Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Dormio Ergo Sum on April 14, 2012, 11:55:03 PM
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First thread (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,10612.0.html)
Second thread (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,11534.0.html)
>You are Yukari Yakumo.
>You have been trapped within the Great Hakurei Border for the past two years, after having entered it when it began to break.
>You had lost all of your powers.
>You do not know why, but you felt your powers return one day. You used this opportunity to escape the border.
>You found yourself in the Forest of Magic, weakened.
>You travelled to Kourindou, which had expanded during your absence.
>Within Kourindou, you also found Alice, who appeared to be held captive by Rinnosuke.
>You promised to return to help Alice at a later date before visiting your home, Mayohiga.
>There you found Ran, who had been wounded some time ago, and Chen, both in their animal forms.
>You reestablished your Shikigami contract with Ran, who did the same with Chen, restoring both to their human forms before heading out once more to check up on the Netherworld.
>You found that the entrance to the Netherworld had disappeared, replaced with a tear in the space it occupied.
>You opened a gap to enter the Netherworld, which had changed drastically.
>Once inside, you found Youmu, and investigated the Saigyou Ayakashi.
>You found that the Saigyou Ayakashi contained Yuyuko, who you later freed before killing the Saigyou Ayakashi.
>With the Saiyou Ayakashi's death, the Netherworld returned to normal and the entrance had returned.
>You left the Netherworld and visited Kourindou once more, where you found Marisa, brandishing a flask, asking Rinnosuke for a favor.
>Eventually Marisa left Kourindou, and you threatened Rinnosuke with your revolver, extracting some information and a promise to stop mistreating Alice.
>You then went on into the Human Village, where you gave up your revolver to the guards before visiting Hieda no Akyu.
>You discovered more about Gensokyo's current state from Akyu, then went on to visit the Myouren Temple, which had been sealed off along with its inhabitants by Reimu.
>You found an alternate entrance into the temple and unsealed Byakuren before resting outside the temple for a bit.
>After resting, Byakuren offered her help in your next attempt to unseal somebody.
>You temporarily regained your powers, and used them to undo all of the seals within the temple.
>Byakuren and her crew have since relocated to Mayohiga.
>You invited Yuyuko to visit Mayohiga at a later time before heading off to the Moriya shrine, where you found a tear similar to the one at the Netherworld's entrance.
>Whilst investigating the mountain, you came across Momiji in a rather savage state. You convinced the Tengu that you had disposed of Momiji and had Momiji find Nitori's laboratory for you, where Momiji was captured.
>You then talked with Nitori and discovered that she was the likely cause of you being able to escape from the border as well as finding out about the general projects she was working on.
>You made a promise with Satori to take her to Higan when the time came.
>You talked with Momiji once more with Hatate which caused Momiji to rethink what she had been doing up until now.
>You then went back to the Moriya shrine and entered the tear above the lake.
>You found yourself in the middle of a battle between Suwako and Kanako.
>After being soundly defeated by Suwako, a peaceful conclusion to the battle was found and the three of you were returned to Gensokyo.
>After returning, you went to the Hakurei shrine once more and retrieved Sanae, returning her to Kanako and Suwako at the Moriya shrine.
>You then had some fun with Yuyuko before retiring for the night.
>You visited Kourindou once more, which was now completely empty, and found a hidden entrance to its basement where you found Rumia.
>You have left Rumia at Nitori's lab with Yuuko, with the promise to take her to your home later.
>You secured a deal between yourself and Eirin in which, if you could return Kaguya to Eientei, Eirin would restore Ran's arm.
>You discovered that Rinnosuke and Alice had gone to Reimu's mansion.
>You witnessed the resurrection of Mokou, who has left, and Kaguya.
>Open a gap to Eientei.
>"After you princess."
>Follow after her, or if she's paranoid and doesn't trust it, go through first and hold it open.
>If we go through first, avoid the latest attempt to kill us today.
>You open up a gap to Eientei, which Kaguya curtly steps through.
>Once Kaguya has gone through, you follow yourself with Ran and Chen.
>You find yourself outside Eientei once more.
>_
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... Well played, Dormio, well played. :V
> Immediate surroundings.
> What is Kaguya doing? How is she reacting to being back in Eientei?
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>Inventory
>Quests
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> Immediate surroundings.
> What is Kaguya doing? How is she reacting to being back in Eientei?
>To you sides and back, there are many bamboo trees.
>In front of you is Eientei, and you can see the figure on the roof from before rapidly approaching.
>Kaguya is simply looking around a bit, as though she had returned from a rather long trip.
>Inventory
>Quests
>You are currently carrying your spellcards, a parasol, and a revolver loaded with 5 bullets within your small gap. You are also in possession the clothes you are currently wearing, a rather frilly white dress with a purple front
>Quests? Do you think that this is some sort of RPG?
>_
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Well played indeed.
>Can we see enough of the rabbit to recognise her this time?
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>Can we see enough of the rabbit to recognise her this time?
>As the rabbit approaches, you can see that it's Reisen Udongein Inaba.
>You also see Eirin walking out of Eientei and walking towards you.
>_
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>"One princess delivered."
>Watch her with the expectation that she'll get to work on fixing Ran's arm.
>Add our best smug smile to that
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>"One princess delivered."
>Watch her with the expectation that she'll get to work on fixing Ran's arm.
>Add our best smug smile to that
>Upon seeing Kaguya, Eirin rushes to her side.
>"Princess! Are you unharmed? Where have you been for all this time?"
>Eirin looks towards you.
>"I give you my thanks."
>You give Eirin the smuggest smile that you can, but she doesn't seem to care as she asks Kaguya a flurry of questions about her well-being.
>_
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>Let them have their moment.
>What time is it by the way?
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>Let them have their moment.
>What time is it by the way?
>You watch as Eirin continues to fuss over Kaguya. You get the feeling that this won't be ending any time soon. Reisen is also watching from afar.
>You'd wager that it is roughly 12:30PM.
>_
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>Give them five minutes; it's been two years and things weren't as horrible as expected. We have things to do ourselves though.
>If Eirin still isn't detached from Kaguya by then: "I know that it's been two years, but...."
>Focus on Ran's missing arm.
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>Give them five minutes; it's been two years and things weren't as horrible as expected. We have things to do ourselves though.
>If Eirin still isn't detached from Kaguya by then: "I know that it's been two years, but...."
>Focus on Ran's missing arm.
>You wait a while longer, and you see what appears to be the end of their conversation.
>"My apologies, princess, but I will join you shortly."
>Kaguya gives a nod to Eirin before heading towards Eientei.
>Eirin turns and faces you.
>"I believe that you had wanted something in return for your services?"
>_
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>"The restoration of Ran's missing arm and you owe me a favor~"
>"By the way, Mokou's back as well. Might want to keep an eye out for her."
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>"The restoration of Ran's missing arm and you owe me a favor~"
>"By the way, Mokou's back as well. Might want to keep an eye out for her."
>At the news of Mokou, Eirin simply says: "I see. I will do so."
>Eirin gives Ran a quick look.
>"Come with me, then."
>Eirin turns towards you again.
>"This procedure will take a while. I recommend returning after at least twenty four hours."
>"Of course, rehabilitation will take longer still."
>Ran looks towards you.
>"Shall I, master?"
>_
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>"Very well then."
>Nod to Ran. "I'll see you tomorrow and I expect to see two hands on you then~"
>After goodbyes from us and Chen, fly back to Nitori's
>How strong is Chen without Ran nearby?
Chen with Ran is one thing, but without Ran there to power her up, entering Higan with her might be a bit dangerous. I say we leave her with Rumia
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>"Very well then."
>Nod to Ran. "I'll see you tomorrow and I expect to see two hands on you then~"
>After goodbyes from us and Chen, fly back to Nitori's
>How strong is Chen without Ran nearby?
>"My apologies for the inconvenience, master."
>"Farewell, master. Stay in good health."
>Before you leave, Chen tugs on your sleeve.
>"Can I stay with Ran-sama?"
>Without Ran nearby, Chen is at around the level of an average youkai.
>_
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>"If you want to, then make sure you do a good job protecting Ran~"
>She does try her best and she'll keep Ran company.
>"Take care, both of you."
>Make a note to get some tofu, Ran getting her hand back needs a celebration
>If nothing else, now head to Nitori.
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>"If you want to, then make sure you do a good job protecting Ran~"
>She does try her best and she'll keep Ran company.
>"Take care, both of you."
>Make a note to get some tofu, Ran getting her hand back needs a celebration
>If nothing else, now head to Nitori.
>"Thank you, master! And I will!"
>Chen happily rushes to Ran's side.
>"I think that you should stay with mast-"
>"Nope!"
>You hear Ran sigh. Eirin heads inside Eientei, and Ran and Chen begin following.
>"We shall, master, as should you. My apologies once more for this inconvenience."
>Ran gives you a bow before disappearing into Eientei. Chen gives a wave and shouts "Bye!"
>You note to yourself to procure some tofu.
>You fly off to Nitori's laboratory once more.
>After roughly two hours of flight, you find yourself standing outside Nitori's laboratory.
>_
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>This gap moderation thing is inconvenient in the most bothersome ways.
>Knock. If Rin or Satori show, save time and have them come out so we can head to Higan.
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>This gap moderation thing is inconvenient in the most bothersome ways.
>Knock. If Rin or Satori show, save time and have them come out so we can head to Higan.
>It's inconvenient in less bothersome ways too.
>You knock on the door.
>After a bit of time, you see the door open with Fuuko on the other side.
>_
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>"Hey there Fuuko, can you tell Satori and Rin that its time to head to Higan?"
>Spend time waiting mentally preparing to deal with the Yama's lectures.
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>"Hey there Fuuko, can you tell Satori and Rin that its time to head to Higan?"
>Spend time waiting mentally preparing to deal with the Yama's lectures.
>"Hey."
>"Sure thing, but can I ask you something first? You know that girl you brought here? Rumia, was it? Yuukos taken a real shine to her, so I was wondering if you would mind if we kept her here."
>You definitely aren't looking forward to any lectures that you may come across.
>_
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>"I think that's up to her."
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>"I think that's up to her."
>"Of course. I'm just asking if you have any problems with it."
>_
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>"I do not, as long as it's her choice."
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>"I do not, as long as it's her choice."
>"Guess we'll ask her whenever it's time to go, then."
>"Anyway, you wanted Satori and Rin, right? Let me go get them. You want anything else?"
>_
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>"No, that's about it."
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>"No, that's about it."
>"I'll send them up here, then."
>With that, Fuuko takes her leave.
>You wait for a few moments before Satori appears before you with Rin standing behind her.
>The satori gives you a nod.
>_
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>And we're off. To Higan!
>Yuyuko and that murderous tree kept us busy all night, the gods took a few hours, the main loss of time with Eientei was travelling, maybe the pattern will continue and we'll get Utsuho's soul from the Yama without much incident?
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>And we're off. To Higan!
>Yuyuko and that murderous tree kept us busy all night, the gods took a few hours, the main loss of time with Eientei was travelling, maybe the pattern will continue and we'll get Utsuho's soul from the Yama without much incident?
>You begin to head off, taking flight towards Higan.
>You sure hope so.
>Your flight is rather uneventful, until you approach the Forest of Magic, where Satori abruptly stops.
>_
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>Stop as well
>"What is it?"
>Be prepared for troubles.
>Time till next gap
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>Stop as well
>"What is it?"
>Be prepared for troubles.
>Time till next gap
>You stop so as to not leave Satori behind.
>"I think I just saw..."
>Rin looks at Satori curiously.
>Satori begins to fly towards the Forest of Magic.
>"Master?"
>Rin trails after Satori.
>You worry about what could happen.
>You feel rested enough to open up a gap at any time.
>_
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>Who do we know that Satori would care enough about to stop in the face of getting Utsuho back?
>Maybe Koishi? Thinking about it, we haven't seen her at all; shouldn't she be with her sister at this time?
>Trail after Satori ourselves and keep an eye out for anyone.
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>Who do we know that Satori would care enough about to stop in the face of getting Utsuho back?
>Maybe Koishi? Thinking about it, we haven't seen her at all; shouldn't she be with her sister at this time?
>Trail after Satori ourselves and keep an eye out for anyone.
>You aren't entirely sure.
>It could be. Utsuho may be like family to Satori, but Koishi is her actual sister.
>You follow Satori, who descends into the forest, landing and calling out into the forest: "Koishi?"
>"Koishi, are you here? Can you answer me?"
>You and Rin land behind Satori.
>_
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>Take a look around ourselves. Look for any signs of movement, even if it looks like nothing is there
>Do we know of any way to find Koishi if she decides to hide in the subconscious?
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>Take a look around ourselves. Look for any signs of movement, even if it looks like nothing is there
>Do we know of any way to find Koishi if she decides to hide in the subconscious?
>You take a quick look around as Satori heads a bit deeper into the forest.
>Rin devoutly follows Satori.
>As you turn, you see Koishi standing on her toes at your side, looking off into the direction that Satori is heading towards.
>Koishi looks rather unkempt, her clothes show signs of much wear and her hair is a complete mess.
>"'Sis was always bad at finding things."
>If you had full control over your manipulation of boundaries, this would be no problem. As you are now, however, you are subject to her whims. Fortunately though, you can see her now, and should be able to continue to be aware of her as long as you keep her within your vision.
>_
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>Keep Koishi in our vision.
>"Just what have you been up to these past two years? I can't imagine Gensokyo being much fun to wander around recently from what I've been hearing."
>What do we know about Koishi?
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>Keep Koishi in our vision.
>"Just what have you been up to these past two years? I can't imagine Gensokyo being much fun to wander around recently from what I've been hearing."
>What do we know about Koishi?
>You keep your eyes on Koishi. She doesn't seem to be paying you much mind, instead peering deeper into the forest.
>"'Sis always said not to say too much to strangers."
>"But it is fun! Oh so much fun to see the world~"
>"Say, when 'sis was going over there, she looked angry."
>Koishi turns to face you whilst placing her feet properly on the ground.
>"Do you think 'sis is angry?"
>A satori like her sister, Satori, Koishi has a rather unusual power. She threw away her ability as a satori and gained an even more fearsome one in return. Whether her whimsical nature was one she was born with, or caused by this transformation, nobody knows.
>Koishi tends to rely mostly on her own instincts for guidance whilst having common sense that isn't all that common. As such, she is a rather unpredictable character. One of the types that you'd rather avoid under normal circumstances.
>_
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>"I'm not a stranger to your sister, does that count?"
>"Did you do something to make her angry?"
>"I think she's more worried than anything. When was the last time you saw her?"
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>"I'm not a stranger to your sister, does that count?"
>"Did you do something to make her angry?"
>"I think she's more worried than anything. When was the last time you saw her?"
>"Stranger~ Stranger~"
>Koishi circles around you a few times before growing disinterested and sitting down beside you.
>"Did I do something to make 'sis angry? I don't think I did something to make 'sis angry. Do you think I did something to make 'sis angry?"
>"What would 'sis be worried about? 'Sis never has to worry about anything. 'Sis just doesn't care."
>"A minute ago, of course. What do I win?"
>_
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>Resist the urge to facepalm
>"When was the last time you and your sister talked to each other?"
>"Even if she doesn't let it show, your sister does worry a lot. She worries about you, Rin, Utsuho... before she saw you, she was heading to Higan to try to get Utsuho's soul back."
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>Resist the urge to facepalm
>"When was the last time you and your sister talked to each other?"
>"Even if she doesn't let it show, your sister does worry a lot. She worries about you, Rin, Utsuho... before she saw you, she was heading to Higan to try to get Utsuho's soul back."
>You stop yourself from bringing your palm to your face. You could lose track of her.
>"Probably the other day. Yeah. That sounds about right."
>"Are you saying that you know 'sis better than I do?"
>"Utsuho? You mean Okuu? You know Okuu is the coolest pet? Don't you wish you had your own Okuu? But you don't. Because Okuu belongs to my 'sis and I!"
>"Did someone take Okuu? Were they jealous of our Okuu?"
>_
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>"Just the other day....Koishi, do you know what month and year it is?"
>"Yes, someone took Okuu away and I'm helping your sister and Orin get her back."
>"I think your sister would like it if you came along and helped. She must want to talk to you about something to come here looking for you."
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>"Just the other day....Koishi, do you know what month and year it is?"
>"Yes, someone took Okuu away and I'm helping your sister and Orin get her back."
>"I think your sister would like it if you came along and helped. She must want to talk to you about something to come here looking for you."
>"The one after the last one. Is this a test?"
>"Jealous people are so stupid. 'Sis could easily beat up anyone stupid like that."
>"Nah. 'Sis looked mad, so I'll talk to her later."
>Koishi gets back up and brushes herself off.
>"Well, looks like it's time for me to go. Bye bye!"
>Koishi begins skipping off in a random direction.
>_
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>"I'm fairly sure you haven't seen your sister in at least a few months if not years. Your sense of time is not that good."
>"If she's mad, running away will just make her angrier..."
>"Ah well, if you want somewhere new to explore I'm opening back Higan. Who knows what that Yama's done with the place."
>Man dealing with Koishi is not fun. How does Satori mange it?
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>"I'm fairly sure you haven't seen your sister in at least a few months if not years. Your sense of time is not that good."
>"If she's mad, running away will just make her angrier..."
>"Ah well, if you want somewhere new to explore I'm opening back Higan. Who knows what that Yama's done with the place."
>Man dealing with Koishi is not fun. How does Satori mange it?
>Koishi stops on her heels and pivots towards you again.
>"I'm fairly sure you're wrong~"
>"Are you trying to say that I made 'sis mad? 'Sis can't be mad at me, so I can't make 'sis angrier."
>"The weather is fine, today, and it doesn't look like it's going to rain soon. The lake is pretty clear, none of those stupid fairies are around anymore. The lake is pretty close too... I want to go mountain climbing!"
>Koishi continues spinning before beginning to skip off again.
>You wonder how much patience Satori has.
>If you don't begin to follow Koishi, you're probably going to lose sight of her.
>You can hear Rin's voice, which is getting louder, coming from behind you. She appears to be saying things to calm down Satori.
>_
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>Oh boy. Letting this be is liable to cause all kinds of problems. Why do we get dragged into these things?
>Follow Koishi, Satori can likely find us without much trouble especially if she's coming this way.
>"Oh? If you're sure that Satori can't be mad at you, why don't you prove it~"
>If she protests against this. "Unless of course, you're scared that you're wrong. How about a wager on it?"
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>Oh boy. Letting this be is liable to cause all kinds of problems. Why do we get dragged into these things?
>Follow Koishi, Satori can likely find us without much trouble especially if she's coming this way.
>"Oh? If you're sure that Satori can't be mad at you, why don't you prove it~"
>If she protests against this. "Unless of course, you're scared that you're wrong. How about a wager on it?"
>It's as if some unknown force is pushing all of these issues onto you.
>You decide to follow Koishi and walk alongside her as she skips along. Satori should be able to find you without too much trouble, right?
>"'Sis can't be mad at me, but that doesn't mean that 'sis can't be mad. 'Sis is scary when she's mad."
>"Don't wanna."
>"'Sis always said to be careful of strangers that followed you..."
>Koishi has a rather large grin on her face.
>_
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>An unknown force huh? :V
>What places do we know of that Koishi cannot have been to and we can access?
>Do we have any kinds of foods or interesting items that are quite unlikely for anyone not us to have seen/eaten?
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> "Say, Koishi, have you ever [redacted]?"
> [Redacted]
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> "Say, Koishi, have you ever [redacted]?"
> [Redacted]
>Koishi comes to an abrupt stop and looks at you with a serious face.
>"Who do you think you're talking to? I invented [REDACTED]. You wanna see for yourself?"
>You're about to [REDACTED] Koishi when the same unknown force that seems to be piling problems onto you stops you. You think that you can make out complaints about 'children present' and 'amorality'.
>An unknown force huh? :V
>What places do we know of that Koishi cannot have been to and we can access?
>Do we have any kinds of foods or interesting items that are quite unlikely for anyone not us to have seen/eaten?
>Curse that unknown force. It's a pity that you'll never find out what it is.
>Over the past two years, Koishi can't have been to the Netherworld or Higan, though you don't know if she has visited these places previously.
>You doubt that anyone bar yourself and Ran has seen some of the stranger ingredients you keep at your home.
>_
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>"You head over and talk to your sister until she's satisfied. If she's angry with you, then I win, which means that you have to stay with your sister and help us fix all those cracks in the sky."
>"If she isn't, then you win and I'll treat you to a feast of foods that I guarantee that you've never seen before."
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>"You head over and talk to your sister until she's satisfied. If she's angry with you, then I win, which means that you have to stay with your sister and help us fix all those cracks in the sky."
>"If she isn't, then you win and I'll treat you to a feast of foods that I guarantee that you've never seen before."
>Koishi seems to be interested in your offer of food, as she stops skipping and faces you once more.
>"That's not fair though. 'Sis is already mad, so you'll just say she's mad at me."
>_
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> "Then how about I'll treat you to the food regardless?"
> "And I don't think she'll stay angry if she's not mad at you."
Since treating her to food = taking her with us, I think that should work for us.
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Well we really want her to stay with Satori but if it comes to it, wandering with us - why not? We have the Palaquin crew, Rumia, might as well toss in Koishi.
>"You can just ask her what she's mad about."
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> "Then how about I'll treat you to the food regardless?"
> "And I don't think she'll stay angry if she's not mad at you."
>"Deal!"
>"'Sis is pretty unreasonable, you know."
>"You can just ask her what she's mad about."
>"'Sis never says anything that's on her mind."
>"So where's this strange food?"
>Koishi looks at you expectantly.
>_
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>"Talk to her first, food later."
>We do know how to properly cook said odd food without Ran right?
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>"Talk to her first, food later."
>We do know how to properly cook said odd food without Ran right?
>"But the food..."
>Koishi puffs out her cheeks and pouts for a moment.
>"Fiiiineeeeeee."
>Of course you do. After all, you taught Ran everything she knows. You just don't usually bother to perform any tasks that Ran could do in your place.
>_
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>"Now come on, the sooner you talk to her, the sooner I can finish things today and stuff you."
>If she starts heading for Satori, follow.
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>"Now come on, the sooner you talk to her, the sooner I can finish things today and stuff you."
>If she starts heading for Satori, follow.
>"That food had better be really, really tasty..."
>You follow Koishi as she begins to walk back towards where you found her.
>Soon, Satori and Rin enter your vision. You can see Satori narrow her eyes as soon as she sees Koishi.
>"Hey 'sis! It feels like we haven't talked in forever!"
>"Indeed."
>Satori begins to walk slowly towards Koishi. Rin tries to stop Satori, trying to pull her back by the arm, but the satori simply shakes Rin off and continues to step towards her sister.
>"... 'Sis?"
>Once Satori is standing within arms reach of Koishi, she brings up her arm with full force and smacks Koishi's cheek with the palm of her hand.
>Koishi is knocked onto the ground. She looks rather confused.
>"... Huh...?"
>Koishi rubs her cheek.
>"That's strange... It feels like 'sis just hit me..."
>_
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>Well....we knew she was mad, but didn't see that coming. Maybe our comment on it being years since they met wasn't off the mark.
>For Satori to get physical....
>"Just what happened between you two?"
>Make sure to keep our eyes on Koishi so she doesn't vanish on us.
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>Well....we knew she was mad, but didn't see that coming. Maybe our comment on it being years since they met wasn't off the mark.
>For Satori to get physical....
>"Just what happened between you two?"
>Make sure to keep our eyes on Koishi so she doesn't vanish on us.
>Just how long has it really been since they've seen each other.
>You wonder what happened between the two of them. In fact, you voice this though.
>Satori ignores you and Koishi seems too shocked to register anything.
>Satori takes a step towards her sister again.
>"What the hell have you been doing?! Where have you been?! Answer me!"
>You continue to watch Koishi, who simply sits there in shock.
>"Master..."
>Rin is also watching the two of them, unable to do much.
>_
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>If Satori goes to get physical with Koishi again, grab her. If Koishi tries to leave or we'd need to take our eyes off of her, grab her too.
>"Okay, clearly there are some issues between the two of you and both of you are going to talk this out before it gets any worse."
>"First, when was the last time you two really saw each other before today?"
>Somehow, we doubt that Koishi's sense of time is any form of accurate considering how she seems to be in her own world most of the time.
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>If Satori goes to get physical with Koishi again, grab her. If Koishi tries to leave or we'd need to take our eyes off of her, grab her too.
>"Okay, clearly there are some issues between the two of you and both of you are going to talk this out before it gets any worse."
>"First, when was the last time you two really saw each other before today?"
>Somehow, we doubt that Koishi's sense of time is any form of accurate considering how she seems to be in her own world most of the time.
>To do either of these, you would need to get closer to one of them.
>"Just the other day! Why'd you hit me, 'sis?!"
>"'The other day'... Perhaps that could have been the case two years ago. Don't you dare to call yourself my sister when you abandoned us to chase after your fantasies."
>"'S-sis...?"
>Satori takes another step towards Koishi. Koishi tries to keep the distance between herself and her sister.
>It would seem that Koishi's estimate of time was pretty off.
>_
-
>Two years ago.......
>Do we detect anything odd on Koishi? While we're at it, do we detect anything odd on anyone here?
>"Satori, I know you're angry but shouldn't you listen to her side of the story first?"
>"...Koishi, after you saw your sister back then, what else do you remember about that day? How many days was it since the border cracked?"
>With the timing of events, did something happen to her when the border cracked? If two gods could get mind-wiped by it, anyone's fair game at this point.
>Get closer to Koishi; she's the one likely to run and if we're close to her, we can just catch Satori if she gets carried away.
>The grabbing thing from before still applies; it's not normal to lose track of time like that no matter how you look at it and at the least we can't just let a family fall apart like this.
-
>Two years ago.......
>Do we detect anything odd on Koishi? While we're at it, do we detect anything odd on anyone here?
>"Satori, I know you're angry but shouldn't you listen to her side of the story first?"
>"...Koishi, after you saw your sister back then, what else do you remember about that day? How many days was it since the border cracked?"
>With the timing of events, did something happen to her when the border cracked? If two gods could get mind-wiped by it, anyone's fair game at this point.
>Get closer to Koishi; she's the one likely to run and if we're close to her, we can just catch Satori if she gets carried away.
>The grabbing thing from before still applies; it's not normal to lose track of time like that no matter how you look at it and at the least we can't just let a family fall apart like this.
>That is quite some time.
>You do not.
>Satori stops to look at you.
>"And what is there to listen to? Knowing her, all she will have done is wander aimlessly for the past two years. Tell me, Koishi, am I wrong?"
>Koishi does not respond.
>You step closer to Koishi. Satori sees this and makes a "Hmph" noise.
>"I can't stand to look at you any longer. Rin, we're going. My apologies, but I shall be taking my leave."
>"Master..."
>Satori begins to walk off. Rin begrudgingly follows, though she gives you and a Koishi an apologetic look before following Satori.
>You are left there with Koishi, who is still sitting there on the ground, staring at where Satori left.
>"... You're wrong, 'sis..."
>You think that Koishi looks to be on the verge of crying.
>_
-
>Wonder why Satori didn't just read her mind. Do her powers not work on Koishi?
>Ah boy. Satori's angry and should probably be left alone for now...Rin knows her better than us and would be best to calm her down. Putting up with the Yama with her emotions running high like that will lead to tears.
>Speaking of which.
>"If she's wrong, what have you been doing for the past two years?"
>Say that in a non-accusatory manner. We really should get Koishi's whole story first.
-
>Wonder why Satori didn't just read her mind. Do her powers not work on Koishi?
>Ah boy. Satori's angry and should probably be left alone for now...Rin knows her better than us and would be best to calm her down. Putting up with the Yama with her emotions running high like that will lead to tears.
>Speaking of which.
>"If she's wrong, what have you been doing for the past two years?"
>Say that in a non-accusatory manner. We really should get Koishi's whole story first.
>You assume that that's the case, though you would have to ask Satori for the details.
>You doubt that Satori is in the state of mind to do much right now. Not to mention that you're also worried about Koishi.
>"I just wanted to find something to make Orin-rin happy! I haven't been doing nothing! 'Sis never cares! Never!"
>Koishi's voice falters as tears begin to run down her face.
>_
-
>By some miracle, do we have experience comforting people to call on?
>Be comforting!
>"Hey, I'm sure your sister does care; she cared enough to come looking for you. She's just stressed right now because Okuu's been gone. Let her cool down a bit."
>"Something to make Orin happy? Did you find anything?"
>"....But it might have helped if you visited in between. Vanishing for two years isn't nice."
>Supply shoulder to cry on if needed.
-
I get the feeling her condition makes it rather hard for her to get the problem. Doesn't seem like she experiences the flow of time as you normally would.
-
>LEt's say this first: "Of course she cares. The fact that she's angry proves it. People don't angry about things that don't matter to them at all."
>"She was worried about you, Koishi. DO you understand what I mean when I say that?
-
>LEt's say this first: "Of course she cares. The fact that she's angry proves it. People don't angry about things that don't matter to them at all."
>"She was worried about you, Koishi. DO you understand what I mean when I say that?
>"If she cared she would understand! 'Sis never cares!"
>"'Sis never listens to me! 'Sis always has it easy! 'Sis never worries about anything!"
>By some miracle, do we have experience comforting people to call on?
>Be comforting!
>"Hey, I'm sure your sister does care; she cared enough to come looking for you. She's just stressed right now because Okuu's been gone. Let her cool down a bit."
>"Something to make Orin happy? Did you find anything?"
>"....But it might have helped if you visited in between. Vanishing for two years isn't nice."
>Supply shoulder to cry on if needed.
>A bit of it.
>You try your best to be as comforting as possible.
>"So you're saying 'sis cares about Okuu but not me..."
>Koishi begins wailing as she sits on the ground. She looks rather pathetic.
>Koishi doesn't seem to hear anything else you say. She simply continues to cry.
>_
-
>Right. Let's try a different approach.
>Grab Koishi and pull her up, facing us.
>"Okay, you know what? Shut up. If she doesn't unerstand, it's because you don'ttalk to her. If she's angry, it's because she hasn't seen you for two years and you never even tried to get in touch with her, so she was worrying herself sick. Add in Utsuho, and she must've been an absolute wreck. Now she knows what to do for Utsuho. She's helping Utsuho because she can, because she knows how. But you? She couldn't even find you, and now that she has, you're just pushing her away. If she's not helping you, it's your own fault. And consider this: she inturrupted our trip to Higan to find Utsuho to come here and find you. Do you relly think tht means she cares about Utsuho but not about you?"
>"Bottom line, Koishi: stop your damn whining, woman the hell up, and go talk to your sister. Unlike what you're doing now, that might actually accomplish something."
-
> Don't say/do this.
I really really don't think this is a good idea. Her sister being angry at her was what got her into this state, so maybe we shouldn't try the same approach.
-
>Right. Let's try a different approach.
>Grab Koishi and pull her up, facing us.
>"Okay, you know what? Shut up. If she doesn't unerstand, it's because you don'ttalk to her. If she's angry, it's because she hasn't seen you for two years and you never even tried to get in touch with her, so she was worrying herself sick. Add in Utsuho, and she must've been an absolute wreck. Now she knows what to do for Utsuho. She's helping Utsuho because she can, because she knows how. But you? She couldn't even find you, and now that she has, you're just pushing her away. If she's not helping you, it's your own fault. And consider this: she inturrupted our trip to Higan to find Utsuho to come here and find you. Do you relly think tht means she cares about Utsuho but not about you?"
>"Bottom line, Koishi: stop your damn whining, woman the hell up, and go talk to your sister. Unlike what you're doing now, that might actually accomplish something."
> Don't say/do this.
>You feel conflicted in regards to how you should act.
>_
-
>The nice approach hasn't been working. If we start taking a somewhat harsher approach, the contrast will likely provoke a new response.
When one strategy isn't working, you go with a different one. And if it's a widely different one, the contrast adds to the effect.
-
>The nice approach hasn't been working. If we start taking a somewhat harsher approach, the contrast will likely provoke a new response.
>You consider the benefits of using a harsher approach.
>_
-
Being quite that harsh about it may or may not work, but Koishi seems to be the emotional equivalent of an eight year old; to make them understand you need to spell it out in brutal detail.
But yeah, she's acting like a spoiled brat so a bit harsher for her own good.
>They really are sisters; neither wants to see the other's point of view
>Give Koishi a few minutes to either get the tears out of her system or exhaust herself enough to stop wailing so loud.
>Get our firm disciplining voice going. If she's still crying speak loud enough to get her attention; we've dealt with all kinds of people in our long life, we can handle this
>"Koishi!"
>Once we get her attention, let's get this going.
>"Just because someone cares about you, doesn't mean that they automatically understand, especially when you don't tell them anything."
>" You say that Satori doesn't care but think about how she felt. You vanished for two years; for all she knew you had gotten yourself hurt or killed."
>" Then Utsuho vanished as well and she had her worry over both of you that she couldn't show because she had to stay strong for Rin. On top of that, she then found out that Utsuho was dead and had to control her own grief and Rin's at once while still worrying about you."
>Yeah at this point time to be brutal; she needs to understand what her sister has been putting up with.
>"Now she's going to confront the Yama herself to try to get Utsuho's soul back, but when she caught sight of you, she stopped everything, after years of worrying, to come down here and make sure you were okay. Because she was still worried about you since she hadn't seen you for two years. After what happened to Utsuho, she must have been relieved to see that you weren't dead."
>"She isn't mad because she doesn't care; she's mad because she thinks you don't care. And after how you've behaved, she has good reason to believe that."
-
>They really are sisters; neither wants to see the other's point of view
>Give Koishi a few minutes to either get the tears out of her system or exhaust herself enough to stop wailing so loud.
>Get our firm disciplining voice going. If she's still crying speak loud enough to get her attention; we've dealt with all kinds of people in our long life, we can handle this
>"Koishi!"
>Once we get her attention, let's get this going.
>"Just because someone cares about you, doesn't mean that they automatically understand, especially when you don't tell them anything."
>" You say that Satori doesn't care but think about how she felt. You vanished for two years; for all she knew you had gotten yourself hurt or killed."
>" Then Utsuho vanished as well and she had her worry over both of you that she couldn't show because she had to stay strong for Rin. On top of that, she then found out that Utsuho was dead and had to control her own grief and Rin's at once while still worrying about you."
>Yeah at this point time to be brutal; she needs to understand what her sister has been putting up with.
>"Now she's going to confront the Yama herself to try to get Utsuho's soul back, but when she caught sight of you, she stopped everything, after years of worrying, to come down here and make sure you were okay. Because she was still worried about you since she hadn't seen you for two years. After what happened to Utsuho, she must have been relieved to see that you weren't dead."
>"She isn't mad because she doesn't care; she's mad because she thinks you don't care. And after how you've behaved, she has good reason to believe that."
>Unfortunately, that puts you into the role of their mediator.
>You give Koishi a few minutes. She doesn't seem to be showing any signs of stopping her tears.
>You're good with discipline, right? You call Koishi's name. She doesn't respond the first time, so you call her a few more times until she finally looks at you.
>"But 'sis never understands!"
>"I always tell 'sis that she doesn't have to worry about me! 'Sis knows that I'll be back!"
>"But I was looking for Okuu too! Orin always looked so sad and I couldn't see Okuu anywhere so I thought that if I found Okuu Orin would be happy again!"
>Koishi freezes when you mention what happened to Okuu.
>"Eh...? Okuu's... dead?"
>"You're lying. You're lying! Okuu's strong! Okuu is amazing! Okuu can't die! Okuu's just hiding and I have to find her!"
>You tell Koishi more about her sister's plight, and Koishi simply screams back at you in response.
>"Shut up! Stop lying! 'Sis said it's never good to lie!"
>"It's your fault isn't it?! It's your fault 'sis hit me! It's your fault I can't find Okuu! You took Okuu, didn't you?! You just want Okuu for yourself, don't you?!"
>Koishi is on her feet, tears still running down her face, and is staring at you with a look of hatred.
>_
-
>Keep calm; someone needs to stay rational here.
>"You closed your third eye, your sister did not. If I was lying, don't you think she would have noticed? While she either can't or won't read your heart, that doesn't apply to anyone else."
>"Both of you are acting like children; if you were looking for Utsuho, why didn't you just tell Satori? It wouldn't have hurt for you to visit now and again and tell her of your progress. Besides, if you visited her, I wouldn't need to be the one telling you things you should already know."
>"Utsuho's soul is in Higan. Satori and Rin are going there, and I'm going to open the path."
>"You can stay here and act the age you look, or you can act the age you are and go talk to your sister since clearly neither of you understand each other right now."
>This is getting ridiculous. Under any event if Koishi gets violent we have our spellcards and umbrella this time, so smacking her and dragging her to Satori is an option.
>Hopefully she'll go on her own though.
-
>Keep calm; someone needs to stay rational here.
>"You closed your third eye, your sister did not. If I was lying, don't you think she would have noticed? While she either can't or won't read your heart, that doesn't apply to anyone else."
>"Both of you are acting like children; if you were looking for Utsuho, why didn't you just tell Satori? It wouldn't have hurt for you to visit now and again and tell her of your progress. Besides, if you visited her, I wouldn't need to be the one telling you things you should already know."
>"Utsuho's soul is in Higan. Satori and Rin are going there, and I'm going to open the path."
>"You can stay here and act the age you look, or you can act the age you are and go talk to your sister since clearly neither of you understand each other right now."
>This is getting ridiculous. Under any event if Koishi gets violent we have our spellcards and umbrella this time, so smacking her and dragging her to Satori is an option.
>Hopefully she'll go on her own though.
>Nothing good will come out of getting angry yourself, right?
>"What does that have to do with anything?! Where's Okuu?! Where are you hiding her?! Give Okuu back!"
>"I don't have to answer to you! Tell me where Okuu is!"
>"Stop talking like Okuu's dead! Okuu can't die!"
>You really wish that you didn't have to deal with things like this.
>Although you could fight her, you wish to avoid such a confrontation.
>It doesn't seem like Koishi has any plans to see her sister in the immediate future.
>_
-
>How far are we from Higan?
>"Enough of this stupidity. If you think I have Utsuho, by all means follow me. It's not as if you can get into Higan without me so I might as well show you where she is."
>Start flying towards Higan while keeping an eye on Koishi.
>In fact, pull out the umbrella and keep it open above us both as a shield if she shoots at us and to complete the troll effect while we fly backwards.
It will probably be far easier at this point to just leave and let her follow us since she thinks we have Okuu.
-
>How far are we from Higan?
>"Enough of this stupidity. If you think I have Utsuho, by all means follow me. It's not as if you can get into Higan without me so I might as well show you where she is."
>Start flying towards Higan while keeping an eye on Koishi.
>In fact, pull out the umbrella and keep it open above us both as a shield if she shoots at us and to complete the troll effect while we fly backwards.
>Still quite some distance. It would take roughly two hours to reach Higan by flight from where you are.
>"I'm not stupid! You're stupid!"
>"It's a trap, isn't it?! You're trying to take me just like you took Okuu! I won't let you!"
>Koishi throws several small red and blue bullets at you. There's quite a large amount of space between each bullet.
>_
-
>Bah. How long has it been since Satori left?
>"You're a contrary person. You accuse me of kidnapping, demand I tell you where Utsuho is - which I've done already - then accuse me of a trap when I get bored and leave."
>Dodge the bullets.
>"There is nothing I can say to make you believe me and you refuse to go through the effort of just asking your sister or going to Higan to make sure."
>"So if you're so sure that I have your Okuu - and I still don't know how you jumped to that insane conclusion - how do you intend to make me do anything?"
>Which spellcards can we use in our condition?
-
>Bah. How long has it been since Satori left?
>"You're a contrary person. You accuse me of kidnapping, demand I tell you where Utsuho is - which I've done already - then accuse me of a trap when I get bored and leave."
>Dodge the bullets.
>"There is nothing I can say to make you believe me and you refuse to go through the effort of just asking your sister or going to Higan to make sure."
>"So if you're so sure that I have your Okuu - and I still don't know how you jumped to that insane conclusion - how do you intend to make me do anything?"
>Which spellcards can we use in our condition?
>Around five minutes.
>"Shut up! Everything is your fault! Everything was fine until you made 'sis hit me!"
>You easily step between the bullets. They're rather slow, and there's plenty of space between them.
>"Give back Okuu!"
>Koishi is screaming at you at this point.
>"If I beat you up, you'll have to give back Okuu! Then everyone will be happy again!"
>Koishi continues to throw the small bullets in your general direction.
>Any that would not involve the manipulation of multiple boundaries. "Double Black Death Butterfly" and "Manji-Parasol of Yakumo" are examples of cards you could use.
>_
-
>Ah well, maybe Rin can convince her to come back while we deal with Koishi
>"I did no such thing; Satori hit you out of frustration, I went through this already, both of you are wrong and need to talk things through."
>"Stop trying to pass off blame and accept responsibility for your problems."
>Just dodge any shots that might actually hit us.
>"Attacking me will not solve your problems with your sister or bring Utsuho back."
>Hopefully us staying calm and not rising to her bait will let her burn out her denial and rage and move on to acceptance.
>Under any event, just keep avoiding her shots until she eventually stops; sooner or later the situation is going to sink in.
-
> Would we be able to forcibly gap someone else along with us if we're close to the person in question?
> Do we think we could gap into Higan from here?
If she doesn't listen, directly gapping us both into Higan might be a solution.
-
Could get problematic. We don't need Koishi to worry about at the same time as whatever's inevitably gone wrong in Higan. I think I have a better 'last resort' idea. Definitely worth having that information, though, if nothing else.
>Could we use border manipulation to reopen Koishi's Third Eye? Like, border between open and closed or something like that? Seems like a fairly simple border. We would need a full 'gap charge', of course, but assuming we had one, could we do it?
No, I'm not planning on doing that immediately. I do, however, think it makes a nice last resort option. With mind-reading active, she'd know we're telling the truth, and she'd know her sister's thoughts as well. She could presumably close it again if she wanted to, since she did it before, or we could presumably do it the same way we opened it. Hopefully, it won'd be necessary at all, but if nothing else, it can't hurt to know the option's there.
-
>Ah well, maybe Rin can convince her to come back while we deal with Koishi
>"I did no such thing; Satori hit you out of frustration, I went through this already, both of you are wrong and need to talk things through."
>"Stop trying to pass off blame and accept responsibility for your problems."
>Just dodge any shots that might actually hit us.
>"Attacking me will not solve your problems with your sister or bring Utsuho back."
>Hopefully us staying calm and not rising to her bait will let her burn out her denial and rage and move on to acceptance.
>Under any event, just keep avoiding her shots until she eventually stops; sooner or later the situation is going to sink in.
>You wonder what Satori would think of this scene if she were to see it.
>"'Sis would never hit me! You must have done something to 'sis! Why do you hate me?!"
>"It's your fault! All your fault!"
>You continue to dodge the bullets with ease, they aren't posing much of a challenge to dodge as they are now.
>"SHUT UP AND DIE!"
>You can see all of the bullets filling the space around you begin to vibrate.
> Would we be able to forcibly gap someone else along with us if we're close to the person in question?
> Do we think we could gap into Higan from here?
>If you could force the person into your gap, yes.
>If the entrance is similar to the ones at the Moriya lake and the Netherworld, then you doubt that you could gap in there from afar.
