Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on July 08, 2012, 02:40:41 AM
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>You are Remilia Scarlet, Mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, vampire extraordinaire, and the most charismatic and elegant person in Gensokyo. You are also Flandre Scarlet's big sister, a title that, privately of course, you hold more dear than all the others.
>Several years ago, after centuries of life on Earth, you grew bored with the normal world, and, together with your magician friend Patchouli Knowledge, transported your mansion, and your servants, into this new world: Gensokyo. Finding it much more to your liking, it still needed your personal touch, so you unleashed your own special creation, the Scarlet Mist, over the world to block out the sun, thus relieving you of the bother of carrying a parasol whenever you had the desire to go out and about.
>Doing this, however, led to your introduction to two of Gensokyo's most prominant do-gooders: Marisa Kirisame and Reimu Hakurei. As most people know, this... difference in opinion did not end in your favor, and the Mist was dispelled. But you do not consider this a defeat or failure. It cemented to you that Gensokyo was most definitely more interesting than the outside world. Plus, meeting Reimu has proved quite profitable.
>In the intervening years, you've had a marvelous time in Gensokyo, and carved yourself a rather indelible place among the elite of the world. Not that you want to rule, or anything, but the people of the world know your name, and either fear, or respect you, if not both.
>It is a late autumn evening, and the sun is descending on another day in Gensokyo. It was a cloudy, rainy day, but the rain has stopped, so you can enjoy the red and orange colors the sun has dyed the clouds as it sinks below the horizon from your balcony.
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>What do we have planned for tonight?
>Better yet, consult Sakuya on this, she should have it written down somewhere for us.
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>Relationships
>Get into normal wear!
>Consider going into basement to check our dear sister.
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>Abilities
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>Cause Incident
>Inventory. If we have one at the moment.
>What kind of tea are we drinking tonight?
>Word around the mansion?
>Has anything interesting happened recently in Gensokyo? That we know of already of course.
>How have the residents of our great manor been lately.
>Has anyone besides Marisa broken into the mansion as of late?
>Have we had our meal yet?
>Quests.
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>What do we have planned for tonight?
>Better yet, consult Sakuya on this, she should have it written down somewhere for us.
>Sakuya is currently away from the manner, running an errand for you. Although, it shouldn't have taken her THIS long...
>Flandre's.... instability had been showing some improvement ever since you arrived in Gensokyo. Not enough to let her out of the mansion, of course, but enough to let her out the basement, now and then. She joined you for one of Mei Ling's dinners a week ago, and the results were less than pleasant. Your gate guard may be a competent chef- else, Sakuya would never let her near the kitchen- but on this occasion, she underestimated the spicyness and flavor of one of her dishes. Flandre, whose experience with such flavor is limited at best, reacted rather... strongly.
>Although the kitchen, dining room, and the whole of the west wing of the mansion has been largely repaired, the event led you consider a course of action that wasn't possible in the outside world, but might be in Gensokyo - finding a counselor for your sister. Someone to help her control herself in a way that you, much as it pains you to admit, have failed to do.
>Sakuya offered to go forth into Gensokyo to try and find someone who could do just that. You've been a little out of touch, ever since you cancelled your subscription to the Bunbunmaru Newspaper. You know there's been quite a few new arrivals in the city, but you've never bothered to go out and learn more beyond rumors about most of them, apart from that trio of goddesses that took over Youkai Mountain. This seemed as good a time as any to gather information of that sort, and at the same time find someone to assist Flandre. If such a person can even exist.
>Sakuya has been away from the Mansion for four days- no, FIVE days now. You expect she's just doing a thorough job with her search, but Gensokyo's not THAT big a place, certainly not for someone with her speed and efficiency. She should have been back by now, and her absence is causing you a fair amount of consternation.
>Relationships
>Patchouli Knowledge: Your oldest friend, though it took a little bit for the two of you to warm up to each other. She essentially took it upon herself to move into the great library of your mansion- you actually didn't even know she was there for the first month or so of her occupation. But after some time, you came to realize that she was one of, if not the, most powerful magicians you'd ever met, and having her around could be quite useful, and certainly entertaining. You've yet to be disappointing, though you wish she'd loosen up a bit more.
>Mei Ling Hong: Gate guard of the mansion. She's really more competent than most people think, and you know it. It amuses you to think that some people actually believe someone like yourself would employ an unqualified individual to guard your demesne.
>Sakuya Izayoi: Head maid of the mansion, your personal attendant and most devoted servant. Her presence is invaluable to you. It's been rather.... you don't want to use the word 'lonely', in her absence, but it's the only word you can come up that fits what you've felt, despite your verbose vocabulary.
>Flandre Scarlet: Your cherished little sister. Loving her is not always entirely easy, given her damaged mind, but she's your sister. The list of things you wouldn't do for her is a very short one.
>Koakuma: You were actually pleasantly surprised when Patchouli summoned her familiar spirit and got this redhead. Not only is she efficient and effective with most things Patchy wants her to do, she's been a great help around the mansion as well, though this caused a bit of professional friction between her and Sakuya. Plus, she tries to pull the rod out of Patchy's backside now and then as well, in addition to trying to manage her health. She's done rather well at both, and you admire her skill at this. She's no Sakuya, no one has an attendant like yours, but she's quite good.
