality." Then he turns shoots Cybele a parting glance, saluting as if to say, "You may rely on me."

---
At the threshold of the room, Yousuke bows down to the ground in deference before entering in earnest. Even as he takes his place across from the woman he keeps his eyes averted in respect for the matriarch. He sets his face into a grim countenance to reflect the severity of the situation.

"I mean no disrespect but might I ask permission to speak bluntly?"

If the woman allows such, Yousuke continues, "Several weeks ago, we encountered a young girl by the name of Camille. Save for her lack of constitution she was an otherwise ordinary child. However, at some point in time her parents entrusted her to a woman who did...something to effect her health. When I sensed her chakra I recognized her sensation as one similar to Cyb-The Sacri-Cybele-sensei's own signature. Sensei later confirmed that she was of the same bloodline but revealed that her 'curse' was one of artificial origins. At the time we suspected and later confirmed that her mysterious benefactor was none other than Euryale Setsuna, who we understand is an exiled clansman."

"On our way to escort Camille to Scarlet-dono's mansion we were caught in no less than two of Setsuna's traps. She managed to stall our reprisal long enough to approach spirit our charge away from us. In her gloating she admitted that she had used 'a pure sample of energy from her great descendants' and left us there for sensei to find."

"Sensei theorizes that Setsuna killed one of her summons to access the required chakra and used said chakra to alter Camille's body. As such, she believes that someone with the Snake Pact will be able to summon her back to our side."

"...I am doubtful of this plan's success and some part of me wonders if we are playing into Setsuna's hands but if there is indeed a way to save her then I will gratefully bear the responsibility of my actions."

"So with that said," the swordsman bows with his forehead scraping the floor, "Please allow me to sign the Snake contract. I have promised her that I would save her no matter what and I intend to make good on my promises. I love her dearly and I feel responsible for her loss. Please..."

[Princess Tracy]

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Amon writes her signature on the card with her off-hand thus nulling whatever intrinsic properties the signature has :3

Amon nods to Cybele as they enter, 'I got this', not really sure what to expect. She catches the start of Houshi's questioning as she enters about this 'Sacrifice' business but thinks better of eavesdropping and only getting a part of the full story. From what she knew of Cybele, what Kaede and she herself had said and from the lore of the village and the way the other Euryale treated her, she could figure out most of it.

Entering, she sits beside Yousuke, nodding respectfully and trying not to stare at the woman, though not averting her gaze as Yousuke does. She bows her head in apology at the woman's state. "I'm sorry we must trouble with our business then - of which there are several items, some more personal and some more urgent than others. We could bring the formal matters to the attention of your representatives if it would perturb you less." Don't concentrate on the arm. bowing her head again, she introduces herself, "Amon, Genin of Soragakure, and indeed student to Cybele - or, indeed, 'Sacrifice' as every encountered member of Euryale refers to her."

When asked of Sune and Nanako, Amon's expression looks a little softer in return for the concern. "Sune I have not been introduced to, but I have spotted her and hear much of her. Nanako, however..." Amon looks more darkly. "I did not wish to pry further into Sensei's business, but a letter I decrypted mentioned the honouring of 'Nanako's sacrifice' and with what i know of her - and what i do not know, I believe she was not so fortunate. My apologies." She gives a moment of averting her gaze and silence in honour of such a motion to let it better set in in case the woman would grieve at all before progressing.

Before she can explain further, Yousuke says his piece and Amon lets him, commenting only "Asking to speak brashly is itself brash." Not quite how i would describe things, but good enough, she thinks, not at all objecting until the end when he requests to sign the contract with snakes. "Konpaku, do not be so foolish. Even if you were allowed such a contract, we do not have the time for you to master Kuchiyose; think not in terms of personal heroics but in terms of how quickest and most assuredly to rescue from that woman's perversions."

She turns to the matriarch. "It is as he says though. Our dear friend has been abducted once more by Setsuna, who speaks of her as a mere tool in some ascension of hers and Cybele believes the use of the summoning contract Camille to be bound to as our best way to retrieve her. Please, might you lend us the aid of the Euryale? Name your price, we have decided to do anything to rescue her - as a fellow student of Cybele, as his love and as my friend, we stake our souls on it."