>Could we use border manipulation to reopen Koishi's Third Eye? Like, border between open and closed or something like that? Seems like a fairly simple border. We would need a full 'gap charge', of course, but assuming we had one, could we do it?
>You could, but you wonder about any ill effects that such a process might have.
>_
-
>"I can proove to you that I mean you no harm, and that I've been telling the truth. Do you still trust your sister's word? SHe has looked into my mind, and she knows that what I'm saying is true. Would her word satisfy you?"
>If not: "How about us returning from Higan with Utsuho? Would that proove to you that I mean you and her no harm?"
-
>"I can proove to you that I mean you no harm, and that I've been telling the truth. Do you still trust your sister's word? SHe has looked into my mind, and she knows that what I'm saying is true. Would her word satisfy you?"
>If not: "How about us returning from Higan with Utsuho? Would that proove to you that I mean you and her no harm?"
>Koishi blocks her ears with her hand and shuts her eyes, screaming at you while she does so.
>"GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAY!"
>"YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO TRICK ME! EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT!"
>Every bullet around you bursts, each expanding into the shape of a rather large rose.
>You have a split second before the bullets closest to you hit you.
>_
-
I think we have basically two options here; either gap ourselves away from here, or open Koishi's third eye.
And I think leaving Koishi alone in this state could result in a lot of harm happening to whoever she happens to meet next.
-
Then we don't have much of a choice.
>Evade as best we can.
>"Then I will prove it another way. I don't want to do this, but you leave me with little choice."
>Open her third eye.
-
>Evade as best we can.
>"Then I will prove it another way. I don't want to do this, but you leave me with little choice."
>Open her third eye.
>With the number of bullets that Koishi has thrown around, there is virtually no space for you to move around in. Still, you dodge to the best of your ability and manage to get away with hits on the side of your body and right leg before the roses collapse into themselves, transforming once more into small bullets.
>Koishi continues to scream "DIE!" at you. You can see the bullets vibrating again.
>Are you certain that you wish to perform this action?
>_
-
>It's the only way she'll know we're telling the truth. And she'll also know that we intend to re-close it if she wants to. And that we're doing it for her and her sister, not for us.
>Do it.
-
>It's the only way she'll know we're telling the truth. And she'll also know that we intend to re-close it if she wants to. And that we're doing it for her and her sister, not for us.
>Do it.
>Things certainly would be much easier if she could read your mind...
>You disregard the consequences that could occur and reverse the boundaries surround Koishi's third eye being open or closed.
>As soon as you do so, you feel as if you've made the wrong choice, as Koishi lets out a blood-curdling scream.
>Every one of Koishi's bullets around you shatters as Koishi clutches her head and falls to her knees.
>Her entire frame is visibly shaking as one of her hands reaches for the eye floating in front of her.
>She takes hold of her eye and turns it so that she and the eye are staring at each other.
>You see her take hold of the eye with her other hand.
>She lifts the eye above her head before she brings it down into the ground. Koishi screams the moment the eye hits the ground but does not stop.
>You are unable to do much more than watch in horror as she lifts the eye once more before driving into the ground with more force than the last time.
>You hear a sickening *squelch* noise as the eye bursts, with blood and some other liquids spraying out from where the eye hit the ground. Koishi collapses on top of her eye.
>_
-
> Has something we did ever led to something like this before?
-
> Has something we did ever led to something like this before?
>Nothing quite like this.
>_
-
>That... should not have happened.
>Shit.
>Pick Koishi up.
>"Satori!"
>Go find Satori, and quickly!
-
>That... should not have happened.
>Shit.
>Pick Koishi up.
>"Satori!"
>Go find Satori, and quickly!
>It most definitely was not what you were intending to achieve.
>Fuck.
>You quickly run to Koishi and pick her up. Blood from third eye drips down as you lift her off the ground.
>You shout out for Satori, but there is no response.
>You run off in search of Satori and find her after a few minutes in a small clearing. The satori is sitting on a rock, head in her hands, looking at the ground. Rin is at her side, rubbing her back and saying something to her in a soft voice.
>Upon hearing your presence, both Satori and Rin look up in your direction. Rin immediately brings her hands up to her mouth and stares at you with a shocked expression.
>The satori gapes at you.
>"What... have you done...? What have you done?!"
>Satori immediately jumps to her feet and begins heading towards you.
>_
-
Holy shit I leave you guys alone for awhile and you kill my favorite Touhou?!
> Is Koishi breathing?
> "I tried to open her eye. I couldn't stop her.." There's no point in hiding it, Satori can probably already see what happened from us.
> And we used our gap powers.. can we still open a gate to somewhere, like Eintei?
-
> Is Koishi breathing?
> "I tried to open her eye. I couldn't stop her.." There's no point in hiding it, Satori can probably already see what happened from us.
> And we used our gap powers.. can we still open a gate to somewhere, like Eintei?
>She is, albeit weakly and with a haphazard rhythm.
>"Why?! Why did you do that?!"
>"Koishi! Koishi! Hang in there Koishi!"
>Satori holds onto one of Koishi's hands.
>With some of your powers restored, you feel that you could at this point, but not without great detriment to yourself.
>_
-
> Reload save from before we opened Koishi's eye.
> Abuse Shadoweh's godmother powers to edit Dormio's post and make it happen.
> Why did we do that again?
> "I wanted her to see I was genuine.. I don't think we have time to explain. I can bring us to someone who might be able to help her but.. I don't know if they will. I also don't think I'll be conscious after. If I lose consciousness tell them I'll find a way to repay them."
-
> Also can we do anything with our gap powers to reverse it? Border between squishy entrails and fully healed or something? Or the border between broken and fixed?
-
> Eientei still owes us a favour anyway.
> Exactly how detrimental to our well-being do we think opening a gap right now would be?
-
> Reload save from before we opened Koishi's eye.
> Abuse Shadoweh's godmother powers to edit Dormio's post and make it happen.
> Why did we do that again?
> "I wanted her to see I was genuine.. I don't think we have time to explain. I can bring us to someone who might be able to help her but.. I don't know if they will. I also don't think I'll be conscious after. If I lose consciousness tell them I'll find a way to repay them."
>If only life came with a reset button, for when you make those stupi- Huh, what's this button here?
>It's big, it's red, and it's labelled 'Reload'. It's got a note under it, saying "Gift from Shadoweh." You're about to press it when your body ceases functioning. The same force that you heard complaining about morality earlier appears to be laughing at you.
>You had hoped that it would calm Koishi down. It appears to have had the opposite effect.
>"Why would you even... Koishi..."
>"Hurry up then! You can't leave her like this!"
> Also can we do anything with our gap powers to reverse it? Border between squishy entrails and fully healed or something? Or the border between broken and fixed?
>Something as specific as that would require more of your ability than you currently possess.
> Eientei still owes us a favour anyway.
> Exactly how detrimental to our well-being do we think opening a gap right now would be?
>That is true.
>Enough to put you out of commission for a day, at best.
>_
-
No seriously, leave you guys alone for a few hours and you do this??? Really? After the parser told you twice it wasn't a good idea? Good grief.
>Make note to beat up the insane half of our decision making process after this
>Well Eirin owes us a second favor in exchange for getting Kaguya back before she fixed Ran's arm.
>Didn't expect to need to cash it in so quickly though.
>Open a gap to Eientei - we'll wake up sooner or later and this is unfortunately our screw-up.
>Also note that if it comes to it, we can ask Byakuren to power us up long enough to restore Koishi once we wake up. Make sure Satori knows this - Chen can find Byakuren.
-
>Make note to beat up the insane half of our decision making process after this
>Well Eirin owes us a second favor in exchange for getting Kaguya back before she fixed Ran's arm.
>Didn't expect to need to cash it in so quickly though.
>Open a gap to Eientei - we'll wake up sooner or later and this is unfortunately our screw-up.
>Also note that if it comes to it, we can ask Byakuren to power us up long enough to restore Koishi once we wake up. Make sure Satori knows this - Chen can find Byakuren.
>Those voices in your head tell you to do the strangest things
>Thank goodness for that.
>At least the option is there.
>It is your fault, you should take responsibility for it.
>"I have many things to say to you when this is over, prepare yourself."
>Satori takes Koishi from you as you prepare to open another gap between this place and Eientei.
>You begin to feel around for physical boundaries between here and Eientei. Simply doing this wears you out, but you press on. You find the boundary you're looking for and begin to pull it apart. Your body and mind protests, you groan as you ignore the two and focus solely on getting the boundary open.
>Upon confirming that you've opened up a gap, you collapse as Satori steps through it with Koishi.
>Whilst falling to the ground, you see Satori say something to Rin as she hurries through the gap, though you don't quite catch her words.
>The last thing you see before your consciousness blacks out is Rin approaching you.
>Your body is sore and your mind is dull. You don't particularly feel like opening your eyes.
>_
-
>Yeah, gotta avoid doing that again.
>Figures that when we eventually screw up, we do it big time; we can't do anything on the small-scale after all.
>Next time, we deal with things the normal way; beat them up with danmaku until they listen.
>We have to deal with the aftermath of the Komeiji sisters incident, still gotta deal with Utsuho, check on Ran, check on Rumia....ah boy.
>Suck it up and open our eyes, we got too much crap to do as it is.
-
>Yeah, gotta avoid doing that again.
>Figures that when we eventually screw up, we do it big time; we can't do anything on the small-scale after all.
>Next time, we deal with things the normal way; beat them up with danmaku until they listen.
>We have to deal with the aftermath of the Komeiji sisters incident, still gotta deal with Utsuho, check on Ran, check on Rumia....ah boy.
>Suck it up and open our eyes, we got too much crap to do as it is.
>That's definitely not something that you want to repeat.
>It's at times like this that you wished that you were able to do things in moderation.
>Messing with things before you fully understand what you're dealing with may not be the best of ideas.
>Satori is bound to lecture you, and you hope that Koishi is alright...
>You haven't found Utsuho's soul yet.
>You do wonder how Ran is faring now.
>You wonder how Rumia has been during your absence. You hope that she hasn't reacted too unfavourably to you leaving her behind in the laboratory.
>You're a busy person, as always. You force your eyes open and squint as you try to adjust to the light. You have a headache now.
>_
-
> Look around. Where are we?
-
> Look around. Where are we?
>You sluggishly sit up and look around. Your vision is blurred. You take a moment to regain proper sight before confirming that you appear to be in one of the rooms inside Nitori's lab.
>_
-
>That would mean that Rumia likely knows where we are. Slightly better than her thinking that we abandoned her anyway.
>Take a minute to catch our bearings
>What did our stunt do to our gapping ability?
>When we feel capable of standing and moving about, get out and go looking for people.
>While we're at it, can we contact Ran over our shikigami bond from this distance?
-
> Do we notice anything abnormal about our mind or body apart from the headache?
-
>That would mean that Rumia likely knows where we are. Slightly better than her thinking that we abandoned her anyway.
>Take a minute to catch our bearings
>What did our stunt do to our gapping ability?
>When we feel capable of standing and moving about, get out and go looking for people.
>While we're at it, can we contact Ran over our shikigami bond from this distance?
>Or so you hope, at the very least.
>You another breather to recompose yourself.
>You don't think that you should try opening another gap for at least a day, lest the same thing happen.
>Feeling that you've been sitting around for long enough, you try to get onto your feet.
>As you do so, you hear a door opening.
>You look to see Nitori watching you. She lifts her hand as she sees you looking towards her.
>"Hey. You're up."
>You could if this headache would go away.
> Do we notice anything abnormal about our mind or body apart from the headache?
>You feel as if all of your senses have been dulled. Your reactions could be quite delayed in situations where you need to take in a lot of information quickly.
>_
-
>"...I don't suppose that you've managed to invent a cure for headaches recently?"
>"What happened with Satori and Rumia?"
>Yeah, no gaps and dulled senses? We aren't going anywhere till we recover; even if we found something to do that didn't need boundary manipulation, we've had enough need for quick reactions to make moving about like this suicidal.
>"By the way, what day is it?"
-
>"...I don't suppose that you've managed to invent a cure for headaches recently?"
>"What happened with Satori and Rumia?"
>Yeah, no gaps and dulled senses? We aren't going anywhere till we recover; even if we found something to do that didn't need boundary manipulation, we've had enough need for quick reactions to make moving about like this suicidal.
>"By the way, what day is it?"
>"Headaches? You have one right now? I don't think anything I have would do you any good."
>"Satori hasn't come back yet. I assume that she's still at Eientei."
>"Rumia's the girl that you brought here, right? She's been with Yuuko, though she did stay with you for a while when Rin brought you back here."
>"I heard about everything that happened from Rin, by the way. I hope that they're alright..."
>You worry about any situations that you could get into if you were to leave in your current state. Perhaps it would be a better idea to stay here.
>"It's a tuesday. You've been out for three days. Well, more like two and a half days, I suppose."
>_
-
>".....What."
>No multiple gapping until we recover
>If Koishi's still at Eientei...okay we need to fix our mess ourselves it seems. We are strong enough to mess with the border of whole and injured and fix Koishi's eye right? Well when we recover to our normal levels of weakened power.
>"Has Ran or Chen been by?"
>We're good at sleeping for as long as we want to right? How long will it take to recover fully?
>If we got Byakuren to power us up again, how many borders can we mess with before she gets tired out?
-
>".....What."
>No multiple gapping until we recover
>If Koishi's still at Eientei...okay we need to fix our mess ourselves it seems. We are strong enough to mess with the border of whole and injured and fix Koishi's eye right? Well when we recover to our normal levels of weakened power.
>"Has Ran or Chen been by?"
>We're good at sleeping for as long as we want to right? How long will it take to recover fully?
>If we got Byakuren to power us up again, how many borders can we mess with before she gets tired out?
>"Yeah. Whatever you did to yourself messed you up pretty bad.
>You're definitely not trying that again.
>To limit it only to affecting Koishi's third eye would be too specific for you to accomplish, even if you were in your relatively stable state.
>"The cat girl has been coming by each day. She should probably be here in about two hours."
>You believe that a day should be enough.
>The last time Byakuren augmented your abilities, you were at a heightened state for about 30 seconds before Byakuren's stamina wore out.
>_
-
>Could we affect the eye specifically with Byakuren strengthening us?
-
>Could we affect the eye specifically with Byakuren strengthening us?
>If you could reach your full powers, you don't see why you could not.
>_
-
>While we're on this topic, would we be able to at least find out why our powers aren't behaving if we're at full strength via Byakuren?
>How long would it take to mess with the border of lost and found to tell exactly where Alice is, and gap her to us?
>How long would it take to both restore Koishi's eye and close it again?
-
>While we're on this topic, would we be able to at least find out why our powers aren't behaving if we're at full strength via Byakuren?
>How long would it take to mess with the border of lost and found to tell exactly where Alice is, and gap her to us?
>How long would it take to both restore Koishi's eye and close it again?
>You may not be able to pinpoint the source, but finding out what is causing it would be plausible if you were to dedicate enough time to it.
>Such a task would take far too long, as you would need to first sort through how many considered Alice to be lost, and how many considered Alice to be found. Nor do you feel comfortable with opening a gap into an area that you have not seen at least once before.
>At least half a minute.
>_
-
>Oh dear. We're going to need to trouble Byakuren a lot.....
>We'll need the full 30 seconds to fix Koishi, so we need to be in the best condition we can get before talking to Byakuren.
>"Alright then. I still need to sleep off my latest adventure before I'm recovered, so I'll see you in two hours."
>Sleep for two hours; we hibernate, we can control how long we sleep for. Maybe that will get rid of the headache.
-
>Oh dear. We're going to need to trouble Byakuren a lot.....
>We'll need the full 30 seconds to fix Koishi, so we need to be in the best condition we can get before talking to Byakuren.
>"Alright then. I still need to sleep off my latest adventure before I'm recovered, so I'll see you in two hours."
>Sleep for two hours; we hibernate, we can control how long we sleep for. Maybe that will get rid of the headache.
>If you want to fix everything through the manipulation of boundaries, that is.
>You decide that there's no point in trying anything while you're in this state.
>"Alright then, I guess. Good night."
>The lights in the room go out as Nitori takes her leave.
>You nap for the next two hours.
>You feel conscious again.
>_
-
>Current condition?
>Can we contact Ran now?
-
>Current condition?
>Can we contact Ran now?
>Your body still feels sluggish, but your headache is clearing at the very least.
>If you dedicate enough of your efforts towards it, and Ran is in a condition that would facilitate it, you don't see why you couldn't.
>_
-
>Ring up Ran and make sure that she has two hands now.
-
>Ring up Ran and make sure that she has two hands now.
>You focus as you try to establish a connection to Ran. Before you can ask anything, however, Ran's voice fills your head.
>Master? Is that you, master? I had heard from Chen that you had been incapacitated. Does this mean that you are well, master?
>_
-
>More or less. I'll need another day to fully recover, but I'm conscious again.
>And how has your recovery been going?
-
>More or less. I'll need another day to fully recover, but I'm conscious again.
>And how has your recovery been going?
>That is great news, master.
>I am still in the process of rehabilitation but I am fine, master. The same cannot be said for the other one here, however. The doctor has treated her to the best of her ability, but she will not wake.
>I believe that Chen should be visiting you soon. I am sure that she will be happy to see you well again.
>_
-
>Ah, Koishi....I might need to wake her up since I inadvertently put her in that state. Please tell Satori that I will appear as soon as I have recovered fully
>Deal with standard morning activities and go look for someone
>When was the last time we ate anything anyway?
-
>Ah, Koishi....I might need to wake her up since I inadvertently put her in that state. Please tell Satori that I will appear as soon as I have recovered fully
>Deal with standard morning activities and go look for someone
>When was the last time we ate anything anyway?
>Very well, master. Again, allow me to express my joy at finding out that you have not come to much harm.
>You sit up once more, rubbing your eyes. The lights come on as you do so, which causes you to be temporarily blinded as your eyes adjust.
>Once you have, you find your dress neatly folded on a nearby desk. You promptly change into it and step out of your room.
>You exit the room and immediately hear someone shouting "Maaaaasteeeeeeeeeer!".
>Breakfast, three days ago.
>_
-
>Turn towards Chen and brace for imminent glomping. Hug back while at it because she must have been worried.
>"Hello Chen; I hear that you've been doing a good job watching over Ran and me these few days."
>Anyone else around?
-
>Turn towards Chen and brace for imminent glomping. Hug back while at it because she must have been worried.
>"Hello Chen; I hear that you've been doing a good job watching over Ran and me these few days."
>Anyone else around?
>You hear Chen's voice, and you will your body to move. But it seems that turning while opening your arms in time to give Chen a hug is a task too great for you, and Chen tackles your side while you're turning to face her. The two of you are knocked to the ground.
>"Master! You're awake!"
>"Chen has been doing her best!"
>Not in your immediate vicinity.
>_
-
>We're sluggish enough that we can't react in time to Chen? Definitely not pulling that stunt again.
>Stand up and scratch behind Chen's ears a bit.
>"How has everyone else been?"
-
>We're sluggish enough that we can't react in time to Chen? Definitely not pulling that stunt again.
>Stand up and scratch behind Chen's ears a bit.
>"How has everyone else been?"
>You fear for your health if you were to repeat that performance.
>You pick yourself up off the ground and scratch behind Chen's ears. She rubs her face into you in response while continuing to hug you tightly.
>Eventually, once Chen stops hugging you, you ask her about everyone else.
>"Ran-sama is fine, though sometimes she looks a little uncomfortable..."
>"The people with the weird eyes don't look too bad, though one of them won't wake up. Kind of like you, master. I wonder if she'll wake up soon, too."
>"The lady with the funny coloured hair seems upset with something. I haven't asked her about it though."
>"The tiger lady just keeps our home clean for now. She looks bored sometimes."
>"The sailor lady and the hooded lady haven't been around lately."
>_
-
>Wasn't Byakuren searching for Nue with Nazrin?
>What would have Ran uncomfortable enough for her not to be able to hide it from Chen?
>"Nazrin isn't around? Hmm."
>Satori's going to flip out on us big-time when this is over. Can't be as bad as the Yama though.
>Maybe the search for Nue isn't going too well.
>We do have access to Nue's former room; any hope of finding something of hers for a tracking spell?
>But then Byakuren's a magician as well, she should have tried that......
>Don't supose there's much hope of still getting a scent from her after so long?
>"When you see Byakuren - that's the lady with gradient hair - again, can you ask her if she's willing to visit Eientei tomorrow at noon? Tell her that I need her help to wake up Koishi - she's the sleeping white-haired Satori - like when I woke them up."
>What time is it by the way? If we can't tell ask Chen.
-
>Wasn't Byakuren searching for Nue with Nazrin?
>What would have Ran uncomfortable enough for her not to be able to hide it from Chen?
>"Nazrin isn't around? Hmm."
>Satori's going to flip out on us big-time when this is over. Can't be as bad as the Yama though.
>Maybe the search for Nue isn't going too well.
>We do have access to Nue's former room; any hope of finding something of hers for a tracking spell?
>But then Byakuren's a magician as well, she should have tried that......
>Don't supose there's much hope of still getting a scent from her after so long?
>"When you see Byakuren - that's the lady with gradient hair - again, can you ask her if she's willing to visit Eientei tomorrow at noon? Tell her that I need her help to wake up Koishi - she's the sleeping white-haired Satori - like when I woke them up."
>What time is it by the way? If we can't tell ask Chen.
>She was.
>You aren't sure.
>"The rat? She's around."
>Chen has a sour expression on her face when referring to Nazrin.
>You sure did it this time...
>It's certainly a possibility.
>You did before. Assuming that the temple is still there, you should still be able to access Nue's room.
>It is true that Byakuren is an accomplished magician. Not to mention that she knows Nue more intimately than you do.
>Considering that it was likely for Nue to have left quite some time ago, as well as the fact that the rooms were likely to have been cleaned frequently, the prospects aren't high.
>"Okay! Do you need anything else, master?"
>Your internal clock tells you that it's the morning. You ask Chen to confirm.
>"It's almost lunch time!"
>You know that Chen usually eats lunch at around 1PM. You suppose that you can't rely on your sense of time for the time being, either.
>_
-
>Oh Ran, what time is it right now?
>We'll find out what's up with Ran when we see her at Eientei.
>We'll find out what's up with Byakuren while we're at it too.
>"Now Chen, you should be nice to guests."
>Could be worse; Chen could have tried to eat Nazrin without us there to record it.
-
>Oh Ran, what time is it right now?
>We'll find out what's up with Ran when we see her at Eientei.
>We'll find out what's up with Byakuren while we're at it too.
>"Now Chen, you should be nice to guests."
>Could be worse; Chen could have tried to eat Nazrin without us there to record it.
>It is midday, master.
>You suppose that that would be the best course of action.
>"I know that..."
>You suppose that she hasn't been violent, even if they don't get along, at the very least.
>_
-
>Yep, sense of time is shot.
>"That's all Chen. Just let me or Ran know if Byakuren can make it tomorrow."
>If that's all with Chen, commence search for food. First location: Mess Hall.
-
>Yep, sense of time is shot.
>"That's all Chen. Just let me or Ran know if Byakuren can make it tomorrow."
>If that's all with Chen, commence search for food. First location: Mess Hall.
>You hope that it comes back by tomorrow.
>"Okay, master~ I'll let everyone else know that you're okay too!"
>You decide to part ways with Chen and begin searching for food.
>You wander around the lab until you find the mess hall. It seems that the tables and chairs have been returned to their original positions.
>Inside, you see Fuuko, eating something alone on one of the tables near the far corner.
>_
-
>Was it Yuuko or Fuuko who got smitten with Rumia?
>Wave to Fuuko, then beeline to the kitchen.
>What do we have to work with?
-
>Was it Yuuko or Fuuko who got smitten with Rumia?
>Wave to Fuuko, then beeline to the kitchen.
>What do we have to work with?
>That would be Yuuko.
>You wave to Fuuko, who gives you a small wave in return, before beginning to head to the kitchen.
>Before you've made your way to the kitchen, you hear Yuuko's voice.
>"Just a heads up, but the kitchen is a complete mess right now. Yuuko wanted to try her hand at cooking not too long ago."
>You enter the kitchen, only to find that it looks as though a bomb, or something similar, went off inside here.
>Some strange food, or at least you hope it's food, is covering most surfaces. You also notice several pots giving a strange odour stacked in the corner of the kitchen.
>Still, you scan the place for ingredients. Fortunately, most of the ingredients appear to be kept inside various pantries and have been unaffected by whatever happened in here. There appears to be some preserved fish, as well as many vegetables. The simplest thing to make with these ingredients would be a salad of sorts.
>_
-
>...Mental Note: When this incident is over, ensure that Chen learns how to cook. This travesty must never take place in our home.
>Make ourselves a nice, non horribly burnt salad. Put some flair into it because we're Yukari and don't do normal.
>Pity the unfortunate soul who has to clean that up.
-
>...Mental Note: When this incident is over, ensure that Chen learns how to cook. This travesty must never take place in our home.
>Make ourselves a nice, non horribly burnt salad. Put some flair into it because we're Yukari and don't do normal.
>Pity the unfortunate soul who has to clean that up.
>You make a note to yourself to ensure that Chen learns how to cook properly, so as to prevent such a scene from occurring at your own home.
>You give your condolences to whoever is cleaning up the mess here. You think that you hear a rather large sigh coming from the mess hall as you do so.
>You spend the next twenty minutes making a fish salad for yourself, as well as a vinaigrette dressing to go with it.
>_
-
>"Don't you wish you had shikigami to take care of this kind of stuff Fuuko?"
>To Fuuko's table! More info extraction must take place.
-
>"Don't you wish you had shikigami to take care of this kind of stuff Fuuko?"
>To Fuuko's table! More info extraction must take place.
>"Nope. I already have yours."
>You see Fuuko feeding Chen some catnip.
>You take your salad and head over to Fuuko's table. She looks to be just about done with whatever it was she was eating.
>_
-
>"So, what has happened here lately?"
>With the sheer amount of people and drama between them, best get that clear before we inadvertently step on a landmine.
-
>"So, what has happened here lately?"
>With the sheer amount of people and drama between them, best get that clear before we inadvertently step on a landmine.
>"Lately? A fair amount, I suppose."
>"That other tengu has settled down somewhat. She's eating, at the very least, and she seems to talk to Hatate a bit."
>"That girl you brought along has been with Yuuko for the most part. The two seem to really like each other, for the most part. She still keeps whatever room she's in pretty dark though."
>"The professor has just been doing her thing. These days, I can't keep up with everything she does."
>"Rin has been looking pretty upset, lately. She likes to hang around near Okuu. She says she's fine, but..."
>"Aya's health hasn't changed much. She wants to try walking unassisted again tomorrow."
>"I... haven't been doing much, really. Just keeping the place in order, I guess."
>There certainly are an odd assortment of people here, each with their own issues. You hope not to add to any of them.
>_
-
>Wait, wasn't Nitori going to try something new with that border device thing?
>"Nitori had a device she was using to try and restore Gensokyo. Based on my advice, she was going to attempt to modify it. Have there been any results on that front?"
-
>Wait, wasn't Nitori going to try something new with that border device thing?
>"Nitori had a device she was using to try and restore Gensokyo. Based on my advice, she was going to attempt to modify it. Have there been any results on that front?"
>She was, as far as you remember.
>"As far as I can tell, she was done with that. Of course, I could just be horribly wrong."
>_
-
>That's something to investigate.
>Eat before the salad wilts
>"Things really have been moving here. Hopefully they'll all be resolved for the better."
>Back to the border; we regained some power after fixing up the Netherworld. Dealing with the gods clearly changed something since we could - albeit at considerable cost - open two borders in under an hour.
>Is the Great Border tied to us in anyway?
>Is it possible that the border somehow drained us in order to stabilize itself? It would explain why we were able to leave when Nitori's machine gave it a partial patch.
-
>That's something to investigate.
>Eat before the salad wilts
>"Things really have been moving here. Hopefully they'll all be resolved for the better."
>Back to the border; we regained some power after fixing up the Netherworld. Dealing with the gods clearly changed something since we could - albeit at considerable cost - open two borders in under an hour.
>Is the Great Border tied to us in anyway?
>Is it possible that the border somehow drained us in order to stabilize itself? It would explain why we were able to leave when Nitori's machine gave it a partial patch.
>Indeed.
>You begin eating your salad, though you doubt that it would begin wilting in the immediate future.
>"Yeah, it's been busy. Doesn't feel like I'm doing much, though..."
>Fuuko gets up and begins taking her plate back into the kitchen.
>"Well, I'm done eating. Got to get started on cleaning up the mess in there. Just leave that there when you're done and I'll get it later. See you around, I guess."
>Indeed. It seems as though you're regaining fragments of your abilities with each tear you close.
>Quite intricately.
>That could be a possible explanation.
>_
-
>"Being a voice of reason and keeping things stable helps as well. Never underestimate the value of someone who will stop you from doing something insane."
>Elaboration on the border being tied to us. If we figure this out ourselves, we don't need to trouble Byakuren more than once.
>Besides Higan, do we know of any other cracks?
>Can we sense these cracks since we made the border and all?
-
>"Being a voice of reason and keeping things stable helps as well. Never underestimate the value of someone who will stop you from doing something insane."
>Elaboration on the border being tied to us. If we figure this out ourselves, we don't need to trouble Byakuren more than once.
>Besides Higan, do we know of any other cracks?
>Can we sense these cracks since we made the border and all?
>"I guess."
>Fuuko disappears into the kitchen.
>The border is an extension of yourself. Something that large and complex required a bit of your very essence to create.
>There are many tears visible running through the skies.
>You cannot. It is rather unnerving.
>_
-
>So its safe to say that if anything happens to us, the border will eventually break?
>Either way, it appears that fixing the border is connected to fixing ourselves.
>We'll just have to start with the major cracks we know about and work our way down.
>On that note, what became of the SDM after Reimu nuked their mansion?
>Cirno lived at the Misty Lake too; well there's our next destination after Higan and the underground.
>Finish eating and go find Nitori. Ask Fuuko where Nitori and Rumia are.
-
>So its safe to say that if anything happens to us, the border will eventually break?
>Either way, it appears that fixing the border is connected to fixing ourselves.
>We'll just have to start with the major cracks we know about and work our way down.
>On that note, what became of the SDM after Reimu nuked their mansion?
>Cirno lived at the Misty Lake too; well there's our next destination after Higan and the underground.
>Finish eating and go find Nitori. Ask Fuuko where Nitori and Rumia are.
>Others may be able to maintain it for a long time to come, but yes, it would break down eventually.
>It appears to be that way.
>You suppose that that will have to do as a plan for now.
>You haven't checked.
>You suppose that there would be no harm in checking that place out.
>You finish eating and quickly head into the kitchen to ask Fuuko about Nitori and Rumia's whereabouts.
>"The professor is in the lowest level again. As for that girl, I'm not entirely sure. She's bound to be somewhere with Yuuko."
>You thank Fuuko before you head off to the lowest level of the laboratory once more. You find Nitori sitting on a chair in the main room, reading over a large looking report.
>_
-
>"Hello again~ How goes things?"
-
>"Hello again~ How goes things?"
>"Hey."
>Nitori barely looks up as she returns your greeting.
>Nitori quickly flips through a few more pages before getting up and placing the papers she was reading on her chair.
>"Well, I've got some good news for you. Unfortunatly, it leads into some bad news as well."
>_
-
>"That seems to be a common occurrence recently. What happened?"
>Can't be any worse then recent events.
-
>"That seems to be a common occurrence recently. What happened?"
>Can't be any worse then recent events.
>"Well, that machine I showed you a while ago. It works."
>"Thing is, there's a problem. There's something else out there affecting the border."
>Or so you hope, anyway.
>_
-
>Well...okay something affecting the border that we don't know about is quite bad.
>"...That is remarkably bad news. The border is linked to me; it shouldn't be possible for something to affect it without my knowledge."
>"Do you have any idea where the interference is coming from?"
>Unlikely, but it would be nice if we knew exactly where we needed to go to fix things.
>Even in our current condition, something with enough power to affect our border can't stay hidden from us forever.
-
>Well...okay something affecting the border that we don't know about is quite bad.
>"...That is remarkably bad news. The border is linked to me; it shouldn't be possible for something to affect it without my knowledge."
>"Do you have any idea where the interference is coming from?"
>Unlikely, but it would be nice if we knew exactly where we needed to go to fix things.
>Even in our current condition, something with enough power to affect our border can't stay hidden from us forever.
>Indeed.
>"I'll take your word for that."
>"Yeah. You know the mansion near the Hakurei shrine? That's where the source is."
>Oh, how nice it is to have information.
>_
-
>.....Our life sucks something fierce, doesn't it?
>"Well I would have had to deal with her antics eventually, though I hoped that Reimu of all people would know better."
>What is the whole story behind the Hakurei and maintaining the border? Would it really break if anything happened to Reimu?
>What exactly was our relationship with Reimu?
-
>.....Our life sucks something fierce, doesn't it?
>"Well I would have had to deal with her antics eventually, though I hoped that Reimu of all people would know better."
>What is the whole story behind the Hakurei and maintaining the border? Would it really break if anything happened to Reimu?
>What exactly was our relationship with Reimu?
>You certainly haven't been having the best of luck, lately.
>"Guess that time will be sooner rather than later. Good riddance, too. Tell me when you plan to meet her, I'll try to have something fun ready by then."
>The Hakurei dedicate their efforts towards maintaining the border so that you can focus your efforts on other matters.
>As long as you continued to maintain the border, it would not break.
>Reimu was a close friend of yours. Even if she expressed dislike of it, she would still act on most of your whims."
>_
-
> We're not in any condition to deal with Reimu as we are.. but the more of these rifts we fix ourselves, the stronger we get and the more supporters we have.
> "The time will come, but there are many things to do first. I'll want more on my side to face her if she's gone this far."
-
> We're not in any condition to deal with Reimu as we are.. but the more of these rifts we fix ourselves, the stronger we get and the more supporters we have.
> "The time will come, but there are many things to do first. I'll want more on my side to face her if she's gone this far."
>You certainly don't think that you're in any state to deal with Reimu. However, it is true that you are gaining strength with every tear you close.
>You are also gathering more friends who may be willing to help.
>"Of course. Going into these things unprepared can only lead to bad things. Just give me a heads up when you're good to go."
>_
-
>Oh Reimu, just what made you decide to go overlord on everyone?
>"Of course. Can't have a proper party without a crowd after all."
>Speaking of, wonder where Suika got off to? Do we really see her putting up with dictator Reimu?
>Anyway, off to find Rumia. We know she's likely with Yuuko but that doesn't help much.
>Ask Nitori if she knows where either of them are. If she doesn't, start with Rumia's room and work our way down.
-
>Oh Reimu, just what made you decide to go overlord on everyone?
>"Of course. Can't have a proper party without a crowd after all."
>Speaking of, wonder where Suika got off to? Do we really see her putting up with dictator Reimu?
>Anyway, off to find Rumia. We know she's likely with Yuuko but that doesn't help much.
>Ask Nitori if she knows where either of them are. If she doesn't, start with Rumia's room and work our way down.
>You certainly would like to know the answer to this question.
>"Maybe we can finally have things go back to normal once this entire ordeal is over. That would be nice..."
>You know that Suika usually hangs around the Hakurei shrine or her piece of land in heaven. She couldn't possibly be working with Reimu... could she?
>You ask Nitori where you could find Rumia.
>"Hmm? I think she was wandering around the second floor with Aya and Yuuko."
>You thank Nitori as you take your leave and move the second floor. You look around for a bit, quickly checking rooms as you do so.
>You come across a rather strange room, filled with plants. It doesn't look like any other part of the lab, in fact you doubt that you could tell that this room was part of the lab if you didn't know better. The room does seem a bit darker than it should be, though.
>Inside, you see Rumia gnawing on some large fruit.
>_
-
>They made a greenhouse in the lab? Well they need to get food from somewhere
>Well at least Rumia seems to be normal.
>"Hey there Rumia."
-
>They made a greenhouse in the lab? Well they need to get food from somewhere
>Well at least Rumia seems to be normal.
>"Hey there Rumia."
>Vegetables don't stay fresh for long, after all.
>That's a plus.
>Rumia looks towards you and you see a smile grow on her face as she sees you.
>"Hey!"
>Rumia begins to run up to you.
>Behind her, you can hear the voices of Hatate, Aya, and Yuuko growing louder. They also seem to be walking towards you, though you can't exactly see them as Rumia is making the area you are standing in rather dark.
>_
-
>Scoop her up into a hug.
>"You seem to be having fun here."
>And her legs have healed up if she's running about.
>Is Rumia back to her normal levels of keeping things dark?
-
>Scoop her up into a hug.
>"You seem to be having fun here."
>And her legs have healed up if she's running about.
>Is Rumia back to her normal levels of keeping things dark?
>Making sure that you allocate ample strength and give yourself enough time to process everything, you hug Rumia when she is within reach.
>"It's not scary at all."
>They certainly appear to have.
>She seems to be doing it more out of habit now. Or so you hope, anyway.
>"Hello!"
>Yuuko greets you from behind Rumia, even if you can't see her.
>_
-
>Do we normally have better night vision than this?
>"Hello to you too. I hear that you've become good friends with Rumia."
>If the others don't sound like they're fairly close to us already, take a couple of steps towards them so we can see.
-
>Do we normally have better night vision than this?
>"Hello to you too. I hear that you've become good friends with Rumia."
>If the others don't sound like they're fairly close to us already, take a couple of steps towards them so we can see.
>Somewhat. Though Rumia's darkness has some unique properties to it that you haven't investigated.
>"Yeah, she's a really good girl. Aren't you, Rumia? Though can you make it a bit brighter so that we can see?"
>"Mhmm."
>The darkness recedes to the point where it only seems as though your part of the room is a little dim.
>You see that Rumia appears to be carrying a pomegranate. You see that Yuuko and Aya also have one, and Hatate is behing Aya, pushing her wheelchair along.
>"You're okay!"
>Rumia squeezes you more tightly.
>_
-
>Well not particularly, but she doesn't need to know that.
>"It will take more than that to keep me down for long."
>Wheelchair bound Aya? That's just wrong.
>"What have you been up to the past few days?"
-
>Well not particularly, but she doesn't need to know that.
>"It will take more than that to keep me down for long."
>Wheelchair bound Aya? That's just wrong.
>"What have you been up to the past few days?"
>You'd rather not cause her undue worry.
>"What happened to you?"
>Rumia tilts her head curiously.
>It doesn't fit her image at all.
>"Yuuko has been really nice, she's been showing me all sorts of new things that aren't scary at all. Like these."
>Rumia shows you the pomegranate she's been eating.
>_
-
>"I just overdid things a bit and needed to sleep it off~"
>As good a time as any to ask then
>"Since you're enjoying yourself, how would you like to live here with Yuuko?"
-
>"I just overdid things a bit and needed to sleep it off~"
>As good a time as any to ask then
>"Since you're enjoying yourself, how would you like to live here with Yuuko?"
>"But you're okay now. That's good."
>You suppose that delaying asking her wouldn't do you any good.
>"Um... Is that okay?"
>"Sure, if you want."
>Hatate interjects at this point with "You're already pretty much living here anyway."
>"I guess I will then."
>_
-
>Something actually went smoothly? How rare.
>Now just to wait for Chen or Ran to get in contact with us
>,,,The telepathic communication with Ran works both ways right?
-
>Something actually went smoothly? How rare.
>Now just to wait for Chen or Ran to get in contact with us
>,,,The telepathic communication with Ran works both ways right?
>Not that you're going to complain.
>You consider waiting for either of Chen or Ran to contact you, though you wonder if you should do anything during the meantime.
>It does.
>_
-
>Well did we have anything else to do here?
>If not, small talk with the others for a bit it is.
-
>Well did we have anything else to do here?
>If not, small talk with the others for a bit it is.
>Did you?
>You kill time talking about nothing for a while with Rumia, Yuuko, Hatate, and Aya.
>Master, I have informed the satori that you will do what you can for her sister when you have recovered. In addition, Chen tells me that she has informed those at Mayohiga about your status. Do you wish for anything else to be done?
>_
-
>No, that would be all for now. Thank you for your help.
>Well given nothing else, when we're done with the group, go sleep until...it takes two hours to fly to Eientei right? So 9 am tomorrow. Set an alarm or something in case our sense of time is still screwed up by tomorrow.
No really, can't think of anything else to do till we can go fix Koishi.
-
>No, that would be all for now. Thank you for your help.
>Well given nothing else, when we're done with the group, go sleep until...it takes two hours to fly to Eientei right? So 9 am tomorrow. Set an alarm or something in case our sense of time is still screwed up by tomorrow.
>Very well then. Take care, master.
>You suppose that you may as well spend the rest of the day resting. It's bound to help with your recovery, right?
>You return to the room in which you had woken up earlier and get into the bed.
>You quickly fall asleep.
>It's morning, or at least you hope it is, and although you feel tired, it's a lot better than yesterday.
>_
-
>Gap charge
>Are we finally back to our normal levels of physical ability and power issues?
>What time do we think it is?
>Ask Ran what time it really is.
>Get ready to start the day; quick a way as any to see if we're finally back in business.
-
>Gap charge
>Are we finally back to our normal levels of physical ability and power issues?
>What time do we think it is?
>Ask Ran what time it really is.
>Get ready to start the day; quick a way as any to see if we're finally back in business.
>You feel well enough to manipulate a simple border once more.
>Relatively speaking, yes.
>You feel that it's around 9AM.
>Good morning, master. I believe the time to be 9AM.
>You get up and look around for a bathroom, finding one after a few minutes of searching.
>You freshen up as best you can, though you still want a change of clothes and a bath, but you put up with it for now.
>You find yourself standing inside a corridor in Nitori's lab. You suppose it's finally time to get back to work.
>_
-
>Another thing a quick gap hax would fix normally. Bleh.
>Guessing that the border of cleanliness is a bit too abstract right now?
>Go get breakfast.
-
>Another thing a quick gap hax would fix normally. Bleh.
>Guessing that the border of cleanliness is a bit too abstract right now?
>Go get breakfast.
>Things like this are so annoying.
>That would be correct.
>Working on an empty stomach probably isn't the best idea, though.
>You head over to the mess hall, where you see Hatate trying to feed Aya something while Aya protests about being able to eat by herself.
>When they notice you, they both give you a simple greeting.
>Hatate adds "If you're looking for food, there's some miso soup left over in the kitchen."
>"Now come on, open wide~"
>"I told you to stop it!"
>Aya does still seem to be eating the food that Hatate gives her though, however begrudgingly.
>_
-
>Oh if we had a camera.....
>Raid the miso and try not to laugh. Or snicker too loud.
-
>Oh if we had a camera.....
>Raid the miso and try not to laugh. Or snicker too loud.
>Or any other method of preserving this moment for others to see. But alas.
>You carry on to the kitchen, where you find the soup that Hatate had mentioned. You grab some soup for yourself and take it out to the mess hall.
>You drink your soup whilst continuing to watch Hatate forcefeed Aya.
>It is difficult, but you manage to contain your amusement while you eat.
>After a few minutes, you're done eating. Hatate and Aya seem to be finished as well.
>_
-
>"Ah, breakfast and entertainment."
>Wares to sink.
>It's barely past 9 right?
