A Shift In Perspective {Omamori Himari/Monster Girl Encyclopedia} (Finished)

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Journal Entry 6.2

I looked up at the incredibly fancy and western themed tea shop in front of me, barely noticing the brisk wind that made my short coat billow a bit. The lights were still on and I could see several blurred figures moving about in the shops main area. I had on a loose wool jacket, a simple black shirt underneath, and some neat jeans and sneakers. It wasn't my fanciest outfit, but I didn't think it would be too out of place.

With a steadying breath that made a small puff of mist appear I opened the ornate door of glossy wood and perfectly shaped glass. The familiar sound of the bell ringing through my ears.

"Yuto!" Liz's ecstatic shout quickly replaced the pleasant cadence of the bell just before she gives me a hug as soon as I stepped past the threshold, using her substantial strength to lift me off my feet and swing me about. "It's been soooo long!"

"It's been less than two weeks, Liz!" I laughed out, not particularly bothered by how hard she was squeezing me or how noticeable it made her voluptuous bosom. After one last twirl she finally let me go and placed me back down. I looked around and saw the rest of my friends, some looking at us while others kept drinking.

We were having an after-battle party, not unlike the one we'd thrown after the battle between Tama and Shuten. All of the girls were in attendance, sans Amare's group who would be here in a few minutes.

This time, however, the festivities were far more earnest. They'd all taken the time to dress a little fancier than usual; dresses, stockings, and designer shoes galore. Ageha especially was wearing a leather corset and Himari had strayed from her usual kimono for a form-fitting white and purple blouse, thin wool pants, and black high-boots.

"So, is it true?" Liz asked quizzically with her arms behind her back. "I've heard rumors, but do you really have over a hundred lifetime's worth of memories from a demon?"

"Uh, yeah? Most of them anyways. I at least have over a thousand years stored in my mind now."

Suddenly her mouth split into a smile. "So, does that make you more Yokai than human now? At least mentally? I have to say, it is appealing to know a human with a mentality similar to mine."

Sometimes, due to the bubbly personality and youthful appearance, it was easy to forget that Liz was at least over a century old. The same went for Shizuku.

"I think not-" Kuesu was about to object before being cut-off.

"It's the only logical conclusion." Shizuku assured Liz in her usually playful monotone.

"Yeah, he's one of us now!" Ageha yelled out, obviously a little tipsy.

Before I knew it every Yokai in room, even Himari, were discordantly chanting 'One of us.' as Ageha dragged me over and shared a few shots with me. In spite of both Rinko's and Kuesu's grumblings of disapproval.

Eventually, after using Light Ferry to metabolize all the alcohol Ageha made me drink, Amare and her friends came through. Sorina and Anjelica were the only ones wearing fancier clothes while Amare, Sophie, and Lilinora arrived in their "standard" attire.

Sophie immediately raced over and started chatting it up with Tama, the two had surprisingly become fast friends. And Sorina, a fiant pale line where I had helped her arm regrow, stopped to give me a quick kiss before going towards Ageha, Lilinora following quickly behind.

"Hey, Yuto." Anjelica said as she took a seat beside me, her brown locks slightly longer than usual and framing her round cheeks.

"Hello, Amakawa." Amare gave her more formal greeting as she sat opposite me, beside Kuesu.

"Sorry about the less-than-secure location, Amare. For what it's worth Kuesu warded this place from any attempts at spying." I said.

"It's quite alright, my companions and I could use a little breather after the week of extra clarifications and meetings with the Demon Slayers."

Anjelica huffed. "I didn't even get to rest after my spine and ribs were healed."

"Sorry." I chuckled and gave her a side-hug, which she accepted eagerly.

"I believe you had certain questions for them, Yuto?" Himari asked from my other side.

I took another steadying breath. "Ah, yes. I needed to search through all of E- his memories and managed to narrow it down to three main ones. Do you mind if we start now?"

Amare nodded.

"Why is your lord named 'Eve'?"

My question didn't get quite the reaction I'd been expecting; Amare merely shrugged in response. "I can understand the name being concerning to most humans but there is no real reason for alarm." She elaborated. "Beings like us usually don't have to worry, but for our Lord names have serious power and it isn't something she just gives out to anybody; it's likely only her daughters know it."

