Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Nekomata-chan on April 28, 2012, 05:50:17 PM
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>You are Satori Komeiji.
The story so far...
>Recently, you were paid a not-too-pleasant visit by Marisa Kirisame, who attempted to steal your spellcards. Fortunately, you caught her and managed to restrain her.
>Unfortunately, she did escape with a few of your spellcards. To add to that misfortune, she had been possessed by one of Orin's spirits that had gotten loose.
>Koishi had followed her, and gotten herself into quite a mess, too.
>You and Orin visited Marisa's house. There, you were knocked out and shut in a cupboard. Luckily, Orin managed to get herself, Koishi and you out of there.
>When exorcising the spirit that had possessed Marisa, Koishi got a bit hurt. You told her to take it easy for a while, but she certainly isn't one to take things sitting down.
>You even visited the Scarlet Devil Mansion, where you were threatened by a rather paranoid Patchouli.
>When you returned home, you got the idea to start a festival in a few days.
>So far, you have prepared quite a bit. Outfits, trophies, a stadium... even testing possible candidates.
>You tested Remilia, Sakuya, Mokou, Koakuma, the Three Fairies and Cirno. Cirno's fight was... interesting, as you had inflicted her brain with the effects of a few books which did more than you expected.
>Okuu and Mokou fought, too... and it ended quite abruptly when Okuu had a small flash of insanity.
>You brought Patchouli to the palace and set her straight about her fears and misconceptions about you. Now, you're quite pleasantly acquainted.
>Now, however, you are snacking on some rice cakes and dumplings with Koakuma and Patchouli. Patchouli has just asked you how the festival preparations are coming along.
>Muse thoughtfully. "Well, there are nine days left until the start, as I've said earlier. And the stadium is as you saw moments ago. Yukari will be lending a hand in creating the battlefield for the Battle Tourney, so that people can fight at their full potential without worry of collateral damage."
>Pause. "So I suppose the only other thing would be arranging living quarters for all the festival-goers who hail from the surface."
>Patchouli nods slowly, "Trust Yukari to be the one behind a lot of things, eh?"
>Look to Patchy with a slight grin. "I was actually hoping that since you'll be one of the festival staff, that you would stay at Chireiden for the duration of the festival. It wouldn't be very easy on you to be trudging back and forth you know. And besides, Marisa, and even Reimu, have been down here since the other day."
>Patchouli smiles warmly, "I'd be happy to. It seems like this festival will be a recurring event, so I would certainly love to be a part of the staff."
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>Smirk. "That's the plan dear, I plan to make this week-long festival an annual thing."
>"But truth be told, I only have three major events planned. The Battle Festa, the Danmaku Contest, and a Concert at the stadium. I was wondering if you had any ideas for other events?"
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>Smirk. "That's the plan dear, I plan to make this week-long festival an annual thing."
>"But truth be told, I only have three major events planned. The Battle Festa, the Danmaku Contest, and a Concert at the stadium. I was wondering if you had any ideas for other events?"
>Patchouli thinks for a while, quietly.
>Koakuma bursts in with a wide grin, "How about a fashion contest?"
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>Smirk deviously. "I might be tempted to participate in that myself, if it wasn't for me being the Festival Lead Organizer."
>Pause. "You know, there's a very good tailor down here, I ordered new outfits for myself, Okuu, Orin, and Koishi earlier today. They should be finished within the next 4 days."
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>Smirk deviously. "I might be tempted to participate in that myself, if it wasn't for me being the Festival Lead Organizer."
>Pause. "You know, there's a very good tailor down here, I ordered new outfits for myself, Okuu, Orin, and Koishi earlier today. They should be finished within the next 4 days."
>Koakuma grins, "You could have different sections! Have an Oni fashion contest, a human one, a Youkai one, a fairy one, a tengu one..."
>Patchouli smiles, "Koa, given you're often quiet, I never realised you have such quick wits."
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>Grin. "That should work rather nicely, though we would have to have them during lull periods in the tournaments, since the battle tournament is slated to start on the second day, and end on the final one."
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>Grin. "That should work rather nicely, though we would have to have them during lull periods in the tournaments, since the battle tournament is slated to start on the second day, and end on the final one."
>Koakuma grins, "Yeah, it'll certainly be something to fill the time!"
>Patchouli clears her throat quietly, "Do you have tours set up? It would be handy for people to learn the history and places of interest and see what's around. From what I know, the underground is quite expansive, so official tours would be nice for the culture-loving people."
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>Fistpalm. "Capital idea! I've already got a bucket-based tramway in the works, courtesy of Yamame and Kisume. It's quite reliable, capable of carrying five drunken Oni in a single bucket without fail."
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>Fistpalm. "Capital idea! I've already got a bucket-based tramway in the works, courtesy of Yamame and Kisume. It's quite reliable, capable of carrying five drunken Oni in a single bucket without fail."
>Koakuma grins, "You ought to hire cute tour-guides too, to really attract tourists!"
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>Smirk, then poke at Koa. "Like you perhaps?"
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>Smirk, then poke at Koa. "Like you perhaps?"
>Koakuma blushes, "Me? I-I... uh... okay!"
>Patchouli giggles.
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>Smirk. "It was your idea after all."
>Grin. "Besides, think of the headlines you'd make by acting as both tour guide, and battle tourney entrant? But don't worry, I'll schedule your matches around your shifts as tour guide."
>beat.
>"Ah yes, I believe I already mentioned this, but both Remilia, Sakuya, and Koa here are participating in the Battle Tourney."
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>Smirk. "It was your idea after all."
>Grin. "Besides, think of the headlines you'd make by acting as both tour guide, and battle tourney entrant? But don't worry, I'll schedule your matches around your shifts as tour guide."
>Koakuma grins excitedly, "A tour guide~ so exciting! And I'll get to see all of the underground, too~!"
>beat.
>"Ah yes, I believe I already mentioned this, but both Remilia, Sakuya, and Koa here are participating in the Battle Tourney."
>Patchouli nods, "You mentioned that, yes."
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>Nod. "I actually have different tiers set up in the works so that the fights won't be too terribly one-sided. For example, if Koa here were to say, find herself up against that Flower Youkai. That would be terribly one-sided, and thus, not a very good fight to watch."
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>Nod. "I actually have different tiers set up in the works so that the fights won't be too terribly one-sided. For example, if Koa here were to say, find herself up against that Flower Youkai. That would be terribly one-sided, and thus, not a very good fight to watch."
>Koakuma yelps, "Me against Yuuka? That would be a total disaster!"
>Patchouli grins, "Like I've said, respect the sunflowers."
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>Grin. "Exactly. Now imagine some poor fairy pitted against Remilia. That too would be a terribly one-sided match."
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>Grin. "Exactly. Now imagine some poor fairy pitted against Remilia. That too would be a terribly one-sided match."
>Patchouli sighs, "Indeed it would be. It has happened before, and one can't help but be compelled to feel sorry for that little fairy."
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>Nod. "Exactly my point. It wouldn't do to have some of the participants getting blown away, and respawning elsewhere and forgetting."
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>Nod. "Exactly my point. It wouldn't do to have some of the participants getting blown away, and respawning elsewhere and forgetting."
>Patchouli smiles, "Exactly. They'd be missing out on all of the fun."
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>Grin. "Precisely."
>"But anyhow, all we need to do is figure out the set, day-to-day schedule."
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>Grin. "Precisely."
>"But anyhow, all we need to do is figure out the set, day-to-day schedule."
>Patchouli nods once, "And you ought to have signs put up of what is happening on each day. So people know what to expect and what to plan to visit if they can't be there the whole week."
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>Nod. "THat's a good idea for when we have the schedule fully planned out. I'll have them posted in the Main Square, in front of Chireiden, and at the Stadium. Among other places."
>"You see, Chireiden is where everyone will go to watch the Battle Tourney."
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>Nod. "THat's a good idea for when we have the schedule fully planned out. I'll have them posted in the Main Square, in front of Chireiden, and at the Stadium. Among other places."
>"You see, Chireiden is where everyone will go to watch the Battle Tourney."
>Patchouli nods, "I see, I see... maybe you might want regular guides to lead people who may get a little lost, especially when they first arrive. Also, you might want to plot a map of this place."
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>Nod. "That's also something I've been meaning to get done. I think we can work with Yamame and Kisume to add the tramway in. They've already got stops set up at the important places, including the Stadium."
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>Nod. "That's also something I've been meaning to get done. I think we can work with Yamame and Kisume to add the tramway in. They've already got stops set up at the important places, including the Stadium."
>Koakuma blinks, looking upwards, "A tramway? That sounds cool!!"
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>Nod. "Yes, I had it installed for those who either cannot fly, such as those from the human village, those who do not wish to fly, or those who are too drunk to fly and are not Oni."
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>Nod. "Yes, I had it installed for those who either cannot fly, such as those from the human village, those who do not wish to fly, or those who are too drunk to fly and are not Oni."
>Koakuma grins, "That's cool! You're really prepared for this!!"
>Patchouli suddenly facepalms, "Catering. You may want to sort out that. Sakuya could help you out with that."
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>Pause. "That had completely slipped my mind. I had thought that the people attending would want to choose their own places to dine, such as that cart we just visited."
>Smirk. "The underground has quite rich and traditional cuisine you know, you haven't lived until you've dined as those of the underground have."
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>Pause. "That had completely slipped my mind. I had thought that the people attending would want to choose their own places to dine, such as that cart we just visited."
>Patchouli nods, "Ah, yes, yes..."
>Smirk. "The underground has quite rich and traditional cuisine you know, you haven't lived until you've dined as those of the underground have."
>Patchouli grins, "Well, after trying those rice cakes, I think I certainly have lived~"
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>Smirk. "You think the underground's all rice cakes, Sake, and dumplings? Trust me, there's more."
>What sort of cuisine does the underground have to offer that the surface doesn't?
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>Smirk. "You think the underground's all rice cakes, Sake, and dumplings? Trust me, there's more."
>What sort of cuisine does the underground have to offer that the surface doesn't?
>Quite a lot of things. One of the more recent additions to a cafe menu you saw was lasagne.
>Also, down here you can get venison, veal, dragon fruit... and squid. A lot of squid.
>One of the Oni delicacies is something they call the Cityscape pie: rabbit slow-cooked in sake and used as a pie filling. The twist is: the pastry is flavoured gently with wasabi.
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>Smirk. "Perhaps I should show you some of the best dining of the underground then! The culture of the underground is something that I, as the leader of the underground, take great pride in."
>Where is a good restaurant that serves a sampler platter of the best cuisine of the underground?
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>Smirk. "Perhaps I should show you some of the best dining of the underground then! The culture of the underground is something that I, as the leader of the underground, take great pride in."
>Where is a good restaurant that serves a sampler platter of the best cuisine of the underground?
>The best restaurant in the Ancient City, and one that you often visit, is one called "Clandestine Bistro". It's actually quite close by.
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>How pricey is it? Because we may as well show Patchy and Koa the best cuisine of the underground, and that's not likely to come cheap.
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>How pricey is it? Because we may as well show Patchy and Koa the best cuisine of the underground, and that's not likely to come cheap.
>They are usually quite expensive - a platter from there costs somewhere in the realm of 2000, with a large one being 2400.
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>..We got plenty, so let's take them there!
>"I shall take you to one of my favorite dining establishments, 'Clandestine Bistro', it's rather pricey, but it's some of the best the underground has to offer."
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>..We got plenty, so let's take them there!
>"I shall take you to one of my favorite dining establishments, 'Clandestine Bistro', it's rather pricey, but it's some of the best the underground has to offer."
>You all head to the Clandestine Bistro.
>Patchouli whistles, "It sounds rather elegant."
>You arrive at the Bistro. Through the bay window, you can see several Oni dining in a rather refined manner, and the odd waiter or waitress walking by.
>Clandestine Bistro is small, but elegant. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in decor and quality of food.
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>Smirk. "Here we are. It's small, but the food and atmosphere is some of the best around. Well, shall we?"
>Let's head in!
>>WHen a waiter/waitress prompts us, say; "Table for three, the usual one."
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>Smirk. "Here we are. It's small, but the food and atmosphere is some of the best around. Well, shall we?"
>Let's head in!
>You head into the Bistro, and you are greeted immediately by a mild-mannered Oni, "Welcome to the Clandestine Bistro. My name is Amaya, and I'll be your waitress today~"
>>WHen a waiter/waitress prompts us, say; "Table for three, the usual one."
>Amaya nods, "At once~"
>She leads the three of you to an immaculately laid-out table, with the napkins folded into little butterflies.
>She hands all of you a menu, smiling, "Let me know when you're ready to order."
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>Nod. "Of course."
>Let's take a seat, motion the other two to sit, and peruse the menu.
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>Nod. "Of course."
>Let's take a seat, motion the other two to sit, and peruse the menu.
>You take a seat at the table, with Patchouli and Koakuma sat in the other two seats.
>You all look at the menu:
~ Clandestine Bistro ~
Starters
-Grilled squid skewers
-Sashimi on rice (tuna, salmon or mackerel)
-Miso and vegetable soup
-Small steamed rice
Platters
-Ancient City platter
A platter of all of the best food the Ancient City has to offer: grilled venison, roasted veal, fried squid rings, lobster meat, chicken teriyaki, sushi (grab, tuna, salmon, cucumber, peppers)
-Blazing Fires platter
A collection of the spiciest food that can be found in the underground: jalapeno sushi, chilli tempura prawns, wasabi noodles with diced vegetables, spicy beef skewers.
-Salmon Platter
The best fish platter we have: salmon sashimi, sushi, hand rolls and maki.
Main Courses
-Shabu Shabu
Thinly sliced beef and assorted vegetables served in a hot pot cooked at your table.
-Clandestine Set
Set main of miso soup, squid tempura, steamed rice, chicken teryaki and crab sushi.
-Oyaku Don
Bowl of steamed rice overlaid with chicken and onion omelette.
-Assorted Tempura
Shrimp, squid, bell peppers, mushrooms and bamboo shoots in tempura.
-Grilled Steak
A grilled beef steak, served with steamed rice and assorted vegetables.
Desserts
-Grapefruit jelly
-Pan-fried rice cakes
-Traditional sweet dumplings with green tea ice-cream
-Honey butter toast and vanilla ice-cream
-Summer fruits with sweet azuki beans
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>"Hmm....perhaps we should start with some of the grilled squid, and then move on to the platters."
>Tap the part of the menu that has the pan-fried rice cakes with an enigmatic smile. "Miss Knowledge, I believe that this is rather relevant to your interests."
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>"Hmm....perhaps we should start with some of the grilled squid, and then move on to the platters."
>Koakuma gasps in surprise, "This menu is so fancy~!"
>Tap the part of the menu that has the pan-fried rice cakes with an enigmatic smile. "Miss Knowledge, I believe that this is rather relevant to your interests."
>Patchouli smiles lightly, "Quite possibly, yes."
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>Smile. "It's one of the more high-end establishments in the city, so of course it is."
>"But I digress, to enjoy the full impact of the underground's cuisine, we'll have to get both the Ancient City Platter, and the Blazing Fires Platter. The underground is quite well-known for spicy cuisine."
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>Smile. "It's one of the more high-end establishments in the city, so of course it is."
>"But I digress, to enjoy the full impact of the underground's cuisine, we'll have to get both the Ancient City Platter, and the Blazing Fires Platter. The underground is quite well-known for spicy cuisine."
>Patchouli and Koakuma both look at the platters you mentioned, with impressed smiles.
>Koakuma grins, "I love spicy food~!"