>Make use of our gaps being back online and warp home; we need that bath and fresh clothes wouldn't hurt
-
>"Ah, breakfast and entertainment."
>Wares to sink.
>It's barely past 9 right?
>Make use of our gaps being back online and warp home; we need that bath and fresh clothes wouldn't hurt
>Both Hatate and Aya look at you for a moment.
>"You want some real entertainment? The bedroom is where it's at."
>You take your bowl to the kitchen and place it in the sink.
>You'd wager that it is around quarter past nine.
>You open up a gap to your home and step through. It feels good to be back.
>You collect some water in the bath and begin heating it up. Whilst you wait, you look around for a new change of clothes.
>After waiting for a few minutes, you step into the bath, where you relax and cleanse yourself for the next 30 minutes.
>Once you're done, you change into a purple dress with black fur lining. You put on a black corset over this dress and tie a black ribbon around your head in lieu of your regular hat.
>You feel refreshed.
>_
-
>Time to gap
-
>Time to gap
>You feel that you should wait for at least 25 minutes before attempting to manipulate borders once more.
>_
-
>Well as we're home, let's see who else is around.
-
>Well as we're home, let's see who else is around.
>You suppose that you might as well.
>You head outside, looking to see who else is here.
>Once outside, you see Nazrin talking with Shou whilst sitting outside one of the the many houses in Mayohiga.
>Nobody else seems to be around.
>_
-
>To the cat and mouse we go
>Make with the greetings
>Why was it that Chen didn't get along with Nazrin again?
-
>To the cat and mouse we go
>Make with the greetings
>Why was it that Chen didn't get along with Nazrin again?
>You begin to make your way to Nazrin and Shou. Shou gives you a short wave as she sees you approaching. Nazrin does the same before getting to her feet. She gives you a short bow before leaving.
>You say hello Shou, who returns your greeting.
>"Please excuse Nazrin, she only had a short amount of time before she had to see Hijiri again.
>"I haven't seen you for quite some time now. Nor the rest of your family. I must say that it feels rather lonely here at times."
>You aren't entirely sure.
>_
-
>"It's fine; I'm going to need to see Hijiri myself in a couple of hours."
>"Things have been a bit on my end; Ran's at Eientei and I overdid it a bit and got delayed for a few days; poor Chen's had to run around keeping an eye on both of us."
>"Though if things go well, Ran and Chen should be back soon."
>How long does Ran need to stay at Eientei for rehabilitation anyway?
>How long would it take to reach the SDM and Misty Lake?
-
>"It's fine; I'm going to need to see Hijiri myself in a couple of hours."
>"Things have been a bit on my end; Ran's at Eientei and I overdid it a bit and got delayed for a few days; poor Chen's had to run around keeping an eye on both of us."
>"Though if things go well, Ran and Chen should be back soon."
>How long does Ran need to stay at Eientei for rehabilitation anyway?
>How long would it take to reach the SDM and Misty Lake?
>"I see. I must warn you that she has been in a rather foul mood as of late, even if she tries not to show it."
>"My apologies, that was rather unbecoming of myself. I did not mean to accuse you of anything."
>"That is good news. I wish Ran the best in her recovery."
>You don't know.
>It would take roughly two and a half hours by flight.
>_
-
>Hijiri in a bad mood? What's next the apocalypse?
>Watch the apocalypse actually happen.
>"I take it that the search for Nue hasn't been going very well?"
>How long from here to Eientei again? And what time is it?
>Gap charge.
-
>Hijiri in a bad mood? What's next the apocalypse?
>Watch the apocalypse actually happen.
>"I take it that the search for Nue hasn't been going very well?"
>How long from here to Eientei again? And what time is it?
>Gap charge.
>You suppose that she is huma- Scratch that. You wonder what could have put her into such a mood.
>You continue conversing with Shou when a large construct flies from the sky and crushes Shou. You leap back in shock. The strange object that crushed Shou appears to be numbers made up of some strange black substance. They read '403'. You can see several more of these flying throughout the sky. Including one flying straight towards you.
>"That would depend on how you define 'well'. Nazrin tells me that they have come across Nue, but..."
>"Let us say that their encounter was not entirely pleasant."
>It would take you roughly two hours by flight to reach Eientei from Mayohiga.
>You would wager that it is around 9:40 AM.
>You still feel that you should wait for around twenty minutes before trying to manipulate boundaries once more.
>_
-
>"Oh. That seems to be a fairly common occurrence recently."
>Reimu, Momiji, Rinnosuke,,,,,
>Sigh.
>Maybe things would return to some sense of normalcy after we fix things.
-
>"Oh. That seems to be a fairly common occurrence recently."
>Reimu, Momiji, Rinnosuke,,,,,
>Sigh.
>Maybe things would return to some sense of normalcy after we fix things.
>"So it would seem..."
>You hope that there aren't any others that you'd have to add to that list later.
>Shou lets out a loud sigh at the same time that you do.
>You hope that that's the case.
>_
-
>"As bad as things get, as long as we keep trying, they can only improve eventually."
>"No matter the stumbling blocks on the way, we can't leave things like this."
>Even if one of those blocks is us accidentally driving a satori to attempted suicide.
>Sheesh, maybe Satori will explain that one to us in between reaming us out for what happened to her sister.
>On that note:
>Ran, do you or Chen need anything from home while I'm here?
-
>"As bad as things get, as long as we keep trying, they can only improve eventually."
>"No matter the stumbling blocks on the way, we can't leave things like this."
>Even if one of those blocks is us accidentally driving a satori to attempted suicide.
>Sheesh, maybe Satori will explain that one to us in between reaming us out for what happened to her sister.
>On that note:
>Ran, do you or Chen need anything from home while I'm here?
>"I shall place my faith in that belief."
>"Of course. I could not bear to see the world continue as it is."
>If you fall, all you can do is get back up. You're not going to let anything stop you.
>You hope that you can get an explanation the next time you encounter Satori.
>We are fine, master. You need not worry about us.
>_
-
>Gap charge. Might as well head there early and give Satori a couple hours to blow off steam on us. Then we prepare for Byakuren. Then we deal with the Yama
>Why does this seem like the makings of a very unpleasant day?
-
>Gap charge. Might as well head there early and give Satori a couple hours to blow off steam on us. Then we prepare for Byakuren. Then we deal with the Yama
>Why does this seem like the makings of a very unpleasant day?
>You still feel that you should wait for twenty or so minutes before attempting to manipulate borders. Perhaps you should do something in the meantime?
>You would rather face the consequences sooner rather than later, where the timing might be a bit inconvenient.
>Shou does say that Byakuren is doing her best to conceal her foul mood, but that doesn't stop you from wondering what an agitated Byakuren would act like.
>You do still have to fix whatever happened to Higan.
>You aren't looking forward to today at all.
>_
-
>"While on the subject of changed people, if you see Rinnosuke, don't trust him. He's managed to enslave Alice with an odd doll and kept Rumia chained up for who knows how long."
>"Right now he's hiding in Reimu's mansion to avoid me, but he might leave at some point."
>We might get lucky and one of the Palanquin crew manages to detain him.
>"Outside of the incident with Nue, has anything else occurred over the past few days? How are the others doing?"
-
>"While on the subject of changed people, if you see Rinnosuke, don't trust him. He's managed to enslave Alice with an odd doll and kept Rumia chained up for who knows how long."
>"Right now he's hiding in Reimu's mansion to avoid me, but he might leave at some point."
>We might get lucky and one of the Palanquin crew manages to detain him.
>"Outside of the incident with Nue, has anything else occurred over the past few days? How are the others doing?"
>"The shopkeeper? I'll keep that in mind, and tell the others when I get a chance."
>You can only hope. It certainly would make things a lot easier if some of your problems would fix themselves.
>"Minamitsu and Ichirin are back at the temple. I believe that they are trying to restore it to its original form."
>"If I may, I would also like to enquire on when Ran will be returning."
>_
-
>"When Eirin clears her a healed enough to not need her supervision. I need to ask myself just when that would be when I go there."
>Has anything else of note occurred that we didn't tell the Palaquin crew about? Did we tell them that the gods are unsealed?
-
>"When Eirin clears her a healed enough to not need her supervision. I need to ask myself just when that would be when I go there."
>Has anything else of note occurred that we didn't tell the Palaquin crew about? Did we tell them that the gods are unsealed?
>"I see. Please give her my regards, then."
>Quite a lot has occurred. You haven't actually spoken to the Palanquin crew in quite some time. Though you assume that Chen has informed them of the events that led you to Eirin.
>You did not.
>_
-
>Then let's keep Shou caught up on things.
>"Still, I never expected my border to be a cause of so much trouble."
>"Apparently when the border cracked, while I kept it from completely breaking it still caused quite a few problems. Besides sealing off the Netherworld and Higan, it also managed to seal the nature gods in a crack in dimensions and wipe their memories from after the Suwa wars."
>"Undoing that was....a unique experience. Sanae was quite happy to be reunited with them though."
>"I did manage to find Nitori who already had sense knocked into her from her assistants, Hatate and Satori. During this I found out that Utsuho had died, and she was working to try to resurrect her."
>"Doing this needed Higan reopened, but on the trip there Satori ran into her sister, and a few misunderstandings led to....saying that things ended badly would be an understatement. I think Chen told you a bit about that one?"
>"I suppose that when Koishi awakes, both would be mad enough at me to forget about their problems with each other. A messy victory, but one none the less."
>"The good news is that following the current pattern, everyone who is missing is probably caught in a tear somewhere and can be eventually restored."
>"The bad is that a certain shrine maiden is tampering with the border, and considering her actions for the past two years, I doubt that its for anything good."
>That's everything in a nutshell except the Yuyuko thing, and that's private.
-
>Then let's keep Shou caught up on things.
>"Still, I never expected my border to be a cause of so much trouble."
>"Apparently when the border cracked, while I kept it from completely breaking it still caused quite a few problems. Besides sealing off the Netherworld and Higan, it also managed to seal the nature gods in a crack in dimensions and wipe their memories from after the Suwa wars."
>"Undoing that was....a unique experience. Sanae was quite happy to be reunited with them though."
>"I did manage to find Nitori who already had sense knocked into her from her assistants, Hatate and Satori. During this I found out that Utsuho had died, and she was working to try to resurrect her."
>"Doing this needed Higan reopened, but on the trip there Satori ran into her sister, and a few misunderstandings led to....saying that things ended badly would be an understatement. I think Chen told you a bit about that one?"
>"I suppose that when Koishi awakes, both would be mad enough at me to forget about their problems with each other. A messy victory, but one none the less."
>"The good news is that following the current pattern, everyone who is missing is probably caught in a tear somewhere and can be eventually restored."
>"The bad is that a certain shrine maiden is tampering with the border, and considering her actions for the past two years, I doubt that its for anything good."
>That's everything in a nutshell except the Yuyuko thing, and that's private.
>You do have some time to kill and it certainly couldn't hurt to get Shou up to date.
>"I do not think that anybody expected this to happen."
>"I see. Is that what had happened to the Moriya shrine?"
>"Does that mean that the Moriya shrine is back to how it once was?"
>"Died? I do not believe that attempting to alter the fates of others is the best idea..."
>"A silver lining, I suppose."
>"That is wonderful to hear."
>"I suppose that she would have had to been brought to justice sooner or later..."
>"That simply makes what you are doing even more important."
>Roughly, anyway.
>_
-
>"The Moriya shrine should be back in business; last I left them, they were going to talk with the Tengu."
>"As for Utsuho, it certainly wasn't her time to die yet, and frankly, if she isn't brought back an entire families are going to fall to pieces. Tampering with the cycle of life and death is certainly a horrible idea, but if it brings a group some peace in these times, I'm willing to deal with the Yama."
>For the Satori family, Rin and Nitori we can't leave that be, no matter how much trouble its going to cause.
>Odds are good that Satori is aware of the gravity of what she wants to do as well and is prepared for the consequences after all.
>Gap Charge.
-
>"The Moriya shrine should be back in business; last I left them, they were going to talk with the Tengu."
>"As for Utsuho, it certainly wasn't her time to die yet, and frankly, if she isn't brought back an entire families are going to fall to pieces. Tampering with the cycle of life and death is certainly a horrible idea, but if it brings a group some peace in these times, I'm willing to deal with the Yama."
>For the Satori family, Rin and Nitori we can't leave that be, no matter how much trouble its going to cause.
>Odds are good that Satori is aware of the gravity of what she wants to do as well and is prepared for the consequences after all.
>Gap Charge.
>"A step towards bringing back the Gensokyo we know and love. That is great news."
>"Do not worry, I will not try to stop you as long as you continue to do what you feel is right."
>For all of their sakes, you cannot allow that particular chapter to end that way.
>She is bound to have given her actions considerable thought.
>You feel up to manipulating boundaries once more.
>_
-
>"And on that note, I must depart myself; I do need to check up on Ran in person. Till we meet again~"
>If nothing else, gap to Eientei.
>Avoid attempt to kill us.
>Find someone who knows where Ran and Satori are.
-
>"And on that note, I must depart myself; I do need to check up on Ran in person. Till we meet again~"
>If nothing else, gap to Eientei.
>Avoid attempt to kill us.
>Find someone who knows where Ran and Satori are.
>"Farewell then. May safe journeys accompany you."
>Shou waves as you open up a gap to the entrance of Eientei which you promptly step through whilst returning the wave to Shou.
>Miraculously, there do not appear to be any attempts on your life this time.
>Nobody seems to be around where you are, other than the Reisen who appears to be watching you from the roof of Eientei.
>_
-
>Well at least she isn't shooting at us again.
>Then into Eientei. Either we'll find someone or Eirin will pop up to stop us.
>Or, lets just ask Ran for directions! Do so and follow them to her.
-
>Well at least she isn't shooting at us again.
>Then into Eientei. Either we'll find someone or Eirin will pop up to stop us.
>Or, lets just ask Ran for directions! Do so and follow them to her.
>You don't want to go through the process of dodging her shots again.
>You decide to simply walk into Eientei, you're bound to run into someone, right?
>Though, with your abysmal luck, you might not and so you ask Ran for directions.
>Soon enough, you find Ran up on a bed with Chen asleep by her side. Scattered about the bed are several square objects that you've come to know as a "Rubik's Cube".
>Ran also appears to be holding a solved cube in her hands, while Chen clutches onto one that she has yet to complete.
>Ran turns towards you as you enter, and you can see her try to give a small bow from the bed.
>"Good morning, master."
>_
-
>"Morning Ran. I see that you've been a bit stir crazy in here."
>"So, how is your arm holding up?"
-
>"Morning Ran. I see that you've been a bit stir crazy in here."
>"So, how is your arm holding up?"
>"I am told that putting my arm to use would be the best method of rehabilitation. These are fairly useful in that regard."
>Ran holds the Rubik's Cube with her left hand and balls her right hand into a fist before relaxing it. She does this several times.
>"It still feels strange at times, but it is fine. The doctor tells me to rest for a few more days at the very least, but I do not feel that that is necessary. Perhaps I should ask to be discharged."
>"I am glad to see that you have been well too, master."
>_
-
>"Now Ran, you should follow the doctor's orders~"
>"Though if all you need is rest, you'd likely be more comfortable back home. Besides, Shou's around to make sure that you actually relax."
>"I am, quite glad that you'll be fine though."
>Celebration party for a well Ran is back on. Just can't have it for a few days, till we solve the rest of this chaos.
>And now that we know that Ran is okay, the immediate concern is...
>"And how are Satori and Koishi doing?"
>We are in so much trouble
-
>"Now Ran, you should follow the doctor's orders~"
>"Though if all you need is rest, you'd likely be more comfortable back home. Besides, Shou's around to make sure that you actually relax."
>"I am, quite glad that you'll be fine though."
>Celebration party for a well Ran is back on. Just can't have it for a few days, till we solve the rest of this chaos.
>And now that we know that Ran is okay, the immediate concern is...
>"And how are Satori and Koishi doing?"
>We are in so much trouble
>"If you insist, then I shall."
>"I would like to return to our home, it has been quite some time since I have been there. Though such a measure is completely unnecessary..."
>"Thank you for worrying, master."
>You've definitely got to celebrate Ran's recovery once everything is back to normal.
>You do have some other business here...
>"I believe that the older one is watching over her sister in the room next to mine. I believe that she has been expecting you for quite some time now."
>"Though I would accompany you to see her, master, I believe that I should follow the doctor's orders and continue to rest for the time being. My apologies, master."
>You think that you saw a smirk flash across Ran's face for a brief instant.
>You are not looking forward to this at all.
>_
-
>Well if Ran can toss sass around, she'll definitely be fine.
>"Maybe I should get a doctor's note as well to avoid angry satori."
>"To the chopping block."
>Off to the next room.
>Draw on our experience of pissing off the loads of people we have in our life.
>.....Have we pissed off a mind-reader before this?
-
>Well if Ran can toss sass around, she'll definitely be fine.
>"Maybe I should get a doctor's note as well to avoid angry satori."
>"To the chopping block."
>Off to the next room.
>Draw on our experience of pissing off the loads of people we have in our life.
>.....Have we pissed off a mind-reader before this?
>You feel rather relieved that she feels well enough to talk back.
>"Perhaps, though the doctor may use that as an excuse to further her own means."
>"Good luck, master."
>You leave Ran and open the door to the other room.
>Inside, you see Satori sitting on a chair opposite you with her arms crossed. All of her eyes are focused on you.
>You can see Koishi lying on a bed similar to Ran's. She appears to be asleep, though her third eye is also staring at you.
>_
-
>Yeesh.
>Koishi's third eye is healed? In that case, can't we just close it again under our own power?
>Really, just why did she freak out so much about the eye opening? It might not be a good idea to go poking around with gaps until we know exactly what we screwed up.
>On that note
>"Would you believe that I'm very, very sorry about putting your sister in a coma?"
>And seriously, why is the eye glaring at us? Well okay, Koishi has all the reason in the world to be pissed at us right now, but she did technically start it even if all things considered, we should have just danmaku'd her until she listened.
-
>Yeesh.
>Koishi's third eye is healed? In that case, can't we just close it again under our own power?
>Really, just why did she freak out so much about the eye opening? It might not be a good idea to go poking around with gaps until we know exactly what we screwed up.
>On that note
>"Would you believe that I'm very, very sorry about putting your sister in a coma?"
>And seriously, why is the eye glaring at us? Well okay, Koishi has all the reason in the world to be pissed at us right now, but she did technically start it even if all things considered, we should have just danmaku'd her until she listened.
>It certainly isn't the most welcoming environment.
>Probably. You'd have to try to find out.
>"Are you honestly that oblivious to the feelings of others?"
>Satori rises to her feet and takes a few steps towards you.
>"Do you know nothing of why this girl shut off her heart to others?"
>"She chose to avoid this world and you forced her back. Is it not obvious that she would react unfavorably?"
>"If you were forced into a world you despised, would you not do everything at your disposal to try to bring your old world back? In fact, is that not what you are doing right now?"
>"And yet, you failed to understand such a basic reaction and forced her to go through so much pain."
>"I will not accept your apology until you understand what you have done so that such a thing does not happen again."
>That eye staring at you is rather creepy.
>"Don't you dare to try and blame my sister for your actions."
>_
-
>"I have no intention of doing so."
>"I understand that Koishi made her choice, but you must understand that my intent was only a temporary reversal, a means to show her that you and I were speaking the truth. If she could see our minds, she would know that what we were saying was true. Once she calmed, I would have, had she desired it, closed her eye for her again as soon as I could. I expected her to be... less than pleased with me, but I thought that, through reading my mind, she would understand. And I never thought she would react by harming herself."
-
>"I have no intention of doing so."
>"I understand that Koishi made her choice, but you must understand that my intent was only a temporary reversal, a means to show her that you and I were speaking the truth. If she could see our minds, she would know that what we were saying was true. Once she calmed, I would have, had she desired it, closed her eye for her again as soon as I could. I expected her to be... less than pleased with me, but I thought that, through reading my mind, she would understand. And I never thought she would react by harming herself."
>"You were dealing with someone who had gone to extreme lengths to deny her very being. She was already in a state of distress. How could you possibly have thought that forcing her to become what she had hated would calm her down?"
>_
-
>"That was not one of my better ideas."
>So that's the story behind Koishi closing off her eye? Well our actions just became far more cruel. We were trying to make her stop rejecting reality, not mind-break her.
>We really shouldn't have forced it like that.
-
>"...I did not know it ran that deep."
-
>"...I did not know it ran that deep."
>"What do you think it is that defines a satori? It is our ability to read the mind. Can you not infer what it is to reject this?"
>"That was not one of my better ideas."
>So that's the story behind Koishi closing off her eye? Well our actions just became far more cruel. We were trying to make her stop rejecting reality, not mind-break her.
>We really shouldn't have forced it like that.
>"No. It was not."
>"Everything you do has consequences. As the creator of this land, I would have hoped that you knew this already."
>"You really should not have."
>The satori sighs.
>"As long as you understand."
>"So what do you plan to do with her? Leave her as she is? Change her back?"
>_
-
>"What would you have me do?"
-
>Given her reaction she probably would want us to put her back, though we'd feel better if we could ask her.
>The next thing would be to ask the one most likely to know.
>Don't suppose that we can leave her eye half open to the point where she can decide to fully open or close it?
-
>"What would you have me do?"
>"It is hard to say. For her to continue living as she had, rejecting everything, would be an incredibly sad fate. However, as she is now, she is highly unstable and liable to take even more drastic measures to get away from this world."
>Given her reaction she probably would want us to put her back, though we'd feel better if we could ask her.
>The next thing would be to ask the one most likely to know.
>Don't suppose that we can leave her eye half open to the point where she can decide to fully open or close it?
>"If I were to be honest, I would rather she remains as she is right now. However, I am placing this decision in your hands."
>"Is it not obvious what she would want?"
>"And do you always put such little thought into your decisions? Have you not thought of the consequences that such an action might have?"
>_
-
>"In the heat of the moment, one often has unfortunately little time to think."
-
>"In the heat of the moment, one often has unfortunately little time to think."
>"You have all the time you need right now. She is unlikely to wake any time soon."
>_
-
>Under any event we can't do anything for another hour.
>Anyway, while the entire running from reality thing is clearly unhealthy, it won't help if we do the equivalent of throwing her into a sea and telling her to sink or swim.
>It would likely be best to close her eye again, and if she decides to finally stop running, she'll reopen it on her own.
>Either way, when she reawakens, considering her last memory was her somehow jumping to the conclusion that we kidnapped Utsuho......yeah.
>Considering that she spent near two years scouring Gensokyo for her, Koishi's not going to let that go.
>We were supposed to tell Satori about that - right, mind-reader, well that's done.
>"So, what are you going to do when she wakes up?"
-
>Under any event we can't do anything for another hour.
>Anyway, while the entire running from reality thing is clearly unhealthy, it won't help if we do the equivalent of throwing her into a sea and telling her to sink or swim.
>It would likely be best to close her eye again, and if she decides to finally stop running, she'll reopen it on her own.
>Either way, when she reawakens, considering her last memory was her somehow jumping to the conclusion that we kidnapped Utsuho......yeah.
>Considering that she spent near two years scouring Gensokyo for her, Koishi's not going to let that go.
>We were supposed to tell Satori about that - right, mind-reader, well that's done.
>"So, what are you going to do when she wakes up?"
>"Take your time then, and think this over."
>"..."
>"She would likely be unable to do such a thing, even if she were willing."
>"I already know of this. I am able to see into her mind right now, regardless of however fragmented it may be."
>"I shall continue to look after her until I am no longer needed."
>_
-
>"Do you have any idea how long she will remain out for?"
>"I'm thinking that the best option is to find Utsuho before Koishi awakens. If I re-close her eye, then when she wakes, she will not be able to easily discern her current situation, and given her state before I opened it, I doubt she'll be in the mood to listen to explanations. In fact, I expect she'd try to escape. But if we can have Utsuho here when she wakes up, this may do much to calm her."
-
>Hold off on saying/thinking the above for a bit
Utsuho is still quite dead. I don't think it's in any way possible to have Utsuho resurrected and well unless Koishi stays unconscious for a couple more days, which in of itself is cause for concern.
Even if she escapes, it would be us she'd come for anyway.
-
>"Do you have any idea how long she will remain out for?"
>"I'm thinking that the best option is to find Utsuho before Koishi awakens. If I re-close her eye, then when she wakes, she will not be able to easily discern her current situation, and given her state before I opened it, I doubt she'll be in the mood to listen to explanations. In fact, I expect she'd try to escape. But if we can have Utsuho here when she wakes up, this may do much to calm her."
>Hold off on saying/thinking the above for a bit
>The satori raises an eyebrow at you.
>"Your mind is a rather strange one, isn't it?"
>_
-
>"But of course, Cthulhu taught me well."
>Unleash the mind-flayer.
Bleh, Satori probably has something in mind for this anyway.
>"Last she was awake, she was particularly driven to beat Utsuho's location out of me, and still in shock over her meeting with you. When she eventually wakes, she's liable to rush off again."
>That couldn't have helped her belief that Satori doesn't listen to her.
>"As she is, if she runs off, she's liable to do something foolish."
-
>"But of course, Cthulhu taught me well."
>Unleash the mind-flayer.
>"Last she was awake, she was particularly driven to beat Utsuho's location out of me, and still in shock over her meeting with you. When she eventually wakes, she's liable to rush off again."
>That couldn't have helped her belief that Satori doesn't listen to her.
>"As she is, if she runs off, she's liable to do something foolish."
>"Wait a moment! What on earth is that monstrosity? Why does it have tentacles? And where are they trying to touch?! Get them off me!"
>"You were the one that baited her, were you not? However, that is irrelevant."
>"I am confident that, were you to close her eye once more, she would go back to acting as she always has."
>"If you do not close her eye, I believe that I will be able to calm her."
>_
-
>So that's how it is.
>While it happened in a horrible fashion, her eye is open now and we can close it under our own power.
>We already know that reasoning with Koishi with her eye closed is something we aren't good at.
>And the more people who harass the Yama, the more likely she'll get frustrated and give up Utsuho's soul. Or at least the experience of trying to lecture two satori might drive her spare.
>Now there's a pleasant thought.
>"If you can calm her, then that removes the main reason to close her eye before she awakens. Now the question is when will she wake up?"
>Can we manipulate the boundary between sleep and awake without our full power? Granted, if we do it that way, she'll have her eye opened for at least a full hour, but if anyone can keep her calm, it will be Satori.
-
>"If you can calm her, then that removes the main reason to close her eye before she awakens. Now the question is when will she wake up?"
>Right after this, say: "If she can be made calm, we can ask her what she would have me do."
-
>So that's how it is.
>While it happened in a horrible fashion, her eye is open now and we can close it under our own power.
>We already know that reasoning with Koishi with her eye closed is something we aren't good at.
>And the more people who harass the Yama, the more likely she'll get frustrated and give up Utsuho's soul. Or at least the experience of trying to lecture two satori might drive her spare.
>Now there's a pleasant thought.
>"If you can calm her, then that removes the main reason to close her eye before she awakens. Now the question is when will she wake up?"
>Right after this, say: "If she can be made calm, we can ask her what she would have me do."
>"..."
>The question is, will you close it?
>"In that form, she is beyond reasoning. She exists in a different reality to ours."
>"Unfortunately, I do not think that I will be able to accompany you to Higan."
>"Shall I take that as your decision to leave her as she is?"
>"I doubt that she herself knows. As I mentioned before, her mind is completely fragmented. I do not know how long it would take to piece it together."
>Can we manipulate the boundary between sleep and awake without our full power? Granted, if we do it that way, she'll have her eye opened for at least a full hour, but if anyone can keep her calm, it will be Satori.
>With your full power, certainly. In your current state you can, but as your experience with Momiji has proven, not without some side effects to yourself.
>"I do not believe that it would be wise to forcefully wake her."
>_
-
>"I see."
>"If she truly wants her eye closed again when she wakes up, if she doesn't do it herself, I'm not hard to find."
>Either way, things are at a standstill until Koishi wakes up here.
>Even if Satori doesn't accompany us, Rin still should, both because she has a deep emotional attachment to Utsuho and because we do not get along with the Yama at all and us being alone will not end well.
>Byakuren should still be arriving, but she said that she's good at revitalizing and strengthening magics right? She might know something to help restore Koishi's mind.
>And we need to know if she's noticed any other large tears in the border for us to fix.
-
>"I see."
>"If she truly wants her eye closed again when she wakes up, if she doesn't do it herself, I'm not hard to find."
>Either way, things are at a standstill until Koishi wakes up here.
>Even if Satori doesn't accompany us, Rin still should, both because she has a deep emotional attachment to Utsuho and because we do not get along with the Yama at all and us being alone will not end well.
>Byakuren should still be arriving, but she said that she's good at revitalizing and strengthening magics right? She might know something to help restore Koishi's mind.
>And we need to know if she's noticed any other large tears in the border for us to fix.
>Satori returns to her seat.
>"I will not allow her to do that to herself once more."
>"I suppose that you have other matters to attend to now."
>"No doubt she would still want to go. Tell Rin that I am sorry for leaving her for so long."
>"I do not think that interfering with her mind in any manner would be wise given the state it is in."
>You wonder if there are any more tears barring the one at Higan and the ones running along the sky.
>_
-
>That's everything we can do for now.
>"Then I'll see you later Satori."
>And we're off to get Ran checked out.
>Now where in the world is Eirin. Somehow, we're pretty sure that wandering around here will get us shot at again.
-
>That's everything we can do for now.
>"Then I'll see you later Satori."
>And we're off to get Ran checked out.
>Now where in the world is Eirin. Somehow, we're pretty sure that wandering around here will get us shot at again.
>"I see."
>"Farewell. And I hope that you think of the consequences of your actions in more depth in the future."
>Having Ran around again would be nice.
>You have no idea. You get the feeling that walking around aimlessly may not be the best course of action.
>"She is likely to be in her study, or with the princess. Both are found on the other side of this building."
>_
-
>"Thanks!"
>To the study!
>Gap charge by the way.
-
>"Thanks!"
>To the study!
>Gap charge by the way.
>"Make sure you bring back the Gensokyo we all remember."
>You leave Satori and her sister and make for where you think the study should be. After a few minutes of walking, you find what you believe to be the study.
>You don't have the energy to manipulate borders for at least half an hour.
>_
-
>Knock.
-
>Knock.
>You knock on the door to what you believe is the study.
>"Who is it and what do you want?"
>_
-
>"Oh dear, are you like this with all of your clients?"
>"I came by for Ran and to find out if there's anything I need to know about her rehabilitation."
-
>"Oh dear, are you like this with all of your clients?"
>"I came by for Ran and to find out if there's anything I need to know about her rehabilitation."
>"I have neither the time nor the energy to waste with idle chat."
>The door before you opens, revealing Eirin standing with a clipboard in hand. She flips through a few pages on the clipboard.
>"Despite an unexpected situation arising during treatment, there were no issues during the patient's surgery. Patient has been placed into rehabilitation and is adjusting quickly to the newly formed limb. Patient remains under observation in case there are any abnormalities with the new limb. Patient is due to be released in two days provided no unusual situations develop."
>"I believe that this is all you need to know. If you have no further questions, then allow me to return to my work."
>_
-
>"If that's all, I'm taking Ran home a bit early. If any of these unusual situation develop I'll just bring her back."
>And...well she did actually keep her word and kept an eye on Koishi as well.
>"And thank you for restoring Ran's arm."
>And a sincere thanks she'll likely never get from us again, but our family is worth it.
-
>"If that's all, I'm taking Ran home a bit early. If any of these unusual situation develop I'll just bring her back."
>And...well she did actually keep her word and kept an eye on Koishi as well.
>"And thank you for restoring Ran's arm."
>And a sincere thanks she'll likely never get from us again, but our family is worth it.
>"I suppose that would be an acceptable arrangement. A familiar environment could assist rehabilitation."
>Even if she is a Lunarian, you suppose that she is a nice person deep down. Very deep down.
>"It is what I do, think nothing of it."
>You're more than willing to swallow your pride for family.
>_
-
>And we're done here.
>Back to Ran and Chen.
-
>And we're done here.
>Back to Ran and Chen.
>You take your leave and return to Ran and Chen.
>Chen appears to have woken up and is rubbing her eyes tiredly whilst Ran watches her with a smile.
>_
-
>"Good morning Sleepyhead~"
>"You've been checked out and as long as nothing weird happens over the next few days and you take it easy, you have a clean bill of health."
-
>"Good morning Sleepyhead~"
>"You've been checked out and as long as nothing weird happens over the next few days and you take it easy, you have a clean bill of health."
>"Nya?"
>Chen looks at you.
>"Master! Good morning!"
>Chen leaps up to give you a hug.
>"I see, will we be going home, then?"
>_
-
>Return hug. In fact, proper family hug now that Ran has both arms.
>"We will soon, but Byakuren is still arriving at noon. Unless we can manage to track her down early, we're here until she arrives."
>Hmm, can Ran or Chen find Byakuren?
>Can we find her in any form that would take less time than waiting an hour and a half for her to show up?
-
>Return hug. In fact, proper family hug now that Ran has both arms.
>"We will soon, but Byakuren is still arriving at noon. Unless we can manage to track her down early, we're here until she arrives."
>Hmm, can Ran or Chen find Byakuren?
>Can we find her in any form that would take less time than waiting an hour and a half for her to show up?
>You return Chen's hug as she leaps into your arms.
>Once you disentangle yourself from Chen, you move next to Ran with Chen and engage in a family hug.
>"I see. Then may I ask about how you have been doing, master?"
>Given enough time, probably. It would have been easier to ask Shou about her whereabouts.
>That would depend on where she is.
>_
-
>Yeah, we should have. Ah well, gotta wait a half hour till we can pop in and just ask.
>What was the last update we gave Ran on our adventures?
-
>Yeah, we should have. Ah well, gotta wait a half hour till we can pop in and just ask.
>What was the last update we gave Ran on our adventures?
>You regret not having asked earlier, but alas, you'll simply wait for the time being.
>After being admitted to Eientei, you haven't really told Ran much about what you were doing. The most recent thing that Ran should know about would be Koishi entering the hospital.
>_
-
>"Nothing much has changed with me, but Rumia has settled down with the others and is quite happy now. She's made fast friends with Yuuko."
>Or Fuuko. Just say whichever one it is.
>"Hatate is having fun taking care of Aya; just this morning she was feeding her, much to Aya's chagrin. Oh if only I had a camera; it would have made for some laughs later."
>"Byakuren has found Nue but their meeting was...unpleasant. I don't have the details but it has Byakuren in quite the bad mood even if she isn't letting it show, so we should cheer her up."
>"After talking to Satori, I've chosen to leave Koishi's eye open. Satori assures me that she can keep her from doing anything drastic again and with the way things are, letting her wander with eye closed could get her killed."
>"She's going to need to recover on her own but she will wake up eventually."
>"So that leaves me and Rin to visit Higan and deal with the Yama. Got any wagers on how long she'll spend lecturing?"
-
>"Nothing much has changed with me, but Rumia has settled down with the others and is quite happy now. She's made fast friends with Yuuko."
>Or Fuuko. Just say whichever one it is.
>"Hatate is having fun taking care of Aya; just this morning she was feeding her, much to Aya's chagrin. Oh if only I had a camera; it would have made for some laughs later."
>"Byakuren has found Nue but their meeting was...unpleasant. I don't have the details but it has Byakuren in quite the bad mood even if she isn't letting it show, so we should cheer her up."
>"After talking to Satori, I've chosen to leave Koishi's eye open. Satori assures me that she can keep her from doing anything drastic again and with the way things are, letting her wander with eye closed could get her killed."
>"She's going to need to recover on her own but she will wake up eventually."
>"So that leaves me and Rin to visit Higan and deal with the Yama. Got any wagers on how long she'll spend lecturing?"
>You confirm in your head that it was Yuuko that had taken a liking to Rumia.
>"That is good to hear, master."
>"It is wonderful to know that they, at least, seem happy."
>"I see. I suppose that that is part of why you are planning to see her later?"
>"I see. I hope that that is the correct decision."
>"I would wager that, for you master, an eternity or two should be enough time."
>Once you're finished updating Ran, Chen speaks up.
>"So does that mean we're going home?"
>_
-
>"The other part is to see if she has seen any other major tears in the border. As it is, Reimu is tampering with the border in some fashion, but the border itself is using my power to keep itself together."
>"We are going home soon, though I'll need to step out again for the rest of the day. It will be to you to look after Ran, Chen~"
-
>"The other part is to see if she has seen any other major tears in the border. As it is, Reimu is tampering with the border in some fashion, but the border itself is using my power to keep itself together."
>"We are going home soon, though I'll need to step out again for the rest of the day. It will be to you to look after Ran, Chen~"
>"The shrine maiden is tampering with the border?"
>"Yes sir, master!"
>Chen gives you a salute.
>_
-
>"So it seems. All the more I have to eventually pay her a visit."
>"First though is tracking down all the major tears at least. Who knows what's gotten stuck in them."
>Gap charge.
-
>"So it seems. All the more I have to eventually pay her a visit."
>"First though is tracking down all the major tears at least. Who knows what's gotten stuck in them."
>Gap charge.
>Ran frowns.
>"I suppose that that is our priority for the time being."
>You feel that you have enough energy to manipulate a boundary once more.
>_
-
>"But for now, Ran must rest, and we should head out!'
>Once everyone's ready, open a gap to where we believe Shou would be. If we aren't sure ask Ran and Chen.
>Keep the gap open in case Byakuren is in a spot we can reach from Eientei faster.
-
>"But for now, Ran must rest, and we should head out!'
>Once everyone's ready, open a gap to where we believe Shou would be. If we aren't sure ask Ran and Chen.
>Keep the gap open in case Byakuren is in a spot we can reach from Eientei faster.
>"As you wish, master."
>"Let's go!"
>You assume that Shou would still be somewhere around Mayohiga and so open up a gap to your home.
>You head back home with Ran and Chen, making sure to hold your gap open in case Byakuren happens to be somewhere closer to Eientei.
>At Mayohiga, you can see Shou sitting on the porch of one of the many houses with some tea.
>When she notices you with Ran and Chen she attempts to get to her feet but fails spectacularly in her haste, managing to both spill tea all over herself and tripping onto the floor.
>Ran quickly begins to make her way towards Shou.
>_
-
>We really should get a camera.
>"Are you alright there Shou?"
>Guess cats don't always land on their feet
>"Would you know where Byakuren would be about now?"
-
>We really should get a camera.
>"Are you alright there Shou?"
>Guess cats don't always land on their feet
>"Would you know where Byakuren would be about now?"
>So many opportunities missed.
>"Ahaha..."
>Shou gives a small, embarrassed laugh. Her face is rather red.
>Ran offers her hand to Shou, who takes it and gets back onto her feet.
>"Thank you. I am fine. Please excuse me."
>Shou looks rather embarrassed as she begins to walk off in a random direction.
>You wonder if you should tell Chen to take more care in the future.
>"Nazrin should be with her in there."
>Shou points to the house where most of Byakuren's crew are staying.
>_
-
>Convenient for once. Let's see how long that lasts.
>Off to Byakuren.
-
>Convenient for once. Let's see how long that lasts.
>Off to Byakuren.
>At least your luck isn't horrible all the time.
>"If you will excuse me, master, allow me to see that she truly is alright."
>Ran bows before following Shou.
>You leave Ran and Shou and head to where she said Byakuren was with Chen.
>Soon enough, you're standing outside the door to where Byakuren should be.
>_
-
>Knock Knock
>We should still be polite.
-
>Knock Knock
>We should still be polite.
>You knock on the door. You can't forget your manners, right?
>After a few moments of waiting, the door opens, revealing a smiling Byakuren.
>"Hello. It has been quite some time since we have spoken, have you been well?"
>_
-
>Damn, she really hides it well.
>"As well as ever, a few bumps here and there but that's Gensokyo for you."
>"And how have you been lately? I've lost track of thing a bit the past few days."
-
>Damn, she really hides it well.
>"As well as ever, a few bumps here and there but that's Gensokyo for you."
>"And how have you been lately? I've lost track of thing a bit the past few days."
>You wonder if you could have found out had you not known.
>"Indeed. There are all manners of complications that can arise, I hope that you have not been overly troubled."
>"I, myself, can not complain. The search for Nue has not been progressing as I had hoped, but I will save her."
>"Do you wish to come in?"
>Byakuren chuckles.
>"It is a rather strange feeling to ask a person if they wish to enter their own home."
>_
-
>Accept invitation
>"Save her? Do you believe that she has gotten caught up in trouble?"
>"During your search, have you noticed any particularly large cracks floating in midair or over a location somewhere? After my last dive into one of those gaps found the Moriya shrine gods missing a few centuries of memory, the possibility that others have gotten trapped in them has placed finding them high on my priority list."
>Wonder how long we'll have to dance around Nue to get her to tell us the story?
-
>Accept invitation
>"Save her? Do you believe that she has gotten caught up in trouble?"
>"During your search, have you noticed any particularly large cracks floating in midair or over a location somewhere? After my last dive into one of those gaps found the Moriya shrine gods missing a few centuries of memory, the possibility that others have gotten trapped in them has placed finding them high on my priority list."
>Wonder how long we'll have to dance around Nue to get her to tell us the story?
>You enter with Byakuren. Inside, you see several futons folded up and stacked up in the corner.
>Byakuren gets two cushions for yourself and Chen before taking a seat in the centre of the room.
>"Ah... Did I say that? Please pay it no mind, it is of no importance."
>"I have not noticed any, other than those that cover the skies."
>It seems like it could take a while.
>_
-
>"It might be though. The past two years haven't just changed the environment; have you heard about Rinnosuke yet?"
>Oh boy.
-
>"It might be though. The past two years haven't just changed the environment; have you heard about Rinnosuke yet?"
>Oh boy.
>"I cannot impose upon you further with personal problems. Do not worry, I shall resolve the matter myself."
>"I have heard from Shou that you claim he is not to be trusted, though I know not the reason why."
>This sucks.
>_
-
>"One of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard was that problems become far easier to handle with friends backing you. If you want any help, or simply someone to talk to I'm available."
>"Rinnosuke...I found him soon after getting loose from the border with Alice enslaved to a doll he carries on his person and used to torment her. He fed me a story about her being in debt to him, and I advised him that it would be best to be a bit nicer at least."
>"I wasn't in a position to deal with him yet, and when I visited him again to make sure he was behaving, he had used the time I was gone to pack up and flee to Reimu's mansion with Alice."
>"Beneath his shop, I found Rumia chained up in a storeroom; at the least she was chained up long enough that even with youkai recovery and medical attention, she couldn't walk for days."
>When we meet again, we're going to have much to discuss indeed. Possibly on the end of our umbrella.
-
>"One of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard was that problems become far easier to handle with friends backing you. If you want any help, or simply someone to talk to I'm available."
>"Rinnosuke...I found him soon after getting loose from the border with Alice enslaved to a doll he carries on his person and used to torment her. He fed me a story about her being in debt to him, and I advised him that it would be best to be a bit nicer at least."
>"I wasn't in a position to deal with him yet, and when I visited him again to make sure he was behaving, he had used the time I was gone to pack up and flee to Reimu's mansion with Alice."
>"Beneath his shop, I found Rumia chained up in a storeroom; at the least she was chained up long enough that even with youkai recovery and medical attention, she couldn't walk for days."