[ZeroNumerous]

Spoiler

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Can't nullify red tape, so it doesn't matter what hand Amon uses.

DM

The woman waits for the genin to finish out their entire speech. She shakes a little during their explanation, but does nothing to stop them. Midway through Yousuke's statement a young girl in her middle teens enters the room. She's wearing a heavy hooded jacket, a thick black eyepatch, and a small squirrel rests on top of her chest. Her hands hold a delicate glass plate with four steaming tea cups resting atop it, and she quietly approaches the genin. The plate goes down onto the table in front of the matriarch, and the older woman gets her cup first. The girl bows deeply as she offers the woman her cup, and the older woman takes it casually. She looks at the squirrel and frowns. The girl hands the genin their own cups of tea, but without the same kind of reverence as she treats the older woman. The girl sits beside the matriarch, but just watches the sky-nin.

When Yousuke finishes and Amon starts up again, the older woman raises her hand to stop the sky-nin. "Alright, alright." Her words take a lot of energy out of her, but she speaks anyway. "Setsuna is a wayward child, yes. But you should know that the Sacrifice is no longer one of us. There was a child among us known as Cybele, but she died seven years ago. However, as her children, you are able to inherit what she has left behind." The older woman drinks some tea, and exposes her other arm as well. Her right limb seems quite human compared to the scaled skin on her left arm.

"I will not consent to the boy signing the contract. He is not Euryale, and does not know our ways. However, as inheritors the Euryale are obligated to help you. Akemi." The girl straightens up instantly when her name is mentioned. "Take them to the training ground, and help them however you can." Akemi bows deeply to the older woman.

"Yes, Greatmother." Akemi starts to get up, but the older woman places a hand on the girl's thigh.

"But, I wish to speak with the Sacrifice. So, children, would you send her to see me?" Whether the genin agree or not, Akemi stands up and looks at the genin.

"Lead the way."

[Princess Tracy]

Amon bows deeply as the greatmother speaks of inheritance from Cybele. "I shall endeavor to better understand your ways that benefit us so," she says thankfully. She did not get even a single sip of tea in - despite what it might do for her exhaustion, before she consents to go. Her muscles were quite ragged from forcing march over to the Grass so quickly, but she couldn't afford to waste energy healing herself just now. "Thank you for your hospitality and I am sorry to have bothered you so." Sucking it up, she hovels on her good leg towards the door until stopped. Not quite catching her intentions given the context, Amon just nods. "I shall send her in, though her presence will be of her own election. There is also a matter of delivering a scroll message from our higher-ups to the leader of Kusagakure..." Amon fumbles in her bag for the scroll, though doesn't actually remove it unless requested. "But perhaps it shall wait..." she remarks, unable to notice the warped arm all over again, not wanting to strain the woman's health even if she was the recipient - with Cybele here it could at least wait until after the meeting lest focus be lost.

Spoiler

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Amon takes 10 on treat injury, life sciences and ninja lore to figure out what this woman's deal is with the transformation, hitting 17, 20 and 19 respectively

If not stopped, Amon follows Akemi out the room, handing the scroll to Cybele as she crosses paths with her. "She wants to see the 'Sacrifice'," Amon says, nodding to Cybele. "As 'children' of the same, we have apparently inherited the aid of the Euryale in this matter," she says in a mechanical voice but can't help smiling a bit

[Bad Situation]

Yousuke remains quiet on the walk back to Cybele, sparing only the Greatmother a polite bow as he exits the room. When they reencounter Cybele, he is content to remain silent and instead passes his time by looking at Akemi, examining her closely and watching for any sort of reaction.

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

The Greatmother does not respond to Amon, as she's clearly saving her energy to speak to Cybele.

The trip back to your teacher is short and sweet. Cybele doesn't react to the statement that the Greatmother would like to see her, nor does she react to Amon's teasing. Instead, she simply looks to the genin and nods. "Very well. I will go so long as they are going to help Camille."

During the meeting, Akemi just watches Cybele. She says nothing to the sky-jounin, and your teacher makes no attempt to speak to her. After all, both of them know how their conversation would go. Cybele would attempt to inquire about Akemi's plans concerning Camille, and Akemi would just respond that business between Euryale was not for outsiders. Then probably remind Cybele that she is not one of them anymore. Rather than bother with that Cybele just walks toward the home of the Greatmother. Both ANBU allow her to pass without comment or complaint.

