Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Hello Purvis on August 11, 2010, 01:01:13 AM
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>You are Maribel Hearn, and the world is wrong. Or rather, you're in the wrong world!
>Having woken up in a strange room, you've discovered you are in the middle of a world called Gensokyo, and you've finally discovered another world that you've always knew existed
>You grew up in Japan, living a fairly normal life. Still, you always had a strong instinct that there was more to the world than you could see. You studied psychology in college, and met your best friend there, a woman named Renko. The two of you shared a passion for the supernatural (extranormal, Renko called it, to make it sound more legitimate). In pursuing that passion, the two of you followed your instincts and moved to small island nation called Gensokyo. From there, then memories of the past half year fuzzy. You remember running a modestly successful detective agency and numerous attempts to find supernatural activity. You remember a woman named Utsuho being a prominent influence on your life in the last few days before you woke up here, but you can't remember a lot about it. You remember, though, that she helped you prove the supernatural exists beyond the shadow of a doubt! Too bad you can only recall vague details about it.
>You have been wandering through Gensokyo! You've learned some of the basics of flight, danmaku, and barrier magic, and you're on cloud nine! Reimu is very concerned you may easily end up a Youkai; Patchouli and Mystia seem to be all for it. Utsuho and Yuugi are in a doomed rivalry for Parsee's love. You visited Komachi and got her back to work on Reimu's behalf! Byakuren has asked you to assist Murasa at the underground clinic. Byakuren has agreed to consider enhancing your natural magical abilities if you gather the necessary ingredients. You have planted flowers for Yuka! You have been charged to find out where all the maids at Scarlet Devil Mansion have gone! You've been chased by a mob of faeries! You have befriend Tokiko, and are helping her get used to society and not eating animals raw.
>You are at Mystia's stand.
> Stay seated, but listen in to the conversation as best we can.
> Did the food we ate produce any waste? Look around for some sort of waste receptacle.
>"A lot of things seem harder before you actually start trying to do them. And it should be a lot easier to learn from someone that knows how to do it well - especially if you can help her out as well, in your own ways."
>smile and watch for a little, see how they're getting along.
> Can we see through the stand? This voice's imagination is having a hard time picturing the exact structure. >_>
>You toss out your skewer in a little basket off to the side.
>You listen in as Mystia introduces Tokiko to the concept of salt, and lecturing her on why it's a bad idea to take a swig of it from the shaker.
>The stand is essentially a counter with a grill in the back, and an a roof over it. It's very open air, and you can see what is going on at the other side easily. A curtain hangs over the front and obscures customers. You don't know why this would be needed here.
>_
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> First
> "Will you two be all right if I take off for the Underground?"
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>It's nice to pretend to have a little privacy sometimes, I guess.
>Is Tokiko afraid again after the salt lecture?
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> First
> "Will you two be all right if I take off for the Underground?"
>Feels good.
>"Sure thing," says Mystia. "I'll make sure she learns the ropes."
>It's nice to pretend to have a little privacy sometimes, I guess.
>Is Tokiko afraid again after the salt lecture?
>Indeed.
>She seems more put out, or maybe ashamed, than frightened.
>_
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> "Don't worry, Tokiko, you're just new at this! I'm sure you'll do fine."
> We gave her BOTH books, right?
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> "Don't worry, Tokiko, you're just new at this! I'm sure you'll do fine."
> We gave her BOTH books, right?
>She nods. "I just have to get used to this, I think..."
>You certainly did. She is cradling them right now.
>_
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>"Try not to be too hard on her. I've been putting Tokiko through a lot today to help her get used to 'normal' behavior. And since she's seemed rather nervous around people most of the time, well..."
>"Then again, I guess you probably understand what it's like becoming a youkai a lot better than I do, so you might have a better idea of what to do than I would."
>"Thanks again, Mystia. I'll try and stop by again on my way back out from the Underground later. And enjoy those books once you get the chance, Tokiko."
>wave to them and head off!
>Once inside, consider hugging the ceiling to avoid another Kisume ambush.
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>Actually, a better defense mechanism against Kisume-related mugging may be to sling the pack in front of ourself, so if she forces us to the ground, the pack will also be safely cradled under ourself.
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>Actually, a better defense mechanism against Kisume-related mugging may be to sling the pack in front of ourself, so if she forces us to the ground, the pack will also be safely cradled under ourself.
>That, or she can just knock Mary down on her back. But at least that'll let her see. And now, danmaku.
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>That, or she can just knock Mary down on her back. But at least that'll let her see. And now, danmaku.
>My thoughts exactly
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>"Try not to be too hard on her. I've been putting Tokiko through a lot today to help her get used to 'normal' behavior. And since she's seemed rather nervous around people most of the time, well..."
>"Then again, I guess you probably understand what it's like becoming a youkai a lot better than I do, so you might have a better idea of what to do than I would."
>"Thanks again, Mystia. I'll try and stop by again on my way back out from the Underground later. And enjoy those books once you get the chance, Tokiko."
>wave to them and head off!
>Once inside, consider hugging the ceiling to avoid another Kisume ambush.
>"I'll take good care of her," says Mystia. "But yeah, I'll do my best to go easy on her."
>"I will!" says Tokiko. She ways as you depart.
>It is not a long flight back to the entrance to the underground. Returning to the cavern, you look back, amazed at how much the view has changed. You know the forest teems with life now, with its own intrigues and groups and such. Odd how knowledge can change things.
>You consider flying, but the stalactites make this a poor idea.
>Actually, a better defense mechanism against Kisume-related mugging may be to sling the pack in front of ourself, so if she forces us to the ground, the pack will also be safely cradled under ourself.
>That, or she can just knock Mary down on her back. But at least that'll let her see. And now, danmaku.
>My thoughts exactly
>This sounds like it would work!
>_
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>Sling the bag over our front, and try to position it so that the opening would be underneath us as much as possible if Kisume pulled the same stunt as before
>Enter the cavern
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>Considering that she tries to mug people who willingly travel to a city of oni, it's unlikely being able to fly would make her hesitate. Not knowing Mary can defend herself now, on the other hand, would catch her off guard.
>Walk back and move before talking if the bucket tries something this time.
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>Sling the bag over our front, and try to position it so that the opening would be underneath us as much as possible if Kisume pulled the same stunt as before
>Enter the cavern
>You carry your bag in front of you, and enter the cavern. Having been outside, it takes your eyes some time to adjust to the dimness.
>Considering that she tries to mug people who willingly travel to a city of oni, it's unlikely being able to fly would make her hesitate. Not knowing Mary can defend herself now, on the other hand, would catch her off guard.
>Walk back and move before talking if the bucket tries something this time.
>Oh you'll give her a trick or two, alright.
>You keep a wary ear for the sounds of Kisume, while your eyes adjust to the dimness.
>You suddenly hear some scratching above! Before you can step back, suddenly there is an upside down face less than an inch from yours, looking your in the eyes.
>"Hey buddy," she says in a low voice, "how's it goin'?"
>_
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> "Wha-!"
> "Buddy? Yamame, is that you?"
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> "Wha-!"
> "Buddy? Yamame, is that you?"
>You cry out, then demand to know who it is.
>"Yeah, it's me," she says.
>_
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>"Jeez, you startled me. Has anything changed since I went up?"
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>"Sorry, it's just kind of alarming having someone suddenly appear so close to you."
>Step back a tiny bit.
>"I did end up at Kourindou, by the way. I mentioned your name to Rinnosuke."
>"And I don't know if you'd have any idea about this, but do you know if there's any bloodmoss around this way?"
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>"Jeez, you startled me. Has anything changed since I went up?"
>"I made crazy money off those bats you scared!" she says.
>_
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>"Sorry, it's just kind of alarming having someone suddenly appear so close to you."
>Step back a tiny bit.
>"I did end up at Kourindou, by the way. I mentioned your name to Rinnosuke."
> "Glad to hear about the bats!"
>"And I don't know if you'd have any idea about this, but do you know if there's any bloodmoss around this way?"
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>Allow stomach to settle.
>"I'm... guessing people eat them?"
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>"Sorry, it's just kind of alarming having someone suddenly appear so close to you."
>Step back a tiny bit.
>"I did end up at Kourindou, by the way. I mentioned your name to Rinnosuke."
> "Glad to hear about the bats!"
>"And I don't know if you'd have any idea about this, but do you know if there's any bloodmoss around this way?"
>"You mentioned me? Hot piss! Gonna get a bonus!"
>"Oh yeah, I know about that. It's way down in the caves. Real spicy. Oughta be able to buy that at the market, buddy."
>Allow stomach to settle.
>"I'm... guessing people eat them?"
>"Yep! Real tasty."
>_
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>"Oh, they just sell the stuff? That's convenient. Any idea what kind of price it goes for? The good quality stuff, I mean."
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>"Oh, they just sell the stuff? That's convenient. Any idea what kind of price it goes for? The good quality stuff, I mean."
>"Uh, probably like 50☼ or so for a small bag, buddy. Maybe more. The good stuff gets expensive."
>_
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>"Eh, I might be able to cover it. Here's hoping. Anyhow, thanks and have a nice day."
>Continue onward
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>"Eh, I might be able to cover it. Here's hoping. Anyhow, thanks and have a nice day."
>Continue onward
>"You too, buddy!"
>You continue onward, passing through the branching tunnels and past the area where the fissures cover the floor. Then, you get to the shelf-like rocky steps. If she's going to be anywhere, she's going to be in here...
>_
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>Keep going cautiously
>Keep an ear out for noises, but do NOT turn to face them if it sounds like it could be another thrown rock
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>Keep going cautiously
>Keep an ear out for noises, but do NOT turn to face them if it sounds like it could be another thrown rock
>You proceed onwards, keeping an ear open for sounds such a thrown rocks, while floating down the steps.
>Suddenly, a voice cries, "Say rock!" You can't tell if it's coming from above or the sides or behind, due to the echoes!
>_
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>"Rock!"
>Quickly dash sideways, while clutching our bag
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>"Rock!"
>Quickly dash sideways, while clutching our bag
>You dash; really you bank; to the side, moments before a bucket descends from above and smacks into the floor.
>_
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Why did you say "Rock" again? You should have said "Paper". >_>
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>Turn around to face Kisume, in case she's still feeling fiesty
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>Is the bucket occupied? If so, glare at the bucketloli. If not, kick the bucket aside and look for her!
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>Turn around to face Kisume, in case she's still feeling fiesty
>Is the bucket occupied? If so, glare at the bucketloli. If not, kick the bucket aside and look for her!
>You turn to face, finding her flying off the way you came.
>_
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>Call out after her: "Have a pleasant trip!" May as well be a little facetious.
>Continue onward
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> Don't assume she's done
> Try to make haste away, but still remain aware of dropping bucketlolis.
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>Don't expect her to say "rock" this time. Or anything.
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>Call out after her: "Have a pleasant trip!" May as well be a little facetious.
>Continue onward
>"Don't take any wooden ☼!" she says back.
> Don't assume she's done
> Try to make haste away, but still remain aware of dropping bucketlolis.
>Don't expect her to say "rock" this time. Or anything.
>You decide to err on the side of caution, and hasten away, keeping ready for any further ambushes.
>You reach the bridge without further incident. The light from the city is most welcome to your eyes. Looking around, you can see Parsee on the river banks, fishing
>_
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>"Hello again, Parsee."
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>"Hello again, Parsee."
>You call out to Parsee.
>She glances up at you. "Oh, you're alright," she says.
>_
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>Walk over to her
>"Yeah, I've had a few little adventures while I've been gone, but I'm in still in one piece."
>"Have Utsuho and Yuugi had it out, yet?"
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>"Yeah, somehow. And I feel much safer now that I've picked up a few tricks."
>hover a little for her.
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>Walk over to her
>"Yeah, I've had a few little adventures while I've been gone, but I'm in still in one piece."
>"Have Utsuho and Yuugi had it out, yet?"
>You make your way down to the river banks.
>"That's good," says Parsee, "And no, I don't think so. Well, at least there's been no explosions yet."
>"Yeah, somehow. And I feel much safer now that I've picked up a few tricks."
>hover a little for her.
>You demonstrate some flight for her. "That's pretty good," she says. "Didn't know you had it in you."
>_
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>"Well, neither did I until a couple hours ago. You should know better than almost anyone how the outside world works in that regard."
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>"I didn't either, but Byakuren showed me the basics, and I've picked up a few other tricks looking around. I feel a lot safer now."
>"Do you think it'd be a good idea for me to try and talk to Utsuho, considering the circumstances?"
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>"Well, neither did I until a couple hours ago. You should know better than almost anyone how the outside world works in that regard."
>She nods. "Yeah, I guess. Still, it's neat you can do it."
>"I didn't either, but Byakuren showed me the basics, and I've picked up a few other tricks looking around. I feel a lot safer now."
>"Do you think it'd be a good idea for me to try and talk to Utsuho, considering the circumstances?"
>She nods. "I've never met her. But apparently she helped Okuu in the other world a bit."
>"She'd probably like that, I think."
>_
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>"Where do you think I could find her, now?"
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>"Where do you think I could find her, now?"
>"She'll probably be hanging around The Felt," says Parsee. "It's on the west side of town."
>_
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>"Ok, thanks."
>"Out of curiosity, what kind of fish can you actually catch down here? Can't say I've heard of underground fishing before."
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>"Ok, thanks."
>"Out of curiosity, what kind of fish can you actually catch down here? Can't say I've heard of underground fishing before."
>She nods.
>"Mostly ghost fish," says Parsee. "They're pretty tasty. I figured I could do with one..."
>_
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>"Well, I hope you manage to catch one, then!"
>"See you around."
>Cross the bridge and head into town
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>Muse over whether that's more or less normal than bats.
>"Good luck with it, then. I don't think I can really help with that."
>"Hey, I think I'm going to try and talk to Keine about what happened to lead to this whole situation once school lets out in the human village - would you like to come along once I'm done checking up in the underground?"
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>"Well, I hope you manage to catch one, then!"
>"See you around."
>Cross the bridge and head into town
>Muse over whether that's more or less normal than bats.
>"Good luck with it, then. I don't think I can really help with that."
>"Hey, I think I'm going to try and talk to Keine about what happened to lead to this whole situation once school lets out in the human village - would you like to come along once I'm done checking up in the underground?"
>Well, it's fish. That's normal people food. You'd be a lot less hesitant to eat fish than bat, that's for sure.
>You wish her luck on her fishing. "Don't worry," she says, "It's just a matter of time."
>You tell her about your plans to talk with Keine. "To be perfectly honest, I don't give a shit about any of that anymore."
>With little else to say, you bid her farewell and start into town.
>_
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>Well, I guess that's one lead shelved.
>Pursue The Felt! Beware of time-travel shenanigans
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>Well, I guess that's one lead shelved.
>Pursue The Felt! Beware of time-travel shenanigans
>All you know about the Felt is that it's to the west. As it stands, there's Bridge Street running to the North, and another along the wall that runs to the west.
>_
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>Well, follow the street to the west, then
>And in case we haven't done so already, put our bag in a more comfortable and natural position
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>Well, follow the street to the west, then
>And in case we haven't done so already, put our bag in a more comfortable and natural position
>You return your messenger bag to its usual position, confident a mugger wouldn't do well in a city full of oni.
>Heading west, you find the street is empty. But you do notice a building whose sign is simply a medical cross. A hand-lettered sign on the door reads, "Gone til XX:00." The time is literally just XX'd in. The street itself dead ends into the cavern wall, but you notice a few alleys you could slip through. Obvious exits are East.
>_
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>Hmm. That's probably the clinic. And Murasa's probably not there.
>Might as well check while we're here, though. Is the door locked?
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> Whose territory are we currently in, again?
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>Hmm. That's probably the clinic. And Murasa's probably not there.
>Might as well check while we're here, though. Is the door locked?
>You imagine so.
>You check the door, and find it unlocked.
> Whose territory are we currently in, again?
>This is Yuugi's side, as you recall.
>_
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>look in and call for Murasa, just to make sure.
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>Poke our head inside.
>If we don't see anyone inside: "Murasa?"
>If we get no response, leave and go back to the main street and head north
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>Poke our head inside.
>If we don't see anyone inside: "Murasa?"
>If we get no response, leave and go back to the main street and head north
>You poke your head inside. The first thing you notice is the faint smell of vomit. There's a number of cots set up, with buckets set up beside them. You don't see anyone here. There is a door across the room.
>You call for Murasa, and get no response.
>Finding no other activity, you depart and east, then north.
>You are at the southern edge of the market, there are a number of food vendors here, selling all sorts of foodstuffs. Mostly fried. To the east, you can see a number of pubs along the street; you're fairly certain you had your run-in with Deva K on the far side of this street. To the North, you can see more of the market. Quite a few oni are moving through here, and a number of them are giving you brief looks. It's a little embarrassing... Obvious exits are North, South and East.
>_
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>Find someone who looks relatively non-threatening for an oni, and ask for directions to the Felt
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>Huh. Oni CAN have hangovers. This place must be busy when it's in operation.
>Give the oni that look polite nods, keep in mind that Deva K's word is hopefully still enough to keep us out of major trouble.
>Where's the Palace of the Earth Spirits? The East side, or straight down?
>North, look for a good place to get into the west side proper.
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>Find someone who looks relatively non-threatening for an oni, and ask for directions to the Felt
>You find a vender of fried...something that doesn't look too busy. "North, then west, then south," she says. "Can't miss it."
>Huh. Oni CAN have hangovers. This place must be busy when it's in operation.
>Give the oni that look polite nods, keep in mind that Deva K's word is hopefully still enough to keep us out of major trouble.
>Where's the Palace of the Earth Spirits? The East side, or straight down?
>North, look for a good place to get into the west side proper.
>So it seems.
>You nod politely to the onlookers. Most seem happy to return.
>The Palace is northeast of here.
>_
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>Head north, then west, then south (unless something really catches our eye along the way)
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>Don't forget to thank the oni that helped.
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>Don't forget to thank the oni that helped.
>"Thanks," says the vendor, in a tone that suggests you should buy something next time.
>Head north, then west, then south (unless something really catches our eye along the way)
>You follow the Oni's directions, going through the market where you met Nue, and into a block of homes, similar to the ones near the palace. There are many oni here, going about daily life. You then go south, and come into what seems to have once been a decrepit neighborhood. You can see old buildings with the windows knocked next to freshly painted and patched up places. A lot of oni are milling about here in curious clothes, many of them wearing top hats, suit coats, and knee length skirts.
>In particular, a large building with the words "The Felt" in bright letters catches your eye, the sign over doors of glass. A few oni seem to be coming and going. Obvious exits are south, north, and east.
>_
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>Well, I guess you really can't miss it
>Go inside
>Keep a watch out for Utsuho
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>Wonder if there's a dress code for this place.
>Wonder what Utsuho might look like in a top hat. Consider giggling.
>Try and head in to see what all the fuss is about!
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> (http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8208/1273474844969.th.jpg) (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/1273474844969.jpg/)
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>Well, I guess you really can't miss it
>Go inside
>Keep a watch out for Utsuho
>Wonder if there's a dress code for this place.
>Wonder what Utsuho might look like in a top hat. Consider giggling.
>Try and head in to see what all the fuss is about!
>It does seem to be quite obvious.
>You don't know if there's a dress code, or if this is just what's popular on this side of town.
>You head inside, imaging Utsuho in a top hat.
>The first thing you notice is the music; it is schmaltzy as can be. Lots of muted trumpets and strings. It sounds like visiting an old movie. It also looks like visiting an old movie, you see a very western-looking dining establishment in the front. To the rear there is a sizable dance floor, with the band playing on a stage. To the side, you notice a room with a number of gaming tables. You see a few oni in suits taking care of the tables, while there seem to be faeries watching over the dining area. Obvious Exits are North, South, and West
>You look around for Utsuho, and quickly notice a tall dark-haired woman with wings at the gaming table. Is she wearing a white cape over those? How weird.
>_
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>Head over to Utsuho
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>What game is she playing, for that matter?
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> Look around for any teal-haired patrons.
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>Head over to Utsuho
>You head over toward Utsuho. She seems unaware of your approach.
>What game is she playing, for that matter?
>It looks like five card poker.
> Look around for any teal-haired patrons.
>What a strange impulse. You don't see any, though. It seem teal isn't a common oni hair color.
>_
>_
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>Once we're in standard greeting range: "Utsuho?"
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>Once we're in standard greeting range: "Utsuho?"
>You call out her name. She turns around, and her eyes widen. "Maribel?" she says, more to confirm it to herself than really asking you.
>To a large degree, she looks like the same woman that walked into your office. But, there are the wings...And that cape, which is full of stars? And that large red eye on her chest, then there's the thing on her arm. Then the worst footwear you've ever seen. What in the hell happened to this woman's fashion sense? She used to be kind of stylish! Although, that cape is very captivating...
>"Are you okay, Maribel?"
>_
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>"Utsuho... what happened?"
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> "Good Lord! I should ask you the same thing! What's with the astronaut getup?"
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>"And yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? Well, I can think of a few reasons, but..."
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>"Utsuho... what happened?"
>"It's a long story," she says. "I'll guess if you got this far, you know some of the story?"
> "Good Lord! I should ask you the same thing! What's with the astronaut getup?"
>"Yeah, I'm fine. It turns out part of that whole problem was that I was a youkai. Remember that crow ghost? She was my crow aspect."
>Utsuho makes a gesture to the dealer. "I'll fold. Got more important things to do."
>The dealer nods.
>"As for this stuff? It's what I use to create fusion."
>She leads you back toward the dining area.
>"And yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? Well, I can think of a few reasons, but..."
>"So can I," she says. "But I'm glad you're okay."
>_
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>Follow along
>"I heard some of the story from Satori and Keine. The later was about to teach class at the time, though. Said she'd give me a few more details later. I've been spending most of the morning exploring. I've met a lot of people on the surface, now. It's really nice to see a familiar face again, though."
>"How've you been, anyway? I heard a little about the issue with Yuugi."
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> "And, well, given Keine's unavailable for a couple more hours...you apparently know the dreams all of us had weren't actually dreams. What REALLY happened?"
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>"Crow ghost? Fusion?! Utsuho, what..."
>"... I know that I woke up in the Palace with only vague memories of the past few months. I went aboveground to try and find out a few things, and learn how to defend myself well enough to feel comfortable here. Apparently Keine had to fix history, but she had to start class before she could explain why."
>"You're going to have to start from the beginning, I think. What was Gensokyo Isle?"
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>"Crow ghost? Fusion?! Utsuho, what..."
>"... I know that I woke up in the Palace with only vague memories of the past few months. I went aboveground to try and find out a few things, and learn how to defend myself well enough to feel comfortable here. Apparently Keine had to fix history, but she had to start class before she could explain why."
>"You're going to have to start from the beginning, I think. What was Gensokyo Isle?"
>Follow along
>"I heard some of the story from Satori and Keine. The later was about to teach class at the time, though. Said she'd give me a few more details later. I've been spending most of the morning exploring. I've met a lot of people on the surface, now. It's really nice to see a familiar face again, though."
>"How've you been, anyway? I heard a little about the issue with Yuugi."
>You follow her back to the dining area. She has a seat at an empty table. It has a white tablecloth and a little lamp on it.
>"You've been topside already?" she says, frowning. "I wish you would have told me you were okay, I might have been able to give you a little help or something."
>"Could be worse," she says. "And yeah...things aren't good on that front."
> "And, well, given Keine's unavailable for a couple more hours...you apparently know the dreams all of us had weren't actually dreams. What REALLY happened?"
>"The short version? The Moriya goddesses drug Gensokyo into your world. That's what Gensokyo Isle was. Keine, Parsee, Ace, and I got it put back in place. You and Renko too, really. I might have bumbled around for days if you hadn't gotten me on that video. And that cat turned up to be really valuable in the end. I owe you one for that."
>_
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> "Cat? Video? Uh...I don't suppose this would be the best time to mention that I don't remember a whole lot of what happened myself."
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>Take a seat as well
>How well do we remember what Utsuho described of our role in that, with the video and such?
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>"I'll be honest, I went topside since I was afraid of getting between you and Yuugi. My first impression of oni kidnapping attempts made me worry about how safe it is here, and I didn't know what I could do about it. But I met a lot of nice youkai aboveground, so I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now. If I can help, I think I owe it to you, but I'd rather discuss the Isle first if that's okay."
>"Moriya... goddesses? That's a new one. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this point..."
>"Though I'm afraid I don't remember much of anything about what happened in the Isle. My memory's fuzzy. What did we... what were we doing before I arrived here?"
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>Take a seat as well
>How well do we remember what Utsuho described of our role in that, with the video and such?
>You sit down, it's nice to take a load off.
>You sort of remember this. It's getting clearer as she talks about things, though.
> "Cat? Video? Uh...I don't suppose this would be the best time to mention that I don't remember a whole lot of what happened myself."
>"You too?" she says. "Well, that's annoying. Not a huge surprise though. You guys were ghost chasers. And, well, we found one. A cat ghost. It was, turns out, my sister's youkai part. You guys tried to film it, and got me in the video. Which you did, the ghosts that had attached themselves to me during the day were visible. Which, well, did a lot to help me learn what was going on. Sound familiar?"
>It does. You're remembering these incidents pretty clearly now. You were pretty scared of Utsuho, at first, when you saw those ghosts around her.
>"I'll be honest, I went topside since I was afraid of getting between you and Yuugi. My first impression of oni kidnapping attempts made me worry about how safe it is here, and I didn't know what I could do about it. But I met a lot of nice youkai aboveground, so I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now. If I can help, I think I owe it to you, but I'd rather discuss the Isle first if that's okay."
>"Moriya... goddesses? That's a new one. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this point..."
>"Though I'm afraid I don't remember much of anything about what happened in the Isle. My memory's fuzzy. What did we... what were we doing before I arrived here?"
>She nods. "Okay, I won't blame you for thinking like that."
>"Yeah, the live up on Youkai Mountain topside. They're...yeah. Not much I can say about them right now."
>"Well, after that, I kinda left you guys alone. I was doing really dangerous stuff, and didn't want to get you involved."
>_
-
>"What dangerous stuff were you doing?"
-
>"I appreciate you want to keep us from getting involved, if it was dangerous. Of course, now I've ended up involved in a way that I wouldn't have ever thought possible. But... I can't say that I mind, really. I mean, you know that we were always looking for this kind of stuff, and to be surrounded with it like this is just amazing."
>"Why did the goddesses do it, anyway?"
-
>"What dangerous stuff were you doing?"
>"Well," says Utsuho with little smile, "We broke into the Research Institute. That is...the parts in the back that only a few people were allowed in to. And, um, we kinda got the military, the police, and a cutthroat international organization after us."
>"I appreciate you want to keep us from getting involved, if it was dangerous. Of course, now I've ended up involved in a way that I wouldn't have ever thought possible. But... I can't say that I mind, really. I mean, you know that we were always looking for this kind of stuff, and to be surrounded with it like this is just amazing."
>"Why did the goddesses do it, anyway?"
>She nods. "Yeah, I...kinda didn't think you'd actually be pulled over with us. But I guess you're okay with it, by the sound of it."
>"Why? That's a complicated answer, and I think I only mostly understand it, myself. But I'll try to explain. First and foremost, they did it for their priestess, Sanae. She had a dream of some kind, which could only be fulfilled outside. They came from outside too, I should add in. After that, I think they wanted to try to make the best of it all, and they tried to make life better for people. My aunt Koishi was involved in this, too. She wanted to try to make life better for herself and Satori, getting rid of their mind reading. So, that's about it. For Sanae, and then apparently for everyone."
>_
-
> "And you changed things back, I assume? Sounds like it, from the way you were talking earlier."
> "If this was supposed to benefit your aunt Koishi, though, and Satori, why did you change it back?"
-
>"If she needed to be outside to fulfill some dream of hers, couldn't they just return there without taking everything else with them? I mean, that had to be significantly harder, with all the changes to the world and to the people in it."
-
>"That's unbelievable... do you have any idea what might have happened to those people after you in the outside world? I wonder what they might think of all this..."
>"Actually, is there anything important I should know about that 'cutthroat organization?'"
>"This seems to be rather unexpected for everyone that I've talked to, and I'm hoping Keine will have a good explanation for it. She said that I was carried over 'in the currents,' I think - by chance, perhaps guided by my own desires. Or maybe magical ability, after speaking with Byakuren about that. Still, it's a bit of a mystery..."
>"So they pulled it over to fulfill Sanae's dream, and help Satori and Koishi get away from their powers... that seems pretty shortsighted, but I think I understand. And in a way they've fulfilled my dream, too, so... I really don't know what to think."
>"What WAS Sanae's dream, out of curiosity?"
>Mental note: Marisa is going to want to hear this. We may want to take notes, if Utsuho can't head topside.
-
> "And you changed things back, I assume? Sounds like it, from the way you were talking earlier."
> "If this was supposed to benefit your aunt Koishi, though, and Satori, why did you change it back?"
>"Well, I knocked them out so Keine could do the real heavy work of fixing it," says Utsuho.
>"Because, in the end, I don't think she really wanted it that way. I went through a lot of trouble to get Satori's memories restored, so I could ask what she thought. She said, in the end, although it was nice for a little while, it was time for things to go back."
>"If she needed to be outside to fulfill some dream of hers, couldn't they just return there without taking everything else with them? I mean, that had to be significantly harder, with all the changes to the world and to the people in it."
>"If I understand it right," she says, "They came here to keep from dying from lack of faith. I think they wanted to bring their new followers back with them? Or maybe, they didn't want Sanae to lose her new friends? Maybe things just ballooned out from the original plan, and they really did think they were helping the world? I don't know."
>"That's unbelievable... do you have any idea what might have happened to those people after you in the outside world? I wonder what they might think of all this..."
>"Actually, is there anything important I should know about that 'cutthroat organization?'"
>"This seems to be rather unexpected for everyone that I've talked to, and I'm hoping Keine will have a good explanation for it. She said that I was carried over 'in the currents,' I think - by chance, perhaps guided by my own desires. Or maybe magical ability, after speaking with Byakuren about that. Still, it's a bit of a mystery..."
>"So they pulled it over to fulfill Sanae's dream, and help Satori and Koishi get away from their powers... that seems pretty shortsighted, but I think I understand. And in a way they've fulfilled my dream, too, so... I really don't know what to think."
>"What WAS Sanae's dream, out of curiosity?"
>Mental note: Marisa is going to want to hear this. We may want to take notes, if Utsuho can't head topside.
>"I don't know what happened with the stuff outside," says Utsuho, "But I trust Keine took care of them, too. As for that organization, I doubt they can get to us. From what I know, their deal was hiding things, and if we hid ourselves... They might not even remember us.
>"Well, I sure don't know why you were pulled over. Although, it is kinda nice to have you around, so I won't be too upset about it if you're not."
>"Yeah. I can't help but think it wasn't good. Keine talked about how they caused lots of problems doing what they did. I think that's why she was so intent on doing it."
>"I...never really found out what her dream was."
>If only you had something to write on...
>_
-
>"You knocked out a couple of goddesses? Can't say I would have quite expected that out of you when we first met... Do you think they remember what happened, or would their memories still be fuzzy like most other people's? Do you.... think they might still be angry with you over this?"
-
>"Lack of faith... I can see why that would be a concern."
>"And it's possible that they did think it was best for the outside world, as well. There are a lot of really neat things about magic that I've seen so far, and I know there's a lot of people out there that would like to know about it... for benign reasons or otherwise. But it doesn't seem like it was worth the cost."
>"I'm not sure whether I want to leave or not. There's so many amazing things here, though there's also some missing conveniences I'm used to having... but I think I want to explore for now, and enjoy what I can before really deciding. Especially since I'm not sure where Renko is. If I got brought through after getting involved with you and having an interest in the 'supernatural,' she might have been brought along, too. And that special ability of hers... that might be a sign of magic, too. I want to find her and hear what she thinks before I make any really big decisions here."
>"Listen - Marisa seemed... upset when I mentioned this whole thing to her, and Keine's involvement. She's planning to talk with her once class lets out, and I'd like to come along, too. But in the meantime Marisa'd probably want to hear your version of events, and if you're at all interested in hearing Keine's explanation, it'd be good to only have to ask her to do it once. Would you be able to come up with me to talk with her when it's time?"
-
>"You knocked out a couple of goddesses? Can't say I would have quite expected that out of you when we first met... Do you think they remember what happened, or would their memories still be fuzzy like most other people's? Do you.... think they might still be angry with you over this?"
>"Fusion's not a joke, that's all have to say about that," Utsuho answers. "Do they remember? Probably. Are they angry? ...Probably. I admit, I'm not in a hurry to run back up the mountain and find out, even if I could."
>"Lack of faith... I can see why that would be a concern."
>"And it's possible that they did think it was best for the outside world, as well. There are a lot of really neat things about magic that I've seen so far, and I know there's a lot of people out there that would like to know about it... for benign reasons or otherwise. But it doesn't seem like it was worth the cost."