>Patchouli blinks, "Jalapeno sushi? Wow, that certainly is unique. I've never heard of that before."
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>Chuckle. "Well, you are a little devil, so is it any surprise?"
>"At any rate, the underground has a wide variety of cuisine, this is just a sampling of what we have to offer."
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>Chuckle. "Well, you are a little devil, so is it any surprise?"
>"At any rate, the underground has a wide variety of cuisine, this is just a sampling of what we have to offer."
>Patchouli smiles, "Well, this is certainly quite an eclectic selection for just a 'sampling' of the underground's cuisine."
>Koakuma blinks, "Ecle-... what?"
>Patchouli chuckles, "Eclectic. Selecting what seems best of a variety."
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>Smile. "It is rather eclectic, yes, but quite good. So, shall we order?"
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>Smile. "It is rather eclectic, yes, but quite good. So, shall we order?"
>Patchouli nods, "That sounds good."
>Koakuma grins.
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>Nod. "Okay, so to set things straight, three orders of grilled squid to start with. Then a Blazing Fires Platter, an Ancient City Platter, and I'll be having the Assorted Tempura for myself."
>"And then the desserts? Well, we'll come to them when we get to them, agreed?"
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>Nod. "Okay, so to set things straight, three orders of grilled squid to start with. Then a Blazing Fires Platter, an Ancient City Platter, and I'll be having the Assorted Tempura for myself."
>"And then the desserts? Well, we'll come to them when we get to them, agreed?"
>Patchouli nods, "Well, that's that, then."
>Koakuma grins, "I can't wait to try some of this food~"
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>Nod. "Well then, let's ord- Oh, we can't forget about drinks!"
>Quick! Let's look at the drinks menu!
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>Nod. "Well then, let's ord- Oh, we can't forget about drinks!"
>Quick! Let's look at the drinks menu!
>You quickly look at the drinks menu.
~ Clandestine Bistro ~
Drinks
-Water (still or sparkling)
-Bottle of sake (500ml)
-Tea (milk tea, black, mint, lemon, fruit, green)
-Fruit juice (apple, orange, pineapple, grape, melon)
-Coconut milk
-Coffee
-Root beer
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>Smile. "Well, the tough part is finding a drink that will complement the various foodstuffs. I find that Lemon Tea usually suffices quite nicely."
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>Smile. "Well, the tough part is finding a drink that will complement the various foodstuffs. I find that Lemon Tea usually suffices quite nicely."
>Koakuma grins, "Sounds lovely~"
>Patchouli smiles, "Never had lemon tea before, so it should be interesting."
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(Fun Fact: Lemon Tea is a key clue in one of the cases of Shin Gyakuten Touhou. Patchy was heavily involved with said case.)
>Nod. "Well then, let's order."
>Flag down the waitress. "Excuse me, we're ready to order now. We'll have three orders of Grilled Squid Skewers to start, then I'll have the Assorted Tempura, and these two will have the Ancient City Platter and Blazing Fires platter respectively. And for drinks, Lemon Tea. We'll handle the desserts when we get to the point where we're ready for them."
>We should have enough money on hand for all this, right?
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>Nod. "Well then, let's order."
>Flag down the waitress. "Excuse me, we're ready to order now. We'll have three orders of Grilled Squid Skewers to start, then I'll have the Assorted Tempura, and these two will have the Ancient City Platter and Blazing Fires platter respectively. And for drinks, Lemon Tea. We'll handle the desserts when we get to the point where we're ready for them."
>Amaya heads over with a notepad, writing down your order with a smile.
>She also notes your table number.
>After about ten seconds, she looks up, "The total cost of your order is 6250 yen. Is that all?"
>We should have enough money on hand for all this, right?
>You have enough money, yes.
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>Nod. "For now, yes."
>I assume we pay now yes?
(It's been a while since I've been to a restaurant.)
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>Nod. "For now, yes."
>I assume we pay now yes?
(It's been a while since I've been to a restaurant.)
>Amaya nods, "I'll bring your starters now~"
(In a restaurant, the way of things is to pay after the meal. Oddly enough, I went to one yesterday. Cajun chicken~)
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(I figured it was that, it's just been a long time.)
>Nod. "Alright, we'll be waiting."
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(I figured it was that, it's just been a long time.)
>Nod. "Alright, we'll be waiting."
>Amaya nods and hurries off to the kitchen to collect your order.
>She returns after about five minutes, carrying three plates of grilled squid on one arm and a tray of lemon tea in her other hand.
>Amaya places your order down on the table, smiling, "Here you are, three orders of grilled squid and some lemon tea. Enjoy~"
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>Nod. "Thank you."
>Let's take our order of the skewers and start eating, taking a few sips of the tea every so often as needed.
>"Well, how are they?"
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(I figured it was that, it's just been a long time.)
Some places (usually all-you-can-eat buffet establishments) do have you pay up front.
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>Nod. "Thank you."
>Let's take our order of the skewers and start eating, taking a few sips of the tea every so often as needed.
>"Well, how are they?"
>You take your order of the grilled squid skewers and commence eating.
>Patchouli is the first to speak, "This is... some of the best food I have ever tasted.."
>Koakuma nods, "I second that.."
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>Smirk. "The underground has had a long time to refine their culture and cuisine. And it is this fact that will make the festival something to remember. I find that food has a much more lasting effect on one's memories."
>Let's keep going until the rest of the food has arrived!
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>Smirk. "The underground has had a long time to refine their culture and cuisine. And it is this fact that will make the festival something to remember. I find that food has a much more lasting effect on one's memories."
>Koakuma nods, "Yeah, I always seem to remember when I've eaten nice food: where it was and who I was with... when it was usually escapes me~"
>Let's keep going until the rest of the food has arrived!
>You keep on with the grilled squid.
>After about another five minutes, Amaya brings over the Ancient City platter, the Blazing Fires platter and the Assorted Tempura, placing them on the table.
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>Nod. "Yes, it is that feeling which I like to see in the memories of others, because I know that with that, they've lived well. And thus, aren't likely to end up as Evil Spirits."
>Smile, then take the Assorted Tempura, push the Blazing Fires Platter towards Koa, and the Ancient City Platter towards Patchy.
>Let's start with the mushrooms first.
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>Nod. "Yes, it is that feeling which I like to see in the memories of others, because I know that with that, they've lived well. And thus, aren't likely to end up as Evil Spirits."
>Koakuma grins, "What if you met someone and they were evil but not evil to you, and then they became an Evil Spirit and you saw them again down here... would you be happy or sad for them?"
>Smile, then take the Assorted Tempura, push the Blazing Fires Platter towards Koa, and the Ancient City Platter towards Patchy.
>Let's start with the mushrooms first.
>You take the Assorted Tempura, nudging the platters at their respective eaters.
>You begin to eat the mushrooms first.
>They're perfectly cooked - tender but with a bit of firmness too. They're quite sweet in contrast to the savoury flavour of the tempura.
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>Pause. "That...is a very good question. I'm not sure to be honest, as that hasn't really happened in the past. And to add to that, this is the Abandoned Hell. Nothing afterlife-related happens here anymore aside from what evil spirits were sealed here to begin with."
>Smirk. "At any rate, I look forward to seeing how you'll handle some of the Underground's hottest fare."
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>Pause. "That...is a very good question. I'm not sure to be honest, as that hasn't really happened in the past. And to add to that, this is the Abandoned Hell. Nothing afterlife-related happens here anymore aside from what evil spirits were sealed here to begin with."
>Koakuma nods once, "I see... I guess I should have thought that through before asking, though, eh?"
>Smirk. "At any rate, I look forward to seeing how you'll handle some of the Underground's hottest fare."
>Koakuma grins, before trying some of the spicy beef skewers.
>At first, she seems okay, "Oh, that's not too spicy."
>But, after a few seconds, her face flushes red and she yelps, "That snuck up on me!!"
>Patchouli laughs quietly, "Well, the menu did say it was some of the hottest food in the Underground."
>Koakuma winces, recovering slowly, "Well... at least it has taste and not pure spice... that is absolutely delicious~"
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>Chuckle. "Indeed. I can't remember how many times I've brought Okuu here. She always orders it, saying 'Hey! This is new! I wanna try this!' And she always has the exact same reaction each time, and swears it off on account of the heat. Needless to say, it's always amusing." Be sure to mimic Okuu's voice for the right part!
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>Chuckle. "Indeed. I can't remember how many times I've brought Okuu here. She always orders it, saying 'Hey! This is new! I wanna try this!' And she always has the exact same reaction each time, and swears it off on account of the heat. Needless to say, it's always amusing." Be sure to mimic Okuu's voice for the right part!
>Patchouli chuckles, "That reminds me of when Sakuya learned how to make chilli con carne. I can still remember when she accidentally used an extremely spicy chilli... I could hear Remilia shrieking like it was right next to me."
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>Let's have a little laugh. "That does sound like it would have been loud. She's already a bit of a loudmouth to begin with."
>Smirk. "You know, she called Chireiden 'An old shack' when compared to her mansion. But you know, I think that Chireiden is naturally larger, without any tricks Sakuya could perform to enhance space."
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>Let's have a little laugh. "That does sound like it would have been loud. She's already a bit of a loudmouth to begin with."
>Smirk. "You know, she called Chireiden 'An old shack' when compared to her mansion. But you know, I think that Chireiden is naturally larger, without any tricks Sakuya could perform to enhance space."
>Patchouli nods, "I think Chireiden is larger than the Scarlet Devil Mansion. You have more space down here, and the grounds are larger, too. Remilia can, well... get rather envious and quick to judge. Her "old shack" comment may just be her efforts at putting things down to make herself seem... better."
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>Nod. "It was in the heat of battle, and she was rather fired up. So it's rather understandable, if amusing."
>Smile. "At any rate, what do you two think of the food?"
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>Nod. "It was in the heat of battle, and she was rather fired up. So it's rather understandable, if amusing."
>Smile. "At any rate, what do you two think of the food?"
>Koakuma grins, "I don't think I've actually had food this nice~"
>Patchouli nods, chuckling, "I hate to admit it, but this food makes Sakuya's seem stale..."
>She gulps, "Don't, uh, let her know I said that..."
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>Chuckle with a smirk. "We'll just let her discover this little pleasure for herself. Besides, I could probably loan her some cookbooks I've written down."
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>Chuckle with a smirk. "We'll just let her discover this little pleasure for herself. Besides, I could probably loan her some cookbooks I've written down."
>Koakuma grins, "Just don't make a reference to 'refining skills'... you may offend her."
>Patchouli giggles, "Oh, yes, you certainly don't want to offend Sakuya. She may stay polite at first, but it's easy to tell when she's angry."
-
>Smirk. "In my experience, there's always room for improvement. Even those that claim to have perfected their craft can still grow and improve."
>"It is only when they stop believing that they can progress any further that one becomes a failure in their field."
-
>Smirk. "In my experience, there's always room for improvement. Even those that claim to have perfected their craft can still grow and improve."
>"It is only when they stop believing that they can progress any further that one becomes a failure in their field."
>Patchouli smirks, "True, true. But failure can often be deaf."
>Koakuma blinks, "But... failure doesn't have ears..."
>Patchouli facepalms, "It's a kind of metaphor, Koa."
-
>Nod. "She has a point Koa."
>Smirk. "At any rate though, we should enjoy our meals! After all, there's still dessert to look forward to."
>Let's get to enjoying the food!
-
>Nod. "She has a point Koa."
>Smirk. "At any rate though, we should enjoy our meals! After all, there's still dessert to look forward to."
>Let's get to enjoying the food!
>Koakuma grins, "Can't argue with that~"
>You all carry on enjoying the food.
>Patchouli wipes her mouth politely, "So, how often do you eat here?"
-
>..How often DO we eat here?
>"Oh, about [Insert appropriate count here]."
-
>..How often DO we eat here?
>You eat here every few months or so, or on special occasions... or when you have a particular craving for the tempura.
>"Oh, about every few months or so."
>Patchouli chuckles, "It's not too hard to see why. This place is amazing."
>She clears her throat a bit, covering her mouth politely, "I may have to visit more regularly..."
-
>Smile. "Naturally, this place is well worth it. I should bring Reimu and some of the others here some time."
-
>Smile. "Naturally, this place is well worth it. I should bring Reimu and some of the others here some time."
>Koakuma fistpalms, "We ought to arrange a massive get-together here!"
-
>Smirk. "Capital idea. I think that perhaps holding the after-party here would be perfect."
>"You know, that little miniature party that always happens after big events like festivals and such."
-
>Smirk. "Capital idea. I think that perhaps holding the after-party here would be perfect."
>"You know, that little miniature party that always happens after big events like festivals and such."
>Koakuma grins, "A great after-party to revel in the memories and the spectacular food!!"
>Patchouli smiles, "Always a fountain of quirky ideas, Koa."
-
>Smirk. "Exactly."
>Chuckle. "If she's this reliable all the time, I may have to steal her for myself!"
-
>Smirk. "Exactly."
>Chuckle. "If she's this reliable all the time, I may have to steal her for myself!"
>Patchouli laughs, "I can't let you steal her!"
>Koakuma grins, "Yeah... pretty much the only thing I'm good at is being a library assistant. And I'm awesome at that!"
-
>Chuckle. "The Scarlet Devil Mansion must always have rather nice parties if little Koa is on the planning committee."
>Smirk. "I may have to borrow her for the usual parties, as well as the smaller festivals."
-
>Chuckle. "The Scarlet Devil Mansion must always have rather nice parties if little Koa is on the planning committee."
>Smirk. "I may have to borrow her for the usual parties, as well as the smaller festivals."
>Patchouli nods, "Well, Koakuma has a bit of an OCD when it comes to organisation."
>Koakuma blinks, "I do?"
-
>Chuckle. "Clearly, since she's rather on top of planning. I guess it's that same quality that makes her such a desirable assistant."
>Beat.
>"I wonder if maybe Orin could benefit from having a familiar? Yukari's already agreed to sending Chen to lend a hand, but I know that I can't entirely count on others to solve problems for me."
-
>Chuckle. "Clearly, since she's rather on top of planning. I guess it's that same quality that makes her such a desirable assistant."
>Beat.
>Koakuma smiles modestly, "I-I... thank you~.."
>"I wonder if maybe Orin could benefit from having a familiar? Yukari's already agreed to sending Chen to lend a hand, but I know that I can't entirely count on others to solve problems for me."
>Patchouli thinks for a while, "I'm sure it would be rather nice for her... she does quite a lot of work, doesn't she? It would be nice for her to have someone to lighten the workload..."
-
>Nod. "I've been thinking about that ever since the incident the other day. She has been a little overwhelmed lately I suppose, though I don't know why."
>Beat.
>"You don't suppose she's had kittens do you? I mean, she is a Kasha after all, which are essentially Hell Cats."
-
>Nod. "I've been thinking about that ever since the incident the other day. She has been a little overwhelmed lately I suppose, though I don't know why."
>Patchouli shrugs, "Maybe she's just having a stressful time. Some people can only hold out for so long before it all goes haywire."
>Beat.
>"You don't suppose she's had kittens do you? I mean, she is a Kasha after all, which are essentially Hell Cats."
>Koakuma giggles quietly.
>Patchouli shrugs, "I'm no expert, but wouldn't a Hell-Cat need to mate first in order to have kittens? Or is the protocol a bit different?"
>Koakuma shrugs, too, "You'll just have to ask her."
-
>Pause. "You know, I've never asked her about that. I really should ask her why she was off her game that day."
>Nod. "And yes, I would think so. Maybe she found that special someone?" Smirk slightly.
-
>Pause. "You know, I've never asked her about that. I really should ask her why she was off her game that day."
