>Let Byakuren answer since she was asked first.
> Yes,wait patiently for Byakuren's and "The Tall Red-Headed Woman at the Gate"'s replies ,then...
>...answer the latter one's question in a Good and Private Manner,meaning Sincerely Thruthful but leaving out Alice's Private Specifics,then Politely Present ourselves and on Whose Stead we are being sent ,Specify we too together with Byakuren are here a as a Directly Summoned Guest ,for the 1st time ever, sought out by a certain"Patchouli".
> Byakuren looks at the gatekeeper for a few moments; considering her reply.
> "I was invited here." she replies.
> The gatekeeper nods. "OK; but what about her?"
> At this point, you explain your connections to an 'incapaciated witch."
> The gatekeeper looks a little confused, and mutters. "Is that even a thing?"
> "I can go and check with Lady Knowledge; Miss Hong." one of the small red creatures says.
> "Yeah, you go clear that with Patchy."
> The creature waddles off, leaving only one of the red creatures and the guard.
> "I'm sure you don't mind waiting while I verify your plus-one." the gatekeeper says to Byakuren. "The hobgoblin won't be long. They're surprisingly competent. Far better than fairies."
> While you are waiting, another figure arrives. They seem to be keeping a prayer pose while floating just above the ground, their body almost unmoving. You feel some sort of... kinship with this being from looking at it.

> Narumi Yatadera
> Body of Stone, Soul of Magic
> "This appears to be where the feeling is bringing me..." the stranger says in a rather quiet voice.
> Byakuren looks a little surprised.
> "I've never seen you at the Temple before; but you're dressed like a monk."
> "I do not leave the Forest of Magic often." the stranger replies. "Altough, to be honest, I don't move around too much if I can avoid it. Being a statue leads to that being a habit."
> "Statue..." Byakuren muses.
> "I'm a Jizo statue brought to life."
> "Byakuren Hijiri." Byakuren says, extending a hand. The "statue" slowly and stiffly breaks apart her preying pose and returns the gesture. "Narumi Yatadera."
> "Perhaps this meeting won't be quite as tedious as I feared." Byakuren remarked.
> "I'm looking forward to it!" the statue says happily.