>"I'm not sure whether I want to leave or not. There's so many amazing things here, though there's also some missing conveniences I'm used to having... but I think I want to explore for now, and enjoy what I can before really deciding. Especially since I'm not sure where Renko is. If I got brought through after getting involved with you and having an interest in the 'supernatural,' she might have been brought along, too. And that special ability of hers... that might be a sign of magic, too. I want to find her and hear what she thinks before I make any really big decisions here."
>"Listen - Marisa seemed... upset when I mentioned this whole thing to her, and Keine's involvement. She's planning to talk with her once class lets out, and I'd like to come along, too. But in the meantime Marisa'd probably want to hear your version of events, and if you're at all interested in hearing Keine's explanation, it'd be good to only have to ask her to do it once. Would you be able to come up with me to talk with her when it's time?"
>"I don't know much about how faith works for them, to be honest," says Utsuho. "Really I'm just kind of parroting what I've been told."
>"Well, that's the thing," says Utsuho. "The magic and stuff? It was suppressed. It didn't happen. The things we found? Those were accidents, really."
>"I can respect that," she says with a nod as you talk about whether or not you want to stay. "As for Renko, I really have been keeping my ear open, and I've not heard a thing. But she has to be around here. You two were too close to think otherwise."
>"I'd like to just put it all behind me," says Utsuho, "and just get back to life. But if Marisa wants to know things, I'll tell her. That said, I can't be leaving the city any time soon, even if I wanted to get involved with all that."
>_
-
>"Yeah, speaking of that. What is the story between you and Parsee and Yuugi? If I'm not butting in, that is. I heard a little about it front Parsee, and well... is Yuugi really planning to try to beat the hell out of you today?"
-
>"Alright. I'll forward what you've said, though. Unless you have something you could write her a letter on or something?"
>"I find it hard to believe that magic would only exist in the outside world when Gensokyo's been pushed there, especially since me and Renko had our abilities working well before going to Gensokyo Isle. If it's just a matter of being able to use it..."
>"... unless... we had those powers because we were part of the timeline that Gensokyo Isle actually existed in, but the outer world without it wouldn't have it, or maybe deny our existence...?" Sigh. "This multiple-reality stuff is confusing as hell."
>"Thanks for the reassurance about Renko... I just hope I can find her before she REALLY gets into trouble."
>"And why can't you leave the city? Yuugi?"
>... hmm. If we were Renko, waking up somewhere in Gensokyo, where would we try and go?
-
>"Yeah, speaking of that. What is the story between you and Parsee and Yuugi? If I'm not butting in, that is. I heard a little about it front Parsee, and well... is Yuugi really planning to try to beat the hell out of you today?"
>"Well, Parsee and Yuugi are a couple in this world," says Utsuho. "Problem is...well...outside, they didn't remember that. Then Parsee and I well...you know." She grins and shakes her head. "We fell for each other pretty hard. Then we all got our old memories back, and..." she shrugs. "Things got messy. Parsee loves us both, and really isn't wanting to choose. Which I guess I can't blame her for. I can't imagine feeling this way about two people. And Yuugi, well, as far as she's concerned, I swooped in and stole her girl. And she wants me knocked out the picture. So yeah, she wants to beat the hell out of me. She'll get the hell part, though, just not the rest."
>"Alright. I'll forward what you've said, though. Unless you have something you could write her a letter on or something?"
>"I find it hard to believe that magic would only exist in the outside world when Gensokyo's been pushed there, especially since me and Renko had our abilities working well before going to Gensokyo Isle. If it's just a matter of being able to use it..."
>"... unless... we had those powers because we were part of the timeline that Gensokyo Isle actually existed in, but the outer world without it wouldn't have it, or maybe deny our existence...?" Sigh. "This multiple-reality stuff is confusing as hell."
>"Thanks for the reassurance about Renko... I just hope I can find her before she REALLY gets into trouble."
>"And why can't you leave the city? Yuugi?"
>... hmm. If we were Renko, waking up somewhere in Gensokyo, where would we try and go?
>"You can tell her," says Utsuho. "If she needs it from me, I'll be here."
>"Well, the Moriya Goddesses came from outside," says Utsuho, "So you're probably right. And I don't think the Foundation was made because of Gensokyo, if it was International. But, I think Gensokyo is probably a lot more magical than anything outside, so it had to be hidden to blend in."
>"She's gotta be out there," says Utsuho. "Don't worry. She's smart enough to stay out of trouble."
>"Yep. I'm going to play this oni stuff to the hilt. She isn't going to find a thing lacking on my end."
>You are pretty sure Renko would be studying, examining, and trying to make unified theorems about everything. She certainly wouldn't have accepted magic as easily as you did. She'd have to prod and measure and question. So...if you were here, you'd be looking for ways to do that.
>_
-
>"That's... a pretty unique kind of situation. I mean, I can see where Yuugi's coming from, but even if she did beat you into a pulp, that doesn't solve anything. I mean, Parsee said it to me herself, it's not like either of you beating the other changes anything about how she feels about you. Or would it be impossible to get that idea through to Yuugi?"
-
>"... hey, I just had a weird thought. There's a bunch of fairies aboveground gathered together for some secretive purpose, because they got a funny idea, if that girl with Byakuren is right. I wonder if they're being secretive for the sake of being secretive, inspired by that Foundation group?"
>"... sorry, that was silly. I know you didn't get to know Renko too well, uh, on the Isle, but is there anywhere in Gensokyo you think she might have tried to go, given the opportunity? I think she'd be interested in trying to figure out how magic works, and trying to reconcile it with the laws of physics as she knows them. Is there anyone with similar interests?"
-
> Make a mental note to check the Mountain in case Renko ended up with the Moriya's.
-
>"That's... a pretty unique kind of situation. I mean, I can see where Yuugi's coming from, but even if she did beat you into a pulp, that doesn't solve anything. I mean, Parsee said it to me herself, it's not like either of you beating the other changes anything about how she feels about you. Or would it be impossible to get that idea through to Yuugi?"
>"You've got it on the nose," says Utsuho. "But it comes down to how oni see things. As far as she's concerned, if she wins, I'm no longer as legitimate. I'm kinda of assuming the reverse is true, too. But like you said, it's not really going to resolve shit, but it'll make Yuugi feel better.
>"... hey, I just had a weird thought. There's a bunch of fairies aboveground gathered together for some secretive purpose, because they got a funny idea, if that girl with Byakuren is right. I wonder if they're being secretive for the sake of being secretive, inspired by that Foundation group?"
>"... sorry, that was silly. I know you didn't get to know Renko too well, uh, on the Isle, but is there anywhere in Gensokyo you think she might have tried to go, given the opportunity? I think she'd be interested in trying to figure out how magic works, and trying to reconcile it with the laws of physics as she knows them. Is there anyone with similar interests?"
>"...I don't know if that'd be funny or sad," says Utsuho. "It'd be dangerous, though. Those guys are ruthless, from everything I heard."
>Utsuho rubs her chin. "She might be hanging around the kappa, up on the mountain/ They've got a good number of engineers around."
> Make a mental note to check the Mountain in case Renko ended up with the Moriya's.
>It's possible. You don't know how Renko would react to meeting a goddess. ...Well, maybe you do.
>_
-
>"Well, if it really does come down to fighting with Yuugi, I hope no one gets too hurt. And that you win, too, of course. I wish there was something more I could do to help things; I really do."
-
>"Well, if it really does come down to fighting with Yuugi, I hope no one gets too hurt. And that you win, too, of course. I wish there was something more I could do to help things; I really do."
>"I don't really know what you could do about that," says Utsuho, "But if you have any ideas, I'm all ears. If you want though, there are some unrelated things you could do that'd really help me out."
>_
-
> "I'm game. What do you need, I'll see what I can do to help."
-
> "I'm game. What do you need, I'll see what I can do to help."
>"If you find your way up Youkai Mountain," says Utsuho, "It'd really help me out if you could check in on Nitori. She's a Kappa engineer, and we were pretty good friends in the other world. I kinda left her dangling, though, and I don't know how she is."
>"Also, if you find your way near Scarlet Devil Mansion," she pulls a Pocketwatch out of her dress pocket and places it on the table, "Give that to Sakuya. It's her's, I just kind of ended up with it in the other world."
>"And...um..." she fidgets a little. "If by any chance, you see Koishi, could you find out how she's doing? Maybe ask her to come back home for a little while?"
>_
-
>"Oh, I've already spoken with Sakuya, actually. A whole bunch of their maids flew away at once, and Patchouli asked me to look into it for them. I'll make sure she gets it. Might brighten a frustrating day, anyway."
>Take the pocketwatch
>"And I'll definitely put in a word with those two if I see them. You... seem a little uncomfortable about Koishi."
-
> "Sakuya will be no problem. I've actually talked to her already, regarding help fixing a situation where a whole bunch of their maids deserted them."
> "Koishi I'll keep an eye out for. Why did she leave?"
> "If I'm on Youkai Mountain to look for this Nitori, do you want me to talk to those goddesses too? Or are you done with them for good?
-
>"Oh, I've already spoken with Sakuya, actually. A whole bunch of their maids flew away at once, and Patchouli asked me to look into it for them. I'll make sure she gets it. Might brighten a frustrating day, anyway."
>Take the pocketwatch
>"And I'll definitely put in a word with those two if I see them. You... seem a little uncomfortable about Koishi."
> "Sakuya will be no problem. I've actually talked to her already, regarding help fixing a situation where a whole bunch of their maids deserted them."
> "Koishi I'll keep an eye out for. Why did she leave?"
> "If I'm on Youkai Mountain to look for this Nitori, do you want me to talk to those goddesses too? Or are you done with them for good?
>"You already met with Sakuya?" says Utsuho. "Good, that'll make it easy on you,"
>You obtain: The Pocketwatch
>"As for Koishi, it's...complicated. She ran away from home a long time ago, because she couldn't deal with being a mind reader. That's why she got involved with the whole plot. Our last exchange wasn't pleasant at all." Utsuho sighs. "She called me a traitor, and said that'd be the last time we ever met."
>You bring up the goddesses. "Well...I guess I wouldn't mind knowing what they're up to, at least."
>_
-
>"A traitor....? Oh, Utsuho, that's.... Well, I'll definitely speak with her if I find her anywhere."
>"When do you think you and Yuugi are going to have it out, today, anyway? Everyone seems to think it's happening today. Is there like a time set for it, or just whenever she wanders by and feels like it?"
-
> "Oh dear. I sympathize with you. Maybe a three-way conversation with Satori is in order for you two. What does she look like?"
> "I can ask the goddesses what they're up to, but...it sounds like a delicate situation, and I don't want them to go after you again. Or go after me, really. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to say to them, or is it just a mild curiosity?"
-
>"A traitor....? Oh, Utsuho, that's.... Well, I'll definitely speak with her if I find her anywhere."
>"When do you think you and Yuugi are going to have it out, today, anyway? Everyone seems to think it's happening today. Is there like a time set for it, or just whenever she wanders by and feels like it?"
>She nods, not really looking at you anymore. "I appreciate it."
>"Not sure when Yuugi's coming. I've heard she's been taking the whole thing badly..."
> "Oh dear. I sympathize with you. Maybe a three-way conversation with Satori is in order for you two. What does she look like?"
> "I can ask the goddesses what they're up to, but...it sounds like a delicate situation, and I don't want them to go after you again. Or go after me, really. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to say to them, or is it just a mild curiosity?"
>"Yeah, probably. Koishi is kind of short, like Satori, She's got sort of teal hair, and green eyes. She's also got a third eye like Satori does. There's a portrait of her in the sitting room."
>"What to say...what to say..." she shakes her head. "I don't know. I mean, you're right, I don't want to set them off by coming off as gloating after taking their whole thing apart. Maybe, just start out by finding out how they're doing? Oh, watch out for Suwako, the little blonde one. She's more like the type to hold a grudge."
>_
-
>"Have you actually spoken to Yuugi face to face about this, yet?"
-
> "Hmm. What if I told them you were curious about Sanae's dream? You seemed regretful that you never found out what that was when you talked about it. Or do you think that would be gloating?
-
>"Have you actually spoken to Yuugi face to face about this, yet?"
>"She confronted me in the street, and made the challenge, yesterday," says Utsuho. "But, aside from that, no. She kinda stalked off. And...well..."
>She shrugs.
> "Hmm. What if I told them you were curious about Sanae's dream? You seemed regretful that you never found out what that was when you talked about it. Or do you think that would be gloating?
>"If you did it right, it might work," says Utsuho. "But I'd be careful about it. Sounds kind of after the fact. But if you have problems? Go ahead and blame me so they don't get mad at you."
>_
-
> "I'm not about to go blaming you for anything. It sounds like you have enough problems on your hands."
> "I...don't suppose you're remorseful in any capacity? That might be a good starting point if so."
-
>"I.... do you think it would be terribly unwise for me to try to explain some of the situation to her? I am an outside party, after all. In an even more literal sense than usual."
-
> "I'm not about to go blaming you for anything. It sounds like you have enough problems on your hands."
> "I...don't suppose you're remorseful in any capacity? That might be a good starting point if so."
>She nods. "Don't worry. I've taken them once. But I appreciate the thought.
>"...Yeah. A bit. I mean, it's better this way, no question about it. Just I am a bit sad about a couple things."
>"I.... do you think it would be terribly unwise for me to try to explain some of the situation to her? I am an outside party, after all. In an even more literal sense than usual."
>"To Yuugi? Well, I don't think it'd make any difference, but I wouldn't stop you. Just be careful not to look like you're taking a side. Well, not my side."
>_
-
> "Polyamory's out of the question, huh?"
-
>"Well, I mean, I kinda am on your side, you know. But I won't let on about that to her. Really, I can just take Parsee's side. Because at the moment, no matter who beats who, she gets to suffer. Hopefully Yuugi can at least see that."
-
> "Polyamory's out of the question, huh?"
>"Huh?"
>"Well, I mean, I kinda am on your side, you know. But I won't let on about that to her. Really, I can just take Parsee's side. Because at the moment, no matter who beats who, she gets to suffer. Hopefully Yuugi can at least see that."
>She nods. "That'll work."
>_
-
>"Where do you think I could find her, now, anyway?"
-
>"Where do you think I could find her, now, anyway?"
>"I'd check around her house. It's the big one to the east, only one with two stories."
>_
-
>"Ah, ok. Anything else you think I should know, if I'm going to be dealing with her?"
-
>"Ah, ok. Anything else you think I should know, if I'm going to be dealing with her?"
>She lowers her voice a bit. "There's some tricks dealing with oni. Remember, they're rigorously honest, and they expect the same from you. So if you're trying to hide something, be good at it. And if yuugi likes you, she'll probably try to liquor you up or something. Claim you're a buddhist, and that ought to get you out of that. I've seen what that stuff does to humans, and you'd be done for the day until tomorrow's lunch. Aside from that, just be respectful."
>_
-
>"Ok, I'll keep all that in mind. And I intend to be perfectly respectful. I mean, I have to admit that I'm not that kindly disposed to her right now, seeing as how she wants to beat your face in. But I can give her the benefit of the doubt given the circumstances. I'm sure it's pretty unpleasant for everyone."
>"Well, wish me luck, I guess. I'll be back a little later. I assume you'll still be here, then?"
-
>"Ok, I'll keep all that in mind. And I intend to be perfectly respectful. I mean, I have to admit that I'm not that kindly disposed to her right now, seeing as how she wants to beat your face in. But I can give her the benefit of the doubt given the circumstances. I'm sure it's pretty unpleasant for everyone."
>"Well, wish me luck, I guess. I'll be back a little later. I assume you'll still be here, then?"
>She nods. "Yeah, if I'm not here, I'll be back home or maybe at the bridge."
>_
-
>"Sure. Hang in there, ok? I'll see you in a bit."
>Exit the Felt
>Scan around for a two story house. If Utsuho claims its the only one, it might stand out.
>If we can't see it from there, take to the air a bit for a better vantage point.
-
>"Sure. Hang in there, ok? I'll see you in a bit."
>Exit the Felt
>Scan around for a two story house. If Utsuho claims its the only one, it might stand out.
>If we can't see it from there, take to the air a bit for a better vantage point.
>"I'll be here," she says.
>You exit the Felt, finding the music is pretty firmly ensconced in your head. Looking around, you don't see any two story buildings immediately. But taking to the air, you can see it a little ways to the east, a rather large, square-shaped manor house.
>_
-
>Head towards it
-
> Keep practicing those barriers
-
> Keep practicing those barriers
>Don't draw attention to ourself while entering potentially hostile territory. We can practice in peace and comfort later
-
>Head towards it
>You fly toward the manor.
>It is square in design, and pretty simple, built around a central courtyard with a rather traditional garden in it. You wonder how the trees can thrive down here. A long porch runs across the front of the building, lined with cheerful-looking red lanterns. The road in front of the house is pretty wide, practically a town square, and curiously empty, given how crowded the rest of the city is. You can see two people sitting on the porch; a smaller dark-haired woman wearing a sailor's cap and a huge blonde oni with a single red horn. Looking at her, you find yourself reminded of Lemon Drop's use of the phrase 'brute squad'. They are talking together, and don't seem to have noticed you yet.
> Keep practicing those barriers
>Don't draw attention to ourself while entering potentially hostile territory. We can practice in peace and comfort later
>You consider some magic practice, and quickly discard it as a silly idea.
>_
-
>Walk up to them calmly
>"Um, excuse me... Sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for Yuugi."
-
>Walk up to them calmly
>"Um, excuse me... Sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for Yuugi."
>"Yeah, what?" says the big oni, looking at you and setting aside a rather huge sake dish. "You looking for work or something?"
>The other woman regards you curiously.
>_
-
>"Um, no. Actually, it's a bit personal."
-
>"Um, no. Actually, it's a bit personal."
>"You're looking to have someone set straight, go hire a bum off the corner of The Felt or somethin'," says the oni, whom you presume is Yuugi. "Got better things to do."
>_
-
>"No, that's not really what I meant, either. It's... well, it's about Parsee and Utsuho."
>Brace for impact
-
>"No, that's not really what I meant, either. It's... well, it's about Parsee and Utsuho."
>Brace for impact
>"I'll get to it when I bloody well do!" Yuugi shouts, "I can't just up and zoggin' leave Murasa here in the lurch, can I now? Just go find a bookie and put all your money on me, and I'll get to it when I get to it, and not a damn moment before!"
>_
-
> So that's Murasa
> "No that isn't what I'm here for"
-
> "Wait, Murasa? The Clinic's Murasa? Byakuren sent me down here to check up on you. Is something wrong?"
-
>"I'm not trying to egg you on or anything. Rather the opposite, actually. I just honestly wanted to talk to you about it. I'm not sure how many details you have about what originally happened between them, and I think that's quite important in this case."
-
> So that's Murasa
> "No that isn't what I'm here for"
>So it seems.
>Yuugi gives you a look. "Maybe you oughta be more forward, then, rather than makin' someone only have to go and guess why you're on their doorstep!"
> "Wait, Murasa? The Clinic's Murasa? Byakuren sent me down here to check up on you. Is something wrong?"
>"Yeah, that's me," says the dark-haired woman. "Been here with Yuugi, is all."
>"I'm not trying to egg you on or anything. Rather the opposite, actually. I just honestly wanted to talk to you about it. I'm not sure how many details you have about what originally happened between them, and I think that's quite important in this case."
>"What's there to talk about?" Yuugi says, "Damn crow's muscled in on my woman, now I have to set her straight."
>Murasa gives her a look, but says nothing.
>_
>_
-
>"How much do you remember about that other world, Yuugi? You know, the dream everyone shared?"
-
>"How much do you remember about that other world, Yuugi? You know, the dream everyone shared?"
>Yuugi gives you a look. "Yeah, I remember some things. You're gonna tell me it was all real, right?"
>_
-
>"Yes, it was. I guess, from what you say, I'm not the first one to say this?"
-
>"Yes, it was. I guess, from what you say, I'm not the first one to say this?"
>"It's what Parsee said, too," says Yuugi. "Doesn't bloody well matter, if you ask me."
>_
-
>"I think it does, though. Just think of it this way. Everyone here knows you and Parsee are an item, right? But in that world, no one remembered anything about this place, or about the relationships they'd had here. Parsee and Utsuho met, and fell in love with each other. You love Parsee too, don't you? Surely you can see why someone else might, too? How can you be muscling in on someone else's girl, if no one involved even has any knowledge the she is? Including you, then, I might add."
>"Problem is, when everyone comes back here, feelings don't just die off that quickly. At this point, what's anyone supposed to do? Parsee loves both of you. She can't just suddenly feel differently because it's inconvenient. What happened there was real. And you beating up Utsuho isn't going to change that, no matter how much you might like it to."
-
>"I think it does, though. Just think of it this way. Everyone here knows you and Parsee are an item, right? But in that world, no one remembered anything about this place, or about the relationships they'd had here. Parsee and Utsuho met, and fell in love with each other. You love Parsee too, don't you? Surely you can see why someone else might, too? How can you be muscling in on someone else's girl, if no one involved even has any knowledge the she is? Including you, then, I might add."
>"Problem is, when everyone comes back here, feelings don't just die off that quickly. At this point, what's anyone supposed to do? Parsee loves both of you. She can't just suddenly feel differently because it's inconvenient. What happened there was real. And you beating up Utsuho isn't going to change that, no matter how much you might like it to."
>"Hell it don't change anything," says Yuugi, "Tells that crow to back the fuck off or she'll get more of the same. And what's it to you, anyways?"
>_
-
>"I knew both of them in the other world, actually. So I do happen to care about what happens to the both of them. And as understandably angry as you are with Utsuho, what about Parsee's part in all this? Can't you see that taking it out on Utsuho is only going to hurt her, too? Probably even hurt her more."
-
>"I knew both of them in the other world, actually. So I do happen to care about what happens to the both of them. And as understandably angry as you are with Utsuho, what about Parsee's part in all this? Can't you see that taking it out on Utsuho is only going to hurt her, too? Probably even hurt her more."
>"So what?" Yuugi says, "You saying I should just give up, then, let that damn crow do whatever she wants?"
>Murasa puts a hand on Yuugi's shoulder, presumably to keep her from leaping to her feet. You really doubt that Murasa could stop her, though.
>_
-
>"No, I'm not. That's not fair to you, either. I'm just saying that the only way this can ever be settled isn't by fighting about it."
-
>"No, I'm not. That's not fair to you, either. I'm just saying that the only way this can ever be settled isn't by fighting about it."
>She looks at you, clearly waiting for you to continue.
>_
-
>"Do you think it would be possible for the three of you to be in the same room for a bit without trying to pound her face in?"
-
>"Do you think it would be possible for the three of you to be in the same room for a bit without trying to pound her face in?"
>"Only what business that crow have being in the same room as Parsee, exactly?" says Yuugi. "This is why I have to set her straight."
>_
-
>"What business? Maybe because she genuinely loves her, too? And being beaten up won't 'set that straight'. Think of it this way, if someone went and beat YOU up, would you stop caring about Parsee?"
-
>"What business? Maybe because she genuinely loves her, too? And being beaten up won't 'set that straight'. Think of it this way, if someone went and beat YOU up, would you stop caring about Parsee?"
>"No. See. This is where you don't know what you're talking about," Yuugi says, giving you a dark look. "It don't matter what Parsee thinks about her. What matters is what that damn crow's doing, which is getting involved with what she ain't supposed to be involved with. Only since she ain't gonna cut that out, step one is to set her straight so she does. See? After that, then me and Parsee can get all the rest sorted out like it's supposed to be. Got it?"
>_
-
>"And then, as far as you're concerned, it doesn't matter at all that she only got involved with her when everyone's memories of this entire world were gone? When, in that other world, you and Parsee were never involved at all?"
>Pray that she doesn't decide to vent steam in our direction....
-
>"And then, as far as you're concerned, it doesn't matter at all that she only got involved with her when everyone's memories of this entire world were gone? When, in that other world, you and Parsee were never involved at all?"
>Pray that she doesn't decide to vent steam in our direction....
>"Only I'm thinking more the part where the crow didn't knock it the hell off once she started rememberin' again," Yuugi says.
>It's certainly possible at this point. You think you may have made some critical errors in your approach...
>_
-
>"And if you were in her position, what would you have done?"
-
>"And if you were in her position, what would you have done?"
>"Only why would I be in her position to begin with? I'll tell you what I would have done. I would have made damn sure I wasn't walking on someone else's toes."
>_
-
>"And when this all started, she wasn't. If you think back to that dream, do you remember Parsee in it?"
-
>"And when this all started, she wasn't. If you think back to that dream, do you remember Parsee in it?"
>"Yeah, kinda," she says. "But you're only leaving out the part where she remembered, and kept at it anyways. Next time you do it, I'm painting my walls with you!"
>_
-
>"Look, I only came here because I'm concerned for everyone involved. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I'm certainly not saying she's right. And I hope you can understand the courage it takes for someone like me to come here like this at all. I just don't want to see this have to come to violence. And Parsee doesn't, either, you know."
-
>"Look, I only came here because I'm concerned for everyone involved. I'm not saying you're wrong, and I'm certainly not saying she's right. And I hope you can understand the courage it takes for someone like me to come here like this at all. I just don't want to see this have to come to violence. And Parsee doesn't, either, you know."
>"Only the crow knows what she's got to do to keep that from happening. And you got to stop coming to my home trying to tell me different if you don't wanna join her. See? That's manners. It's not hard. And if you're so damn concerned about everyone, how come every word you've been sayin' is telling me to give up, then?"
>_
-
>"I never asked you to give up, and I'm really sorry if it sounds that way. I'm not even contesting what you have with Parsee. I was just hoping you'd be willing to talk to them about it, that's all. So that maybe there's a solution to this that doesn't end with someone's face beaten in."
-
>"I never asked you to give up, and I'm really sorry if it sounds that way. I'm not even contesting what you have with Parsee. I was just hoping you'd be willing to talk to them about it, that's all. So that maybe there's a solution to this that doesn't end with someone's face beaten in."
>She nods. "Right. Apology accepted. And the thing is? I'm not seein' anything else. You have some ideas, let me have 'em."
>_
-
>"You love Parsee, right? And you don't want to lose her to someone else. That is one of the most understandable positions in the history of relationships. But she hasn't stopped loving you because of Utsuho. Her feelings for you didn't go anywhere, and I don't think you have to worry about that changing anytime soon. Utsuho isn't a threat to you, and she needn't be an obstacle, either. Look, I have no idea how oni social norms in this area work, so forgive me if this is either stupid or abhorrent, but... is it at all possible to accept that Parsee is capable of loving both of you? Without her loving you any less? For her sake, you understand, and hers alone."
-
>"You love Parsee, right? And you don't want to lose her to someone else. That is one of the most understandable positions in the history of relationships. But she hasn't stopped loving you because of Utsuho. Her feelings for you didn't go anywhere, and I don't think you have to worry about that changing anytime soon. Utsuho isn't a threat to you, and she needn't be an obstacle, either. Look, I have no idea how oni social norms in this area work, so forgive me if this is either stupid or abhorrent, but... is it at all possible to accept that Parsee is capable of loving both of you? Without her loving you any less? For her sake, you understand, and hers alone."
>"You...what? I...uh...maybe?"
>Her tone is clearly surprised. Without the obvious irritation in her voice, she sounds very different.
>_
-
>"I think it's at least worth considering. And I think it may be what could make Parsee happiest in the long run, too. She's out there right now, suffering over this, you know."
-
>"I think it's at least worth considering. And I think it may be what could make Parsee happiest in the long run, too. She's out there right now, suffering over this, you know."
>"Umm. Well..." says Yuugi. "I dunno. I'd have to, uh, think about it. And maybe talk with Parsee? It's just, you know, supposed to be me and her forever."
>She looks toward the ground and mutters something. You think you catch, "...don't just look like Yukari..."
>_
-
>"I understand. Just take some time and think it over. And, uh, thanks for not painting the walls with me. Sorry for barging into your place like this."
>"Oh, and Murasa, when do you think you'll be back around the clinic?"
-
>"I understand. Just take some time and think it over. And, uh, thanks for not painting the walls with me. Sorry for barging into your place like this."
>"Oh, and Murasa, when do you think you'll be back around the clinic?"
>Yuugi nods. "Yeah...maybe. Maybe I oughta go see Parsee..."
>Murasa, who has been unhelpfully silent, and possibly rather wary up until this point, says, "Well. I guess I could go back now..."
>_
-
>"Yeah, that might be a good idea. She was out fishing, when I passed her a little while ago."
>"And ok, Murasa. I'll tag along, if you don't mind."
-
>"Yeah, that might be a good idea. She was out fishing, when I passed her a little while ago."
>"And ok, Murasa. I'll tag along, if you don't mind."
>Yuugi nods. "Yeah." Then she considers you a moment. "Um, hey. You wanna do a job for me? I'll pay upfront."
>Murasa nods.
>_
-
>"What kind of job?"
-
>"What kind of job?"
>"There's this pawn shop over in the east side residences. Little thing, just starting up. Find out why they ain't paid up yet."
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose I can look into it for you, if you'd like. What's it called?"
-
>"Well, I suppose I can look into it for you, if you'd like. What's it called?"
>"It's just called Pawn," says Yuugi, "On the edge of it's building. You'll see the sign, probably."
>She picks up her dish, and drains a significant amount of it. "Oh yeah, your pay...uh...just a minute. " She stands up, and heads into the house.
>Murasa heaves a sigh. "Didn't think I was gonna be able to call her off..."
>_
-
>"Yeah, that was pretty reckless of me, wasn't it..."
-
>"Yeah, that was pretty reckless of me, wasn't it..."
>Murasa nods. "I dunno if that's the best idea you had, but at least it seems to have busted that jam up. What were you looking for me for, anyways?"
>_
-
> "Byakuren wanted me to check up on you, make sure things were going okay."
> Come to think of it, was there anything else she asked us to do with Murasa at the Clinic? Beyond make sure she was actually working, but it's probably not a good idea to come out and say that.
-
> "Byakuren wanted me to check up on you, make sure things were going okay."
> Come to think of it, was there anything else she asked us to do with Murasa at the Clinic? Beyond make sure she was actually working, but it's probably not a good idea to come out and say that.
>"Oh, I see," she says. "You've been around the temple, then? She wouldn't just send anyone down here."
>She also asked you to assist Murasa as needed.
>_
-
>"Yeah, I talked to her for a while, and she gave me some advice and taught me a few things. She seems like a very kind and gentle person."
-
>"Yeah, I talked to her for a while, and she gave me some advice and taught me a few things. She seems like a very kind and gentle person."
>"Sounds like what she'd do. And you too right she is, first person who ever treated youkai like people, far as I know, centuries back."
>_
-
>"I guess things must have changed a lot, then. All of the youkai I've met have seemed pretty much like people to me."
-
>"Yeah, I talked to her for a while, and she gave me some advice and taught me a few things. She seems like a very kind and gentle person."
>"It was a wilder time back then," says Murasa. "People were a lot more fragmented, and a lot more afraid of the unknown."
>Yuugi emerges from the manor, carrying a small bottle. She offers it to you. "This'll cover it."
>_
-
>"Thank you."
>Take the bottle
>Examine the bottle
>"I'll let you know what I find out."
>"Well, shall we head back now, then?"
>Follow Murasa out
-
>"Thank you."
>Take the bottle
>Examine the bottle
>"I'll let you know what I find out."
>"Well, shall we head back now, then?"
>Follow Murasa out
>You take the bottle. It reads "East End Distillery Irritated Bull Sake." There is a date on it you cannot make sense of.
>You obtain: Bottle of Irritated Bull Sake
>Yuugi nods, not really looking at you. "Yeah, I'm gonna go see Parsee." With that she takes to the air.
>Murasa nods, and starts down the street. "So, what was all this about the dream being real, now?" she asks.
>_
-
>"Yeah, pretty much what I said. I know a little about what happened, although other people know more. In a nutshell, the Moriya Goddesses moved Gensokyo into the real world, and altered everyone's memories so that they never remembered living here. Utsuho and Parsee were apparently instrumental in setting things back, again. Unlike most people, they actually remember the entire thing clearly."
-
>"Yeah, pretty much what I said. I know a little about what happened, although other people know more. In a nutshell, the Moriya Goddesses moved Gensokyo into the real world, and altered everyone's memories so that they never remembered living here. Utsuho and Parsee were apparently instrumental in setting things back, again. Unlike most people, they actually remember the entire thing clearly."
>Murasa looks at you. "Uh. Okay."
>_
-
>"Do I sound like I'm crazy, or something? I'm asking that in all seriousness, by the way."
-
>"Do I sound like I'm crazy, or something? I'm asking that in all seriousness, by the way."
>"Yeah, a little bit," says Murasa, watching the road ahead of her as she cuts into an alley.
>_
-
>"I can't say I blame you, really. But you do remember some of that dream yourself, too, don't you? What did you figure it was?"
-
>"I can't say I blame you, really. But you do remember some of that dream yourself, too, don't you? What did you figure it was?"
>"Kinda..." says Murasa. "Not very much. Just some vague bits here and there. I don't know why it happened, but everything seemed fine, so I figured it wasn't worth worrying about."
-
>"Well, it mightn't be worth worrying about at this point. Things are set back. Whether the goddesses still hold a grudge over it.... well, I don't know."