>Nod. "And yes, I would think so. Maybe she found that special someone?" Smirk slightly.
>Patchouli grins, "Oh, I wonder~..."
>Koakuma blinks, "But she probably would have been more daydream-y instead of stressful, if she had found that special someone... besides, you would have noticed, wouldn't you?"
-
>Nod. "You may be right. I'll have to ask her about that later. And besides, sometimes even her mind is hidden to me, particularly when she's in her cat form."
(Referencing how Orin kept the geyser incident secret from Satori in the first place.)
-
>Nod. "You may be right. I'll have to ask her about that later. And besides, sometimes even her mind is hidden to me, particularly when she's in her cat form."
(Referencing how Orin kept the geyser incident secret from Satori in the first place.)
>Patchouli nods, "Maybe Okuu knows something about her, too. If Orin was seeing a "special someone", then maybe she would have noticed. Or maybe even kept it a secret."
-
>Shrug. "It's rather hard for Okuu to keep a secret though, she's quite simple-minded."
-
>Shrug. "It's rather hard for Okuu to keep a secret though, she's quite simple-minded."
>Patchouli grins, "Quite possibly. Although maybe she didn't think it was a secret and then forgot all about it, like she thought you already knew and therefore didn't need to tell you."
-
>Chuckle. "I wouldn't doubt that, it seems like something Okuu would do."
>Smile. "At any rate, are we about ready for dessert now?"
-
>Chuckle. "I wouldn't doubt that, it seems like something Okuu would do."
>Smile. "At any rate, are we about ready for dessert now?"
>Koakuma and Patchouli look at each other, then down to their own empty plates.
>"Yes~!" they both say in unison.
-
>Nod. "So, what of the desserts do you want?"
>Smirk. "I don't really need to ask you, or read your mind Miss Knowledge, because it's quite obvious you desire the Rice Cakes."
-
>Nod. "So, what of the desserts do you want?"
>Smirk. "I don't really need to ask you, or read your mind Miss Knowledge, because it's quite obvious you desire the Rice Cakes."
>Patchouli blinks in mock-surprise, "I'm that readable?"
>Koakuma looks back over the menu, "Ooh, grapefruit jelly..."
-
>"I thought you'd pick that Koa, though I also expected you to pick the Summer Fruits with Sweet Azuki Beans."
>Chuckle. "Well, your reaction to my mentioning them the first time was rather noticeable."
>Nod. "But at any rate, I'm rather torn on what to choose myself."
-
>"I thought you'd pick that Koa, though I also expected you to pick the Summer Fruits with Sweet Azuki Beans."
>Chuckle. "Well, your reaction to my mentioning them the first time was rather noticeable."
>Nod. "But at any rate, I'm rather torn on what to choose myself."
>Koakuma grins, "I'm rather unpredictable sometimes~!"
>Patchouli looks at you, "Why don't you try that Honey Butter Toast with Vanilla Ice-Cream?"
-
>Nod. "That sounds like a good plan."
>Smirk. "You know, if Sakuya ever wants to get quality ingredients that surpass most others, she can always come down to the underground."
-
>Nod. "That sounds like a good plan."
>Smirk. "You know, if Sakuya ever wants to get quality ingredients that surpass most others, she can always come down to the underground."
>Patchouli grins, "I'll have to let her know. It would be a longer journey, but one worthwhile."
-
>Nod. "Nothing her ability can't remedy."
>"At any rate, shall we order dessert?"
-
>Nod. "Nothing her ability can't remedy."
>"At any rate, shall we order dessert?"
>Patchouli and Koakuma both nod in agreement.
>Almost on cue, the waitress walks over with a grin, "Will there be anything else?"
-
>Smile. "Dessert, naturally. I'll have the Honey Butter Toast with Vanilla Ice-Cream, And these two will have the Pan-Fried Rice Cakes and...Koa, did you want the Grapefruit Jelly, or the Summer Fruits?"
-
>Smile. "Dessert, naturally. I'll have the Honey Butter Toast with Vanilla Ice-Cream, And these two will have the Pan-Fried Rice Cakes and...Koa, did you want the Grapefruit Jelly, or the Summer Fruits?"
>Amaya notes down the order, smiling.
>Koakuma smiles, "The grapefruit jelly, please~"
-
>Nod. "What she said."
-
>Nod. "What she said."
>Amaya writes it down, putting the pencil behind her ear when she's finished, "They'll be just a few minutes~!"
>She takes the empty plates, with a big smile.
-
>Nod. "Alright then."
>"So, what's your thoughts on the underground so far? I trust you're enjoying yourselves?"
>Smirk. "There's still a few other stops you know."
-
>Nod. "Alright then."
>"So, what's your thoughts on the underground so far? I trust you're enjoying yourselves?"
>Smirk. "There's still a few other stops you know."
>Koakuma blinks, "I've read about the underground, but I never thought it would be like this. It's a lot friendlier than I thought."
>Patchouli nods, "My sentiments exactly."
-
>Smile. "The underground, as I've said before, is a welcoming and peaceful place. Sure, there's the occasional drunken brawl, but it's all in good spirits."
>Pause, then chuckle at the pun. "Spirits...I can't believe I made a pun unintentionally."
-
>Smile. "The underground, as I've said before, is a welcoming and peaceful place. Sure, there's the occasional drunken brawl, but it's all in good spirits."
>Pause, then chuckle at the pun. "Spirits...I can't believe I made a pun unintentionally."
>Patchouli laughs, "No matter. I often make puns, and I usually don't notice until Koakuma can't contain her laughter any longer."
>Amaya brings the desserts to the table, setting them down with a smile, "Here are your desserts~"
-
>Nod. "Thank you."
>Let's take our dessert, and pass the others theirs.
-
>Nod. "Thank you."
>Let's take our dessert, and pass the others theirs.
>Amaya smiles and walks off.
>You pass the desserts to their respective eaters, and take your own.
-
>Let's dig in! And be sure to gauge their reactions to the desserts as well.
-
>Let's dig in! And be sure to gauge their reactions to the desserts as well.
>You dig in to the dessert.
>It's extremely sweet - but not so rich to the point of it being sickly.
>Patchouli tucks into her dessert, and you can immediately see that she loves it.
>Koakuma digs in too, and she sighs contentedly.
-
>Chuckle. "So, I take it that you like it then?"
>"Just to let you know though, there's still other places to see after this."
>Let's keep at it then, we may have to make this a usual dessert.
-
>Chuckle. "So, I take it that you like it then?"
>"Just to let you know though, there's still other places to see after this."
>Let's keep at it then, we may have to make this a usual dessert.
>Patchouli nods, "Impeccable food... what else can be expected, though?"
>Koakuma smiles, "It's amazing~"
-
>Smile. "Well, this is one of my favored dining establishments, so it's to be expected."
>"Anyways, the next destinations are the Main Square, and the Main Avenue."
>Then smirk. "And then there's a special bonus, you get to enjoy it because you're considered members of the staff."
-
>Smile. "Well, this is one of my favored dining establishments, so it's to be expected."
>"Anyways, the next destinations are the Main Square, and the Main Avenue."
>Then smirk. "And then there's a special bonus, you get to enjoy it because you're considered members of the staff."
>Koakuma smiles, "So, just how big is this Ancient City?"
>Patchouli nods, "Yes, I was curious about that, too... none of the books in my library have an even vaguely accurate measurement or size comparison."
-
>Hmm, that IS a good question. Just how big and populated is it? We should be able to recall the groundplans and census data easily enough.
>"Well, as for population, the census showed that the inhabitants number at [insert applicable census number], and size-wise, it's [insert groundplans info here]."
-
>Hmm, that IS a good question. Just how big and populated is it? We should be able to recall the groundplans and census data easily enough.
>"Well, as for population, the census showed that the inhabitants number at around 900 to 1300, and size-wise, it's 10 square miles."
(Yay for creativity~!)
>Patchouli raises her eyebrows, "That is big."
>Koakuma blinks, "So many people..."
-
>Chuckle. "Certainly more than the Human Village, that's for certain."
>Smirk. "But then again, it's just that, a village. This my friends, is a city!"
-
>Chuckle. "Certainly more than the Human Village, that's for certain."
>Smirk. "But then again, it's just that, a village. This my friends, is a city!"
>Patchouli smirks, "And a rather interesting city at that."
-
>Nod. "It's home at least."
>Have they finished their desserts yet?
>Have we finished ours?
-
>Nod. "It's home at least."
>Have they finished their desserts yet?
>Koakuma has finished her jelly.
>Patchouli has just finished her rice-cakes.
>Have we finished ours?
>Yes, you have finished yours, too.
-
>Smile. "Well then, all that's left to do here is pay, and you just leave that to me."
>Let's flag down Amaya and get the check.
-
>Smile. "Well then, all that's left to do here is pay, and you just leave that to me."
>Let's flag down Amaya and get the check.
>Patchouli and Koakuma smile gratefully.
>You manage to flag down Amaya as she walks past, and she already has the check.
>She places the check on the table, "That's 7150~"
-
>Nod. "Alright then."
>Let's set the payment then, and set aside an extra 800 as a tip.
-
>Nod. "Alright then."
>Let's set the payment then, and set aside an extra 800 as a tip.
>You hand over the money, and the extra 800 as a tip.
>Amaya bows her head gratefully, "Thank you for dining here today~"
-
>Smile. "It's always nice to eat here after all."
>Look towards Koa and Patchy. "Well, let's be off then. Next Stop: the Main Avenue!"
>Let's roll!
-
>Smile. "It's always nice to eat here after all."
>Look towards Koa and Patchy. "Well, let's be off then. Next Stop: the Main Avenue!"
>Let's roll!
>You all get up and head for the Main Avenue.
>You arrive at the Main Avenue. It's busy as usual - with what seems to be the entire populace of the Ancient City hanging around there.
-
>Smirk. "Welcome to the Main Avenue, all the shopping and gatherings usually takes place here. Failing that, our next destination, the Main Square."
>"Let's look around shall we? It's been a while since I've had a chance to just relax and look around. Last time I was here, I was in a terrible rush due to that little incident."
-
>Smirk. "Welcome to the Main Avenue, all the shopping and gatherings usually takes place here. Failing that, our next destination, the Main Square."
>"Let's look around shall we? It's been a while since I've had a chance to just relax and look around. Last time I was here, I was in a terrible rush due to that little incident."
>Patchouli and Koakuma look around, pretty impressed at the size.
>You all have a look around the Main Avenue, weaving in and out of the fairy sizeable crowd.
-
>Are there any shops in the vicinity that we usually visit?
-
>Are there any shops in the vicinity that we usually visit?
>Well, there's a nice flower shop that you visit occasionally - they bring imported flowers from the surface.
>There is also a nice hat-shop that Koishi window-shops in. They also repair her hat if it gets damaged
>There's a jeweller's, too. As well as:
-A shoe shop
-A pet shop
-A hand-fan shop
-Random item shop (you've heard it be compared to a shop called Kourindou on the surface)
-
>How much funds do we have left?
>"Well, anything in particular you want to visit? There's several rather nice shops in our immediate area."
>"There's a Pet Shop, a Jeweller's, a Cobbler's, A rather nice little shop that sells hand-fans, a Flower Shop that imports from the surface, A nice little Hat Shop that Koishi visits often, and a shop that sells a little bit of everything. I've heard it be compared to that secondhand shop up on the surface."
-
>How much funds do we have left?
>You have about 6000 left.
>"Well, anything in particular you want to visit? There's several rather nice shops in our immediate area."
>"There's a Pet Shop, a Jeweller's, a Cobbler's, A rather nice little shop that sells hand-fans, a Flower Shop that imports from the surface, A nice little Hat Shop that Koishi visits often, and a shop that sells a little bit of everything. I've heard it be compared to that secondhand shop up on the surface."
>Patchouli and Koakuma look at each other.
>Koakuma grins, "I'm okay, actually~"
>Patchouli smiles, "Yes, I'm fine, too."
-
>"....Perhaps I should have brought more funds."
>Chuckle. "Then again, had I known this would have turned into a 'Girl's Day Out', I would have brought more than I did."
>"At any rate, I do wonder what that Secondhand shop has in stock today. Perhaps I'll find some new books to add to my collection."
>Let's head there!
-
>"....Perhaps I should have brought more funds."
>Chuckle. "Then again, had I known this would have turned into a 'Girl's Day Out', I would have brought more than I did."
>Koakuma giggles, "Some things you just can't predict~!"
>"At any rate, I do wonder what that Secondhand shop has in stock today. Perhaps I'll find some new books to add to my collection."
>Let's head there!
>You head for the secondhand shop.
>It's a small shop, but with a very eclectic stock.
>The Oni at the counter, a young and immature looking man, looks up as you walk in, "Yo, how's it hanging?"
-
>Chuckle. "It's been eventful at least. Any new books in stock?"
-
>Chuckle. "It's been eventful at least. Any new books in stock?"
>He aims a finger at a large shelf of books, "All of them over there. New in this mornin'."
-
>Look over to Patchy. "Well, shall we peruse them? Maybe we'll find books we haven't obtained yet."
>Let's head over there and start perusing them.
-
>Look over to Patchy. "Well, shall we peruse them? Maybe we'll find books we haven't obtained yet."
>Let's head over there and start perusing them.
>Patchouli nods, "We shall~"
>You head over to the bookshelf and begin looking at the books.
>There are so many different books, and a lot of them are from the same series.
>There are 10 volumes of elemental magic books, 15 volumes "About Gensokyo and Her Features", several different history books...
>You notice there is one book about the width of your arm, and the length of your head. The spine is too damaged to read what it says.
-
>Any copies of Journey to The West? Or perhaps Romance of The Three Kingdoms? We have been in need of new stories to read after all, and maybe Okuu would appreciate a bedtime story or two.
>But with how Gensokyo is, odds are pretty good that the Monkey King is wandering around somewhere as we speak.
>Chuckle. "Miss Knowledge, I've located something rather interesting, but the spine is too damaged to make out clearly."
>Pull the book from the shelf and examine it carefully. Never know what it could be.
-
>Any copies of Journey to The West? Or perhaps Romance of The Three Kingdoms? We have been in need of new stories to read after all, and maybe Okuu would appreciate a bedtime story or two.
>But with how Gensokyo is, odds are pretty good that the Monkey King is wandering around somewhere as we speak.
>No, not today. It seems they got a lot of non-fiction volumes, instead.
>Chuckle. "Miss Knowledge, I've located something rather interesting, but the spine is too damaged to make out clearly."
>Pull the book from the shelf and examine it carefully. Never know what it could be.
>Patchouli looks away from the end of the bookshelf she was at, and walks over.
>Koakuma looks over your shoulder at the book.
>You examine the book.
>It has blue leather binding, with brown string tied around it. The spine has pretty much fallen off, as the string is the only thing keeping it attached to the book.
>Patchouli looks at it, "Huh... I swear I've seen a book like that before..."
>Koakuma fistpalms, "I have seen it before! In the library! An exact replica... well, not as tattered as this one, but... you know. I can't remember what it was called exactly... something like "Dictionary"..."
>Patchouli frowns, "A bit big for a dictionary, don't you think?"
-
>Hand it off to Patchy. "You should be able to disarm any spells on it in the event that there are protective spells on it, yes? Seeing as you work with these sorts of things on a regular basis."
-
>Hand it off to Patchy. "You should be able to disarm any spells on it in the event that there are protective spells on it, yes? Seeing as you work with these sorts of things on a regular basis."
>Patchouli takes the book with little strain, despite it's weight.
>She frowns, "There aren't any protective spells on this. Thankfully."