>When we meet again, we're going to have much to discuss indeed. Possibly on the end of our umbrella.
>"Perhaps... No, pay it no mind. Thank you for your kind offer."
>"That sounds horrible..."
>"Is there anything we can do?"
>Your mind considers what you could do to Rinnosuke when you come across him again.
>_
-
>"As long as Rinnosuke stays in Reimu's mansion, I can't get to him until I'm ready to deal with Reimu. Right now, I know that she's doing something to tamper with the border, and I hope that my investigations at least turn up an answer."
>"Right now, the best we can hope for is that if he wanders off and someone manages to detain him."
>"With such a drastic change in personality it had me almost considering that one of the cracks in the border managed to affect someone not caught inside, but I'd have detected it if the border was influencing him."
-
>"As long as Rinnosuke stays in Reimu's mansion, I can't get to him until I'm ready to deal with Reimu. Right now, I know that she's doing something to tamper with the border, and I hope that my investigations at least turn up an answer."
>"Right now, the best we can hope for is that if he wanders off and someone manages to detain him."
>"With such a drastic change in personality it had me almost considering that one of the cracks in the border managed to affect someone not caught inside, but I'd have detected it if the border was influencing him."
>"When you say that you will be 'ready to deal with Reimu', is that to say that you plan on confronting her? If that is the case, may I request to accompany you when the time comes? I have some business with the shrine maiden myself."
>"I see."
>"I believe that the state of the world has brought out and nurtured the uglier side of people, moreso in some than others. Of course, I know not if this is truly the case, but it is what I believe. I also believe that these people can be saved."
>_
-
>"Of course. The list of people who want to have a few words with her keeps growing; at this rate it's going to be quite the incident indeed."
>"Adversity does tend to bring out the worst in people. Still, I highly doubt that he'll survive what Alice is liable to do to him when his actions come back to haunt him."
>"But then I didn't expect Nitori to change either, even if it took brain damage to do it."
-
>"Of course. The list of people who want to have a few words with her keeps growing; at this rate it's going to be quite the incident indeed."
>"Adversity does tend to bring out the worst in people. Still, I highly doubt that he'll survive what Alice is liable to do to him when his actions come back to haunt him."
>"But then I didn't expect Nitori to change either, even if it took brain damage to do it."
>"Thank you. I take it that the shrine maiden is rather popular these days."
>"I suppose that we shall see."
>"Do you have any other business with myself?"
>_
-
>Hmm, I believe that's it.
>"Oh, I don't need your help for Eientei anymore; somehow things managed to resolve themselves to a point where its best to leave it be for now."
>On that note, we do need to fetch Rin and storm Higan.
>"With that, I should make sure that Ran is actually resting."
>Proceed with the goodbyes
>Well, at least she was reminded that she doesn't have to deal with Nue alone. From there, its up to her.
>Gap Charge
>What time is it?
-
>Hmm, I believe that's it.
>"Oh, I don't need your help for Eientei anymore; somehow things managed to resolve themselves to a point where its best to leave it be for now."
>On that note, we do need to fetch Rin and storm Higan.
>"With that, I should make sure that Ran is actually resting."
>Proceed with the goodbyes
>Well, at least she was reminded that she doesn't have to deal with Nue alone. From there, its up to her.
>Gap Charge
>What time is it?
>You don't think that you have any further matters to discuss with Byakuren.
>"I see."
>You do want to sort out whatever happened there sometime soon.
>"Take care and I hope that you remain in good health."
>You say farewell to Byakuren and take your leave.
>You do hope that that affair goes well.
>You feel rested enough to manipulate a boundary if you so desire.
>You believe that it is roughly midday.
>You are Ran Yakumo.
>It is currently getting close to midday.
>You have recently regained your right arm, and are currently chasing after Shou Toramaru in Mayohiga.
>Shou appears to be running in random directions after having tripped and spilled tea on herself.
>_
-
>Quests
>Relationships
>Catch Shou before she hurts herself
-
>Quests
>Relationships
>Catch Shou before she hurts herself
>What do you think this is? Some form of text-based adventure in which all your goals and objectives are clearly stated?
>You are Yukari Yakumo's shikigami. You draw a majority of your strength from her, and it is this strength that allows you to maintain your human form. In exchange for power, you are at Yukari's beck and call, though your duties normally don't involve much more than maintaining Yukari's works and carrying out basic chores.
>Chen is your shikigami. She draws strength from you, but your relationship is different to that between yourself and Yukari. Chen, though loyal, refuses to listen to you at times. In addition, she is rather unreliable and you tend not to have her perform many tasks for you for that reason.
>Yuyuko Saigyouji is the princess of the Netherworld and, more importantly, Yukari's friend. You do not see Yuyuko often but she knows you well enough through Yukari to call you by name, though you dare not do the same.
>Youmu Konpaku is Yuyuko's servant. The two of you have met on several occasions whilst fulfilling the whims of Yukari and Yuyuko. You suppose that you could consider yourself to be friends with Youmu.
>Byakuren Hijiri is the leader of a Buddhist faction that has recently moved into Mayohiga. Ichirin Kumoi, Minamitsu Murasa, and Nazrin are also members of this faction. You have not spoken much with these people.
>Shou Toramaru is another member of the Buddhist faction. She helped with your daily activities when you lacked one of your arms. As a result, the two of you have spent quite a lot of time together.
>Eirin Yagokoro is the doctor of Eientei, and the one that restored your arm. You know that Yukari highly dislikes her, along with the rest of the residents of Eientei.
>You continue to chase after Shou, calling out after her.
>Shou freezes when you call for her and slowly turns to face you. Even from a distance, you can see that her face is completely red.
>_
-
>
Be someone cooler, like Yuuka. Who the hell likes foxes anyways?
> Why did Shou trip and spill tea on herself?
> "Calm yourself. There's no need for this running about."
-
> Be someone cooler, like Yuuka. Who the hell likes foxes anyways?
> Why did Shou trip and spill tea on herself?
> "Calm yourself. There's no need for this running about."
>You're quite happy to be yourself. You're not entirely sure why you'd want to assume the role of someone else. Also, you feel like you should do something about these self-depreciating thoughts that invade you from time to time.
>You assume that it would be because she failed to maintain her balance whilst she was trying to get up to greet you, as well as Yukari and Chen, upon your return. You find the fact that Shou tripped to be rather odd, though. During your time with her, you hadn't seen her make a mistake.
>"It is rather difficult to do so in this situation."
>You can see Shou fidgeting a fair amount. This is quite unlike her.
>_
-
>Bah, Yukari and Chen clearly love us and our fluffy tails. We're fine the way we are.
>How did we lose our arm in the first place anyway? Even without Yukari we're pretty badass after all.
>"Are you sure that you're all right? A small accident isn't cause for so much excitement."
-
>Bah, Yukari and Chen clearly love us and our fluffy tails. We're fine the way we are.
>How did we lose our arm in the first place anyway? Even without Yukari we're pretty badass after all.
>"Are you sure that you're all right? A small accident isn't cause for so much excitement."
>You are fine! You won't let those voices in your head tell you otherwise!
>Whilst some humans were attempting to loot Mayohiga, Chen fell for one of their tricks. You managed to get Chen out of harm's way, but lost your arm in the process.
>"It's not so much excitement as it is..."
>Shou turns around to face away from you. You can hear her taking a few deep breaths before she turns to face you once more. She looks at you right in your eyes.
>"I think that you are a beautiful person."
>"From the moment I saw you, I was fascinated by you, and so I took it upon myself to look after you, though you seemed not to appreciate the sentiment."
>"During your absence, I found my thoughts straying to you. I have never felt this way before."
>"When I embarrassed myself in front of yourself so, I knew not what to do."
>"I understand that we have not spent all that much time together but..."
>"That is why I wish to spend more time with you, to find out more about you."
>"I know that you may not share these feelings and I am also aware that you have your own duties to keep, so if you wish I will pretend as though we have never had this conversation."
>"But I wish for you to know my feelings. I apologize for any inconvenience I am causing you."
>_
-
>Ah. We must remember to hunt down and dispose of such garbage when Gensokyo is restored to some order.
>WHAT
>What do we think of Shou?
>What is she talking about with the whole sentiment thing?
>No panicking.
>Has anyone ever confessed to us before?
>Have we even ever liked anyone that way?
>Do we currently like anyone that way?
>Consider the likelihood that mentally calling Yukari for help will actually help and not get us trolled.
-
>Ah. We must remember to hunt down and dispose of such garbage when Gensokyo is restored to some order.
>WHAT
>What do we think of Shou?
>What is she talking about with the whole sentiment thing?
>No panicking.
>Has anyone ever confessed to us before?
>Have we even ever liked anyone that way?
>Do we currently like anyone that way?
>Consider the likelihood that mentally calling Yukari for help will actually help and not get us trolled.
>Revenge is on your list of things to do.
>You wish you had some tea in your mouth, just so that you could spit it out.
>She is a rather helpful person. She has a strong sense of justice, which is a trait you admire. The two of you did manage to get along quite well while you were together.
>You did make your displeasure at the fact that you required help quite apparent.
>You're not going to panic. You're going to think this over rationally. Not panicking. Nope. Not at all.
>Unless you count Chen telling you that she loves you, no.
>You have not.
>You do not. Or, at least, you don't think you do. Do you have someone you like that way?
>You would, personally, rather shave your tails than ask Yukari for help with something like this.
>_
-
>"Um, well...."
>Well this is certainly out of left field.
>Right, our first time being confessed to. At least Yukari isn't around or we'd never hear the end of it
>Yukari must never hear of this
>Deep breath.
>"Despite the circumstances, we did get along fairly well and I can't say I disliked your company, but I'm not sure exactly where my feelings lie. Honestly, this is the first time anyone's ever confessed having feelings for me."
>"If you like, we can start out as friends and see where things go from there?"
>We will get through that comment without stuttering
>No blushing either.
-
>"Um, well...."
>Well this is certainly out of left field.
>Right, our first time being confessed to. At least Yukari isn't around or we'd never hear the end of it
>Yukari must never hear of this
>Deep breath.
>"Despite the circumstances, we did get along fairly well and I can't say I disliked your company, but I'm not sure exactly where my feelings lie. Honestly, this is the first time anyone's ever confessed having feelings for me."
>"If you like, we can start out as friends and see where things go from there?"
>We will get through that comment without stuttering
>No blushing either.
>Shou looks at you nervously.
>You weren't ready for this type of thing at all. And you are going to make sure that Yukari never finds out about this.
>You take a deep breath and somehow manage to speak without faltering.
>"I-I see..."
>Shou gives a rather forced laugh.
>"Do not concern yourself over it. If you are to, perhaps, reach a different answer at any time, please let me know."
>It feels rather awkward.
>You are Yukari Yakumo, and you have just left Byakuren with Chen.
>_
-
>Are our troll senses tingling?
>Make sure Ran is actually taking it easy.
-
>Are our troll senses tingling?
>Make sure Ran is actually taking it easy.
>Your common sense is tingling.
>You look around for Ran to check up on her.
>Soon enough, you find her walking with Shou. Shou's face is rather red. They're both silent.
>_
-
>Is she still embarrassed over the tea thing?
>"Are you okay Shou? You seem rather red there."
>Does she look like sick red or embarrassed red?
-
>Is she still embarrassed over the tea thing?
>"Are you okay Shou? You seem rather red there."
>Does she look like sick red or embarrassed red?
>Well, it was pretty funny.
>"I am fine, please pay no mind to myself."
>The latter.
>"Unless master has no need of me, I shall see you at a later time then."
>"Yes... Take care."
>Ran begins to walk towards you, whilst Shou beings walking back towards where you left Byakuren.
>_
-
>Well that sounded incredibly awkward.
>My, that sounded quite awkward there Ran. I hope you two didn't get into a fight while I was gone~
I am not passing up potential teasing Ran times.
-
>Well that sounded incredibly awkward.
>My, that sounded quite awkward there Ran. I hope you two didn't get into a fight while I was gone~
>You wonder what happened between the pair of them.
>Ran looks at you with a cross expression.
>It is nothing to concern yourself with, master.
>_
-
>Oh? That does sound quite interesting
>When does Ran usually get cross with us?
-
>Oh? That does sound quite interesting
>When does Ran usually get cross with us?
>Your interest only seems to be growing.
>She will snipe at you if given the opportunity, but she is hardly ever cross with you or the decisions you make.
>_
-
>This is certainly odd then; we haven't even done anything yet.
>Oh? Getting annoyed so quickly isn't like you. So something really happened.
>Let us have our mind wander. What could have happened between them to cause this? It's not like we left them alone for very long.
-
>This is certainly odd then; we haven't even done anything yet.
>Oh? Getting annoyed so quickly isn't like you. So something really happened.
>Let us have our mind wander. What could have happened between them to cause this? It's not like we left them alone for very long.
>It is rather strange.
>It is none of your concern, master.
>You consider what might have occurred between the two of them. They were on good terms before. You can't rule out the possibility of a fight, though to have one as soon as Ran returned from the hospital? Considering Shou blushing, perhaps something of the romantic nature had occurred?
>_
-
>Well let us take a shot in the dark.
>Well, fair enough.
>Break out the troll fan for this one.
>So, how did Shou's confession go then? Has my dear shikigami become spoken for?
>Watch the fireworks. Of all people, we should be able to read Ran's reactions.
-
>Well let us take a shot in the dark.
>Well, fair enough.
>Break out the troll fan for this one.
>So, how did Shou's confession go then? Has my dear shikigami become spoken for?
>Watch the fireworks. Of all people, we should be able to read Ran's reactions.
>You might as well.
>Thank you for understanding, master.
>You open up your small gap and grab your paper fan, opening it up and covering the lower half of your face with it.
>Ran freezes in her tracks. She turns rather rigidly before beginning to march off slowly in another direction.
>"Nya? Is something wrong?"
>Chen looks at the two of you curiously.
>_
-
>Heh, still got it indeed.
>"Nothing at all Chen, Ran just needs some time to think about things. Now how about you come help me prepare lunch?"
>As tempting as it is to make a lover's meal, we should leave poor Ran alone for now and leave her guessing when the next trolling is going to come.
>We have an hour or so till 1, so we can make something good.
>Make a meal out of some of Ran's and Chen's favorites.
>Use the time to teach Chen how to cook properly as well; we must never, ever see what horrors Fuuko did to that kitchen repeated in our home.
-
>Heh, still got it indeed.
>"Nothing at all Chen, Ran just needs some time to think about things. Now how about you come help me prepare lunch?"
>As tempting as it is to make a lover's meal, we should leave poor Ran alone for now and leave her guessing when the next trolling is going to come.
>We have an hour or so till 1, so we can make something good.
>Make a meal out of some of Ran's and Chen's favorites.
>Use the time to teach Chen how to cook properly as well; we must never, ever see what horrors Fuuko did to that kitchen repeated in our home.
>You chuckle mentally at Ran's behaviour.
>"Um... Okay!"
>You decide to leave Ran alone for the time being, and to make something to eat with Chen.
>You decide on making some sushi, since it can incorporate both Ran and Chen's favourite foods.
>Fortunately, making sushi is a fairly simple affair, and you manage to avoid any disasters with Chen cooking.
>After about a good half hour, you have a fairly large tray of salmon, kingfish, inari, all sorts of sushi prepared.
>The sushi that Chen made doesn't look nearly as refined as yours, but she looks rather pleased with the results nonetheless.
>_
-
>Make sure to properly praise Chen, she tried her best and it looks like it came out properly. Fine tuning will come later.
>Carry trays to our dining room
>If Ran isn't around, call her to come eat
-
>Make sure to properly praise Chen, she tried her best and it looks like it came out properly. Fine tuning will come later.
>Carry trays to our dining room
>If Ran isn't around, call her to come eat
>You give Chen praise where it's due.
>"Yay! Now let's eat!"
>You carry over the tray to your dining room. Ran however, is nowhere to be seen.
>You call for Ran, but there is no response.
>You look around a bit and find her sitting in her room. She appears to be meditating.
>_
-
>How good are the odds that Ran just didn't hear us?
-
>How good are the odds that Ran just didn't hear us?
>Unless she is completely lost in her thoughts, it is rather unlikely.
>_
-
>So she either is too lost in her thoughts to hear us or just doesn't want to be disturbed right now.
>"Ran's still thinking about her problem it seems. We'll just have to make sure that we leave her some food for later."
-
>So she either is too lost in her thoughts to hear us or just doesn't want to be disturbed right now.
>"Ran's still thinking about her problem it seems. We'll just have to make sure that we leave her some food for later."
>You decide to give Ran some time alone to think.
>"What's wrong with Ran-sama?"
>_
-
>Now how do we explain this?
>How pissed will Ran likely get if we tell Chen the truth?
>How good is Chen at keeping something secret and being subtle?
-
>Now how do we explain this?
>How pissed will Ran likely get if we tell Chen the truth?
>How good is Chen at keeping something secret and being subtle?
>You're not sure how you want to say this.
>Considering her reaction when you guessed what was on her mind, very.
>Keeping secrets from anyone that isn't Ran, very good. She tends to read like an open book to Ran though.
>Chen is not quite yet adept at being what you would call "subtle".
>_
-
>Half-truth it is then
>Wait, how good is Chen at reading between the lines? Ran would likely blame us all the same if she figures it out from what we tell her.
-
>Half-truth it is then
>Wait, how good is Chen at reading between the lines? Ran would likely blame us all the same if she figures it out from what we tell her.
>You consider telling Chen a half-truth.
>She has pretty good instincts, though she is prone to misunderstandings when it comes to relationships.
>_
-
>Then more vagueness.
>"A friend has given Ran a problem with multiple answers. The problem is really important to the friend, so Ran is doing her best to find the correct answer."
-
>Then more vagueness.
>"A friend has given Ran a problem with multiple answers. The problem is really important to the friend, so Ran is doing her best to find the correct answer."
>You decide to be vague.
>"Isn't Ran-sama smart? Wouldn't it be easy for Ran-sama to find an answer?"
>"So this doesn't have anything to do with the tiger lady?"
>_
-
>"Well Shou's the one who gave her the problem."
>"Yes, Ran's really smart, but this problem is especially hard. She's never seen it before, and it can have different right and wrong answers for different people."
-
>"Well Shou's the one who gave her the problem."
>"Yes, Ran's really smart, but this problem is especially hard. She's never seen it before, and it can have different right and wrong answers for different people."
>"So it's the tiger lady's fault."
>"Uh huh..."
>Chen looks rather sceptical.
>_
-
>"I'm sure that Ran herself can explain it better. Besides, she's likely to tire herself out if she doesn't take a break soon."
>Let Ran fend her off. Besides, she really will give herself a headache if she's really been at it for the past half hour plus.
-
>"I'm sure that Ran herself can explain it better. Besides, she's likely to tire herself out if she doesn't take a break soon."
>Let Ran fend her off. Besides, she really will give herself a headache if she's really been at it for the past half hour plus.
>"Hmm..."
>Chen continues to look sceptical.
>You decide to leave dealing with Chen to Ran, though you wonder if she would tire herself out. Ran does have rather good concentration, after all.
>_
-
>Hmm, true. Still, she should eat.
>"Don't worry about it too much; this is Ran we're talking about, she'll solve it eventually. Just make sure she eats something if she's still at it in the next few hours."
>How do Chen's sushi rolls taste?
-
>Hmm, true. Still, she should eat.
>"Don't worry about it too much; this is Ran we're talking about, she'll solve it eventually. Just make sure she eats something if she's still at it in the next few hours."
>How do Chen's sushi rolls taste?
>You do hope that she joins you eventually.
>"Okay..."
>You haven't tried one yet.
>_
-
>Try one of them
>How does it taste?
-
>Try one of them
>How does it taste?
>You decide to leave Ran for now and head back to the dining room.
>You eat some sushi with Chen.
>Though Chen's sushi doesn't look as good, the taste is rather similar to your own.
>"Nya! Tasty!"
>Chen seems to enjoying the sushi.
>_
-
>"Quite tasty, we have to leave some of these over for Ran."
>This should be a pleasant surprise for her whenever she decides to eat.
>Do make sure that we leave some sushi for Ran
>When we're done eating, wash up with Chen and get ready to roll
>"Now Chen, since Ran's busy and Shou is going to be a bit preoccupied, its up to you to keep an eye on things."
>"Do your best and make sure that Ran doesn't stress herself."
-
>"Quite tasty, we have to leave some of these over for Ran."
>This should be a pleasant surprise for her whenever she decides to eat.
>Do make sure that we leave some sushi for Ran
>When we're done eating, wash up with Chen and get ready to roll
>"Now Chen, since Ran's busy and Shou is going to be a bit preoccupied, its up to you to keep an eye on things."
>"Do your best and make sure that Ran doesn't stress herself."
>"Yup!"
>You do hope that she enjoys them. Of course, you take care to leave some so that she can enjoy them.
>Once you've had your fill of sushi, you freshen up and get ready to head out.
>"Okay!"
>"Chen will do her best!"
>Chen puffs out her chest and gives you a small salute.
>_
-
>"Ciao!"
>Gap to...Nitori's mess hall is as good a guess as any. We'll look for Rin from there.
-
>"Ciao!"
>Gap to...Nitori's mess hall is as good a guess as any. We'll look for Rin from there.
>"Good luck, master!"
>You leave Chen and open up a gap to the mess hall inside Nitori's lab.
>Once you step through the gap, you see that the mess hall is empty bar a Rin, who is sitting near a corner whilst poking at something with a fork.
>_
-
>Go convenience!
>"I bring good news from Eientei!"
>To Rin!
-
>Go convenience!
>"I bring good news from Eientei!"
>To Rin!
>Your luck is holding out! For the time being, anyway.
>"Huh?"
>You see Rin quickly turn around to see who just spoke. Upon seeing you she gives you a nod.
>"What is it?"
>You approach Rin, who is looking at you expectantly.
>_
-
>"I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance!"
Couldn't resist.
-
>"I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance!"
>"Car... insurance?"
>"What's that? More importantly, what happened to master and the young mistress?"
>_
-
Should have said boat. :)
>"Koishi will be fine. Her mind is still a bit chaotic, but Satori says that she will eventually wake up on her own."
>"Also, with Koishi's eye open, Satori is staying with her so that when she awakes she can calm her down. And it would probably help if Utsuho was around when she awoke, so the two of us are going to Higan."
>Wait, with all that's going on, we're off to Higan more or less alone. We'll have to bear the brunt of the Yama's lectures.
>Internal Big No.
-
>"Koishi will be fine. Her mind is still a bit chaotic, but Satori says that she will eventually wake up on her own."
>"Also, with Koishi's eye open, Satori is staying with her so that when she awakes she can calm her down. And it would probably help if Utsuho was around when she awoke, so the two of us are going to Higan."
>Wait, with all that's going on, we're off to Higan more or less alone. We'll have to bear the brunt of the Yama's lectures.
>Internal Big No.
>"That's good."
>Rin sighs in relief.
>"The young mistresses eye is still open?"
>"We're finally going to save Okuu?"
>Have you mentioned how little you're looking forward to meeting with the Yama? Especially facing her alone? You don't think you have.
>_
-
>"It is probably safer for her to not be in her own world right now, and Satori wants her sister back."
>How well things will work out? That's up to them really.
>"Yes, we're going to meet the Yama. I hope you're ready to be lectured for a few hours."
>If nothing else, then we fly to Higan.
-
>"It is probably safer for her to not be in her own world right now, and Satori wants her sister back."
>How well things will work out? That's up to them really.
>"Yes, we're going to meet the Yama. I hope you're ready to be lectured for a few hours."
>If nothing else, then we fly to Higan.
>"If you say so..."
>You hope that they can get things sorted.
>"Orinrin is a good girl though."
>"Okuu, I'm coming..."
>Rin quickly finishes what you assume to be the remainder of her lunch before the two of you head out towards Higan.
>You spend the next couple of hours flying towards Higan. By the time you arrive, the sun is beginning to set.
>_
-
>Does we see the same distortion thing we saw at Hakugyokuro and the mountain?
-
>Does we see the same distortion thing we saw at Hakugyokuro and the mountain?
>You look over your surroundings quickly. Sure enough, a bit away from where you are currently, you see a tear where the entrance to Higan once was.
>_
-
>Take our bag with all of our stuff out of the pocket gap.
>Take umbrella out.
>Make sure that all of our stuff is actually on hand.
>Once this is done, open the tear.
-
>Take our bag with all of our stuff out of the pocket gap.
>Take umbrella out.
>Make sure that all of our stuff is actually on hand.
>Once this is done, open the tear.
>This time, you make sure not to forget your things. You take out your bag and place your fan and spellcards within it, as well as the revolver. You also wield your parasol.
>You approach the tear with Rin, who looks at it curiously.
>You touch the tear and rip open a hole within it.
>_
-
>Has the strain of opening these tears started to lessen?
>"Well, into the hornet's nest."
>Go in with Rin
>Be ready to immediately react to an attempt on our lives.
-
>Has the strain of opening these tears started to lessen?
>"Well, into the hornet's nest."
>Go in with Rin
>Be ready to immediately react to an attempt on our lives.
>Not particularly. You suppose that you've grown accustomed to it, at the very least.
>"Wait for me, Okuu."
>Rin attempts to step through the gap, but finds that she is unable to do so.
>She places her hand upon it, it looks as though she is touching a wall. She looks at you, her hand still on the gap that you opened.
>"Aren't you supposed to be able to go through these?"
>_
-
>What.
>Do we detect anything screwy?
>Grab onto Rin with one hand and touch the gap. Does our hand go through? If so, try going through while carrying her.
>If we do detect anything screwy going on, disregard that third command.
-
>What.
>Do we detect anything screwy?
>Grab onto Rin with one hand and touch the gap. Does our hand go through? If so, try going through while carrying her.
>If we do detect anything screwy going on, disregard that third command.
>You mentally express your surprise.
>You do not.
>You wonder what you should do.
>_
-
>Really now. Have our gaps ever rejected anyone before?
>"Well now, something is clearly broken here. If I get sucked in, then just wait around here. Sooner or later I'll figure out what went screwy and return Higan to normal."
>See if we can put our hand through the gap.
>If it does suck us in, being on guard still applies.
-
>Really now. Have our gaps ever rejected anyone before?
>"Well now, something is clearly broken here. If I get sucked in, then just wait around here. Sooner or later I'll figure out what went screwy and return Higan to normal."
>See if we can put our hand through the gap.
>If it does suck us in, being on guard still applies.
>They have not.
>"Um, okay..."
>Rin steps away from the gap.
>You place your own hand on the gap and find that it passes through with ease.
>_
-
>We might be able to get around this.
>"Either the gap will only let me in until I fix things inside, or it will only let in something that I'm carrying."
>"Try holding onto me in your cat form. If it's the latter, you'll be able to pass though. If not, you'll just drop off."
-
>We might be able to get around this.
>"Either the gap will only let me in until I fix things inside, or it will only let in something that I'm carrying."
>"Try holding onto me in your cat form. If it's the latter, you'll be able to pass though. If not, you'll just drop off."
>You may have come up with something.
>"So that means...?"
>"I'll give it a try."
>You close your eyes as a flash of light radiates from Rin.
>When you open them again, you see a black and red cat with two tails which proceeds to jump onto your shoulder.
>_
-
>So we have umbrella, bag with stuff, and one hellcat.
>Let's try crossing the gap again.
>Really, stay on guard; this is even weirder than normal now
-
>So we have umbrella, bag with stuff, and one hellcat.
>Let's try crossing the gap again.
>Really, stay on guard; this is even weirder than normal now
>You quickly take inventory of your stuff before trying to step through the gap once more.
>You take a step through the gap but find that Rin is, once again, unable to enter through the gap.
>You're not entirely sure to make of this.
>_
-
>"Well it looks like it's the first one after all."
>"Give me a couple of hours and I'll have Higan back to normal. I might even get the Yama in a good mood~"
>And Reimu would stop being greedy next.
>Through the gap alone then.
-
>"Well it looks like it's the first one after all."
>"Give me a couple of hours and I'll have Higan back to normal. I might even get the Yama in a good mood~"
>And Reimu would stop being greedy next.
>Through the gap alone then.
>The cat on your shoulder paws at the gap for a few moments before jumping off your shoulder.
>The cat stretches and finds a suitably shady area before it lies there. The cat continues to watch you.
>Hey, there is the slight possibility that it could happen!
>You leave Rin and step through the gap.
>On the other side, the sky is a rather dark colour, much darker than what it would be on a normal night. There are no stars in the sky, nor can you see the moon.
>It's rather difficult to make things out, but you do believe that there is something the approximate shape and size of a small boat floating along the Sanzu.
>_
-
>No signs of anyone?
>Just to be sure, standard inability to use our gap powers in here?
>Fly to the boat; Komachi's probably snoozing in there.
-
>No signs of anyone?
>Just to be sure, standard inability to use our gap powers in here?
>Fly to the boat; Komachi's probably snoozing in there.
>Not where you are, at the very least.
>You try manipulating a boundary and find that, once again, you are unable to do so.
>You decide that you may as well fly over to the boat. There isn't much else here.
>As you approach the boat, you can hear someone snoring.
>_
-
>Get close enough to identify the person, but be careful. No telling what's gone screwy here.
-
>Get close enough to identify the person, but be careful. No telling what's gone screwy here.
>You get close enough to identify the source of the snoring.
>You see Komachi lying inside the boat, sleeping. Her scythe lies beside her, she does not appear to be aware of your presence yet.
>_
-
>Make sure we're out of reach of her scythe
>In our best Yama voice, yell out "Komachi!"
-
>Make sure we're out of reach of her scythe
>In our best Yama voice, yell out "Komachi!"
>You take care to make sure that the scythe cannot touch you.
>You call Komachi's name in the best imitation of Shikieiki's voice that you can conjure.
>The boat rocks a bit before you see the outline of Komachi sitting up and looking around. She appears to be holding her scythe.
>"Who's there?"
>_
-
>"The resident Youkai of Boundaries."
>"Just what has been going on here for the past two years?"
-
>"The resident Youkai of Boundaries."
>"Just what has been going on here for the past two years?"
>"Huh? There's someone actually there?"
>"Jeez, I don't know. Nothing, really. What has been going on?
>"All I know is that nobody's shown up here for a while. You're the first person I've talked to in a long while."
>_
-
>"That would be due to the border cracking. It sealed off this place and some others, so no one's been able to enter or leave here."
>"Right now, something is still wrong here and until it is fixed, Higan will remain like this."
>"But you said that I'm the first person you've talked to. What happened to the Yama?"
-
>"That would be due to the border cracking. It sealed off this place and some others, so no one's been able to enter or leave here."
>"Right now, something is still wrong here and until it is fixed, Higan will remain like this."
>"But you said that I'm the first person you've talked to. What happened to the Yama?"
>"So that's what happened, is it?"
>You think you hear Komachi getting into a more comfortable position in her boat.
>"And, let me guess, you're here to do something about it. Right? Took your sweet time getting here."
>You hear a yawn as Komachi stretches.
>"Eiki? Dunno. Guess she's been busy. I'm not complaining."
>_
-
>"Well I'm sorry, but I was a bit busy within the border, stopping it from breaking and destroying everything for two years. I'll try my best to follow your work ethic next time."
>"So you haven't seen her in two years? Every other time I've had to fix one of these gaps, someone got screwed up and needed someone close to them to help pull them out. You're the closest person to the Yama, so we get to see why she hasn't shown up in two years."
>Ge Komachi to go with us to the Yama's office. We need someone to buffer the ranting.
-
>"Well I'm sorry, but I was a bit busy within the border, stopping it from breaking and destroying everything for two years. I'll try my best to follow your work ethic next time."
>"So you haven't seen her in two years? Every other time I've had to fix one of these gaps, someone got screwed up and needed someone close to them to help pull them out. You're the closest person to the Yama, so we get to see why she hasn't shown up in two years."
>Ge Komachi to go with us to the Yama's office. We need someone to buffer the ranting.
>"Ouch... No need to word it like that, is there?"
>"Sounds about right. It's not like that's uncommon though. It's the lack of any new arrivals and the sky that's really weird."
>"I mean, what kind of sky is completely black like this one?"
>You would prefer to have someone else that the Yama could rant at with you.
>"Do I have to? I'll only slow you down. Or whatever the line was."
>You hear Komachi yawning again.
>_
-
>"However the Yama feels about you, she feels far worse about me. And I know you can manipulate distance to get us there in one step."
-
>"However the Yama feels about you, she feels far worse about me. And I know you can manipulate distance to get us there in one step."
>"Well, as much as I'd love to help, somebody needs to stay around the shore. After all, who knows when some poor lost soul might end up here?"
>"Yep. Got to keep watch. Never know what might happen."
>_
-
>"That's impossible, this area is sealed."
>"At this point it would likely be easier to go myself though. I'll just drag her here if she's gone crazy."
>Off to the Yama's office. Unless we don't know where it is, in which case get directions from Komachi first.
-
>"That's impossible, this area is sealed."
>"At this point it would likely be easier to go myself though. I'll just drag her here if she's gone crazy."
>Off to the Yama's office. Unless we don't know where it is, in which case get directions from Komachi first.
>"Hey, you never know."
>You think you see Komachi shrug.
>"Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Good luck with that."
>"Guess I can get you across the river, at the very least though. Not like you can get across without my help."
>_
-
>"Fair enough. By the way, have you seen a Hell Raven's soul? Named Utsuho?"
-
>"Fair enough. By the way, have you seen a Hell Raven's soul? Named Utsuho?"
>"Then all aboard?"
>"Utsuho? Think I did, matter of fact. No idea what happened to her, though."
>_
-
>All aboard
>"So she really is here at least." Now just to find her soul.
-
>All aboard
>"So she really is here at least." Now just to find her soul.
>You fly on board the Titanic.
>"Get comfortable in there, who knows how long it'll take to cross this river."
>"Well, kind of... When nothing happens for a long time, you tend to remember the things that do happen pretty well."
>"She didn't look like a proper spirit, you know?"
>"I mean, I saw her on the bank and I thought: Great, someone to talk to. But when I was about to call out to her, she kind of disappeared. It was seriously creepy."
>Komachi stands on the boat and begins to slowly propel it forwards with an oar.
>_
-
>"Some people are trying to resurrect Utsuho and have actually manage to do a good job at it. The only thing missing is her soul."
>"Though I'm not sure if what happened is a result of the attempts to revive her or due to the other weirdness going on with the border."
-
>"Some people are trying to resurrect Utsuho and have actually manage to do a good job at it. The only thing missing is her soul."
>"Though I'm not sure if what happened is a result of the attempts to revive her or due to the other weirdness going on with the border."
>"So... She's kind of in limbo or something?
>Komachi shrugs.
>"Could even be both, couldn't it?"
>Komachi continues to row.
>_
-
>"That's quite possible itself."
>"I was hoping to see if you've heard any good stories lately, but it seems that I've likely heard more than you recently."
>"Take a guess at who caused this particular incident."
-
>"That's quite possible itself."
>"I was hoping to see if you've heard any good stories lately, but it seems that I've likely heard more than you recently."
>"Take a guess at who caused this particular incident."
>"Doesn't make it any less creepy, though."
>"If you've heard more stories than what you've just told me, definitely. It's been pretty quiet here."
>"Hmm... You?"
>Komachi continues to row.
>_
-
>"The fact that you say that is clear evidence that you have no idea how much damage this has done to Gensokyo."
>"No, the culprit this time was the kappa scientist Nitori, who went full-on mad scientist until she lost her memory, discovered what she'd been doing, and was horrified. Now she's helping me fix things."
-
>"The fact that you say that is clear evidence that you have no idea how much damage this has done to Gensokyo."
>"No, the culprit this time was the kappa scientist Nitori, who went full-on mad scientist until she lost her memory, discovered what she'd been doing, and was horrified. Now she's helping me fix things."
>"All I know is that it's messed up this place pretty bad. I mean, you only need to take a look at the sky."
>"Besides, you're the only person to visit here. Aren't you the most suspicious?"
>"Is that so... Well, we're getting there. I think I can see the shore coming up."
>Komachi continues to row.
>_
-
>"I suppose so, though breaking my own border would be incredibly silly."
>"The real problem is that the shrine maiden who is supposed to be fixing things is suffering from megalomania. Thus the job falls on me for now."
-
>"I suppose so, though breaking my own border would be incredibly silly."
>"The real problem is that the shrine maiden who is supposed to be fixing things is suffering from megalomania. Thus the job falls on me for now."
>"Doesn't rule out the possibility. How am I supposed to know about any of this stuff anyway?"
>"The shrine maiden? As in the human that came here with the flower incident?"
>Komachi snorts.
>"I know I'm one to talk, but I never saw her as the reliable type."
>_
-
>"Well she always was a bit unmotivated, but what she managed to pull without me watching her for two years is a bit ridiculous."
>"She's going to get the lecture of a lifetime when the Yama eventually meets up with her."
-
>"Well she always was a bit unmotivated, but what she managed to pull without me watching her for two years is a bit ridiculous."
>"She's going to get the lecture of a lifetime when the Yama eventually meets up with her."
>"That so..."
>"Could take more than one of those lifetimes if it's as bad as you make it out to be."
>"And we're here."
>It's a bit too dark to make out properly, but you believe that you're at a small dock.
>_
-
>"Are you sure you don't want to check on your boss?"
>A meatshield is always good.
>Either way, off to the Yama.
>I don't suppose we can make our umbrella glow or something to make things a bit brighter?
-
>"Are you sure you don't want to check on your boss?"
>A meatshield is always good.
>Either way, off to the Yama.
>I don't suppose we can make our umbrella glow or something to make things a bit brighter?
>"I think I'm good."
>"Anyway, if you just get off the docks and keep walking, you'll probably end up at the court."
>"Guess I'll stick around here for a while. I'm leaving if it doesn't look like you'll be back any time soon though."
>Lectures are always better when they're not directed at you.
>You exit the boat and begin walking. After a few minutes, you think that you see the outline of a rather large building.
>If it's simply conjuring a light, that should be rather simple for you.
>_
-
>Then let there be light
>To the court.
-
>Then let there be light
>To the court.
>You create a simple orb of light. It illuminates the front of a rather large building in front of you.
>You can see a rather impressive door before you.
>You believe that this is the court.
>_
-
>Right, let's get this over with.
>Enter.
-
>Right, let's get this over with.
>Enter.
>You sooner you start this, the sooner it ends.
>You open the doors and are immediately met with a dazzling light. The interior of the building is rather bright.
>You step inside. It is rather quiet.
>You appear to be in a rather large entrance hall. There is a desk near the middle of the hall that you assume belongs to a receptionist, but there is nobody here at the time being.
>_
-
>Check the desk.
-
>Check the desk.
>You decide to check the desk.
>You approach the desk and find that there is a small pot of ink and a quill pen resting in the pot. There is also a small piece of paper stuck to the surface of the desk.
>The desk itself is rather modest, though closer inspection of the surface shows various scratches and marks that indicate a lot of use. None of these are recent
>_
-
>Nothing written on the paper?
>If not look for a door.
-
>Nothing written on the paper?
>If not look for a door.
>You examine the paper. It reads: "We are unable to service you at the present, but will be with you shortly. Thank you for your understanding."
>You look around. There are many doors within the hall. They are mainly to your front, you assume that these lead into the main court, and to your right. You're not entirely sure where those lead.
>_
-
>Sigh. One room at a time then.
>Start with the main court ones.
-
>Sigh. One room at a time then.
>Start with the main court ones.
>You give a deep sigh.
>You wonder if you'll have to do a lot of exploring.
>You decide to enter one of the doors that you assume lead into the main court.
>As soon as you open the door, you hear a voice that reverberates around the large room.
>"And who dares interrupt the court?"
>You can see Shikieiki seated in the judge's seat.
>There also appears to be another figure where you assume the defendant would be located, though you cannot make out her identity.
>The rest of the court is empty, but you can hear mumbling as if it here full.
>"Silence! Silence in my court!"
>Shikieiki raps a gavel onto a block several times.
>You hear the mumbling die down slowly.
>"So who is it that dares to interrupt this court in session?"
>_
-
>"I apolagize. I did not realize court was in session. I shall wait outside. Please speak with me as soon as you can; it is a matter of some importance."
>Exit the courtroom and wait.
-
>"I apolagize. I did not realize court was in session. I shall wait outside. Please speak with me as soon as you can; it is a matter of some importance."
>Exit the courtroom and wait.
>"Then leave immediately and make an appointment. I do not have the time to speak with everyone."
>You leave the courtroom and wait for a few minutes. Nothing changes.
>_
-
>Walk around. Try to find other entrances to the courtroom, especially the one Shiki would likely be using.
-
>Walk around. Try to find other entrances to the courtroom, especially the one Shiki would likely be using.
>The other doors leading into the courtroom from the entrance hall should lead into the other aisles.
>You walk into the door to the right, which leads to a rather large corridor.
>You walk through the corridor to where you believe the judge would enter.
>You walk to the end of the corridor and find the door that you guess would lead to where the judge would enter from.
>_
-
>Check those other doors to the right that don't go to the main court.
>Something is obviously screwy here but she spent two years in there, it's doubtful that anything is going to change while we search.
-
>Check those other doors to the right that don't go to the main court.
>Something is obviously screwy here but she spent two years in there, it's doubtful that anything is going to change while we search.
>You decide to check the other in the corridor. Most of them seem to lead to what look like offices. One of them, the one closest to the entrance, seems to lead into a stairwell.
>Nothing is bound to change while you take a look around, right?
>_
-
>Up the stairs then.
-
>Up the stairs then.
>You decide to enter the stairwell and climb a flight of stairs.
>There appear to be three exits to the stairwell, one on each floor.
>_
-
>Check the exits
-
>Check the exits
>You quickly check where the exits on the second and third corridor lead to.
>The second floor's exit leads into a corridor similar to the one on the first floor.
>The third floor's exit leads into what looks like a small library. You can see many rows of bookshelves.
>_
-
>Similar as in the corridors that led to the main courtroom?
>Was there a balcony in that courtroom?
-
>Similar as in the corridors that led to the main courtroom?
>Was there a balcony in that courtroom?
>Yes.
>There was, but not as many as the number of doors would indicate.
>_
-
>Number of doors? How many doors are there on that second floor?
>Might be best to ask Komachi if the invisible courtroom crowd is normal here
-
>Number of doors? How many doors are there on that second floor?
>Might be best to ask Komachi if the invisible courtroom crowd is normal here
>From the entrance at the stairwell, you can see five doors.
>It is rather peculiar, you wonder if you should ask someone about it.
>_
-
>Eh, go back to Komachi and ask her about the building's layout.
>That and ask her about the invisible audience and odd soul.
-
>Eh, go back to Komachi and ask her about the building's layout.
>That and ask her about the invisible audience and odd soul.
>You decide to leave the court and return to Komachi to ask her a few questions.
>"Back already? Doesn't really seem like you did much."
>"Not really much to the court. There's the main court, a couple offices, and a library in there."
>"Invisible audience? Never seen that before."
>Komachi giggles a bit.
>"But, in all seriousness, people here are usually visible."
>"No clue about that. How would I know?"
>_
-
>"So more or less, she's been in there with likely the only soul to enter Higan in two years, with an invisible audience."
>Where do we even begin here?
>Did that soul look familiar at all? Fitting Komachi's description of Utsuho's soul perhaps?