-
>She nods. You're pretty sure she doesn't get it, and might well have just written you off as a crank.
>_
-
> Whatever. Her skepticism is understandable, and we have no real need to prove anything to her anyway.
> "So, is there any help you need back at the Clinic?"
-
>"You're free not to believe it if you wish, I guess. But there's a number of people with more credibility than me who're firmly convinced of it, too."
>"In any event, Byakuren sent me down here to give you a hand, so what can I do for you?"
-
> Whatever. Her skepticism is understandable, and we have no real need to prove anything to her anyway.
> "So, is there any help you need back at the Clinic?"
>"You're free not to believe it if you wish, I guess. But there's a number of people with more credibility than me who're firmly convinced of it, too."
>"In any event, Byakuren sent me down here to give you a hand, so what can I do for you?"
>You consider pushing the issue, but decide not to.
>"Did she? Well, I could use some help getting the sick buckets cleaned out."
>_
-
>"That.... wasn't exactly what I expected... But I suppose I did promise to help."
>Cringe
-
> What the hell, Gensokyo, first birdgirls with giant tits eating live snakes and now this?
-
>"That.... wasn't exactly what I expected... But I suppose I did promise to help."
>Cringe
>"You've got no idea how much I appreciate it.
>This definitely requires a cringe.
> What the hell, Gensokyo, first birdgirls with giant tits eating live snakes and now this?
>Maybe you should consider leaving after all...
-
> "Do we use gloves, long gloves..and masks?"
-
> "Do we use gloves, long gloves..and masks?"
>"There's some gloves, alright," says Murasa.
>_
-
>"Is this... something that needs doing down here often?"
>Ponder the difficulty of creating a border between scent and nose
-
>"Is this... something that needs doing down here often?"
>Ponder the difficulty of creating a border between scent and nose
>"Yep," says Murasa. "See, while we originally made the Clinic as a place for oni to get better, it turns out most of the time, they don't get hurt that bad. What they do end up doing, however, is drinking themselves stupid. So we give 'em a place to sleep off the real bad hangovers and have someone take care of them. You'd be surprised how much the appreciate it."
>You emerge from the alley, and find yourself near the clinic.
>_
-
>"That... sounds like a pretty unpleasant job, to be honest. I... I guess you get a little numb to it after a while?"
-
>"That... sounds like a pretty unpleasant job, to be honest. I... I guess you get a little numb to it after a while?"
>"I lived on a ship," she says. "This is nothing. Did a number of poor Ichirin, though. And I think Nazrin just paid someone else to do it. I do do some actual medical work, though. Mostly house calls."
>She leads you into the clinic and...yep, those buckets need cleaned. You don't even have to get close to tell.
>_
-
>Ponder the difficulty of creating a border between scent and nose
> Practice that barrier, we definitely need it
-
>"Yeah... I, uh, don't really drink so this isn't something I'm used to being around. But... I guess I'll try my best.... somehow."
>"Where the cleaning stuff?"
-
>"Yeah... I, uh, don't really drink so this isn't something I'm used to being around. But... I guess I'll try my best.... somehow."
>"Where the cleaning stuff?"
>"You'll be alright. Just don't think about where it came from."
>"I'll get it."
> Practice that barrier, we definitely need it
>It'll certainly be worth a try. You give it a shot while Murasa disappears into the back. Unfortunately, you find that scents and noses seem to be compliments, and don't have much luck with making a worthwhile barrier. But you have a momentary success sometimes, and it gives you a second of relief.
>Murasa returns with a large bucket full of water, and some rags. She tosses you two of them. "Tie the big one around you face," she says.
>_
-
>Tie the big one around our face.
>"Didn't you say you also had some gloves?"
-
>Tie the big one around our face.
>"Didn't you say you also had some gloves?"
>You do so. It really doesn't stop the smell, but you feel a little better about your breathing.
>She tosses you a pair of thick, leather gloves next. "You're better off without them, it goes faster."
>_
-
>"Easy for you to say...."
>Put the gloves on
>Start scrubbing buckets
-
>"Easy for you to say...."
>Put the gloves on
>Start scrubbing buckets
>Murasa just laughs as you put on your gloves and roll up your sleeves, then get to work.
>The good news is that there's only ten buckets for you to clean, Murasa gets the rest. The other good news is that none of the buckets need to be emptied. As well, the water Murasa brought is warm, which is a little confusing until you learn that she keeps a kettle on the stove, for emergencies. At least it makes the cleaning go faster. To your credit, you think you manage to keep in control of your stomach pretty well; Tokiko might well have shell shocked you a bit in that department.
>Eventually, the damned deed is done. Murasa had the foresight to set aside a warm basin, for which you are very grateful.
>"That's done." says Murasa, as she places a bucket. "Hmmm. Want to do one of my house calls for me? Shouldn't be hard."
>_
-
>Do we know basic first aid?
>Assuming not: "I don't really have any medical knowledge, though. Or is it just a delivery or something?"
-
>Do we know basic first aid?
>Assuming not: "I don't really have any medical knowledge, though. Or is it just a delivery or something?"
>"Delivery," says Murasa, "helping an old lady with her medicines, keeping her company a bit. Shouldn't be too hard. I'd do it, but I want to leave things open right now."
>_
-
> "I think I could do that, though Yuugi's job would probably come first. Who is it?"
-
> "I think I could do that, though Yuugi's job would probably come first. Who is it?"
>"Her name is Mari, she lives on the northwest side, not too far from the Palace of the Earth Spirits."
>Murasa picks up a wooden box and opens it up. Inside are a number of little boxes. "She'll need some ground queensfoil," she points to a leafy herb that looks suspiciously like lettuce, "And some moonwort, sliced, mixed together and steeped into a tea. It's for her lungs. Hmm, see that little pouch in there? Use it to stop by the herbalist when you're done and get everything refilled."
>_
-
>"Um, what am I supposed to grind it with? And I don't even know what moonwort looks like. How is it supposed to be sliced? How long does it need to steep? And, uh, sorry for not having a clue."
-
>"Um, what am I supposed to grind it with? And I don't even know what moonwort looks like. How is it supposed to be sliced? How long does it need to steep? And, uh, sorry for not having a clue."
>"There's a mortar and pestle right there," says Murasa, pointing to a little bowl and a short rod beside it. "The moonwort is right here, sorry, I thought everyone knew that one." She points to a small bulb that looks somewhat like rhubarb or horseradish. "Slice one up real thin, and take leave them in the strainer, they don't stay in the tea. Brew it five minutes. Got all that?"
>_
-
>"I think so. And where can I find the herbalist?"
-
>"I think so. And where can I find the herbalist?"
>"There's a couple of them in the market, and maybe one in the residential district; that place tends to have a lot of turnover. Any of them will do, none of this is rare, but the one I like is on the west side of the street, right by the fried rice stand.
>_
-
>"Ok, I think I've got it."
>"Um, now that I think of it, I'm not sure a name and a neighborhood is going to be enough for me to find the right house...."
-
>"Ok, I think I've got it."
>"Um, now that I think of it, I'm not sure a name and a neighborhood is going to be enough for me to find the right house...."
>She nods. "It's the third building west of Bridge street. She's right in the middle."
>_
-
> Ask her about our components list if we can gracefully move into it.
-
>"Ok, I think I've got all that straight."
>Take the box
>"I'll be back as soon as I'm finished."
>Head back towards the Palace of the Earth Spirits
>See if we can find a place marked Bridge Street
> Ask her about our components list if we can gracefully move into it.
>We can always ask about this when we come back. Good will earned, and all.
-
Was more interested in making sure you all didn't forget, since she should be knowledge on the herb we need at least :P.
-
No worries, I hadn't forgotten ^^;
-
> Ask her about our components list if we can gracefully move into it.
>"Ok, I think I've got all that straight."
>Take the box
>"I'll be back as soon as I'm finished."
>Head back towards the Palace of the Earth Spirits
>See if we can find a place marked Bridge Street
>We can always ask about this when we come back. Good will earned, and all.
>You take the medicine box and head out. "Just don't drop it!" says Murasa.
>You head toward the Palace of the Earth Spirits, and quickly find that Bridge Street is the one that runs through the Market and divide the town into halves. Convenient!
>You decide to bother Murasa about unusual herbs later on.
>_
-
>Go to the third building west of Bridge Street, and knock on the door
-
>Go to the third building west of Bridge Street, and knock on the door
>You make your way down to the residential area, starting to feel comfortably familiar with the city, and seek out the third building.
>It seems to have seven or so homes built into it. You recall Murasa mentioned Mari lives in the middle one. You knock on the door. "What?" answers a thin, reedy voice.
>_
-
>"Are you Mari? I'm here from the clinic."
-
>"Are you Mari? I'm here from the clinic."
>"Oh, come on in," says the reedy voice, before giving into dry, hacking coughs.
>_
-
>Step inside
>"I hope you're not feeling too bad, today. I'm Maribel, by the way."
-
>Step inside
>"I hope you're not feeling too bad, today. I'm Maribel, by the way."
>You slide open the door, and walk inside.
>You find yourself in a small, dank one-room home. There is a small brazier in the middle of the room, which seems to serve as the light and heat sources here. A folding screen half-conceals a chest of drawers, and likely some other things. There is a low table in the corner, and a futon near the brazier. Resting on the futon is a white-haired oni with downturned horns. Her hair is brittle-looking, and her face and arms a lined with age. She appraises you with sharp blue eyes, and frowns.
>"Murasa sent a humie, huh?" she says.
>_
-
>"I offered to help out. I hope that's not a problem."
>Place the box on a table, open it, and start grinding the queensfoil.
-
>"I offered to help out. I hope that's not a problem."
>Place the box on a table, open it, and start grinding the queensfoil.
>"Heheheheh, it's no problem," says the oni. "Just don't act like Murasa and treat me like I'm feeble!"
>You take over the table, open the box, and add a quantity of queensfoil to the mortar and start to grind it with the pestle.
>"Because I'll have you know, if not for the Deva's word, I'd have your virtue already, and you'd be doing the dishes!"
>_
-
>"Well, then I guess I can be thankful she's given me her protection."
>After finishing grinding, take one moonwart bulb and slice it thinly
-
> "I honestly do not doubt that. I do not wish to seem rude either."
> "Wow, they Deva's message has gotten around fast. Sorry if I seem rude, but it seems almost like she used a spell so that everyone heard her."
-
>"Well, then I guess I can be thankful she's given me her protection."
>After finishing grinding, take one moonwart bulb and slice it thinly
>"Oh, you think you're thankful!" she says, cackling.
>You think you have it ground well enough for tea. Looking around, you find a suitable knife laying near a basin, and begin to start slicing it.
> "I honestly do not doubt that. I do not wish to seem rude either."
> "Wow, they Deva's message has gotten around fast. Sorry if I seem rude, but it seems almost like she used a spell so that everyone heard her."
>She cackles some more, until it gives way to more dry coughs. "You're a good girl. Shame I didn't shot at kidnapping you."
>You ask about the message. "Not magic, girlie. It's the drums. Spent a good half hour this morning making sure everyone knew you were off limits. What's a stripling like you doing down here, anyways? It's shameless, that's what it is! Absolutely shameless!"
>_
-
>"Well, let's just say I was exploring."
>Is there a kettle or a source of water or something to brew the tea with?
-
> "Well some exploring and a new friend ended up getting me to the Palace of Earth Spirits, and I've been seeing everything Gensokyo has since."
-
>
"Shame is for lamers!"
-
>"Well, let's just say I was exploring."
>Is there a kettle or a source of water or something to brew the tea with?
> "Well some exploring and a new friend ended up getting me to the Palace of Earth Spirits, and I've been seeing everything Gensokyo has since."
>"You're damn brave or damn stupid, then!" she says. "This ain't the place for humans or topsiders. Or at least it used to be. No one cares about the old agreements anymore."
>You find a tea kettle, and a bucket of water with a dipper in it easily enough.
>_
-
>"Well, I just finished having something of an argument with Yuugi. I think that probably makes me damn brave AND stupid."
>Put the herbal materials in the strainer, and start preparing the tea
-
>"Well, I just finished having something of an argument with Yuugi. I think that probably makes me damn brave AND stupid."
>Put the herbal materials in the strainer, and start preparing the tea
>"Oho!" the eldery oni says, "Getting up in a Deva's face, are we now! Brave and stupid we are!"
>You fill the kettle and put it on the brazier, pleased to find it is designed to balance perfectly atop it. Mari indulges in another cackle, this one thankfully doesn't end in a coughing fit.
>"Trying to con her out of some money, were you? Maybe slink in a favor of some kind? That's how it always is."
>_
-
>"Oh no, much more dangerous than that. I was foolish enough to try and give her advice for her current romantic troubles."
-
>Keep an eye on it so that it doesn't brew for more than the prescribed five minutes.
>"Nah, I'm not much of a trickster myself. And I certainly wouldn't try to trick her."
>"Oh no, much more dangerous than that. I was foolish enough to try and give her advice for her current romantic troubles."
>Might want to avoid mentioning too much, if Yuugi's pride is on the line, here. Don't want word getting around.
-
>"Oh no, much more dangerous than that. I was foolish enough to try and give her advice for her current romantic troubles."
>Keep an eye on it so that it doesn't brew for more than the prescribed five minutes.
>"Nah, I'm not much of a trickster myself. And I certainly wouldn't try to trick her."
>Might want to avoid mentioning too much, if Yuugi's pride is on the line, here. Don't want word getting around.
>You decide not to be too truthful, even if Mari would probably get another laugh out of it.
>You have to let the water heat up first. If you were smart enough to do that earlier, you wouldn't be stuck so long with this horrible old woman.
>"Oh you're all tricksters when you want to be," says Mari. "It's part of why we moved off the mountain down here. Heh. So what were you doing up around the Deva, eh?"
-
>"Not all humans are. And I was just concerned about the issue with Parsee and Utsuho, that's all."
-
> "If I wanted to trick someone, I would trick someone I could survive against for longer then the conversation, not someone like Yuugi. I may do stupid things, but I know that doing anything that may incur the wrath of someone more powerful then I, is akin to asking for death."
-
>"Not all humans are. And I was just concerned about the issue with Parsee and Utsuho, that's all."
>"Trust me, girl, I've known more humans than you have. It deception runs in your blood. But as long as you try to fight it, I suppose it's okay. And getting involved with that! Brave and stupid! You remind me of my late daughter."
> "If I wanted to trick someone, I would trick someone I could survive against for longer then the conversation, not someone like Yuugi. I may do stupid things, but I know that doing anything that may incur the wrath of someone more powerful then I, is akin to asking for death."
>"Now that's a better answer! Smart girl. You're learning how things work down here. You'll do just fine."
>_
-
> "Well, through unlikely circumstances, I've gotten to know Utsuho, you might say I consider her a friend. Even if it's stupid, it still seemed like the right thing to do."
> "I remind you of her? I suppose you mean that with the best intentions, thank you."
-
> "Well, through unlikely circumstances, I've gotten to know Utsuho, you might say I consider her a friend. Even if it's stupid, it still seemed like the right thing to do."
> "I remind you of her? I suppose you mean that with the best intentions, thank you."
>She nods as you mention your friendship to Utsuho. "Not many people would trust that crow enough to call her a friend, you know. You're a strange girl."
>"Yes and no. She was a good girl. Brve, strong, bright when she wanted to be. Then she tried to make a name for herself by challenging the Oni Eater. Damn fool thing to do." She coughs a bit, before continuing on. "Oni don't go out to vanquish monsters, I said to her. That's topsider foolishness! It left us alone here, and we should have left it alone there, if you ask me. Well she didn't listen..."
>Mari shakes her head.
>_
-
> "My condolences for your loss."
> "The 'Oni Eater'? There's a thing out there that EATS ONI?"
-
> "The 'Oni Eater'? There's a thing out there that EATS ONI?"
>"Used to be," says Mari. "Only when we bothered it, mind you. That's the difference between us, we don't go out conquering every little thing that might be a danger if we can just leave it be instead. Learn from that. The only oni it ever ate were the ones that went out that way. And we didn't need to be there anyways."
>She coughs again.
>"Last winter, some rabbit youkai waltzed into its lair, looking for some magic doodad she needed. Well, they clashed, and she won out. It had a trick, you see. It messed with magnets. And well..." She raises an arm to show her manacles, and taps it. "Hard to fight back when you can't move your arms right."
>_
-
>"I see... it's good that that's settled, then. Wouldn't want to accidentally wander into something like THAT."
>"... do you know that rabbit youkai's name? I'm curious."
>check the tea
-
>"Out of curiosity, why did no one think of taking those things off? Or... is that impossible or something?"
-
>"Out of curiosity, why did no one think of taking those things off? Or... is that impossible or something?"
>This is not the person to ask.
-
>"I see... it's good that that's settled, then. Wouldn't want to accidentally wander into something like THAT."
>"... do you know that rabbit youkai's name? I'm curious."
>check the tea
>"No need for anyone to wander out that way, anyways. You got what was coming to you if you did."
>She frowns, trying to remember. "Rice...Rise...um...Reisen! That was it. Reisen."
>It's heating up.
>"Out of curiosity, why did no one think of taking those things off? Or... is that impossible or something?"
>This is not the person to ask.
>You consider asking why they didn't remove the manacles, and decide an old woman with a nagging cough isn't the one to ask.
>_
-
>"Are there any other things like that around here, still?"
-
>"Are there any other things like that around here, still?"
>"There's always things out in the tunnels," she says. "They leave us alone as long as we leave them alone. How it ought to be!"
>The kettle starts to whistle.
>_
-
>Take the kettle off and start to brew the tea
-
>Take the kettle off and start to brew the tea
>You set the tea to brew. It smells...oniony. Weird.
>As you do, Mari extricates herself from her futon. "Help me change the sheets on this thing, would you?" she says, before coughing again.
>_
-
>"Sure."
>Help her change the sheets
-
>"Sure."
>Help her change the sheets
>You help her change the sheets, which honestly smell like they need it. Mari is mostly able to handle it, but you notice she has difficulty kneeling down, and when moving to get new sheets, uses a cane. You think it's a just in case measure.
>In short order, the two of you have the futon changed. "There, that wasn't so bad," she says as she lays back down. "Fresh sheets are the best, I'll have you know, Maribel."
>The tea is nearly done, you think.
>_
-
>"Certainly. Nothing better when getting into bed than fresh sheets."
>When the tea is finished, pour her a cup and give it to her
-
>"Certainly. Nothing better when getting into bed than fresh sheets."
>When the tea is finished, pour her a cup and give it to her
>"Some will tell you about fine drinks, good food, or a good partner in bed," she says, "Only I'll tell you for free that fresh sheets beat the lot of 'em!"
>You serve her the tea.
>"Not that you can't mix and match each, of course!" She says, cackling again before breaking into another coughing fit.
>Once it passes, she sips the tea. "Ah, well made. You're a fine girl."
>_
-
>"Thanks. I'm just happy to be able to help."
-
>"Thanks. I'm just happy to be able to help."
>"Oh don't be so formal," Mari says, shooting you a withering look. "I'll not be biting your head off for relaxing, s'long as you stay sincere. Y'never did tell me why you came instead of the ghost."
>_
-
>"Ghost?"
-
>"Ghost?"
>"She didn't tell you?" Mari asks, after taking another sip of her tea. "Murasa's a ghost. Well, not a real ghost, more like a poltergeist or something. I don't know what the inkies call 'em. And she didn't tell you? What are things coming to, I wonder?"
>_
-
>"A ghost... she seemed pretty solid to me. And, well, to be honest, I only met her less than an hour ago. But Byakuren asked me to come down here and lend a hand at the clinic, so I did."
-
>"A ghost... she seemed pretty solid to me. And, well, to be honest, I only met her less than an hour ago. But Byakuren asked me to come down here and lend a hand at the clinic, so I did."
>"Oh, and what'd you do that, for?" Mari says.
>_
-
>"Well, she helped me out, so it's only fair that I help a little in return, isn't it?"
-
>"Well, she helped me out, so it's only fair that I help a little in return, isn't it?"
>"There we go," says Mari, nodding. "Sincerity, girl. Must've been something important she did for you."
>_
-
>"She showed me the basics of flight and danmaku. I'm still learning right now, so it was a huge help."
>Did Murasa want us to bring back anything that Mari's currently using, or are we in a position to bid her farewell, sooner or later?
-
>"It was. It probably wasn't a big thing for her, but it meant something to me. But she's a kind person, and I wouldn't mind repaying her kindness, anyway."
-
>"It was. It probably wasn't a big thing for her, but it meant something to me. But she's a kind person, and I wouldn't mind repaying her kindness, anyway."
>She nods.
>"She showed me the basics of flight and danmaku. I'm still learning right now, so it was a huge help."
>Did Murasa want us to bring back anything that Mari's currently using, or are we in a position to bid her farewell, sooner or later?
>"Ah, that's kind of her, it's good to see people taking these kinds of obligations seriously!" She nods with an approving smile.
>No, you are now done here, as soon as you want to escape.
>_
-
>"Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you?"
-
>"Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you?"
>"You're welcome to sweep up a bit, if you've got the notion," says Mari.
>_
-
>"Sure, I guess I can do that."
>It's a small place, so this shouldn't be too hard, right?
>Start sweeping
-
>"Sure, I guess I can do that."
>It's a small place, so this shouldn't be too hard, right?
>Start sweeping
>She cackles, and lays back in bed. "Broom's by the chamberpot, behind the screen. That's a good girl."
>It's not very large. Really, your front office back in Gensokyo island was way larger than this. On the other hand, it didn't have a fire in the middle of it.
>You find the broom and a dustpan where Mari said they were, and set to work.
>"So, what else are you planning to do for Murasa and her boss?" Mari asks, not looking at you as you start to clean.
>_
-
>"Well, I don't really know, to be honest. I suppose that's up to them, to some degree."
-
>"I'm not entirely sure. I've been asked to help out Murasa with the clinic in general, and Byakuren offered to help me out some more with magic if I gathered the right components for her. But if there's any other little things she needs done in the meantime, I think I'm still inclined to help her with them."
-
>"Well, I don't really know, to be honest. I suppose that's up to them, to some degree."
>"I'm not entirely sure. I've been asked to help out Murasa with the clinic in general, and Byakuren offered to help me out some more with magic if I gathered the right components for her. But if there's any other little things she needs done in the meantime, I think I'm still inclined to help her with them."
>She cackles again. "You're such a dear, Maribel."
>As you mention the components, she grins. "Ah, is that what she's doing for you, then? Well, it's a fair exchange, isn't it?"
>_
-
>"Byakuren honestly seems like the sort to deserve being a dear, but yes, that's a solid part of it."
>finish up the sweeping
-
>"I think so. Although, I'm also happy to be helpful to her in the process."
-
>"Byakuren honestly seems like the sort to deserve being a dear, but yes, that's a solid part of it."
>finish up the sweeping
>"So it seems. Heh. Shame I wasn't paying attention to her back in the old days.
>You finish up the sweeping pretty quickly, it's honestly not that dirty in here.
>"Just dump it in the brazier, Maribel," she says.
>"I think so. Although, I'm also happy to be helpful to her in the process."
>"Of course you are. That's gratitude, dearie. That's how things work."
>_
-
>Fill dat brazier. Try not to invoke a Chaos Dunk.
>"It's a good feeling. I think I should get back to Murasa and see if there's anything else I can help with, now. Have a nice day, Mari."
>escape the premises, if all permits.
-
>Fill dat brazier. Try not to invoke a Chaos Dunk.
>"It's a good feeling. I think I should get back to Murasa and see if there's anything else I can help with, now. Have a nice day, Mari."
>escape the premises, if all permits.
>You dump the dust in the brazier....god that smells!
>"Before you head off, dear, would you be so kind as to check the top drawer of the dresser after you put the broom away?"
>_
-
>"Ah, sure thing."
>Return the broom to its proper locations. Wonder whether this changes our witchiness.
>Check the top drawer.
EDIT: I am going to bed. But I AM going to be involved in the next talk with Yuugi. Is this clear. :V
-
>"Ah, sure thing."
>Return the broom to its proper locations. Wonder whether this changes our witchiness.
>Check the top drawer.
>You return the broom to its resting place, and find yourself wondering if you're now technically a witch.
>The drawer rattles curiously as you open it. Looking inside, you see a number of little silvery statues inside, resting on a bit of cloth.
>"Help yourself to one," Mari says.
>_
-
>"Are you sure?"
>What are they of?
-
>"Are you sure?"
>What are they of?
>"Wouldn't have said it otherwise, would I?"Mari says. "The last human I kidnapped, back before the move, made those. She was a fine pewterer, if I say so myself. And I do!"
>The seem to be of animals, mostly. You see cats, dogs, birds, cows, pigs, horses, lizards, and other assorted animals. Then there are some odder things. Is that a lichen? There's also a curious bird with two sets of wings. And is that a rock with a face? And there's a mushroom with feet.
>_
-
> Any rabbits?
-
> Any rabbits?
>There is a little rabbit, standing on its hind legs and sniffing at the air.
>_
-
> Take the rabbit one.
> "Thanks for letting me take one. These are very well made."
-
> Take the rabbit one.
> "Thanks for letting me take one. These are very well made."
>You obtain: Pewter Rabbit
>"You're welcome dearie," says Mari. "You helped me out quite a bit, you know."
>_
-
>"Well, I'm glad I did."
>Gather up the things we brought here
>"Be well, now."
>Exit, and head towards the herbalist Murasa described.
-
>"Well, I'm glad I did."
>Gather up the things we brought here
>"Be well, now."
>Exit, and head towards the herbalist Murasa described.
>She nods as you return to the front of the house, and gather up your things.
>"You too, Maribel," says Mari, as you leave the house.
>You return to the market, it is bustling as always. It takes a little time for you to find the herbalist by the fried rice vendor. This would be so much easier if the oni made more effort to distinguish their shops by name. It is a fairly large stand, run by a rather portly oni with brown hair drawn into two ponytails. Nearby, there is a group of oni playing flutes rather loudly, but seeming to have a good time of it.
>_
-
>"Hello, there. I'd like to purchase a little moonwort and queensfoil, please."
-
>"Hello, there. I'd like to purchase a little moonwort and queensfoil, please."
>The merchant nods. "I have that. How much you need?" she calls over the players
>Having a moment to look around now, you can see a wide variety of herbs. Some of them are in bowls, and in other spots you see whole plants dangling from the roof. A number of covered containers hint at more.
>_
-
>"Just one bulb of moonwart, and <insert howevermuch we used> of queensfoil. It's for the clinic."
>"I also don't suppose you have any ground ragewort, here? Or bloodmoss?"
-
>"Just one bulb of moonwart, and <insert howevermuch we used> of queensfoil. It's for the clinic."
>"I also don't suppose you have any ground ragewort, here? Or bloodmoss?"
>"Oh the clinic? Let me see that chest, then."
>"I do have ragewort, and I can grind it up just a nice as you please. Bloodmoss, I'm fresh out."
>_
-
>Show her the chest
>"How much is it for the ragewort?"
>Did Byakuren give us any idea how much was needed?
-
>Show her the chest
>"How much is it for the ragewort?"
>Did Byakuren give us any idea how much was needed?
>She opens the chest. "Oooo, you're low on quite a few things, dearie. You sure you only want those two?"
>"Fifteen ☼ an ounce, and you won't find a better price above or below."
>She didn't. But if she didn't name an amount, it won't be much.
>_
-
>"Oh, well, I was just asked to get a refill of things. Those were the only ones I used, but I suppose I don't know what their normal stock of other ingredients is. I'm new, you see. But Murasa says she usually shops here, so if you can see what other things need topping up, please be my guest."
>"And I'll take two ounces, then."
-
>"Oh, well, I was just asked to get a refill of things. Those were the only ones I used, but I suppose I don't know what their normal stock of other ingredients is. I'm new, you see. But Murasa says she usually shops here, so if you can see what other things need topping up, please be my guest."
>"And I'll take two ounces, then."
>"I'll fill it up right proper," she says, as she takes the chest in hand and walks over to a counter on the side. "And that'll be 30☼ from you."
>She starts taking various herbs, cutting some into small portions, grinding another into powder quickly enough to make you feel kind of clumsy from the job you did, and simply tossing whole chunks of others into the little shelves. Within a couple minutes, she has it filled, and extracts the coin pouch from the chest and takes out a quantity of money. Then she returns the chest to you, pulls a poisonous-green root from a container, weighs it, then expertly smashes it into powder and pours it into a pouch.
>"There you have it," she says, "Don't breath it in, and I'll give you a ☼ if you bring the bag back when you're done."
>_
-
>Give her the money and take the pouch, and box
>"Thank you very much."
>Head back to the clinic
-
>Give her the money and take the pouch, and box
>"Thank you very much."
>Head back to the clinic
>You pay the oni.
>You obtain: Pouch of Ground Ragewort.
>The merchant nods in reply to your thanks.
>Returning to the clinic, you walk through the door and find that Murasa is not alone. She seems to be having a rather heated discussion with Kisume.
>_
-
> Listen in.
> If Murasa is berating Kisume, allow ourselves a satisfied smirk.
-
> Listen in.
> If Murasa is berating Kisume, allow ourselves a satisfied smirk.
>You listen in.
>"Who're you tryin' to fool? Kisume says, "I know that grain pattern like the back of my hand!"
>"I'm telling you, it's not yours!" Murasa replies, throwing her hands toward the air.
>_
-
>"What're you arguing about?"
-
>"What're you arguing about?"
>"This-!" Murasa starts, then stops, visibly trying to calm herself.
>"She went and pranced off with my other bucket, is what!" Kisume says.
>_
-
>"You have a spare bucket? Where'd you leave it? I'm sure Murasa didn't go and try to take it, you know."
-
>"You have a spare bucket? Where'd you leave it? I'm sure Murasa didn't go and try to take it, you know."
>"Left it in hidin' hole," she says. "Just in case, you know!"
>"I've not even left the city for a week!" Murasa says, before frowning and looking away. It seems she has a ways to go if she's trying to pick up Byakuren's serenity.
>"Ain't it interestin' that's when it went missing, eh?"
>_
-
>"And where'd the bucket here in question come from, Murasa?"
-
>"I got it from Kourindou," says Murasa. "It was pretty cheap, and one of then had just got kicked apart, so I figured why not."
>"Likely story," Kisume says.
>_
-
>"Actually, I think it IS a likely story. I figure Rinnosuke probably got it from someone else, and whoever that was probably took it from your hiding spot, Kisume. But I can go ask Rinnosuke where he got it from, and see if we can settle this."
-
>"Actually, I think it IS a likely story. I figure Rinnosuke probably got it from someone else, and whoever that was probably took it from your hiding spot, Kisume. But I can go ask Rinnosuke where he got it from, and see if we can settle this."
>"Ain't nobody down here that'd hawk it to 'im," says Kisume. "They'd go to a pawn shop."
>"Don't bother," Murasa says. "Rinnosuke asks no questions, and rarely answers them."
>_
-
>"Even if he didn't ask where it came from, he obviously still knows who traded it to him. And even if he doesn't choose to answer, there's nothing lost by trying. Unless you two have a better idea? And one that doesn't just involve arguing over this until you're both blue in the face?"
-
> "How about this, Kisume: we pretend the money you stole from me this morning covers the cost of your bucket."
-
>"Even if he didn't ask where it came from, he obviously still knows who traded it to him. And even if he doesn't choose to answer, there's nothing lost by trying. Unless you two have a better idea? And one that doesn't just involve arguing over this until you're both blue in the face?"
>"Not really..." says Murasa.
>"I got one that's loads better."
> "How about this, Kisume: we pretend the money you stole from me this morning covers the cost of your bucket."
>"What stealing?" she asks, giving you a look. "That was a mugging, and I got you fair and square! Not like I waltzed into your place when you were out and about and couldn't do a thing about it."
>_
-
>"Look, how about this. I'll go ask Rinnosuke, and if that doesn't pan out, I can look into getting a replacement bucket for the clinic. I assume one bucket is just as good as any other to you, Murasa? But this bucket in particular is important to you, Kisume? Would that work?"
-
> "Except you DID get me when I couldn't do a thing about it. Not that it matters to you, apparently. Anyway, what's your idea?"
-
>"Look, how about this. I'll go ask Rinnosuke, and if that doesn't pan out, I can look into getting a replacement bucket for the clinic. I assume one bucket is just as good as any other to you, Murasa? But this bucket in particular is important to you, Kisume? Would that work?"
>Murasa nods. "It's not the bucket, really, that's important, her calling me a thief that got to me."
>"Only cause you are."
>Murasa twitches.
>"And you're right it is! Me and it have been through some hard times together!"
> "Except you DID get me when I couldn't do a thing about it. Not that it matters to you, apparently. Anyway, what's your idea?"
>"Could've not stood there." Kisume says.
>_
-
> "ANYWAY. What is your idea?"
-
> "ANYWAY. What is your idea?"
>"You gimme back what's mine," she says, "and I don't let slip to the Devas there's a thief around."
-
>"You want to just give her the bucket, and I'll try to figure out what happened?"
-
>"You want to just give her the bucket, and I'll try to figure out what happened?"
>"Not really, but there isn't much of a choice, I suppose..." says Murasa.