Akemi reaches up to the squirrel resting in her jacket and pets his head. She just watches Cybele leave, and doesn't move until the woman's gone. She finally turns and starts heading toward the north. "Come on kids. Lunch and I will save this girlfriend of yours, okay?"

[Princess Tracy]

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Amon wasn't teasing, she was commenting on the novelty of a situation she didn't understand working in her favour.

As Cybele passes her by, Amon produces the scroll she received at the start of the mission, offeirng it to her sensei. "Do you want this?" If Cybele rejects its burden, Amon shrugs, pocketing it. Regardless, she nods to Cybele as she goes to impart some confidence

Once Cybele is out of sight, Amon gives a ragged breath, propping herself up against the wall for a second, the tension of trying to seem tough for Cybele lifting. Sighing, she tilts her head in greeting to Houshi. "We talked far too much there, didn't we. I think we got on her nerves. Well, at least she was nice enough to point us to help without complaint. Interesting to see her concern for Cybele..."

Looking once more to where Cybele vanishes, Amon wonders Cybele's feelings. She tries not to think too hard on the woman's affliction though to spare it no thought proves impossible.

At Akemi's offer, Amon stands her full height, clearing her throat. She's about to reject the offer to rest, but with her fatigue her no such objection arises. "Very well. What did you have in mind to save her? Cybele's theory is, if I understood it at all, we might find what snake specifically was used to create Camille and use that to summon her to our position, as I'm sure you heard. Is there a library for such knowledge or other consultation?" She pauses, looking to Yousuke, wondeirng if the term 'girlfriend' arose any embarrassment from him, hoping it didn't.

Turning to Akemi, she remarks "She isn't my woman though, I'm currently single. Amon, by the way," she introduces herself, extending her hand. Both of her hands were clad in medical gloves as they had been before they entered the compound. After all, she wanted to save herself the embarrassment of having to put on such things mid-conversation. "Would you mind terribly if I ask you of Euryale? It would be beneficial to our cause and I am quite interested." She follows Akemi through the compound, of course not knowing the way herself otherwise

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

Cybele doesn't take the scroll from Amon. It wasn't her mission, but she also probably didn't want to talk to the Greatmother any longer than absolutely necessary.

---

Akemi looks at Amon with her one good eye. Akemi doesn't seem to have any kind of glasses, and from what the sky-nin know of the Euryale her sight should be causing Amon serious physical pain, yet Amon doesn't feel anything out of the norm. The girl, who's obviously an early developer for her age, just looks at Amon's extended hand as well. Handshakes simply weren't done in the Euryale compound: Medical scrubs or not. Nonetheless, she nods at the sky-nin. "Akemi, of Mother Sae, of Greatmother Claire. Though, I suppose that wouldn't mean anything to outsiders. Hm... Then I guess my name would be Euryale Akemi." The girl points to the squirrel. "And this is Lunch. He's a bit of a pervert, so if he gets hands-y just whack him on the head." The squirrel chitters at the sound of his name, but does nothing else.

Akemi shrugs when asked about the Euryale. "If you want to, then go for it. But don't expect answers if it's important. The Greatmother doesn't like it when we talk to outsiders, even if they are inheritors."

Akemi starts heading to the northeast, and motions for the genin to follow. "And ya, I heard the plan. There's no library or nothing like that. See, the snake pact on the human side is locked up in the Greatmother's house. She's the Snake Sage ya know? But the human pact on the snake side is... Well, I guess it's a living snake. You just gotta summon it to this side."

[Princess Tracy]

Amon nods at Akemi's intro, shooting her a bit of a smile, though looks confused, "He's a... pervert?" she asks, looking to the squirrel, no idea if the squirrel was just another of the intelligent animals she was running into this week or if Akemi was screwing with her. Amon recalls something being mentioned about control, though her best guess is it may be some other sort of inhibitor, failing the first explanation, as to why Akemi was not harming her. It was a bit odd to look a Euryale in the eye like this in its own way

When Akemi talks of them being outsiders with regards to her queries, Amon nods. "Actually, I was hoping to ask about that. As it's been made clear to us, we are outsiders to the clan even with our 'inheritance'. Why would you help us in spite of our outsider status? is it only in this matter? Fear not, i don't intend to exploit your hospitality." She didn't want to jinx it, but wanted to know the terms they were under. "Stop me if I say something foolish by the way, I am quite foreign but willing to learn, or at least learn of, this culture - not enough to pry beyond my rights, mind you, but at least to get along."