>Do we know anything about proper law procedure in a courtroom and the like?
>Ask Komachi about it anyway. We might have to play lawyer here after all.
>Also ask her how the whole judging process works.
-
>"So more or less, she's been in there with likely the only soul to enter Higan in two years, with an invisible audience."
>Where do we even begin here?
>Did that soul look familiar at all? Fitting Komachi's description of Utsuho's soul perhaps?
>Do we know anything about proper law procedure in a courtroom and the like?
>Ask Komachi about it anyway. We might have to play lawyer here after all.
>Also ask her how the whole judging process works.
>"Sounds like she's lost it, doesn't it?"
>There does seem to be a lot to fix here.
>You couldn't really make out the figure, it was rather blurry. It might match Komachi's description of Utsuho.
>You aren't entirely sure of how the system works in hell.
>"The court system? It's pretty simple, actually. The soul gets assigned to a judge, who then determines whether or not they deserve a stay in hell."
>"Usually it's pretty obvious where someone belongs, but the judges each have a mirror that they can use to look into a person if they have to."
>_
-
>"Well, you may be pleased to hear that I believe I know how to restore this place to normal. Unfortunately, doing so is going to require directly confronting Shikieiki. Not in battle, I hope, but a confrontation nonetheless. This court session is undoubtedly the incident that will need to be resolved to restore normalcy."
>"I don't suppose there's a section for visitors? You know, for people to observe? Seems unlikely here, but if there is, I may make use of it. It may be helpful to have a better understanding of the current case before I attempt to intervene."
>"I don't suppose I could ask you to come along, could I? You know Shiki well, and may be my best chance at getting through to her."
>If Komachi says something about Shiki not agreeing with her or being dissatisfied or anything like that: "I never said agreement was necessary. If past experience is any indication, Shiki has been in some way disconnected from normalcy. Her condition has been altered somehow, and in order to resolve the situation here, she must be restored to normal. If you don't want to come, I won't force you, but I do believe you would be most helpful."
-
>"Well, you may be pleased to hear that I believe I know how to restore this place to normal. Unfortunately, doing so is going to require directly confronting Shikieiki. Not in battle, I hope, but a confrontation nonetheless. This court session is undoubtedly the incident that will need to be resolved to restore normalcy."
>"I don't suppose there's a section for visitors? You know, for people to observe? Seems unlikely here, but if there is, I may make use of it. It may be helpful to have a better understanding of the current case before I attempt to intervene."
>"I don't suppose I could ask you to come along, could I? You know Shiki well, and may be my best chance at getting through to her."
>If Komachi says something about Shiki not agreeing with her or being dissatisfied or anything like that: "I never said agreement was necessary. If past experience is any indication, Shiki has been in some way disconnected from normalcy. Her condition has been altered somehow, and in order to resolve the situation here, she must be restored to normal. If you don't want to come, I won't force you, but I do believe you would be most helpful."
>"Really now...?"
>"If you're dealing with someone like Eiki, wouldn't a battle be better?"
>"Hmm..."
>"For visitors? Well, if you just take one of the normal entrances to the courtroom, there should be a whole bunch of pews you can sit at."
>"There's also better seats on the upper level balcony, though I have no idea who actually goes up there. As far as I know, they're always empty."
>"Do I really have to? I'd rather not."
>"What's so bad about the world as it is, anyway? I mean, sure, it's a bit dark out but so what?"
>"To be honest, I like this world. Nobody here to tell me what to do, I can just spend my time however I want."
>"Why don't you just go fix the rest of Gensokyo and leave this place as it is? Less work for you, less work for me, everyone wins."
>_
-
>"Fixing Gensokyo is going to require fixing all of the distorted areas. And then there's Higan's importance in the cycle of life and death. Leaving it as-is would, I expect, be a very bad idea."
>"As I said,you don't have to come. If you don't want to, then I'll just have to handle this on my own."
>Return to the courthouse.
>Enter the courtroom and take a seat in one of the pews.
-
>"Fixing Gensokyo is going to require fixing all of the distorted areas. And then there's Higan's importance in the cycle of life and death. Leaving it as-is would, I expect, be a very bad idea."
>"As I said,you don't have to come. If you don't want to, then I'll just have to handle this on my own."
>Return to the courthouse.
>Enter the courtroom and take a seat in one of the pews.
>You hear a sigh come from Komachi's direction.
>"No good, then?"
>"The more I think about it, the more I want things to stay the way they are, but alas. Have fun dealing with Eiki and fixing whatever happened to this place."
>You leave Komachi and return to the courthouse.
>Once inside, you make your way to the courtroom once more.
>As you enter, you hear a lot of chatter and mumbling around you.
>"Order! Order!"
>Shikieiki raps her gavel a few times.
>"And who is it that dares to disturb the court?"
>Shikieiki is looking in your direction.
>_
-
>Wait, did she forget about us? What the hell.
>Ah well, let's wing it.
>"I apologize for the interruption, but I was told to speak to you directly about the fate of the soul of Utsuho Reiuji."
>Screw it, let's play lawyer.
-
>Wait, did she forget about us? What the hell.
>Ah well, let's wing it.
>"I apologize for the interruption, but I was told to speak to you directly about the fate of the soul of Utsuho Reiuji."
>Screw it, let's play lawyer.
>That is rather odd.
>You decide to go with whatever you fancy for the time being.
>"I do not recall having made an appointment for such a matter. Furthermore, to intrude upon a trial for that reason alone is a grave offence."
>"Leave now, or I shall find that you are in contempt of the court."
>How would you go about doing so?
>_
-
>Exit the courtroom.
>Wait a few minutes.
>Reenter the courtroom.
-
>Exit the courtroom.
>Wait a few minutes.
>Reenter the courtroom.
>You turn to leave the courtroom.
>"Good riddance. Such a shocking display in my court..."
>You exit before Shikieiki can finish speaking.
>You wait around the reception hall for a few minutes before deciding to enter the courtroom once more.
>Once again, there is a fair amount of chatter as you enter.
>"Order! Order!"
>Shikieiki raps her gavel.
>The chatter dies down.
>"Who is it that dares to interrupt a court in session?"
>_
-
>Fire a swarm of bullets randomly throughout the courtroom. Make sure to break a few objects, such as maybe some of the pews. Then hastily exit.
>Wait a few minutes, then reenter.
-
>Fire a swarm of bullets randomly throughout the courtroom. Make sure to break a few objects, such as maybe some of the pews. Then hastily exit.
>Wait a few minutes, then reenter.
>You don't bother to give Shikieiki a response, instead you fire off danmaku in random directions.
>"What do you think you're doing?!"
>You can hear Shikieiki shouting at you whilst taking cover behind her stand.
>You can hear panicked screams and the like and you destroy a few of the pews close to you and leave several marks on the walls and the judge's bench.
>Before anyone can do anything else, however, you quickly leave the courtroom.
>You wait for a few minutes once more before entering the courtroom again.
>Once again, you hear chatter coming from the empty aisles as you enter the courtroom.
>A quick inspection shows that the damage you did to the room in your previous entry is mostly gone. Several marks still remain on the front of the judge's bench.
>"Order! Order!"
>Shikieiki raps her gavel and the chatter quickly dies down.
>"Who dares to interrupt the court in session?"
>_
-
> Stop playing chicken with the courtroom and introduce ourselves.
> Get a good look at the soul while we're at it.
-
>No, don't do that.
We're looking at some sort of perpetual... something, which may be limited to this room, although maybe not, so the next step is to find out if it is or not. If it is, then the best course of action is probably to remove Eiki from the room.
>Don't bother to introduce ourselves, but do get a good look around. Then depart again.
>Bust up the entrance hall a bit, then exit the courthouse completely.
>Reenter after a few minutes. If the damage remains, it indicates that whatever's happening in the courtroom has not affected the rest of the courthouse. If that's the case:
>Go back to the door we identified as the one Eiki would have entered through.
>Take a moment to prepare.
>QUickly dash into the courtroom, grab Eiki, and drag her out, being sure to close the door behind us once we've gotten her out.
>If the damage done to the entry hall has been undone, bust it up again, but this time stay in the hall and observe what happens.
-
> Just introduce yourselfs and look before doing that humourous Eiki hijacking then.
> See if save states have been enabled yet so we can save before jumping Eiki!
-
> See if save states have been enabled yet so we can save before jumping Eiki!
>You hear a strange voice in your head muttering about "bugs in my bloody blender" and "ants messing with the RNG". Judging by the voice, you don't think that these "save states" will be enabled any time soon.
> Stop playing chicken with the courtroom and introduce ourselves.
> Get a good look at the soul while we're at it.
>No, don't do that.
> Just introduce yourselfs and look before doing that humourous Eiki hijacking then.
>You wonder what you should do.
>In the end, you decide to give a simple introduction.
>"And do you think so highly of yourself that you can simply appear wherever you wish? You have no business here. Leave or I will be forced to find you in contempt."
>You do make sure to get a better look while Shikieiki speaks.
>You confirm that the blurry figure's appearance matches that of Utsuho Reiuji.
>You confirm that the only people within the courtroom at the present are yourself and Shikieiki, as well as the blurry Utsuho.
>You confirm that the marks you left on the judge's bench remain. Shikieiki does not appear to be aware of these marks.
>Don't bother to introduce ourselves, but do get a good look around. Then depart again.
>Bust up the entrance hall a bit, then exit the courthouse completely.
>Reenter after a few minutes. If the damage remains, it indicates that whatever's happening in the courtroom has not affected the rest of the courthouse. If that's the case:
>Go back to the door we identified as the one Eiki would have entered through.
>Take a moment to prepare.
>QUickly dash into the courtroom, grab Eiki, and drag her out, being sure to close the door behind us once we've gotten her out.
>You take your leave without further ado.
>You decide to knock over the receptionist's desk before leaving the courthouse completely.
>You wait in the darkness for a few minutes before re-entering the courthouse. You find that the receptionist's desk remains as you left it, lying on the floor.
>You give yourself a moment to prepare before throwing open the doors to the courtroom.
>You hear a few audible gasps from the aisles around you before they turn into screams and shouts.
>You make it about halfway through the aisles before you hear the sound of a gavel.
>"Order! Order! Cease and desist immediately or I will be forced to employ the use of force!"
>_
-
>Grab her and drag her through the nearest exit. If she evades our grasp, exit the courtroom and prepare to try again.
-
>Grab her and drag her through the nearest exit. If she evades our grasp, exit the courtroom and prepare to try again.
>You try to get closer to Shikieiki so that you can grab her.
>"You leave me with little choice."
>Ten rather large beams of light drop from the ceiling to form a ring around you.
>You can see a large cluster of danmaku forming on the inside of your ring.
>_
-
>Weave through the danmaku to the nearest exit we can reach safely, then exit through it.
>Once, out of the courtroom, locate the door we believe Eiki uses.
>Charge in through that door, grabbing Eiki and pulling her out before she has time to react.
-
>If that doesn't work, straight up challenge her to a danmaku battle; if she wins we leave, if we win she comes out on her own.
>We actually have all of our spell cards this time so we can rumble.
>If the whole exiting doesn't work out to begin with, use Danmaku Bounded Field on her.
-
If we do end up in a fight, I reccommend trying to knock her out of the courtroom during it, even if it takes sending her through a wall to do so.
-
>Weave through the danmaku to the nearest exit we can reach safely, then exit through it.
>Once, out of the courtroom, locate the door we believe Eiki uses.
>Charge in through that door, grabbing Eiki and pulling her out before she has time to react.
>The ring you are in is far too small to dodge in. In addition, to leave the ring, you would have to run through at least one of the large lasers.
>You need to get out of this ring first before you think about leaving the courtroom.
>If that doesn't work, straight up challenge her to a danmaku battle; if she wins we leave, if we win she comes out on her own.
>We actually have all of our spell cards this time so we can rumble.
>If the whole exiting doesn't work out to begin with, use Danmaku Bounded Field on her.
>You quickly decide to declare one of your spell cards, Danmaku Bounded Field.
>You envelop yourself in a protective ring of danmaku and watch as each of your bullets collides with Shikieiki's.
>After several waves, Shikieiki's barrage stops.
>You are still within the ring formed by the ten bars.
>You have about half of your shield from your spellcard remaining.
>"How dare you defile the sanctity of this court with this behaviour!"
>"A trial is completely unnecessary for the likes of you! You are guilty! It is obvious that hell is where you belong!"
>"If you surrender peacefully now, however, I may listen to your reasoning before casting down my final judgement."
>_
-
>"Oh, just shut up for once. You've been trying this case for two years, and I doubt you've even noticed."
-
>Let's not put it that way yet. We want her to listen
>"It's simple; you've been in here trying a case with an imaginary audience for two years. Higan's sky is distorted, there hasn't been a soul in here outside of Utsuho, and you haven't noticed anything at all because this room is tampering with your memory."
>If she denies it "Don't believe me? Just step outside the courtroom and look outside. Ask your Shinigami how many souls she's seen for the past two years."
-
>"Oh, just shut up for once. You've been trying this case for two years, and I doubt you've even noticed."
>Let's not put it that way yet. We want her to listen
>You consider how you want to
>"It's simple; you've been in here trying a case with an imaginary audience for two years. Higan's sky is distorted, there hasn't been a soul in here outside of Utsuho, and you haven't noticed anything at all because this room is tampering with your memory."
>If she denies it "Don't believe me? Just step outside the courtroom and look outside. Ask your Shinigami how many souls she's seen for the past two years."
>"Do you forget your position? Watch your tongue. It seems your insane drivel is not worth lending my ears to."
>"Guards, have this lunatic taken to a holding cell."
>The bars around you lift, and immediately you feel an invisible force dragging you towards the exit of the courtroom.
>As Shikieiki glares at you, you are thrown out of the courtroom and the doors slam shut before you.
>_
-
> Well that went about as well as expected. Can we open the doors and walk back in like nothing happened?
-
> Re-enter courtroom. Next time Shikieiki says "Order! Order!", lie, say we're the prosecutor, and that she's needed in chambers about an urgent matter.
-
>Say that, but leave out the 'prosecutor' part.
-
> Well that went about as well as expected. Can we open the doors and walk back in like nothing happened?
>You hope you can.
> Re-enter courtroom. Next time Shikieiki says "Order! Order!", lie, say we're the prosecutor, and that she's needed in chambers about an urgent matter.
>Say that, but leave out the 'prosecutor' part.
>You pick yourself up off the floor and open the door to the courtroom again.
>You hear rather loud whispers and mumbling coming from the aisles around you, which is cut short by the sound of a gavel.
>"Order! Order!"
>"Who dares to interrupt a court in session?"
>You say that Shikieiki is needed in chambers in regards to an urgent matter.
>"What situation could be so dire that you felt the need to interrupt a hearing?"
>"Furthermore, I do not recognise you... It is normally the reapers who tell me these things. You are no reaper that I know of. Who are you?"
>_
-
>And now we see where we need Komachi
>Ah well, let's try this again
>"That's the urgent matter Judge; someone has stopped the souls of the deceased from entering Higan. The reapers are trying to resolve the situation before it gets worse but your wisdom is needed and Reaper Komachi said that you can be found here."
-
>Say that, but don't call Komachi a reaper.
-
>And now we see where we need Komachi
>Ah well, let's try this again
>"That's the urgent matter Judge; someone has stopped the souls of the deceased from entering Higan. The reapers are trying to resolve the situation before it gets worse but your wisdom is needed and Reaper Komachi said that you can be found here."
>Say that, but don't call Komachi a reaper.
>You suppose that having Komachi would help your credibility here.
>Still, you might as well make the most of this moment.
>"And if none are entering Higan, and the reapers are occupied, what does that make you?"
>_
-
>"I am Yukari Yakumo. I was trying to reopen the path to Higan from outside, but unfortunately my plan didn't work out and only I was able to get through."
>Say that in a suitably respectful fashion.
>Hopefully we can get her out without needing to actually lie and risk that mirror of hers pointing that out.
-
>"I am Yukari Yakumo. I was trying to reopen the path to Higan from outside, but unfortunately my plan didn't work out and only I was able to get through."
>Say that in a suitably respectful fashion.
>Hopefully we can get her out without needing to actually lie and risk that mirror of hers pointing that out.
>"If what you say is true, then that makes you the most likely suspect."
>"What is truly unfortunately for you, however, is that I have noticed nothing of the sort and are so inclined to believe that you are simply wasting my time."
>That would be rather nice, if you could manage to pull it off.
>_
-
>"With all due respect, it would be hard to notice much of anything within a courtroom when everything is occurring outside."
-
>"With all due respect, it would be hard to notice much of anything within a courtroom when everything is occurring outside."
>"Are you attempting to mock me within my own court? Do not underestimate the extent to which my eyes and ears extend within this place."
>_
-
>Oh really? They sure aren't working right now.
>"Then what would it take to convince you?"
-
>Oh really? They sure aren't working right now.
>"Then what would it take to convince you?"
>They certainly aren't.
>"Nothing. You think that, in regards to the state of my residence, I would take the word of a complete stranger over my own knowledge?"
>"If you are done wasting my time, I will kindly ask you to leave and perhaps I shall treat this affair lightly when it comes to be your turn to be judged."
>_
-
>"Why not just check now? You can tell everything someone has done anyway; just look and see if I'm lying about Higan being currently sealed."
-
>"Why not just check now? You can tell everything someone has done anyway; just look and see if I'm lying about Higan being currently sealed."
>You see Shikieiki close her eyes and her tones changes into one that sounds much more annoyed.
>"In case you had not noticed, you are still interrupting a trial."
>_
-
>"I am only doing so because fixing what's happened is more than important enough to offset delaying a judgement. If I am lying, or I am wrong, then let that rest upon my own soul at my time of judgment."
>"Your shinigami, Komachi, should be waiting at the river. She can verify what I have told you."
-
>"I am only doing so because fixing what's happened is more than important enough to offset delaying a judgement. If I am lying, or I am wrong, then let that rest upon my own soul at my time of judgment."
>"Your shinigami, Komachi, should be waiting at the river. She can verify what I have told you."
>"Then why is she not here herself?"
>"If it were such a dire matter, I would already know about it. Now leave quietly or I shall have you forcefully evicted from this court."
>_
-
>"Why is everyone so impossibly stubborn. No wonder Komachi preferred being stuck on that river for the rest of time to coming to you for help."
>Exit and go back to Komachi.
-
>Strike that. Try this first:
>"Komachi is simply being lazy. She said she prefers Higan this way, because it means she doesn't have to work."
>"Have your mirror ready, because even with it confirming my truthfulness, you will likely find what I'm about to say difficult to believe."
>"I arrived here [INSERT HOWEVER LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE WE FIRST ENTERED THE COURTHOUSE HERE] ago. Since then, I have entered this courtroom several times."
>"I assure you that I am telling the truth. Every time, you greeted me the exact same way you did this time. The first time, I simply exited the courtroom when you told me to. Suspecting that something was wrong in here, I later reentered, only to find that you had no memory of my previous entrance. Every time I enter, you have no memory of any of my previous entrances. At one point, I even fired danmaku, damaging several objects in this courtroom, but when I entered next, no damage was done. Although there are still marks on your judge's bench. That much you can confirm right now."
>"During my most recent entrance, youand I engaged in a brief confrontation before I was thrown out of the courtroom by something I could not see. I immediately reentered, which is where we are right now."
>"I know that everything I have told you is true, both about the situation in Higan and about what I just said about whatever's going on in this room. As such, I am willing to stake my soul on it. If you investigate and find that anything I have said is not true, you may take me to my just reward right then and there."
If that doesn't work, then we'll exit and go for Komachi.
-
>"Why is everyone so impossibly stubborn. No wonder Komachi preferred being stuck on that river for the rest of time to coming to you for help."
>Exit and go back to Komachi.
>Strike that. Try this first:
>"Komachi is simply being lazy. She said she prefers Higan this way, because it means she doesn't have to work."
>"Have your mirror ready, because even with it confirming my truthfulness, you will likely find what I'm about to say difficult to believe."
>"I arrived here [INSERT HOWEVER LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE WE FIRST ENTERED THE COURTHOUSE HERE] ago. Since then, I have entered this courtroom several times."
>"I assure you that I am telling the truth. Every time, you greeted me the exact same way you did this time. The first time, I simply exited the courtroom when you told me to. Suspecting that something was wrong in here, I later reentered, only to find that you had no memory of my previous entrance. Every time I enter, you have no memory of any of my previous entrances. At one point, I even fired danmaku, damaging several objects in this courtroom, but when I entered next, no damage was done. Although there are still marks on your judge's bench. That much you can confirm right now."
>"During my most recent entrance, youand I engaged in a brief confrontation before I was thrown out of the courtroom by something I could not see. I immediately reentered, which is where we are right now."
>"I know that everything I have told you is true, both about the situation in Higan and about what I just said about whatever's going on in this room. As such, I am willing to stake my soul on it. If you investigate and find that anything I have said is not true, you may take me to my just reward right then and there."
>You wonder what to say.
>"Whilst that does sound like her, this is not the time to be discussing such matters. Leave. Immediately."
>"There will be no need for that, for you will be leaving. Now."
>"What nonsense are you spouting now? That is impossible, I would know if a raving lunatic had entered this court multiple times."
>"You have tested my patience long enough with your drivel. I shall waste not a moment more listening to your ramblings."
>"Guards, have her removed from this place immediately."
>You feel the invisible force gripping you once more and dragging you towards the exit. There is much murmuring occurring around you.
>Before you're thrown out of the courtroom once more, you hear Shikieiki saying "Now, where were we..."
>The doors slam shut before you.
>_
-
>Go back to Komachi
>Summarize our experiences.
>"Shiki's not listening to me at all, but you have far more credibility in her mind. You're coming with me, and this time, I'm not asking. Fixing Gensokyo is far more important than accommodating your laziness."
>Return to the courthouse with Komachi, dragging her if we have to.
-
>Go back to Komachi
>Summarize our experiences.
>"Shiki's not listening to me at all, but you have far more credibility in her mind. You're coming with me, and this time, I'm not asking. Fixing Gensokyo is far more important than accommodating your laziness."
>Return to the courthouse with Komachi, dragging her if we have to.
>You return to Komachi.
>How do you want to summarize your experiences with Komachi?
>"See, I think we have a problem now."
>You hear Komachi picking something up and getting up. From her silhouette, you'd guess that she picked up her scythe.
>_
-
>"Shiki's in a courtroom, and every time I enter, she has no memory of me having entered previously. Every time I try to explain what's happened, she tells me to leave, and something I can't see throws me out. The most recent time, she implied that she'd be more likely to believe what I was saying about Higan's current state if you were the one saying it. So you're coming with me."
>"Are you really going to resist returning Higan to how it should be? Is not having to work really more important to you than the proper cycle of life and death?"
>Wait. Utsuho only died a year ago, didn't she? How'd her soul get here when nobody else's has?
-
>"Shiki's in a courtroom, and every time I enter, she has no memory of me having entered previously. Every time I try to explain what's happened, she tells me to leave, and something I can't see throws me out. The most recent time, she implied that she'd be more likely to believe what I was saying about Higan's current state if you were the one saying it. So you're coming with me."
>"Are you really going to resist returning Higan to how it should be? Is not having to work really more important to you than the proper cycle of life and death?"
>Wait. Utsuho only died a year ago, didn't she? How'd her soul get here when nobody else's has?
>"So is that what's happening with her?"
>"Mmm... Yep."
>"I mean, I'm not going to stop you from trying, but actively working to fix it myself? I don't want to."
>Approximately one year and three months ago. You have no idea.
>_
-
>"Would it really take you that much effort? Can't you just shrink distance in the courtroom and force her out without having to actually move from here?"
>"Besides, sooner or later, sitting here in the river entirely alone is going to become unbearably boring. You've been here for two years already; can you see yourself staying like that for the rest of time with nothing but the river for company?"
-
>"Would it really take you that much effort? Can't you just shrink distance in the courtroom and force her out without having to actually move from here?"
>"Besides, sooner or later, sitting here in the river entirely alone is going to become unbearably boring. You've been here for two years already; can you see yourself staying like that for the rest of time with nothing but the river for company?"
>"Any effort is too much when it comes to dealing with her."
>"That's fine by me. Besides, who knows when guests might show up. You're here right now, aren't you?"
>_
-
>Blast her scythe to knock it out of her hands, then move in and get her in a hold before she can react.
>"I told you I wasn't asking."
>Carry her to the courthouse. If she tries to attack us or escape, or if we think she's manipulating distance or something to keep us from reaching the courthouse, knock her out.
>Do we know a way to magically restrain someone, or would we have to tie them up physically?
-
>Don't do that yet
>Answer the restraining question though
I really don't think that we can actually fight Komachi as we are. If anything, we might have to challenge her to a danmaku battle to get her to come, but a straight up fight?
-
>Only our gap abilities are diminished. It was stated early on that we're still just as powerful as we were before.
-
>Blast her scythe to knock it out of her hands, then move in and get her in a hold before she can react.
>"I told you I wasn't asking."
>Carry her to the courthouse. If she tries to attack us or escape, or if we think she's manipulating distance or something to keep us from reaching the courthouse, knock her out.
>Don't do that yet
>You decide to refrain from violence for the time being.
>Do we know a way to magically restrain someone, or would we have to tie them up physically?
>Answer the restraining question though
>Restrain someone weak would be simple for you. Magical beings and others that are attuned to the spiritual are much more difficult to contain through magic, however.
>Only our gap abilities are diminished. It was stated early on that we're still just as powerful as we were before.
>As long as you are using abilities that do not rely on the manipulation of boundaries, that is.
>_
-
>What exactly is the extent of our powers not relating to the manipulation of borders, such as, let us say, our innate power as a youkai? Surely we have at least something like superhuman strength or something? Furthermore, we have our umbrella! Does that have any special properties?
-
>What exactly is the extent of our powers not relating to the manipulation of borders, such as, let us say, our innate power as a youkai? Surely we have at least something like superhuman strength or something? Furthermore, we have our umbrella! Does that have any special properties?
>You still have heightened strength as a result of being a youkai.
>You also have increased regenerative powers, and are able to go for long periods without feeding. You can also go without sleep, but prefer not to.
>Your parasol is a normal parasol, bar having been strengthened somewhat to accommodate your strength.
>_
-
>How long until our next gap?
>In this realm, do we feel that we can gap someone from our current location directly into court?
>Be prepared to defend against violence.
-
>How long until our next gap?
>In this realm, do we feel that we can gap someone from our current location directly into court?
>Be prepared to defend against violence.
>You feel that you are unable to manipulate any boundaries from within this space.
>You do not.
>You get ready in case you need to defend yourself. Komachi does not appear to be in an offensive stance from what you can see.
>_
-
Doesn't seem like this is very active. Anyone mind if I give this a try?
If so, then
>Do we know what exactly made the yama leave this place during the Flower Incident?
-
>Do we know what exactly made the yama leave this place during the Flower Incident?
>You've heard that it was due to the entire incident getting rather out of hand, and as an opportunity to lecture the people that had gathered in Higan. Of course, this all occurred while no souls were reaching Shikieiki due to Komachi's sloth.
>_
-
>Do we know how she heard of the incident, or did she see it herself?
>Ask Komachi "Is there any way that a court in session can be interrupted?"
-
>Do we know how she heard of the incident, or did she see it herself?
>Ask Komachi "Is there any way that a court in session can be interrupted?"
>You do not know for certain. You assume a combination of both one of her subordinates telling her and witnessing the results herself.
>"Doubt it, nothing big enough ever happens for that."
>"So, you still going to fight me?"
>_
-
Anyone got any suggestions? I'm absolutely hopeless at any battle.
>Not sure if a battle would accomplish anything at this stage.
>"Actually, I guess not at this moment. I have a suggestion. How about I write a message to Shikieiki explaining what's out here, and you sign it as an affidavit stating that it is true? That wouldn't involve you doing much."
>"Or, you just go to sleep or whatever, and I carry you into the courtroom just to see Shikieiki's reaction, then bring you out again. That would involve little effort from you, wouldn't it?"
-
>Not sure if a battle would accomplish anything at this stage.
>"Actually, I guess not at this moment. I have a suggestion. How about I write a message to Shikieiki explaining what's out here, and you sign it as an affidavit stating that it is true? That wouldn't involve you doing much."
>"Or, you just go to sleep or whatever, and I carry you into the courtroom just to see Shikieiki's reaction, then bring you out again. That would involve little effort from you, wouldn't it?"
>You do wonder what the benefits of a confrontation with Komachi would be.
>"Good. That would have been pretty annoying."
>You see Komachi take a more relaxed pose.
>"Well... I guess I could do that. Don't have anything to write on with me though."
>"That would make for some pretty uncomfortable sleep, though."
>_
-
>Do we have anything to write with? If not, was there anything inside the courthouse?
-
>Do we have anything to write with? If not, was there anything inside the courthouse?
>You do not.
>You're not sure. Perhaps the library or offices could be a good place to check for some.
>_
-
>"Neither do I. Let me go see if I can find something."
>Check those places, and look for paper, too.
-
>"Neither do I. Let me go see if I can find something."
>Check those places, and look for paper, too.
>"Whatever. Still don't see why you're in such a hurry."
>You leave Komachi and head back inside the court.
>Where do you want to search first?
>_
-
>Whereever's closest.
-
>Whereever's closest.
>You decide to walk into the closest office on the ground floor.
>Inside, you find several bookshelves lining the walls, as well as a desk sitting near the centre of the room.
>_
-
>Check the desk for writing materials.
-
>Check the desk for writing materials.
>You walk up to the desk and search it for anything to write with.
>There is some stationary on top of the desk.
>Inside one of the desk's drawers, you find several notebooks.
>_
-
Finally back
>Get some writing utensils and a notebook, then back to Komachi.
-
>Actually, grab some stationary instead. That'd probably look better than a notebook.
-
>Get some writing utensils and a notebook, then back to Komachi.
>Actually, grab some stationary instead. That'd probably look better than a notebook.
>The stationary mainly consists of various writing utensils, paper clips, and the like.
>You grab a notebook and some tools to write with before taking your leave and returning once more to Komachi.
>"Busy, aren't you?"
>_
-
>"Given the current situation, of course I'm busy."
-
>"Given the current situation, of course I'm busy."
>"Well? I assume you want something this time, too."
>_
-
>That... may not be good.
>"I already told you what I want. I'm going to write up a description of what's been happening, and you were going to sign it."
-
>That... may not be good.
>"I already told you what I want. I'm going to write up a description of what's been happening, and you were going to sign it."
>You feel somewhat worried right now.
>"That again? Neither of us have anything to write on."
>_
-
>Ah, so it was just more beligerence. She had us worried for a moment.
>Present the materials.
>"Well, it just so happens that I've been fixing that little problem."
-
>Ah, so it was just more beligerence. She had us worried for a moment.
>Present the materials.
>"Well, it just so happens that I've been fixing that little problem."
>You're rather relieved. It was much better than what was running through your mind.
>You show Komachi the things you've found.
>Komachi leans towards you to get a better look.
>"You're really annoying, you know that? So, you going to write anything for me to sign, or what?"
>_
-
>Write down a summary of Higan's current condition, but leave out the part about the courtroom time-looping or whatever it is that's going on in there. Once done, give it to Komachi to sign.
-
>Write down a summary of Higan's current condition, but leave out the part about the courtroom time-looping or whatever it is that's going on in there. Once done, give it to Komachi to sign.
>How do you want to word this?
>_
-
I'm not good at legal talk. Can we just put the message and assume Yukari knows enough to write it properly?
-
I dunno, but how about this:
I am Yukari Yakumo, the Youkai of Boundaries. As such, it is my duty to oversee the Great Boundary of Gensokyo. I was recently trapped for two years within the boundary, and finally exited to discover that great damage was dealt to it, courtesy of a Kappa. As such, I have been doing everything in my power to correct the damaged boundary, which has manifested in the form of rifts. I have so far corrected the rifts at Hakugyokurou, and at the Moriya Shrine. However, there remains a rift which has apparently caused the Sanzu River and Muenzuka to be inaccessible from Gensokyo, both to youkai and souls, with me being the only exception. I have reason to believe that your intervention will be necessary to resolve this crisis, and would like to discuss a possible solution. As this event has severe effects on the cycle of life and death, I hope that it would not be too presumptuous of me to assume that this crisis would take precedence over the trial currently in progress. Furthermore, once the crisis is resolved, I wish to discuss the fate of the soul which is currently under trial, which I believe is that of the hell crow Utsuho Reiuji. I desperately hope for your cooperation in this matter.
Signed,
Yukari Yakumo, (current date)
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the above account is true to the best of my knowledge.
(Komachi signs here)
If anyone has any suggestions for changes, feel free to make them. Otherwise, one of you can go ahead and ener it.
-
>Write that, but without the part about Utsuho.
No need to mention Utsuho yet. Right now, we need to convince Shiki that we're not lying. We shouldn't complicate matters by bringing Utsuho up just yet; that can wait until Higan's been restored.
-
>Write that, but without the part about Utsuho.
>You think for a moment before writing the following:
I am Yukari Yakumo, the Youkai of Boundaries. As such, it is my duty to oversee the Great Boundary of Gensokyo. I was recently trapped for two years within the boundary, and finally exited to discover that great damage was dealt to it, courtesy of a Kappa. As such, I have been doing everything in my power to correct the damaged boundary, which has manifested in the form of rifts. I have so far corrected the rifts at Hakugyokurou, and at the Moriya Shrine. However, there remains a rift which has apparently caused the Sanzu River and Muenzuka to be inaccessible from Gensokyo, both to youkai and souls, with me being the only exception. I have reason to believe that your intervention will be necessary to resolve this crisis, and would like to discuss a possible solution. As this event has severe effects on the cycle of life and death, I hope that it would not be too presumptuous of me to assume that this crisis would take precedence over the trial currently in progress. I desperately hope for your cooperation in this matter.
Signed,
Yukari Yakumo, (current date)
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the above account is true to the best of my knowledge.
(Komachi signs here)
>"You've got pretty good eyes to be able to write something in this darkness."
>_
-
>Hand it and the pen to Komachi.
>"Sign, please."
-
>Hand it and the pen to Komachi.
>"Sign, please."
>You hold out the statement and pen to Komachi, who takes only the statement from you.
>"It really is too dark to read anything like this. Still wondering how you managed to write anything."
>"You got a light?"
>_
-
>We should be able to make a small light. For one of our power, that ought to be a simple task. So do that.
-
>We should be able to make a small light. For one of our power, that ought to be a simple task. So do that.
>Indeed, that is a simple task. You conjure a small light for Komachi.
>"Much better. Now let's see here..."
>You can see Komachi reading the contents of the statement.
>"Well, I guess this much is true according to what you've been saying."
>"I don't get why you need this, but whatever."
>You see Komachi take out a rather ornate black feather, with which she appends her signature to your statement.
>Komachi then holds out the statement to you again.
>_
-
>Take it.
>"Thank you. Hopefully, I won't require any further aid."
>Reenter the courthouse.
-
>Take it.
>"Thank you. Hopefully, I won't require any further aid."
>Reenter the courthouse.
>You take your statement back from Komachi.
>"You better not. It's been enough of a bother as is."
>You leave Komachi and head back inside the courthouse.
>_
-
>Enter the courtroom.
-
>Enter the courtroom.
>You enter the courtroom once more.
>From the aisles to your side there is chatter once more, which is soon silenced by the sound of a gavel.
>"Order! Order!"
>You see Shikieiki glare at you.
>"Who is it that dares disturb my court?"
>_
-
>"My name is Yukari Yakumo, and I am here because of a most urgent manner."
>Present the written statement.
>"This statement summarizes the situation, and to attest to its veracity, Komachi Onozuka has signed it as a witness."
-
>"My name is Yukari Yakumo, and I am here because of a most urgent manner."
>Present the written statement.
>"This statement summarizes the situation, and to attest to its veracity, Komachi Onozuka has signed it as a witness."
>"Understand that we are in the middle of a court session here. I do not care how urgent your business is, your rudeness will not be tolerated. Are you claiming your business to be of more importance than what happens to this soul?"
>You pull out your statement.
>"My reaper? Hmph! Very well, may the weight of this judgement rest upon your shoulders."
>"On the count of assault with a weapon, I find the defendant to be guilty."
>"On the count of aggravated assault, I find the defendant to be guilty."
>"On the count of arson, I find the defendant to be guilty."
>"On the count of attempted murder, I find the defendant to be guilty."
>"On the count of recklessness, I find the defendant to be guilty."
>"The defendant is, without a doubt, a irredeemable soul. She shall spend an eternity in hell. This trial is concluded."
>Shikieiki raps her gavel several times.
>You can hear muttering break out throughout the courtroom, as well as the shuffling of feet towards the exits.
>The blurry figure is also moving towards an exit, one near the back of the court.
>You see Shikieiki give a small sigh before getting off her stand and walking towards you.
>After a few moments pass, you find Shikieiki standing in front of you.
>"So, let me see this so-called urgent statement of yours."
>_
-
>Damn. Hopefully this doesn't make it much harder to get Okuu's soul back. Althoughif we have to, we can probably just gap it out of hell once we've fixed things here and can gap again.
>Hand Eiki the statement.
-
>She wasn't referring to us when she said that the weight of the judgement rests on 'your' shoulders, was she?
-
>She'd better not, it's not our fault that she's too dogmatic to just suspend the trial temporarily.
-
>Damn. Hopefully this doesn't make it much harder to get Okuu's soul back. Althoughif we have to, we can probably just gap it out of hell once we've fixed things here and can gap again.
>Hand Eiki the statement.
>Hopefully.
>You hand over your written statement to Shikieiki, who begins to read through it quickly.
>"If the problem is with the border, then that is your domain, not mine. Not to mention that you already seem to know what you are doing if you have fixed similar problems elsewhere. I do not quite understand how you expect me to be of help. "
>She wasn't referring to us when she said that the weight of the judgement rests on 'your' shoulders, was she?
>She'd better not, it's not our fault that she's too dogmatic to just suspend the trial temporarily.
>You assume that she was. Though you do find that to be rather unjust.
>_
-
>"Every single rift required the assistance of the residents within to be fixed. The cause of the damage seems to tie itself to those within and objects and places that hold significance for them."
>"Right now, I can tell that it at least involves this courtroom. If I am correct, leaving here should start to undo the rift. At worst, you are liable to notice the things around Higan that aren't as they should be."
> Actually, considering the pattern that's 50-50, but eh. She needs to leave the courtroom.
-
> Hold on a minute. Do we think we can get a soul out of hell once it's been sentenced?
> "..Wait, how can you just decide someone is guilty without a fair trial?"
-
>"Every single rift required the assistance of the residents within to be fixed. The cause of the damage seems to tie itself to those within and objects and places that hold significance for them."
>"Right now, I can tell that it at least involves this courtroom. If I am correct, leaving here should start to undo the rift. At worst, you are liable to notice the things around Higan that aren't as they should be."
> Actually, considering the pattern that's 50-50, but eh. She needs to leave the courtroom.
>"I see. And how do you propose that I help?"
>"So you simply wish for me to leave this room?"
>That's got to be a start, right?
> Hold on a minute. Do we think we can get a soul out of hell once it's been sentenced?
> "..Wait, how can you just decide someone is guilty without a fair trial?"
>Unless you can get someone to reverse the judgement, it would be rather difficult.
>"Without a fair trial? You are quite mistaken. I had already heard enough to make my decision, and said decision is final."
>_
-
>"So you simply wish for me to leave this room?"
> "Yes."
> Remind self why we wanted to rescue Utsuho.
-
> "If that were true you wouldn't hold me accountable for the sentence. If the judgement is on my shoulders then I appeal. I know that soul to be kind, hardly irredeemable at all."
-
> "Yes."
> Remind self why we wanted to rescue Utsuho.
>"That is simple enough. Do you mind if I return to my office, then?"
>You wished to reclaim Utsuho's soul so that Nitori could resurrect her.
> "If that were true you wouldn't hold me accountable for the sentence. If the judgement is on my shoulders then I appeal. I know that soul to be kind, hardly irredeemable at all."
>"Unfortunately, there is paperwork that must be processed before any appeal can be lodged."
>"So if that is all, then I shall take my leave to process this case."
>_
-
> "...But you haven't processed the case yet. She's still here. I am asking you to suspend your judgement. It's not time for this soul to pass. Sentencing her now would be a mistake."
-
> "...But you haven't processed the case yet. She's still here. I am asking you to suspend your judgement. It's not time for this soul to pass. Sentencing her now would be a mistake."
>"It matters not, the decision has been made. All that is left is to record it as such."
>"You felt it necessary to interrupt the trial so that you could have me leave this room, did you not? How much longer do you intend to hold me?"
>_
-
:s I'm at a loss what to do. I'm pretty sure if we just leave things as they are we lose Okuu's soul.
> Load save.
-
> Load save.
>You wonder what you should do. As you ponder, strange visions of the past begin to enter your mind. You see images of key points of your journey. In fact, you feel as though you could reach out and simply dive into one of the images. You don't really know where, or rather when, you would travel to and so you decide to stay in the present. As you make this decision, the images fade away. You get the distinct feeling that this will never happen again.
>_
-
I'm not sure what to do, either. Maybe we should hope that Shikieiki becomes a little more tractable once the border is fixed?
Suggest asking this:
"Just a couple of quick questions. How long will the paperwork take to process, and is there any way I can familiarise myself with the appeals process?"
Maybe we can go about this through the system again, given Shikieiki's penchant for sticking to the rules, or do you all think we'd be better off trying to persuade Shikieiki to change her mind? Given how convinced she is of the accuracy of her judgment, the latter might be pretty difficult.
-
>Could we gap a soul out of Hell in our current state (after fixing Higan so we can gap at all, of course)? If not, could we do it when at full power?
>"I fully intend to file an appeal, but your are correct that my business here should be handled first."
>Exit the courtroom with Shiki.
-
> Don't leave yet.
> "Actually, can I file this appeal with you now then? You're going to be in your office anyways."
-
>Leave the room with her. We can't file for an appeal in here anyway and she just might become marginally more reasonable if the courtroom stops screwing with her.
>Do ask about the whole appeal process though, and make sure that she leaves first in case the memory wipe thing occurs when we leave.
-
*Agrees with Darkoda*
-
>Could we gap a soul out of Hell in our current state (after fixing Higan so we can gap at all, of course)? If not, could we do it when at full power?
>In your current state, you doubt that you could. If at full power, you could, but you wonder if you would be able to endure the conditions of hell long enough to carry out whatever it is that you want to.
>"I fully intend to file an appeal, but your are correct that my business here should be handled first."
>Exit the courtroom with Shiki.
> Don't leave yet.
> "Actually, can I file this appeal with you now then? You're going to be in your office anyways."
>You decide not to leave the courtroom quite yet.
>"If you must, but understand that I will not be able to process it for quite some time."
>Leave the room with her. We can't file for an appeal in here anyway and she just might become marginally more reasonable if the courtroom stops screwing with her.
>Do ask about the whole appeal process though, and make sure that she leaves first in case the memory wipe thing occurs when we leave.
>You leave the courtroom with Shikieiki, who looks around the reception hall as soon as she enters it.
>"Where is everyone?"
>"One lodges an appeal. If there is no good reason for there to be an appeal, then it shall be ignored. If the appeal is not rejected, then a different judge will review the case and determine whether or not a new trial is required. Understand that appeals are rarely accepted, and a successful appeal is rarer still."