>_
-
>"It's probably the easiest way to resolve things for the moment. I get the impression Kisume could stand around yelling at you all day, otherwise..."
-
>"It's probably the easiest way to resolve things for the moment. I get the impression Kisume could stand around yelling at you all day, otherwise..."
>"Fine," says Murasa. "Take it."
>Kisume says nothing, bouncing over to the bucket and grabbing it. You swear you hear her muttering something to it. Then she bounces toward the door. "Hey, you're all right," she says to you as she reaches the exit. "Don't even worry about that tunnel anymore."
>_
-
>"Thanks, I appreciate it."
>Wait for Kisume to be safely out of earshot
>"Look, for what it's worth, being called a thief by a compulsive robber doesn't mean a whole lot, no matter how aggravating it must be."
-
>"Thanks, I appreciate it."
>Wait for Kisume to be safely out of earshot
>"Look, for what it's worth, being called a thief by a compulsive robber doesn't mean a whole lot, no matter how aggravating it must be."
>Kisume leaves, and you wait until she is out of earshot, then try to give Murasa some condolences. "Eh, maybe. I just feel like such a damn fool..."
>She sighs. "So, was Mari alright?"
>_
-
>"She seemed ok. I mean, she was coughing a bit, and all, but I get the impression that's pretty expected for her at this point. I think she might have taken a liking to me a little, though. She gave me this as I was leaving."
>Show her the figure.
-
>"She seemed ok. I mean, she was coughing a bit, and all, but I get the impression that's pretty expected for her at this point. I think she might have taken a liking to me a little, though. She gave me this as I was leaving."
>Show her the figure.
>"Yeah, that's what the tea is for," says Murasa. "And she's a sweet old thing, if you get around all the old bigotries she carries around and stuff.
>You show her the figure. "Yeah, she gives to anyone that doesn't get on her bad side. She's afraid they'll end up alone and unloved in the corner of some pawn shop if she doesn't give them out herself."
>_
-
>"That's both a little sweet and a little sad, when I think about it."
>"Anyway, here's your stuff back. I got it all refilled and everything like you asked."
>Give Murasa the box back.
>"On another note, I don't suppose you know a good place to get some high quality bloodmoss here?"
-
>"That's both a little sweet and a little sad, when I think about it."
>"Anyway, here's your stuff back. I got it all refilled and everything like you asked."
>Give Murasa the box back.
>"On another note, I don't suppose you know a good place to get some high quality bloodmoss here?"
>"Yeah, it is," she says, as she accepts back the medicine chest and checks it. "Good, thanks."
>"Bloodmoss? Shouldn't be too hard to get, it's a cooking ingredient. High quality might be a little hard, but any herbalist ought to have it."
>_
-
>"Ah. I asked at the one that I got this refilled at, but they were out. I guess I can check around for the other ones."
>"Anything else you need a hand with, or can I go look into a few other things now?"
-
>"Ah. I asked at the one that I got this refilled at, but they were out. I guess I can check around for the other ones."
>"Anything else you need a hand with, or can I go look into a few other things now?"
>"I think I'm good for now," says Murasa. "I'll be sure to tell Byakuren you put in some good time. Thanks a lot!"
>_
-
>"Happy to help!"
>Head out and follow Yuugi's directions to the pawn shop
-
>Wait a minute. Kisume mugging us was this morning? Before-lunch must have been ridiculously hectic...
-
>"Happy to help!"
>Head out and follow Yuugi's directions to the pawn shop
>You depart, and follow Yuugi's directions to the western residential district. After a little bit of searching, you find building much like the one Mari lives in, with a wooden sign in front that reads "Pawn". The door is closed, which is unusual. Typically you would expect a business such as this to have it wide open, and maybe the owner trying to entice people in.
>Wait a minute. Kisume mugging us was this morning? Before-lunch must have been ridiculously hectic...
>Yeah've been pretty busy.
>_
-
>Try knocking on the door.
>If no response: "Hello, is anyone in?"
>Otherwise, look around the place a little
-
>Try knocking on the door.
>If no response: "Hello, is anyone in?"
>Otherwise, look around the place a little
>You knock on the door. After a moment, it opens and a small, thin-looking oni with short dark hair and straight horns extending from her temples glances out. "Terribly sorry, but closed right now."
>_
-
>"I just had a quick question, that's all. Yuugi's wondering why you haven't paid."
-
>"I just had a quick question, that's all. Yuugi's wondering why you haven't paid."
>She frowns. "Rats."
>_
-
>"I don't suppose you can give me an explanation?"
-
>"I don't suppose you can give me an explanation?"
>"I've got rats!" she says. "Been trying to chase 'em out, y'see. But no luck."
>_
-
>"Rats? Like, the literal kind?"
-
>"Rats? Like, the literal kind?"
> Probably not the best idea to say this, it'll probably only irritate them more, and irritated oni = bad.
-
>"And does that mean that the store's in no condition to open now, then?"
-
>"Rats? Like, the literal kind?"
> Probably not the best idea to say this, it'll probably only irritate them more, and irritated oni = bad.
>You consider asking for clarification, but you fear she might be able to paint the walls with you, too.
>"And does that mean that the store's in no condition to open now, then?"
>"Can't have shop when you've got zoggin' vermin about when the customers are tryin' to have a look, can you now?"
>_
-
>"Have you tried proper traps for them? Or calling an exterminator or something?"
-
>"Have you tried proper traps for them? Or calling an exterminator or something?"
>"Been meaning to get some traps," she says. "But then I'd have to yank out the floorboards to get at their nest. Don't have the money for an ratcatcher.""
>_
-
>"Sounds pretty unfortunate. I wish I knew something that would help with that. But I guess it's a pretty reasonable reason for not being able to pay at the moment."
-
>"Sounds pretty unfortunate. I wish I knew something that would help with that. But I guess it's a pretty reasonable reason for not being able to pay at the moment."
>"Been hoping to flag down a bum with decent danmaku skills to pop the things," she says. "Horrible at it, myself. Much better with my fists. Wouldn't get the nest, but it'd give me some breathing room to open up again."
>_
-
>Remember that oni generally don't lie - odds are very good that she DOES have rats.
>"I'm no expert, but since I seem to be the go-to girl for a lot of stuff today, I might as well have a look. Still pretty new at danmaku, but I can give it a shot."
>"You're sure you can't afford to pay Yuugi right now? Or is it that you still haven't opened yet, so you don't have to pay yet anyway?"
-
>Remember that oni generally don't lie - odds are very good that she DOES have rats.
>"I'm no expert, but since I seem to be the go-to girl for a lot of stuff today, I might as well have a look. Still pretty new at danmaku, but I can give it a shot."
>"You're sure you can't afford to pay Yuugi right now? Or is it that you still haven't opened yet, so you don't have to pay yet anyway?"
>It's an interesting excuse, if nothing else, but you get the feeling it's real.
>"You're welcome to have a go at it, just don't break nothin'."
>She frowns. "Had to have food and drink..."
-
>"No promises at getting rid of them, but I'll do my best."
>Step inside
-
>"No promises at getting rid of them, but I'll do my best."
>Step inside
>You step inside.
>In shape, the place is much like Mari's home, just a box really not suitable for even one person in your opinion. However, where Mari's was sparse, this place is crammed with junk. The front half is full of shelves with vases, musical instruments, pots and pans, small arty items such as carvings and wallscrolls, and so on. You notice a couple of interesting-looking item as well, a geode in particular. The back is hidden by a screen, and you imagine she keeps her bed and such back there.
>You also notice a gray rat under one of the shelves sniffing at a pot.
>_
-
>"To display how new I am at this, how much collateral damage would danmaku cause for your pots if it struck one?"
>raise a palm at the rat.
>Note familiars as a great way to flank the pests.
-
>"To display how new I am at this, how much collateral damage would danmaku cause for your pots if it struck one?"
>raise a palm at the rat.
>Note familiars as a great way to flank the pests.
>"If it's fast, it'd only probably break one," says the shopkeeper. "...I'll just put them into a corner, shall I?"
>You raise your palm at the unsuspecting rat.
>_
-
>If we can line up a shot that wouldn't hit the pot, or anything but the floor, if the rat moves, shoot it. Make it something fast and precise, even if it's small.
-
>If we can line up a shot that wouldn't hit the pot, or anything but the floor, if the rat moves, shoot it. Make it something fast and precise, even if it's small.
>You line up the shot, picture a small, precise bullet, and let it fly!
>It soars at the unwary rodent and smacks right into its flank, tumbling it over with an angry squeal. The shopkeeper quickly collects it, and places it in a basket.
>_
-
>"Well, it's a start. You said the nest is probably under the floorboards? Where else would they be hiding?"
-
>"Well, it's a start. You said the nest is probably under the floorboards? Where else would they be hiding?"
>"They come up from time to time," she says, as she starts shifting pots into the corner. "There's a few of them about; I've all but torn the place apart, and I don't know how they're getting in."
>_
-
>"Holes of the right size would be the obvious thing to look for... plugging them might work as a temporary solution, but odds are good they'll chew out another one sooner or later. Let's look for one of those. Try behind anything that wouldn't get moved often..."
>Any heavy furniture that might fit that description?
>stalk the bottom of the walls, looking for mouseholes. Might be smaller than in those cartoons.
-
>"Holes of the right size would be the obvious thing to look for... plugging them might work as a temporary solution, but odds are good they'll chew out another one sooner or later. Let's look for one of those. Try behind anything that wouldn't get moved often..."
>Any heavy furniture that might fit that description?
>stalk the bottom of the walls, looking for mouseholes. Might be smaller than in those cartoons.
>She nods. "I've had a lookaround for those, and checked the paper on shoji. But maybe there's a one hiding from me.
>The shelves are fairly heavy, but aside from that, everything seems fairly light.
>You stalk along the walls, looking for holes, when you see a black rat poke its head around the corner of a shelf, then pull back.
>_
-
> See if we can detect any borders a mouse could cross.
-
>"Bingo. Just saw one behind the shelf. Or maybe it's just hiding, after its buddy got hit."
>How big are our familiars? Would one fit behind there?
-
> See if we can detect any borders a mouse could cross.
>You concentrate on your border awareness. You can feel a definite sense of the edges of this shop extending to the walls, and no further. At a glance, you can't feel anything unusual.
>"Bingo. Just saw one behind the shelf. Or maybe it's just hiding, after its buddy got hit."
>How big are our familiars? Would one fit behind there?
>Your familiar was about the size of your hand. You don't know if it's tangible or not, really. But at least, you should be able to send it around the corner of the shelf. You don't know if it would fit behind.
>_
-
>"How easy would it be to move these shelves aside for a few minutes? Or have you checked behind them for holes already?"
>If nothing else, the light would make the rats wary of exiting that way...
>Are there other exits to the back of that shelf, or at least the place that rat was hiding?
-
>"How easy would it be to move these shelves aside for a few minutes? Or have you checked behind them for holes already?"
>If nothing else, the light would make the rats wary of exiting that way...
>Are there other exits to the back of that shelf, or at least the place that rat was hiding?
>"Not especially so," says the shopkeep. "They're rather laden and there's not much room...I have looked behind them, though.
>You have a look around the shelf corner where you saw the rat, and see it has vanished. It could have fled behind the shelf, or possibly slipped past the folding screen.
>_
-
>"It'd probably be the easiest way to force them out of hiding... I think. And we might have to anyway to plug any holes there."
>"... or maybe we can seal off the exits to the back. That might do the trick. But for now..."
>Check behind the folding screen. If it's not there, put a familiar at the entrance/exit to the shelf and look in the other end.
>Do we know anyone with an affinity for rodents? Or a proper exterminator?
-
>"It'd probably be the easiest way to force them out of hiding... I think. And we might have to anyway to plug any holes there."
>"... or maybe we can seal off the exits to the back. That might do the trick. But for now..."
>Check behind the folding screen. If it's not there, put a familiar at the entrance/exit to the shelf and look in the other end.
>Do we know anyone with an affinity for rodents? Or a proper exterminator?
>"Right," she says. "Let's not be too hasty though.
>Looking behind the folding screen, you see a cramped space with a futon, a small brazier, and a chamberpot in the corner. You also notice the futon is moving just a little.
>_
-
>Is there another way to get behind the folding screen? If so, tell our oni friend that it's probably in the futon and ask her to cut it off at the other exit/entrance.
>"Would a shot knock it out through the sheets?"
-
>Is there another way to get behind the folding screen? If so, tell our oni friend that it's probably in the futon and ask her to cut it off at the other exit/entrance.
>"Would a shot knock it out through the sheets?"
>There are two ends to the screen, you call the oni to take care of the other end.
>"It would put a burn on my bed," she says.
>_
-
>"Let's not do that then. Sneak up carefully... grab it if it tries to run out, or pin down the sheets so we can wrap it up in 'em."
>Stalk forwards! Stay low. Pounce if it flees.
>Do we know anyone with an affinity for rodents? Or a proper exterminator?
-
>"Let's not do that then. Sneak up carefully... grab it if it tries to run out, or pin down the sheets so we can wrap it up in 'em."
>Stalk forwards! Stay low. Pounce if it flees.
>Do we know anyone with an affinity for rodents? Or a proper exterminator?
>The merchant nods, and approaches the futon.
>She tries to pin the rodent down in the sheets, but it does not as intended, and a white rat bursts out, running for the other side of the room!
>You do not know anyone with an affinity for rodents or an exterminator. Then again, you recall from the potrait you saw that Orin has cat ears and tails. But you have a suspicion that asking her to take up mousing duties has a risk of getting you punched.
>_
-
>panic-burst of small danmaku at the rat/where it's headed! Shotgun effect is probably safer than a clumsy shot or diving for it. Unless there's something other than wood floor there, in which case dive if it's getting closer or guide it toward getting pinned in a smaller area.
Man all these times chasing escaped hamsters comes in handy at last
-
>panic-burst of small danmaku at the rat/where it's headed! Shotgun effect is probably safer than a clumsy shot or diving for it. Unless there's something other than wood floor there, in which case dive if it's getting closer or guide it toward getting pinned in a smaller area.
>You gather energy, and send a burst in its generally direction! One of the shots connects with it, dropping it with a squeak.
>The shopkeeper quickly gathers it.
>"There's a black one that's right active, too."
>_
-
> Whip around.
> "Where at?"
-
> Whip around.
> "Where at?"
>You whip around, and look at the shop part of the dwelling. No rats in that direction, that you can see.
>"Not sure where the zoggin' thing's off to..."
>_
-
>We saw it earlier, and it might have gone behind the shelf. A good place to check.
>Where's that familiar?
>Crouch down and look behind the shelf. It's probably hiding out of normal reach back there, or moved out to hide elsewhere.
-
> Summon familiar, since we haven't brought it out yet.
-
>We saw it earlier, and it might have gone behind the shelf. A good place to check.
>Where's that familiar?
>Crouch down and look behind the shelf. It's probably hiding out of normal reach back there, or moved out to hide elsewhere.
>You never got around to summoning a familiar.
>Looking behind the shelf, you think you can catch a glimpse of it in the shadows, at the far end of the shelf.
> Summon familiar, since we haven't brought it out yet.
>You try to summon the familiar. It takes a couple shots, you have to pull out the Incantation Slip to remind yourself how the pronunciation goes. But you get it in the end, and summon a familiar that orbits lazily around your head.
>_
-
>"Yeah, it's back here. Could you cover the other end?"
>"Do you have any long poles or anything? I think I might be able to hit it while it's back there, but getting it out for proper capture is another story."
-
>"Yeah, it's back here. Could you cover the other end?"
>"Do you have any long poles or anything? I think I might be able to hit it while it's back there, but getting it out for proper capture is another story."
>"Alright," says the merchant, as she heads to the other side for the shelf. The rodent doesn't react.
>"I'm afraid not," she says.
>_
-
>"Hmm. Then maybe we'll have to scare it out instead... let's see if my familiar can get in there. Be ready."
>Try and send it into the back of the shelves and hover over to the rat.
-
>"Hmm. Then maybe we'll have to scare it out instead... let's see if my familiar can get in there. Be ready."
>Try and send it into the back of the shelves and hover over to the rat.
>"Alright," says the merchant.
>You direct your familiar to move, much the same way that you direct your danmaku. It flies toward the gap. and seems to contract a bit as it contorts to slip between the wall and shelf. You have the feeling it wouldn't be very useful for danmaku like this.
>The rat makes a run for it! The shopkeeper tries to grab it, but it runs between her legs.
>_
-
>Pursue! Try another scattershot ONLY if it's in the open with no valuables nearby, otherwise track where it tries to hide to try again.
-
> Can we shoot the rat without hitting the shopkeeper?
>> If yes, do so.
-
> Can we shoot the rat without hitting the shopkeeper?
>> If yes, do so.
>We don't want to break the merchandise, either.
-
> Can we shoot the rat without hitting the shopkeeper?
>> If yes, do so.
>It doesn't seem likely.
>Pursue! Try another scattershot ONLY if it's in the open with no valuables nearby, otherwise track where it tries to hide to try again.
>You pursue!
>It dashes across the room, and hides behind the vases the shopkeeper set aside in the corner.
>We don't want to break the merchandise, either.
>Then it seems you are at a momentarily impasse.
>_
-
>"Clever little bugger."
>How many rat-sized exits are there from the vase/jar collection?
-
>"Clever little bugger."
>How many rat-sized exits are there from the vase/jar collection?
>"Yeah. It's been troublesome.
>You can see three places it could get out. Four if it doesn't mind knocking some vases over.
>_
-
>Would it be difficult to move or stabilize the vases that it'd probably knock over using that route? It might be better to just chase it out of there, it has too many options and it's too close to valuables, but if it does damage anyway...
>Stay near one of the escape routes for now.
-
>Would it be difficult to move or stabilize the vases that it'd probably knock over using that route? It might be better to just chase it out of there, it has too many options and it's too close to valuables, but if it does damage anyway...
>Stay near one of the escape routes for now.
>You could certainly move the vases. They don't seem like they'd get more stable, but you could widen the 4th route to make a knocking over less likely.
>You keep near one of the escape routes. It doesn't seem to be escaping, you can't really see it.
>_
-
>"I'll try and spook it out. Stay back and watch where it goes, I'll probably miss it."
>Widen the 4th gap. The movement might spook it out already.
>If it doesn't run from that, crouch by one of the exits and try to get a better idea of where it is in there.
-
>"I'll try and spook it out. Stay back and watch where it goes, I'll probably miss it."
>Widen the 4th gap. The movement might spook it out already.
>If it doesn't run from that, crouch by one of the exits and try to get a better idea of where it is in there.
>You widen the gap, and hear it skitter away.
>"It's going past the shelf!" says the shopkeeper!
>_
-
>Pursue once more! Or at least try to see where it is, or which shelf she was referring to.
-
>Pursue once more! Or at least try to see where it is, or which shelf she was referring to.
>You look and see it running past the shelf opposite of the one it hid behind, heading for the back of the house.
>_
-
>pursue at a small distance; shotgun if it goes out in the open, otherwise work on getting it cornered.
-
>pursue at a small distance; shotgun if it goes out in the open, otherwise work on getting it cornered.
>You pursue!
>It doesn't go out into the open, rather it stick to the walls, and seems to be running for the corner, near the chamberpot and a small dresser.
>_
-
>Unadorned walls are acceptable danmaku damage, if there's nothing important near it. If it's vulnerable, fire.
>Otherwise, let it choose a hiding spot and evaluate how many ways it can escape.
-
>Unadorned walls are acceptable danmaku damage, if there's nothing important near it. If it's vulnerable, fire.
>Otherwise, let it choose a hiding spot and evaluate how many ways it can escape.
>You open fire near the unadorned walls. Unfortunately, your shots are not aimed very well, and none of them hit. It dashes into the shadow of the corner, no doubt in a tizzy of rodent panic.
>You can see two ways it can slip out, maybe three. there is a chamberpot close to the corner; thankfully unused; and a small dresser. It could possibly slip either way around the pot, or maybe run behind the dresser.
>_
-
>What exits would it have from behind the dresser?
>Call our oni friend over, if she hasn't followed already.
-
>Just straight behind it, you think the rat is too large to slip beneath it.
>She has followed you.
-
>If it's in the open right now, a fast and accurate enough shot might end this right now...
>But that's probably not an option.
>Ask the oni to cover the chamberpot, and cover the dresser exit personally. If the rodent doesn't run by then and there's a clean line of sight, try a quick shot at it. If there's no good way to see, summon/retrieve a familiar to fire from a better angle to startle it.
-
> Is there a possibility of blocking off potential exits with our barrier making skill?
-
>If it's in the open right now, a fast and accurate enough shot might end this right now...
>But that's probably not an option.
>Ask the oni to cover the chamberpot, and cover the dresser exit personally. If the rodent doesn't run by then and there's a clean line of sight, try a quick shot at it. If there's no good way to see, summon/retrieve a familiar to fire from a better angle to startle it.
>It's somewhat in the open, but not perfectly so.
>"Got it!" says the shopkeeper, as she moves into position.
>You look behind the dresser, and see...the rat appears to be pushing through the wall? Weird... It doesn't seem to be in a position to dodge at the moment.
>_
-
>Give it a quick shot before it gets away!
-
> Is there a possibility of blocking off potential exits with our barrier making skill?
-
> Is there a possibility of blocking off potential exits with our barrier making skill?
>You don't feel you could do it fast enough, especially since the rodent is in the process of making its getaway!
>Give it a quick shot before it gets away!
>You conjure a shot, and hit the rat on the hips as it starts to slide through. It gives a squeal and stops moving. The shopkeeper quickly extracts it and shoves it in the basket. "Cheeky bastards, aren't they?" she says. "They just found a loose spot and slipped through it!"
>_
-
>"Can I leave it to you to get that sealed up, then? Of course, there might be another entrance around, too... unless you're sure those are the only rats here?"
-
>"Can I leave it to you to get that sealed up, then? Of course, there might be another entrance around, too... unless you're sure those are the only rats here?"
>"I ought to," says the shopkeeper, as she sits the basket on top of the dresser, and moves it more firmly into the corner. Wow, you didn't think she could do so much with those skinny arms. "Well, I owe you one," she says. "Go and you pick something out of the stock for yourself, eh?"
>_
-
> Examine the stock
-
>"I'm not sure the dresser will be enough in the long run, but you can probably open up shop now, right?"
-
> Examine the stock
musical instruments, pots and pans, small arty items such as carvings and wallscrolls, and so on. You notice a couple of interesting-looking item as well, a geode in particular
>The pawnshop has:
>Eight vases of varying quality
>A couple of flutes and brass instruments, drums, and some instruments you don't recognize immediately.
>A few pots and pans of various shapes and sizes.
>A few arty items, wooden carvings and wall scrolls.
>An Emerald Necklace
>A Geode
>An armlet painted with stars
>"I'm not sure the dresser will be enough in the long run, but you can probably open up shop now, right?"
>"First, I'm gonna hawk these rats," she says. "Then fix up the wall tonight."
>_
-
>Dismiss thoughts of what would be done with those rats. Wait, no, live ones are sold as snake food at home anyway. Huh.
>Consider using frying pan as weapon.
>examine emerald necklace, starry armlet, geode
>"I apologize for being a bit of a jerk after all this, but after that, do you think you'll be able to pay Yuugi soon? She sent me here to look into that, even though I'm... not entirely sure what she wants payment for."
>Though considering her style, there's a few guesses...
-
>Dismiss thoughts of what would be done with those rats. Wait, no, live ones are sold as snake food at home anyway. Huh.
>Consider using frying pan as weapon.
>examine emerald necklace, starry armlet, geode
>"I apologize for being a bit of a jerk after all this, but after that, do you think you'll be able to pay Yuugi soon? She sent me here to look into that, even though I'm... not entirely sure what she wants payment for."
>Though considering her style, there's a few guesses...
>You...hope that snakes are popular here.
>You could use a frying pan as a weapon, you think, but it might not mess well with danmaku. Then again, there was Deva K with her sword...
>Emerald Necklace
>This is a necklace set in silvery metal with a few small emeralds studded in it. You feel it would compliment both your current clothes and your normal dress.
>Geode
>This is a hollow rock with pale crystal formations inside of it. It is quite pretty.
>Star-Covered Armlet.
>This is an accessory for being worn on your upper arm, colored black and painted with little stars that have constellation lines between them. It wouldn't suit your long-sleeved clothes.
>"I'm hoping to roll this junk over in a few days," says the thin oni. "Don't worry, I'll be good for it."
>You could think of several reasons why this oni owes, or "owes" Yuugi money.
>_
-
> "Hmm..."
> Pick up necklace and armlet to see if they affect us at all.
-
> "Hmm..."
> Pick up necklace and armlet to see if they affect us at all.
>You pick up the accessories, and don't feel anything particularly special about them. They do look nice, though.
>_
-
>Wonder if the star-covered armlet would look good on Renko.
>become Paula
>examine instruments - are we good with any?
-
>Wonder if the star-covered armlet would look good on Renko.
>become Paula
>examine instruments - are we good with any?
>She might appreciate it. It'd go with her hat, at least.
>Ness is not here to save you from the Happy Happyists. You die
>You learned to play saxophone in high school, and are terribly rusty. It seems there is one here! It would be a pain to carry, though.
>_
-
>vow to upstage Merupo
>Take the emerald necklace, unless our oni friend seems reluctant to let it go.
-
> If we can afford it, also go for the armlet
-
> We're only getting one freebie, though.
-
>vow to upstage Merupo
>Take the emerald necklace, unless our oni friend seems reluctant to let it go.
> If we can afford it, also go for the armlet
>You cannot handle the curvy lasers
>You obtain: Emerald Necklace!
>"Oh, you want the armlet, too?" asks the shopkeeper. "Let's call it 100☼. That's wholesale, since I need the money now."
>_
-
> Pay for that armlet, Renko would probably like
-
> Pay for that armlet, Renko would probably like
>You decide wholesale is good enough
>You obtain: Star Armlet!
>_
-
>Wholesale also means getting her off the ground despite Yuugi's... payments. Cost a good bit, but...
>"Thanks a bunch, miss, uh..."
-
>Wholesale also means getting her off the ground despite Yuugi's... payments. Cost a good bit, but...
>"Thanks a bunch, miss, uh..."
>It does help. She should be able to eat off this for awhile.
>"Aisha," she says. "Didn't mean to be rude, only I was worried about the rats..."
>_
-
>"No, it's alright. I certainly could have asked earlier, as well. My name's Maribel. But I think I should get going again - there's more to do today."
>bid farewell and head out!
>We should probably check in on Satori and report and/or see if we're still allowed to crash at her place tonight once all's said and done - head to the Palace if there's nothing else important to visit that's closer.
-
>"No, it's alright. I certainly could have asked earlier, as well. My name's Maribel. But I think I should get going again - there's more to do today."
>bid farewell and head out!
>We should probably check in on Satori and report and/or see if we're still allowed to crash at her place tonight once all's said and done - head to the Palace if there's nothing else important to visit that's closer.
>The Palace of the Earth Spirits isn't too far from here. You can see it in the distance after stepping out from the store.
>It's not long walk to the Palace. Entering it, you find Satori is the front room, sweeping and surrounded by cats. A pigeon is perched on her head. "Hello, Maribel," she says as you enter. "It seems you've been busy."
>_
-
>Allow a brief moment of amusement at the pigeon on her head.
>Wonder if that was rude. Acknowledge embarrassment.
>"Yes, very. Er... how... much of it could you read offhand?"
-
>Allow a brief moment of amusement at the pigeon on her head.
>Wonder if that was rude. Acknowledge embarrassment.
>"Yes, very. Er... how... much of it could you read offhand?"
>"Oh, don't worry about Fluff." Say Satori, grinning. "She'd doing it to be a pest."
>"Well, it seems you've been busy in the city...and the surface. My."
>_
-
>"In retrospect, that was extremely hasty of me, but after our encounter with Deva K this morning... I didn't feel especially comfortable."
>... how much should we really be worrying about the risk of becoming a youkai...?
-
>"In retrospect, that was extremely hasty of me, but after our encounter with Deva K this morning... I didn't feel especially comfortable."
>... how much should we really be worrying about the risk of becoming a youkai...?
>"Perhaps, but you've done well enough, it seems. We'll not worry about it."
>"Well, how much do you think you should worry? I think you've seen enough of Gensokyo and met enough of its people to have some idea how to feel about the issue."
>_
-
>"I'm... not particularly worried, honestly. But I still think finding Renko is a priority before making a strict decision on that, one way or another. Have I been overusing magic to any risky extent so far?"
>Consider petting Fluff.
-
> "Oh yes, I've managed to talk to Utsuho and Yuugi as well."
-
>"I'm... not particularly worried, honestly. But I still think finding Renko is a priority before making a strict decision on that, one way or another. Have I been overusing magic to any risky extent so far?"
>Consider petting Fluff.
>"I don't think I know enough to answer that, really," says Satori. "But I am happy you're not very worried."
>"She's a little shy. Give her some time."
> "Oh yes, I've managed to talk to Utsuho and Yuugi as well."
>She nods. "Well. That's a solution, isn't it? I wonder if it would work?"
>_
-
>"Who knows. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I just don't think Yuugi's way would end up doing anything but make it worse, in the end. ....kinda scary trying to tell her that, though..."
>"Kinda random question. I need to go buy some high quality bloodmoss. I don't suppose you could recommend a place where I might be able to get a decent price on it, around here?"
>How much money do we have left on us, now?
-
>"Who knows. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I just don't think Yuugi's way would end up doing anything but make it worse, in the end. ....kinda scary trying to tell her that, though..."
>"Kinda random question. I need to go buy some high quality bloodmoss. I don't suppose you could recommend a place where I might be able to get a decent price on it, around here?"
>How much money do we have left on us, now?
>She nods. "I imagine it was."
>"It shouldn't be that hard to find," says Satori. "Well, bloodmoss in general. Hmm...odd that it was sold out."
>You have 125☼
>_
-
>"Well, I guess I probably should just look around the city a little more for it, then."
>"Otherwise, I think I probably ought to drop back and see Utsuho and let her know that I'm not paint on Yuugi's wall, yet. And then I've probably got more errands to run. Probably one of the busiest days of my life, but I can't say I mind at all, given the circumstances."
>"Oh, and it's ok for me to sleep here tonight, right?"
-
>"Well, I guess I probably should just look around the city a little more for it, then."
>"Otherwise, I think I probably ought to drop back and see Utsuho and let her know that I'm not paint on Yuugi's wall, yet. And then I've probably got more errands to run. Probably one of the busiest days of my life, but I can't say I mind at all, given the circumstances."
>"Oh, and it's ok for me to sleep here tonight, right?"
>She nods.
>"I think Okuu would be happy to learn that, and I agree, it does seem like a full day, doesn't it?"
>"You most certainly may. But, if you find a place where you'd like to stay elsewhere, please don't feel obligated to come back."
>_
-
>"Thank you very much. I expect I'll be back around here later."
>Exit and return to the Felt
-
>"Thank you very much. I expect I'll be back around here later."
>Exit and return to the Felt
>She nods. "Come as you please."
>You leave, and make your way back to The Felt. It is still very much the same as before, though the dining area is a lot more active at the expense of the casino and dance floor. Faeries fly back and forth overhead, carrying trays, drinks, and dirty dishes. You find Utsuho is still there, picking away at a dish of rice.
>_
-
>Go over to Utsuho
>"Hello again!"
-
> Tell her about our encounter with Yuugi, and our proposed solution.
-
> Mentally kick ourselves for not asking Satori about Koishi.
> Make a note to go back there after Utsuho business is concluded.
-
>Given what was said about Koishi earlier, it seems rather unlikely that Satori has any better idea where she is
-
> It would still be a good idea to her opinion on the matter, especially since a three-way conversation seems like the best possible solution to that whole mess. Their family needs it, really.
-
>That much is true.
-
>Go over to Utsuho
>"Hello again!"
>You make your way over and greet Utsuho.
>"Hey," she says.
> Tell her about our encounter with Yuugi, and our proposed solution.
>You sit down, and quickly tell her about how things with Yuugi.
>"You...told her...what?"
> Mentally kick ourselves for not asking Satori about Koishi.
> Make a note to go back there after Utsuho business is concluded.
>Given what was said about Koishi earlier, it seems rather unlikely that Satori has any better idea where she is
> It would still be a good idea to her opinion on the matter, especially since a three-way conversation seems like the best possible solution to that whole mess. Their family needs it, really.
>That much is true.
>You feel a little bad for not asking about Koishi.
>_
-
>"Look, I'm sure it's not really what either you or Yuugi want most, but... well, from Parsee's perspective, she still loves both of you, you know. And fighting over her isn't going to change that. She even said as much. It's... not the kind of thing that has an easy answer."
-
>"Look, I'm sure it's not really what either you or Yuugi want most, but... well, from Parsee's perspective, she still loves both of you, you know. And fighting over her isn't going to change that. She even said as much. It's... not the kind of thing that has an easy answer."
>She frowns. "Yeah. I just, um, kinda wish you hadn't decided that all by yourself before saying it."