>She inspects the book, examining it fully, short of opening the book itself.
-
>Breathe a sigh of relief. "That's good, I half expected something of the sort to be the case. Seeing as how the identity of this book is a mystery."
-
>Breathe a sigh of relief. "That's good, I half expected something of the sort to be the case. Seeing as how the identity of this book is a mystery."
>Patchouli continues examining it, "It seems extremely old to still be intact.. I mean..."
>She blows on the cover, and a lot of dust flies onto the shelf, "...it's very dusty."
>Koakuma walks over to the Oni at the counter, cranking up the cuteness, "Um, excuse me, is there a 'what you read, you buy' policy here? Because, um, we're very interested, but maybe we'd like to know what's in the book~.. would that be okay with you, sir?"
>The Oni just about swoons, "A-absolutely! Go ahead, take all the time you need! Ahaha, I'll just be back here if you need me, yeah?"
>Koakuma smiles, "Thank you~!"
>She walks back over, "Have to be thorough, right?"
>Patchouli smirks, "Always a charmer, aren't you?"
-
>Chuckle. "I had a feeling he was vulnerable to something like that. Most men are."
>"But at any rate, let's see what's inside, shall we?"
-
>Chuckle. "I had a feeling he was vulnerable to something like that. Most men are."
>"But at any rate, let's see what's inside, shall we?"
>Koakuma giggled, "Eh, true~..."
>You have a look inside the book.
>A heck-load of dust falls from the pages and onto your skirt and feet.
>When you look closer at the writing, it is written in some sort of haphazard scrawling which looks too messy and smudged to even begin to interpret.
>But, on the page you are on, which is incidentally the first one, the title is just barely legible:
Forbidden Literature ~ Spells of the End Days
>Patchouli reads it the same time you do, and you can hear her yelp quietly, "So it exists."
-
>"....Why did I get the feeling it was going to be something like this?" Facepalm.
>"While I respect books as much as the next youkai in search of more information, even I know that this is bad news. We should get it now, before someone else does, so that it's in good hands."
-
>"....Why did I get the feeling it was going to be something like this?" Facepalm.
>"While I respect books as much as the next youkai in search of more information, even I know that this is bad news. We should get it now, before someone else does, so that it's in good hands."
>Patchouli nods, "It's more coveted than you think. I've had several people looking for the Forbidden Literature in my library. It wasn't there, of course. Some of those spells are really hard to read, so you couldn't do much with it without some help or... if it was your own handwriting."
>The Oni at the counter cranes his neck, "So, are you interested? Selling it cheap, since it's on the "Found" rack, would 850 be a good enough price for you's all? That's pretty expensive for stuff over on those shelves, to be honest, it'd be normal if you say no, 'nd all."
-
>Nod. "I'll give you 1500. For someone like myself, a price like that is nothing at all."
>Let's shell out the cash.
-
>Nod. "I'll give you 1500. For someone like myself, a price like that is nothing at all."
>Let's shell out the cash.
>He whistles, "Swanky. Something in there catch yer' eye, then?"
>You shell out the cash for the book, and he grins, "Pleasure doin' business with ya'!"
-
>Nod. "More or less."
>"Miss Knowledge, we should be going now. This puts a rather...Unpleasant crimp in my plans for our little day out."
>Let's roll.
-
>Nod. "More or less."
>"Miss Knowledge, we should be going now. This puts a rather...Unpleasant crimp in my plans for our little day out."
>Patchouli sighs, "It didn't put that much of a damper on things for me... I know that the book that people keep pestering me for not only exists, but is in safe hands."
>Let's roll.
>You leave the shop, and the Oni waves you out cheerfully. If only he knew.
-
>"Well, it's the matter of the contents that has me worried. It would be no trouble at all for someone like yourself to decipher it."
>Sigh. "I just wonder where I should store it so that nobody will ever locate it. A book like this is too dangerous to leave out in the open."
-
>"Well, it's the matter of the contents that has me worried. It would be no trouble at all for someone like yourself to decipher it."
>Patchouli sighs, "Well, I can try. I can't promise anything, as it's the handwriting. If it's symbols from a foreign language, I have books on that..."
>Sigh. "I just wonder where I should store it so that nobody will ever locate it. A book like this is too dangerous to leave out in the open."
>Koakuma blinks, "You've got a safe, right? Maybe you need a guard of it, or something similar to that."
-
>"Well, with how Marisa broke in easily enough a day or two ago, I'm doubting that anything like that will keep a determined thief out."
-
>"Well, with how Marisa broke in easily enough a day or two ago, I'm doubting that anything like that will keep a determined thief out."
>Patchouli thinks for a while, with an intense expression.
>Suddenly, she clicks her fingers, "Magical seal."
-
>Nod. "That should work, but it needs to be powerful enough to repel even Marisa. Who knows what could happen if that hothead gets her hands on this book."
-
>Nod. "That should work, but it needs to be powerful enough to repel even Marisa. Who knows what could happen if that hothead gets her hands on this book."
>Patchouli sighs, "Yes, yes... but even Marisa isn't that stupid. Yes, raw power is her strong point, but Reimu wouldn't dare let Marisa do anything along those lines. That magician would hit the ground harder than a full bookshelf."
>Koakuma grins, "What about a combined one? Lady Patchouli, you have a recognition-based seal for things, don't you? To stop anyone that isn't you from accessing some of your books."
>Patchouli nods, "Yes, that old cupboard. I've upheld that magical seal for as long as I can remember. That spell ought to work, but it takes a while to get it right."
-
>Nod. "I was thinking, maybe it could be set on a keylock sort of system. Specifically, unless all of the sealmakers are opening the seal, it won't open."
>"...If the seal doesn't prove good enough, I may have to fall back on something I know we're both reluctant to do...Destroying the book."
>"It should be simple enough to set up a failsafe in the seal for that yes? That way, in the event that the seal is either broken, or bypassed by some means, the book will be utterly destroyed...That is, unless they know how to disarm the seal."
>"You see, when it comes to a book like this, as you know, it is never good to leave things to chance."
>"And that way, in the event that one of the sealmakers betrays the rest, they won't be able to get at it without the aid of the rest. Which will not be likely to happen."
-
>Nod. "I was thinking, maybe it could be set on a keylock sort of system. Specifically, unless all of the sealmakers are opening the seal, it won't open."
>"...If the seal doesn't prove good enough, I may have to fall back on something I know we're both reluctant to do...Destroying the book."
>Patchouli nods, "If it comes to that, yes... I'm sure it wouldn't take much to destroy it, anyway, as it's certainly on one of its last legs."
>Koakuma frowns, "What I still don't know is... how it came to end up on a 'found' shelf in the Ancient City? Certainly a book containing the kind of stuff that it does shouldn't end up lying around like it probably did."
>"It should be simple enough to set up a failsafe in the seal for that yes? That way, in the event that the seal is either broken, or bypassed by some means, the book will be utterly destroyed...That is, unless they know how to disarm the seal."
>"You see, when it comes to a book like this, as you know, it is never good to leave things to chance."
>"And that way, in the event that one of the sealmakers betrays the rest, they won't be able to get at it without the aid of the rest. Which will not be likely to happen."
>Patchouli smiles, "And besides, I know a few people that wouldn't dare risk trying any of the spells, or letting anyone else. Reimu, for example. She'd guard that thing with her life to protect Gensokyo. And I mean that literally."
>Koakuma still frowns, "But I'm still puzzled as to how it was found and obtained by a secondhand shop so easily... maybe people disregarded it because it was so tattery."
-
>Nod. "That is rather strange, isn't it? I was wondering about that myself."
-
>Nod. "That is rather strange, isn't it? I was wondering about that myself."
>Patchouli frowns, "Regardless of where it came from and how it got there, it's a damned lucky thing that we managed to run into it."
>Koakuma sighs, "I guess so. Still puzzling."
>Patchouli looks around. Several Oni that are walking by keep craning their necks to have a look, with rather big grins on their faces.
>"Maybe they're just curious because it's a big book..?" Koakuma quietly asks.
-
>"...Anyhow, let's return to the Palace, we can use the Bucket Tramway to get there."
>Let's lead them to the nearest Tram Station.
-
>"...Anyhow, let's return to the Palace, we can use the Bucket Tramway to get there."
>Let's lead them to the nearest Tram Station.
>You head to the nearest Tram Station, where it seems Kisume is waiting for people.
>She sees you heading over and immediately leans out of her bucket to wave, "Hey, hey, hey! Come for a ride on the Kisume Tramway?"
-
>Grin. "These two are more staff members, Miss Knowledge here will be judging the Danmaku Contest, and her familiar, Koakuma, will be serving as a Tour Guide. I trust that you'll be working well with her come festival time."
>"Anyways, I trust that the line to Chireiden has been completed? Because I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone by using the tramway to get there."
-
>Grin. "These two are more staff members, Miss Knowledge here will be judging the Danmaku Contest, and her familiar, Koakuma, will be serving as a Tour Guide. I trust that you'll be working well with her come festival time."
>Kisume salutes to Koakuma and Patchouli, "Always nice to meet new people!"
>"Anyways, I trust that the line to Chireiden has been completed? Because I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone by using the tramway to get there."
>She nods, with a grin, "Yep. Yamame had lines stretching to all of the major landmarks and areas of the Underground! Hop in!"
-
>Nod, and climb in. "Ah yes, I forgot to introduce you, This is Kisume, one of the resident Tsurube-Otoshi of the Underground. When I realized that we needed a means of high-speed transportation for those who cannot fly, I thought of having a tramway constructed. Naturally, I thought of her and Yamame, since you use Buckets to carry things, and spider threads are exceptionally strong, putting them in charge of this project just made sense."
-
>Nod, and climb in. "Ah yes, I forgot to introduce you, This is Kisume, one of the resident Tsurube-Otoshi of the Underground. When I realized that we needed a means of high-speed transportation for those who cannot fly, I thought of having a tramway constructed. Naturally, I thought of her and Yamame, since you use Buckets to carry things, and spider threads are exceptionally strong, putting them in charge of this project just made sense."
>You climb into the bucket, with Patchouli and Koakuma climbing in after you.
>It's a fairly spacious bucket. Kisume is resting on the rim at the front, with you all leaning against the rim behind her.
>There is enough extra space to fit possibly two more people.
>Kisume tugs on one of the four spider threads hanging around the lifted handle of the bucket. The one she pulled had been marked green.
>She then pulls out a map, tracing her finger along it, "Right... it's this one!"
>Kisume tugs on a blue-marked thread three times, and the bucket flies along it at a rather high speed.
-
>Hold on, this is a pretty fast ride!
>...We should probably have them slow the pace down for the festival, Humans might not be able to handle this without freaking out.
>"Rather nice idea, wasn't it, miss Knowledge? I have to be considerate of the non-youkai that will be attending after all."
-
>Hold on, this is a pretty fast ride!
>...We should probably have them slow the pace down for the festival, Humans might not be able to handle this without freaking out.
>You hold on. Kisume probably didn't think to slow it down.
>She looks over her shoulder to see everyone clinging to the bucket, "Oh, is it too fast? Sorry!"
>Kisume hooks what seems to be a bandage around the thread, and tugs on it once. It slows down a good deal, but still travels at a decent pace.
>"Rather nice idea, wasn't it, miss Knowledge? I have to be considerate of the non-youkai that will be attending after all."
>Patchouli nods, "Yes, it definitely is a good idea. And a very good use of utilities, too..."
>The ride stops just outside Chireiden, and lowers down to the ground.
>Kisume taps on the rim of the bucket, "Bucket-stop 7! Chireiden!"
-
>"A mite too fast dear, I don't think humans will be able to take such speeds without breaking down and becoming blubbering wrecks. They aren't made of such stern stuff as Youkai after all."
>Disembark from the bucket! Be sure to help Patchy and Koa if need be.
-
>"A mite too fast dear, I don't think humans will be able to take such speeds without breaking down and becoming blubbering wrecks. They aren't made of such stern stuff as Youkai after all."
>Kisume salutes, "Gotcha'! Yamame keeps telling be about the regulation speeds. You just looked like you were in a hurry, so I got you here quickly as possible!"
>Disembark from the bucket! Be sure to help Patchy and Koa if need be.
>You get out of the bucket. Koakuma follows suit quite quickly.
>Patchouli slowly clambers out, reeling a bit from the speed. She looks a bit dizzy.
>"Urr... that was fast..." she giggles hopelessly to herself.
-
>Let's lend her a hand in steadying herself. "Well, just remember that for the festival, okay?"
>Let's lead them in, maybe Remi and Sakuya have returned by now.
-
>Let's lend her a hand in steadying herself. "Well, just remember that for the festival, okay?"
>Let's lead them in, maybe Remi and Sakuya have returned by now.
>Kisume grins, "Will do!"
>You help Patchouli steady herself. She grins sheepishly.
>All of you head back inside.
>Remilia and Sakuya have returned, and are busy having a random conversation with Reimu, Marisa, Yukari and Yuugi.
-
>Beckon Reimu over.
>"Reimu, I believe Miss Knowledge and myself will be needing to speak with you in private." Stare in a serious manner.
-
>Beckon Reimu over.
>"Reimu, I believe Miss Knowledge and myself will be needing to speak with you in private." Stare in a serious manner.
>Reimu gulps and walks over.
>Marisa yells over, "Hey, Reimu, what have you done?"
>Yukari blinks, "Something serious, it seems..."
>Reimu leans in when she arrives, "What happened..?"
-
>Whisper; "Miss Knowledge, her familiar, and Myself, were at a secondhand shop down here when we found this."
>Show her the book, and what it is, but keep it out of sight of anyone else.
>"You can see why I'm so serious now, yes?"
-
>Whisper; "Miss Knowledge, her familiar, and Myself, were at a secondhand shop down here when we found this."
>Show her the book, and what it is, but keep it out of sight of anyone else.
>You show Reimu the book.
>Her eyes nearly fall out of her head.
>"Someone... someone found it?!" she hisses quietly.
>Patchouli nods gravely, "Unfortunately so. As you can see, it was nearly destroyed. It looks a lot different to how I remembered it, that's why I didn't recognise it at first."
>"You can see why I'm so serious now, yes?"
>Reimu nods, "Yeah, I do..."
>She gulps guiltily, "You know... don't think badly of me when I say it, but... that spellbook was protected by the previous Hakurei shrine maiden. When I met Yukari, she found the spellbook and told me that people wanted to find it. It's a Gensokyo-wide conspiracy, really. So she called a small meeting of all the people that her and I trusted the most. Remilia, Yuyuko, Shikieiki, Suika, Ran, Marisa, Patchouli and Alice. Sakuya was there, too. I completely forgot."
>Patchouli nods, "We were all asked to think of a good place to hide it. We all went home without answers, then we were all contacted by Shikieiki and we had a meeting again. During that meeting, we buried that book deep underground, in a specially fitted magical box that would destroy the book if someone failed 3 times to crack open the safe."
>Reimu sighs, "Unfortunately, Marisa had tried to blast the book to pieces, which is why it was in such a tattery state."
-
>Nod. "Perhaps we are better off destroying it then. I believe Okuu can succeed in that effort, yes? Since her Atomic Flames burn hotter than any other fire known."
-
>Nod. "Perhaps we are better off destroying it then. I believe Okuu can succeed in that effort, yes? Since her Atomic Flames burn hotter than any other fire known."
>Reimu blinks, "It's a failsafe technique also. Shikieiki had to hit Marisa over the head and lecture her on why not to destroy it. 'If Gensokyo's barrier starts to break, and the magic begins to drain out of it and into the outside world, we have no choice but to destroy Gensokyo'. Morbid, I know, but that's the words of the Yama and all."