>_
-
>Oh boy. Did Utsuho do all those charges that Shikieki listed off?
>Would Rin be able to handle it, being used to the Hell of Blazing Fires and all?
>"The only ones here were you, Komachi and Utsuho's soul - and I'm not sure how she got here either. Well outside of that invisible audience in your courtroom."
>Are things fixed yet? If not ask her if she knows anything about the distorted sky.
>Also ask her if she's aware that she was in that courtroom with Utsuho for *insert how long its been since she died*.
-
>And follow the Utsuho information with: "That is one of the reasons I believe settling her case as you did was an error; the circumstances of the trial are highly unusual."
-
>Oh boy. Did Utsuho do all those charges that Shikieki listed off?
>Would Rin be able to handle it, being used to the Hell of Blazing Fires and all?
>"The only ones here were you, Komachi and Utsuho's soul - and I'm not sure how she got here either. Well outside of that invisible audience in your courtroom."
>Are things fixed yet? If not ask her if she knows anything about the distorted sky.
>Also ask her if she's aware that she was in that courtroom with Utsuho for *insert how long its been since she died*.
>You don't know.
>You have no idea.
>"Invisible audience?"
>"Distorted sky?"
>Shikieiki walks over to the entrance of the courthouse and opens the main doors.
>"Strange, it is never night here."
>In the sky, you can see stars and the moon. It is rather different to the complete darkness that was there before.
>"You must be quite mistaken. There is no way that I would have that much time to spend on a single case."
>And follow the Utsuho information with: "That is one of the reasons I believe settling her case as you did was an error; the circumstances of the trial are highly unusual."
>"That is of no importance. She is guilty of various crimes and must be punished appropriately."
>_
-
>"And what about the fact that she's the only soul to enter Higan in the last two years? Does that not make you think this is an unusual case? Because what it tells me is that she might be important to restoring Higan. If we can find out why she could enter when no other soul seems able to, we may be able to make use of that information."
-
>"And what about the fact that she's the only soul to enter Higan in the last two years? Does that not make you think this is an unusual case? Because what it tells me is that she might be important to restoring Higan. If we can find out why she could enter when no other soul seems able to, we may be able to make use of that information."
>"That cannot possibly be correct. And even if that were the case, it does not change the fact that she has had her trial and that the verdict has been announced."
>"As for figuring out why, would that not be your responsibility? I have already done what you have asked of me."
>"Now, regardless of the oddities, I must still attend to my duties."
>"If you do not mind, I shall take my leave then."
>Shikieiki begins to walk in the direction of the offices.
>_
-
>"Your duties do not include keeping Higan as it should be? And even if they don't, with Higan as it is now, you cannot judge souls, because they cannot reach Higan. And if one does, you'll likely get stuck in another loop as soon as you enter the courtroom again. You cannot do your duty with Higan as it is, and I cannot restore Higan without your help."
>If she still objects: "Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, your actions are in direct contridiction of your duties, and you show no signs of realizing this. If you have strayed this far from the responsibilities of your position, then I have no choice but to go before the other judges and argue for your removal from the position of Yama."
-
>Hold off on the second bit.
>Can we detect any differences between Shikieiki's behaviour now and the last times we encountered her/what we know of her?
Is the second part a bluff or do we have anything planned? I'm not sure this would be too good to do, given that it is pretty antagonistic. Do you think we could try convincing her that a lot of time has passed by comparing dates? Or maybe we can bargain with her by letting her file the paperwork, but not without extracting a promise to come out and help us after that. We'd better check how long the paperwork would take. Given how little we know about Higan's structure compared to the other two scenarios, I'm not sure how much we can assume.
About getting Utsuho back, we might be able to make a bit more progress once the border is fixed and we can get help from Orin and Satori. At least we'd have backup if it came to a showdown.
-
Shiki's pretty clearly being deliberately unhelpful (the line about having done what we'd asked being the strongest indicator, since it's pretty damn obvious that we wanted more than just her leaving the courtroom), and I would suspect that the apparent lack of concern for Higan's state that she's showing runs contradictory to the duties of a Yama. Given all of that, my intent was basically to deliver a verbal wake-up slap, try to provoke some sort of response, the response we get likely telling us a good deal about the normality or abnormality of her current mental state. And given that Yuyuko, Kanako, and Suwako were all mentallly affected somehow (Yuyuko by posession and the other two through memory alteration) it's fairly safe to bet that Shiki isn't exactly herself at the moment. My intent is to take measure of Shiki's current state through deliberate provocation, then reenter the courtroom, which seems to be the center of Higan's abnormal state. If you all want to skip the provocation part, though, then whatever. We can go straight back into the courtroom and look for clues as to just what the hell is going on.
-
I vote for holding off on challenging the Yama right now. Something is off here, but every time the cause was really something else; with Yuyuko it was that tree. With Suwako simply pointing out to Kanako the oddity of the world snapped her out of it. We know that Komachi is effectively useless since she's too lazy to do anything that needs effort, and that courtroom kept messing with her on top of that invisible audience. We should investigate that first at least; we can always confront her whenever after all.
But we should make her aware a bit more how badly she was messed up.
>"Your courtroom at least had some sort of stable time loop; everytime I left, you were right back where I'd left you before and it was filled with an invisible audience and guards. From what I gathered from Komachi, you've been in there since Utsuho's soul arrived. From your words, I take it that the invisible beings were not normal?"
>Do we have any idea where the door Utsuho got carted through leads? If not, that would be as good a place as any to explore as a place we haven't been yet.
-
>"Your duties do not include keeping Higan as it should be? And even if they don't, with Higan as it is now, you cannot judge souls, because they cannot reach Higan. And if one does, you'll likely get stuck in another loop as soon as you enter the courtroom again. You cannot do your duty with Higan as it is, and I cannot restore Higan without your help.""
>"I fail to see the relevance of that statement. Of course it is, but I know not what to do. You have asked me to leave the courtroom, and I have done so. You have not specified anything else that is required of me."
>"You claim to have experience in fixing whatever has occurred here, and so I am expecting you to fix it."
>"And it matters not what circumstances surround myself, if there is work to be done, then that work must be done."
>"I know not what you speak of. What do you mean by 'stuck in another loop'."
>If she still objects: "Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, your actions are in direct contridiction of your duties, and you show no signs of realizing this. If you have strayed this far from the responsibilities of your position, then I have no choice but to go before the other judges and argue for your removal from the position of Yama."
>Hold off on the second bit.
>Can we detect any differences between Shikieiki's behaviour now and the last times we encountered her/what we know of her?
>You decide to refrain from directly confronting her.
>You aren't sure, you don't know her well enough to judge whether or not she is being different to what you know of her. She, at least, doesn't seem to be too different to what you've heard.
>"Your courtroom at least had some sort of stable time loop; everytime I left, you were right back where I'd left you before and it was filled with an invisible audience and guards. From what I gathered from Komachi, you've been in there since Utsuho's soul arrived. From your words, I take it that the invisible beings were not normal?"
>Do we have any idea where the door Utsuho got carted through leads? If not, that would be as good a place as any to explore as a place we haven't been yet.
>"Nothing should be hidden in this place. This is a place where the truth is revealed."
>"Strange, whilst in the courtroom, I could see everyone else. And from what you are saying, it seems as though Komachi has been unaffected by whatever events have transpired here."
>You do not know. It could be somewhere to start.
>_
-
Okay, based on what she said, seems like she is more or less as stumped as we are, but it's also clear that she doesn't quite realise the problem besides the lack of staff and the sky. The fact that she could see the court audience and realise the time could be things we could point out. Seems like we have two options. First, confront her now, and prove the inconsistencies in her account. Second, we could let her go after convincing her to help once we've figured out something. In this case, it might be worthwhile to see if there is something in Hell that is making the situation worse, like the Saigyou Ayakashi in Hakugyokurou.
>"If you are not convinced of the fact that no soul has entered for two years, you may check with Komachi. Anyways, I think she might need a lecture, given how reticent she was towards doing work of any kind."
>"About the audience and guards in the court, could you still perceive them once you had exited the courtroom? If not, I do think you must agree that something is wrong."
>"Furthermore, what was the date and time that your trial of Utsuho Reiuji began? What time and date do you believe it is?"
>Compare this with the current date as we know it.
>"Forgive me for this delay, but convincing the entities within each affected area of each rift was at least partly responsible for my being able to solve the problem"
>"Given that it is your responsibility to watch over Higan, may I at least count on your further assistance once I have gotten a proper idea of any further action to take?"
Okay guys, if anyone has any objections to these entries, go ahead and voice them.
-
No objections.
-
>"If you are not convinced of the fact that no soul has entered for two years, you may check with Komachi. Anyways, I think she might need a lecture, given how reticent she was towards doing work of any kind."
>"About the audience and guards in the court, could you still perceive them once you had exited the courtroom? If not, I do think you must agree that something is wrong."
>"Furthermore, what was the date and time that your trial of Utsuho Reiuji began? What time and date do you believe it is?"
>Compare this with the current date as we know it.
>"Forgive me for this delay, but convincing the entities within each affected area of each rift was at least partly responsible for my being able to solve the problem"
>"Given that it is your responsibility to watch over Higan, may I at least count on your further assistance once I have gotten a proper idea of any further action to take?"
>"I am inclined to believe you at this point, though how such an event could occur is beyond myself. It pains me to think of how much work would have built up during this time."
>"Perhaps, where is Komachi at the present?"
>"No, I could not, which is indeed strange."
>"As far as I am concerned, the previous trial began approximately half an hour ago. Of course, if what you are saying is true, then my perception of time would be inaccurate."
>Shikieiki gives you a date one year and three months into the past.
>"Though I still do not know how I would help, if it is within my power I shall do what I can."
>"For now though, I still need to process the latest case."
>_
-
>"Komachi should still be at the bank of the Sanzu River. Try not to be too harsh on her, since it was due to her help that I finally got you to hear me out."
>One year and three months? Weren't we still trapped in the boundary then? How did Utsuho get through in that case?
>"The time you started the trial was one year and three months before I entered Higan. As you say, your sense of time, or the rate at which time flowed within the courtroom, would be inaccurate."
>"How long would you take to process the case?"
>Take a piece of paper from the notebook and the pen.
>"Before you leave, I would like you to write a quick note to yourself and sign it, in order to avoid a repeat of the previous situation."
>"Whenever I entered the courtroom, you would have forgotten who I was and what I had said to you previously. I hope that a note from yourself would help smooth things over more expediently in such a case."
>"I will be able to find you in one of the offices, I take it?"
Okay guys, I really hope I'm not hijacking this or anything. I'm planning on letting Shikieiki go do her stuff, and take a look inside that door Utsuho went through. It might be worthwile talking to her, given that she was the only one who made it through to Higan while the barrier was still busted. Please, if any of you want to do anything with Shikieiki, go right ahead.
-
>"Komachi should still be at the bank of the Sanzu River. Try not to be too harsh on her, since it was due to her help that I finally got you to hear me out."
>One year and three months? Weren't we still trapped in the boundary then? How did Utsuho get through in that case?
>"The time you started the trial was one year and three months before I entered Higan. As you say, your sense of time, or the rate at which time flowed within the courtroom, would be inaccurate."
>"How long would you take to process the case?"
>Take a piece of paper from the notebook and the pen.
>"Before you leave, I would like you to write a quick note to yourself and sign it, in order to avoid a repeat of the previous situation."
>"Whenever I entered the courtroom, you would have forgotten who I was and what I had said to you previously. I hope that a note from yourself would help smooth things over more expediently in such a case."
>"I will be able to find you in one of the offices, I take it?"
>"I see. I shall see to her once I am done with this case."
>You were indeed still trapped then. You have no idea.
>"And Komachi was aware of this?"
>Shikieiki frowns.
>"An hour at most. It is but simple paperwork."
>"I suppose that sounds sensible enough."
>You watch as Shikieiki writes a quick memo to herself detailing what you have told her.
>"I see..."
>"My office is where I will usually be, yes."
>_
-
I agree. Besides, if we find Utsuho and toss her out of Higan, we don't need to go through Shikeki now, do we? Actually, she might very well be part of the problem here since she really shouldn't have been able to enter.
>"Then I'm off to investigate further. Hopefully it shouldn't be long before things return to some level of normal."
>If that's it, to the door that Utsuho went through.
-
>"Then I'm off to investigate further. Hopefully it shouldn't be long before things return to some level of normal."
>If that's it, to the door that Utsuho went through.
>"Very well then, best of luck."
>The two of you take your separate paths, Shikieiki towards the corridor to the right side of the reception hall and you back into the courtroom.
>The courtroom is now silent.
>You head over to the door that you saw the blurry figure go towards. There are several locks on the door.
>_
-
>Can we pick the lock? If not can we break the lock with our umbrella?
-
>Can we pick the lock? If not can we break the lock with our umbrella?
>Picking the locks would likely be beyond your abilities.
>Provided that there are no enchantments on the locks, breaking them would be simple.
>_
-
>Then try breaking them.
-
>Then try breaking them.
>You try kicking down the door to find that trying such a feat is much like kicking down a rather solid wall.
>You try poking at a few of the locks with your parasol to find that you are having very little effect on them.
>_
-
>Do so minor damage in the room. Scratch up a few pews or something.
>Exit and reenter the room; is the damage still there?
-
>Do so minor damage in the room. Scratch up a few pews or something.
>Exit and reenter the room; is the damage still there?
>You decide to knock over one of the pews in the aisles before leaving the courtroom.
>When you reenter, you notice that the pew remains as you left it.
>_
-
>Right it.
>Make our way to Shiki's office and knock.
-
>Right it.
>Make our way to Shiki's office and knock.
>You right the pew in the aisle before you leave the courtroom once more.
>You make your way to the offices and search for a bit until you find the one that you assume belongs to Shikieiki on the second floor.
>You knock on the door.
>"One moment."
>After a few moments, Shikieiki opens the door.
>"Yes?"
>_
-
>Close the door, then open it again.
>If Shiki questions why we just closed and opened the door: "Just making sure you're not stuck in another time loop."
>"The door in the courtroom through which Utsuho exited is locked. It's likely that what I'm looking for is through there, as I have not found any trace of it anywhere else, so I would like to request permission to enter that area for my investigation."
-
>Close the door, then open it again.
>If Shiki questions why we just closed and opened the door: "Just making sure you're not stuck in another time loop."
>"The door in the courtroom through which Utsuho exited is locked. It's likely that what I'm looking for is through there, as I have not found any trace of it anywhere else, so I would like to request permission to enter that area for my investigation."
>You shut the door on Shikieiki before opening again.
>Shikieiki has her arms crossed, she does not seem amused.
>"I cannot grant you that permission."
>_
-
>"May I ask why?"
>"If there is no way I can enter, is there any way I can at least question Utsuho's soul?"
-
>"May I ask why?"
>"If there is no way I can enter, is there any way I can at least question Utsuho's soul?"
>"Because it is not a place for anyone to enter."
>"There is not."
>_
-
>"And which is preferable, making an exception to that rule or risking Higan's current state persisting for eternity?"
-
>"And which is preferable, making an exception to that rule or risking Higan's current state persisting for eternity?"
>"Is that antagonism truly necessary? Do you not understand that rules exist for a reason?"
>_
-
>"Yes. But I also understand that sometimes exceptions are necessary. And in this instance, since Higan itself is at stake, I would contend that an exception is warrented.
-
>"Yes. But I also understand that sometimes exceptions are necessary. And in this instance, since Higan itself is at stake, I would contend that an exception is warrented.
>"By entering that place, you would condemn yourself to an eternity in hell. Do you understand that?"
>_
-
>"I understand, sort of."
>"Does this correspond with our own knowledge of how the afterlife works?
>"Is there anyone who could act as a messenger instead of my entering?"
-
>"I understand, sort of."
>"Does this correspond with our own knowledge of how the afterlife works?
>"Is there anyone who could act as a messenger instead of my entering?"
>"Good."
>You mainly know about stray souls and the like in Hakugyokurou, you have very little to do with the systems of hell.
>"Perhaps, if my staff were still around. Komachi may be able to assist in this regard."
>_
-
>"You would likely need to give her the instruction yourself. She's been remarkably unwilling to help; it was all I could do to convince her to sign that statement."
-
>"You would likely need to give her the instruction yourself. She's been remarkably unwilling to help; it was all I could do to convince her to sign that statement."
>"Once I am done here, perhaps I shall have a word with her. Until then, perhaps you should ask her yourself, or search for someone else that can help."
>_
-
We can't wait for her to be done, obviously. We'll have to talk to Komachi about going to hell then.
-
>While we're here, might as well take a look at the book shelf. Anything on getting successful appeals?
>Was there anything around here besides the courthouse?
>"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but would you write an order out for Komachi? It might be of help....persuading her to assist me"
>We seem to be doing a lot of writing lately. Maybe a notebook and pen should be a permanent feature in our bag...or gap.
>Any idea how much time has passed since we entered Higan? Orin might be a little worried.
-
> We can't leave to check on Orin until everything goes back to normal though.
-
>And if we're looking up appeals, we'd need to go back to the library for that.
>We haven't told Komachi that Shikeki's out again as well. Maybe between that knowledge and the note she'd actually help.
-
>While we're here, might as well take a look at the book shelf. Anything on getting successful appeals?
>Was there anything around here besides the courthouse?
>"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but would you write an order out for Komachi? It might be of help....persuading her to assist me"
>We seem to be doing a lot of writing lately. Maybe a notebook and pen should be a permanent feature in our bag...or gap.
>Any idea how much time has passed since we entered Higan? Orin might be a little worried.
>You take a quick glance at the bookshelves in Shikieiki's office. Most of the books seem related to law. From your quick glance, there does not appear to be anything about past cases.
>Not as far as you could see, not that you could see very far without any light.
>"I shall see to her personally given the time, could you wait until then?"
>It could be useful to be able to write down notes and the like.
>A few hours at the least. She could be.
> We can't leave to check on Orin until everything goes back to normal though.
>Not that there's anything that you can do about Rin until you find a way out of here.
>And if we're looking up appeals, we'd need to go back to the library for that.
>We haven't told Komachi that Shikeki's out again as well. Maybe between that knowledge and the note she'd actually help.
>You assume that the library would hold archives of past cases.
>That you have not, you wonder if you could use it as leverage in making Komachi help you.
>_
-
Well, unless there is anything else to be done here....
>"That will be fine. In the meantime, I'll see if I can find other clues or convince Komachi to help on her own."
>If that was all we came for, back to Komachi.
>If we knew what hell was like, could we manage something to let us pop Utsuho out of there at full power?
>On that note, could we summon a soul from hell or something like one would summon a demon?
-
>"That will be fine. In the meantime, I'll see if I can find other clues or convince Komachi to help on her own."
>If that was all we came for, back to Komachi.
>If we knew what hell was like, could we manage something to let us pop Utsuho out of there at full power?
>On that note, could we summon a soul from hell or something like one would summon a demon?
>"Very well then. Close the door behind you."
>You can see Shikieiki returning to her desk as you take your leave.
>You make your way out of the courthouse and back to where you left Komachi.
>Once you reach the river, you can see Komachi's boat drifting along the riverside. From the starlight, you can see that Komachi appears to be sleeping.
>Perhaps, you aren't sure.
>Though summoning is Ran's domain, you suppose that if you had your tools and enough time, such a feat would be possible.
>_
-
>So nothing's stopping us from just summoning (getting Ran to summon) Utsuho later and getting her out that way?
>"This really isn't a good time to be napping."
-
>So nothing's stopping us from just summoning (getting Ran to summon) Utsuho later and getting her out that way?
>"This really isn't a good time to be napping."
>Whilst you could attempt to summon her, she would still be bound to hell. Nor would she possess free will.
>You hear snoring from the boat.
>_
-
>Ah well, one thing at a time. Fix Higan, then see about the appeals process.
>Call her name a bit louder. If that doesn't work, kick the boat. Preferably enough to tip her into the river.
-
>Ah well, one thing at a time. Fix Higan, then see about the appeals process.
>Call her name a bit louder. If that doesn't work, kick the boat. Preferably enough to tip her into the river.
>You might as well focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking tends to reduce the overall quality of the end product, after all.
>You call Komachi's name once more, only to be met by snores once more.
>You decide to fly over to the boat and give it a good kick.
>You see the boat rock a great deal and panicked noises coming from Komachi as she struggles to maintain the balance of both herself and the boat.
>Once the boat stabilizes, Komachi lets out a sigh before looking at you.
>"What was that for?"
>_
-
>"To wake you up."
>"Shikieiki has been released from the time loop I described previously. However, in doing so, she expedited the trial of Utsuho Reiuji, condemning Utsuho to hell. The door through which Utsuho was taken after this sentencing is locked. Shiki said that were I to pass through that door, I would be trapped in hell myself, but that you would be able to pass through and return."
>"Utsuho's soul is the only one that has entered Higan in the past two years. I believe something about her may be important in restoring Higan, and desire to speak with her. Shiki said that you would aid me in this."
-
>"To wake you up."
>"Shikieiki has been released from the time loop I described previously. However, in doing so, she expedited the trial of Utsuho Reiuji, condemning Utsuho to hell. The door through which Utsuho was taken after this sentencing is locked. Shiki said that were I to pass through that door, I would be trapped in hell myself, but that you would be able to pass through and return."
>"Utsuho's soul is the only one that has entered Higan in the past two years. I believe something about her may be important in restoring Higan, and desire to speak with her. Shiki said that you would aid me in this."
>"Couldn't you have done it in a more peaceful manner? You know, one that doesn't involve you trying to dump me into this river?"
>"I assume that that's around when the stars came back?"
>"That so..."
>"Well, yeah. Only sinners are sent there."
>"Give up on trying to talk to anyone down there. Most of them go insane pretty quickly. And I don't like the place anyway."
>_
-
>Wait, the stars came back?
>It wasn't really that simple, was it?
>Test gapping abilites.
-
>Wait, the stars came back?
>It wasn't really that simple, was it?
>Test gapping abilites.
>They did, it's how you could make out Komachi before.
>You wonder if Higan's problems could have been solved so simply. Shikieiki did mention that night never occurred in Higan...
>You try to open a gap, only to find that such a task is impossible for you.
>_
-
>"Is it normal for there to be stars here?"
-
>"Is it normal for there to be stars here?"
>"Not really. They look pretty though."
>_
-
>"Then we have an additional irregularity."
>"Utsuho was taken through that door minutes ago. I ind it unlikely that such a short time would have such an effect. And even if it has, I still want to speak to her. Shiki said that you would assist me in this. Will you do so, or must we go to her for confirmation?"
-
>"Then we have an additional irregularity."
>"Utsuho was taken through that door minutes ago. I ind it unlikely that such a short time would have such an effect. And even if it has, I still want to speak to her. Shiki said that you would assist me in this. Will you do so, or must we go to her for confirmation?"
>"It's not so bad, though. I mean, don't you think that they look nice?"
>"I don't know, hell tends to have that effect on people."
>"Can't you find someone else to help you? Jeez."
>_
-
>"They do look nice; I agree with you there."
>"No, I can't find someone else to help me. Either you help me now, or you help me after Shiki orders you to."
-
>"They do look nice; I agree with you there."
>"No, I can't find someone else to help me. Either you help me now, or you help me after Shiki orders you to."
>"Wonder just how many of them there are..."
>"Fine, fine. But can't it wait a little? It's not often that I get a chance to look at the night sky."
>_
-
>"Didn't you just say that hell quickly drives one insane? Look at it this way; the sooner you pull her out, the sooner you can get back to gazing. It's likely going to take awhile to find out what I need from her anyway."
>Thinking about it, stars are not normal here. Utsuho wears a cape with a star pattern on it and is the only one in Gensokyo to do so.
>We might have our means to get Utsuho free after all.
-
>"Didn't you just say that hell quickly drives one insane? Look at it this way; the sooner you pull her out, the sooner you can get back to gazing. It's likely going to take awhile to find out what I need from her anyway."
>Thinking about it, stars are not normal here. Utsuho wears a cape with a star pattern on it and is the only one in Gensokyo to do so.
>We might have our means to get Utsuho free after all.
>"She'll have already gone mad, it doesn't really matter if we go now or later."
>"But fine, whatever."
>You see Komachi get out of her boat. She proceeds to drive a stake into the ground, to which she ties her boat.
>That could be of interest.
>_
-
>When Komachi enters Hell, could we give her something so that we can communicate with her and Utsuho? Something like what we used with Reimu during the underground geyser incident.
-
>When Komachi enters Hell, could we give her something so that we can communicate with her and Utsuho? Something like what we used with Reimu during the underground geyser incident.
>You do not have such a device with you, nor could you create one without the ability to manipulate boundaries.
>_
-
>Aren't we getting her to bring Utsuho out under any event?
>Eh, considering what Nitori did, its quite likely that Utsuho was already postal before. We're here till we get her sane anyway so in the end we just have to deal with it.
-
>Aren't we getting her to bring Utsuho out under any event?
>Eh, considering what Nitori did, its quite likely that Utsuho was already postal before. We're here till we get her sane anyway so in the end we just have to deal with it.
>You're getting Komachi to give you an opportunity to speak with Utsuho. You're not sure how she will accomplish this.
>You wonder what talking with Utsuho would be like.
>"So are you ready?"
>_
-
>"Yes."
-
>"Yes."
>"Let's get this over with, then."
>Komachi begins to walk towards the courthouse with her scythe over her shoulders.
>_
-
>Follow
-
>Follow
>You follow Komachi to the courthouse once more and to the courtroom.
>Komachi walks up to the door that you saw Utsuho enter.
>You see Komachi frown as she gets closer to the door.
>_
-
>"What's wrong?"
-
>"What's wrong?"
>"I don't like this one bit."
>You see Komachi produce a ring of keys with which she begins to unlock the many locks on the door.
>"I recommend standing back a bit, I have no idea what's going to happen."
>You see Komachi tighten her grip on her scythe.
>_
-
>"Let me guess...You haven't been in there before?"
-
>Do actually stand back a bit.
-
>"Let me guess...You haven't been in there before?"
>"Wrong. But it feels off. Like something's been messed up in there."
>Do actually stand back a bit.
>You do take a few steps back as Komachi finishes removing the locks.
>You can see Komachi brace herself before she throws open the door to reveal... a rather nondescript corridor.
>You can see Komachi continue to frown.
>_
-
>"Is that what's supposed to be behind this door?"
-
>Something is messed up in hell. That certainly can't be good.
-
>"Is that what's supposed to be behind this door?"
>"No. It's like it's completely empty here."
>Komachi begins to walk into the corridor.
>Something is messed up in hell. That certainly can't be good.
>You hope that it's something that can be fixed.
>_
-
>"So what needs fixing really is in hell. Oh joy."
>Follow along then. We all know that no way is Komachi actually fixing anything.
-
>Wait a moment.
>"Am I supposed to follow you?"
-
> Follow anyways. Since when have we cared what we're suposed to do? :D
-
>"So what needs fixing really is in hell. Oh joy."
>Follow along then. We all know that no way is Komachi actually fixing anything.
>Komachi says nothing.
>You begin to follow Komachi into the corridor.
>Wait a moment.
>"Am I supposed to follow you?"
> Follow anyways. Since when have we cared what we're suposed to do? :D
>That is, until you pause momentarily.
>"Do what you want."
>Although you ask Komachi, you begin following before you hear the entirety of her answer.
>As you follow Komachi, the corridor leads onto a catwalk, from which you can see the top of a large underground complex.
>It's rather dark.
>You can see many cells along the various walls.
>"What the hell is this...?"
>_
-
>"What's wrong? Everyone's missing?"
>Make a light, and keep following.
-
>"At risk of stating the obvious, I'd say it's a prison."
-
>"And this is why I asked the Yama to let Utsuho out."
>Komachi's new position - Meatshield. She stays in front.
-
>"What's wrong? Everyone's missing?"
>Make a light, and keep following.
>"Everything."
>You create a small light for yourself, which Komachi puts out with her scythe almost instantly.
>"Don't do that."
>"At risk of stating the obvious, I'd say it's a prison."
>"What else did you expect from hell."
>"This looks bad though..."
>"And this is why I asked the Yama to let Utsuho out."
>Komachi's new position - Meatshield. She stays in front.
>"I think that we better get out pretty fast ourselves."
>You make a note to keep yourself behind Komachi at all times.
>_
-
>Can we sense anything more off than usual in here?
>"Really, where did everyone go?"
-
>"What's wrong with a little light?"
Suggest asking the following:
>"Are you alright, or do you want to go back and get Shikieiki first?"
-
The light is most likely because potentially having an entire escaped prison after us would be bad.
>On that note; "If there was some kind of prison break you'd think that we'd be getting swarmed the moment the door opened. Still leaving and getting your boss does seem wise about now."
Support getting Shikieki in here. This could potentially get quite nasty.
-
*ALso agrees with getting Shikieiki*
-
Yeah, Eiki's probably the best bet.
-
>Can we sense anything more off than usual in here?
>"Really, where did everyone go?"
>You have no idea what usual is in hell. Komachi's reaction seems to indicate that that is the case, though.
>"I don't know, but we should get away from here. Like, now."
>"What's wrong with a little light?"
>"Are you alright, or do you want to go back and get Shikieiki first?"
>"Something is in here and I don't like it."
>"I dunno. I'll agree with the going back though."
>On that note; "If there was some kind of prison break you'd think that we'd be getting swarmed the moment the door opened. Still leaving and getting your boss does seem wise about now."
>"If my gut is correct, lost souls will be the least of our worries down there."
>_
-
>"What else could be in here besides lost souls?"
>"Anyway, let's head back to get your boss. Lead the way."
>Follow Komachi back to the exit.
-
>"What else could be in here besides lost souls?"
>"Anyway, let's head back to get your boss. Lead the way."
>Follow Komachi back to the exit.
>"I don't know, but I don't like it."
>"Yeah, let's go."
>The two of you turn around and make your way back to the courtroom, or at least try to.
>Once you reach the exit, Komachi attempts to open the door. You can hear rattling as Komachi turns the handle.
>"It's locked."
>_
-
> We really should have expected that.
> Ready a spellcard.
> "Komachi, what do you think is down here?"
-
> We really should have expected that.
> Ready a spellcard.
> "Komachi, what do you think is down here?"
>Only the worst seems to be happening to you, after all.
>You make sure that you're prepared to pull out a spellcard at a moment's notice.
>"It kind of feels like I'm down there, if you get what I'm saying."
>"You can't feel it?"
>_
-
>Do we feel it?
>If not, "No, what are you talking about?"
>Stay alert.
>"Any other way out of here?"
-
> "You mean a reaper like you?"
-
>Do we feel it?
>If not, "No, what are you talking about?"
>Stay alert.
>"Any other way out of here?"
>You did not feel anything strange within hell.
>"I don't know. It just feels like there's something bad down there."
>You make sure to stay on your toes in case something goes awry.
>"'Course not."
> "You mean a reaper like you?"
>"Maybe... Actually, yeah, that's kind of it. Though not really."
>"Rather, it's kind of like, I don't know..."
>_
-
>"Could it be another judge?"
-
>"Could it be another judge?"
>"No, couldn't be."
>"It's... I don't know how to say it other than it kind of feels like me."
>_
-
>"Is it coming closer, or does it feel hostile?"
>"Do you have any idea how you are capable of feeling this......mirror of yourself?"
>"Is there any way you can contact your boss from here?"
-
>"Is it coming closer, or does it feel hostile?"
>"Do you have any idea how you are capable of feeling this......mirror of yourself?"
>"Is there any way you can contact your boss from here?"
>"No, it's just there."
>"I dunno, why can't you feel it?"
>"If there were, I would have done it already."
-
>"Maybe because it's similar to you, not to me?"
>"Standing here will get us nowhere. Let's find this thing."
-
>"Whatever it is, better for us to find it than it to run into us backed into a corner like this."
>"Besides, whether its something known or not, odds are good that we're stuck here until we deal with it."
-
>"Maybe because it's similar to you, not to me?"
>"Standing here will get us nowhere. Let's find this thing."
>"I'm not really explaining it right."
>"Well I guess we don't have much of a choice."
>"Whatever it is, better for us to find it than it to run into us backed into a corner like this."
>"Besides, whether its something known or not, odds are good that we're stuck here until we deal with it."
>"I don't really think it's moving."
>"I guess."
>_
-
>"Then let's get this over with."
>As usual, be ready to have to pull quick evasion/blocking. Especially if its Utsuho with her nukes.
>Off to the whatever it is then. Can't be worse than that tree.
-
>"Then let's get this over with."
>As usual, be ready to have to pull quick evasion/blocking. Especially if its Utsuho with her nukes.
>Off to the whatever it is then. Can't be worse than that tree.
>You hear Komachi sigh.
>You continue to keep your guard up. Who knows what you'll run into.
>You return with Komachi to the catwalk and walk along it until you reach a small lift.
>"Well, we don't have to go down..."
>"We could always just stay up here."
>_
-
>"We'd just be stuck here then, especially if there's another time loop like the Yama was in."
>Follow after Komachi down that lift. She's still the meat shield.
-
>"We'd just be stuck here then, especially if there's another time loop like the Yama was in."
>Follow after Komachi down that lift. She's still the meat shield.
>Komachi sighs again as she enters the lift.
>You follow Komachi into the lift.
>You see the lift's doors close as Komachi pulls on a lever.
>You can hear the grinding of metal as the lift lurches and begins to descend.
>"Pretty old, this thing. Bet that it would fall if I were to kick it or somethi-"
>Komachi is cut off as the two of you are tossed around the lift as it freefalls for a few meters.
>The two of you then meet the floor of the lift as it stops abruptly.
>"Ow..."
>_
-
>That's going to smart later
>Are we at the bottom?
-
>That's going to smart later
>Are we at the bottom?
>It's already hurting now.
>You are not. You'd guess that you are roughly halfway between the catwalk and the prison complex.
>_
-
>"You just had to say that, didn't you, Komachi?"
-
>"You just had to say that, didn't you, Komachi?"
>"Like I was supposed to know that that would happen."
>"Besides, it's not like it fell the entire distance or anythin-"
>Komachi is interrupted by a rather large snapping sound.
>You feel the lift descending at a much, much faster pace than before.
>"..."
>_
-
>We can fly, and we should be capable of blasting the roof of an old lift off via our strength, danmaku and/or the parasol. Put these facts to use quickly.
>"Maybe you guys should get a bigger budget for maintenance."
-
>Before that, say, "Dammit, Komachi."
-
>Before that, say, "Dammit, Komachi."
>"Not my fault!"
>We can fly, and we should be capable of blasting the roof of an old lift off via our strength, danmaku and/or the parasol. Put these facts to use quickly.
>"Maybe you guys should get a bigger budget for maintenance."
>You remember that you're capable of flight, and are not completely helpless.
>You're about to begin trying to break the roof of the lift with your parasol when Komachi pushes you aside and simply kicks off the doors to the lift.
>With Komachi, you exit the lift and hover in the air as you watch the lift crash into the ground.
>"Things shouldn't degrade here though."
>"Feels like whatever's down here is further down, rather than in the prison."
>_
-
>"How deep is hell?"
>Continue following Komachi to that presence.
-
>"How deep is hell?"
>Continue following Komachi to that presence.
>"Pretty deep, though that doesn't really matter."
>Komachi shows no signs of moving without being prompted.
>_
-
>Sheesh
>"Further down it is then, before the rest of hell starts crumbling."
>We'd consider just going ourselves, but she's the radar to whatever it is.
-
>Sheesh
>"Further down it is then, before the rest of hell starts crumbling."
>We'd consider just going ourselves, but she's the radar to whatever it is.
>Do you have to do everything around here?
>"If you say so."
>You see Komachi hop down, and you follow suit. Considering how deep hell appeared, it was a rather short jump.
>You see Komachi holding her head in one hand once you land.
>"It's coming from somewhere around here..."
>_
-
>"Are you feeling alright?"
>Look around.
-
>If it's too dark to see, make a light. It's a bit obvious that we're here anyway and we need to see any attempts to kill us coming.
-
>"Are you feeling alright?"
>Look around.
>"My head just hurts a bit, it'll be fine."
>You look around to see the prison complex far above you. You currently appear to be in a narrow crevice.
>Very little light from the prison complex seems to fall where you are.
>Deeper into the crevice, there appears to be an additional source of light, you can see traces of a faint, white glow.
>If it's too dark to see, make a light. It's a bit obvious that we're here anyway and we need to see any attempts to kill us coming.
>You decide to make a light to illuminate your immediate surroundings.
>You only reveal the details of the rock surface, but take comfort in having a light anyway.
>_
-
>Onward to the additional light source, very carefully.
>Do we have any means of blocking Utsuho's attacks as we are?
-
>Onward to the additional light source, very carefully.
>Do we have any means of blocking Utsuho's attacks as we are?
>You begin to make your way slowly through the crevice towards the other light with Komachi slowly following you.
>Eventually, you reach one last turn. You're fairly certain that the light source is around the turn.
>Komachi continues to look rather uncomfortable.
>You could use your parasol to block any small danmaku, but very little is capable of blocking the large shots that Utsuho is capable of producing.
>_
-
>"Let's go. The sooner we do, the sooner we'll be done with this."
>Head around the turn.
-
>Be ready to dodge.
>If there are no hostile moves, take a closer look at whatever it is.
-
>"Let's go. The sooner we do, the sooner we'll be done with this."
>Head around the turn.
>"Fine, just hurry up."
>You continue forward and take the turn.
>In front of you, you see the blurry figure of Utsuho giving off a pale, white glow.
>Behind her, you can sense something far more ominous.
>Even though Utsuho is giving off some light, an area behind her remains pitch black.
>If you were to put it into words, you would say that the entity behind Utsuho feels rather devoid of all things.
>Be ready to dodge.
>If there are no hostile moves, take a closer look at whatever it is.
>You prepare to avoid any incoming attacks, but for the time being there are not any.
>You take a step forward and confirm that the figure does indeed appear to be that of Utsuho Reiuji.
>You cannot make out any details on the void behind her.
>You hear Komachi gulp as she tightens her grip on her scythe.
>_
-
>"Komachi, how are you holding up? Anything to add to whatever you can feel?"
>"Utsuho, can you hear me? Satori sent me for you."
>To the entity: "Who are you?"
-
>"Utsuho, can you hear me? Satori sent me for you."
>Change this to "Rin and the Satori sisters have been looking for you Utsuho."
>Do we have any idea what that void is?
>To Komachi "I don't suppose you know about that....emptiness behind Utsuho?"
>Make sure we can secure a solid grip in case that thing is a black hole of sorts.
-
>"Komachi, how are you holding up? Anything to add to whatever you can feel?"
>"My heads pounding and I can't straighten my thoughts. I haven't felt like this in quite some time."
>Komachi bursts out into laughter, which echoes off the walls around you.
>"Utsuho, can you hear me? Satori sent me for you."
>Change this to "Rin and the Satori sisters have been looking for you Utsuho."
>The blurry figure remains motionless.
>Do we have any idea what that void is?
>To Komachi "I don't suppose you know about that....emptiness behind Utsuho?"
>Make sure we can secure a solid grip in case that thing is a black hole of sorts.
>You do not.
>"Ha ha ha! That, my friend, is true death. Not the flimsy imitation given by us reapers, but the real thing, right there."
>You are unable to find a suitable segment to get a good grip on, not that you seem to be needing it.
>To the entity: "Who are you?"
>You see Utsuho look at you.
>"You."
>_
-
>True death? What.
>"What do you mean true death? And please don't go crazy on me, that's getting a bit repetitive lately."
>To the entity. "Me? That's somewhat hard to believe, after all I'm right here as myself and I don't make copies like Kazami."
>If Komachi's still cracking up, take her away from Utsuho. Don't need her losing it down here.
-
>True death? What.
>"What do you mean true death? And please don't go crazy on me, that's getting a bit repetitive lately."
>To the entity. "Me? That's somewhat hard to believe, after all I'm right here as myself and I don't make copies like Kazami."
>If Komachi's still cracking up, take her away from Utsuho. Don't need her losing it down here.
>You're rather confused by this concept.
>"Exactly what I said. That thing over there is the death of anything and everything."
>"Don't worry, my head hurts far too much for me to lose it here."
>Komachi sounds rather excited.
>"..."
>From what you can make out, Utsuho has a disappointed expression on her face.
>_
-
>Death of anything and everything. Do we know anything about this?
>Doesn't that sound familiar to Yuyuko's power, thinking about it?
>Do we know anything about the entity's claims of being us?
>"Well enough weirdness has been going on lately for me not to discount anything, so can you elaborate a bit?"
-
>Death of anything and everything. Do we know anything about this?
>Doesn't that sound familiar to Yuyuko's power, thinking about it?
>Do we know anything about the entity's claims of being us?
>"Well enough weirdness has been going on lately for me not to discount anything, so can you elaborate a bit?"
>Not particularly. You prefer to deal in the realm of the living.
>Yuyuko's ability is that to invoke death in anything. Could she be calling on this thing?
>Not outside of the stretch that everything, including yourself, must come to an end eventually.
>"The true embodiment of death is right in front of us, talking to us through that girl. Dunno how to break that down further."
>_
-
Meant the entity actually.
>We're all kinds of things, but the embodiment of death isn't one of them
>To Death. "What did you mean when you said that you were me? And why are you possessing Utsuho's soul?"
-
>We're all kinds of things, but the embodiment of death isn't one of them
>To Death. "What did you mean when you said that you were me? And why are you possessing Utsuho's soul?"
>That, you aren't.
>You think you see a smile.
>"This."
>Utsuho raises one of her arms towards you, which is quickly covered by the darkness. This darkness then begins rapidly extending past Utsuho's arm to you.
>_
-
>Uh-oh.
>Evade that blackness!
>"I do not wish to die. What are your intentions in doing this?"
>Whisper to Komachi: "Can you do anything? Maybe slash it up a little?"
-
>"I do not wish to die. What are your intentions in doing this?"
>Whisper to Komachi: "Can you do anything? Maybe slash it up a little?"
>Say it like this; "I have too many things to fix and people to bother to die just yet."
>"Just why are you here possessing Utsuho's soul by the way?"
>Still ask Komachi if she can do anything about it if it comes to that, but fighting death sounds like a horrible idea all around.
Come now, we're Yukari. We have a level of pride to maintain.
-
Heh, going OOC. I was planning for the stoic-angry tone though. Let's go with your entries.
-
>Uh-oh.
>Evade that blackness!
>Welp.
>You quickly dodge to your side and watch as the blackness rushes past you and dissipates as it hits the wall behind you.
>"I do not wish to die. What are your intentions in doing this?"
>Whisper to Komachi: "Can you do anything? Maybe slash it up a little?"
>Say it like this; "I have too many things to fix and people to bother to die just yet."
>"Just why are you here possessing Utsuho's soul by the way?"
>Still ask Komachi if she can do anything about it if it comes to that, but fighting death sounds like a horrible idea all around.
>You see Utsuho tilt her head.
>"Does it matter when or why one dies?"
>"Convenience."
>"Probably not, considering I'm basically an extension of that thing. Trying to get it away from that girl though, maybe."
>_
-
>"If you're an extension of it, then why isn't it controling you?
>"If you're kind of part of it, can you influrncr it in any way?"