>_
-
>"Oh, I wasn't trying to decide anything for you, honestly. It's not my place to. I was just hoping to get Yuugi to at least consider the possibility that trying to beat your face in isn't the best answer. ...and, uh, she seemed dangerously close to beating mine in up to that point, too, actually..."
-
> "I wouldn't say that I decided it, I merely pitched it to Yuugi as an option since the only reasonable route she could see involved tearing your head off which would somehow magic the love out of you, and that's something we both know to be false, in addition to the least-desired outcome. I apologize for not bringing it up with you earlier, but this is really something you should be discussing with Yuugi, with words and not fists. She should be down talking to Parsee about this right now."
-
>"Oh, I wasn't trying to decide anything for you, honestly. It's not my place to. I was just hoping to get Yuugi to at least consider the possibility that trying to beat your face in isn't the best answer. ...and, uh, she seemed dangerously close to beating mine in up to that point, too, actually..."
>"I guess," she says. "I just sort of wish you would have brought it up with me before discussing it with her."
> "I wouldn't say that I decided it, I merely pitched it to Yuugi as an option since the only reasonable route she could see involved tearing your head off which would somehow magic the love out of you, and that's something we both know to be false, in addition to the least-desired outcome. I apologize for not bringing it up with you earlier, but this is really something you should be discussing with Yuugi, with words and not fists. She should be down talking to Parsee about this right now."
>"Wait, she is?" says Utsuho, "Why didn't you tell me that sooner?"
>She leaps from her seat and starts to stride out quickly.
>_
-
> I knew we should have expanded on the concept of polyamory.
-
>Catch up with her
>"Hang on a second. Don't you think it might be better to give her a few minutes to mull this over? You don't want to risk provoking a fight right in front of Parsee, do you?"
>"And the only reason I didn't tell you sooner, is that I wasn't sure that's how the conversation would end up, honest."
-
> I knew we should have expanded on the concept of polyamory.
>You may have screwed it up again.
>Catch up with her
>"Hang on a second. Don't you think it might be better to give her a few minutes to mull this over? You don't want to risk provoking a fight right in front of Parsee, do you?"
>"And the only reason I didn't tell you sooner, is that I wasn't sure that's how the conversation would end up, honest."
>"The way you're talking, they've already had a few minutes," says Utsuho, as she walks out. "And I'm not going to provoke nothing. But if they're talking about this kind of thing, I need to be there!"
-
>"Fair enough. Just promise me you'll try not to get too angry. It won't do anyone any good if this just blows up. And.... I'm sorry for stepping out of line; I just don't want to see anyone hurt, you know?"
-
>"Fair enough. Just promise me you'll try not to get too angry. It won't do anyone any good if this just blows up. And.... I'm sorry for stepping out of line; I just don't want to see anyone hurt, you know?"
>"Don't worry, I've got a lot of practice at keeping cool about things," Utsuho says as she passes through The Felt's front doors. "And you meant well, even if you didn't think it all the way. Sorry if I got mad at you."
>With that, she takes to the air, and...wow, she gets a lot of speed out of those wings.
>_
-
> Go back to the Palace of Earth Spirits and find Satori.
> Ask if she knows where Koishi might be.
-
>Well, hope for the best. And hope that the bridge isn't a battlefield the next time we try to cross it
>Go look for an herbalist, or other likely place that might sell bloodmoss. Murasa said there were several around.
-
> Go back to the Palace of Earth Spirits and find Satori.
> Ask if she knows where Koishi might be.
>Well, hope for the best. And hope that the bridge isn't a battlefield the next time we try to cross it
>Go look for an herbalist, or other likely place that might sell bloodmoss. Murasa said there were several around.
>At least if they wreck it, you can just fly over.
>You ponder what to do next...
-
> Head for the Palace. We can get the herbs on the way out of the city.
-
> Return to Palace to inquire about Koishi
> Then proceed to acquire bloodmoss
-
> Mental check: are we getting the bloodmoss for Murasa or ourselves? Too many damn ingredients running around right now.
-
> Bloodmoss for Byakuren actually
-
>May as well keep an eye out for likely shops on our way there
-
> Head for the Palace. We can get the herbs on the way out of the city.
> Return to Palace to inquire about Koishi
> Then proceed to acquire bloodmoss
>You decide to head for the Palace of the Earth Spirits again.
> Mental check: are we getting the bloodmoss for Murasa or ourselves? Too many damn ingredients running around right now.
> Bloodmoss for Byakuren actually
>May as well keep an eye out for likely shops on our way there
>You're starting to feel a little overwhelmed.
>Along the way, as you near the building where Mari lives, you notice a shop at the corner with a messy sign that reads "Herbs"
>Reaching the Palace again, you find Satori has made some progress. As well, the pigeon has moved to her shoulder. She looks at you for a moment, and you think you see her typical solemn expression nearly drop. "Ah. Okuu asked you about her..."
>_
-
> "Yes. She seems genuinely concerned. Do you know anything about Koishi's whereabouts?"
-
> "Yes. She seems genuinely concerned. Do you know anything about Koishi's whereabouts?"
>"She is, I am certain," says Satori. "They parted on terrible terms. And no. I don't think anyone does. She...hides herself very well. She can make it so that people who are looking at her don't notice she is there."
>_
-
> "That sounds quite discouraging actually. When was the last time you heard from her?"
-
>"Is there.... any way around that? I mean, the whole camouflage thing. Not that I should really be trying to intrude on her privacy, but you know..."
-
> "That sounds quite discouraging actually. When was the last time you heard from her?"
>"From her directly?" asks Satori. "Ages, as far as this world is concerned."
>"Is there.... any way around that? I mean, the whole camouflage thing. Not that I should really be trying to intrude on her privacy, but you know..."
>"Not that I know of. I know the Hakurei Maiden has found her, but I'm not sure if it is because she detected Koishi, or it Koishi took an interest in her and revealed herself."
>_
-
>"That sounds pretty sad, actually. If... if it isn't too prying of me to ask, why does she spend so much time away from everyone, and her own family?"
-
>"That sounds pretty sad, actually. If... if it isn't too prying of me to ask, why does she spend so much time away from everyone, and her own family?"
>"It is how she copes," says Satori. "I am content to remain here, known and mostly avoided, with the periodic excursion. Koishi wants to roam the world, but she cannot bear to be feared or shunned for what she is. So she hides."
>_
-
>"For what she is? Does she read minds like you, too?"
-
> "She hasn't talked to you in that long? Why?"
-
>"For what she is? Does she read minds like you, too?"
>"Not any longer," says Satori. "She closed her third eye in an attempt to cut off her powers. But one cannot deny their nature so easily; she now reads and can somewhat manipulate the subconscious. That is how she stays hidden."
>"This said, I don't think that she stays hidden all of the time. She likely has to ask for help from time to time, if nothing else. I imagine she tends toward crowded events as well."
> "She hasn't talked to you in that long? Why?"
>"She hates it here." says Satori. "There's little more to it than that."
>_
-
>"Well, I guess there's nothing more to do than keep my eyes open if I ever happen to bump into her, no matter how unlikely that might be."
-
> "But you're her sister! Surely you're worth visiting, even occasionally?"
-
>"Well, I guess there's nothing more to do than keep my eyes open if I ever happen to bump into her, no matter how unlikely that might be."
>"If you consider places where she might be, you might get lucky and find someone who has seen her."
> "But you're her sister! Surely you're worth visiting, even occasionally?"
>"It's rare, but sometimes she will. But, she never stays for long. Please understand, it is not that she hates us, it is that she cannot stand to be here."
>She pauses for a moment. "Perhaps I speak too soon. I cannot imagine she would be at all happy with Utsuho now."
>_
-
>"Would she remember what happened any better than anyone else does, though? Maybe she wouldn't even recall that she was angry with her in the first place?"
-
>"Would she remember what happened any better than anyone else does, though? Maybe she wouldn't even recall that she was angry with her in the first place?"
>"That, I cannot answer for sure," says Satori. "But, I suspect that if anyone could do it without assistance, it would be Koishi."
>_
-
>"Yeah, maybe, I suppose... Well, I hope I manage to find her. Certainly I expect I'll end up covering most of Gensokyo just in the course of exploring, anyway, so perhaps there's a chance. Thanks, though. I probably should be off, again."
>Head back to the herbalist we saw on our way here
-
>"Yeah, maybe, I suppose... Well, I hope I manage to find her. Certainly I expect I'll end up covering most of Gensokyo just in the course of exploring, anyway, so perhaps there's a chance. Thanks, though. I probably should be off, again."
>Head back to the herbalist we saw on our way here
>"I wish you luck," she says.
>You make your way out of the Palace, and find your way back to that herbalist. The section here doesn't seem to be nearly as large as the one you visited before. The merchant, a smallish bush heavily-muscled oni with brown hair, sits behind a table, taking a long drink from a gourd. It takes her a moment to finish, then she says, "Whacha lookin' for?"
>_
-
> "Some bloodmoss, how much for the best quality?"
-
>"Bloodmoss. High grade stuff."
>Realize that we probably have no way to tell low grade from high grade, do we?
-
>Realize that we probably have no way to tell low grade from high grade, do we?
> Not like we have to worry about the oni cheating us, though.
-
> "Some bloodmoss, how much for the best quality?"
>"Bloodmoss. High grade stuff."
>Realize that we probably have no way to tell low grade from high grade, do we?
>"Got bought out this morning," says the oni with a shrug. "Sorry 'bout that."
>You have no idea what it even looks like.
> Not like we have to worry about the oni cheating us, though.
>This is what you are counting on, more or less.
>_
-
> "Odd, this is the second herbalist I've been to today that's sold out. Did one person buy it all up?"
-
>"That's the second place I've been to that's been bought out today... Has there been a shortage of supply lately, or something?"
-
>"That's the second place I've been to that's been bought out today... Has there been a shortage of supply lately, or something?"
>"Sorta," the oni says.
> "Odd, this is the second herbalist I've been to today that's sold out. Did one person buy it all up?"
>The oni nods. "At least here, she did." She then has another drink from her gourd.
>_
-
>"Any idea who it was? If they've gone and bought up everything in town, maybe I could convince them to sell me a pinch of it. Don't need much, but it's important."
-
>"Any idea who it was? If they've gone and bought up everything in town, maybe I could convince them to sell me a pinch of it. Don't need much, but it's important."
>"Don't know her name," says the merchant, "But she's no oni. Got the funny wings, black dress, nice ass... Think she runs a place somewhere in the pub district?"
>_
-
>"That sounds familiar..."
>Do we remember where Nue's bar was?
-
> "Nothing on her head, wings are red and blue? If so, I know her."
> Surprising that Nue same as herself though
-
>"That sounds familiar..."
>Do we remember where Nue's bar was?
>"Good, cause I got nothin' else."
>You remember her heading east when she parted with you this morning.
> "Nothing on her head, wings are red and blue? If so, I know her."
> Surprising that Nue same as herself though
>"Oh yeah, that too."
>Who the what now?
>_
-
>"Well, thanks."
>Head back to the place where we met her earlier, and head east
-
> Try to remember what the bar was called, something to do with flowers, maybe a rose?
-
>"Well, thanks."
>Head back to the place where we met her earlier, and head east
>"No worries," says the merchant.
>You head back to where you and Nue parted, and head east.
>The street is particular loud and raucous, with numerous oni drinking, dancing and in general merriment on the streets. As well, there are a couple brawls going on. There buildings here seem to be mostly pubs of various kinds, in varying states of repair. Most of them, honestly, don't seem all that appealing to you.
> Try to remember what the bar was called, something to do with flowers, maybe a rose?
>Yes, this sounds right....There's one called The Rose and Weasel over there. It looks fairly inviting.
>_
-
> Mm, that doesn't sound exactly right.
> Consider giving it a shot anyway.
-
> Mm, that doesn't sound exactly right.
> Consider giving it a shot anyway.
>Yeah, it couldn't be that.
>You draw closer, and have a look through the front windows. It seems to be a well lit place, rather crowded at the moment. At the bar, you can see Nue, serving up drinks to the various patrons.
>_
-
God damn it, Draco, that's EXACTLY what I was afraid of! :/
>Consider cursing our poor memory.
>How well does Our Mary handle alcohol?
-
>Consider cursing our poor memory.
>How well does Our Mary handle alcohol?
>You curse your memory. But you feel bad, it works so hard for you.
>You don't drink much, as you tend not to care for it, but you can hold your own for awhile. You tend toward what Renko derisively calls fruity girl drinks. Not that she was any better.
>_
-
>Head in and check out the menu; if there's anything that looks like it might use bloodmoss, there may be a benign reason for Nue's mass purchase.
-
>Head in and check out the menu; if there's anything that looks like it might use bloodmoss, there may be a benign reason for Nue's mass purchase.
>You head inside, and find things are just as busy as they looked outside. There a lot of talking and laughing going on, creating a lively babble that makes it hard to think. You have a look at the price list beside the bar. ...You have no idea what any of these drinks are, aside from the fact they sound slightly obscene.
>"Oy! Maribel!" calls out a gruff voice to the left.
>_
-
>Look. Expect Deva K. Be ready for violence.
-
>Look. Expect Deva K. Be ready for violence.
>You look, and find your expectations are fulfilled. Deva K grins at you from a booth in the corner. Thankfully, violence does not follow.
>_
-
>Well, probably best to humor her a little.
>Walk over close enough to talk comfortably.
>"Hello again."
-
>Well, probably best to humor her a little.
>Walk over close enough to talk comfortably.
>"Hello again."
>You walk over to her seat, which is curiously empty. You would think someone on her level would have all kinds of flunkies about?
>"Glad you showed up," she says. "Take a load off. Word has it you've been messing around with Yuugi."
>_
-
> Frown.
> "Messing around? I was just giving her advice on how she and Utsuho could settle things peacefully."
-
> Frown.
> "Messing around? I was just giving her advice on how she and Utsuho could settle things peacefully."
>"That what it is?" she says. "Ah well, you know how street ears are."
>_
-
>"The main part I'm interested in, at least. She DID ask me to look into a small pawn shop that's opening up, and I helped that girl with a rat problem, though I'm not entirely sure what to think about that set of favors."
-
>"The main part I'm interested in, at least. She DID ask me to look into a small pawn shop that's opening up, and I helped that girl with a rat problem, though I'm not entirely sure what to think about that set of favors."
>The oni has a sip from her cup. "Yeah, Pawn Shops are her turf. Good of you to help her out with that."
>_
-
>shrug
>"I've been doing a lot of odd jobs today. It's been a good way to explore and learn."
>"Actually, right now I'm looking for some quality bloodmoss - I was told that Nue's bought a lot today, so I'm wondering if you know if it's used for anything here? Or, where to find some on my own? I expect it's not something you're too interested in, but I might as well ask."
-
>shrug
>"I've been doing a lot of odd jobs today. It's been a good way to explore and learn."
>"Actually, right now I'm looking for some quality bloodmoss - I was told that Nue's bought a lot today, so I'm wondering if you know if it's used for anything here? Or, where to find some on my own? I expect it's not something you're too interested in, but I might as well ask."
>"She does that every year about this time," says Deva K. "She'll pick up all the bloodmoss that's bloodmoss. Give it a day or so, and it'll show up on the market again."
-
> "Do you think it'd be possible for me to convince her to part with a little bit though? Either through a favor or monetary exchange?"
-
> "Do you think it'd be possible for me to convince her to part with a little bit though? Either through a favor or monetary exchange?"
>She shrugs, and sips from her cup again. "Probably. She'll be setting it to brew pretty soon, though, so don't sleep on that too long."
>_
-
>"Do you have any idea what she makes with it? Or is it something she doesn't like to talk about much?"
>Unless we really want to get Byakuren's power-up and push a little closer to risking unintentional youkaidom in exchange for better handling fairies and the ilk, this part can wait a day or two. Let's not push TOO hard to get it.
>quests
-
We could always, you know, get the bloodmoss now and have it for if we need a power boost. Why would you wait again? I mean, seriously, no point in closing things off because we're sooooo~ nervous about possibly becoming a youkai. We can take the bloodmoss without upgrading. I say do so.
-
We could always, you know, get the bloodmoss now and have it for if we need a power boost. Why would you wait again? I mean, seriously, no point in closing things off because we're sooooo~ nervous about possibly becoming a youkai. We can take the bloodmoss without upgrading. I say do so.
The issue is whether whatever Nue would want for it is worth the trouble when we're leaving the lovebirds to wait/fume/try not to kill each other and odds are fair that school's let out by now in the village. There are more pressing things at hand, unless the strength is needed to take care of the fairy horde (which is apparently time-sensitive enough). And I'm not sure if we'd also need something from Eintei for the power-up, which also means the chance to try and see Reisen to ask about getting in there through more subtle means.
-
The issue is whether whatever Nue would want for it is worth the trouble when we're leaving the lovebirds to wait/fume/try not to kill each other and odds are fair that school's let out by now in the village. There are more pressing things at hand, unless the strength is needed to take care of the fairy horde (which is apparently time-sensitive enough). And I'm not sure if we'd also need something from Eintei for the power-up, which also means the chance to try and see Reisen to ask about getting in there through more subtle means.
Bloodmoss is the last thing. Worst to worst we can ask if she can set some aside for us if it's a task. I see absolutely NO good reason to not ask.
-
Bloodmoss is the last thing. Worst to worst we can ask if she can set some aside for us if it's a task. I see absolutely NO good reason to not ask.
This, pretty much.
-
>"Do you have any idea what she makes with it? Or is it something she doesn't like to talk about much?"
>Unless we really want to get Byakuren's power-up and push a little closer to risking unintentional youkaidom in exchange for better handling fairies and the ilk, this part can wait a day or two. Let's not push TOO hard to get it.
>quests
>"She makes ale for the Solstice festival with it," Deva K says. "So I don't think it'd be too hard, as long as you don't want too much. Just she always sells out."
>You consider whether this can wait.
>>Your Quests are:
>Renko Quest
>Given Renko has been your long-term partner in crime, if you're stuck here, chances are she is too.
>Escape from Eastern Wonderland?
>At some point, you should probably try to go home. Right?
>Love is a Battlefield
>Your friend Utsuho in a bitter rivalry with Yuugi for the heart of Parsee Mizuhashi. You've managed to at least open Yuugi's heart to another idea; Utsuho has gone to investigate
>Maximum Charge Maribel Hearn
>Byakuren has offered to cast a spell to enhance your innate magic potential, if you gather the ingredients and prove yourself worthy.
>Clinic Catastophe
>Byakuren asked you to help Murasa run the clinic, and to make sure Murasa is doing her job. Kisume's bucket appeared there, but how?
>Bellow away!
>The town blacksmith's bellows are missing! She thinks they were stolen by faeries.
>Maid a Getaway
>The maids from Scarlet Devil Mansion are running away! Why is this?
>Coy, is she?
>Utsuho has asked you to find Koishi, and try to help make amends.
>What watch?
>Utsuho has asked you to return Sakuya her pocketwatch
>Need a Nitori
>Utsuho asked you to find out if Nitori is doing okay.
>_
-
Okay, point ceded.
>We only need a small amount, right? Quality over quantity.
>>If so, admit that to K and excuse our-Maryself to talk to Nue about this.
-
Okay, point ceded.
>We only need a small amount, right? Quality over quantity.
>>If so, admit that to K and excuse our-Maryself to talk to Nue about this.
>You're not sure how much you need, but given Byakuren didn't specify a lot, you don't think you'll need that much.
>"Good luck with that," says the oni, as she finishes her drink.
>You approach the Bar. Nue is presently shaking a drink shaker, and doesn't seem to have noticed you yet.
>_
-
>"Hey, Nue, could I have a minute?"
-
>"Hey, Nue, could I have a minute?"
>She looks over. "Oh, hey! Didn't see you there. Sure, what do you want? Ales are ten percent off today!"
>_
-
>"Well, actually about that. I heard you bought up all the bloodmoss in town, and well... I needed a little bit for something important. I don't suppose you'd be able to sell a tiny bit back to me?"
-
>"Does that discount count for ale ingredients? I'm looking for a little bit of high-quality bloodmoss for an enchantment from Byakuren."
-
>"Well, actually about that. I heard you bought up all the bloodmoss in town, and well... I needed a little bit for something important. I don't suppose you'd be able to sell a tiny bit back to me?"
>"Mmm, maybe," Nue says. "What do you want it for."
>"Does that discount count for ale ingredients? I'm looking for a little bit of high-quality bloodmoss for an enchantment from Byakuren."
>She sticks out her tongue. "Nice try. And...really? What's she up to?"
>_
-
>"Well, she'd be the one performing the enchantment, but I have to admit that she'd intended the spell for me. She volunteered to enhance my natural magical potential, and bloodmoss is the last component required for the spell."
-
>"Well, she'd be the one performing the enchantment, but I have to admit that she'd intended the spell for me. She volunteered to enhance my natural magical potential, and bloodmoss is the last component required for the spell."
>"Well..." she frowns. "I don't know if you're making it up or not, but I suppose if it is Byakuren, it'll be okay."
>_
-
>"I promise I'm not. Murasa can vouch for me; I was just helping out at the clinic a little. And what do you think is a fair price for a little high grade bloodmoss?"
-
>Inventory, do we have anything that would confirm this?
>"I just helped out Murasa at the clinic to make up for the help Byakuren already gave me earlier."
>"Or is bloodmoss an unusual ingredient for enchantments?"
-
>We have an ingredient list in Byakuren's own handwriting, right? Show Nue that.
-
>"I promise I'm not. Murasa can vouch for me; I was just helping out at the clinic a little. And what do you think is a fair price for a little high grade bloodmoss?"
>"Well...if you want the good stuff..." She ponders.
>Inventory, do we have anything that would confirm this?
>"I just helped out Murasa at the clinic to make up for the help Byakuren already gave me earlier."
>"Or is bloodmoss an unusual ingredient for enchantments?"
Your Inventory Contains
>Mop Hat (Worn as Hat)
>Red Robe (Worn as Clothing)
>White Hakama (Worn as Clothing)
>Branch
>Floating Stone
>Ingredient List
>Ring of Rhythm
>Striped Mushroom Potion of Enhancement
>Starlight Incantation Slip.
>Purple Messenger Bag
>Blue Silk Flower
>125☼
>The Pocktwatch
>Bottle of Irritated Bull Sake
>Bag of Ground Ragewort
>Emerald Necklace
>Star Armlet
>"Did you? I'll have to get the story when she comes in!"
>"I'm not sure. I'm not really a magician."
>We have an ingredient list in Byakuren's own handwriting, right? Show Nue that.
>You show her the list.
>"Well, okay. I'll give you all the bloodmoss you want," she says. "Buuuuuut! You owe me a favor." She gives you a wink.
>_
-
>Smile back
>"What kind of favor did you have in mind?"
-
> Begin removing our top.
-
> Begin removing our top.
>Well she does have a nice ass...
>Smile back
>"What kind of favor did you have in mind?"
>You smile back.
>"Oh, I'll think of something good," she says, grinning. "I can do with a resource like you, I think."
>_
-
>"A.... resource like me?"
>"Should I take it that you don't already know what favor I owe you, then?"
-
>"A.... resource like me?"
>"Should I take it that you don't already know what favor I owe you, then?"
>"Not yet," she says, "But I'll think of something. Now give me just a moment..."
>She pours the drink into a shaker, and serves it to an oni at the bar, then quickly vanishes into the back. After a moment, she comes back with a small bag and hands it to you. "This is the best I've got."
>_
-
>"Thank you very much. I totally appreciate it."
>Take the bag
>"And I guess you'll let me know when you figure something out, then?"
-
>"Thank you very much. I totally appreciate it."
>Take the bag
>"And I guess you'll let me know when you figure something out, then?"
>"You're welcome," she says.
>You obtain: Bag of High Quality Bloodmoss
>She grins. "Oh, I'll find you~"
>_
-
>"Sure. I guess I'll see you later, then!"
>Leave the bar
>Head towards the surface
-
>Rather, head for the bridge to deal with one last loose end.
Draco, let me handle this. :<
-
>"Sure. I guess I'll see you later, then!"
>Leave the bar
>Head towards the surface
>Rather, head for the bridge to deal with one last loose end.
>"Oh, you will~" she says, grinning like a cat.
>You leave the bar and begin to trek toward the surface. Deva K nods to you on your way out.
>Crossing the bridge, you see no sign of Parsee, Yuugi, or Utsuho.
>_
-
>Hmm. That's not a good sign.
>Call out, "Hello? Parsee? Yuugi? Utsuho?"
-
> Didn't Yuugi say she was going to Parsee's house? Isn't that below the bridge?
-
>Hmm. That's not a good sign.
>Call out, "Hello? Parsee? Yuugi? Utsuho?"
>You call out, and get no response.
> Didn't Yuugi say she was going to Parsee's house? Isn't that below the bridge?
>Well, she did say she was going to talk with Parsee, and her house is below the bridge.
>_
-
>It's worth a shot. See whether there's a door or building beneath the bridge from a safe distance, on either side of the bridge; if there is, fly down the nearest shore, carefully. If everyone can fly, there's a reason for the bridge.
-
>It's worth a shot. See whether there's a door or building beneath the bridge from a safe distance, on either side of the bridge; if there is, fly down the nearest shore, carefully. If everyone can fly, there's a reason for the bridge.
>You can see Parsee's house pretty easily from here, on the opposite shore.
>Really, that is an interesting question, if everyone can fly, why are there bridges?
>You reach the shore with no difficulties.
>_
-
>Get close and listen in for a moment. If nothing's amiss, knock softly.
-
>Get close and listen in for a moment. If nothing's amiss, knock softly.
>You get close to the house, and you think you can hear muffled voices inside.
>_
-
>Ponder whether we might do more harm than good by poking our nose in again at the moment, if they're actually talking civilly.
-
>Are they either angry or passionate?
>If neither, knock gently.
-
>Ponder whether we might do more harm than good by poking our nose in again at the moment, if they're actually talking civilly.
>You wonder if they really need a mediator if they're behaving.
>Are they either angry or passionate?
>If neither, knock gently.
>It doesn't seem that way, at least. They sound pretty sedate.
>You knock.
>"Go away!" comes the voice of Parsee from inside.
-
>"It's Maribel. Are you three alright?"
-
>"It's Maribel. Are you three alright?"
>"Yeah, we're zoggin' peachy!" comes the voice of Yuugi. "You need something?
>_
-
>Was Yuugi being sarcastic?
-
>Was Yuugi being sarcastic?
>...It's kind of hard to tell.
>_
-
>"I stopped by to see if any of you wanted me around to help work this out, or at least give some advice. Should I come in?"
-
>"I stopped by to see if any of you wanted me around to help work this out, or at least give some advice. Should I come in?"
>"This is kind of personal, you know!" Parsee says. You hear someone reply to her, but you can't make out what aside from the general sound of talking.
>_
-
Look, I know you said to leave this to you and all, but unless you have something very specific to say, I think it's really a very, very bad idea to try this. She's right that it's private, and we're mostly an outsider here. We risk making things worse by not leaving them alone.
-
> Skedaddle. Parsee clearly doesn't want any help, and quite possibly doesn't need it.
Back up to the surface, then? I think we owe Sakuya a visit.
Oh hey I didn't realize there was a plan.
-
If there is, I don't know what it is, yet ^^;
-
>"I know. But that doesn't mean that advice can't help, and someone from outside a conflict may be able to be more level-headed about things. Or suggest crazy ideas. Either way, I'm willing to help if you want it."
I'm on it, you guys. I have experience (or at least knowledge) for both (http://www.ejhs.org/volume6/polyamory.htm) aspects (http://www.thirdside.org/) of this.
-
>"I know. But that doesn't mean that advice can't help, and someone from outside a conflict may be able to be more level-headed about things. Or suggest crazy ideas. Either way, I'm willing to help if you want it."
>The door opens, and Yuugi peeks out, her face suspiciously neutral.
>"Get."
>_
-
>"... alright."
>Get going aboveground, then. Hope Utsuho's okay.
-
> Nod and leave very quickly
-
>"... alright."
>Get going aboveground, then. Hope Utsuho's okay.
> Nod and leave very quickly
>You leave very quickly, hoping Utsuho's silence was just others speaking for her. Or, alternately, that she got lost.
>The trip back to the surface is much easier now that you can fly; it lets you skip over all the unpleasant obstacles that got in the way the first time. True to her word, Kisume doesn't bother you this time. You don't even see her. As well, Yamame seems to be absent as well. In fairly short order, you are outside again, blinking against the sunlight.
>_
-
>Drop in on Mystia and Tokiko on our way towards the village
-
>Mental note: Fairies near Mystia's are supposed to be likely to have the bellows. Maybe.
-
>Drop in on Mystia and Tokiko on our way towards the village
>You head toward Mystia' stand, a short enough flight all in all.
>Landing near it, you see that Mystia is serving a customer, though the curtain obscures her. You don't see any signs of Tokiko at the moment.
>Mental note: Fairies near Mystia's are supposed to be likely to have the bellows. Maybe.
>Oh, that's right.
>_
-
>Walk over to Mystia
>Once she's done with the customer: "Hey there! How'd it go with Tokiko afterwards? Nothing bad, I hope?"
-
>Walk over to Mystia
>Once she's done with the customer: "Hey there! How'd it go with Tokiko afterwards? Nothing bad, I hope?"
>You walk over to Mystia's side of the stand. "Hey, you're not su-" she says at first, then notices you. "Oh, hi Maribel! Let me finish with Ran real quick."
>Glancing over, you notice the customer, who is currently occupied with her skewer, as a blonde woman in robes and a mop had covered with yellow talismans. You note the cap is altered to allow for some rather large triangular ears. You don't think she's really noticed you just yet...
>_
-
>Oh dear. Act natural.
>"Alright. I'll be back in a bit, I'd like to look around."
>slip into the forest, hopefully out of Ran's line of sight. Not that THAT'S likely.
-
>Oh dear. Act natural.
>"Alright. I'll be back in a bit, I'd like to look around."
>slip into the forest, hopefully out of Ran's line of sight. Not that THAT'S likely.
>"Okay, it shouldn't take long," says Mystia, slip away. Thankfully, the forest itself is still rather dense, and you are able to disappear into it pretty quickly.
>_
-
>Wait a reasonable length of time, then cautiously come back if the coast seems clear
-
>Wait a reasonable length of time, then cautiously come back if the coast seems clear
>You give it a few minutes, and head back. You see Ran walking away from the booth, apparently lost in thought. Without the curtain in the way, you can see she have a rather impressive array of tails.
>_
-
> Resist urge to Lupin-dive into said tails.
-
>Head back over to Mystia when Ran is out of sight.
>"So, how'd it go, earlier?"
-
> Resist urge to Lupin-dive into said tails.
>They...really do look very snuggly. If this Yukari does look like you, you can see why she would keep Ran around.
>Head back over to Mystia when Ran is out of sight.
>"So, how'd it go, earlier?"
>You let Ran meander off, then return to Mystia.
>"She didn't burn herself on the grill," Mystia says, "Which I consider to be a pretty good for a first try. Also delivered that lunch for me, which was helpful of her. She said there was some woman there who looked a lot like you. That side, she has a long way to go on picking up the basics." she shakes her her head. "She had to learn the hard way why you only use a pinch of salt."
>_
>_
-
>"She seems to be new at a lot of things. Give her time."
>"Where'd she go after you finished?"
>"Uh... do you think that the person at Rinnosuke's may have been Yukari?"
>Approximate time.
-
>"She seems to be new at a lot of things. Give her time."
>"Where'd she go after you finished?"
>"Uh... do you think that the person at Rinnosuke's may have been Yukari?"
>Approximate time.
>"Oh, I know," says Mystia. "She'll figure it out."
>"She's inside, she wanted to do some reading, and I didn't have the heart to send her out into the woods."
>Mystia nods at your inquiry about the person at Kourindou.
>_
-
>"Inside where?"
-
>"Inside where?"
>She nods toward the house.
-
Silly me forgetting Mystia's house was here, too.
>"Mind if I step inside and say hello to her?"
-
>"Mind if I step inside and say hello to her?"
>"As long as you behave yourself," she says.
>_
-
>"Oh, no worries on that score, thanks."
>Go enter the house
-
>"Oh, no worries on that score, thanks."
>Go enter the house
>She nods, while cleaning the grill.
>You walk over to the front door and enter the house.
>Inside, you find yourself in a little hall with a closet to the right side. To the left of the door, you see a rather well appointed kitchen, with a smallish dining room table. Up ahead, you can see hall open to what looks like a sitting room. Compared to some of what you've seen today, this is rather spacious and luxurious. Tokiko is curled up on a chair near the windows, reading a book with rapt attention.
>_
-
>Walk over to her.
>"Hi, Tokiko. Just thought I'd check in and see how you're doing. Enjoying the book?"
-
>Walk over to her.
>"Hi, Tokiko. Just thought I'd check in and see how you're doing. Enjoying the book?"
>You walk over. She looks up and smiles at you.
>"This book is the most amazing thing I've ever read! There's a rat youkai and a mole youkai and they're friends and ride on a boat and there's a crazy toad youkai! I wanna meet them, they sound fun!"
>_
-
>Grin.
>"I take it you've been enjoying yourself, then?"
>"How was cooking with Mystia?"