Amon puts her hand to her mouth, thinking as she's told of the workings of the snake pact. "The greatmother back there would be the leader of the Grass then, right? If she's the Sage is that why she's...." Amon stops herself, shaking her head, knowing she was prying too much. "So, this living snake contract... what's it like? Will you be able to summon it?"

[Bad Situation]

Despite himself, Yousuke flushes at the mention of Camille. "Sh-she's not my girlfriend," he hastily points out and goes quiet as they follow after Akemi.

As they continue in the swordsman notices something about the girl and cannot help himself from asking, "Your eyes...they are different from the other girls..."

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

The girl smiles when Yousuke gets flustered. She'd clearly been teasing him, and is happy he's not too serious to at least be amused. When Amon questions Lunch's perversion the girl just shrugs. "Did you think I just carried squirrels around in my cleavage for fun? This little pervert just climbs up my leg to put himself here."

When questioned about her altruism Akemi just shrugs. "I'm helping because the Greatmother requested me to. Why does she want to help you? I don't know. You aren't grass-nin, Euryale, or even friends of our clan. It's possible that the Greatmother remembers the Sacrifice, and feels that she needs to make it up to the Sacrifice. It doesn't matter to me one way or another."

Akemi just shrugs when Amon asks about the leader of the Grass. She doesn't comment one way or another, and obviously isn't going to talk about it. "Yes, I can summon the contract snake."

When Yousuke mentions that she's different, Akemi nods. She points a thumb at her eyepatch. "My real eye is behind here." She points to her exposed eye with her other hand. "Transplanted eye. Some of us use chakra control training to not use glasses, but Dr. Setsuna came up with fake eyes for those who can't control their chakra as well. The eye absorbs the chakra coming out from our bodies, then discharges it naturally back into our bodies."

[Princess Tracy]

Amon smiles at the justification for the squirrels perversion. "Well, what else is he going to do at that size? Really it's the only intelligent way to travel if one can manage," she jokes. "You know what, Akemi, you're alright. It's nice having a Euryale with a sense of humour around - who isn't also trying to kill us, of course. Cybele's idea of a joke is to stab me ion the ass when she feels Ive talked too much."

Amon nods at the explanation of allegiance. "Well, whatever our outsider status, I'm glad we're able to ascend it for at least this case. Camille never asked to be given the form of a Euryale or become a ninja, and certainly not to be abducted."

Amon seems like she has questions about Setsuna, but instead mulls it over for a minute or so before speaking. "I heard she got tossed out for her practices. There's more to it than that though - but then, since she was talking about some greater fate of the clan, I suppose you have no reason to tell me. I'd ask how to be inducted, but I have a feeling from my time attempting to nurse Cybele - with explosively painful results - that it would compromise my status as a medic."

The talk of Setsuna puts Amon in a bit of a foul mood again before she forces a smile, remembering to keep her spirits up. Camille might already be within their reach, after all. "Is there a way to halt a summoning on the summoned's side of things? I should hope not, but i have not learned much of spacetime techniques."

Amon's stomach growls loudly as if tryingto get her attention, earning her a blush. "So, ah, what we got to eat? We haven't had anything since breakfast and, I mean, my team's health, all things considered..."

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

The conversation turning to Setsuna causes Akemi to just cross her arms. Lunch squeaks loudly as he's squished against her chest. "Dr. Setsuna was a genius. She pioneered a lot of ways to help the clan. Yes, what she did was unacceptable, but..." Akemi sighs and shakes her head. "I just feel that Dr. Setsuna could have been fixed. Maybe things were different if Greatmother Claire was more open-minded."

When Amon talks about joining the Euryale Akemi just vigorously shakes her head. "You do not simply join the Euryale. You are born as one, or were changed into one by Setsuna. We do not wish to spread our problems to any others. The fact that Setsuna created artificial Euryale is why she was exiled."