-
>"If you're an extension of it, then why isn't it controling you?
>"If you're kind of part of it, can you influrncr it in any way?"
>"Hey, that's mean. That doesn't mean that I don't have free will."
>"Doubt it."
>_
-
>"Can you talk to it or anything? Perhaps you could understand it better than I can."
>"You know it well, I assume. What do you think it wants?"
>"WHere is its point of origin? WHere is its existence centered?"
>"Do you have any idea of how to free Utsuho from it?"
>"What would happen if it hit me, and would it have the same effect on you?"
-
>"Can you talk to it or anything? Perhaps you could understand it better than I can."
>"You know it well, I assume. What do you think it wants?"
>"WHere is its point of origin? WHere is its existence centered?"
>"Do you have any idea of how to free Utsuho from it?"
>"What would happen if it hit me, and would it have the same effect on you?"
>"You seem to be talking to it just fine, though."
>"Not really. I mean, you deal in boundaries or something, right? If you could talk to one of them, do you think you'd know it well?"
>"This is just a guess but I don't think it really wants anything, per se."
>Komachi points to the darkness.
>"Soemwhere in that."
>"I might be able to try something if I can get close enough."
>"My guess would be that you'd die. To be honest, I have no idea what it would do to me."
>_
-
>"Then I'm going to have to rely on you for this one. We have two objectives. One is to sever its connection to Utsuho, and the other is to figure out the reason for its unusual behavior and, if possible, restore it to normal. I'll do anything I can, but I think you'll have to take the lead here."
>"You know more about this stuff than I do, so I'll let you come up with the plan. Just let me know what I need to do and when, and I'll do it."
-
>"Then I'm going to have to rely on you for this one. We have two objectives. One is to sever its connection to Utsuho, and the other is to figure out the reason for its unusual behavior and, if possible, restore it to normal. I'll do anything I can, but I think you'll have to take the lead here."
>"You know more about this stuff than I do, so I'll let you come up with the plan. Just let me know what I need to do and when, and I'll do it."
>"I just need you to keep it occupied for half a minute at most. It doesn't matter how."
>_
-
>"Got it."
>Take a step forward.
>To the... thing: "What is it that you want? What is the purpose behind your actions?"
-
>"Got it."
>Take a step forward.
>To the... thing: "What is it that you want? What is the purpose behind your actions?"
>Komachi gives you a small nod in return.
>You hear Komachi taking a few steps back as you take one forward.
>"Entertainment."
>"None."
>_
-
>"'Entertainment'? I'll be honest; that's not the answer I expected to hear. From what I understand, you are essentially a mansfestation of death. Is that correct?"
>"How, precicely, does altering Higan in such a way serve to 'entertain' you?"
-
> "Have you been bored lately? There haven't been many new souls coming this way to you, have there?"
-
>"'Entertainment'? I'll be honest; that's not the answer I expected to hear. From what I understand, you are essentially a mansfestation of death. Is that correct?"
>"How, precicely, does altering Higan in such a way serve to 'entertain' you?"
>"Yes."
>Utsuho shakes her head.
>"I have done nothing."
> "Have you been bored lately? There haven't been many new souls coming this way to you, have there?"
>"Indeed."
>_
-
> "Perhaps we can help each other out then. I would like to release that soul you have there, and you'd like souls to return here as normal."
-
> "Perhaps we can help each other out then. I would like to release that soul you have there, and you'd like souls to return here as normal."
>Utsuho tilts her head.
>"Continue."
>_
-
>"If I can find out from Utsuho how she ended up in here and send her soul back to Gensokyo, it should return Higan to normal and let souls in again, solving your boredom problem."
-
>"If I can find out from Utsuho how she ended up in here and send her soul back to Gensokyo, it should return Higan to normal and let souls in again, solving your boredom problem."
>"..."
>Before Utsuho can move, you see Komachi fade in behind her, scythe at the ready.
>The scythe comes down at an impossibly fast speed, going right through Utsuho's figure.
>You see the blurry figure distort into the form of an ordinary spirit.
>Whilst this occurs, you also see the void detach and dissipate.
>"Huh. Well, that seemed easy enough..."
>The ground below your feet begins to shake.
>You can see red cracks appearing in the walls surrounding you.
>It is getting to be incredibly hot.
>_
-
>"Famous last words...."
>Grab Utsuho's spirit and bail. If we can't hold her get Komachi to do it.
-
>"I think I was getting somewhere there, Komachi."
-
>"Not that I'm angry at you or anything. Maybe I should have tried talking that thing down first."
I'm not sure we should say that, given she might complain that we asked her to do it.
>"Is this normal for hell? I mean the heat and stuff."
-
I doubt that we were getting through at all really. Besides, this way is much faster.
>"Whatever works."
-
>"Famous last words...."
>Grab Utsuho's spirit and bail. If we can't hold her get Komachi to do it.
>"If my guess is correct, we should get out of here. Fast."
>You're all too happy to comply with Komachi's idea and begin flying straight up.
>Komachi does the same with Utsuho's soul in tow.
>Below you, you hear something akin to an explosion, and take a quick look to see lava bursting out of the walls and quickly filling the crevice you were in.
>"I think I was getting somewhere there, Komachi."
>"Not that I'm angry at you or anything. Maybe I should have tried talking that thing down first."
>"Is this normal for hell? I mean the heat and stuff."
>"Can it and save that stuff for later."
>"Of course it is, it's hell."
>"Whatever works."
>"Good, now let's get out of here."
>You notice a fair amount of sound coming from the prison complex as you ascend with Komachi.
>The two of you continue flying up until you reach the catwalk once more.
>Komachi gently lands on the catwalk, you follow suit.
>The place is no longer dark, instead the entire place is now lit up with an orange glow.
>It is getting to be unbearably hot.
>"You're not looking so good there."
>_
-
>"How are you still fine?"
>"Anyway, leaving Utsuho's spirit here is liable to cause this to repeat itself."
>Yeah, definitely time to vamoose with Utsuho. We should look into fireproofing for when we inevitably have to break out of hell when we die.
-
>"Did we restore hell to normal? Are you noticing anything that's still unusual?"
-
>"How are you still fine?"
>"Anyway, leaving Utsuho's spirit here is liable to cause this to repeat itself."
>Yeah, definitely time to vamoose with Utsuho. We should look into fireproofing for when we inevitably have to break out of hell when we die.
>"Trade secrets."
>"If you say so."
>You decide that you've overextended your welcome in hell and quickly hurry to the exit with Komachi.
>You do think about what you could do to endure hell for when you eventually end up here.
>The two of you reach the exit once more and Komachi tries opening the door again.
>This time, the door opens and you find yourself in the courtroom with Komachi again.
>"Did we restore hell to normal? Are you noticing anything that's still unusual?"
>"Looks that way."
>"Not as far as I can tell."
>_
-
>Do we have our gap powers back?
-
>"Let's go take a look outside."
>Head outside. Are the stars still there?
-
>Do we have our gap powers back?
>You try opening a small gap and find that your abilities have returned.
>"Let's go take a look outside."
>Head outside. Are the stars still there?
>"Alright."
>You head outside with Komachi and find that the usual mist is covering Higan again. It does not appear to be night.
>"Aww, the stars..."
>_
-
> "Sorry you didn't get to enjoy them. You can always come to Gensokyo to see them, can't you?"
> Do our gap powers feel any STRONGer?
-
>"I believe Higan has been returned to normal. We should inform Shikieiki."
-
>Are we still unable to interact with Utshuo's soul?
>"Now just to make sure that it stays fixed; one experience with hell was enough."
>Now for getting Utsuho's soul. Especially since Rin's liable to pop up quite soon now that the portal is open again.
-
> "Sorry you didn't get to enjoy them. You can always come to Gensokyo to see them, can't you?"
> Do our gap powers feel any STRONGer?
>"Maybe. If-"
>"Komachi!"
>You hear Shikieiki's voice accompanied by a rather large sigh from Komachi.
>You think that it is becoming easier to manipulate the boundaries once more.
>You feel that you can open up as many gaps as you want provided you are the only one travelling through them, the exit point is within your line of sight, and you do not attempt to hold the gap open.
>"I believe Higan has been returned to normal. We should inform Shikieiki."
>"Looks like there won't be a need for that."
>Are we still unable to interact with Utshuo's soul?
>"Now just to make sure that it stays fixed; one experience with hell was enough."
>Now for getting Utsuho's soul. Especially since Rin's liable to pop up quite soon now that the portal is open again.
>You are not.
>"Probably would have been better if we stayed in hell..."
>Komachi produces a bottle from some portion of her clothes, in which she stuffs Utsuho's soul.
>"You want that, right?"
>Komachi hands you the bottle.
>Komachi sighs again before turning to face Shikieiki.
>"H-hey, you look well!"
>"I assume that you have fixed whatever happened with this place. For that, I must thank you. And with that..."
>"Komachi! I heard about you slacking!"
>You get the feeling that Shikieiki and Komachi are going to be busy for a while.
>_
-
> "Yes, I'll be taking that~"
> Keep Utsuho's soul bottle firmly in hand. We'll update Shiki about what's going on later.
> Wave to Komachi as we gap to where we left Orin.
-
> "Yes, I'll be taking that~"
> Keep Utsuho's soul bottle firmly in hand. We'll update Shiki about what's going on later.
> Wave to Komachi as we gap to where we left Orin.
>You take the bottle from Komachi and make sure that you're holding it firmly. You wouldn't want to drop it, after all.
>You decide against letting Shikieiki know about Utsuho. What she doesn't know can't hurt her, right?
>You give Komachi a wave, though she doesn't seem to notice due to Shikieiki's shouting.
>You open up a gap back to the entrance of Higan where you last saw Rin.
>Once you step outside of your gap, you notice that it is rather dark. It seems that the sun set some time during your adventures in Higan.
>You look around and see Rin sleeping against a nearby tree.
>_
-
> Float over to Rin. "Rise and shine~"
-
> Float over to Rin. "Rise and shine~"
>You fly over to Rin and give her a greeting.
>"Huh...?"
>You see Rin lazily rubbing her eyes.
>_
-
>"Took a little while, but I fixed things."
>Show her the soul jar.
>"Got a little prize, too."
-
>"Took a little while, but I fixed things."
>Show her the soul jar.
>"Got a little prize, too."
>"Hmm?"
>"I don't really know what that means, but did you find..."
>Rin's eyes widen as you show her the bottle.
>"Is... Is that...?"
>_
-
>"Sure is."
>"Be careful, I'm not sure what happens if you break it."
>If she wants, let her hold it.
>What time is it?
>Give a quick run down of what happened to us.
>"So, anything interesting happened while I was away?"
>"Do you think we can get this to Nitori now?"
-
>"Sure is."
>"Be careful, I'm not sure what happens if you break it."
>If she wants, let her hold it.
>What time is it?
>Give a quick run down of what happened to us.
>"So, anything interesting happened while I was away?"
>"Do you think we can get this to Nitori now?"
>"Okuu...?"
>Rin reaches out for the bottle, and so you let her hold it.
>"Okuu can you hear me? I'm going to save you!"
>"We have to get Okuu to the lab right away!"
>You would wager that it is somewhere between 2 and 3 AM.
>You're about to begin telling Rin about what happened in Higan when she interrupts you.
>"We can talk on the way, we're going now!"
>"Just a little longer, Okuu... Just a little bit longer..."
>Rin takes a few running steps before she begins flying in the direction of Nitori's laboratory.
>_
-
>Try to keep up with her.
>"Did anything happen while I was away?"
>Check in with Ran while we're on the way.
-
>Try to keep up with her.
>"Did anything happen while I was away?"
>Check in with Ran while we're on the way.
>You quickly take off and follow Rin, matching her speed.
>"Not really."
>"How has Okuu been? Do you know?"
>Quite the hour to be calling, master. Do you require anything?
>_
-
>"She's been fine; stuck in a neverending trial for over a year, sentenced to hell, possessed by the embodiment of death...."
>Well now, Ran's done meditating it seems.
>Just checking in; you seemed awfully flustered back when I left~
-
> On second thought let's not say what Okuu has been through until we get where we're going.
> "She's been fine. I believe her soul was just sitting in the Yama's courtroom, waiting to be judged until I arrived."
-
>Fine with not mentioning it, but we shouldn't outright lie to her either, especially since what happened might come up again.
>Say it like this - "About as well as one can be being stuck with the Yama."
-
>"She's been fine; stuck in a neverending trial for over a year, sentenced to hell, possessed by the embodiment of death...."
> On second thought let's not say what Okuu has been through until we get where we're going.
> "She's been fine. I believe her soul was just sitting in the Yama's courtroom, waiting to be judged until I arrived."
>Fine with not mentioning it, but we shouldn't outright lie to her either, especially since what happened might come up again.
>Say it like this - "About as well as one can be being stuck with the Yama."
>For the time being, you decide not to tell Rin about everything that happened to Utsuho.
>"With who? Okuu, what happened?"
>Well now, Ran's done meditating it seems.
>Just checking in; you seemed awfully flustered back when I left~
>She seems back to normal at the very least.
>Such details are better left forgotten, master.
>We are fine, master. Nothing of note occurred during your absence. Is that all you wished to know?
>_
-
>Yes, and remind me to work on a fireproofing spell strong enough to withstand lava. Hell is not a comfortable place.
>"It's a long story, but I doubt that the Yama's going to be that peeved. Maybe. I'll tell you at the lab."
-
>Yes, and remind me to work on a fireproofing spell strong enough to withstand lava. Hell is not a comfortable place.
>"It's a long story, but I doubt that the Yama's going to be that peeved. Maybe. I'll tell you at the lab."
>I shall have it added to the plethora of endeavours that you have yet to begin.
>"What did you do, Okuu...?"
>The two of you continue flying towards the laboratory.
>_
-
>"Oh, no, it wasn't Okuu. If the Yama's upset with someone, it'd be me."
-
>"And that's pretty much the usual with her. You might want to get her doing a bunch of good deeds later on to make up for that Incident she caused though."
-
>"Oh, no, it wasn't Okuu. If the Yama's upset with someone, it'd be me."
>"Who?"
>"And that's pretty much the usual with her. You might want to get her doing a bunch of good deeds later on to make up for that Incident she caused though."
>"Just a little longer, Okuu..."
>_
-
> Keep an eye out for obstacles on our path as we fly~
> Rin can use the time to settle down, even if we could just gap there.
-
> Keep an eye out for obstacles on our path as we fly~
> Rin can use the time to settle down, even if we could just gap there.
>You do make sure not to fly into anything. You're not particularly worried, but you never know.
>She really could. You wonder if you have anything more to say, or if you should just leave her to her thoughts.
>_
-
>Just leave her be until we reach Nitori's place. Anything that needs to be said, Satori would likely be better at it.
-
>Just leave her be until we reach Nitori's place. Anything that needs to be said, Satori would likely be better at it.
>You decide to let Rin have some time to herself and fly in relative silence for a few hours.
>Eventually, the two of you reach the entrance of Nitori's laboratory.
>As soon as she land, Rin runs towards and through the laboratory's entrance.
>_
-
>Follow!
-
>Follow!
>You follow Rin, who runs through the lab until she reaches the third level.
>"Okuu! Okuu!"
>You see Nitori emerge from one of the many doors in the room, dressed in a pair of overalls, rubbing her eyes and stretching.
>"What's going on?"
>_
-
>"Higan's fixed, and I got Okuu's soul back, too."
>"Might want to get down to her before Orin breaks something in excitement."
-
>"Higan's fixed, and I got Okuu's soul back, too."
>"Might want to get down to her before Orin breaks something in excitement."
>"Really, that's some pretty good news."
>"Wait, you got what? Then what Rin's holding right now is..."
>Nitori looks at Rin.
>"Right."
>Nitori turns toward Rin.
>"Rin, you know what you have to prepare, right? Let's get to it."
>"Yes!"
>You see Rin rush into one of the many smaller rooms.
>Nitori faces you again.
>"Sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave for this."
>_
-
>"Leave the lab entirely?"
>"Why?"
-
>"And for how long?"
-
>"Leave the lab entirely?"
>"Why?"
>"No, no. Just this level."
>"This is a rather delicate procedure, and I'd rather not have any more people than necessary for it. I'll probably make an announcement soon telling everyone to stay out of this level anyway."
>"And for how long?"
>"My estimate would be at around five or six hours. Not sure, though. I'll make another announcement when I'm done."
>_
-
>"Okay then."
>What time is it?
>How far away is the Misty Lake from here?
>If it's still night, might as well go see what happened to the SDM crew after Reimu blew up their mansion. With our luck, they're stuck in a gap.
-
>"Okay then."
>What time is it?
>How far away is the Misty Lake from here?
>If it's still night, might as well go see what happened to the SDM crew after Reimu blew up their mansion. With our luck, they're stuck in a gap.
>"Time for me to get working, then."
>You see Rin reenter the large room with a variety of tools on a tray. Meanwhile, Nitori turns away from you as she goes to gather her own things.
>You think that it is around 5AM.
>It should take you roughly half an hour by flight to reach the Misty Lake.
>You consider seeing what happened to the Scarlet Devil Mansion with your own eyes. You simply hope that nothing else has happened to them.
>_
-
>Nah, let's just go to sleep. Gotta rest up. We can check the mansion afterwards.
-
>Nah, let's just go to sleep. Gotta rest up. We can check the mansion afterwards.
>You consider simply taking a break instead. Where would you sleep, though?
>_
-
>Call out to Nitori: "Hey, is there a room where I can go to rest?"
-
>Call out to Nitori: "Hey, is there a room where I can go to rest?"
>"Plenty. Just find one that isn't taken. And close the door as you leave."
>_
-
> Let's go find an empty room on another level to rest then!
-
> Let's go find an empty room on another level to rest then!
>You do just that!
>You look for the room that you found yourself passed out in some time ago once more.
>After a few moments of searching on the second floor, you find said room and collapse onto the bed where you get some much needed rest.
>You rub your eyes as you slowly rise from the bed, stretching. The clothes you have on right now are not the most comfortable for sleeping in.
>Your internal clock tells you that it is around 1PM.
>_
-
>So it's been eight hours
>Freshen up a bit, then go see if we can go to the lower level again.
-
>So it's been eight hours
>Freshen up a bit, then go see if we can go to the lower level again.
>A decent amount of sleep.
>You get up and look for a bathroom to freshen up to the best of your ability in.
>Once you've done this, you try going to the third level.
>You find that the door is open.
>_
-
>Find Orin and Nitori
-
>Find Orin and Nitori
>You head into the third level to see if you can find Rin or Nitori.
>You notice as you enter the main room on the third level that the large display that housed Utsuho's body is now empty.
>A quick look around reveals Nitori sitting in a chair off to the side of the main room. You think that she may be asleep.
>_
-
>Call out to her quietly. If she really is sleeping, go looking for Rin instead.
-
>Call out to her quietly. If she really is sleeping, go looking for Rin instead.
>You try calling Nitori in a quiet voice. She does not respond, though you do see her nod a bit.
>You decide, instead to go looking for Rin.
>As you get back onto the second level, you see Yuuko walking along in your direction, carrying a blanket.
>_
-
>"Hey Yuuko. How have things been with everyone?"
>"What happened with Rin and Utsuho?"
-
>"Hey Yuuko. How have things been with everyone?"
>"What happened with Rin and Utsuho?"
>"Hi!"
>"Everyone has been getting along. The professor seems a bit tired these days, though."
>"The professor finally finished one of her projects! Orin went to her room to talk with the other lady. She asked not to be disturbed for a while."
>_
-
>"So her resurrection attempt was successful? That is excellent news."
>In that case, if nothing else say our goodbyes and off to Nitori again. Wake her up this time.
>"This cannot be a comfortable place to sleep."
-
>"So her resurrection attempt was successful? That is excellent news."
>In that case, if nothing else say our goodbyes and off to Nitori again. Wake her up this time.
>"This cannot be a comfortable place to sleep."
>"Yeah. Orin was really, really happy about it."
>"Bye bye!"
>You begin to head back to the third level when you notice Yuuko following you.
>You enter the main room with Yuuko, who interrupts you when you try to wake up Nitori.
>"The professors been really tired lately, I think we should let her sleep."
>As Yuuko says this, you see her placing the blanket over Nitori.
>_
-
>"I suppose she's been worried about the whole thing."
>Ah well, we can talk with them later, for now, let's go to the Misty Lake. We have a missing fairy mystery and whatever happened to the SDM crew to deal with.
-
>"I suppose she's been worried about the whole thing."
>Ah well, we can talk with them later, for now, let's go to the Misty Lake. We have a missing fairy mystery and whatever happened to the SDM crew to deal with.
>"I think the professor has been thinking about a lot of things lately."
>"Bye bye!"
>You decide to leave the laboratory, with the Misty Lake as your next destination.
>You spend the next half hour in flight until you can see a rather large lake.
>_
-
>Anything off about the lake?
>Any signs of anyone?
-
>Anything off about the lake?
>Any signs of anyone?
>Not particularly, other than the lack of any fairies. That, and the Scarlet Devil Mansion that should be in the background appears to have been replaced by a rather normal looking house.
>Not where you are.
>_
-
Investigate the house.
-
Investigate the house.
>You fly over the lake and begin to approach the house.
>The house appears to be fairly spacious, and is two storeys tall.
>You notice a green clad figure standing by the doorway.
>You are still some distance from the house.
>_
-
>Go talk to Meiling
>What do we know about the SDM crew?
-
>Go talk to Meiling
>What do we know about the SDM crew?
>What would you talk to her about?
>Nonetheless, you approach Meiling, who gives you a curious look.
>You are somewhat acquainted with the head of the household, Remilia Scarlet. From what you recall, she tends to be rather childish despite her efforts to appear otherwise.
>You know of Remilia's younger sister, Flandre Scarlet, though you have never met her. You hear that she is rather naive and prone to outbursts.
>You know that Remilia's main advisor and friend is Patchouli Knowledge. Rather adept at magic, she rarely left the Scarlet Devil Mansion's library. You hear that she also has a familiar.
>You know of Remilia's head maid, Sakuya Izayoi, a rather gifted human with the ability to stop time. You hear from Ran that she is a rather cruel being.
>You know of the gate guard, Hong Meiling. A rather passive being, though she is capable of being just as dangerous as any other member of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>_
-
>"Well now, even here hasn't escaped the effects of the past two years. Would Miss Scarlet still happen to be awake right now?"
-
>"Well now, even here hasn't escaped the effects of the past two years. Would Miss Scarlet still happen to be awake right now?"
>"Who are you supposed to be, and why would I tell you?"
>_
-
>"I would be Yukari Yakumo, and your mistress knows who I am."
>Hmm, this is why we always take the gap route isn't it? Too bad we don't know the layout of their new house.
-
>"I would be Yukari Yakumo, and your mistress knows who I am."
>Hmm, this is why we always take the gap route isn't it? Too bad we don't know the layout of their new house.
>"Really? Well that's too bad. We're not really taking any guests right now."
>Dealing with people takes so much time, and most people would rather not deal with you. What's not to like about cutting out that step?
>_
-
>Are we picking up anything odd like one of those dimensional tears?
>If not, then gap back to Mayohiga. We have bigger problems if there's nothing to be done here, like eating and getting cleaned up.
>Considering where we've found tears so far, where else seems likely to have one?
-
>Are we picking up anything odd like one of those dimensional tears?
>If not, then gap back to Mayohiga. We have bigger problems if there's nothing to be done here, like eating and getting cleaned up.
>Considering where we've found tears so far, where else seems likely to have one?
>You are not.
>You decide to open up a gap to Mayohiga.
>"Oi! Where do you think you'r-"
>You step through your gap and find yourself in Mayohiga.
>You can see Shou sitting around on one of the porches. She waves to you when she notices you walking out of your gap.
>_
-
>Poor China, no one actually respects her. Far be it for us to break tradition though.
>"Hello Shou, everything alright here lately?"
>Do we have anything to stop Yamane from poisoning us when we go ask her about Kisume?
-
>Poor China, no one actually respects her. Far be it for us to break tradition though.
>"Hello Shou, everything alright here lately?"
>Do we have anything to stop Yamane from poisoning us when we go ask her about Kisume?
>Isn't it sad, Meiling?
>"Hmm? Yes, we have been fine. You seem to have been busy."
>Why would you?
>_
-
>"As long as the Yama doesn't catch on, I'll be fine~"
>We have all kinds of stuff around after all. Can we make something do that we don't die from a poisoning?
>What do we know about Yuuka Kazami?
-
>"As long as the Yama doesn't catch on, I'll be fine~"
>We have all kinds of stuff around after all. Can we make something do that we don't die from a poisoning?
>What do we know about Yuuka Kazami?
>"As long as it all worked out, I suppose."
>You could probably make a general antidote if you so desired, though you don't really register Yamame Kurodani as a significant threat.
>A rather troublesome individual. She is extremely powerful, but tends not to leave her garden. You have not interacted with this person.
>_
-
>Let's go home and freshen up and get some food
-
>Refresh our memory: Are there any more rifts? If so, where are they?
-
>Let's go home and freshen up and get some food
>You decide to leave Shou to her own devices for the time being and return to your own home.
>Once inside, you find Ran drinking some tea in the dining room, who gives you a small nod.
>"Welcome home, master."
>Refresh our memory: Are there any more rifts? If so, where are they?
>You can see many tears running across the skies.
>You do not know of any other tears that may exist.
>_
-
>"Thank you Ran. For now at least, Utsuho is alive again and I'm out of known rifts."
>"A small break before continuing won't hurt, especially since I need to actively search for the tears now."
>The tears tend to be by notable places. We've gone through Eientei, the Netherworld, Higan, Moriya Shrine, the forest of magic, the Human Village, and SDM.
>Going by Hakurei shrine is right out till we fix everything else, so who is left?
>Can we sense where the main tears are in the border now or is something still interfering?
-
>"Thank you Ran. For now at least, Utsuho is alive again and I'm out of known rifts."
>"A small break before continuing won't hurt, especially since I need to actively search for the tears now."
>The tears tend to be by notable places. We've gone through Eientei, the Netherworld, Higan, Moriya Shrine, the forest of magic, the Human Village, and SDM.
>Going by Hakurei shrine is right out till we fix everything else, so who is left?
>Can we sense where the main tears are in the border now or is something still interfering?
>"That is good to hear, master."
>"Do you require anything for your break?"
>"Do the tears in the sky not look similar to the one that was outside Hakugyokurou?"
>You've certainly explored many places lately. You suppose that places you have yet to visit include the underground, the Garden of the Sun, and Bhava Agra.
>You still feel an interference if you try to remotely search for tears.
>_
-
> ..Do they look similar to the tear in Hakugyokurou? Do they feel the same?
> "Just food and drink for now."
> "Has there been any progress with Byakuren and her quest?"
-
> ..Do they look similar to the tear in Hakugyokurou? Do they feel the same?
> "Just food and drink for now."
> "Has there been any progress with Byakuren and her quest?"
>They do. You haven't been close enough one to see if they feel the same.
>Ran takes a rather long sip of her tea before replying.
>"Very well then, master. I shall be back shortly."
>Before Ran leaves, though, you ask her another question.
>"Somewhat. They appear to have arrived at a conclusion, at the very least."
>Ran disappears from your view for a moment before reappearing with some inari sushi on a tray, which she places on the table.
>_
-
> "What was the conclusion? Did they recover Nue?"
> Obviously not since we haven't completed that sidequest.
> "Now that my obligation to Satori is complete, I can aid them if they are still having troubles."
-
> "What was the conclusion? Did they recover Nue?"
> Obviously not since we haven't completed that sidequest.
> "Now that my obligation to Satori is complete, I can aid them if they are still having troubles."
>"That they'll simply rescue her when the time comes. They plan to do this when you eventually confront the red-white."
>You wonder when you got this handy to-do list, and why it says 'FAILED' next to 'Find Nue.'. As you read through this list, you get the feeling that the entirety of your life has already been mapped out for you.
>"At this point, I do not think that there is much more for them to do, master."
>_
-
> "Perhaps not, but I will at least make the offer. I might just edge them over the boundary of what's possible~"
> Eat! Food is Good!
-
>Actually we already did make the offer to help with Byakuren and went through the whole not trying to do everything along thing so no point in repeating ourselves.
>Which is closer, the Underground entrance or the tears in the sky?
-
We can open as many gaps as we want at this point. :V They are all equally close. We know Byakuren didn't get any closer without us, now that Okuu isn't dead we should see if we can free up Nue for them.
-
Oh right, the sky is definitely within sight. So might as well see about that first.
Eh, sounds like they got the Nue thing dealt with actually. Though it probably wouldn't hurt to ask why they need to wait for us to go at Reimu.
-
> "Perhaps not, but I will at least make the offer. I might just edge them over the boundary of what's possible~"
> Eat! Food is Good!
>"If you believe that to be the best course of action, master."
>You take a seat and begin eating. Ran stands by your side as you do so.
>Actually we already did make the offer to help with Byakuren and went through the whole not trying to do everything along thing so no point in repeating ourselves.
>Which is closer, the Underground entrance or the tears in the sky?
>You certainly did. You wonder if you should bother trying again.
>If you were to travel by flight, the tears in the sky would be closer.
>_
-
It sounds like they just gave up. :V
> "Where is Byakuren and her followers now? In case I do decide to drop by later."
-
> "Where is Byakuren and her followers now? In case I do decide to drop by later."
>"I believe that they are currently resting within the house allocated to them, master."
>_
-
>Leave it alone. It doesn't sound border related and Byakuren and crew are more likely to deal with it than we are - remember Koishi?
>Besides, trouble comes to us just fine; we're liable to run into her without actually trying if its really major. At the least, it's all of them now instead of just Byakuren so we did make some progress after all.
>For now though, we should investigate those sky cracks. Finish eating, then off to the sky.
>"For now, I'll see if I can do anything about our cracked sky. It doesn't even give a proper light kaleidoscope like stained glass. It also seems that those tears won't let anyone but me in, so I leave things here to you once again Ran."
>To the sky!
-
>Leave it alone. It doesn't sound border related and Byakuren and crew are more likely to deal with it than we are - remember Koishi?
>Besides, trouble comes to us just fine; we're liable to run into her without actually trying if its really major. At the least, it's all of them now instead of just Byakuren so we did make some progress after all.
>For now though, we should investigate those sky cracks. Finish eating, then off to the sky.
>"For now, I'll see if I can do anything about our cracked sky. It doesn't even give a proper light kaleidoscope like stained glass. It also seems that those tears won't let anyone but me in, so I leave things here to you once again Ran."
>To the sky!
>You decide against meeting Byakuren and decide to investigate the tears in the sky.
>You're bound to see Nue at some point or another, right?
>You finish eating before preparing to leave once more.
>"Safe journeys, master."
>Ran gives you a small bow as you fly off towards the heavens.
>After around half an hour of flight, you find yourself under the nearest tear in the sky.
>_
-
>Can we open it up like all the other tears?
-
>Can we open it up like all the other tears?
>You feel that you could, if you so desired.
>_
-
>Get our parasol and bag of stuff out first, then it's time to go gap diving again.
-
>Get our parasol and bag of stuff out first, then it's time to go gap diving again.
>You've been carrying your gear around for some time now.
>Like the other tears, you reach towards the tear and begin to open up a hole within it.
>Soon, you've got a gap large enough within the tear to fly through.
>_
-
>Let's go in.
>Hopefully this won't be as bad or worse than the others. We're out of notable people, how bad can it be?
-
>....Bhava-Agra?
-
>The last thing we need right now is putting up with the Celestials.
>What is our relationship with them? Especially Tenshi and Iku.
-
>Let's go in.
>Hopefully this won't be as bad or worse than the others. We're out of notable people, how bad can it be?
>You decide to fly through the gap that you've opened up.
>On the other side, you find yourself in the middle of a cloud.
>....Bhava-Agra?
>You fly further up and out of the cloud to confirm that you are, indeed, in Bhava Agra.
>You can see a few small islands nearby, as well as a much larger one with an ornate palace on it.
>The last thing we need right now is putting up with the Celestials.
>What is our relationship with them? Especially Tenshi and Iku.
>You really don't want to deal with celestials in general.
>You rather dislike Tenshi Hinanawi and believe the feeling to be mutual.
>You are impartial to Iku Nagae.
>_
-
>Do we really have to save them of all people?
>Do we have our gap powers?
>To the overcompensation palace.
-
>Do we really have to save them of all people?
>Do we have our gap powers?
>To the overcompensation palace.
>You sigh mentally.
>You do not, as expected.
>You begin to fly over to the extravagant palace.
>As you approach, you notice Iku sitting outside the palace, an extremely bored expression on her face.
>_
-
>At least we meet the only potentially sane celestial.
>To Iku.
>Keep an eye out for Tenshi.
-
>At least we meet the only potentially sane celestial.
>To Iku.
>Keep an eye out for Tenshi.
>That's got to be a plus, right?
>You continue on towards Iku, keeping your eye out for Tenshi along the way.
>You land in front of Iku, who gives you a quick glance and a sigh before continuing to stare out into space with a rather blank expression.
>_
-
>"Hello."
>"Um, ar you all right?"
-
>"Hello."
>"Um, ar you all right?"
>Iku jumps back and gets onto her feet as soon as you begin talking.
>"Um... Ah..."
>"Hello!"
>You then hear Iku muttering to herself.
>"Guess I've finally lost it, huh? Oh, Iku, you've done it now."
>Iku looks towards you again.
>"Well, how can I help you?"
>_
-
> "I'm fairly certain you're the only one who was ever sane here."
> "Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
-
> "I'm fairly certain you're the only one who was ever sane here."
> "Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
>"So I'm questioning my own sanity now, huh?"
>You hear Iku chuckle.
>"What's wrong? Everything's wrong. Everyone's gone. Nothing moves. And now I'm talking to a hallucination."
>"Ah, Iku, how could this have happened?"
>_
-
> "Well, maybe your mind wants you to replay what happened then~ Tell me where everyone went, please~?"
> Look around. Are the clouds not moving?
-
> "Well, maybe your mind wants you to replay what happened then~ Tell me where everyone went, please~?"
> Look around. Are the clouds not moving?
>"Oh, Iku, you're so far lost that your own mind wants to confirm what you know."
>"Well, let's see..."
>"There you were, minding your own business, when you noticed something strange happening in Gensokyo."
>"So you rushed outside to see what was going on, only to see that everything had stopped moving."
>"You wondered what was happening, so you tried to find someone. Except everyone was gone."
>"So you wanted to check one of the other islands, maybe someone was still around there."
>"Then you noticed that you couldn't fly because your clothes had a few tears from running around."
>"So you've just been waiting for somebody, anybody, to rescue you."
>"It's just too bad that you lost your mind before that could happen, Iku."
>Iku sighs.
>You take a look around and, now that you think about it, the clouds are indeed still.
>_
-
>"You seem convinced that I'm not real."
>Place our hand on her shoulder.
>"I can assure you that I am very much real."
>"I'm sorry that I couldn't get here sooner, but I was trapped as well."
-
>"Under any event, the strange event was the border cracking, and you are stuck in one of those cracks. We need to find out what's wrong and fix it to restore things."
>"Well you've mentioned that one already if everything is frozen in time here."
>"But really, you should learn how to fly without the clothes for times like this."
>"Whether or not you believe that I'm really here, I need someone to tell me if anything in that castle shouldn't be there - I'm not exactly a fountain of knowledge about Celestial life."
-
>"You seem convinced that I'm not real."
>Place our hand on her shoulder.
>"I can assure you that I am very much real."
>"I'm sorry that I couldn't get here sooner, but I was trapped as well."
>"You've got a pretty active imagination there, Iku. Your illusions are questioning their existence.
>Iku flinches when you touch her shoulder.
>"What? That can't be right..."
>Iku pokes at you a few times.
>"You're... not an illusion?"
>"Come to think of it... You were one of those people chasing after the eldest daughter when she ran amok with the Sword of Hisou..."
>"Under any event, the strange event was the border cracking, and you are stuck in one of those cracks. We need to find out what's wrong and fix it to restore things."
>"Well you've mentioned that one already if everything is frozen in time here."
>"But really, you should learn how to fly without the clothes for times like this."
>"Whether or not you believe that I'm really here, I need someone to tell me if anything in that castle shouldn't be there - I'm not exactly a fountain of knowledge about Celestial life."
>"So you're here to help?"
>Iku takes a step back whilst blushing and attempting to cover herself with her arms.
>"How lewd! To fly through the skies with no clothes..."
>"Is that how mortals are these days? How scary..."
>"I've walked through the palace countless times, I don't think that anything is strange about it..."
>"Other than the lack of anyone else, of course."
>_
-
>"Really, I tell you to learn how to fly without special clothing and that's where your thoughts jump too? You really must have been bored."
>"Now I wonder what you've been amusing yourself doing in here~"
>How do you go about teaching someone how to fly anyway?
>"If nothing is off there, then what else is there up here that's notable?"
-
>"Really, I tell you to learn how to fly without special clothing and that's where your thoughts jump too? You really must have been bored."
>"Now I wonder what you've been amusing yourself doing in here~"
>How do you go about teaching someone how to fly anyway?
>"If nothing is off there, then what else is there up here that's notable?"
>Iku's face goes redder as she crosses her arms and turns away from you.
>"I am not an expert on the behaviour of mortals, what else was I supposed to think of words from you crude beings?"
>"Nothing, thank you very much!"
>Most youkai and the like are born with innate knowledge in regards to how to fly. Trying to teach someone how to fly would likely be difficult, to say the least.
>"This island has very little of note outside of the place. I say this with full confidence."
>_
-
> "Then why don't we look around? I'm sure I can carry you. If you can handle being that close~"
> We're not used to being called a mortal, are we? It's so cute.
-
> "Then why don't we look around? I'm sure I can carry you. If you can handle being that close~"
> We're not used to being called a mortal, are we? It's so cute.
>Iku wheels around, face still red with her cheeks puffed.
>"Don't make fun of me!"
>Iku stomps off past you for a few steps before stopping.
>"Well, are we going?"
>She is rather adorable right now.
>_
-
> "Lead the way then~" Let's go!
-
> "Lead the way then~" Let's go!
>"There really isn't anything on this island though..."
>Iku sighs before turning to face you again.
>Iku points in the direction of one of islands some distance away.
>"The Hinanawi's residence is over there, it might be worth investigating."
>_
-
>Do we know why she would need special clothing to fly? If not, ask.
-
>Do we know why she would need special clothing to fly? If not, ask.
>Many celestials do not know how to fly simply because their clothes enable them to do so.
>You assume that Iku is among the group that do not know how to fly on their own.
>_
-
>We could suggest asking Marisa how she learned to fly, but why do we care about them?
>We could also suggest Reimu, but we shouldn't make them suicide no matter how annoying they are. At least not until we can safely watch.
>"As long as you can keep that brat under control if she's there."
>Grab Iku and head over to the Hinawari residence.
>Hope that Tenshi is not here.
-
>We could suggest asking Marisa how she learned to fly, but why do we care about them?
>We could also suggest Reimu, but we shouldn't make them suicide no matter how annoying they are. At least not until we can safely watch.
>"As long as you can keep that brat under control if she's there."
>Grab Iku and head over to the Hinawari residence.
>Hope that Tenshi is not here.
>You could direct Iku to either Reimu or Marisa, but you wouldn't will that upon anyone... Yet.
>"I shall try my best."
>You pick up Iku and begin to fly towards the island Iku pointed out.
>"Oh, how I have missed this feeling."
>After a few minutes of flight, you find yourself approaching the island.
>On it, you see several small houses. One of these houses have their door open.
>_
-
>Damn it she's here too. Why couldn't our gaps channel our hatred and throw her into the sun?
>Land by the open house
>Iku goes in first.
-
>Damn it she's here too. Why couldn't our gaps channel our hatred and throw her into the sun?
>Land by the open house
>Iku goes in first.
>Alas. If only you could decide who was and was not around.
>You descend near the open house with Iku, who gently hops off you as you approach the ground.
>Iku walks towards the house and knocks on its door.
>"Is anyone there?"
>You do not hear a response.
>_
-
>Look around outside with caution. Iku goes in the house first too.
-
>Look around outside with caution. Iku goes in the house first too.
>"Hello?"
>You spend about ten minutes looking around the island while Iku walks into the open house.
>On the island, the many other houses look as though they haven't been used in quite some time.
>There are also a few trees scattered about the island. Some of the trees have several cuts in them.
>_
-
>Follow Iku into the house.
-
>Follow Iku into the house.
>You walk into the house.
>You notice that there's some fairly fresh looking mud tracked around the house.
>You look around for Iku, finding a living room and kitchen the process, until you find her standing at the end of a hallway. She appears to be looking into a bedroom.
>When Iku notices you, she puts a finger to her lips, as though telling you to be quiet.
>_
-
>Be quiet.
-
>While being quiet, take a look in the room.
-
>Be quiet.
>While being quiet, take a look in the room.
>You try to reduce the amount of noise you make while you approach Iku.
>Once you reach the end of the corridor, you look into the room Iku is in front of to see Tenshi sleeping peacefully on a bed, though she does seem to have rather large amounts of dirt and mud on her.
>_
-
>Examine her as closely as we can without disturbing her. Does her sleep seem natural?
-
>Examine her as closely as we can without disturbing her. Does her sleep seem natural?
>As you try to take a step into your room, Iku takes hold of your arm, shaking her head.
>The bedroom is rather small, and you don't see or feel anything particularly off about the place.
>You do not believe that Tenshi's sleep was caused by anything other than fatigue.
>Iku looks at you before pointing away from the room and beginning to walk towards the house's entrance.
>_
-
>Follow her.
-
>Follow her.
>You follow Iku, who exits the house and closes the door behind you as you exit as well.
>"It is good to see the eldest daughter is well, at the very least."
>"I assume that you were searching the island? Did you find anyone?"
>_
-
>"No one besides her. So, is there anything else up here of note?"
>How do the islands keep moving anyway?
>If we don't know, ask Iku. Might be related to fixing this place.
-
>"No one besides her. So, is there anything else up here of note?"
>How do the islands keep moving anyway?
>If we don't know, ask Iku. Might be related to fixing this place.
>"I see..."
>"I do not believe there is."
>The islands are rather motionless right now. Usually, they move in a fixed orbit with the wind.
>_
-
>"In all of heaven there are only two islands that have any significance?"
>And they say that they have overpopulation problems?
>Great, so we need to ask Tenshi when she wakes up.
-
>"In all of heaven there are only two islands that have any significance?"
>And they say that they have overpopulation problems?
>Great, so we need to ask Tenshi when she wakes up.
>"There are many other clans that reside on the other islands."
>"... As well as that drunkard."
>It does seem rather spacious right now.
>You're not particularly looking forward to that.
>_
-
>"....Drunkard? You know where Suika stays up here?"
>Screw Tenshi, we're going to see our friend.
>Get directions from Iku.
-
>"....Drunkard? You know where Suika stays up here?"
>Screw Tenshi, we're going to see our friend.
>Get directions from Iku.
>"Hmm? Yes, she claimed ownership of one of the smaller islands after defeating the eldest daughter in combat. Do you know her?"
>It would be nice to see a friendly face around.
>"Umm... Her island is nearby, in that direction."
>Iku points in the direction opposite to the island with the palace.
>"There's no guarantee that the drunkard will still be here, though."
>_
-
>"Still worth checking."
>We need to get that story from her.