-
>"I'm glad you're enjoying it!"
>Let's not rain on her parade just yet by telling her they aren't youkai, and also don't exist... It seems way too sad when she's enjoying it so much.
>"How did the cooking thing go, anyway?"
-
>Grin.
>"I take it you've been enjoying yourself, then?"
>"How was cooking with Mystia?"
>"I'm glad you're enjoying it!"
>Let's not rain on her parade just yet by telling her they aren't youkai, and also don't exist... It seems way too sad when she's enjoying it so much.
>"How did the cooking thing go, anyway?"
>She nods. "Yes, this is amazing!"
>You don't have the heart to explain fiction to her just yet.
>"...I don't think I like salt very much. But she's very good. Did you know that when you get the meat hot enough, it'll make clear juices? I didn't even know meat had clear juices in it, just red ones"
>_
-
>Fight it down.
>"... there's a lot of things that aren't obvious at first. What else have you been up to while I was away?"
>Did Tokiko tell Yukari about us? Did Mystia tell Ran about us? This is important.
-
>Fight it down.
>"... there's a lot of things that aren't obvious at first. What else have you been up to while I was away?"
>Did Tokiko tell Yukari about us? Did Mystia tell Ran about us? This is important.
>Thankfully, the visual memory has dimmed a bit. But the sound is still pretty clear.... yeesh.
>"Oh, Mystia made me take lunch to the man at the store, and he was talking with a tall lady who looked a whole lot like you! But she had on white clothes, so I didn't call her your name.
>Indeed...
-
>Some relief.
>"What was she like? I've heard about someone like that before, and I think I'll want to talk with her sometime... not necessarily soon, but sometime. You don't need to tell her about me unless she asks."
-
> Are you getting a hold on everything or do you think it'll take more time?
-
>Some relief.
>"What was she like? I've heard about someone like that before, and I think I'll want to talk with her sometime... not necessarily soon, but sometime. You don't need to tell her about me unless she asks."
>Everything is fine, nothing is ruined. Hopefully.
>"She's...well, scary. Like the man at the shop but much worse. She seems nice otherwise, though."
> Are you getting a hold on everything or do you think it'll take more time?
>I'll assume that's a statement to Tokiko.
>"I don't know..." she says. "It looks like there's a lot of things I missed that I should have known already..."
>_
-
>"Well, all there is to be done is just keep learning things as you go. That's one of the big things life's about, after all: learning new things."
-
>"Well, all there is to be done is just keep learning things as you go. That's one of the big things life's about, after all: learning new things."
>She nods. "I think I'll be okay. Mystia and you are both really nice."
>_
-
>"I'm glad you feel comfortable, Tokiko. A lot of people are nice, really, once you get to know them."
>"I don't suppose there's anything else I can do for you right now? Otherwise, I can let you get back to your book."
-
>"I'm glad you feel comfortable, Tokiko. A lot of people are nice, really, once you get to know them."
>"I don't suppose there's anything else I can do for you right now? Otherwise, I can let you get back to your book."
>She frowns for a moment. "I don't know...is there anything I need done for me?"
>_
-
>"Nah, if you think you're good for now, you're probably good for now."
>"I'll see you later!"
>Exit and head for Byakuren's place
-
>"Nah, if you think you're good for now, you're probably good for now."
>"I'll see you later!"
>Exit and head for Byakuren's place
>Don't go to the village.
>Go back to Mystia.
>"This may be a jerk question, but, uh, do you think Ran noticed me?"
-
>"Nah, if you think you're good for now, you're probably good for now."
>"I'll see you later!"
>Exit and head for Byakuren's place
>"Well, alright," she says. "If I have to go, I'll tell Mystia where you can find me."
>You leave and start to help for the temple.
>Don't go to the village.
>Go back to Mystia.
>"This may be a jerk question, but, uh, do you think Ran noticed me?"
>But you decide to do something else first and go back to Mystia.
>You ask her about Ran. "Well, she did," says Mystia, "But I don't think she got a really good look at you."
>_
-
>"Then I take it she didn't ask further after I left? Hmm... alright, then. That's some relief - I'm not sure how easily I'd attract Yukari's attention if she heard about me... and I've been warned that that can be a little dangerous to earn."
>"... but man, those tails were gorgeous."
-
>"Then I take it she didn't ask further after I left? Hmm... alright, then. That's some relief - I'm not sure how easily I'd attract Yukari's attention if she heard about me... and I've been warned that that can be a little dangerous to earn."
>"... but man, those tails were gorgeous."
>"I think she considered it, but she didn't. And... yeah, you probably won't want Yukari's attention. She's weird. And really really powerful."
>"Oh, no doubt."
>_
-
>... thought. Should we ask Tokiko if she overheard what Rinnosuke and Yukari were talking about? Knowing her next destination would let us know where to avoid for a while. But it might be rude.
>... nah, not a big deal.
>"Speaking of which, I forgot to ask Tokiko about something..."
>head back into the house and ask what Rinnosuke and Yukari were up to.
-
>... thought. Should we ask Tokiko if she overheard what Rinnosuke and Yukari were talking about? Knowing her next destination would let us know where to avoid for a while. But it might be rude.
>... nah, not a big deal.
>"Speaking of which, I forgot to ask Tokiko about something..."
>head back into the house and ask what Rinnosuke and Yukari were up to.
>That might be a good idea.
>"Well, okay," says Mystia.
>You head back into Mystia's house, and ask Tokiko about what Yukari and Rinnosuke were talking about. "Um," she says, "I didn't really understand any of it, so I don't remember very well. And they kind of stopped when I came in. The man, Rinnosuke I think, thanked me, though!"
>_
-
>"I guess you have no idea where the girl might have gone afterwards? Oh well. Sorry to bother you again, Tokiko. Enjoy your books!"
>NOW Mary's ready to head to the village.
>But would it be worth looking for the bellows in the meantime? Again, blame was on the fairies near here...
>Good compromise might be to take a non-road route and hope/risk running into a fairy to investigate.
-
>"I guess you have no idea where the girl might have gone afterwards? Oh well. Sorry to bother you again, Tokiko. Enjoy your books!"
>NOW Mary's ready to head to the village.
>But would it be worth looking for the bellows in the meantime? Again, blame was on the fairies near here...
>Good compromise might be to take a non-road route and hope/risk running into a fairy to investigate.
>"No, I left before she did," says Tokiko. "And I will!"
>You leave the house, and consider how to find any faeries around here. Taking a route through places with the proper road may help...
>_
>_
-
>There's always a chance this is connected to the whole Dai thing, which we'll be looking into later, anyway.
>Just head towards the village in the normal way, but give Kourindou a wide berth, just in case
-
>There's always a chance this is connected to the whole Dai thing, which we'll be looking into later, anyway.
>Just head towards the village in the normal way, but give Kourindou a wide berth, just in case
>You head toward the village the normal way, finding nothing unusual on your way through the woods save a skittish rabbit that runs off at first sight of you. Giving Kourindou a wide berth is pretty easy, the path there doesn't really go by it.
>Along the way to the village, you think you notice a little activity in front of the house far to the west of the intersection near the pond, but it doesn't seem to be anything that would bother you.
>Soon, you reach the village.
>_
-
>Head to Byakuren's
>While we go that way, note whether or not school seems to be out yet
-
>Head to Byakuren's
>While we go that way, note whether or not school seems to be out yet
>You cross town toward Byakuren's temple.
>Along the way, you glance at the school. It doesn't seem to be out yet, but you notice Marisa loitering outside of it, so you get the feeling it won't be too long. She also seems to be carrying a purple thing you can't identify.
>_
-
>A purple thing? What did it look like?
>Head over to Marisa
>"School almost out, then?"
-
>Is it our usual dress? We never DID get that back from Reimu, though there's a fair reason for that...
-
>A purple thing? What did it look like?
>Head over to Marisa
>"School almost out, then?"
>It's cloth-like.
>You detour toward Marisa.
>"In a bit," she says. "And good thing you showed up, too!"
>Is it our usual dress? We never DID get that back from Reimu, though there's a fair reason for that...
>It certainly seems to be, as Marisa offers it toward you. "Reimu figured since I was more likely to run into you than she was, I ought to hand this back to you."
>You obtain: Purple Dress.
>_
-
> Anywhere nearby where we can change?
> "Thanks, I'll try and run this extra outfit by her after I get changed."
-
> Anywhere nearby where we can change?
> "Thanks, I'll try and run this extra outfit by her after I get changed."
Might not be the best idea.
>"Ah, thank you. Though... I probably shouldn't wear it for now, considering how I just nearly ran into Ran, and I heard Yukari was at Rinnosuke's shop just a bit ago, so... more attention would be unwelcome. I hope Reimu doesn't mind me borrowing these clothes for a little longer."
>"I had a few things to take care of Underground. Not sure how well I did overall, but most of it's been settled for now..."
>"... actually, Chen is in the class, isn't she? I may want to stay out of sight until she leaves."
-
Might not be the best idea.
I didn't say to change now. Gotta plan for the future though
-
> Anywhere nearby where we can change?
> "Thanks, I'll try and run this extra outfit by her after I get changed."
>It's rather public here. But you suspect the tavern may have a bathroom, or maybe there's a private place at the temple. Alternately, you suspect if Shou's Clothes deals in clothing, they'd have a changing room.
>"Oh, I doubt she cares that much about it," says Marisa.
>"Ah, thank you. Though... I probably shouldn't wear it for now, considering how I just nearly ran into Ran, and I heard Yukari was at Rinnosuke's shop just a bit ago, so... more attention would be unwelcome. I hope Reimu doesn't mind me borrowing these clothes for a little longer."
>"I had a few things to take care of Underground. Not sure how well I did overall, but most of it's been settled for now..."
>"... actually, Chen is in the class, isn't she? I may want to stay out of sight until she leaves."
>"She won't care," Marisa says, "Reimu knows all you got here are the things you're carrying with you. But yeah...I feel you on Yukari."
>She nods. "Underground's not so bad, when you get used to it."
>"Sounds like a good idea, that."
>_
-
>May as well head to Byakuren's, then, while we wait out Chen
-
> "In that case, I'll probably head off. Thanks for returning my dress."
> Wave, head off for Byakuren's. Might as well drop off those ingredients now.
-
>Addendum: "head off for the moment and talk to Byakuren. I'll be back soon." No need to seem like we're ditching her.
-
>May as well head to Byakuren's, then, while we wait out Chen
>This seems like a good idea.
> "In that case, I'll probably head off. Thanks for returning my dress."
> Wave, head off for Byakuren's. Might as well drop off those ingredients now.
>Addendum: "head off for the moment and talk to Byakuren. I'll be back soon." No need to seem like we're ditching her.
>"Alright," says Marisa. "I'm not going anywhere soon. And no problem."
>You head for the Temple. Things are more or less as peaceful here as you remember. You notice that Byakuren, the hooded woman, and a small gray-haired girl with mouse ears are sitting outside, having a picnic. Byakuren waves to you as she notices you.
>_
-
>Wave back and walk over to her
>"Hello, again. Nice day for a picnic, isn't it?"
-
>Wonder what the mouse-eared girl would think of some of our recent antics.
>inventory
-
>Wave back and walk over to her
>"Hello, again. Nice day for a picnic, isn't it?"
>You wave back and go to join them.
>"It's a nice way to relax after renovating all morning," says Byakuren. "I trust you're well?"
>"Oh, this the new kid?" asks the mouse-eared woman, as she looks back at you with a hard to read expression.
>Wonder what the mouse-eared girl would think of some of our recent antics.
>inventory
>You aren't sure, but she does seem a bit gruff.
Your Inventory Contains
>Mop Hat (Worn as Hat)
>Red Robe (Worn as Clothing)
>White Hakama (Worn as Clothing)
>Branch
>Floating Stone
>Ingredient List
>Ring of Rhythm
>Striped Mushroom Potion of Enhancement
>Starlight Incantation Slip.
>Purple Messenger Bag
>Blue Silk Flower
>125☼
>The Pocktwatch
>Bottle of Irritated Bull Sake
>Bag of Ground Ragewort
>Emerald Necklace
>Star Armlet
>Bag of Bloodmoss
>Purple Dress
>_
-
> "I managed to find all your ingredients this morning."
> Hand over ingredients to Byakuren.
-
>"Yeah, that's me. And I'm pretty well, considering how poorly one of my bright ideas could have worked out.... But that aside, I gave Murasa a hand, as you asked. And I also found the last of the components on the list."
>Don't need to hand her over the stuff while she's eating. Let her have her break
-
>To the mouse: "It's probably fair to call me that, miss, uh..."
-
>Don't need to hand her over the stuff while she's eating. Let her have her break
>We don't need to carry them around and it's not like we're asking for the power-up right now. There is no reason to keep holding on to them.
-
>We don't need to carry them around and it's not like we're asking for the power-up right now. There is no reason to keep holding on to them.
>The point is more not interrupting her meal so quickly. Give it time, even if it's an important point to get to. We have a mouse to meet.
-
> "I managed to find all your ingredients this morning."
> Hand over ingredients to Byakuren.
>"Yeah, that's me. And I'm pretty well, considering how poorly one of my bright ideas could have worked out.... But that aside, I gave Murasa a hand, as you asked. And I also found the last of the components on the list."
>Don't need to hand her over the stuff while she's eating. Let her have her break
>Byakuren nods. "You gathered them? That was faster than I expected. And I'm glad you got to Murasa, though I'm sorry to hear your plan didn't work as well as you hoped. Were things well with Murasa?"
>You decide to let her have her break.
>To the mouse: "It's probably fair to call me that, miss, uh..."
>"Nazrin" she says. "S'pleasure."
>We don't need to carry them around and it's not like we're asking for the power-up right now. There is no reason to keep holding on to them.
>The point is more not interrupting her meal so quickly. Give it time, even if it's an important point to get to. We have a mouse to meet.
>Manners sure can be difficult.
>_
-
>Have we heard of Nazrin before?
>"Things were... well enough. She was off when I arrived, but I'd consider helping Yuugi keep her cool a legitimate reason to take some time off. After that, uh, became no longer necessary, I helped her... clean up a bit at the clinic, and delivered some tea to an oni with cough troubles."
-
Not sure why we're in such a rush to meet Nazrin. No one's mentioned her, and we never even got Ichirin's name despite having a conversation with her earlier.
-
>Have we heard of Nazrin before?
>"Things were... well enough. She was off when I arrived, but I'd consider helping Yuugi keep her cool a legitimate reason to take some time off. After that, uh, became no longer necessary, I helped her... clean up a bit at the clinic, and delivered some tea to an oni with cough troubles."
>You think Murasa mentioned it.
>Byakuren nods. "I'm glad you were able to help her get things in order."
>"Oh, Mari?" says Nazrin. "She's not to bad."
>"When she's not in a mood," the hooded woman adds.
>_
-
> To the hooded woman: "Excuse me, but I never got your name earlier. Forgive me."
> Introduce ourselves again, it's only polite.
-
Re; Vic: Yeah, I'm just being a pedant. Sorry. :ohdear:
>"From what I saw, she was acting somewhere in between those extremes, I think. Not entirely pleasant, I'll admit, but manageable."
>Do we hunger?
-
>"She was pleasant enough, considering. I think I amused her a little, actually. I don't imagine she gets too many humans down talking to her."
-
> To the hooded woman: "Excuse me, but I never got your name earlier. Forgive me."
> Introduce ourselves again, it's only polite.
>"My mistake," she says, "I'm Ichirin."
>"From what I saw, she was acting somewhere in between those extremes, I think. Not entirely pleasant, I'll admit, but manageable."
>Do we hunger?
>Nazrin and Ichirin nod. They clearly understand.
>You could certainly do with something.
>"She was pleasant enough, considering. I think I amused her a little, actually. I don't imagine she gets too many humans down talking to her."
>"She really doesn't like humans," says Ichirin, "Or anyone from up here."
>"Except for the good ones," Nazrin says, "Which is pretty much anyone she likes."
>_
-
>"There was also a bit of a row about a bucket. Kisume claimed that one of the ones at the clinic was her spare that had been stolen."
-
>"There was also a bit of a row about a bucket. Kisume claimed that one of the ones at the clinic was her spare that had been stolen."
>Byakuren frowns. "I assume it wasn't hers?"
>_
-
>"She seemed convinced that it was, and I'm actually kind of inclined to believe her in this case. Not that I think it was Murasa's fault. She says she picked it up at Kourindou. How it might have gotten there in the first place is probably anyone's guess. I heard Rinnosuke doesn't answer too many questions, but I figured I'd try asking him, anyway."
-
> "Apparently it WAS hers, but Murasa had purchased it from a shop. Somewhere along the line, someone stole the bucket from Kisume and sold it to that shop. None of us know who, though."
-
> "Apparently it WAS hers, but Murasa had purchased it from a shop. Somewhere along the line, someone stole the bucket from Kisume and sold it to that shop. None of us know who, though."
>"She seemed convinced that it was, and I'm actually kind of inclined to believe her in this case. Not that I think it was Murasa's fault. She says she picked it up at Kourindou. How it might have gotten there in the first place is probably anyone's guess. I heard Rinnosuke doesn't answer too many questions, but I figured I'd try asking him, anyway."
>"It was a good thing you there, then." says Byakuren.
>"What with Murasa's temper," Nazrin says, as she nibbles on a sandwich.
>Byakuren turns her frown on Nazrin for a moment, then looks back to you. "I'm happy you old me about this, though. Even if little comes of it."
>"Would you like a bun?" Ichirin asks.
>_
-
>"Yes, please. That would be nice."
>Accept the bun
-
>"Yes, please. That would be nice."
>Accept the bun
>You are handed a bun! It's a little warm.
>"I hope you've not had many problems otherwise?" Byakuren says.
>_
-
>Take a bite
>"Aside from Yuugi threatening to paint her walls with me, I think I've been mostly ok."
-
>Take a bite
>"Aside from Yuugi threatening to paint her walls with me, I think I've been mostly ok."
>It is full of soft, still kinda warm vegetables. Not too shabby!
>"Sounds like Yuugi," says Nazrin. "She was being metaphorical, don't worry. Worst that would have happened is that she'd have knocked you out and dumped you in some alley."
>_
-
>"I can't say that sounds terribly reassuring, just the same.... But I'll be more than happy to give her a wide berth for a while and hope things settle themselves."
-
>"I can't say that sounds terribly reassuring, just the same.... But I'll be more than happy to give her a wide berth for a while and hope things settle themselves."
>"That's about how I did," says Nazrin.
>"She's really quite pleasant, though," Ichirin says, "In a coarse sort of way."
>The hooded woman stands up. "I think I'll be getting back to work now," she says, "Until next time, Maribel."
>As she walks away, Nazrin frowns. "Yeah, better get up on those nails and stuff, make sure those Kappa don't weigh 'em down. She hops to her feet, tail twitching as she stretches. "See you around Boss, new kid"
>With that, she departs as well, leaving you and Byakuren alone.
>_
-
> Now give Byakuren the ingredients.
> "Everything's here, but I don't really know if I want that power boost just yet. I haven't been around enough, or really seen anything that has made me think that I need more power. Even still, I appreciate the offer but would it be possible to hold off on the power raise for a while?"
-
>"So, now that I have all the materials and things together, how is this spell supposed to work, anyway?"
-
> Do we know what species Nitori is?
> If so..."The kappa are helping you out? Do you know one by the name of Nitori?"
-
>Time of day.
(I don't want to bump up the old thread, so who were Reisen and Eirin in Okuu Quest anyways?)
-
> Now give Byakuren the ingredients.
> "Everything's here, but I don't really know if I want that power boost just yet. I haven't been around enough, or really seen anything that has made me think that I need more power. Even still, I appreciate the offer but would it be possible to hold off on the power raise for a while?"
>You hand her the rest of the ingredients.
>"I understand," she says. "From what I have observed, I don't feel particularly worried about doing it for you any more. And I wouldn't force you into it if you did not desire it. But, I will warn you. If you've strayed too close to edge between human and youkai, it may push you through. I think you have a better understanding of what this means now, so I won't lecture you any further on it, unless you have something to ask me.
>"So, now that I have all the materials and things together, how is this spell supposed to work, anyway?"
>"I have to brew the mushroom and the ragewort into a compound," says Byakuren. "It's not hard, but it will take an hour or so. Afterward, it should keep. If you like, I can prepare it ahead of time. The rest is a simple casting, using the other things you have given me. You will need to rest for a short while afterward. If it is done late enough, you would probably just rest the whole night, and wake up the next day."
> Do we know what species Nitori is?
> If so..."The kappa are helping you out? Do you know one by the name of Nitori?"
>Utsuho mentioned she was a Kappa Engineer.
>"I've heard the name," Byakuren says, "But I do not know her personally."
>_
-
>"Out of curiosity, what kind of magnitude of effect could I expect from this? Or is it difficult to tell ahead of time?"
-
>"Out of curiosity, what kind of magnitude of effect could I expect from this? Or is it difficult to tell ahead of time?"
>"Well, it depends on how you define magnitude," says Byakuren. "In comparison to most sorcerers, I feel the results would be be fairly modest in the end. You wouldn't be challenging Patchouli or Marisa anytime soon. But, you yourself would likely see phenomenal improvement compared to how you are now. As for how much, that's hard to say."
>_
-
>"Yes, I was just thinking in terms of myself, of course. I'm not expecting anything miraculous. But, final decision aside, if this can be prepared in advance, without risk of it spoiling, I think that might be a good idea. And I do very much appreciate your offer."
-
>"Yes, I was just thinking in terms of myself, of course. I'm not expecting anything miraculous. But, final decision aside, if this can be prepared in advance, without risk of it spoiling, I think that might be a good idea. And I do very much appreciate your offer."
>"You might be surprised, in that case," she says. "And, do not worry about it. Consider it sympathy from one who remember what it is like to be starting out."
>_
-
>"Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
-
>"Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
>"I don't need much at the moment," she says, "But, far be it for me to disparage any acts of generosity on your part that you might come up with on your own."
>_
-
>"Well, if something else comes up that you think I could help with, feel free to let me know. For now, though, I probably should get back to the school. I think it's probably out by now, and Keine promised me a more detailed story of how I likely got here in the first place."
-
>"Well, if something else comes up that you think I could help with, feel free to let me know. For now, though, I probably should get back to the school. I think it's probably out by now, and Keine promised me a more detailed story of how I likely got here in the first place."
>She nods. "Alright. I will keep you in mind. Don't be unwilling to ask me for help, either."
>_
-
So what immediate concerns do we have? Just the school and the mansion? The three-way and the fairies can wait a little bit.
-
>"Thanks. I appreciate all that you've done."
>Head back towards the school. Keep an eye out for Chen, if people seem to have just been released from class.
There's also the possibility of investigating the Youkai Mountain area for signs of Renko.
-
We have to talk to Nitori as well, for Utsuho and to see if she's seen Renko
> Take our leave and head to the school
-
Yeah, but Nitori, Kanako and Suwako aren't necessarily time-sensitive issues. They deserve an update, if nothing else, and giving Sakuya her watch back will help them hold on a little bit better.
-
>"Thanks. I appreciate all that you've done."
>Head back towards the school. Keep an eye out for Chen, if people seem to have just been released from class.
>She nods, as you depart.
>Heading back to the village, you see a few children running about on the road, and more of them at the playground. You catch a glimpse of the girl with two tails and the red dress on the tire swing, she seems too occupied to notice you.
>_
-
>Do we think we can get to the school without being seen by her? If so, do so.
Yeah, I think Sakuya is the next destination after this, personally, assuming nothing else comes up
-
>Do we think we can get to the school without being seen by her? If so, do so.
>You take a wide route, and enter the school without being seen, as far as you know.
>Inside, you find Marisa leaning on the wall, talking with Keine. You catch "-wasn't Yakumo at all?" from Marisa, before the both look at you.
>"Figured you would show up," says Marisa.
>_
-
>"Yeah, I was just talking to Byakuren. Did I miss anything important that I probably don't already know?"
-
>"Yeah, I was just talking to Byakuren. Did I miss anything important that I probably don't already know?"
>"Not really," says Keine. "Well, I made my promise. Ask, and I'll answer as best I can."
>_
-
>"Well, Utsuho told me a fair bit about what happened, now, I think. The Moriya goddesses moving Gensokyo, and all. I... actually remember it all a bit better myself, now that Utsuho recounted some of our interactions the last couple days before this all got undone. Do you... do you think they remember what happened themselves?"
-
>"Well, Utsuho told me a fair bit about what happened, now, I think. The Moriya goddesses moving Gensokyo, and all. I... actually remember it all a bit better myself, now that Utsuho recounted some of our interactions the last couple days before this all got undone. Do you... do you think they remember what happened themselves?"
>"Without a doubt," says Keine. "Gods do not exist fully within the flow of time. They will have certainly remembered it all."
>_
-
>"Does that... mean they're still dangerous? Or, at least bear a grudge about it."
-
>"Does that... mean they're still dangerous? Or, at least bear a grudge about it."
>"They would be dangerous, even if they didn't remember," says Keine. "But, no. There is nothing they can do now. I made sure of it. Whether they hold a grudge? ...I can't say. I don't anticipate them trying to do anything drastic, at least."
-
>"I hope not. Utsuho's got more than enough to deal with at the moment, as it is. And, well, I'd like to visit Youkai Mountain, but I can't help but feel a little threatened by then, after hearing what happened, you know?"
-
>"I hope not. Utsuho's got more than enough to deal with at the moment, as it is. And, well, I'd like to visit Youkai Mountain, but I can't help but feel a little threatened by then, after hearing what happened, you know?"
>"I doubt they'd care much about you," says Keine.
>_
-
>"Yeah, probably not. I did have a hand in helping Utsuho track down her sister's youkai spirit in the other world, though. And discover the spirits that had attached themselves to her, as well."
-
>"Yeah, probably not. I did have a hand in helping Utsuho track down her sister's youkai spirit in the other world, though. And discover the spirits that had attached themselves to her, as well."
>She nods. "You didn't know," says Keine. "But...maybe avoid meeting Suwako, if you can."
>_
-
>"I'll try. I don't know that I want to meet either of them right now, actually. But Utsuho wanted me to check in on Nitori, and I wanted to try looking elsewhere for some sign of Renko."
-
>"I'll try. I don't know that I want to meet either of them right now, actually. But Utsuho wanted me to check in on Nitori, and I wanted to try looking elsewhere for some sign of Renko."
>"Might have a hard time getting up the mountain," says Marisa, breaking her silence. "Hina's job is to keep people from just wandering up there."
-
>"Hina? Who's that? And why?"
-
>"Hina? Who's that? And why?"
>"She's in charge of gathering up misfortune," says Marisa. "She's also hesitant to just let humans go up there; it's fairly dangerous. Not as bad as it used to be, as long as you behave, but stuff can get hairy. She might let you by if you tell her you're there to worship at the Moriya shrine. But that might cause problems for you."
>_
-
>"Is visiting the kappa not a good enough reason for her?"
-
>"Is visiting the kappa not a good enough reason for her?"
>"Not when there isn't a festival," Marisa says.
>"Is there anything more you want to know?" Keine asks.
>_
-
> "Oh, yes. Utsuho told me a family member of hers was also in on this with the goddesses. Name was...Koishi, if I remember right. Do you have any idea where she might be?"
-
> "Oh, yes. Utsuho told me a family member of hers was also in on this with the goddesses. Name was...Koishi, if I remember right. Do you have any idea where she might be?"
>"I don't have a clue," says Keine. "I only know her by reputation."
>"Koishi is a pain to find," says Marisa. "If she doesn't need something, or you don't interest her, she won't appear."
>_
-
>"Satori said Reimu found her once, but she wasn't sure if she could actually sense her, or if she just decided not to hide."
-
>"Satori said Reimu found her once, but she wasn't sure if she could actually sense her, or if she just decided not to hide."
>"Pretty sure it's the latter," says Marisa. "She'll ask or directions and stuff."
>_
-
>"Ah, well. Guess all I can do is hope to bump into her."
>"And as for other questions, Keine, I'm not sure I have any right now. I mean, I think I understand the generalities and most of the major players. And I expect Utsuho knows as much about why they did it as you do. You already said you don't know specifically how I ended up here, or whether anyone else did, too. So, unless there's any other bit you think I ought to know...."
-
> Do we remember approximately where we ran into the ninjer fairy that led us to the cloud of fairies that chased us off?
-
>"Ah, well. Guess all I can do is hope to bump into her."
>"And as for other questions, Keine, I'm not sure I have any right now. I mean, I think I understand the generalities and most of the major players. And I expect Utsuho knows as much about why they did it as you do. You already said you don't know specifically how I ended up here, or whether anyone else did, too. So, unless there's any other bit you think I ought to know...."
>"Hunting Koishi's a trick," says Marisa. "Best thing I can advise is to go where something new and interesting is happening, and hope for the best."
>Keine nods. "While I won't try to hide anything from you, please understand I am reluctant to share much of my own volition. Really, the sooner people forget about all this, the better. It never should have happened, and as far as things are concerned, it didn't happen."
> Do we remember approximately where we ran into the ninjer fairy that led us to the cloud of fairies that chased us off?
>Yes, it was west of the lake.
>_
-
>"I can understand why it might be best that this just ends up forgotten by most, but what do you mean 'as far as things are concerned, this didn't happen?' I understand that I'm a bit of an exception, and all, but Komachi said that Gensokyo actually was physically gone for several months. That seems to imply that it did really happen, even if most people don't remember it."
-
>"I can understand why it might be best that this just ends up forgotten by most, but what do you mean 'as far as things are concerned, this didn't happen?' I understand that I'm a bit of an exception, and all, but Komachi said that Gensokyo actually was physically gone for several months. That seems to imply that it did really happen, even if most people don't remember it."
>"I've oversimplified," says Keine. "And...well, admittedly I didn't think you would look into that. What I've done is try to remove as many of the changes made as possible. For their plan to work, Kanako and the rest had to make substantial alterations to history, stretching back several decades. I had to untangle it, to try to restore history on the outside to be about as pristine as possible. The problem is, for something of this scale, it involves poking into things I cannot affect. My influence doesn't spread to things beyond death, for instance. I couldn't force the judgment of the souls who couldn't make it to Higan, nor could I really affect the memories of people there. So I had to leave them. For them...it did still happen."
>After a moment, she adds, "Before you ask, I don't think that is involved in why you were carried over."
>_
-
>"Are there any other exceptions like that, that you know of?"
-
>"Are there any other exceptions like that, that you know of?"
>"I know that Hakugyokorou should have a similar effect," says Keine. "Though if I'm lucky, the ghost princess visits often enough that she wasn't fully beyond my reach. The Celestial realm, as well, but save for two people, they have little to do with us. One of them, I know I got, as I have asked her. Those...should be the major ones."
>_
-
>"Ah, well. I guess that's probably all the questions I have at the moment. But if something important comes up related to this, I might have a question or two later."
-
>"Ah, well. I guess that's probably all the questions I have at the moment. But if something important comes up related to this, I might have a question or two later."
>She nods. "The best I can say is not to worry about it too much However strange it all looks, it's still in proper working order."
>_
-
>"Yes, I think I'm already getting sort of used to it. Well, not exactly used to it, but you know... Anyway, thank you very much, and I'll let you know in the hopefully unlikely even that anything important comes up."
>Say goodbye and exit
>Head towards the SDM
-
>"Yes, I think I'm already getting sort of used to it. Well, not exactly used to it, but you know... Anyway, thank you very much, and I'll let you know in the hopefully unlikely even that anything important comes up."
>Say goodbye and exit
>Head towards the SDM
>"Then I hope not to see you again," says Keine.
>"Have a good one!" Marisa adds.
>You exit and make the flight to Scarlet Devil Mansion along the way, you see another group of faeries playing over the lake, firing danmaku at each other.
>Landing near the gates, you see Meiling there as always. At a glance, things seem to be more or less how you left them.
>_
-
>"Hey there, Meiling. How's it going? I've got something to drop off to Sakuya. Can I come in?"
-
>"Hey there, Meiling. How's it going? I've got something to drop off to Sakuya. Can I come in?"
>"Sure," says Meiling, opening the gate. "Patchy's probably going to want a report, too."
>_
-
>"Of course. Thank you."
>Enter the mansion and head towards the kitchen, in case Sakuya may still be there
-
>"Of course. Thank you."
>Enter the mansion and head towards the kitchen, in case Sakuya may still be there
>You enter the mansion, noticing that the girl playing fetch before is gone now.
>Entering the Mansion, you find that you do not need to go so far as the kitchen to find Sakuya. She is resting in a chair there. She nods in your direction as you enter.
>_
-
>"Hello, Sakuya. How've things been since I left? I only have a little bit to tell you on that front, I'm afraid. Seems Daiyousei probably just came and convinced a whole bunch of fairies to leave. Not sure what they're up to. I went to Dai's place and a whole horde of fairies chased me off before I could go close. Was planning to try again later, and see if some of them have wandered off."
-
>"Hello, Sakuya. How've things been since I left? I only have a little bit to tell you on that front, I'm afraid. Seems Daiyousei probably just came and convinced a whole bunch of fairies to leave. Not sure what they're up to. I went to Dai's place and a whole horde of fairies chased me off before I could go close. Was planning to try again later, and see if some of them have wandered off."
