(RC) Yamada Taro – Ch. 9, part 1

Summary: The Cabal goes to speak with the unknown Mage at the mental institute. Meanwhile, a young girl awakens.

Recap: Although the news of one of the Mages from their Cabal is still alive is of pressing importance, the Cabal decides to take it easy and let Kemosiri and others heal up.

A month passes. Kemosiri has been finding out who the souls of those in the soul jars were and returning them to their proper place. The last one belonged to someone who has died. He takes the soul to a cemetery and releases it into Twilight by smashing it onto the ground.

Kemosiri keeps the remaining 4 dolls to use to track down the remainder of the Uchida family. He suspects the Kempai Tai of protecting them and dearly wants to embarrass Tatsu, the leader of the Kempai Tai.

The insane asylum that Ayame mentioned is located at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. The Cabal journeys there. They have trouble finding it, so they stop a young girl with pink highlights in her hair and listening to an I-Pod. Her name is Hanako Suzuki. She tells them where it is. As Kemosiri hands her his card, he gets a feeling of magic. He quickly scrutinizes her and finds a latent Magic ability. After she leaves, Kemosiri lets the others know of his feelings. Mori and Kontonshin decide to follow her.

At the Asylum, they are greeted by a reticent nurse who is reluctant to let them in to see the Yamada Taro (“John Doe”). Through a bit of magic, they manage to convince her to let them in. A Dr. Kumamoto takes them to an observation room where they can observe the Yamada Taro safely. As they walk the lonely hallways, Kemosiri looks into Twilight and sees a very bleak and dark place. The paintings on the wall are period pieces of Japanese art, but seem to have shadows and sinister figures on them that move.

Kumamoto takes them to the observation room and tells them they have a half an hour. The Yamada Taro is brought in. He is in a straight jacket. The room he is in is a padded cell. They begin asking questions, starting with reading a list of the people who were in the Cabal before. When they say “Koya”, the patient screams and smashes his head against the wall over and over again. His cries eventually turn into whimpers as he continues to bang his head against the wall.

A ghost appears. He is again dressed as a soldier from World War II. He says he is the only ghost in the hospital. He protects those who cannot protect themselves. Kemosiri talks with him and finds out that Koya has been “interviewed” several times by men in masks. Always at night.

Tenzin interviews Koya and asks about his experiences. But, he gets more agitated and repeats the word “Jomon” over and over. They need Kontonshin and her ability to work with minds to get more information. As Koya becomes more agitated, Dr. Kumamoto comes in and ends the interview.

Kontonshin and Mori follow Hanako. She goes to north Kyoto where she lives. As she is approaching her home up the hill, she is confronted and attached by a dog spirit. Mori and Kontonshin intervene, but not before Hanako is knocked unconscious. Mori dispatches the spirit by draining its essence, and Kontonshin kills it. Hanako wakes up and says she had just visited an Iron Tower.

Mori and Kontonshin scrutinize her and realize that Hanako had awakened as a Mastigos Mage.
Then, Tatsu appears and demands the Cabal hand Hanako over. Mori and Kontonshin refuse. Tatsu leaves, but not before reminding them that Hanako has to be introduced to the Shogun.
After arriving back at the Sanctum, each of them talk about the nights events and introduce Hanako to their ranks. Then, they get read to attend the Consilium meeting.

The Consilium meetings are all held at Kiyomizu-dera. After mingling around and speaking with other friendlier members of the Consilium, the meeting itself takes place. After the formal part of the meeting, the Shogun asks if there are any new members, and the Cabal brings Hanako forward. She had not yet fashioned a Shadow Name so she agrees to “Dancer” for now. The Shogun asks who would like to sponsor her. Since she is a Mastigos Mage, a mastigos is asked to sponsor her. Only Tatsu steps forward. She says she does not want to go with him. The only other Mastigos who are available are a few Free Council mages in Osaka – the Bunny Warner Appreciation Society. It is agreed that she will have a month to decide her Shadow Name, her Cabal and her Order.

Then, Kemosiri puts forward more Consilium business. He puts the soul jar dolls he found with the Uchida family in front of the Shogun and demands action. The Shogun gives the responsibility to Tatsu to investigate. The Cabal wants to have a say in what is going on, so the Shogun allows them to assist when Tatsu needs their help.

Third, they ask that the cave location which was once a Sanctum is to now be under their protection. The Consilium agrees. Also, Koya is now ordered to be under their protection as well.

Next: Yamada Taro part 2