>Fly off to the island! Iku can stay with the brat in case she wakes up.
-
>"Still worth checking."
>We need to get that story from her.
>Fly off to the island! Iku can stay with the brat in case she wakes up.
>"Why one would want to associate with a drunkard is beyond m-"
>You would like to know what's going on.
>You fly off in the direction Iku specified!
>"Hey! Where are you goin-"
>You feel that Iku should remain here in case Tenshi wakes up, and continue flying until you see a small island.
>_
-
>Any sign of our favorite drunkard?
-
>Any sign of our favorite drunkard?
>As you approach the island, you notice that this island seems to be in a much poorer state than the others. Several trees have been uprooted, and much of the ground has been torn asunder.
>In the midst of it all, you see a small figure lying flat on the ground.
>_
-
I heartily approve of this move.
> Move a bit closer and shout towards Suika. "Oh no! This tankard is about to hit the drunk! All the booze will be wasted!"
-
> Move a bit closer and shout towards Suika. "Oh no! This tankard is about to hit the drunk! All the booze will be wasted!"
>You continue flying towards Suika until you're rather close to her.
>You then proceed to shout at Suika, who makes some sweeping motions with her arms.
>"Shave the bewze!"
>_
-
> "Suika~ Get up already. What are you doing here?"
-
> "Suika~ Get up already. What are you doing here?"
>You see Suika open her eyes and blink a few times.
>"Eh? Ish that you, Yukari?"
>"Did you save the drink?"
>_
-
> "Sure. It's me, in the flesh~"
> "You look.. well."
-
> "Sure. It's me, in the flesh~"
> "You look.. well."
>Suika shakes her head before slapping her cheeks a few times and rising to her feet.
>"'s been a while."
>"You too!"
>"So where's the beer?"
>_
-
> "In your gourd." Look down to see if Suika still has her magical endless booze item.
> "You made a mess of the place. Where are you going to host an esteeemed person like me?"
> Did I really write drunk instead of floor? Suika pass me more of that booze.
-
> "In your gourd." Look down to see if Suika still has her magical endless booze item.
> "You made a mess of the place. Where are you going to host an esteeemed person like me?"
> Did I really write drunk instead of floor? Suika pass me more of that booze.
>"Really?"
>Suika grabs the gourd at her waist and puts it to her mouth for a good minute before wiping her lips with her arm.
>"Sho it ish~ Ehehe~"
>"'Sh not my fault!"
>"'sides, anywhere's that's good enough for me is good enough for you!"
>Suika takes another swig from her gourd.
>"I knew you'd come around~"
>Suika holds out the gourd to you whilst hiccuping.
>_
-
>"Fair enough. Things have been quite busy everywhere the past two years; did you know that Reimu caused an incident herself?"
-
>"Fair enough. Things have been quite busy everywhere the past two years; did you know that Reimu caused an incident herself?"
>"Ho? She did?"
>"So how's you been, Yukari~n?"
>_
-
>"Where to begin on that one."
>"Basically, Nitori went mad and nearly broke the border two years ago, occupying me for two years in an attempt to fix it - and floating in the border for two years is quite the boring experience."
>Fill Suika in on the madness we've been dealing with and what went down over the two years.
>"So right now I've killed a youkai tree, housed the Myouren shrine, put Rinnosuke on my black-list, found out how bratty the mountain gods are, befriended Rumia, freed two immortals and sprung a nuclear hell raven from hell."
>"Now we need to find out what's off up here so I can fix it and get the border to toss us out. Then when the border's finally fixed, deal with Reimu."
>"When this is done, I'm sleeping for at least a week."
>"Would you know what's more off here than usual for heaven?"
>Please know so we can avoid Tenshi.
-
>"Where to begin on that one."
>"Basically, Nitori went mad and nearly broke the border two years ago, occupying me for two years in an attempt to fix it - and floating in the border for two years is quite the boring experience."
>Fill Suika in on the madness we've been dealing with and what went down over the two years.
>"So right now I've killed a youkai tree, housed the Myouren shrine, put Rinnosuke on my black-list, found out how bratty the mountain gods are, befriended Rumia, freed two immortals and sprung a nuclear hell raven from hell."
>"Now we need to find out what's off up here so I can fix it and get the border to toss us out. Then when the border's finally fixed, deal with Reimu."
>"When this is done, I'm sleeping for at least a week."
>"Would you know what's more off here than usual for heaven?"
>Please know so we can avoid Tenshi.
>"Need a drink?"
>"Two years ago? Isn't that about when everything stopped moving?
>"Bored? Tell me about it! The only person I've had to talk to for the past two years is that kid!"
>You tell Suika of your recent exploits. The more you tell her, the angrier she seems to get.
>"Not fair! Not fair at all that you get to do all that fun stuff!"
>"You mean getting us out of here? Sounds like a great idea!"
>"And then we'll get to see Rei~mu!"
>"How's that little Reimu been by the way?"
>"Booooring."
>Suika takes a rather big drink from her gourd.
>"See, zat's your problem. You don't do anything other than shleep. You could have so much more fun!"
>"Unusual, huh? Well nobody comes around telling me to be quiet, no matter how loud I am."
>"Tried jumping down to visit Rei~mu a while back, but it's like someone brought the floor right up."
>"Everything seems to move less, too."
>You would rather not deal with annoying kids.
>_
-
>"Reimu? From what I've heard and seen, she's gotten even more miserly and has been shaking down everyone for money."
>"She sealed the entire Myouren crew when they protested, and blew up the SDM when they did the same. She's currently holding Alice hostage and hiding Rinnosuke so that I can't skewer him for enslaving Alice and locking Rumia up for who knows how long."
>"Since she's throwing the Incident I need to play Incident resolver for now. When I'm done with the border I'm organizing one huge party at Reimu's mansion - oh that's right, she built a mansion with all the money she extorted."
>"Having everybody come after Reimu at once should be quite the incident~"
>"The floor's risen? Well it's as good a point as any to start. Iku can watch Tenshi for a bit longer."
>"Since you're here, care to help resolve an incident? Considering the pattern odds are good that we'll have to beat someone or something up."
>We're flying down; let's see how far we can go before reaching the 'floor'.
-
>"Reimu? From what I've heard and seen, she's gotten even more miserly and has been shaking down everyone for money."
>"She sealed the entire Myouren crew when they protested, and blew up the SDM when they did the same. She's currently holding Alice hostage and hiding Rinnosuke so that I can't skewer him for enslaving Alice and locking Rumia up for who knows how long."
>"Since she's throwing the Incident I need to play Incident resolver for now. When I'm done with the border I'm organizing one huge party at Reimu's mansion - oh that's right, she built a mansion with all the money she extorted."
>"Having everybody come after Reimu at once should be quite the incident~"
>"The floor's risen? Well it's as good a point as any to start. Iku can watch Tenshi for a bit longer."
>"Since you're here, care to help resolve an incident? Considering the pattern odds are good that we'll have to beat someone or something up."
>We're flying down; let's see how far we can go before reaching the 'floor'.
>"Eeh~ Wonder if I can pay in booze..."
>Suika frowns.
>"That doesn't sound good, though."
>"Parties, on the other hand, are great! I'll make sure everyone turns up for the festivities!"
>"Well, not literally, ya'know. You just can't really go lower after a certain point."
>"Gotta pity anyone that's trying to take care of that kid."
>"Sounds good to me! What's the plan, and can we skip straight to the beating part?"
>You walk over to the edge of Suika's island before you jump off and begin flying downwards, with Suika chasing after you.
>"Waiiiiit for meeeee, Yukariii~n~"
>You travel about a hundred meters below Suika's island before you crash into, and end up sprawled on, the air.
>You hear uncontrolled laughter coming from behind you.
>_
-
> Get up and attempt to retake a dignified look.
> "This must be the boundary of this bubble."
> Can we feel a boundary here?
> ..Isn't there suposed to be a Dragon in heaven?
-
> Get up and attempt to retake a dignified look.
> "This must be the boundary of this bubble."
> Can we feel a boundary here?
> ..Isn't there suposed to be a Dragon in heaven?
>You pick yourself up and try to look dignified whilst standing on the air. It probably doesn't help your image that you have a short demon rolling around on the 'floor', laughing.
>Suika seems to be too busy laughing at your expense to respond.
>Very, very faintly. Your abilities in regards to boundaries are not functioning properly.
>There is. It should reside within the palace you saw earlier.
>_
-
>Could be worse. At least it isn't Ran or Tenshi.
>What do we know of the Dragon?
>"Well nothing to do about here; let's find out from the envoy what became of the Dragon."
>When Suika stops laughing so much off to Iku.
-
>Could be worse. At least it isn't Ran or Tenshi.
>What do we know of the Dragon?
>"Well nothing to do about here; let's find out from the envoy what became of the Dragon."
>When Suika stops laughing so much off to Iku.
>You suppose you should be thankful that it's Suika laughing rather than someone like Ran or Tenshi.
>It assisted you in the creation of the great border. It may have been the other way around, but nobody cares about small details like that.
>Like you, it is content to watch its creation for the most part, taking very little part in influencing the overall direction that Gensoukyo takes.
>Suika wipes off a few tears as she tries to calm herself down.
>"Alright, alright~"
>You take flight, with a giggling Suika behind you, back towards where you left Iku.
>After some time spent flying, you see Iku waiting with her arms folded on the island that you left her on. She looks rather cross.
>"What's up with her?"
>Suika asks you inquisitively.
>_
-
>"Oh right, I left her here to find you and she can't fly on her own till her clothes get fixed. Ah well, she'll get over it."
>Land. "I found Suika!"
>Be happy in the face of anger; we found our friend damnit.
>"If you were alone by that castle, then where is the dragon?"
>We got stuck in that border; did the dragon?
-
>"Oh right, I left her here to find you and she can't fly on her own till her clothes get fixed. Ah well, she'll get over it."
>Land. "I found Suika!"
>Be happy in the face of anger; we found our friend damnit.
>"If you were alone by that castle, then where is the dragon?"
>We got stuck in that border; did the dragon?
>"She looks pwetty angry at you~"
>The two of you land in front of Iku, who gives you both a disapproving look.
>"Good for you."
>Suika raises her arm in greeting.
>"Yo!"
>"Um... Hello."
>Iku looks at you again.
>"You could have at least told me where you were going."
>You did find your friend! And you won't let anyone take that away from you.
>"I do not know."
>You did not see anything or anyone during your time within the border.
>_
-
>"Odd. I think I should investigate that castle myself."
>There, now she knows where we're going this time.
-
>"Odd. I think I should investigate that castle myself."
>There, now she knows where we're going this time.
>"Believe me when I say that I've seen all there is to see there and that there is nothing of interest."
>She can't say that you didn't tell her what you were going to do.
>_
-
>"And that's the problem; that castle shouldn't be empty."
>Besides, any excuse to not be by Tenshi works.
>To the castle! Bring Suika along too.
-
>"And that's the problem; that castle shouldn't be empty."
>Besides, any excuse to not be by Tenshi works.
>To the castle! Bring Suika along too.
>"Thank you for stating the obvious. I do happen to live there, you kno-"
>You don't want to be anywhere near that kid.
>You fly off once more, with Suika trailing behind you.
>"Wait!"
>You keep flying until you reach the palace once more.
>"Yukari~n, you're so mean to that fish~"
>"Were you lovers in your past life?"
>_
-
>"What."
-
>"What."
>"Tch. Boring. When did you become so boring, Yukari~n?"
>Suika begins to take a drink from her gourd.
>"See youz meant to shay 'No!' and be all embarasshed like."
>_
-
Why didn't you grab Iku if you were going to see the Dragon? >_>
> "I've just had so many that I can't keep count of them all~"
> Check the place out.
-
> "I've just had so many that I can't keep count of them all~"
> Check the place out.
>"So you're cheating on all of them? You're so mean, Yukari~n."
>You land with Suika and are about to enter the palace when you have a strange premonition.
>You feel as though once you enter, you won't be leaving until you achieve something significant. Do you continue regardless?
>_
-
> Pause.
> "Suika, did you feel that?"
> ..Let's go get Iku first after all.
-
> Pause.
> "Suika, did you feel that?"
> ..Let's go get Iku first after all.
>"Feel what?"
>Suika gives you a confused look.
>"Maybe you need a drink to clear your big head."
>You fly off back to the Hinanawi's island, wondering if getting Iku would help.
>As you near the island, you notice that you cannot see Iku.
>_
-
> "When we get out of here I will take you up on that."
> Oh great. Look around the island. She can't have gotten far if she can't fly. Check Tenshi's house last.
-
> "When we get out of here I will take you up on that."
> Oh great. Look around the island. She can't have gotten far if she can't fly. Check Tenshi's house last.
>"There's always time for a drink though~"
>The two of you land amongst the many homes and begin to walk around, looking for Iku.
>As you do so, Suika begins to complain loudly.
>"This is bo~ring!"
>After some walking around, you find that one of the homes looks as though it has been used much more recently than the others, barring the one that you found Tenshi in.
>_
-
> How recently? Is there an Iku in the house right now?
-
> How recently? Is there an Iku in the house right now?
>Very recently.
>Unless someone appeared during the time that you were gone, you would assume so.
>_
-
> Then let's go in and talk to her.
> "Iku, I believe there is something in the palace. Will you come with me to see what it is?"
> Let's not bring Tenshi.
-
> Then let's go in and talk to her.
> "Iku, I believe there is something in the palace. Will you come with me to see what it is?"
> Let's not bring Tenshi.
>"What are you doing, Yukari~n?"
>You're about to enter the house when you hear a nearby door opening.
>"Jeez! What's all that noise?!"
>You quickly enter the house, dragging Suika in, and call out to Iku. You hear her respond from some room inside the house.
>"Eek! Who's there?! I'm sorry! D-d-don't come any closer! Just stay where you are! I'll be right there!"
>_
-
> Shenanigans senses are tingling.
> "No need to rush, we'll come right to you~ Just wait right there~"
> Wait for Iku to get ready. Hope that Tenshi doesn't find us.
-
> Shenanigans senses are tingling.
> "No need to rush, we'll come right to you~ Just wait right there~"
> Wait for Iku to get ready. Hope that Tenshi doesn't find us.
>You get the feeling that you could cause something rather amusing to happen.
>"No! Just wait! I'll be right there so jus-!"
>You hear some rather loud crashing noises accompanied by short, panicked yelps.
>After the ruckus subsides, you see a red-faced Iku wearing a dress similar to Tenshi's enter your vision. Her hair is a mess, and her hat is rather lopsided.
>"Why are you here?"
>At the same time, the door you're standing behind bursts open to reveal Tenshi, looking rather tired.
>"What the hell is going on in here?!"
>Suika pokes at your side.
>"Oi. The brat is here."
>_
-
>"We're fixing heaven, and something is certainly in the castle now so we want you along Iku."
>"You Tenshi can go back to sleep. Preferably forever~"
-
>"We're fixing heaven, and something is certainly in the castle now so we want you along Iku."
>"You Tenshi can go back to sleep. Preferably forever~"
>"Hold on one moment, what do you want from me?"
>"What's that supposed to mean? Why don't you do that?"
>Tenshi draws her sword and points it at you.
>"You want to go?"
>Iku rushes forward.
>"Eldest daughter, calm down."
>You see Tenshi stare at Iku for a while.
>"Wait, why are you dressed like that?"
>"Um..."
>_
-
>How troublesome would it be to beat Tenshi out of our way without our gap powers?
>"The dragon isn't in its castle. That in itself is quite odd, besides I can feel that something is off there. You are the Dragon's envoy, thus you come with me and Suika."
>"This isn't the first place I've fixed and it likely won't be the last; the sooner we go through the castle, the sooner things go back to normal."
-
>How troublesome would it be to beat Tenshi out of our way without our gap powers?
>"The dragon isn't in its castle. That in itself is quite odd, besides I can feel that something is off there. You are the Dragon's envoy, thus you come with me and Suika."
>"This isn't the first place I've fixed and it likely won't be the last; the sooner we go through the castle, the sooner things go back to normal."
>Quite troublesome. Tenshi is a rather strong individual.
>"You dare to give me orders?"
>Iku gives you a disapproving look before turning towards Tenshi.
>"Eldest daughter, how have you fared? We certainly have a lot to discuss."
>"Huh? Um, okay I guess. And you haven't told me why you're wearing that yet."
>Iku turns her head to look at you once more.
>"Feel free to come see me when you have learnt some manners, though I wonder how long that will take."
>Iku walks out of the house, dragging Tenshi along with her.
>"You made her mad~"
>_
-
>"I don't want to hear that from the one who refers to people as hallucinations and crude mortals~"
>Oh please, if she wants an apology she can wait for another two years for that. Head outside where she can hear us.
>"I thought that you would care more about what became of the Dragon and the Celestials than your misplaced pride, but it seems I misjudged the Dragon's Envoy."
>"If it makes you happy though, I apologize for not grovelling before the mighty Celestial who couldn't handle two years alone, and humbly ask you to stop being a child and come help your boss."
>"When your highness deigns to not be trapped in this pocket dimension for the rest of her life and free the rest of Celestials from whatever nightmare dimension they got stuck in, please come to the castle."
>To the castle. We'll just go deal with whatever with Suika. Speaking of, we didn't tell her about when we met Iku.
>"I do wonder what she did for two years though; from her comments Iku might have other reasons for wearing Tenshi's clothes~"
-
>"I don't want to hear that from the one who refers to people as hallucinations and crude mortals~"
>Oh please, if she wants an apology she can wait for another two years for that. Head outside where she can hear us.
>"I thought that you would care more about what became of the Dragon and the Celestials than your misplaced pride, but it seems I misjudged the Dragon's Envoy."
>"If it makes you happy though, I apologize for not grovelling before the mighty Celestial who couldn't handle two years alone, and humbly ask you to stop being a child and come help your boss."
>"When your highness deigns to not be trapped in this pocket dimension for the rest of her life and free the rest of Celestials from whatever nightmare dimension they got stuck in, please come to the castle."
>To the castle. We'll just go deal with whatever with Suika. Speaking of, we didn't tell her about when we met Iku.
>"I do wonder what she did for two years though; from her comments Iku might have other reasons for wearing Tenshi's clothes~"
>You see Tenshi turn her head towards Iku as the two continue to walk away.
>"What's her problem, anyway? Do you want me to beat her up for you?"
>You don't really feel like giving Iku an apology and exit the house with Suika.
>Tenshi wheels around before Iku can stop her.
>"Hey! You keep badmouthing Iku and I don't care what she says, I'm going to beat the crap out of you! Got it?"
>You decide to take flight and head back towards the palace.
>"Like I care about any of that bo~ring stuff. When are we going to do something fun, Yukari~n?"
>_
-
>Urgh, Celestials are pretty much like this all the time.
>What do we think it would do for our reputation to apologise this time?
I dunno about just leaving the two of them. We probably could sweet-talk Iku into coming along, but only after an apology or something. Anyways, maybe we should let them have a chance to cool off and come back in a couple minutes? I'm not sure about heading in there without someone to tell us what's normal and what's not.
-
>Urgh, Celestials are pretty much like this all the time.
>What do we think it would do for our reputation to apologise this time?
>You really hate dealing with them.
>You assume not much from Iku, who tends to stay within Bhava Agra for the most part. Tenshi, on the other hand, spends a fair amount of time outside of Bhava Agra and could easily spread news of your apology to others.
>You suppose it would depend entirely on how you went about apologizing.
>_
-
Bah, those two can shove it. Tenshi would be more a liability than anything and if Iku doesn't feel like helping her deity then we'll just deal with it with Suika. Unlike Higan, we don't actually need her to open the castle.
>"Ah well; we'll give them a few minutes to catch up then head in ourselves; if they want to miss the party, that's their loss~"
>Wait for about ten minutes + the time it would take to fly from the island to the castle.
-
>"Ah well; we'll give them a few minutes to catch up then head in ourselves; if they want to miss the party, that's their loss~"
>Wait for about ten minutes + the time it would take to fly from the island to the castle.
>"So we have to wait? That's bo~ring."
>You wait with Suika for around ten minutes, ignoring her complaints about being bored. You see no sign of Iku or Tenshi.
>_
-
I say we go ahead. It will probably be more of a bother without Iku, but if she didn't notice anything wrong in two years to begin with.......................
>"Eh, I'm bored now too. Let's go find a Dragon."
>Enter the castle.
-
Agreed.
-
>"Eh, I'm bored now too. Let's go find a Dragon."
>Enter the castle.
>"Is there really anything in there?"
>Before you enter, you get the feeling again that once you go in, you won't be coming back out for some time. Do you continue?
>_
-
>"I can feel something off in there; once we enter we aren't leaving till we sort things out. I'll be counting on you~"
>As long as Suika is coming as well, let's get this done with. We're stuck here anyway, how much worse can the castle be?
-
>"I can feel something off in there; once we enter we aren't leaving till we sort things out. I'll be counting on you~"
>As long as Suika is coming as well, let's get this done with. We're stuck here anyway, how much worse can the castle be?
>"Really? Doesn't feel that way to me."
>Suika shrugs before taking another drink.
>You decide to enter the palace.
>Something feels off as soon as you step into the palace.
>"Seems pwetty boring in here."
>_
-
>So it's gap related. Why must our powers give us trouble? They're for trolling everyone else!
>Look around. Can we tell where the off feeling is coming from or what exactly it is?
>Have we felt this oddness before?
-
>So it's gap related. Why must our powers give us trouble? They're for trolling everyone else!
>Look around. Can we tell where the off feeling is coming from or what exactly it is?
>Have we felt this oddness before?
>Sometimes it's tough being special.
>You look around to see that you are in a corridor. There are several decorations both to your left and right, as well as a few doors. At the end of each side of the corridor, you can see a turn.
>You cannot feel where this feeling is coming from, nor do you know exactly what it is.
>You may have, though you can't quite place where or when you may have experienced such a feeling before.
>_
-
>Check the doors in order as we go down the corridor.
>Be prepared for any shenanigans.
-
>Check the doors in order as we go down the corridor.
>Be prepared for any shenanigans.
>Do you wish to head left or right?
>You brace yourself for anything strange that might happen.
>_
-
> "Looks can be deceiving. Hold onto me or we could get seperated. Something is definitely fishy in here."
> Take Suika's hand and let's go.. right.
-
>"Let's take our romantic stroll through this maze of a castle~"
>Ah, this is what Iku would have good for; directions. Ah well.
-
Dormio asked twice in confirmation of our entrance. I am worried.
>A step to the right.
-
>"Let's take our romantic stroll through this maze of a castle~"
>Ah, this is what Iku would have good for; directions. Ah well.
>"You coming on to me, Yukari~n? You're going to make your pets sad~"
>Having someone who knew where things were certainly could have helped.
> "Looks can be deceiving. Hold onto me or we could get seperated. Something is definitely fishy in here."
> Take Suika's hand and let's go.. right.
>A step to the right.
>"Still seems like any other old palace to me."
>You take hold of Suika's hand and begin heading right.
>Nothing of significance happens as you walk down the corridor.
>You find yourself nearing the door.
>_
-
>Knock on it.
-
>If no answer, open it
-
>Knock on it.
>You walk up to and knock on the door, only to be met with silence.
>If no answer, open it
>You decide to simply open the door to reveal what appears to be a study.
>There isn't much in the room other than a few cabinets, a small bookshelf, and a desk with nothing on it.
>Suika looks annoyed.
>_
-
>"This is going to be awhile."
>Do we know of Suika's ability to make a bunch of copies of herself?
>If we do; "Maybe if you used those mini-Suika's of yours to check the corridors. We're looking for any door that looks more ornate than the rest or anything weird, that's where the fun is. It would certainly save us time wandering out."
>Is that odd feeling getting stronger or weaker as we walk along the corridor?
>We should try to head to the center; it's the Dragon's room we're looking for.
-
>"This is going to be awhile."
>Do we know of Suika's ability to make a bunch of copies of herself?
>If we do; "Maybe if you used those mini-Suika's of yours to check the corridors. We're looking for any door that looks more ornate than the rest or anything weird, that's where the fun is. It would certainly save us time wandering out."
>Is that odd feeling getting stronger or weaker as we walk along the corridor?
>We should try to head to the center; it's the Dragon's room we're looking for.
>"Too long! It's taking way too long for anything interesting to happen!"
>Of course you do.
>Before you finish speaking, Suika interrupts you.
>"I was thinking the same thing!"
>You watch as Suika runs her fingers through her hair several times, throwing the hairs she collects into the air.
>Once Suika is done, she snaps her fingers, and each of the hairs turns into a miniature Suika. At the same time, the original Suika shrinks drastically in size and mingles with the newly formed Suikas.
>Before you can do anything, all of the Suikas begin rushing out of the room.
>The feeling is rather static along the corridor.
>You certainly could try searching for the Dragon's chamber.
>_
-
>Turn around and retrace to the entrance. Then go left.
>Be careful to keep at least one mini-Suika in your view at all times.
-
>Turn around and retrace to the entrance. Then go left.
>Be careful to keep at least one mini-Suika in your view at all times.
>You exit the room and begin to head back down the corridor in the direction of the entrance.
>The Suikas run down the corridor in both directions and continue past the turn on either end. One Suika remains at the other door that you can see along the corridor, struggling with the door's handle.
>You pass the entrance and continue heading in the direction of the other door.
>_
-
>Examine door for ornateness.
>Knock on it.
-
>Why are we knocking? The place is deserted, open the thing.
-
>Examine door for ornateness.
>Knock on it.
>You examine the door. Aside from the Suika trying to pull on the handle, it looks rather plain.
>You try knocking on the door, only to be met with no response.
>Why are we knocking? The place is deserted, open the thing.
>You do wonder why you bothered to knock. You brush aside the Suika and open the door to reveal what appears to be an archive.
>You can see several books and scrolls lying around.
>"This room is boring!"
>The Suika climbs onto your shoulder.
>_
-
>"Hey, can the other Suikas open the doors?"
>Look at the scrolls and book titles for anything interesting.
>"I don't know, blackmail material would be plenty interesting for later~"
-
>"Hey, can the other Suikas open the doors?"
>Look at the scrolls and book titles for anything interesting.
>"I don't know, blackmail material would be plenty interesting for later~"
>"No clue!"
>You would have to unfurl the scrolls to read them. The book titles seem to indicate that they contain records of who has entered and left Bhava Agra.
>"That's dirty and low!"
>_
-
>Return and walk through the corridor while opening the doors.
>Stop at the entrance and look if something noteworthy happens for about half a minute.
If I messed up with the position of the doors, I'll leave it to the next poster.
-
>Return and walk through the corridor while opening the doors.
>Stop at the entrance and look if something noteworthy happens for about half a minute.
>There are no more doors to open in this section of the corridor. You can, however, continue in either the left or right direction until you reach a turn.
>You do decide to step out of the archive and walk back to the entrance.
>"Where are we going?"
>Once at the entrance, you wait for about half a minute to see nothing noteworthy occurring.
>"This is even more boring than before!"
>_
-
>Continue in the left direction and peek around the corner (whose existence I seem to have been oblivious of)
-
>Continue in the left direction and peek around the corner (whose existence I seem to have been oblivious of)
>You head back left, past the archive until you reach the turn in the corridor.
>You take a look around the corner to see the corridor continuing with two doors along the path until it reaches another turn.
>Both of these doors appear to have been opened.
>_
-
>Can the Suika communicate with the other Suikas?
>If so, ask her if they're seeing any particularly fancy doors.
>Open the left door.
-
We're walking in circles now. Pick a direction and stick to it <_<
>If we're the one who opened those doors, just keep walking along the corridor. If we run into branches in the path, take the one without open doors - where the mini-Suika's haven't been.
-
We're walking in circles now. Pick a direction and stick to it <_<
In circles? What? Huh? When?
If you're referring to the return to the entrance, it was because I thought there were doors in the sides of that corridor too. I thought the Suikas would go through those (apparently they were all gone already), so if we then overlooked the corridor for a while, we could see if one of them would find anything of note.
I'm certainly not turning around now...
>If we're the one who opened those doors, just keep walking along the corridor. If we run into branches in the path, take the one without open doors - where the mini-Suika's haven't been.
Whuh? But we never even been beyond that first turn, how could we have opened the doors? ???
I'm really confused about which of us is confused about the architecture. Or maybe that's intentional, or maybe we're both mistaken.
Little recap here: we have an entrance. Then there are two corridors, each of which has a door and a turn. We opened the room in the right corridor, then went back and opened the one in the left corridor. Then I backtracked because I was imagining doors before returning left and going around the bend, which we had not been around before.
Is that more or less correct? I'll have to know if I'm going to state any coherent commands.
-
I think you're correct here, Chaotick.
-
I think you're correct here, Chaotick.
Hmm... alright then, thank you.
Then let's just carry on with my commands:
>Can the Suika communicate with the other Suikas?
>If so, ask her if they're seeing any particularly fancy doors.
>Open the left door.
-
>If we're the one who opened those doors, just keep walking along the corridor. If we run into branches in the path, take the one without open doors - where the mini-Suika's haven't been.
>You did not open these doors.
>Can the Suika communicate with the other Suikas?
>If so, ask her if they're seeing any particularly fancy doors.
>Open the left door.
>You have no idea.
>"Umm... Maybe!"
>All the doors in the corridor you're standing in, as well as the two doors in the section of the corridor that you're looking into have already been opened.
>_
-
>Examine the contents of both apertures.
-
>Examine the contents of both apertures.
>You walk down the corridor, taking a look inside both of the rooms.
>Both rooms seem to contain more scrolls and books. You can see several Suikas in each room looking rather bored.
>All of the Suikas exit the room and begin to trail behind you as you pass by.
>_
-
>They'll just have to be bored for a while then.
>Turn around the next bend.
-
>They'll just have to be bored for a while then.
>Turn around the next bend.
>You don't have the time to entertain a flock of Suikas.
>You approach the end of this section of the corridor and go past the turn to see yet more corridor.
>There is one large set of double doors in the direction furtherest from the entrance. You can see a multitude of Suikas piling on top of each other whilst trying to pry the doors open to little success.
>_
-
>Open the doors.
-
>Open the doors.
>You walk up to the middle of the corridor, where the door is.
>As you approach, the Suikas make way for you to open to the door.
>You take hold of the handles and throw the doors open to reveal a rather large hallway.
>You can see two stairwells by a rather large set of doors at the other end of the hallway.
>You can see a balcony on either side of the hallway attached to the stairwells.
>The Suikas rush into and spread out through the hallway.
>_
-
>"That looks important enough."
>Go open the very large doors.
-
>"That looks important enough."
>Go open the very large doors.
>"That's so predictable though~"
>You walk across the hallway and open the large doors.
>On the other side you see stairs leading down into an incredibly large room. You get the feeling that you could fit a sizeable portion of Mayohiga within this room.
>However, your view of this room is slightly distorted. Everything within the room seems to shimmer.
>The Suika on your shoulder jumps off and snaps her fingers.
>You hear a lot of small screams as the other Suikas disappear, leaving you with one normal sized Suika by your side.
>"Seems a bit off, don't you think?"
>_
-
>"It certainly looks strange."
>Check for any border-related shenanigans in the room. Maybe our view's distorted by a screen of sorts?
>Examine contents of room, if we can discern them.
-
>Does this seem like the room the Dragon would normally inhabit?
>How big is the Dragon anyway?
-
>"It certainly looks strange."
>Check for any border-related shenanigans in the room. Maybe our view's distorted by a screen of sorts?
>Examine contents of room, if we can discern them.
>"Doesn't it?"
>You're about to walk into the room when your hand disappears as it passes through the doorframe, creating ripples throughout the air within the doorframe.
>It looks almost as though you're placing you're hand into a vertical wall of water.
>You cannot make out anything in detail without getting closer due to the distortion.
>Does this seem like the room the Dragon would normally inhabit?
>How big is the Dragon anyway?
>It does seem rather appropriate.
>Fairly large.
>_
-
>Oh bother
>Pull our hand out. Is it still in one piece?
-
>Oh bother
>Pull our hand out. Is it still in one piece?
>This seems like it could be rather annoying.
>You draw your hand back. It is still in one piece.
>_
-
>"Suika, send a mini-you in there. Have it look around and then come back out right away."
-
Let's go with that.
Kinda wish Iku was here if only to rub this in her face. Nothing at all huh? Blind as hell oarfish....
-
>"Suika, send a mini-you in there. Have it look around and then come back out right away."
>"Eeh? I don't really want to... You're going to owe me for this one, Yukari~n."
>You see Suika pluck out a strand of hair which she drops as it transforms into a smaller version of herself.
>The smaller Suika then runs through the doorframe. You notice that the Suika does not appear to disturb the 'surface' of the doorframe.
>You can see the Suika waving to you through the doorframe with no problems, though her form appears distorted from your perspective like everything else within the large room.
>_
-
Hmm. It only affects us then?
>Have the Suika examine the room for us.
-
Looks like we're going to have to take the plunge.
>"I'll get you alcohol from outside the border once the Border Incident is wrapped up and I can duck outside for a bit~"
>Do we have alcohol from outside Gensokyo lying around Mayohiga right now? If not, after the border incident it is.
>Well this looks like once of those things that only bothers us. At least it probably wont kill us
>Put head through the doorframe.
>Be ready to pull back out at a sign of more danger than usual for us.
-
>Have the Suika examine the room for us.
>"Eeeh."
>Suika gives you a long stare before sighing and walking through the doorframe.
>You can see Suika on the other side, albeit somewhat distorted.
>She appears to be saying something, but you cannot hear her.
>Suika walks back to your side.
>"It's pretty boring in there."
>Suika is looking rather dissatisfied again.
>"I'll get you alcohol from outside the border once the Border Incident is wrapped up and I can duck outside for a bit~"
>Do we have alcohol from outside Gensokyo lying around Mayohiga right now? If not, after the border incident it is.
>Well this looks like once of those things that only bothers us. At least it probably wont kill us
>Put head through the doorframe.
>Be ready to pull back out at a sign of more danger than usual for us.
>"You better!"
>You do have a small stock of food and drinks from the outside world.
>You wonder if such things are a blessing or a curse.
>You do hope that it won't kill you.
>You put your head through the doorframe, and as you do so the interior of the larger room changes immediately.
>The room looks derelict, with many cracks running across the walls and ceiling. The entire room looks as though it is at risk of collapsing.
>Along the floor of the room, you can see the unmistakable form of the dragon.
>_
-
>Well that's not good
>Does the dragon look alive?
>To the dragon!
-
>Well that's not good
>Does the dragon look alive?
>To the dragon!
>It certainly looks bad.
>Not particularly. It is rather motionless.
>You head through the doors, entering the large room, and head down the stairs to the floor of the chamber.
>After reaching the bottom of the stairs you approach the dragon, which remains motionless.
>_
-
>Have we ever met the dragon before?
>Can we tell if it's still alive?
-
Yeah, it helped us with creating Gensokyo.
>Do we know any healing spells? If so, start using them
>"Hey now, what happened with you?"
>Seriously, what the hell. What could do this to the Dragon of all beings?
-
>Have we ever met the dragon before?
>Can we tell if it's still alive?
>You have, when you were working on creating the great border.
>You aren't entirely sure, you would think that it would be easier to tell with something as large as the dragon. You hope that it still is, though.
>_
-
>Walk over to its head and check for breathing.
>If it is not, check for body temperature. Or is it cold-blooded?
-
>Do we know any healing spells? If so, start using them
>"Hey now, what happened with you?"
>Seriously, what the hell. What could do this to the Dragon of all beings?
>You would have to know what was ailing the dragon. Not to mention that such a being would likely have some form of resistance to magic.
>You try talking to the dragon, but are met with no response.
>You really do wonder what could have brought the dragon into such a state.
>Walk over to its head and check for breathing.
>If it is not, check for body temperature. Or is it cold-blooded?
>The dragon's body is cold. You assume that the dragon is a cold-blooded being.
>You walk over to the other end of the room, which takes quite some time, and approach the dragon's head.
>You can feel a very slight breeze on occasion. You imagine that it is coming from the dragon.
>_
-
>Are we decent at being a doctor?
>Do we know anyone capable of being a doctor besides Eirin?
>Can we communicate with Ran from in here?
>Can we figure out what's wrong with the dragon by examining it?
>Ask Suika if the oarfish knows how to be a doctor - Tenshi is right out.
>While we're at that, see if she can end up in the real room if we pull her in and tell her about the Dragon's situation.
>"I don't suppose you know what's wrong with you right now?" Speak a bit louder and by its head. Maybe it didn't hear us before.
>.....Yeah.
This would be a lovely time to go ask Eirin for another favour.
-
Unfortunately, we're stuck until we fix whatever the problem here is.
-
Right now, it's either Yukari is a good doctor or we can communicate with Ran from here and send her to Eientei for long range diagnosis.
Otherwise we might be kinda screwed unless Iku miraculously is a doctor skilled enough to not need to see the patient.
-
Or we can find whatever's responsible for the dragon's condition and all the other abnormalities here, like we've done in every other area.
-
Eirin can't get in here. We have no way to gap out or in. Even Suika didn't see the dragon.
> Look around the room for anything unusual besides the dragon.
> Do we have any way to transfer energy with another being?
-
>Are we decent at being a doctor?
>Do we know anyone capable of being a doctor besides Eirin?
>Can we communicate with Ran from in here?
>Can we figure out what's wrong with the dragon by examining it?
>Ask Suika if the oarfish knows how to be a doctor - Tenshi is right out.
>While we're at that, see if she can end up in the real room if we pull her in and tell her about the Dragon's situation.
>"I don't suppose you know what's wrong with you right now?" Speak a bit louder and by its head. Maybe it didn't hear us before.
>.....Yeah.
>Not particularly.
>Nitori seemed to have a basic understanding of medicine.
>You cannot.
>You are not sure if you can.
>Suika is not with you right now.
>You look at the entrance to the large room, however you cannot see Suika. From what you can see, the outside of the room you are in right now also looks rather decrepit.
>You try talking louder, but are met with no response.
>Not that you particularly expected one.
> Look around the room for anything unusual besides the dragon.
> Do we have any way to transfer energy with another being?
>You look around the room, but there doesn't seem to be much inside it other than the dragon.
>If you have access to your border manipulation, you might be able to.
>_
-
> Do we have access to any of our powers right now?
-
> Do we have access to any of our powers right now?
>As per usual, you don-... Do? Kind of?
>Though incapable of using them, you feel as though your powers are there.
>_
-
>Well that's new.
>Try walking a bit towards the doorway. Do we feel anymore access to our abilities?
>Can we force past the block on our powers now that we can feel them?
-
>Well that's new.
>Try walking a bit towards the doorway. Do we feel anymore access to our abilities?
>Can we force past the block on our powers now that we can feel them?
>It certainly is.
>You try walking a towards the doorway for a bit. You do not feel any more access to your abilities.
>You get the feeling that attempting such an endeavour would be rather detrimental to your health.
>_
-
>Try to exit the room. If successful: "Suika, I don't know why we're seeing different things, but I found the dragon in there. And something's happened to it. Now I have to figure out what it was and how to reverse the effects." Then reenter.
-
>If we can exit back to where Suika is, ask her if she can gather the dragon to us. If not see if she can gather our power so we can mess with the border of wellness and fix the dragon.
-
>Try to exit the room. If successful: "Suika, I don't know why we're seeing different things, but I found the dragon in there. And something's happened to it. Now I have to figure out what it was and how to reverse the effects." Then reenter.
>You walk back across the room and up the stairs. However, at the top, you cannot see Suika.
>Instead, the grand hallway you saw is in a similar state to the large room, with the set of stairs to your left being little more than a pile of rubble.
>If we can exit back to where Suika is, ask her if she can gather the dragon to us. If not see if she can gather our power so we can mess with the border of wellness and fix the dragon.
>You cannot see Suika.
>_
-
>Bad, but a bit expected really.
>We do remember the way in and out of here right?
>Go up where the stairs would have led to; we can fly and might as well
>Do our powers still feel the same?
-
>Bad, but a bit expected really.
>We do remember the way in and out of here right?
>Go up where the stairs would have led to; we can fly and might as well
>Do our powers still feel the same?
>You're beginning to see these things coming.
>The design of the palace seems fairly simple.
>You fly up where the stairs to your left would have been onto the balcony.
>On the balcony, you see several broken chairs, as well as a door.
>They do.
>_
-
>Open them - slightly - and take a peek.
-
>Open them - slightly - and take a peek.
>You walk up to and open the door slightly before taking a look inside.
>You can see yet another corridor, though it is not too long. There appear to be three doors on either side.
>_
-
>Open the doors and see what's inside
-
>Open the doors and see what's inside
>You walk into the hallway and try opening the doors.
>Inside each of the doors, you can see a small bedroom.
>_
-
>Continue down the corridor then.
-
>Continue down the corridor then.
>This corridor does not have continue past the six bedrooms
>_
-
>So we've been all over this palace?
>To outside then, let's see what else changed
-
>So we've been all over this palace?
>To outside then, let's see what else changed
>Other than on the other balcony of the large hall and a few rooms in the entrance corridor, you have.
>You walk out of this corridor, back through the hallway and another corridor until you reach the entrance.
>On the entrance, you notice a small glowing talisman.
>_
-
>Examine the shape of the talisman.
>Do we recognize it or do we in any other way know what it's doing?
-
>Examine the shape of the talisman.
>Do we recognize it or do we in any other way know what it's doing?
>You take a closer look at the talisman.
>It is a small sheet of paper, with red symbols across its surface.
>It is giving off a faint, blue glow.
>You believe that it is currently sealing the entrance shut.
>You recognize this talisman as being the same as what Reimu uses when creating barriers.
>_
-
>Look around the other corridor.
-
> Destroy the talisman. Let's try with danmaku first.
-
>Look around the other corridor.
>You take a quick look into the rooms you didn't visit in this corridor when you first entered the palace.
>What you find are torn scrolls and books in one room, and broken furniture such as chairs in the other.
> Destroy the talisman. Let's try with danmaku first.
>You return to the entrance.
>You decide to destroy the talisman, and shoot some danmaku at it.
>As expected, danmaku has no effect on the talisman.
>_
-
>Is our ability to shatter this talisman related to our border abilities (which we have no access to)?
-
>Is our ability to shatter this talisman related to our border abilities (which we have no access to)?
>If you wanted to shatter or destroy the talisman itself, having access to your abilities would likely be the easiest method of doing so.
>You could, however, probably just peel the talisman off the door.
>_
-
Ah, a physical talisman! Man, am I an idiot.
>Lightly tap the talisman.
>If we're not harmed: peel it off and open the doors.
-
>Lightly tap the talisman.
>If we're not harmed: peel it off and open the doors.
>You give the talisman a light tap. Not much happens.
>Considering the lack of side effects, you decide to tear the talisman off the door.
>As soon as you do so, you feel a cold chill run down your spine.
>You open the door, and see that you are inside the border once more.
>You turn around to confirm your surroundings, but find that you are not standing on any ground to turn on.
>You are as you have been for the past two years.
>"It's been a while, Yukari."
>The voice of Reimu brings you back to your senses.
>You try to look around, but cannot see her.
>"I heard you've around for a couple of days, and I wanted to give you a warm welcome, but I couldn't you. That's changed, though."
>"I do hope you have fun in there."
>You resign yourself to simply floating in the emptiness once more.
>You wonder about the fate of Gensoukyo.