>She nods. "That narrows down the culprit, at least. For that, I thank you."
>_
-
>"I also have something that I believe is yours."
>Show her the pocketwatch
-
>"I also have something that I believe is yours."
>Show her the pocketwatch
>You present The Pocketwatch to Sakuya.
>Her eyes widen and she leaps from her seat, crossing the distance between the two of you a distance.
>"Which one was it?" she asks, her voice very much like the tone she had when you first met. "Which one of them took it?"
>_
-
>"What? No, the faeries weren't responsible for this one, if that's what you mean. Uh, how much do you know about the dream that everyone shared?"
>Give her the pocketwatch
-
>"What? No, the faeries weren't responsible for this one, if that's what you mean. Uh, how much do you know about the dream that everyone shared?"
>Give her the pocketwatch
>You give her the watch. She takes it gently, cradling it with her hands.
>"They didn't steal it?" she asks. "...I don't know if I should be more relieved or worried to hear that. And...a bit. It was very strange. I assume they are related?"
>_
-
>"I got the watch from Utsuho. Apparently it entered into her possession in that other world, and she gave it to me to return to you."
-
>"I got the watch from Utsuho. Apparently it entered into her possession in that other world, and she gave it to me to return to you."
>Sakuya frowns. "That makes no sense whatsoever, you realize."
>_
-
>"Probably. I suppose in the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. All that's important is that she found it, and returned it to you. For all the things faeries can be blamed for, this isn't one of them, thankfully."
-
>"Probably. I suppose in the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. All that's important is that she found it, and returned it to you. For all the things faeries can be blamed for, this isn't one of them, thankfully."
>She nods. "Regardless, I owe you for this. This watch is very dear to me. Thank you."
>_
-
>"I'm just happy to help. Especially if it means that much to you."
>"Actually, I do have a question for you, though. When I spoke to Keine shortly after I arrived, about learning to use magic, she mentioned you as someone who had a few unique tricks. I don't suppose there might be a little something you'd be willing to show me? I'm sure you're busy and all, but I was curious, so i just thought I might ask."
-
>"I'm just happy to help. Especially if it means that much to you."
>"Actually, I do have a question for you, though. When I spoke to Keine shortly after I arrived, about learning to use magic, she mentioned you as someone who had a few unique tricks. I don't suppose there might be a little something you'd be willing to show me? I'm sure you're busy and all, but I was curious, so i just thought I might ask."
>She nods, then listens are you make your request. "I...don't think I can teach you what I do," she says. "It is a talent I was born with, I don't believe it can be learned."
>_
-
> "Oh.....is there anything that you can teach me then?"
-
>"What kind of talent is it, if you don't mind me asking?"
-
> "Oh.....is there anything that you can teach me then?"
>"I may be able to show you how to handle a knife."
>"What kind of talent is it, if you don't mind me asking?"
>"I manipulate time," she says.
>_
-
>"Hmmm.... when Byakuren assessed my magical potential, she said that I had an aptitude for time-based magic, actually."
-
>"Hmmm.... when Byakuren assessed my magical potential, she said that I had an aptitude for time-based magic, actually."
>"You...what?" Sakuya gives you a curious look. "Hm. Perhaps I can do something with you. Come."
>She starts toward the stairs leading up to the balcony.
>_
-
>Follow along
-
>Follow along
>You follow her as leads you up to the balcony, then through the door. You find yourself in a long stairwell leading up several floors. She leads you up the stairs, until you reach the third landing. "This should do," she says, as she offers you her pocket watch again.
>_
-
>Take the watch
>"Is this involved in this process somehow?"
-
>Take the watch
>"Is this involved in this process somehow?"
>"I'll help you concentrate," she says. "What I want you to do it take it in hand and let it tick. Listen only to that. Gather power around yourself, like you were going to create danmaku, and imagine the sound slowing down, as much as possible."
>_
-
>Follow her instructions
-
>Follow her instructions
>You follow her instructions.
>You conjure magic, and hold onto it, following Sakuya's instructions, imagining it ticking slower, and slower... And then it feels as though something within your chest breaks as the power flows out. The world has turned gray, save for Sakuya.
>_
-
>Look around
>"Um, did I do this?"
-
>Look around
>"Um, did I do this?"
>You look around, seeing all is gray, then speak.
>There is something like a sound glass shattering. But rather than hear it, you feel it in your body. It doesn't hurt, but it jars you terribly. Then the color suddenly floods back. Or rather, it seems like it was never gone before.
>Sakuya seems speechless.
>_
-
>"That was... strange."
-
>"That was... strange."
>"The first thing you are going to do is to promise me you will never mention that to another soul." Sakuya says calmly. "Not one. Not your parents. Not your best friend. Not your lover. No one. Do you understand? You will promise me this, and mean it with all of your soul."
-
> "Um...w.why?"
-
> "Um...w.why?"
>"Because if you do not, I will be forced to assume you are planning to do something foolish and dangerous."
>_
-
>"Something foolish and dangerous? ....what did you mean?"
-
>"Something foolish and dangerous? ....what did you mean?"
>"You're asking very many questions, and not giving me your word." She says coolly.
>_
-
>"...are you afraid someone will try to take advantage of my power, since I'm both new and naive, and can't defend myself? Or doing something foolish and stupid, yes... I understand. I'll give you my word that I won't mention it to anyone. Not... not even Renko, my best friend."
-
>"Very well, since it is obviously important to you. I swear. Although, could you please try to help me understand why you really want me to do this?"
-
>"...are you afraid someone will try to take advantage of my power, since I'm both new and naive, and can't defend myself? Or doing something foolish and stupid, yes... I understand. I'll give you my word that I won't mention it to anyone. Not... not even Renko, my best friend."
>"Very well, since it is obviously important to you. I swear. Although, could you please try to help me understand why you really want me to do this?"
>She nods. "I will hold you to this. If I should ever hear word of another describing what you've done, I will find you. Mistress will allow for it. This said, you have just demonstrated an incredible amount of aptitude for a very dangerous power. You have manipulated the flow of time. For a moment, until you lost focus, you had stopped it. I have never met another person who could do this. You understand I hope, how dangerous this can be?"
>_
-
>"I, uh, can think of a few ways it might be, but I don't suppose you could spell out some of the dangers a little more explicitly? Better to be safe than sorry."
-
>"I, uh, can think of a few ways it might be, but I don't suppose you could spell out some of the dangers a little more explicitly? Better to be safe than sorry."
>"I've never experimented to find out," she says. "Nor will you."
>_
-
>Nod solemnly.
>"I understand. Time is... too important and all-encompassing to experiment with. But... just stopping it like I did now, is that okay for me to do?"
-
>"Or, at the very least, what DO you do with your powers that you consider safe?"
-
>Nod solemnly.
>"I understand. Time is... too important and all-encompassing to experiment with. But... just stopping it like I did now, is that okay for me to do?"
>She nods.
>"In small doses," she says. "You felt the pressure, didn't you, on your heart? It will increase, the longer you hold it. In time, it will overwhelm you. You will black out, and I cannot say what will follow."
>"Or, at the very least, what DO you do with your powers that you consider safe?"
>"I can do other things," she says. "Small tricks, some large ones. You understand my hesitance to elaborate."
>_
-
>"Hesitance? Are you concerned that I would do something untoward with this, then?"
>"And... when you said that if you hear anyone else describe what I've done... wouldn't they be able to percieve at least the aftereffects of this, if I ever did it while someone else was in sight?"
-
> "Someone describing the effects of it... so, wouldn't that basicly mean "never use this when anyone could see you or just never use it" correct?"
-
>"Hesitance? Are you concerned that I would do something untoward with this, then?"
>"And... when you said that if you hear anyone else describe what I've done... wouldn't they be able to percieve at least the aftereffects of this, if I ever did it while someone else was in sight?"
>"A bit," she says. "Alternately, I would prefer not to give you ideas. And yes, they would see it, if you are not careful how you use it."
>She sighs. "Perhaps I am being too harsh. I'm sorry. Until a few moments ago, I believed this skill to be unique. I, nor Patchouli, had heard of another even possessing talent in such things. Let's go talk in my chambers for now."
>She starts to climb again. "You understand my fear that if one can learn it, it is possible others can as well. It is a thing I had hoped would die with me."
> "Someone describing the effects of it... so, wouldn't that basicly mean "never use this when anyone could see you or just never use it" correct?"
>She nods. "Let me think a bit, though..."
>_
-
>Follow along
>"How much of your ability is generally known, anyway?"
-
>Follow along
>"How much of your ability is generally known, anyway?"
>"It is well known I can stop time," she says as she ascends. "Until now, I never felt a need to hide it if no one could replicate it. Others I've kept quiet, so that people wouldn't bother me to do them on their behalf."
>She sighs. "I will help you refine this ability, enough to make certain you don't get hurt. And, we'll see how much you can do."
>_
-
>"Ok. Thank you. I appreciate it."
-
>"Ok. Thank you. I appreciate it."
>You see the top of the stairway come into sight.
>"You understand, I do not wish to learn of you using this ability for selfish purposes."
>After a moment, she adds, "You'll do as I say, not as I do, in that regard."
>_
-
>"I'd like to think that I'm not a selfish person. But does that include any use that is not directly for others? Such as, say, defending oneself?"
-
>"I'd like to think that I'm not a selfish person. But does that include any use that is not directly for others? Such as, say, defending oneself?"
>She is quiet for a moment, as she reaches the top of the stairs. "I suppose that is acceptable. But, try to pass it off as teleportation."
>At the top of the stairs, you see two door in a small hallway, one set of impressive dark wooden double doors, and a smaller one on an adjoining wall. She leads toward this one.
>_
-
> continue following.
> "I'll do that. Not sure how well I can pull it off, but I'll try to pass it off as that."
> "To take it with you... to the grave... you speak of it almost as if no good could come from it, or as if it has caused much trouble."
> "Out of curiosity, what do you know about a Yukari, specifically, what her powers are. I have been told that I look much like her by more then a few people, I'm sure you can see why I would ask."
-
> Consider how tactless it would be to shout ZA WARUDO next time we stop time.
-
> continue following.
> "I'll do that. Not sure how well I can pull it off, but I'll try to pass it off as that."
> "To take it with you... to the grave... you speak of it almost as if no good could come from it, or as if it has caused much trouble."
> "Out of curiosity, what do you know about a Yukari, specifically, what her powers are. I have been told that I look much like her by more then a few people, I'm sure you can see why I would ask."
>You follow her into a small, unadorned bedroom. There is a simple bed here, and a rather expansive wardrobe. Aside from this, it is mostly devoid of personal possession. There isn't even a chair for you to sit on here. The room is also immaculate, but you suppose it's also not used much. There are a couple paintings on the walls, pretty but generic landscapes that you doubt have any personal value.
>"You clearly can," Sakuya says. "I don't know how much potential you have, but you most certainly can do it."
>"In the wrong hands, such power has the potential to be ruinous. I believed I was the only one who could do it, and when I passed on, it would no longer be a worry for anyone."
>"Yukari? Yes, I've met her. And, well, you do resemble her a bit, particularly in the face, now that I have a close look at you. And why do you care about her abilities?"
> Consider how tactless it would be to shout ZA WARUDO next time we stop time.
>You think Sakuya would frown at you.
>_
-
>"Well, what would you have me do now?"
-
> "Well, about Yukari, I've been told...quite often to avoid her if I could help it, but also told that if I so move to go back to the "real world" I was born in, I would probably have to talk with her."
-
> "Well, about Yukari, I've been told...quite often to avoid her if I could help it, but also told that if I so move to go back to the "real world" I was born in, I would probably have to talk with her."
>"Which is good advice. Getting entangled with Yukari tends to lead to regrets. And...you come from outside? Hm. Yes,s he could probably get you back there. Yukari finds gaps in things, and then uses them to her advantage. She could almost certainly find a way outside.
>"Well, what would you have me do now?"
>"Sit," she says. "And try it one more time. This time, do not speak. Just concentrate, hold it until the feeling grows too powerful to carry on."
>_
-
>Sit down
>Repeat what we did to stop time earlier
>Make sure we keep our focus and do not speak this time
-
>"ZA WARUDO"
> When time has stopped
> "Toki wo tomare"
> "WRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY"
>Do as she says.
-
>Sit down
>Repeat what we did to stop time earlier
>Make sure we keep our focus and do not speak this time
>"ZA WARUDO"
> When time has stopped
> "Toki wo tomare"
> "WRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY"
>Do as she says.
>You have a seat on the bed, finding it to be marvelously soft.
>You repeat the process, focusing on the watch. It takes you a few moments, but you feel the sensation in your heart again.
>"What you have done," says Sakuya, seemingly unaffected, "Is not stop time, exactly, so much as-"
>As she speaks, the feeling of pressure within you grows, as though something huge had reached into your torso and is trying to tear it out. By the time skuya says "as", you can fight it no longer. You feel the shattering sensation within your body again, and color returns to the world.
>"-remove yourself from it," Sakuya continues. "That sensation is time trying to drag you back in. It will always win. You will need to rest a little, before trying again."
>_
-
>"...can I do damage to myself by using that?"
>"And you didn't seem affected by it. Shall I assume you followed me out, in a similar way? And that other people would be as grey as the room itself appeared to be?"
-
>"...can I do damage to myself by using that?"
>"And you didn't seem affected by it. Shall I assume you followed me out, in a similar way? And that other people would be as grey as the room itself appeared to be?"
>"If you hold it too long, you will black out," she says. "Other things may happen, as well. I don't know, it's very rare I ever felt the need to push it."
>She nods. "That is all exactly right."
>_
-
>"But no harm has come to you from cumulative use at a moderate level? The sensation in my chest was... rather unnerving, to say the least."
-
>"But no harm has come to you from cumulative use at a moderate level? The sensation in my chest was... rather unnerving, to say the least."
>She nods. "If you do not push yourself, you can use it as much as you like. But, there can be side effects if you use it too much. In short, the more you manipulate time, the more it will manipulate you. In particular, I have a hard time looking my age, these days."
>"Also remember, you have to rest afterward. There is nothing to be done about this."
>_
-
>"I understand. Or, at least I think I understand well enough."
>How fatigued do we feel after what we just did?
-
>"I understand. Or, at least I think I understand well enough."
>How fatigued do we feel after what we just did?
>She nods. "Good. In particular, be wary of the effects of using it too much.It's not harmful, but it can lead to some unpleasant rumors..."
>You don't feel fatigued, or anything unusual at all, really.
>_
-
> "Well, you did say that I have to keep it secret, in which case I would not want to use if often anyway"
-
>"You said that I would need to rest before doing that again. But I don't really feel tired, or anything. How can I tell when I'm 'rested up', so to speak?"
-
> "Well, you did say that I have to keep it secret, in which case I would not want to use if often anyway"
>She nods. "I suppose it's okay to use it in emergencies and the like, but please don't treat it as a toy."
>"You said that I would need to rest before doing that again. But I don't really feel tired, or anything. How can I tell when I'm 'rested up', so to speak?"
>"You don't really feel it," she says. "You just have to learn your limits. Try it now?"
>_
-
>Attempt to freeze time again
-
>Attempt to freeze time again
>You give it a shot, and feel nothing.
>"Hmm," Sakuya says. "You picked it up disturbingly fast. But, it seems your upper limits aren't that much. This will take a bit of time, but...I do have some break time left. Have you anything else you wish to know?"
>_
-
> "Should I attempt to learn any other tricks, such as slowing time down, speeding it up, reversing it, or trying to localize time's movement in such a way to reverse my own wounds or the wounds of others?"
-
>"And, more to the point, how much of that is even possible?"
-
> "Is there anything I should particularly avoid doing when using it?"
-
> "Should I attempt to learn any other tricks, such as slowing time down, speeding it up, reversing it, or trying to localize time's movement in such a way to reverse my own wounds or the wounds of others?"
>"Not at this time," says Sakuya. "Slowing time in relation to yourself requires you to be able to resist the grasp as it tries to drag you back much more than what you have done. Think of it as being ankle deep in a river and waist deep. As for reversing, I don't believe that is within our capacity. I'll show you how to make it pass more quickly for yourself later, if you have the ability."
>"And, more to the point, how much of that is even possible?"
>"The best guideline I can give you," she says, "Is that time will flow forward. Always. We can move more slowly, more quickly, or we can stop. But, we always continue forward in the end."
> "Is there anything I should particularly avoid doing when using it?"
>"Use common sense about not blundering into the way of things. And, don't push yourself without need"
>_
-
>"Make it pass more quickly for yourself? What frame of reference do you mean for that? Make the world around us pass more quickly? Or make us appear to move more quickly in the world?"
-
>"Make it pass more quickly for yourself? What frame of reference do you mean for that? Make the world around us pass more quickly? Or make us appear to move more quickly in the world?"
>"The former," she says. "We won't bother with it for now."
>_
-
>"Ok, fair enough. I'm curious, though. To an outside observer, would it just look like you were standing very still for a prolonged time?"
-
>"Ok, fair enough. I'm curious, though. To an outside observer, would it just look like you were standing very still for a prolonged time?"
>"I honestly don't know," says Sakuya. "I only tend to use it when others aren't around. But, I do imagine that is what it would look like."
>_
-
>"I see. Well, thank you very much for taking the time to teach me, and I'll keep all of what you've said in mind. I don't suppose you have any last comments or advice that you haven't already covered?"
-
>"I see. Well, thank you very much for taking the time to teach me, and I'll keep all of what you've said in mind. I don't suppose you have any last comments or advice that you haven't already covered?"
>"Oh, I never said we were done," says Sakuya. "I intend to take the time to make certain you have this correct. Try again, now."
>_
-
>"Oh, fair enough. I guess I didn't know what length of time we were talking for a recovery period. For all I knew, it could have been an hour or more."
>Try it again.
-
>"Oh, fair enough. I guess I didn't know what length of time we were talking for a recovery period. For all I knew, it could have been an hour or more."
>Try it again.
>You try again, and feel it work!
>"For me, it is a few moments. You seem to work more on a scale of a few minutes. I don't think you'd get more than one or two uses out if in a normal danmaku battle, anyways. Next, we'll work on holding that concentration while doing things."
>You spend the next half hour with with Sakuya, and she helps you refine your technique. You pick it up pretty quickly, you thin, and by your fourth try, you're able to maintain your focus well enough that you can move around more or less normally. Sakuya, despite her earlier misgivings, seems to be rather proud of your progress. Unfortunately, you can never really hold it for more than three seconds, which she finds a bit suspicious; feeling you should be able to improve it past that. Regardless, you feel fairly confident in your ability as she leads you back toward the foyer. "You've done well," she says, "But I don't think I'll be able to teach you much more unless you improve."
>_
-
>"Well... Byakuren had me gather some ingredients for a spell that would increase my magical abilities, if I wanted it. If I do it, that would probably increase my capacity to stop time too, so then you'd be able to teach me more?"
And at this point in time, I'm sort of assuming we're going to do it (Just before we go to sleep, due to it's aftereffects), because either way we're going to turn into a youkai with all this magic doings. And because it'll be awesome. And helpful.
-
"Byakuren's help will require a lot of rest, though. I imagine you'd rather your desertion problem be solved sooner rather than later..."
-
>"Well... Byakuren had me gather some ingredients for a spell that would increase my magical abilities, if I wanted it. If I do it, that would probably increase my capacity to stop time too, so then you'd be able to teach me more?"
>"I would not be so eager to dive into such things, myself," says Sakuya, her voice calm, but taking an unmistakable edge.
>"Byakuren's help will require a lot of rest, though. I imagine you'd rather your desertion problem be solved sooner rather than later..."
>"If you can find a way," says Sakuya, "I would be very pleased."
>_
-
"Still looking. I've been to where they appear to be hiding out, but there's a sizeable front guard that really didn't want me in there. I'd need either to be stronger or have someone along to help, and given your situation, the latter seems to be out of the question."
-
> I will assume we've already explained the current situation to Sakuya. If not, do so.
> "Well, right now I need to find a way to avoid those, ahem, "ninjer" fairies. Or at convince them that they don't have to smash my face in."
-
> I will assume we've already explained the current situation to Sakuya. If not, do so.
> "Well, right now I need to find a way to avoid those, ahem, "ninjer" fairies. Or at convince them that they don't have to smash my face in."
>You give Sakuya a more detailed explanation. She nods as you explain things. "Well," she says, "I have some experience with faeries, but admittedly it is mostly with those who want to be here. The best I can recommend, if they come after you, is to try and distract them. Catch their interest with something flashy that they won't immediately connect with fighting. With luck, they'll not be so attentive now; impressing things like duty and obligation on them takes time."
>_
-
>"I should probably go give Patchouli an update, too, while I'm here, considering she was the one who asked me to look into this in the first place. Thanks again for all your assistance. I'll let you know if I find out anything more."
>Head back towards the library
-
>"I should probably go give Patchouli an update, too, while I'm here, considering she was the one who asked me to look into this in the first place. Thanks again for all your assistance. I'll let you know if I find out anything more."
>Head back towards the library
>"Very well," says Sakuya, "And I must get to the dusting."
>She heads into the eastern wing, while you go to the library. You find Patchouli has moved to another table, pouring over a scroll of some kind. She glances toward you as your approach.
>_
-
>"Hello, again. I just thought I should give you an update on the fairy situation while I'm here, although I don't have an actual resolution, yet."
>"It seems that a bunch of the maids were likely enticed to leave by Daiyousei. I think they're up to something or other, but I don't know what. I found out where they're supposedly gathering, but ended up being chased away by a large group of them before I could get close enough to discover anything. I'm planning to go back and have another look in a bit."
-
>"Hello, again. I just thought I should give you an update on the fairy situation while I'm here, although I don't have an actual resolution, yet."
>"It seems that a bunch of the maids were likely enticed to leave by Daiyousei. I think they're up to something or other, but I don't know what. I found out where they're supposedly gathering, but ended up being chased away by a large group of them before I could get close enough to discover anything. I'm planning to go back and have another look in a bit."
>She nods. "Good. Thank you. Have you had any success finding your friend?"
>_
-
>"No, I've seen no sign of her at all. Nor has anyone I've asked. I'm thinking of looking around the Youkai Mountain area next, considering it is, as far as I understand, one of the few major areas I haven't been yet."
-
>"No, I've seen no sign of her at all. Nor has anyone I've asked. I'm thinking of looking around the Youkai Mountain area next, considering it is, as far as I understand, one of the few major areas I haven't been yet."
>She nods again. "A shame. I was hoping you had found her and made your decision."
>_
-
>"Likewise, for more than one reason. But Gensokyo's a fairly small place, from what I understand, so I'll probably be able to eventually cover most of it."
-
>"Likewise, for more than one reason. But Gensokyo's a fairly small place, from what I understand, so I'll probably be able to eventually cover most of it."
>She nods again. "I would offer you one final bit of advice, in regards to your decision, if you would hear it."
>_
-
>"Absolutely."
-
>"Absolutely."
>"Do all that you can to mimic Byakuren's path," she says, not looking away from her reading. "I've seen no magician benefit so much as she has, and to be honest, I'm rather jealous of her in my weaker moments."
>_
-
>"Mimic it in what sense? In terms of her specialization in magical enhancements?"
-
>"Mimic it in what sense? In terms of her specialization in magical enhancements?"
>"In terms what she she did her herself," says Patchouli. "The boost she obtained was extraordinary."
>_
-
>"I wonder if... what she offered me was similar to that, then?"
-
>"I wonder if... what she offered me was similar to that, then?"
>"Doubtful," says Patchouli. "She wouldn't force you to discard your humanity. At best, you have been offered a much watered down version of it. I have no doubt, if you were able to strike a temporary balance, you would go through it without losing your human nature. Perhaps. That said, i doubt you could have both what she's offered, and what she's done to herself."
>_
-
>"Implying that if I were to enhance my power to a degree that allowed me to remain human, then it would be impossible to later enhance it further, even if I were then willing to accept becoming a youkai?"
-
>"Implying that if I were to enhance my power to a degree that allowed me to remain human, then it would be impossible to later enhance it further, even if I were then willing to accept becoming a youkai?"
>She nods. "One cannot apply multiple enhancements. At least, not in that fashion. I suppose it may be possible to get them from other sources, But as far as sorcery of any kind of concerned, you may only bind one to yourself."
>_
-
>"And it would not be possible to undo a previous one so that another could be applied?"
-
>"And it would not be possible to undo a previous one so that another could be applied?"
>"It may be," says Patchouli, "But tearing out an enhancement of potential would probably be scarring."
>_
-
>"That... doesn't sound like a good idea, in that case."
-
>"That... doesn't sound like a good idea, in that case."
>"I agree wholeheartedly," she says, as she finishes with her scroll and sets it aside, looking toward you again. "But we are starting to diverge. If you are to be a magician, it is best that you embrace the loss of your humanity. And if you are to lose it, get as much as you can for it. Were I to do it again, I would have followed Byakuren's methods in a heartbeat. That is my advice to you."
>_
-
>"I appreciate the thought. I... may speak with her of this the next time I talk to her."
-
> Do we really want to become a youkai real quick, because from what we know Marisa's a pretty powerful magician and she's not a youkai
-
>"I appreciate the thought. I... may speak with her of this the next time I talk to her."
>Patchouli nods. "Very well. Have you anything else to tell me, or ask?"
> Do we really want to become a youkai real quick, because from what we know Marisa's a pretty powerful magician and she's not a youkai
>...That's a good point.
>_
-
>"For the time-being, I don't think so. But I'll return if I find out any more pertinent information about the maid issue."
>Exit the mansion and head towards Youkai Mountain
>Byakuren may provide an interesting alternate viewpoint on the human vs. youkai magic potential at any rate, given how different her ideology is than Patchouli on this issue. At the very least, it's worth exploring what the options and their ramifications are
-
>"For the time-being, I don't think so. But I'll return if I find out any more pertinent information about the maid issue."
>Exit the mansion and head towards Youkai Mountain
>Byakuren may provide an interesting alternate viewpoint on the human vs. youkai magic potential at any rate, given how different her ideology is than Patchouli on this issue. At the very least, it's worth exploring what the options and their ramifications are
>Patchouli nods. "I wish you well."
>You decide that at the least, you want Bykauren's thoughts on it. Patchouli does seem to be a bit of a biased source.
>You exit the mansion, and realize you don't have any real idea where Youkai Mountain is.
>_
-
>It's a large mountain. Surely that means it can be seen from some distance off?
-
>It's a large mountain. Surely that means it can be seen from some distance off?
>There's been quite a few mountains that you've seen, just from leaving the Underground.
>_
-
>Well, fly up to gain a bit of height, and see if any mountain seems particularly taller than the rest
-
>Well, fly up to gain a bit of height, and see if any mountain seems particularly taller than the rest
>You fly up, going up enough to get a good look around.
>In the distance, you can see a mountain range, green and forested. Some of them stand out a little bit. You think you note a taller than average one some distance to the northeast.
>_
-
>We're still by the gates, correct? Go ask Meiling if that's the correct mountain. May as well make sure.
-
>We're still by the gates, correct? Go ask Meiling if that's the correct mountain. May as well make sure.
>Well, technically you're above them. But this is easy enough to correct.
>Landing, you find Meiling is currently holding and petting Flandre's basset hound. The dog "wuffs" at you softly as she she scratches it behind the ears. "Oh, that mountain?" she says, "I've never been there myself. Don't leave the mansion much. But I'm pretty sure it is. There's a road north of the forest that leads to it, I think."
>_
-
>"Ok, thanks."
>Fly off towards the mountain. If we can eventually see this road leading north from the forest, follow it
-
>"Ok, thanks."
>Fly off towards the mountain. If we can eventually see this road leading north from the forest, follow it
>You take to the air again, heading northeast.
>There road from town leads North and South, but you don't think Meiling was talking about that one.
>Soon enough, you leave the forest behind. The mountain range comes closer and closer. Down below, you can see a road leading east past a lonely house, some distance south of the human town that is to the north of you. You can see another forest to the northeast, along the way to that mountain.
>_
-
>Continue towards the mountain
-
> Practice making barriers along the way
-
>Continue towards the mountain
>You continue on your merry way. As you start to fly over the forest, you notice a someone emerge from it and fly toward your direction.
>_
-
>Wave hi to Hina
>Assuming they don't seems hostile, let them approach
-
>Wave hi to Hina
>Assuming they don't seems hostile, let them approach
>She isn't firing upon you, at least.
>As she gets closer, you can see she is a short-haired blonde woman in a bright red dress. "Are you trying to fly over our forest?" she says, putting her hands on her hips.
-
>"Is... that a problem? I was just headed towards Youkai Mountain. This is it, right?"
>Point towards it
>"I'm looking for the kappa."
-
>"Is... that a problem? I was just headed towards Youkai Mountain. This is it, right?"
>Point towards it
>"I'm looking for the kappa."
>"Of course it's a problem!" she says, throwing her hands to the air. "'Riko and I didn't work ourselves silly making a beautiful forest just so people like you could fly over it like it's not even there!"
>_
-
>"You... made the forest?"
-
>"You... made the forest?"
>"And it took a lot of effort!" She says. Then she makes a gesture in your direction, and suddenly there is a wave of danmaku coming at you!
>_
-
>Get out of the way!
>"Why are you attacking me? I didn't realize that this place was special to anyone! If you wanted to show it to me, you only had to ask!"
-
>Get out of the way!
>"Why are you attacking me? I didn't realize that this place was special to anyone! If you wanted to show it to me, you only had to ask!"
>Thankfully, the spread is really not a hard one to get around. Looks like that flight practice has paid off!
>"Because you're a disrespectful monster!" she cries, as she sends out a wave of little spheres, coming at an sharper angle than the previous wave of shots. They seem to be a bit faster than the previous ones, and not so numerous.
>_
-
>Descend out of the way of this one
>"I didn't mean to be disrespectful, honestly! And it really does seem like a nice forest. If you wanted people to appreciate it, how will beating them up help? I appreciate things much better when I'm uninjured."
-
> "Jeez, first Yuuka and now you? This whole place is really bizarre! I really wish there were caution signs for outsiders like me."
-
>Descend out of the way of this one
>"I didn't mean to be disrespectful, honestly! And it really does seem like a nice forest. If you wanted people to appreciate it, how will beating them up help? I appreciate things much better when I'm uninjured."
>You descend down, and find another wave of larger shots, a number of columns fanning out in straight lines coming toward you.
>"It's too late for apologies!"
> "Jeez, first Yuuka and now you? This whole place is really bizarre! I really wish there were caution signs for outsiders like me."
>She doesn't respond, simply adding another wave of little spheres to the pattern.
>_
-
>Shift between the path of the incoming columns
>Her danmaku seem significantly more powerful than anything we can summon, don't they?
>Consider a tactical withdrawal
-
>Shift between the path of the incoming columns
>Her danmaku seem significantly more powerful than anything we can summon, don't they?
>Consider a tactical withdrawal
>You move between the columns. This isn't too bad... You notice a line of two spheres coming for you between the columns.
>She's certainly worse than Plum Flower and her friend, but you think you're doing alright so far.
>You could probably flee, but she might end up following you.
>_
-
>Ascend above the path of the spheres
>If we don't seem like we're entirely out of our league, may as well see if we can keep up
>"I really don't want to fight you, you know. If you want to call it off, so will I!"
>Fire some danmaku back at her
-
>"WILL. YOU. LISTEN. TO. REASON?!" (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThisIsSparta)
-
>Ascend above the path of the spheres
>If we don't seem like we're entirely out of our league, may as well see if we can keep up
>"I really don't want to fight you, you know. If you want to call it off, so will I!"
>Fire some danmaku back at her
>You ascend above the spheres. You then declare that you don't want to fight, and punctuate it by firing upon her. The firing comes to you more easily now than it had in the last battle, there's not too much delay between your gathering and your releasing now.
>A cloud of about ten shots flies from your hand, forcing your aggressor back and to the side, before she sends another wave of large shots at you.
>"WILL. YOU. LISTEN. TO. REASON?!" (http://a.imageshack.us/img814/8930/huge.gif)
>She doesn't answer, maneuvering around your attack and adding an spray of spheres to it.
>_
-
>Close the distance between us, and then ascend above the large shots before they reach us
>Launch another burst of danmaku. Make it more focused than the last
-
>Close the distance between us, and then ascend above the large shots before they reach us
>Launch another burst of danmaku. Make it more focused than the last
>You close in on her, rising above the large shots, and also avoiding the smaller ones in the process.
>You send a concentrated burst at her; she moves aside before it its, and sends another wave of shots at you. Close as they are, it'll be harder than before to get around them.
>_
-
>Hopefully the 'harder to dodge' bit works just as much for us as against us
>Dive down and to the side
>Launch a concentrated stream of bullets at her. Push as much of our energy into the speed side of the equation as possible, even if this reduces the number of them
-
>Hopefully the 'harder to dodge' bit works just as much for us as against us
>Dive down and to the side
>Launch a concentrated stream of bullets at her. Push as much of our energy into the speed side of the equation as possible, even if this reduces the number of them
>You dive down and to the side. The red-dressed woman tries to follow you with her shoots, sending them down with you, but moving to the side gets you out for the way.