-
>"...Well, that is a problem then. What should we do to seal it away then?"
-
>"...Well, that is a problem then. What should we do to seal it away then?"
>Reimu thinks for a while.
>Patchouli interjects her thought pattern, "I say we call back the meeting. We have all of us inside use our own magical energy to contribute to the seal in steps."
>Reimu nods, "Good idea."
-
>Nod. "I can lend a hand in that as well. This affects even the underground, and I would be remiss in not providing aid."
-
>Nod. "I can lend a hand in that as well. This affects even the underground, and I would be remiss in not providing aid."
>Patchouli nods, "Shall I call everyone together?"
-
>Nod. "Shall we, Reimu?"
>Beckon Yukari over as well.
-
>Nod. "Shall we, Reimu?"
>Beckon Yukari over as well.
>Reimu and Patchouli beckon Remilia, Sakuya, Marisa and Yukari over.
>Marisa folds her arms, "Reimu, what'cha do?"
>Yukari frowns, "I don't think it was what Reimu did..."
-
>Hold up the book. "I trust that you all recognize this, yes? Some fool found it and sold it to a local secondhand shop."
>"But according to what Reimu told me, it should have been destroyed if the safe that was holding it was incorrectly opened. So that brings up new questions. Who would have been able to open it without destroying it? And if they could perform such a feat, why wouldn't they have kept it for themselves?"
-
>Hold up the book. "I trust that you all recognize this, yes? Some fool found it and sold it to a local secondhand shop."
>Marisa and Yukari nearly fall over.
>Sakuya nearly chokes on her own air.
>Remilia stays completely blank-faced, yet it's evident that she's worried.
>"But according to what Reimu told me, it should have been destroyed if the safe that was holding it was incorrectly opened. So that brings up new questions. Who would have been able to open it without destroying it? And if they could perform such a feat, why wouldn't they have kept it for themselves?"
>Yukari leans in to the book for a closer look, "...The geyser."
>Reimu blinks, "You mean... the evil spirits geyser that sprung up a few years ago?"
>Yukari nods, "Yes. It sprung up with enough force and energy to erode the magical failsafe, which was weak to begin with. Then, it must have fallen through the hole that was created, and therefore someone found it, was able to open it without any difficulty and didn't think it important due to its tattered state so they sold it as a secondhand book."
>Marisa raises an eyebrow, "Ya' think so?"
-
>Thoughtful expression. "That could very well have been the case."
>"But at any rate, we need to re-seal it before the festival. I'll put my preparations on hold to aid in re-sealing it."
-
>Thoughtful expression. "That could very well have been the case."
>"But at any rate, we need to re-seal it before the festival. I'll put my preparations on hold to aid in re-sealing it."
>Yukari smiles, "Thank you, Satori. If this book got out to the wrong hands, there would be no festival."
>Patchouli frowns, "I don't think the generic magical-failsafe-box we used last time will be enough. Each of us needs to place a separate seal on which, which we should all then strengthen. That way, we all need to open it in the backwards order to which we sealed it. That should work."
-
>Nod. "I was also thinking that a combination seal would work. One that requires all of us to unseal it all at once, otherwise the failsafe will trigger and destroy the book."
-
>Nod. "I was also thinking that a combination seal would work. One that requires all of us to unseal it all at once, otherwise the failsafe will trigger and destroy the book."
>Patchouli nods, "That can be the first seal. Then we could all place our own separate seals around it, like several walls that each of us must open individually."
-
>"That should suffice for the time being, until we can concoct an even stronger one."
>"So, who else do we need to participate aside from just us?"
-
>"We should also set up a fail-safe in case one of us dies. It wouldn't do to be in a situation where we need the book only to find that we can't get to it because not all of us are still alive."
-
>"That should suffice for the time being, until we can concoct an even stronger one."
>"So, who else do we need to participate aside from just us?"
>Patchouli thinks for a while, "We don't actually need anybody else, but the people who also know about this are Yuyuko, Shikieiki, Ran, Suika and Alice."
>"We should also set up a fail-safe in case one of us dies. It wouldn't do to be in a situation where we need the book only to find that we can't get to it because not all of us are still alive."
>Reimu nods, "We'll each have to know each other's codes. It's a complicated task, but I think we should manage that."
-
>Nod. "It would probably be for the best is we had them helping out as well, though Alice might not be able to help entirely due to the events of yesterday."
-
>Nod. "It would probably be for the best is we had them helping out as well, though Alice might not be able to help entirely due to the events of yesterday."
>Marisa nearly bursts out laughing, "She probably won't be, but I'd like to see you try and stop her! Determined as hell sometimes, she is, ze."
-
>Nod. "Well, I was more referring to her weakened state being a hindrance to the effectiveness of her portion of the seals."
>Smirk. "Just a moment, this just dawned on me. But you had mentioned that there were people seeking it, yes?"
>"I just had a rather amusing idea. Though it requires that a false copy be made of the book."
>"You see, my idea is thusly. A false copy of the book is to be made. That false copy will not actually contain the spells within. But instead, various off-topic ramblings contributed by all of us."
>"That false copy will then be used as bait to lure out those who seek the book. And it is therein that we shall defeat them, and thus, thwart their plots."
>"A rather common gambit really, but this should work quite well in lieu of a better strategem. I came across a similar plot once while reading various books, to varying degrees of success."
>"But the point is, lay out the poisoned bait for the rats, and they will come in droves, only to be felled posthaste."
>"And then, we could also scatter throughout Gensokyo, copies of the false copy. So that anyone else foolish enough to attempt such a thing as locate the real book, would be stymied, and unable to find the real one easily. Essentially, making it as unto a needle in a haystack."
>"Of course, before this plan will be executed fully, the real book shall have to be sealed, that is a crucial thing. Key to not only the safety of Gensokyo, but my plot to lure out the ones who seek the book as well."
-
>Nod. "Well, I was more referring to her weakened state being a hindrance to the effectiveness of her portion of the seals."
>Marisa nods, "Eh. She never uses all of her power anyway. The day she does, phew, hold on to your hats.."
>Smirk. "Just a moment, this just dawned on me. But you had mentioned that there were people seeking it, yes?"
>"I just had a rather amusing idea. Though it requires that a false copy be made of the book."
>Everyone looks at you, perplexed at your idea, but curious to hear more. Especially Reimu and Marisa.
>"You see, my idea is thusly. A false copy of the book is to be made. That false copy will not actually contain the spells within. But instead, various off-topic ramblings contributed by all of us."
>"That false copy will then be used as bait to lure out those who seek the book. And it is therein that we shall defeat them, and thus, thwart their plots."
>"A rather common gambit really, but this should work quite well in lieu of a better strategem. I came across a similar plot once while reading various books, to varying degrees of success."
>Reimu grins, "That... sounds like a brilliant idea. If we keep several copies near places that we all live near, we can spread rumours single-handedly to lure people there, and then take them down!"
>Patchouli grins, "It sounds perfect!"
>"But the point is, lay out the poisoned bait for the rats, and they will come in droves, only to be felled posthaste."
>"And then, we could also scatter throughout Gensokyo, copies of the false copy. So that anyone else foolish enough to attempt such a thing as locate the real book, would be stymied, and unable to find the real one easily. Essentially, making it as unto a needle in a haystack."
>Marisa grins, "And, when they do find 'em, we can track them all down and blast them out of existence!!"
>Remilia laughs, "You want to kill people for searching for a book? Well, it may cut off their efforts, if anything..."
>"Of course, before this plan will be executed fully, the real book shall have to be sealed, that is a crucial thing. Key to not only the safety of Gensokyo, but my plot to lure out the ones who seek the book as well."
>Yukari nods, solemnly, "Do you want me to get everyone else who knows about it?"
-
>Nod. "Yes, now's the time for action, not words."
-
>Nod. "Yes, now's the time for action, not words."
>Yukari nods, and disappears into a gap to fetch the others.
>After about a minute, several gaps appear.
>Through them walk Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, Suika Ibuki, Ran Yakumo, Yuyuko Saigyouji and Alice Margatroid.
>All with serious expressions.
-
>Look to them, nodding to each in turn.
>"Shame we all had to meet during such a serious time. It would have been better if we had met during a more happy occasion, but alas."
>"Now, I had a plan to stop those seeking the book. We will make a false copy of the book that does not contain anything the real one has. But instead, various ramblings and thoughts from all of us. Once that is done, and the real book is sealed, we will create copies of the false copy, and scatter them throughout Gensokyo. Once that is done, we merely need to wait for those who seek the book to find one of the copies..."
>Smirk. "...And it is with that bait that we will catch the rats."
-
>Look to them, nodding to each in turn.
>"Shame we all had to meet during such a serious time. It would have been better if we had met during a more happy occasion, but alas."
>Alice shrugs, "Well, it isn't a shame. The book was found. We all have to be here regardless of the serious atmosphere."
>"Now, I had a plan to stop those seeking the book. We will make a false copy of the book that does not contain anything the real one has. But instead, various ramblings and thoughts from all of us. Once that is done, and the real book is sealed, we will create copies of the false copy, and scatter them throughout Gensokyo. Once that is done, we merely need to wait for those who seek the book to find one of the copies..."
>Smirk. "...And it is with that bait that we will catch the rats."
>Shikieiki cracks a small smile, "I like the plan. It will certainly be a good idea to smoke out the potential sinners in Gensokyo."
>Yuyuko giggles, "I do hope that some of them come to visit me~! It will be nice to talk to them~!"
>Suika suddenly has a very pensive expression, "Yo, Eiki... when people get reincarnated, they don't have any memory of their past life, do they? We can't let people like that get reincarnated, right?!"
>Shikieiki quietly gasps, "You're right... I'm sure I can make an arrangement. Although there are never supposed to be any memories from your past life, there have been occasions where people find snippets of past-life memories... we can work around that."
-
>Nod, with a smirk. "Well, shall we get to business then?"
>Look to Eiki. "I actually had some other things I wanted to discuss with you afterwards, so this works out to a point.
-
>Nod, with a smirk. "Well, shall we get to business then?"
>Look to Eiki. "I actually had some other things I wanted to discuss with you afterwards, so this works out to a point.
>Everyone nods in agreement.
>Patchouli looks around, "So, for those who weren't here when it was discussed, the protocols are as follows: we are all going to contribute, one-by-one, to seal this book away. That way, it needs all of us to unseal it systematically. Make sure not to hold back on anything."
>Marisa grins at Alice, "Hear that?"
>Alice frowns, "Shut up."
>Marisa recoils, "Okay..."
>Patchouli frowns, "As I was saying... we need to make sure that we give our all for this. We cannot afford to allow any possible holes or loops that a possible thief can get through. We are some of the strongest people in Gensokyo, so that won't be difficult, but we cannot afford to be complacent."
-
>Nod. "Well then, the time for talk is over for now. It is time to begin the sealing."
-
>Nod. "Well then, the time for talk is over for now. It is time to begin the sealing."
>Patchouli nods, "Everyone gather around in a circle."
>Everyone gathers around the book, in a circle.
>Patchouli nods again, more assertively, "Begin!"
-
>Alright, we're already in our place, so let's begin by adding in our seal.
-
>Alright, we're already in our place, so let's begin by adding in our seal.
>You contribute your own seal. You are the first one to do it.
>Patchouli, then Marisa, then Alice, then Shikieiki, then Reimu, then Koakuma, then Yuyuko, then Ran, then Yukari, then Suika all add their own seals gradually.
>Then, when all of you have contributed for about 3 minutes, the book suddenly glows brightly, and appears to be encased in a heat-radiating, rainbow-pulsating magical box with 11 thick and impenetrable layers.
-
>"And now we place the 12th seal, the one that requires all of us to place a seal at the exact same time, affording another 12 layers of security."
-
>"And now we place the 12th seal, the one that requires all of us to place a seal at the exact same time, affording another 12 layers of security."
>Everyone nods, and you all focus at the same time to put an additional seal on the book.
>It takes a bit longer, but soon the magical layer grows a lot thicker.
-
>Once we finish; "Phew...That was a mite exhausting, wasn't it? We can make the false copies later, after we find a place to keep the Sealed Book."
>Then sigh with that sort of worn-out, but relieved smile. "But now that the truly important goal has been accomplished, we can turn our thoughts to more happy discussion, no?"
-
>Once we finish; "Phew...That was a mite exhausting, wasn't it? We can make the false copies later, after we find a place to keep the Sealed Book."
>Then sigh with that sort of worn-out, but relieved smile. "But now that the truly important goal has been accomplished, we can turn our thoughts to more happy discussion, no?"
>Suika grins, "Or get drunk."
>Shikieiki looks at Suika with a blank expression, "Are you serious? Alcohol is extremely bad for y-"
>Reimu giggles, "Kid's got unlimited sake, you're not stopping her."
-
>Chuckle. "It's an Oni thing. They've got exceptionally resilient bodies, even for Youkai. Which is why they can drink as much as they do without adverse effects. I suspect that they have a liver that can withstand an endless amount of liquor."
>Head over to Eiki. "Anyways, I was actually planning on visiting you before all this happened. You see, in nine days from now, I am hosting a massive festival here in the underground. And since I knew you to be of good character, you would be perfect for being a judge for some of the various higher-end contests that will be happening. There are two in particular that you would be suited to. the Danmaku Contest, which Miss Knowledge will also be working as a judge for. And the Battle Festa, which is a large combat tournament designed for the more combative sorts, and is slated to be the highlight attraction."
>Smirk. "After all, you know how the old saying goes, 'The right person/tool for the right job'."
-
>Chuckle. "It's an Oni thing. They've got exceptionally resilient bodies, even for Youkai. Which is why they can drink as much as they do without adverse effects. I suspect that they have a liver that can withstand an endless amount of liquor."
>Shikieiki raises an eyebrow, "Yes, I know, but it's a bad message to the younger, more impressionable generation-"
>Marisa cuts her off, "No kid is impersonating Suika. Heck, the little drunkard's not far off from a kid herself."
>Head over to Eiki. "Anyways, I was actually planning on visiting you before all this happened. You see, in nine days from now, I am hosting a massive festival here in the underground. And since I knew you to be of good character, you would be perfect for being a judge for some of the various higher-end contests that will be happening. There are two in particular that you would be suited to. the Danmaku Contest, which Miss Knowledge will also be working as a judge for. And the Battle Festa, which is a large combat tournament designed for the more combative sorts, and is slated to be the highlight attraction."
>Smirk. "After all, you know how the old saying goes, 'The right person/tool for the right job'."
>Shikieiki smiles, "That Battle Festa certainly sounds like a fun event. It has been a while since I participated in any way in a festival... I'll have to lug Komachi over, too. There is no point in her sitting there and doing nothing. If she's going to slack off, she may as well be around here doing it."
-
>Smile. "So, which would you like to officiate for? If you choose to be on the Judge's Panel for the Danmaku Contest, you'll be working with Miss Knowledge."
>Nod. "And I think that I may know of another who would suit that sort of position as well. But according to what I've heard, she is just as likely to want to be a contestant in the Battle Festa as well."
>Look to Yukari. "You know of whom I speak. The Flower Youkai, Miss Kazami."
-
>Smile. "So, which would you like to officiate for? If you choose to be on the Judge's Panel for the Danmaku Contest, you'll be working with Miss Knowledge."
>Shikieiki thinks for a while, "Hm... the Danmaku Contest certainly sounds like an interesting event. I'd like to be on the Judge's Panel for that, if that is fine."