Akemi looks a bit confused at Amon when the girl asks for food. "Well, if you wanna go eat then that's your business. Doesn't mean anything to me, but I thought saving your friend was kind of a big deal."

[Bad Situation]

Yousuke flushes for the remainder of the talk but manages to fight down the reddening when the issue of Setsuna comes up. "...what was Setsuna like? Regardless of her intentions and actions toward Camille she seemed to truly believe that she was doing the clan a great favor by implanting Camille with the poisonous snake chakra." It was important to know the enemy, and that included the enemy's reasons for fighting. Amon would be too embittered to ask, so the unfortunate duty fell to him. Unlike her, he had a promise to keep, leaving no room for pointless biases.

Promises however, would not stop him from looking at the girl's breasts as it turned out. In spite of restraint on his part, his trained swordsman's eyes could not help but take in every inch in great detail. Clearing his throat to shake himself away from his improper thoughts he asks, "To what extent does the transplant work? I was never allowed bodily contact with Camille or sensei but that squirrel seems to be coping just fine with your...embrace."

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

When Yousuke asks about the squirrel Akemi looks down at Lunch, then just smiles at him. The little squirrel chitters at her, and she answers Yousuke's question. "Lunch was part of Dr. Setsuna's initial wave of transformations. His little body doesn't produce enough chakra to be dangerous, so his eyes aren't a threat. But he was a prototype to prove her method worked. He is technically a Euryale, even if he is a little pervert."

When Yousuke talks about Setsuna though, Akemi sighs. "Dr. Setsuna needed test subjects for a theory she had concerning our chakra generation. She wished to create animals that could absorb the poisonous chakra of Euryale clan-members, then she planned to transplant their hearts with artificial hearts she had built. She wanted to cure our condition permanently."

Akemi shakes her head. "No one wanted to risk their lives, so Dr. Setsuna created artificial Euryale in an attempt to create test subjects. If she was right, and her artificial hearts cured our condition, then we could have cured the entire clan. But to ruin other lives to do so? It was unacceptable. So she was exiled."

When questioned about the extent of artificial Euryale's abilities, Akemi simply shrugged. "I do not know. I was not privy to much of Dr. Setsuna's notes. But the artificial Euryale we've allowed into the clan have proven equally capable, so I imagine it's a total conversion."

[Princess Tracy]

"Of course I would not seriously consider becoming a Euryale. Not without good cause anyway. Like I said, it would be terribly inconvenient for most tasks in my line of work and personal life, not even having the support of the Euryale as you do."

Amon blushes in that old embarrassment of misunderstanding. "Ah, Lunch was the squirrel's name, right..." Looking away she hopes to save herself looking like much more of a fool. "Forgive me. After how ravished my body is after the events of today, it seems the mere mention of a breather was enough to break my will. of course on reflection I can't justify a thing to myself no matter how hard I tried. After all, it's hardly like my state will make much effect on the proceedings if we are successful and we can hardly wait another moment." She bows deeply to Yousuke in particular, still hiding her embarrassed face.

As he conversation turns to Setsuna however, Amon does regain her composure. "Indeed, pushing people away does little to rehabilitate them," she agrees with Akemi in an odd way. "Perhaps her superior deemed her as too much of a risk to negotiate with. But such tragedy of happenstance... no, I suppose it is relevant to know our opponent, continue if you please."

Amon makes no comment on Yousuke's ogling but does note it as a sign of Yousuke's oncoming (or ongoing, i was hard to tell with his appearance and skill) puberty.

Amon nods in appreciation of all she is told of Setsuna, noting all her discoveries. "I thought sh needed Camille for as much. What sort of... experiments... would she...?" Amon veers out, shaking her head, not really wanting to imagine what might befall Camille if they failed.

"So, ah... does any method exist to make contact with the Euryale without suffering backlash? My time bearing that... snake and that oily, burning chakra... was an experience I would rather never repeat but it is most inconvenient to not be able to heal Cybele of her wounds." Her description of her time under the curse speaks to Amon's terror felt that night. Looking to the sky, Amon remarks, "I am training as a doctor between missions. If you would allow me, in return for the service your clan is giving us in helping Camille, I could try and contribute to Setsuna's old research - perhaps find a more palpable solution. Of course, I know as an outsider that would involve revealing entirely too much to me, but if there is no one else in the clan capable I wouldn't mind giving my assistance." She bows, not really expecting a favourable response but feeling it right to offer assistance anyway. "Like you said, perhaps if the clan were open minded enough to at least curb Setsuna there may have been other methods found. I will NOT allow any others like Camille to suffer if I can help it, but it isn't right for you all to suffer if some means of lifting the curse in some degree might actually exist."