My interest piqued at the mention of the illusive Lilims. "Uriel Amare", the title of the newest one that had appeared and incinerated Eparsi's corpse, had disappeared shortly afterwards but I didn't interrupt Amare.

"But, no, 'Eve' is a fake name she allows others to use when referring to her. It is astronomically unlikely that she is actually the biblical Eve."

"Alright then, next question." I said. "Is it true that demons can't currently win a war against humanity?"

Amare pouted at that and crossed her arms, a near tangible feeling of hurt pride emanating from her. "Even though we have no intention to do so, yes, we demons could not pose any truly grave threat to humanity."

"Is that resentment I hear?" Himari teased.

"It's one thing to admit you have no hostile intention. It's another thing completely to admit we couldn't even fight because most of the old demons only prepared for swords and shields, not tanks and nuclear weapons. Anyways; your next question?"

"Ah, yes." I almost cough before regaining my composure, not quite used to seeing Amare so flustered. "Then my last question: 'Eve' had a daughter even before she became ruler, 'Druella'. Is she one of the other three Lilims or something else entirely?"

Suddenly two soft, pliant lumps settled on top of my head as I heard Lilinora speak from behind me. "Aww, do we have to talk about that cunt?" She whined before draping her arms over my shoulders and pulling me in closer.

"W- what?" I spluttered from the sudden grab.

"Ah, yes, Druella. While she is a Lilim, um. Oh, how to phrase this." Amare started hesitantly. "Well; considering with her undue arrogance, sadism, pension for petty grudges, and obsession with reputation I suppose Lilinora's crass remark was rather apt; Druella is a bit of a cunt. But do not worry, Eve is keeping her in Hell, away from the human world and severely limiting her capacity to mess things up."

"Uh, didn't her encounter with Eparsi help with the ego problem and make things better?" I asked.

"This is better compared to how she used to be." Amare replied. "Now, is that all?"

"Yeah, but, uh. I actually have a favor to ask of you." I said as Anjelica helped me stop Lilinora from nibbling at my ear. Amare had seemed entirely genuine in her responses, and neither Himari or Kueus had alerted me to any deception; I might as well get it over with. "Could you help me shift through my memories more effectively? I'm… not very good at it currently and could use someone of a similar nature to Eparsi for help."

Amare gave me a coy smile then, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Alright, me and Eparsi are both demons on a fundamental level, so I can probably help. But I would like a little something in exchange."

I nodded tentatively and listened as she gave me her proposal in the same tongue Eparsi had used when talking to me.

It wasn't nearly as daunting as I'd suspected. But when I relayed the message to everyone else, Shizuku was almost vocally against it. Which I guess I should have expected.

She had always hated "freeloaders".

* * *

Author's Note: I'm very sorry about the late chapter guys, I had to take care of some family business.

 

[Sakuya's Butler]

Humorously, Liz seems to be the only one from the original set of girls (who was part of the post-Tamamo fight...err...'collective intimate bedroom gathering', ahem), who hasn't had a free moment/night with him later. Even after the MGE girls jumped in and added themselves to the overall group. For all that she seems happy & bubbly - sidenote: get her some bubble tea, and see the reaction - she's got to be ready to explode from jealousy/envy by this point. Yuto might want to give her some attention, even if just headpats and/or more visits to the tea shop, or she by rights should be getting rather grumpy by now. That or he'd better be expecting her to be highly 'affectionate' with him, his next visit upstairs to her apartment above her shop, and not take a possible no from him for an answer.

Also, Liz isn't exactly a pushover in combat, for all that she acts it. She is fully capable of pulling off a high-pressure water cutter able to slice through stone/steel, at close/melee range. She's fragile, due to being a china teacup, but beyond that, its still completely within her abilities to act as the 'cannon' part of a glass cannon. And she can bring the pressure up or down as needed. From as weak as a garden hose or less, up to a firehose for pushback/less-than-lethal, to the actual water-cutter.