>Reimu Hakurei: While you may not have gotten off on the best foot with the Hakurei miko, you've since become rather friendly with the young woman. You even allowed her to assist you in solving that incident with the fake moon. (Never mind that she's the one that actually defeated that moon princess, you and Sakuya did all the HARD work.)
>Marisa Kirisame: This little witch has been like a firecracker rolled down your hall. You'd like it if she didn't cause QUITE so much property damage during her raids on the library (although half of that is Patchy's fault) but you know that Patchouli is quite fond of the blonde, despite any protests she offers to the contrary. You've considered meddling in the affair yourself, for the sake of peace within the mansion, and because Patchouli would probably be happier and better off married, but have decided it was more fun to sit back and let the two of them settle the affair themselves.
>Keine Kamishirasawa: The guardian of the human village, you and she are not on the best of terms, what with you being a vampire and a youkai and all. She's on better terms with the other residents of the Mansion, but has made it quite clear that you, and especially your sister, are not welcome in the village. She may not be in your league in terms of power, but the nature of hers gives you pause at actually challenging her. It would likely be more trouble than it's worth.
>Get into normal wear!
>Consider going into basement to check our dear sister.
>You are currently wearing your standard light pink dress and patching cap. Did you wish to change?
>Flandre should be safely back in her basement. She's been there reflecting on blowing up the west wing. Well, reflecting in her own way. She does try. Visiting her should be quite safe for all parties concerned.
>Abilities
>Enhanced strength: You are far stronger than a human, even stronger than a great deal of youkai, due to your vampiric nature.
>Enhansed senses: Your eyesight is better than average, and you can smell blood almost as good as a shark can. (In reality, it's not THAT good, but your olfactory sense for blood is quite high). You can also detect the presense of certain sicknesses in peoples blood, as well as if that person is a virgin. Virgin's blood tastes and smells better.
>Vampiric Blessing: Like all vampires, you can turn someone you bite into a vampire. This is one ability you've never used in all your years.
>Shapeshifting: You are capable of assuming the shape of bats, either one large individual bat, or a swarm. You typically use this ability to evade attacks or for snooping on your fellow SDM dwellers.
>Flight
>Danmaku
>Manipulation of Destiny: You have the ability to 'push' against people's fate, to make it come out the way you want, in limited forms. Frankly, it sounds grander than it actually is, but you're creative enough to work around this.
>Weakness: Blood dependance. Not as pronounced in you as other vampires, you can go much longer than normal without drinking blood. Nor do you need as much when you hunger.
Current satiation level: Sated.
>Weakness: Sunlight. Sunlight does not instantly vaporize you, as it does some others of your kind. It is, however, quite inconvenient, weakening you when you stand in open sunlight, requiring you to take a parasol with you when you venture out in daylight. Prolonged exposure to open sunlight can, in fact, be fatal to you, but it would take at least two hours of consistent exposure.
>Weakness: Running water/Rain. Rain weakens you just as sunlight does, and you are unable to cross open water such as rivers or streams, except over bridges.
(Parser's note: If anyone spots something important I've missed, feel free to mention it. Remilia's not a character I'm extremely familiar with.)
>Cause Incident
>Inventory. If we have one at the moment.
>What kind of tea are we drinking tonight?
>Word around the mansion?
>Has anything interesting happened recently in Gensokyo? That we know of already of course.
>How have the residents of our great manor been lately.
>Has anyone besides Marisa broken into the mansion as of late?
>Have we had our meal yet?
>Not before the first ten posts.
>You are not currently carrying anything beyond the clothes you have equipped, save one vial of blood, which you always carry for emergency purposes. Your spellcards and belongings are safely tucked your room behind you.
>Plain milk tea. Brewed by a thoughtful Koakuma, in Sakuya's absence. It's not bad, but compared to Sakuya, the demon has a ways to go.
>Mostly pertaining to Sakuya, most of the fairies think she's either taking an extended vacation, or eloped with Marisa, or that you and she had a falling out, or... Well, you know how fairies talk.
>There were some rumors that floated your way some weeks ago about a long dead conqueror coming back to life, or something, but that was about the long and short of it. Knowing Reimu, if this was anything major, she would have handled it. Or come asking for your help.
>Mei Ling's been rethinking some of her recipies since that debacle last week, hoping that Sakuya will even let her back in the kitchen one day. Patchy's been cooped up in her library, but to say this is normal is something in the league of an understatement.
>There was an over-ambitious cockroach that managed to breach the mansion's defenses a couple weeks back, but was quickly dispatched by Sakuya as soon as she heard the first fairy scream. You admired its courage, but its fate was sealed as soon as it crossed paths with Gensokyo's most elegant maid. Matter of fact, it's actually been a month or so since Marisa raided the place. Perhaps she ran out of room to put her booty?