>Nod. "And I think that I may know of another who would suit that sort of position as well. But according to what I've heard, she is just as likely to want to be a contestant in the Battle Festa as well."
>Look to Yukari. "You know of whom I speak. The Flower Youkai, Miss Kazami."
>Yukari raises her eyebrows with a grin, "Yuuka? Nice idea. She would probably be incredibly overpowered in the Battle Festa. It may be better to make her a judge~"
-
>Nod to Eiki. "Good to have you on the team then, this will certainly ensure that the contest is judged fairly."
>"Well, I have heard that she believes that danmaku is all about beauty and elegance."
>Glance at Marisa with a smirk. "Unlike a certain other individual who is currently present."
-
>Nod to Eiki. "Good to have you on the team then, this will certainly ensure that the contest is judged fairly."
>Shikieiki smiles, "Glad to be of assistance."
>"Well, I have heard that she believes that danmaku is all about beauty and elegance."
>Glance at Marisa with a smirk. "Unlike a certain other individual who is currently present."
>Marisa grins, "Hey, come on! Some of my danmaku is pretty."
>Alice sighs, "Marisa, making a massively destructive laser 'prettier' by making it a rainbow-coloured one doesn't actually make it pretty."
>Marisa whines, "Alice, get it right! It's love coloured!"
>Reimu almost bursts out laughing, "Yeah, totally! Murderous love. Sounds like Yuuka's thing."
-
>Chuckle. "Well then, I suppose I should see about enlisting Miss Kazami as the third member of the Judge's Panel then. If you would be so kind as to politely invite her, Yukari?"
>We might be a bit worn out, but we can at least handle diplomatic things.
-
>In response to Reimu: "Well, she did steal it from Yuuka."
-
>Chuckle. "Well then, I suppose I should see about enlisting Miss Kazami as the third member of the Judge's Panel then. If you would be so kind as to politely invite her, Yukari?"
>We might be a bit worn out, but we can at least handle diplomatic things.
>Yukari grins, "I'll just be a moment~"
>She disappears into a gap, with a wave.
>In response to Reimu: "Well, she did steal it from Yuuka."
>Marisa gasps, "Did not! It was all legitimate! All above-board, no stealing involved!"
>Shikieiki cracks a small smile, "Would you care to share how legitimate it was, or shall I?"
>Marisa cowers a bit, "Uh, no, I'm... fine."
-
>Chuckle. "It's probably not too different from my Recollection Spellcards, now that I think of it."
>Ah, while they're here, we may as well add some of their cards to our collection. We can probably get more of Patchy's cards now, since she's on good terms with us.
-
>No, don't try it with Patchy. She may still have her protective spell up; don't risk it.
-
She probably dropped it earlier though, after we informed her the limits of our ability.
Or did you not read that part? If not, then you should probably do that.
-
I did, but there was nothing indicating she actually dropped it. We should at least ask her first.
-
Given how her demeanor changed, it's a good bet that she did.
She seemed almost relieved. Now, I dunno about you, but that would imply that she dropped it.
A good mage can drop a spell at whim after all, and she's one of the best around. Physical shortcomings notwithstanding.
-
It's not like asking about it would be very difficult, but whatever.
-
Besides, we can just stop trying for hers when we feel something off.
I suspect it's ward-based, and thus, won't have any major effect unless it's breached. Kinda like a reverse firewall.
-
>Chuckle. "It's probably not too different from my Recollection Spellcards, now that I think of it."
>Ah, while they're here, we may as well add some of their cards to our collection. We can probably get more of Patchy's cards now, since she's on good terms with us.
>Marisa grins, "True, true~"
>You try and look into Patchouli's mind, and you can get through. It seems she dropped that blockade a little while ago.
>You receive:
-Agni Shine High Level
-Trilithon Shake
-Green Storm
-Silver Dragon
-Water Elf
-Mercury Poison
>No, don't try it with Patchy. She may still have her protective spell up; don't risk it.
>She has lowered her protective spell... now, anyway.
>Yukari returns through a gap, with Yuuka Kazami following her.
-
>Bow politely. "Glad you could make it, Miss Kazami."
>"I have heard that you pride yourself on the beauty of your Danmaku. So when I chose to have one of the events of the Underground Week-Long Festival be a Danmaku Contest, I considered you as a judge for said contest. And that is why I have invited you here, to discuss that."
-
>Bow politely. "Glad you could make it, Miss Kazami."
>"I have heard that you pride yourself on the beauty of your Danmaku. So when I chose to have one of the events of the Underground Week-Long Festival be a Danmaku Contest, I considered you as a judge for said contest. And that is why I have invited you here, to discuss that."
>Yuuka grins widely, "Ah, hello~! Satori, isn't it?"
>She raises an eyebrow in genuine interest, "A festival? In the underground? Sounds absolutely riveting~! I'd love to be a part of it~!"
-
>Bow again. "Yes, I am Satori Komeiji. I keep things running down here. I thought that you would want to be a member of the organization team, as well as one of the officials."
>Smirk slightly. "Though there's more than just a Danmaku Contest, your might could prove to be a fair bit too much for the other competitors. One must take care that a tournament is fair and balanced, no?"
>"Which is why I wanted to have you as one of the Three Judges for the Danmaku Contest. The Yama, and Miss Knowledge are the other two. And with you, it would be a flawless trifecta."
-
>Bow again. "Yes, I am Satori Komeiji. I keep things running down here. I thought that you would want to be a member of the organization team, as well as one of the officials."
>Yuuka grins, bowing, "It would be my pleasure to~"
>Smirk slightly. "Though there's more than just a Danmaku Contest, your might could prove to be a fair bit too much for the other competitors. One must take care that a tournament is fair and balanced, no?"
>"Which is why I wanted to have you as one of the Three Judges for the Danmaku Contest. The Yama, and Miss Knowledge are the other two. And with you, it would be a flawless trifecta."
>Yuuka grins, "Oh, Patchouli and the Yama? Fancy little duo you have built there, already~! I'd certainly love to be a part of that trifecta~!"
-
>Smile, and bow again. "I am glad you agreed to. But even if you hadn't, I would've still asked you to at least attend."
>"You see, this festival is not just for Youkai, but Humans, Ghosts, and all others. It is through this festival that I wish to show those of the surface lands the culture and beauty of the Underground."
>Chuckle a bit. "And to think, it grew from a spur-of-the-moment idea to have a small party to celebrate a small incident being resolved."
>Sigh contentedly. "Just as the saplings grow into sturdy tress, so too did that simple idea grow into a massive one."
-
>Smile, and bow again. "I am glad you agreed to. But even if you hadn't, I would've still asked you to at least attend."
>"You see, this festival is not just for Youkai, but Humans, Ghosts, and all others. It is through this festival that I wish to show those of the surface lands the culture and beauty of the Underground."
>Yuuka winks, "Can't have anybody missing out on this wonderful place, now can we?"
>Reimu leans and whispers to Marisa, "Yuuka's being too nice..."
>Marisa whispers back, "I know... I wonder if Nue's up to her old tricks again..."
>Reimu frowns, "I highly doubt it."
>Chuckle a bit. "And to think, it grew from a spur-of-the-moment idea to have a small party to celebrate a small incident being resolved."
>Sigh contentedly. "Just as the saplings grow into sturdy tress, so too did that simple idea grow into a massive one."
>Yuuka laughs, "Well, that is how most things come about. Like my Master Spark for example~"
-
>Reimu and Marisa may have a point.
>Read Yuuka's mind. We'll see for ourselves if she's up to anything.
-
>Reimu and Marisa may have a point.
>Read Yuuka's mind. We'll see for ourselves if she's up to anything.
>You read Yuuka's mind
>...It seems she is completely genuine... just naturally creepy.
-
>Chuckle. "No, she is simply being herself. Which is to say, a Youkai."
>Let's scan the folks we haven't already scanned, so we can add more to our collection.
>Smirk. "Did you two forget my ability to read minds that quickly? Rather useful for weeding out doubts, fears, and other such things. It's a part of why I'm such a reliable leader after all."
-
>Chuckle. "No, she is simply being herself. Which is to say, a Youkai."
>Reimu laughs, "True, true... but to be honest with you, I know a lot of Youkai that aren't... Yuuka-ry."
>Let's scan the folks we haven't already scanned, so we can add more to our collection.
>You scan the minds that you haven't already. You receive:
Shikieiki:
-Last Judgement
-Tongue of Wolf
-Trial of the Ten Kings
-Guilty or Not Guilty
Suika:
-Night Parade of One Million Demons
-Sigh of Purgatory
-Missing Power
Alice:
-Maidens Bunraku
-Benevolent Orl?ans Dolls
-Red-Haired Dutch Dolls
Yuyuko:
-Lost Soul's Village -Trackless Path-
-Law of Mortality -Demon World-
-Deep-Rooted Butterfly
-Perfect Cherry Blossom of Sumizone -Deep Sleep-
Ran:
-Wizard Fox Thoughts
-Banquet of 12 General Gods
-Charming Siege from All Sides
-Descent of Izuna Gongen
Yuuka:
-Reflowering of the Gensokyo
-Beauty of the Nature
-Dual Spark
>Smirk. "Did you two forget my ability to read minds that quickly? Rather useful for weeding out doubts, fears, and other such things. It's a part of why I'm such a reliable leader after all."
>Marisa grins, "I always thought you just had it on all the time."
>Reimu nods, "Yeah, like you just heard thoughts when you were close enough..."
-
>Nod. "Usually, yes. But it just so happened that I caught your doubts, and decided to look into that."
-
>Nod. "Usually, yes. But it just so happened that I caught your doubts, and decided to look into that."
>Marisa raises her eyebrows, "Huh. Mind-reading, again, completely blows my mind."
>After a pause, she grins, "No pun intended."
-
>Chuckle. "At any rate, I suppose we should get back to planning the festival, yes?"
>Turn to Yuuka. "As I stated earlier, the festival is in nine days. Since you've accepted my offer to be a judge for one of the two main events, things should go quite smoothly in the future."
>"Let's see...fashion contests for not just humans and Youkai, but different kinds of Youkai. A Danmaku Contest, a Battle Tournament, and Guided Tours."
>Fistpalm. "Ah yes, catering has to be handled as well. Thankfully, there are quite a few nice places which we can ask for that."
-
>Chuckle. "At any rate, I suppose we should get back to planning the festival, yes?"
>Turn to Yuuka. "As I stated earlier, the festival is in nine days. Since you've accepted my offer to be a judge for one of the two main events, things should go quite smoothly in the future."
>Yuuka winks, "Always a pleasure to be of help."
>Reimu looks at her with wide eyes, "Since when?"
>Yuuka giggles, "Since about five minutes ago~"
>"Let's see...fashion contests for not just humans and Youkai, but different kinds of Youkai. A Danmaku Contest, a Battle Tournament, and Guided Tours."
>Fistpalm. "Ah yes, catering has to be handled as well. Thankfully, there are quite a few nice places which we can ask for that."
>Suika fistpalms, "I say you have a multiple tier drinking contest! One for each different kind of person in Gensokyo! There can be one for Oni, Tengu, fairies, humans, regular Youkai, immortals and stuff..."
>Alice raises an eyebrow, "The little drunkard has an idea."
>Suika nods, "I'm full of 'em! You could have a quiz night, too!"
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Well, Oni usually are reliable advisors. I should know this better than most others, considering as I have to work with them frequently."
>"At any rate, that sounds like quite a few good ideas, any more that you could offer?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Well, Oni usually are reliable advisors. I should know this better than most others, considering as I have to work with them frequently."
>"At any rate, that sounds like quite a few good ideas, any more that you could offer?"
>Suika takes a long drink and sighs, "Race. We get Yukari to make some kind of alternate dimension where flying and magic can't happen whilst they're in it, and then boom. They run it. Nice rustic way of doing things, to be honest. You could have cooking competitions, or a massive feast at the end, too. Oh, and you can also have, you'll love this one, tug-of-war. Multiple tiers, of course, to stop a completely one-sided humans versus Oni match. That would be bad to watch."
-
>Nod. "Yes, those would work quite nicely!"
>Smirk. "As expected of an Oni."
-
>Nod. "Yes, those would work quite nicely!"
>Smirk. "As expected of an Oni."
>Suika grins modestly and continues to glug down sake like there is no end... which there isn't.
>Reimu blinks, "Huh. Maybe she's a creative drunk, too."
-
>Chuckle. "Most Oni are like that really, you just have to give them the chance to have the ideas and give voice to them."
>"So, which event should we set up next?"
-
>Chuckle. "Most Oni are like that really, you just have to give them the chance to have the ideas and give voice to them."
>"So, which event should we set up next?"
>Alice raises an eyebrow.
>"Hm... maybe you need a catwalk for that fashion show thing..."
-
>Fistpalm. "I do believe there's a Hall in Chireiden that we can use for such a purpose! You see, since it's just Okuu, Orin, Koishi, and myself living there, some sections tend to go mostly unused."
-
>Fistpalm. "I do believe there's a Hall in Chireiden that we can use for such a purpose! You see, since it's just Okuu, Orin, Koishi, and myself living there, some sections tend to go mostly unused."
>Smiling, Alice shrugs, "Well, that's that dilemma solved."
-
>Nod. "We simply need to construct a temporary catwalk."
-
>Nod. "We simply need to construct a temporary catwalk."
>Sighing after a particularly long drink of sake, Suika grins deviously, "Piece o' cake."
-
>Smirk. "Plus, it'd be an excuse to use them for a change."
>"Well, now that we've gotten that settled, which one should we take care of next?"
-
>Smirk. "Plus, it'd be an excuse to use them for a change."
>"Well, now that we've gotten that settled, which one should we take care of next?"
>Frowning, Reimu looks deep in thought, "I can't think of anything..."
>Shikieiki frowns briefly, "Neither can I..."
>Marisa taps her foot quietly, "Well, the only thing I can think of is to make sure everything is in place... we probably ought to sort out a Gensokyo-wide invitation delivery, too."
-
>Nod. "Excellent idea. I think we can have the Tengu do that for us."
>Look to Yukari. "Would you mind bringing some of them here?"
-
>Nod. "Excellent idea. I think we can have the Tengu do that for us."
>Look to Yukari. "Would you mind bringing some of them here?"
>Yukari nods.
>She opens a gap and steps through it with a smile.
>After a minute, she returns with a sizeable horde of Tengu. In that group, you see Aya Shameimaru, Hatate Himekaidou and Momiji Inubashiri.
-
>Turn to them, and add shades of Tenma's Voice to our own via scanning their minds for it.
>"Alright, listen up! In nine days from now, there's going to be a festival down here in the Underground, a real big one. Lasting the whole week! And it's your jobs to let everyone up topside know to come, savvy?"
-
>Turn to them, and add shades of Tenma's voice to our own via scanning their minds for it.
>"Alright, listen up! In nine days from now, there's going to be a festival down here in the Underground, a real big one. Lasting the whole week! And it's your jobs to let everyone up topside know to come, savvy?"
>After scanning their mind, you source the little qualities of Tenma's voice to add to your own.
>After you alert them, the Tengu raise their hands/fans/swords and cheer loudly.
-
>"Well? Any questions?"
-
>"Well? Any questions?"
>All of the Tengu fall silent. Except for one.
>Aya.
>She steps forward, grinning, "Mind if I get an interview before I set out, then? Some juicy gossip and teasers for the festival?"
>A few of the Tengu groan, and some of them facepalm.
-
>Smirk, and flip to Aya's voice. "Well, I guess I have the time. But I'm quite busy you know, so keep it brief."
>Look over to Momiji and Hatate, and flip back to the semi-tenma voice. "Ah, you two stay as well."