>You send out another stream of bullets. This one is faster, but has only half the bullets. She darts away, but not before two of them clip her in the side.
>"Gah! That's it!"
>She stops, and begins to launch waves of bullets at you in triangle formations. One of them is coming right at you.
>_
-
>Dash backwards, then shift up and to the side
>Attempt to shoot a similar burst as the last one with one hand, but then stop short before the full energy is expended and then quickly follow it with a burst from the other hand, leading ahead of the direction where we expect her to dodge. Effectively, try to feint her into the second stream.
-
>Is this a fairy?
-
(It's almost certainly Shizuha)
-
>Let this be a lesson that even if we can fly, the roads exist for a reason. USE THEM.
That means you, Dracums ={
-
>Dash backwards, then shift up and to the side
>Attempt to shoot a similar burst as the last one with one hand, but then stop short before the full energy is expended and then quickly follow it with a burst from the other hand, leading ahead of the direction where we expect her to dodge. Effectively, try to feint her into the second stream.
>You move back, then up and to the side, avoiding the formation coming toward you.
>You then fire a burst at her, followed by another. She dodges the first one, and the second one clips her on the arm with one on its shots. It doesn't seem she is too mobile when she's giving her all into firing all these shots.
>In the meantime, your opponent continues to fill the air with wedges of red bullets. One is coming for you, while others below and to your left.
>Let this be a lesson that even if we can fly, the roads exist for a reason. USE THEM.
>It seems this is so. You wonder if it ties to the bridge underground? Not for long, though, you're rather occupied.
>_
-
>Roads are for those who can't fly, right? There are people that can't fly in Gensokyo, you know.
-
>Roads are for those who can't fly, right? There are people that can't fly in Gensokyo, you know.
>This too would make sense, but maybe it isn't so wise to be worrying about it when you're being shot at.
>_
-
> Our right side should still be open? If we can, dodge that way
> Prepare to fire anotehr barrage
-
> Our right side should still be open? If we can, dodge that way
> Prepare to fire anotehr barrage
>You dodge right, buying you a moment of respite, and prepare another barrage.
>There is already another wedge flying in your direction, as one to the left passes by.
>_
-
> Is the one directly before us the only imminent shot?
>> If so, drop below it and fire.
-
> Is the one directly before us the only imminent shot?
>> If so, drop below it and fire.
>Yes.
>You drop down, and fire a barrage. Your opponent tries to move out of the way, but concentrating as hard as she was on firing at you, she isn't able to move very quickly, and several of the shot connect with her.
>"Fine!" she shouts, as she draws away, "Do whatever you what!"
>_
-
> Excellent!
> But it's probably better that we stick to walking in case this "Riko" decides to fight as well.
> How many paths can we see from the air that head towards the mountain?
-
>Shout out after her: "I'm sorry, honestly! If I'd known it would bother you, I never would have done it."
-
> Excellent!
> But it's probably better that we stick to walking in case this "Riko" decides to fight as well.
> How many paths can we see from the air that head towards the mountain?
>You feel flushed with victory!
>It might not be a bad idea.
>There's just the one below you.
>Shout out after her: "I'm sorry, honestly! If I'd known it would bother you, I never would have done it."
>She waves as she flies off.
>_
-
> Welp, let's walk. Drop down to the path and follow it towards the mountain
-
>Ok, land and take the road this time
>Try to not let our appreciation of the forest be spoiled by its keeper's prickly attitude
-
> Welp, let's walk. Drop down to the path and follow it towards the mountain
>You drop down into the forest, and land where the road is.
>To be honest, it really is quite attractive. The leaves are already starting to turn colors a little, and the trees aren't too thick like in some of the other forests you visited earlier today. A nice breeze runs through them, as well, sending a nice rustle through the trees. The road runs through it. Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
-
>Head east
-
>Head east
>You continue eastward, and soon see a short barefoot woman in yellow blouse and a reddish dress, wearing a red hat bearing a cluster of grapes on it.
>"Please do not be too mad at Shizuha," she says, inclining her head toward you. "She always gets antsy toward this time of year."
>_
-
> "I'm more worried about her being mad at me :(. While I didn't appreciate being attacked, I guess I should have noted roads exist for a reason"
-
> "I'm more worried about her being mad at me :(. While I didn't appreciate being attacked, I guess I should have noted roads exist for a reason"
>"She usually doesn't care," says the woman. "Just it's that time of year right before the leaves turn, and she gets restless. There's a lot of stress for her. Just she didn't recognize you, and...well..." She turns her hands upward. "She won't hold a grudge."
>_
-
>"Well, that's good to know. And the forest really is quite pretty. I'm Maribel, by the way."
-
>"Well, that's good to know. And the forest really is quite pretty. I'm Maribel, by the way."
>"I am Minoriko, it is a pleasure. Please feel free to pass through as you like."
>_
-
>"Thank you. Actually, while I'm at it, can you tell me where to find the kappa? I understand they're towards the mountain, but I don't know more specifically than that."
-
>"Thank you. Actually, while I'm at it, can you tell me where to find the kappa? I understand they're towards the mountain, but I don't know more specifically than that."
>"Follow this road, and you should find their village," says Minoriko. "They can be a little shy, though."
>_
-
> "I'm actually looking for a friend of mine and I think she may have come out this way. White shirt, black tie and black hat, she'd probably be very excited. Have you heard anything?"
-
> "I'm actually looking for a friend of mine and I think she may have come out this way. White shirt, black tie and black hat, she'd probably be very excited. Have you heard anything?"
>"I've not seen anyone like that," she says, shaking her head.
>_
-
>"Well, thanks anyway. Have a pleasant day!"
>Continue along the road
-
>"Well, thanks anyway. Have a pleasant day!"
>Continue along the road
>"You as well, Maribel," she says.
>You continue along the road. The forest grows darker and heavier, taking on an atmosphere similar to that of the forest of magic. It is very quiet here, giving you a sense that the world is holding its breath. Even without your border awareness, you can tell that you've moved into an entirely different place than you were before. Even the air feels a bit colder. The road continues on. Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
-
>Continue east
>Keep an eye and ear out for anything of interest
-
>Continue east
>Keep an eye and ear out for anything of interest
>You continue east, keeping your eyes open. Soon, you see motion up ahead, a woman in a red dress twirling and dancing along the path, into and out of the foliage. You quickly recognize her as the polite ribbon-wearing girl you met in the Forest of Magic earlier today. It's rather impressive she can dance like that without tripping over the brush or smacking her arm on an errant tree.
>She pirouettes toward you. "Hello!" she calls, not ceasing her dance. "Are you sure you should be going this way?"
>_
-
>"Well, I'm looking for a kappa. I was asked to go speak with her. So, I assume this is the correct direction?"
-
>"Well, I'm looking for a kappa. I was asked to go speak with her. So, I assume this is the correct direction?"
>She nods. "I don't know if it would be good to just let you go this way," she says, as she spins behind and around you. "The kappa don't like to be bothered, and the tengu aren't happy with others on their part of the mountain."
>_
-
> "I'm looking for someone, a human. She's wearing a white shirt with a black tie and black hat, and I have reason to believe she might be with the kappa right now."
> "I also need an audience with the Moriya Shrine, isn't that also this way?"
-
>"Are the tengu and the kappa on the same part of the mountain? I don't mean to intrude on anyone's territory."
>"Also, I'd like to think that I wouldn't be bothering the kappa. A friend of mind just asked me to check up on a friend of hers, since she hasn't been free to leave the city and come see her herself at the moment."
-
> "I'm looking for someone, a human. She's wearing a white shirt with a black tie and black hat, and I have reason to believe she might be with the kappa right now."
> "I also need an audience with the Moriya Shrine, isn't that also this way?"
>She twirls in front of you, stopping to shake her head. "I've not seen anyone like that."
>She resumes her dance, leaping into the air, as she says, "I've not been told to expect you to the shrine. Are you a follower?"
>"Are the tengu and the kappa on the same part of the mountain? I don't mean to intrude on anyone's territory."
>"Also, I'd like to think that I wouldn't be bothering the kappa. A friend of mind just asked me to check up on a friend of hers, since she hasn't been free to leave the city and come see her herself at the moment."
>She lands on her toes, arms spread out, and says, "They are, the kappa live nearby, and the tengu near the peak." She leaps again, landing in another pirouette, whirling toward you right and stretching her hands over her head. "It's very dangerous, you understand. If you were to get on someone's bad side, you could be hurt badly! It's much worse than the forest here!"
>_
-
> "It may be more dangerous, but I absolutely have to get to the mountain."
-
>"Would the kappa honestly be that aggressive? Even if I was just delivering a message? I don't intend to get on anyone's bad side."
-
> "It may be more dangerous, but I absolutely have to get to the mountain."
>"Would the kappa honestly be that aggressive? Even if I was just delivering a message? I don't intend to get on anyone's bad side."
>She frowns at your insistence, looking toward you from her dance. "Some kappa might, or some tengu. I really don't think I could live with myself if I let you pass and something happen. It's my responsibility to help humans, you see?"
>_
-
> Sigh
> Make a barrier
> "And I can do things other than that. I'm not that powerful, but I still have SOME resources"
-
>"If you consider it your responsibility to help, might it be possible for you to accompany me, then? I don't intend to be long."
-
> Sigh
> Make a barrier
> "And I can do things other than that. I'm not that powerful, but I still have SOME resources"
>You sigh, and conjure a small barrier that lasts a couple seconds. She spins close to it, frowning. "That's very nice," she says, "But I don't think it would do much, do you?"
>"If you consider it your responsibility to help, might it be possible for you to accompany me, then? I don't intend to be long."
>"I have much too much misfortune to gather, I'm afraid," she says. "But there is something faster I could do..."
>_
-
> "Your responsibility is to help humans? Well, I'm a human and I need to find my friend, who is also a human. I somehow crossed the border into Gensokyo and I need to find her, meaning that I need help."
-
> "Well, that was just a demonstration that I have magical aptitude. I can use danmaku and familiars as well, among other things. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a generalist. While I won't be winning any fights should I be unfortunate enough to get into them, I can defend myself long enough to get away. I just kinda figured firing danmaku would not be the wisest demonstration"
-
>"Something faster you could do? What did you mean?"
-
> "Your responsibility is to help humans? Well, I'm a human and I need to find my friend, who is also a human. I somehow crossed the border into Gensokyo and I need to find her, meaning that I need help."
>"Hmmm, well..."
> "Well, that was just a demonstration that I have magical aptitude. I can use danmaku and familiars as well, among other things. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a generalist. While I won't be winning any fights should I be unfortunate enough to get into them, I can defend myself long enough to get away. I just kinda figured firing danmaku would not be the wisest demonstration"
>"Oh, well!" she says, leaping back and pirouetting a a couple yards from you. "When you say it like that..."
>"Something faster you could do? What did you mean?"
>She withdraws a what seems to be a card from her dress and holds it up. "Dodge! Wound Sign: Pain Flow Endlessly!"
>Oh god that is a lot of danmaku coming from her!
>_
-
> "Misfortunes? Is that why I keep getting shanked?"
> Goddammit
> Are we in the air or still on the ground?
-
>Dodge! Try to put a little distance between us to make that easier.
>"This seems like a strange kind of protecting!"
-
> "Misfortunes? Is that why I keep getting shanked?"
> Goddammit
> Are we in the air or still on the ground?
>You really aren't having any luck with this.
>You are on the ground. There's not a lot of room here, between the road, the tree cover, and the the trees flanking the road.
>Dodge! Try to put a little distance between us to make that easier.
>"This seems like a strange kind of protecting!"
>You draw back, and see the blade-liked orange and purple shots are arranged in columns, somewhat like Shizuha's shots before. This should be too hard to slip through. You notice she emits them in a kind of spiral pattern as well, covering all the area around her and giving you time to see the next wave coming. Curiously enough, she seems to be translucent, as well.
>_
-
>Find a gap between the columns and get between it
>Move somewhat near a decent sized tree in case we need emergency cover, but don't use it yet if we can slip between them otherwise
-
>Find a gap between the columns and get between it
>Move somewhat near a decent sized tree in case we need emergency cover, but don't use it yet if we can slip between them otherwise
>You slip between the columns rather easily, and let them pass by either side.
>As the columns pass, you move to the edge of the path, and near a suitably mature tree. You notice that the underbrush is fairly thick, though. Walking through it it would be difficult, and flying would have the risk of catching your foot if you went too low.
>Another line of columns is coming!
-
>Shift between the second line
>"Is this some kind of test, or something?"
-
> How high above us is the tree cover? Could we easily float between the underbrush and the tree cover?
-
>Shift between the second line
>"Is this some kind of test, or something?"
>You move between the second line. Easy!
>"Dodge~" she replies, pirouetting in place. You think you can actually see through her a little bit, due to that translucence.
>You see the third column coming at you, and...oh dear, thats not a column at all. The shots seem to be diverging subtly in various directions.
>_
-
>Even with the shots diverging, can we still find an open spot between them? If so, move there.
>Do they diverge less when they're closer to her? Could it be easier to dodge if we were closer to her?
-
>Even with the shots diverging, can we still find an open spot between them? If so, move there.
>Do they diverge less when they're closer to her? Could it be easier to dodge if we were closer to her?
>You think you can, they aren't diverging that much yet.
>You aren't sure. But you're pretty sure the columns themselves spread further apart as they get further from her.
>_
-
> Keep our distance and stay between columns.
-
> Keep our distance and stay between columns.
>You do this, and the third set passes by; the shots spread out, but not enough to threaten you. Already, though, you can see the next set, and it is even more disorganized, no longer really in columns at all. the shots seem to be converging and diverging all over the place.
>_
-
> Figures that she'd catch on that we caught on.
> Stay back and watch for some kind of pattern to convergences.
-
>Can we read them well enough to still move around them, if we try to be quick on our toes?
>Try to stay in the middle of the gap between the 'columns'. Be prepared to dash forward into an opening, if we see a gap ahead of us as the bullets converge and diverge
>Ponder whether using the tree counts as a disqualification...
-
> Figures that she'd catch on that we caught on.
It's not that she caught on, it's just how the spellcard goes.
-
It's not that she caught on, it's just how the spellcard goes.
I liked the redundancy of being redundant
-
> Figures that she'd catch on that we caught on.
> Stay back and watch for some kind of pattern to convergences.
>You stay back, and you can't really see a pattern to it. Every shot just seems to go its own way. But, you can see places where the shots are diverging, and places where they are converging.
>Can we read them well enough to still move around them, if we try to be quick on our toes?
>Try to stay in the middle of the gap between the 'columns'. Be prepared to dash forward into an opening, if we see a gap ahead of us as the bullets converge and diverge
>Ponder whether using the tree counts as a disqualification...
>You think you can.
>You see a spot ahead where two shots are diverging, and nothing seems to be converging yet. You dash for it, and make it through without problems.
>You don't know if that would be considered disqualification, poor taste, or whether she has ways to compensate.
>There's no longer really pauses between the waves any more; shots are diverging so much at that there's still a few in the air by the time the next wave comes. You see a pair of then converging toward you from the left that you could dash through, and a few shots from the right that might hit you, they're too hard to read and be sure.
>_
-
>Take the opening to our left and dash through it
>Quickly glance back to the shots at our right. Can we see where they're going any better, now?
-
>Take the opening to our left and dash through it
>Quickly glance back to the shots at our right. Can we see where they're going any better, now?
>You dash through, the bullets closing together behind you.
>Glancing back, you see that one would have hit you if you stood still, but you could have slipped between them into an open space.
>Here, you see bullets converging on your from both sides.
>_
-
>Is there room upwards? If so, try ascending
>Otherwise, back up, and see if we can see another opening appear
-
>Is there room upwards? If so, try ascending
>Otherwise, back up, and see if we can see another opening appear
>You look up, and see there isn't much room.
>You back away, and the shots converge and pass by you.
>The attack is growing more erratic now. The bullets are no longer coming in sizable clumps and waves anymore. Instead, there are now a lot of individual bullets whizzing about in every direction and height, with the occasional clump here and there. There are a number of open spaces to take advantage of, but no one place feels safe for long.
>_
-
>Keep moving between open spaces
>After each adjustment, quickly scan for other nearby openings
>If there's no free path, try to shift with the current opening we're in until we can see another one open up, then take it
-
>Keep moving between open spaces
>After each adjustment, quickly scan for other nearby openings
>If there's no free path, try to shift with the current opening we're in until we can see another one open up, then take it
>You move for an open space. Then another. Then a third one. This isn't so bad.
>A few shots converge on you, you keep moving and avoid them.
>Then, it comes to an end. The woman stops her seemingly endless pirouette as the last bullets fly away, and walks toward you, smiling.
>_
-
>Catch our breath
>"So.... does that mean I passed?"
-
>Catch our breath
>"So.... does that mean I passed?"
>She takes your hand into hers, presses the card into it, and closes you fingers around it.
>You obtain: Wound Sign: Pain Flow Endlessly. (Captured)
>"Better than I anticipated," she says. "You didn't even leave the ground or try to fire. One would almost think you were showing off."
>_
-
>Smile
>"Thank you. Am I free to pass, now, then?"
-
>Smile
>"Thank you. Am I free to pass, now, then?"
>She nods. "Please don't get into any trouble, regardless."
>_
-
>"I don't intend to, if I can at all help it. Wish me luck!"
>Continue towards the mountain.
-
>"I don't intend to, if I can at all help it. Wish me luck!"
>Continue towards the mountain.
>"I wish you the best of best of luck, Maribel," says the woman, as she begins to dance again.
>You continue eastward. The road had already had a noticeable incline, but as you continue onward, it becomes more notable until you are practically walking up a hill. You hear water flowing up ahead, and soon break from the trees to see it ahead, flowing swiftly down the side of the mountain. By the river are a number of small houses built low into the ground, many of them dug into the ground itself. Their roofs are covered with dirt and cattails, doing much to help make them fit in with the scenery. Many of them seem to have doors that open directly into the river. Small gardens and large expanses of cattails are everywhere. Small footpaths meander between the houses, with no real order to them at all. To the south, you see what looks much like a warehouse, built into the ground and designed much like the houses around it, but really there's only so much you can do with a warehouse. To the North, across a simple and very new-looking bridge is a large building under construction. Obvious exits are North, South, East, and West.
>You see a number of people working around the building to the North, and a few tending to their homes or gardens. And, almost jarringly, a smallish person on a white motor scooter, making an idle course toward the east, wearing a white uniform and matching helmet.
>_
-
>Head towards the building to the north.
>If we pass near anyone along the way, stop and politely ask if they know where we could find a Nitori?
-
>Head towards the building to the north.
>If we pass near anyone along the way, stop and politely ask if they know where we could find a Nitori?
>You head toward the building to the north. Along the way, you pass by someone working at their garden and ask about Nitori.
>The garden worker, a heavy-set woman with dark blue hair, close to black, considers you for a moment, then says, "That's her warehouse to the south, there,"
>_
-
>"Oh, thank you."
>Head to the warehouse
-
>You head toward the warehouse.
>As you do, you pass by the person on the motor scooter. It is an older man, easily in his sixties, with a kindly face. You watch as he stops at a house, and places what seems to be a newspaper into a mailbox there. Noticing you, he waves politely. You feel a little deja vu.
>Approaching the warehouse, you can see it is pretty standard-looking in design. A large door facing north, presently open, and a smaller door not to far from it. Inside, you can see all kinds of junk piled about, and a blue-haired woman in a light blue dress working at a table, assuming something box-like.
>_
-
>Walk towards the woman
>"Excuse me, but are you Nitori?"
-
> Wave to the postman if it isn't too late.
> Approach the woman.
> "Excuse me."
>> If she looks up: "I'm looking for Nitori, and I was directed to this warehouse. Is she around?"
-
>Walk towards the woman
>"Excuse me, but are you Nitori?"
> Wave to the postman if it isn't too late.
> Approach the woman.
> "Excuse me."
>> If she looks up: "I'm looking for Nitori, and I was directed to this warehouse. Is she around?"
>You wave back to the postman before leaving him behind.
>You walk up to the door and get the woman's attention, she looks up at you curiously.
>Upon asking who she is, she says, "That's mean, yeah. Do you need something? I'm kind of busy right now, so I won't be making house calls, and it'll take me a bit to get to and jobs you have for me."
>_
>_
-
> "Jobs? I'm sorry, you must think I'm Yukari, I've gotten that a lot today. My name is Maribel actually and I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time to ask a few questions."
-
> "Jobs? I'm sorry, you must think I'm Yukari, I've gotten that a lot today. My name is Maribel actually and I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time to ask a few questions."
>"Yukari?" Nitori says, "Barely know her. But...yeah, you do have that kind of look, don't you? And, I suppose. Come on in and have a seat, Maribel."
>_
-
> "Thank you very much."
> Follow her inside.
-
> "Thank you very much."
> Follow her inside.
>As she's already inside, you have little following to do. So you just sit at a random chair.
>"Whacha need?" she says, not looking up from her project.
>_
-
>"Well, first of all, Utsuho wanted me to check in on you and see how you were doing."
-
>"Well, first of all, Utsuho wanted me to check in on you and see how you were doing."
>She blinks. "Huh? Really? Well, I'm doing alright. Been inspired lately."
>_
-
>"Oh? Howso? That dream, maybe?"
-
> "I'm looking for
my daughter my friend Renko. White shirt, black tie, black hat, she's a human. Have you seen or heard anything about someone wandering around?"
EDIT: Slow Vic...
-
>"Oh? Howso? That dream, maybe?"
>"Yep. It's set pretty much all of us on fire," says Nitori. 'Heck, they're already planning a university, and we barely have anyone to teach. So Okuu had it too, huh? I guess it really was everyone in Gensokyo."
> "I'm looking for my daughter my friend Renko. White shirt, black tie, black hat, she's a human. Have you seen or heard anything about someone wandering around?"
>"The only humans around here are the wind priestess up at the shrine and the deliveryman," says Nitori.
>_
-
> "I see. I figured she might be here if she was in Gensokyo at all."
> "How much of the dream do you remember? And who exactly is planning the university?"
-
>"Just about everyone, as far as I can tell. How much do you remember about your dream, anyway?"
>"Is that big building going up related to all this?"
-
> "I see. I figured she might be here if she was in Gensokyo at all."
> "How much of the dream do you remember? And who exactly is planning the university?"
>"Just about everyone, as far as I can tell. How much do you remember about your dream, anyway?"
>"Is that big building going up related to all this?"
>"Sorry," says Nitori. "Hm, you probably checked underground. She might be lost in the wilds somewhere."
>She pursues her lips. "So it wasn't just the mountain. And I remember a good deal, I think. Enough to know I'm gonna have to be really creative to get this air conditioner off the ground. And, there's a committee. I've been asked to join it, but I'm too busy right now."
>"Yeah, that's going to be the university."
>_
-
> "I assume the committee is full of others who remember the dream. May I get some of their names if possible? I think that unraveling some of the mysteries surrounding the dream may help me find my way out of Gensokyo and back into my world."
-
> "I assume the committee is full of others who remember the dream. May I get some of their names if possible? I think that unraveling some of the mysteries surrounding the dream may help me find my way out of Gensokyo and back into my world."
>What can we expect them to tell us that Keine couldn't? And didn't just establish that basically everyone remembers parts of it, anyway?
>"It all sounds pretty exciting. How much do you think you'll be able to replicate? I don't know what kind of infrastructure you have around here, already."
-
> "I assume the committee is full of others who remember the dream. May I get some of their names if possible? I think that unraveling some of the mysteries surrounding the dream may help me find my way out of Gensokyo and back into my world."
>"Yeah, everyone does," says Nitori, "Most not all that well. But a lot remember The University in some respect or another, and think it's a great idea. I don't know who all's on it."
>What can we expect them to tell us that Keine couldn't? And didn't just establish that basically everyone remembers parts of it, anyway?
>"It all sounds pretty exciting. How much do you think you'll be able to replicate? I don't know what kind of infrastructure you have around here, already."
>Keine definitely knows more than they would.
>"With this?" she taps the box for emphasis. "I kinda need to find something to keep it cold. I was thinking about maybe trying to trap a little ghost inside. Well, that and a power source. I don't think any of the batteries we made will hold up for long enough."
>_
-
>What can we expect them to tell us that Keine couldn't? And didn't just establish that basically everyone remembers parts of it, anyway?
> Everyone seems to remember varying aspects of it. Even still, Keine won't remember the entire thing and neither will Okuu since they couldn't have been everywhere in the Other Gensokyo. Even still, the more information we have on the happening should give us ammo to use against Moriya should they be none too pleased that someone is digging around.
> Further, the people working on the university are likely to be helpful and could be helpful in other ways. Or they've seen Renko.
-
>"Trap a ghost inside? How would that actually be accomplished? And would that even work? Surely that's... not how this sort of thing worked in the dream, is it?"
-
> "How can ghosts provide energy though, aren't they incorporeal?"
-
> Everyone seems to remember varying aspects of it. Even still, Keine won't remember the entire thing and neither will Okuu since they couldn't have been everywhere in the Other Gensokyo. Even still, the more information we have on the happening should give us ammo to use against Moriya should they be none too pleased that someone is digging around.
> Further, the people working on the university are likely to be helpful and could be helpful in other ways. Or they've seen Renko.
>If you're looking for details about Gensokyo Island, asking around would be a good idea.
>"Trap a ghost inside? How would that actually be accomplished? And would that even work? Surely that's... not how this sort of thing worked in the dream, is it?"
> "How can ghosts provide energy though, aren't they incorporeal?"
>"Yeah. You put in a jar with a little ghost, some talismans on it to keep it inside, and there you got. And no, it wasn't. but you have to work with what you got. And sure it'd work. Ghosts are cold, you see. If you touch one too long, you'd get frostbite. No energy, though. You'd need something else to run the fans and stuff."
>_
-
>"Wouldn't that be... a bit unkind to the ghost? To be made into a coolant for an air conditioner?"
>"And did you have any ideas for the power source? I'm curious."
-
> We're going to have to end up asking that Yukari lady if we want any hope of finding Renko, aren't we?
-
>"Wouldn't that be... a bit unkind to the ghost? To be made into a coolant for an air conditioner?"
>"And did you have any ideas for the power source? I'm curious."
>"Maybe, I've never heard 'em complain," says Nitori with a shrug.
>"Well, we've made some batteries for little things, but...I dunno if it'd be enough. If Utsuho would could back, we might really be able to get things flying on making a large scale power source. Well, once the university fervor dies down a bit."
> We're going to have to end up asking that Yukari lady if we want any hope of finding Renko, aren't we?
>That may be a possibility. But there has to be parts of Gensokyo you've not explored yet...
>_
-
>"Utsuho's a little tied up at the moment, I'm afraid. Couldn't leave the city or she would have come herself. I can let her know about the project the next time I see her, though."
>"And how do you go about finding and catching the ghost in the first place, though?"
-
>"Utsuho's a little tied up at the moment, I'm afraid. Couldn't leave the city or she would have come herself. I can let her know about the project the next time I see her, though."
>"And how do you go about finding and catching the ghost in the first place, though?"
>Nitori nods. "Not surprising, if I remember her and Parsee hooking up being right."
>"Well, you got to an old house or a graveyard, one of the places ghosts like to hand out, and you get something seal 'em up with. It's like catching butterflies, but with a few steps"
>_
-
>"Yeah, it's... complicated at the moment down there."
>"I know you said you haven't heard about any other humans being around here, but do you know anyone else that might be good to ask about that sort of thing?"
-
>"Yeah, it's... complicated at the moment down there."
>"I know you said you haven't heard about any other humans being around here, but do you know anyone else that might be good to ask about that sort of thing?"
>She nods.
>"You might ask Kanako," says Nitori. "She reads the wind, or at least she claims to. Maybe she'll know something."
>_
-
>"What've the Moryia Goddesses been up to lately, anyway? Since this whole dream business?"
-
>"What've the Moryia Goddesses been up to lately, anyway? Since this whole dream business?"
>Nitori shrugs. "About the same as always, I guess. I've not been up that way yet."
>_
-
>"Is it safe for a human to go up that way? I've heard people tell me the tengu are kinda territorial."
-
>"Is it safe for a human to go up that way? I've heard people tell me the tengu are kinda territorial."
>"Depends on why," says Nitori. "The delivery man lives up there, I think."
>_
-
>"Well, just if I wanted to ask if they'd seen any sign of Renko, that's all."
-
>"Well, just if I wanted to ask if they'd seen any sign of Renko, that's all."
>"That might work," says Nitori.
>_
-
>"Might? What do you think I should expect? Any pointers or warnings?"
-
>"Might? What do you think I should expect? Any pointers or warnings?"
>"The person you're going to have to convince is whoever's guarding the path. That'd be Momiji, probably. She's a wolf tengu, has the fluffiest tail you've ever seen. You'll have to impress her with your need to be there. She's thickheaded about orders, but good enough to make exceptions when necessary."
>_
-
>"Good enough."
>"I don't suppose there's anything I might be able to lend a hand with, other than passing the word about the project along to Okuu?"
-
>"Good enough."
>"I don't suppose there's anything I might be able to lend a hand with, other than passing the word about the project along to Okuu?"
>"Um, if you give me some time, I'll write her a letter or something. It'd be nice if you carried that for me."
>_
-
>"Absolutely. It would be my pleasure."
-
>"Absolutely. It would be my pleasure."
>"Alright, I oughta have it done by the time you get back," she says.
>_
-
>"Ok, good enough. Wish me luck!"
>Head outside
>Look for a path up the mountain
>Follow it
-
>"Ok, good enough. Wish me luck!"
>Head outside
>Look for a path up the mountain
>Follow it
>"Don't get into too much trouble," says Nitori.
>You return outside and look around for a path further along the mountain. It doesn't take very long to find one, and you continue onward. The past wends and twists its way upward, following along the river. Soon, the river comes to an end at a waterfall; the roar of it practically noticeably from the kappa village. Tumbling down hundreds of feet, it sends mist spraying into the air, sparkling countless diamonds. You've never seen a waterfall this size before, and it is hard to look away. But eventually you tear your eyes from it. The mountainside is intimidatingly steep, though you can see a path leading up, and a stairway fut into the rock here and there. Other paths branch off every so often, heading toward the south. Near the summit, you can see many small buildings, and tiny figures flying about. You get the feeling this part of the trip may be best taken from the air. Obvious exits are South 1, South 2 East, and West.
>_
-
>Well, take to the air, then. Better that than slip off into the waterfall.
>Continue towards the summit
>Keep an eye out for anyone that might be objecting to our presence here
-
>Well, take to the air, then. Better that than slip off into the waterfall.
>Continue towards the summit
>Keep an eye out for anyone that might be objecting to our presence here
>You take to the air, quite glad not to have to walk up all that. Thank heaven you didn't wake up here, before you learn to fly.
>You continue toward the summit, and soon see a figure moving to intercept you from the air. As she draws closer, you can make out a red and black dress and white blouse. As well, you can see a white tail, fluffy and frankly adorable, as well as white canine ears on top of her her head. Her hair matches the color of her tail, cut short. You also notice she has a rather large sword at her hip, and a shield in one hand.
>"Halt!" She calls. "The city is closed to outsiders at this time!"
>_
-
>Halt
>"May I ask why that is? I'm looking for signs of a friend of mine, and wanted to see if I could speak with Kanako. I was told by Nitori that she might have some idea where to look."
-
> "That's, uh, quite the sword you have there."
-
>Halt
>"May I ask why that is? I'm looking for signs of a friend of mine, and wanted to see if I could speak with Kanako. I was told by Nitori that she might have some idea where to look."
>You stop. The woman, tengu you suppose, stops a couple yards from you. She frowns at you a little, but doesn't seem particularly hostile toward you.
>"Order of Lord Tenma," she says. "No outsider may enter at this time."
>You give a quick explanation. She quirks her lips. "Are you a follower of Lady Kanako?"
> "That's, uh, quite the sword you have there."
>She flicks her right ear. "Are you a swordswoman?"
>_
-
>"I'm afraid I've never actually met her. But does Lord Tenma's order include turning people away from the shrine?"
(No point in trying to bluff here, I think, given that Kanako herself will be well aware that we are not a follower)
-
>"I'm afraid I've never actually met her. But does Lord Tenma's order include turning people away from the shrine?"
>"We do not turn away followers," says the tengu, "But if you are not a follower, you are not under that edict's protection."
>_
-
>"How does one become a follower? That seems like something of a catch-22 situation if no new people can reach the shrine."
-
> Contemplate dropping Utsuho's name in an attempt to get to Kanako.
-
> If you can't negotiate your way out of this, get ready for a fight.
>Brace for shanking impact.
-
> If you can't negotiate your way out of this, get ready for a fight.
>Rather, politely withdraw, if we can't negotiate.
>Preemptively shank self and save Parsee the trouble. She's got enough problems to deal with at the moment.
-
>Brace for shanking impact.
>Preemptively shank self and save Parsee the trouble. She's got enough problems to deal with at the moment.
>"This is retarded, you're retarded," says the Tengu as she stabs you. "Thanks for saving me the paperwork."