Additionally, from what I remember, Liz & Shizuku are extremely close, and work phenomenally well together. Shizuku needs water in large amounts to truly get going, but can't MAKE large amounts, as she can manipulate large amounts as a very powerful aquakinetic, but can only summon/create small amounts to move through. While Liz is her exact opposite, in being a massively powerful aqua-summoner, but a poor aquakinetic (straight line, or spray). Doesn't hurt that Liz can make water any temperature she wants, from near freezing to boiling, which Shizuku has to love.

 

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Humorously, Liz seems to be the only one from the original set of girls

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Liz would be happy to now that the horrify demonic threat is no longer present.

 

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Journal Entry 6.3

I lounged on a lawn chair in my backyard, Amare laying parallel to me in an identical looking chair. I tried not to stare too long at her long, bare legs that were a mysteriously alluring purple pigment. But, even though she wasn't technically a succubus, Amare's body still seemed designed to tempt the human mind.

The night sky was exceptionally clear and the air was brisk, but not as chilling as it had usually been. The mutterings of a loud argument drifted through the air as the kitchen light fell upon us from behind.

"They're going to kill each other." I said plainly as I looked back and saw Uriel Amare sitting at my kitchen table and scarfing down disturbing amounts of food while Shizuku stood aside, getting progressively angrier. Her face didn't show it but I'd been around her enough to know that the throbbing vein on her forehead spoke volumes. And that wasn't even the worst of it as both Uriel and Tama, who was sitting at the other end and being equally as ravenous, would occasionally steal food from each other's plates; this was a hilarious disaster waiting to happen.

"Oh, come on. This is just… an adjustment period; I'm sure they'll grow to be good friends over time." Amare replied.

The favor for her help had been a simple request; "Allow Uriel Amare the hospitality of your home and the opportunity to personally socialize." Basically; let her freeload. More seriously though, this was supposedly a way to keep the Lilim a little more grounded and understanding of the main communities they presided over.

"If you say so." I said dismissively, even though I really did agree with her. "Regardless; thank you for upholding your end of the deal. I've gone from vague and general memories to full on immersive experiences. Even if said experiences are… less than pleasant and I've only made it about a hundred years in with that kind of precision." I said while looking around the yard. Almost everyone else was outside with us, even Lizlet had traveled from her teashop to sit outside with us. She was dressed in a pair of plain brown slacks and a white blouse which, while still looking dangerously close to bursting, was still much more modest and mundane than the maid uniform I'd come to associate her with.

"I always keep my promises." Amare said with pride. "Just remember; to get the most out of looking back at memories you need to be fully rested, fed, and in an almost meditative state. It comes natural to us demons, but you still need more practice with it."

"This better be worth the wait." Ageha suddenly piped up from her position on the lawn, interrupting our conversation. "I'm usually catching my beauty sleep by now."

"Quiet, this is important." Kuesu rebuked her firmly as she stood by, head tilted up slightly as she looked towards the sky.

"We promise, it's quite the sight to behold." Lilinora said, lazily flapping her wings to keep herself suspended in the air.

The general buzz of conversation continued on then as we all relaxed and settled in for the last few minutes of relative normalcy before the clock struck midnight. In the midst of all the commotion Shizuku, Uriel, and Tama had returned from the kitchen, the two titan's hunger finally sated. And Liz had managed to snag a seat on my lap all to herself, much to Himari's chagrin.

"Here it comes." Anjelica whispered with some reverence just as I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

Barely a second later, everything changed. It was as if someone had poured a veil over our current perception of reality, completely warping even to my magical senses. The moon turned a deep blood red that shone like a spotlight onto the city, casting everything in an odd violet-maroon hue. The grass and leaves of trees turned purple while the trunks transitioned to an inky black. A feeling, almost a tangible smell, of lust filled the air and warmed me up from the previously brisk night air. Everyone, not just the mamono, seemed to be a bit livelier now with glossier skin, faint blushes, and a flash of frenzied excitement in their eyes.

Then, as quickly as it had appeared, reality snapped back to normal. All told the shift had probably lasted no longer than a second but the intensity had made it seem longer.