>"The rest of you are dismissed!"
-
>Smirk, and flip to Aya's voice. "Well, I guess I have the time. But I'm quite busy you know, so keep it brief."
>Aya blinks, recognising her own voice in yours, "Uh.. okay... but how are you doing that?"
>Look over to Momiji and Hatate, and flip back to the semi-tenma voice. "Ah, you two stay as well."
>"The rest of you are dismissed!"
>Momiji and Hatate both nod, and hang around whilst the other Tengu fly out to report to Gensokyo.
>Aya is still puzzled, "Seriously, though, how did she...?"
-
>Flip back to our natural voice, and smirk. "It's a part of my power, an adapted version of how I create my Recollection Spellcards."
>Swap to Hatate's. "It's a pretty neat trick, huh?"
-
>Flip back to our natural voice, and smirk. "It's a part of my power, an adapted version of how I create my Recollection Spellcards."
>Swap to Hatate's. "It's a pretty neat trick, huh?"
>Aya blinks, "Aw, that's cool!"
>Hatate grins widely, "That's so cool! So you can copy any part of a person's personality, then?"
>Aya raises an eyebrow, "I didn't know mind-readers did that."
-
>Back to the normal voice! "Just voice and mannerisms, anything more would be overkill."
>Smirk. "Better to be subtle in some cases, no?"
-
>Back to the normal voice! "Just voice and mannerisms, anything more would be overkill."
>Smirk. "Better to be subtle in some cases, no?"
>Momiji nods, "Subtlety is certainly useful. Especially if you're trying to track down someone."
-
>Smirk. "Or just to toy with someone."
>"Besides, it doesn't feel very good, copying someone completely."
-
>Smirk. "Or just to toy with someone."
>"Besides, it doesn't feel very good, copying someone completely."
>Hatate shrugs, "Guess so. Copying is especially detested in the world of journalism."
>Snickering, Aya looks away, "Yes, you'd know all about copying in journalism, wouldn't you?"
-
>Swap to Aya's voice. "But y'know, you've got some fun cards to use. Especially Illusionary Dominance."
-
>Swap to Aya's voice. "But y'know, you've got some fun cards to use. Especially Illusionary Dominance."
>Aya sighs, "Did ya' take that without even asking me? Kind of offensive, if you ask me... which you didn't!"
-
Smile. Adopt Aya's voice. "Don't they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?"
-
>Smirk. "It wasn't hard to borrow, I simply used Reimu's memories to make a Recollection copy."
>"I've taken to collecting those you know, it's quite a handy ability."
-
Smile. Adopt Aya's voice. "Don't they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?"
>Hatate stares at you with a look of confusion, "Eh? Seriously? I guess if you aren't mocking them when you imitate them, it's okay..."
>Smirk. "It wasn't hard to borrow, I simply used Reimu's memories to make a Recollection copy."
>"I've taken to collecting those you know, it's quite a handy ability."
>Aya grins, "I guess it's handier than having t make your own. Gives some people a taste of their own medicine, especially if they're arrogant."
-
>We may as well snag a few spellcards from these three as well.
>Nod, and shift to Momiji's voice. "That it is. In fact, that is one way I use those spellcards."
(These three being Aya, Hatate, and Momiji. So that way we can polish off our collections from at least the Tengu category.)
-
>We may as well snag a few spellcards from these three as well.
>You receive spellcards from the three tengu.
>Momiji:
-Rabies Bite
-Expellee's Canaan
>Hatate:
-Rapid Shot
-Tengu Psychography
-Hatate Himekaidou's Reporting Training
>Aya
-Illusionary Dominance
-Tengu's Fall Wind
-Peerless Wind God
-Advent of the Divine Grandson
>Nod, and shift to Momiji's voice. "That it is. In fact, that is one way I use those spellcards."
>Momiji smiles, looking impressed, "That's very good."
>Giggling, Aya looks at Momiji, "It is, isn't it? She really captured your... snobbish attitude."
>Momiji growls, "My what?!"
>Hatate gulps, "Your attitude! You know, your... coolness."
-
>Shift to Yuuka's Voice. "Now now girls, it wouldn't do to be fighting just yet~"
-
>Shift to Yuuka's Voice. "Now now girls, it wouldn't do to be fighting just yet~"
>Aya blinks, "That's just creepy, you know!"
>Hatate giggles, "But accurate!"
-
>And back to normal once more! "It's rather useful for keeping people in line sometimes."
>"At any rate, as I mentioned earlier, there will be a festival in nine days. Lasting a week long."
>Gesture towards Aya, then Hatate. "You two would be perfect for serving as the Emcees for the events, given your talents. Essentially, you'll be introducing the matches, and providing commentary during them."
>Then gesture towards Momiji. "You on the other hand, can take part in one of the events, the Battle Festa."
-
>And back to normal once more! "It's rather useful for keeping people in line sometimes."
>"At any rate, as I mentioned earlier, there will be a festival in nine days. Lasting a week long."
>Hatate and Aya both look at each other, "A week long?"
>They both giggle in excitement.
>Gesture towards Aya, then Hatate. "You two would be perfect for serving as the Emcees for the events, given your talents. Essentially, you'll be introducing the matches, and providing commentary during them."
>Then gesture towards Momiji. "You on the other hand, can take part in one of the events, the Battle Festa."
>Aya and Hatate hi-five each other without even looking.
>Hatate grins, "The reporters of Gensokyo, reporting on a festival!"
>Aya giggles, "This will make for a perfect article! Not to mention, first-hand photographs!"
>Momiji looks at the crow tengu with a puzzled expression, "Always... enthusiastic. That Battle Festa, anyway, sounds like perfect fun."
-
>Smirk. "Since you have relatively high combat potential, you'll likely perform quite well."
-
>Smirk. "Since you have relatively high combat potential, you'll likely perform quite well."
>Momiji absently twirls her sword around, staying mindful of anyone nearby.
-
>Nod. "At any rate, there's more than just those two events. There will also be races, fashion contests, a concert or two, and many more. I daresay we could even fit in a talent contest, and perhaps even a beauty contest."
-
>Nod. "At any rate, there's more than just those two events. There will also be races, fashion contests, a concert or two, and many more. I daresay we could even fit in a talent contest, and perhaps even a beauty contest."
>Aya laughs, "That'll be amazing! I'll get pictures of all the contestants, reports on all the events, and there will be one giant volume of the festival! If it's a yearly thing, you could make so much money!"
-
>Chuckle. "To be honest, if this one goes well, it will be."
-
>Chuckle. "To be honest, if this one goes well, it will be."
>Hatate grins, "There's no reason why it wouldn't be, though! All of Gensokyo are suckers for parties. Give 'em an excuse to kick back and have a buttload of fun, they'll take it."
-
>Nod. "True, but this festival isn't just for Youkai, but the Humans as well."
>"You see, the friendship that people like Reimu and Marisa hold with certain Youkai is something to be treasured. The other day, a minor incident happened that could have robbed Marisa of one such friend. In addition to my own little sister. Originally, this was intended to be just a small party, but you know how small parties end up here in Gensokyo."
-
>Nod. "True, but this festival isn't just for Youkai, but the Humans as well."
>"You see, the friendship that people like Reimu and Marisa hold with certain Youkai is something to be treasured. The other day, a minor incident happened that could have robbed Marisa of one such friend. In addition to my own little sister. Originally, this was intended to be just a small party, but you know how small parties end up here in Gensokyo."
>Aya grins, "Ah, so even more people are coming? Even better~!"
>Hatate nudges Aya, "Ssh. What happened, then? Or... shouldn't I ask?"
-
>Nod. "Yes, the Human Village's residents are also attending."
>Then smile slightly, and shake our head no. "And that event that triggered all this is a tale for another day, one in the future."
-
>Nod. "Yes, the Human Village's residents are also attending."
>Then smile slightly, and shake our head no. "And that event that triggered all this is a tale for another day, one in the future."
>Aya lowers a notepad that she had pulled out, "Oh... okay."
>Hatate nods, "Right, okay, another day..."
>Momiji sighs, "So... it's going to last a week, you say? You ought to make an... oh, what is it called... an itinerary? Of sorts?"
-
>Nod. "We've been working on that. Currently, the Battle Festa and Danmaku Contests are set to last the entire week. With concerts provided by the Prismriver Sisters on the first, fourth, and seventh days of the festival. The other events, we have yet to decide on definitive timeslots."
-
>Nod. "We've been working on that. Currently, the Battle Festa and Danmaku Contests are set to last the entire week. With concerts provided by the Prismriver Sisters on the first, fourth, and seventh days of the festival. The other events, we have yet to decide on definitive timeslots."
>Aya grins, jotting them down in her notepad, "Excellent, excellent..."
>Hatate looks over, grinning, "You spelt Prismriver wrong."
>Aya hisses, "Shut up!"
-
>Chuckle. "You were right, festivals really do bring out the energy of a person."
>"Oh, I've also got three judges for the Danmaku Contest, each one of them are quite well-suited to that role. Miss Kazami, Miss Knowledge, and even the Yama herself has opted to participate as a Judge for the contest."
>Smirk. "And some of the other participants of the Battle Festa are rather high-profile."
-
>Chuckle. "You were right, festivals really do bring out the energy of a person."
>"Oh, I've also got three judges for the Danmaku Contest, each one of them are quite well-suited to that role. Miss Kazami, Miss Knowledge, and even the Yama herself has opted to participate as a Judge for the contest."
>Smirk. "And some of the other participants of the Battle Festa are rather high-profile."
>Aya keeps scribbling, her tongue poking out.
>Hatate raises her eyebrows, impressed, "The Yama herself? Nice! I have to get some pictures of that!"
>Momiji smiles, "It'll be nice to try my skills against those... high-profile competitors."
-
>Smirk. "You're in luck, as three of them are already present."
-
>Smirk. "You're in luck, as three of them are already present."
>Aya and Hatate both pull out their cameras, without even reacting otherwise.
>Momiji watches them, "Good reflexes... bad habits..."
-
>Chuckle. "This should prove to be an enjoyable festival."
>Nod. "But yes, the Three Judges of The Danmaku Contest, as well as three of the participants of the Battle Festa are present."
-
>Chuckle. "This should prove to be an enjoyable festival."
>Nod. "But yes, the Three Judges of The Danmaku Contest, as well as three of the participants of the Battle Festa are present."
>Aya and Hatate both raise their cameras.
>Grinning, Aya looks around, "Any chance of leaked footage before the festival?"
-
>Smirk. "I suppose I can permit it just this once, seeing as you're on the staff."
-
>Smirk. "I suppose I can permit it just this once, seeing as you're on the staff."
>Aya sets off, dancing around the group and snapping photographs of everyone.
>Every time she dashes past, a heavy gust of wind follows.
>After a minute, she stands still, "All done."
-
>Walk over to Aya and Hatate, and clap our hands onto their shoulders with a simple smile. "One more thing. Since you're on the staff..."
>Flip to Yuuka's voice, and set the smile to a serene, yet unnerving one. "...You'll have to stay down here until it's over~"
-
>Walk over to Aya and Hatate, and clap our hands onto their shoulders with a simple smile. "One more thing. Since you're on the staff..."
>Flip to Yuuka's voice, and set the smile to a serene, yet unnerving one. "...You'll have to stay down here until it's over~"
>Your imitation of Yuuka's voice, and the smile, causes Hatate's face to drain of all colour, "U-uh... okay..!"
>Aya, on the other hand, remains blissfully unaware, "Okay! Cool!"
-
>Smile in a more cheerful, yet nonetheless unnerving way. "Good, good~! I'm quite pleased that you two could see things my way~"
-
>Smile in a more cheerful, yet nonetheless unnerving way. "Good, good~! I'm quite pleased that you two could see things my way~"
>Aya nods, still smiling, "You're the boss!"
>Hatate gulps, "Yeah..."
-
>And back to normal. "You know, Aya, you're one of the few I've run into that doing that one hasn't scared even a little."
>Smirk, and flip to Eiki's voice. "Bravery is something to be commended."
-
>And back to normal. "You know, Aya, you're one of the few I've run into that doing that one hasn't scared even a little."
>Smirk, and flip to Eiki's voice. "Bravery is something to be commended."
>Aya grins, again, "Well, I'm a reporter. I've gone up against the strongest in Gensokyo. It wouldn't do for someone like me to be scared, eh?"
-
>And back to normal once more! "Yes, that is true."
>"So, since you two are now members of the Festival Staff, you'll be expected to help us plan the times for all the events."
-
>And back to normal once more! "Yes, that is true."
>"So, since you two are now members of the Festival Staff, you'll be expected to help us plan the times for all the events."
>Aya grins, "Gotcha'! As Tengu, we are really organised!"
>Hatate blinks, "We are?"
-
>Sigh. "She's new on the job, isn't she?"
-
>Sigh. "She's new on the job, isn't she?"
>Aya grins, "Hatate is always skeptical, bless her."
>Hatate blinks, "No, I just meant... how are you ever organised? Ask Momiji, your place is a tip at the best of times!"
-
>Chuckle. "Well, all we really need to do is finish the preparations for some of the later events, and set the exact schedule."
-
>Chuckle. "Well, all we really need to do is finish the preparations for some of the later events, and set the exact schedule."
>Aya grins, finishing writing stuff down, "Well, that's all written down. Who has ideas for the schedule, then?"
-
>Smile. "Well, let's hold a staff meeting then."
-
>Smile. "Well, let's hold a staff meeting then."
>Aya grins, and quickly herds the members of staff into a tightly-packed group, "Meeting!!"
>Yuuka blinks, "I'd be surprised if Aya even knew the meaning of the word 'slow'..."
-
>Chuckle. "You have to admire her initiative though.
She must have rolled a natural 20."
>"Alright everyone, this meeting's been called to decide something rather important for the festival. The exact schedules of all the events. I have already decided that the concerts from the Prismriver Sisters, should we succeed in hiring them, will occur on the first, fourth, and final days."
-
>Chuckle. "You have to admire her initiative though."
>"Alright everyone, this meeting's been called to decide something rather important for the festival. The exact schedules of all the events. I have already decided that the concerts from the Prismriver Sisters, should we succeed in hiring them, will occur on the first, fourth, and final days."
>Everyone nods.
>Yuuka raises her hand briefly, "I think the Battle Festa and Danmaku Contest should be maybe on the third and fifth days. It'll give everyone a day or two to find their bearings and get used to where they are, and then they have a day to wind down before the hype of the second contest."
>Patchouli nods, "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Did you say there was a fashion contest? I think that would do well to be quite early on..."
-
>"I was actually planning for the Battle Festa to last the entire festival, save for the first day, due to the number of entrants. But yes, having the Fashion Contest early on works, let's set that on the first day, during the evening."
-
>"I was actually planning for the Battle Festa to last the entire festival, save for the first day, due to the number of entrants. But yes, having the Fashion Contest early on works, let's set that on the first day, during the evening."
>Yuuka nods, "That sounds better, actually. It'll give competitors a chance if they can't make it all week."
>Aya continues scrawling, "Fashion contest... day one... evening... Battle Festa... all days... except day 1. Sorted."
-
>Nod. "And the Battle Festa should probably go from 2 PM to 8 PM, which leaves 7AM to 12PM, and 1PM to 2PM free for other events. 12PM to 1PM should probably be a lull point in scheduling, to give the attendants ample time to rest."
-
>Nod. "And the Battle Festa should probably go from 2 PM to 8 PM, which leaves 7AM to 12PM, and 1PM to 2PM free for other events. 12PM to 1PM should probably be a lull point in scheduling, to give the attendants ample time to rest."