Amon bows again. "Sorry for being so intrusive. I suppose it feels only right to repay those that help us."

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

Akemi has nothing more to say concerning Amon's apology to Yousuke. She does notice Yousuke's gaze, and takes the time to tease the young man. "I know you like what you see, but it'd be unhealthy for you to touch." She giggles, then fishes Lunch out of her cleavage and zips up her jacket all the way. Akemi places the little brown squirrel on her shoulder, and he settles onto her shoulder easily. When Amon talks about seeing Setsuna's research Akemi just shakes her head. "Setsuna's research was destroyed. It was too dangerous to be allowed to exist. Furthermore, it's none of your concern. The Greatmother wouldn't allow outsiders like yourself to know what Setsuna knows."

Akemi looks over to the house, then nods. "In fact, I imagine she's asking the Sacrifice to kill Setsuna."

[Princess Tracy]

Amon nods understandingly. "Of course. Still, it felt right to offer." At the mention of Cybele killing Setsuna, Amon goes silent for a moment. "The only way to kill her would be to catch her off guard. We can't take her lightly - if she gets the drop on us again, even Cybel will fail if we can't at least disrupt her flow."

Amon ponders a moment. "I wonder if she would really ask it of Cybele when she's an obvious outcast with this whole Sacrifice business. But again, I hardly know your ways"

Turning to brighter topics, Amon finally gives into a bi of temptation at the teasing of Yousuke. "Oh, don't mind him. I guess there's just an exotic flair about someone that you can't touch, right Yousuke-kun?" Closing her eyes, her unseen gaze seems to burrow into him as a glare despite her smile, pure malevolence billowing out of her, "Of course, Yousuke, being Camille's white knight, would know better than to fall to temptation even if he could touch, right, Konpaku-sama?"

Putting her gaze forward again, she sighs. "I don't blame you though, Yousuke. It's a perfectly natural part of growing up, a fascination with girl's bodies. Just as long as you realise there's more to a girl than her physique, you'll be fine in my book. Just make sure you give Camille enough attention to make up for it."

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

Akemi just shrugs when Amon talks about killing Setsuna. "I never fought her, and I don't know anything about the Sacrifice. I just know that the Sacrifice is the only one of us that the Greatmother could ask to do it."

Akemi pets her squirrel lightly as she explains. "The Euryale clan are a family bound by bonds tighter than blood. We are oathsworn to not end the lives of other Euryale. This is why we did not kill Setsuna for her crimes. However, the Sacrifice is not one of us. She could kill Setsuna, and end the blight on our clan's name."

[Princess Tracy]

"Cybele said she had no love lost for this place as I recall," Amon remarks, deciding to be honest. "I don't see why she would take her out on her own time, to be honest, though perhaps she's more bound up than she lets on."

She ponders a moment. "For the sake of Camille's safety, we might end up killing Setsuna anyway, of course..."

[Bad Situation]

Frowning, Yousuke clenches his fist open and closed, glaring at the floor as they talk. "If the Greatmother desires it, I would kill Setsuna myself."

"If I were able to any rate..."

Sighing resignedly he crosses his arms and looks into the air, "But that is neither here nor there. Will you be able to summon Camille from Setsuna's side and if so, what is stopping Setsuna from summoning Camille back to her side?"

[Princess Tracy]

Amon's pace is disrupted at Yousuke's question as a few things snap painfully into her head. "If this method is possible it would mean there is something stopping her on her end or else she is somehow unaware of the ability to summon Camille to her side - otherwise she would have done so rather than go to all the trouble of subduing her. If this works and there's nothing stopping Setsuna from doing the same, she might figure out our play and summon Camille to her side again." Amon turns her attention on Akemi, "Is there some means to prevent a summon? Might Setsuna's means have alienated the contract she holds?" she suggests hopefully