"Whoa." I breathed. "So that's going to on the thirteenth of every month starting at the beginning of the Witching Hour?"

"Yes, though sometimes the transition will be longer and other times it will pass by so quickly you'll question whether or not it even transpired." Amare replied.

"Oh my, is this happening everywhere in the east now?" Liz inquired, her voice tinted with awe.

"No, only in Japan since that is the territory your 'Demon Slayers' officially preside over. Like I said; we do not wish to overstep concerning human territories." Amare said.

"If I remember correctly you currently have residence in North and South America, sub-sets of Africa, Canada, and now here." I said.

"Yep, our Lord has been working us like dogs ever since she enacted her great change and got her general plan together." Lilinora said in a mock whine.

"That seems odd." Liz said. "You got America but skipped the Europe?"

At first, I thought that might have been Liz's European background speaking but it made sense when I thought about it. Aside from Japan, North America and the UK were currently the supernatural hubs of the world. If diplomacy was their goal, it would only make sense for them to establish ties in Europe as well.

"That… is actually a very good question." I said before turning to Amare. "Haven't you tried talking to them yet?"

"Ah, yes, them." Amare's cheeks reddened with embarrassment a bit, turning the skin of her face a reddish-pink. "We have sent scouts out to Europe, multiple times in fact. It's just that they've been rebuffed every single time. They don't even get a chance to talk and are simply kicked out." She gave a little half-shrug. "Honestly, some of the more strategically minded of our kind started to become concerned that the main powers in Europe may have-"

Amare was cut off as a blazing star suddenly streaked down, out of the sky, heading straight for me. Almost everyone sprang into action, save Liz who simply jumped off my lap with a surprised squeal of panic. Our reaction was soon proven unnecessary, however, as the ball of light slowed down significantly before even reaching the yard. It gently floated and bobbed through the air before coming to a stop in front of me.

I didn't feel anything particularly volatile from the small orb and Kuesu didn't look particularly worried, so with some apprehension, I grabbed the orb of light. It flashed once before dissolving into the shape of a small scroll, the paper unnaturally smooth and soft with silver accents and what looked like a genuine gold seal holding it all together. The seal was large and incredibly intricate; the center was the shape of a cross with the blade of a battle axe extending from the top three, short ends while the bottom and longest one had the blade of spade extending from it. And if that wasn't enough the entire ensemble was flanked on both sides by some stylish white feathers in the vague shape of wings.

I looked over to Aya, our resident messenger and currier, but only got a confused shrug from her. I hadn't really expected this to be some form of elaborate prank from her but I didn't want to completely discount the possibility.

With one steadying breath I gripped and ripped off the seal to read the message contained within.

"Dear, Noble Demon Slayer, Yuto Amakawa

The Order would like to request your help in culling the sudden surge in demonic infiltration of human society. We are aware that you and your brethren have already defeated one of their greater lords and would greatly appreciate your help in this matter, starting with the fortification Europe and your own borders from covert demonic agents. We, regrettably, have to report that our American allies cannot assist us as they have already been compromised."

Sincerely, The Order"

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I was stunned into silence, as was everyone else looking over my shoulder, as I finished reading the letter.

"… concerned that Europe may have been influenced by an outside force." Amare finished lamely.

End of A Shift in Perspective​

Author's Note: This is only an end to this section of the story I'm trying to tell. In a few months' time (not giving a specific date) I will be posting a sequel. Also; I'm genuinely surprised none of you asked about how The Order fit into all of this.

 

[Sakuya's Butler]

Noble, not Nobel.

One is a prestigous title.

The other is a guy that created dynamite & has prizes given in his name.

 

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Noble, not Nobel.

One is a prestigous title.

The other is a guy that created dynamite & has prizes given in his name.

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Thank you for the help, can't even blame spell-check on that one.

 

[Sakuya's Butler]

Thank you for the help, can't even blame spell-check on that one.

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Don't feel bad. My senior term paper for high school chemistry, way back when, was:

"Innovative and Constructive uses for Nobel Gases"​

That....didn't start off so well.

Its pretty much the main/sole reason I remember the difference in names/terms for both words.