>Everyone nods in agreement.
>Aya keeps on scribbling. Her tongue pokes out with the sheer amount of concentration.
>Yuuka smiles, "That 12pm to 1pm lull point would be a good lunch break for the attendants~"
-
>Smirk. "Exactly. That should give everyone free time to rest, and have lunch."
-
>Smirk. "Exactly. That should give everyone free time to rest, and have lunch."
>Patchouli nods, smiling, "Because it would be detrimental to the quality of the contests if any of the participants were tired and hungry."
-
>Nod. "That, and the attendants will need time to rest as well."
-
>Nod. "That, and the attendants will need time to rest as well."
>Yuuka grins, "Can't have anyone forfeiting from exhaustion halfway through~"
-
>"Precisely. It's not just for the good of those participating, but those watching as well."
>"At any rate, I believe we've settled the more important events. Now if some of the locations in the city proper wish to host events, such as coking contests, eating contests, and so on, it would be child's play to figure out when to have them."
-
>"Precisely. It's not just for the good of those participating, but those watching as well."
>"At any rate, I believe we've settled the more important events. Now if some of the locations in the city proper wish to host events, such as coking contests, eating contests, and so on, it would be child's play to figure out when to have them."
>Suika raises her hand, "I know someone that can arrange an eating contest! And a cooking contest, for that matter..."
>Yuuka grins, "It would be fun to see just who in Gensokyo has the biggest stomach... apart from Yuyuko."
-
>Giggle. "That would be rather amusing. But what should be the subject of the eating contests I wonder?"
-
>Giggle. "That would be rather amusing. But what should be the subject of the eating contests I wonder?"
>Suika raises her hand, "The spiciest food in the Underground! Let's see just how tolerant Gensokyo is of the hottest fires that the tongue can meet!"
>Reimu blinks, "Since when was Suika so interested in eating contests? She hasn't mentioned drinking contests in a while."
>Marisa yelps, jokingly, "She's sobering up!"
-
>Fistpalm. "Capital idea!"
>Smirk. "Perhaps she should be sober more often then, if she's going to provide such useful ideas."
-
>Fistpalm. "Capital idea!"
>Smirk. "Perhaps she should be sober more often then, if she's going to provide such useful ideas."
>Reimu and Marisa both turn away and giggle.
>"Suika gets crabby when she's sober..." Marisa smirks, "...so..."
>Reimu laughs louder, "...It'll just be funny to see how long she lasts!"
>Suika waves her sake gourd around before downing around her own body weight's worth of sake in a single gulp, "What was that about me being sober~?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "Since you seemed to be getting sober, and you provided such a good idea, it's a logical conclusion that the more sober you are, the better ideas you'll provide."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Since you seemed to be getting sober, and you provided such a good idea, it's a logical conclusion that the more sober you are, the better ideas you'll provide."
>Suika, tiptoeing over to you to be at a remotely similar height, puts her arm around your shoulder, "Now, now, being sober isn't fun. At least when I'm drunk, my ideas are fun! When I'm fully sober... ergh, not pretty. Hangovers on this amount of booze would be enough to knock even the most stoic of Youkai into shrieks of pain. Headaches... oh, the headaches. Ask Yuugi about 'em, she once had a massive one about two months ago. Painful, it was!"
-
>Sigh. "You could ease into it. But I suppose that would be your call."
-
>Sigh. "You could ease into it. But I suppose that would be your call."
>Suika shrugs and downs yet another litre or so of sake.
>"Think I'll pass on that one," she grins, "But thanks for the heads-up."
-
>Blink a few times. "I'll never figure out where you Oni put it all."
-
>Blink a few times. "I'll never figure out where you Oni put it all."
>Suika laughs.
>"Neither will I. I think the only time I'll ever figure out how we manage is if one day all the sake runs dry. Now that would be a disaster! More so than an earthquake, 'cos we'd probably cause one!"
>Reimu folds her arms, frowning.
>"Suika, you will never run out of sake. And neither will anybody else. Do you know why? Because I will not allow another damned earthquake to happen on my watch. If that means you have to wait until I die, so be it, but at least I wouldn't be lumbered with solving everything again."
-
>Fix Reimu with a stare. "Now now, must I cool your head for you? I understand that you dislike being the one called on to resolve things, but consider that you're one of the reliable few who can."
-
>Fix Reimu with a stare. "Now now, must I cool your head for you? I understand that you dislike being the one called on to resolve things, but consider that you're one of the reliable few who can."
>Reimu simmers down reluctantly.
>"I know, I know... I just don't want another earthquake, is all.."
-
>"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you already know means to avert those."
-
>"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you already know means to avert those."
>Reimu grins.
>"Yeah, keep Suika drunk."
>Marisa laughs. So does Suika. Nobody else does so much as giggle.
-
>"I was referring to that celestial and her keystones."
-
>"I was referring to that celestial and her keystones."
>Reimu nods.
>"I know. Just wanted to make a joke to lighten the mood."
>In the awkward silence, Reimu shuffles to the back of the crowd.
>Yukari sighs, whispering to Reimu, "That was pitiful."
>Reimu frowns, "I'd have loved to see you do better."
>"Eh... she probably could." Marisa snickers.
-
>Sigh a bit. Some humans have a poor sense of humor. Perhaps that why she always resorts to danmaku to solve every problem she has?
>"At any rate, we should wrap things up, and finish preparations for the festival."
-
>Sigh a bit. Some humans have a poor sense of humor. Perhaps that why she always resorts to danmaku to solve every problem she has?
>That seems plausible. Maybe having to deal with every problem thrown at her has killed any remaining sense of humour left in her.
>"At any rate, we should wrap things up, and finish preparations for the festival."
>Suika grins, still drinking, "What else is there? We've got timings down, and invitations sent out..."
>Yukari thinks for a while, going quiet. "Hm.. I can't think of anything."
-
>Nod. "Alright then, it seems the only thing left to do is see about hiring the Prismrivers to perform."
-
>Nod. "Alright then, it seems the only thing left to do is see about hiring the Prismrivers to perform."
>Yukari nods, "If my memory serves, they usually hang around the Netherworld or that ruined western mansion."
>Suika giggles, "Sounds like the Scarlet Devil Mansion."
>Yukari sighs, "Yes, but it isn't ruined."
>Suika waves her sake gourd condescendingly, "It is when you consider the decor. So dull."
-
>Smile somewhat. "Think you could 'arrange a meeting', as it were?"
-
>Smile somewhat. "Think you could 'arrange a meeting', as it were?"
>Yukari nods briskly, before disappearing into one of her gaps with a smile.
>Suika laughs, "Those Prismrivers are pretty good. May want to hire Yamame (stop bringing other threads into this!) Mystia along with 'em. From what I've heard, she's a good singer.."
>Reimu laughs, "Yeah, and we can supply the blind assistance animals."
-
>Nod. "Yes, a shame her singing causes night-blindness. I've heard it's rather good otherwise."
>We may as well chill out until Yukari gets back.
-
>Nod. "Yes, a shame her singing causes night-blindness. I've heard it's rather good otherwise."
>We may as well chill out until Yukari gets back.
>Suika sighs, "I think that sparrow's got some cute songs under her belt..."
>You wait for a while.
>After a few minutes, Yukari returns with the three Prismriver sisters.
-
>Bow politely. "Welcome to Chireiden, I trust Yukari has filled you in on things?"
-
>Bow politely. "Welcome to Chireiden, I trust Yukari has filled you in on things?"
>The three sisters bow back to you.
>Lyrica steps forward, "Yeah, Yukari filled us in on the details. You want to hire us to perform in this festival that you're throwing, right?"
-
>Nod. "Indeed."
>"The festival will be in nine days from now. [Insert times they'll be expected to perform here]."
-
>Nod. "Indeed."
>"The festival will be in nine days from now. Your performances are set to be on the first, fourth and seventh days."
>The three sisters seem very interested, but Lunasa is the first to speak.
>"It doesn't matter what time you want us to perform. We can do any time, any day. Surely, if we are doing concerts it may be better to do them in the afternoon, to allow the hype to build... if there is any, of course." she suggests.
>Merlin grins, "At least we have nine days to get ready for it. I wonder if we have time to get any nice posters to put up..."
>Lunasa looks at her, confused, "That's your priority? Posters?"
-
Chuckle. "The marketing is important, you know, although I'm sure we could find someone else to handle poster construction if you'll need more time to prepare a set list."
-
>Nod. "But yes, the afternoon was the intended time."
-
Chuckle. "The marketing is important, you know, although I'm sure we could find someone else to handle poster construction if you'll need more time to prepare a set list."
>Merlin laughs, "Well, we work pretty quickly. Lunasa's just worrying like she always does. We'll get it done, but getting poster construction from someone else would be a lot handier and we'd get more songs written..."
>Lyrica giggles, "That's right, actually.
>Nod. "But yes, the afternoon was the intended time."
>Lunasa nods once.
>"And we can go for quite a while. Long into the night, if possible. But, if people are going to rest after a long day's fun, it may be better not to go too long."
-
>"Hmm...Perhaps from 5 PM to 8 PM will suffice? It should be long enough for everyone to enjoy the show, and give them the chance to retire to their rooms for the night."
>Smile. "Well, in the case of the Humans at least."
-
>"Hmm...Perhaps from 5 PM to 8 PM will suffice? It should be long enough for everyone to enjoy the show, and give them the chance to retire to their rooms for the night."
>Smile. "Well, in the case of the Humans at least."
>Lunasa nods assertively, "Perfect."
>Merlin giggles, "Lunasa's so serious when it comes to business~"
-
>Nod. "Now that that's settled, I believe there isn't much else to do until the festival. Unforeseen snags notwithstanding of course."
-
>Nod. "Now that that's settled, I believe there isn't much else to do until the festival. Unforeseen snags notwithstanding of course."
>Yukari laughs quietly, "We have nine days to go, the worst that happens is someone dies of boredom."
>Reimu smirks, "I vote Marisa."
-
>Chuckle. "Or someone decides to start an Incident."
>Frown slightly. "If that happens, I may personally have to see to resolving that myself."
-
>Chuckle. "Or someone decides to start an Incident."
>Frown slightly. "If that happens, I may personally have to see to resolving that myself."
>Reimu looks at you, "I don't think anyone would decide to start an incident. To be honest, the hype of the festival would have spread. I can only think of several people who would want to play pranks on people that would even remotely lead to an incident."
>She casts a sidewards glance at Yukari, who seems blissfully unaware of it.
-
>Nod. "Well, you can never be too sure after all. Youkai do tend to follow their whims."
>"But at any rate, we should adjourn to our own domains for the time being. Excluding staffers that aren't the Yama that is. because she has her own rather important job."
So, how are we going to handle the nine-day interval? A montage'd timeskip?
-
>Nod. "Well, you can never be too sure after all. Youkai do tend to follow their whims."
>"But at any rate, we should adjourn to our own domains for the time being. Excluding staffers that aren't the Yama that is. because she has her own rather important job."
>Reimu looks at Yukari again, "Yep... never a truer word spoken..."
So, how are we going to handle the nine-day interval? A montage'd timeskip?
We're gonna need a montage. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IavSCf-nXaw)
-
>Nod. "Alright then, I believe we've concluded everything. Feel free to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the underground while you all are here."
-
>Nod. "Alright then, I believe we've concluded everything. Feel free to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the underground while you all are here."
>Everyone seems pretty excited about that. Especially Suika.
>"Guys!" she calls. Heads swivel to face her. "I'm planning on having a little feast tonight. It's on me. Any takers?"
>Again, everyone seems pretty excited about that.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Let's enjoy ourselves then!"
>Time for the montage?
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Let's enjoy ourselves then!"
>Time for the montage?
>Suika heads off, muttering something about finding the best eating spots.
(I have no idea how to do a montage in this format :V)
-
(Maybe just do a summary of what happened?)
>Where's everyone else going?
-
>Where's everyone else going?
>Everyone else heads out to do the regular tourist-y things: sightsee, chat with the locals and chat with each other.
9 Days Before the Festival
>Suika indeed hosts her aforementioned feast, and it happens to be the same restaurant that you visited with Patchouli and Koakuma.
>Suika sticks around that night, but everyone else goes home.
8 Days Before the Festival
>You already see a few denizens of Gensokyo exploring the Ancient City, having received word of the festival and being rather curious about the area.
>Suika goes back to the surface, with the intentions of pestering Reimu for the next few days.
7 Days Before the Festival
>The outfits for Okuu, Orin, Koishi and yourself all arrive, in perfect condition.
>A few of the staff for the festival arrive just for a few hours, to chat some more.
6 Days Before the Festival
>Nothing particularly interesting happens today.
5 Days Before the Festival
>Koishi goes to some of the metalwork Oni, with some more ideas for souvenirs.
4 Days Before the Festvial
>Reimu visits, saying Suika is getting a bit too annoying and therefore she needs to escape for a while.
>Suika also visits, and arranges another mini get-together at the restaurant again.
3 Days Before the Festival
>Some more citizens of Gensokyo come to have a look around the Ancient City.
>Yukari pops in for, literally, 5 minutes, dropping off some large handwritten timetables and signs showing large maps of the underground to place over specific parts of the city, with appropriate "You are here" labels.
2 Days Before the Festival
>Excitement is building...!
>A few Oni have started decorating their market stalls in the main square, and putting up festive decorations all over the city.
>Koishi also goes to help set up the souvenir stand near the entrance to the city.
1 Day Before the Festival
>It is almost a riot. There is nobody in the city that isn't excited.
>Some of the staff and visitors come early.
-
>Which of the gensokyo denizens have we seen out and about aside from the staffers?
>Where are we, and what are we currently engaged in doing?
-
>Which of the gensokyo denizens have we seen out and about aside from the staffers?
>Where are we, and what are we currently engaged in doing?
>You have seen Sanae, Suwako and Kanako out and about, as well as Cirno showing a few of her friends around. Also, you noticed some more denizens of Youkai Mountain including the Aki sisters, the curse goddess Hina, and Nitori. You also noticed a few of Byakuren's group looking around, minus Murasa and Nazrin.
>You are currently having a conversation with Okuu, in the main foyer of the palace.
-
>What were we discussing with her?
-
>What were we discussing with her?
>Okuu was just repeating how excited she was for the festival, and what's she's going to do. She has been at this for a good 45 minutes. It's surprising that she can still think of things to be excited about.
-
>Chuckle a bit, and administer headpats. "Yes, Okuu, everyone's looking forward to the festival."
-
>Chuckle a bit, and administer headpats. "Yes, Okuu, everyone's looking forward to the festival."
>Okuu laughs, "I know! And they have good reason, because it's going to be awesome!"
>She continues on her little tangent, repeating several points she has already stated.
>Orin and Koishi walk in through the front door, and Orin immediately laughs quietly.
>"Okuu's still talking?" Koishi asks, looking puzzled. "Orin told me that Okuu was starting around the same time that Orin left to come and see how the souvenir stand was coming along."
>Orin sniggers, before composing herself with the ever-looming threat of bursting into giggles.
-
>"She's just excited."
-
>"She's just excited."
>Koishi giggles, "I'm pretty excited, too. The souvenir stand is all stocked up, and they all look really awesome. Those Oni are really good at making stuff."
>Orin grins, "Yeah, they even did a good two-tailed cat amulet on a chain necklace. It was pretty accurately detailed, too."
-
>Smirk a bit. "They're Oni, despite common conceptions of them being rowdy drunkards who prefer to brawl, they're generally skilled at making things."
>"Which is why the underground has such a diverse and wonderful culture."