>Koa provided a modest meal for you in your room. You weren't feeling especially hungry, or like company, but Sakuya would be cross if you don't maintain your own health.
>Quests.
>LAZY FAIRIES
>The repairs on the guest quarters in the west wing have stalled somewhat. Without Sakuya around to keep the fairy maids in line, they've been getting more and more useless as the days have gone on. They may require some... motivation.
>THE QUEST FOR THE MAID
>With the advancing sunset, and the long night that come with autumn in Gensokyo, you've been considering going after Sakuya yourself. Her prolonged absence is intolerable.
>WHERE'S MARISA?
>Now that you think about it, Marisa doesn't usually go a month without at least visiting the Mansion, whether she steals something or not. Could she be up to something? Might be worth investigating, if you choose to go out.
>PATCHOULI RECRUITING AGAIN?
>While delivering your meal tonight, Koakuma let slip that Patchouli's revisiting her books on familiar summoning. Since she already has a servant familiar, and a moderately powerful one at that, you've wondered why this might be.
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>Well, let's deal with that matter of the west wing first. Fairies sometimes need to be prodded along as it were.
>Let's pick up a little something from the armory before we go to aid in that. Something light, elegant, and simple. Something like a light Saber, or perhaps a Rapier.
>It's not usually our style, given our preference for spears, danmaku, or unarmed combat, but these fairies need a little extra motivation.
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> If we're going about fairy motivation, why hold back?
> Consider ramifications of letting Flandre motivate fairies.
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>Because we need them motivated, not splattered across the ruined walls.
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>Well, let's deal with that matter of the west wing first. Fairies sometimes need to be prodded along as it were.
>Let's pick up a little something from the armory before we go to aid in that. Something light, elegant, and simple. Something like a light Saber, or perhaps a Rapier.
>It's not usually our style, given our preference for spears, danmaku, or unarmed combat, but these fairies need a little extra motivation.
>They most definately do.
>Rousing yourself from your chair, you leave your cup behind and enter your room, intending to get those fairies working again.
>Before you leave your room, however, you make to grab at least one of your spellcards: Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot. Life in Gensokyo has taught you not to wander even your own house without at least one spellcard on hand.
>Unknown to most visitors, the Scarlet Devil Mansion actually contains several weapons room, in the event of a serious attack, allowing your guards to arm themselves on a moment's notice. You made sure to have one set up a few doors down from your own chambers a couple centuries, just in case. After you came to Gensokyo, however, and staffed your mansion predominantly with fairies, you had to lock those with a simple spell to keep everyone that wasn't a fairy out.
>After making sure the hallway is free of adventurous fairies that might slip in behind you, you open the door and enter quickly. Despite being handy to your bedroom, this armory is a bit light on stock, but it does contain a trio of rapiers. As well as a pair of whips, one longer than the other by several feet in length, and a collection of more mundane weapons, such as longswords, halberds, spears, maces, daggers, the sort of thing any proper Mistress of the Night would supply her soldiers. If she... HAD... any proper soldiers....
> If we're going about fairy motivation, why hold back?
> Consider ramifications of letting Flandre motivate fairies.
>Letting Flandre loose on the fairies is a rather bad idea, all things considered. By the time she was finished, they wouldn't be so much 'motivated' as 'disintigrated'. Flandre does like fairies, and she does want to help, when she can, but she simply can't control herself. You'd be lucky if all you lost was a few walls.
>Because we need them motivated, not splattered across the ruined walls.
>Whatever walls were left standing.
>There's an off chance that simply letting the fairies see Flandre would motivate them to get back to work, but past experience says that the fairies would flee in terror, rapidly. Even Sakuya herself can never get fairies to move as quickly as Flandre can simply by walking past.
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>Let's pick up the shorter Whip then. It's just the thing those lazy fools need.
>Once we've got the whip, let's make for the western wing's ruins.
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Wear a bondage outfit Or better yet, motivate them with a year of bananas. If they refuse, then whip them.
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Is it true that we are a messy blood drinker like Aku says?
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> "First fairy I see goofing off gets to be Flan's new playmate!"
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Is it true that we are a messy blood drinker like Aku says?
>Ah, yes. Akyuu. That small human is not the most... reliable of narrators. While it is true that, yes, the people you bite do bleed a bit more than your traditional vampiric victim, that is only because you drink much less than your traditional vampire. But the way Akyuu wrote about you, people would think that those you bite spurt arterial blood all over the walls, and your clothes. This is simply not the case. In fairness, this DID happen once, but only centuries ago, and long before you even knew Gensokyo existed.
>Although, this is not to say you don't enjoy the sight of spilled blood, which of course, you do. But only when it is art, not a mess.
>Let's pick up the shorter Whip then. It's just the thing those lazy fools need.
>Once we've got the whip, let's make for the western wing's ruins.
> Wear a bondage outfit Or better yet, motivate them with a year of bananas. If they refuse, then whip them.
> "First fairy I see goofing off gets to be Flan's new playmate!"
>You select the shorter whip, and give it an experimental flick. It's not your preference for weapons, having almost never even held a whip before, but it should serve rather well for giving lazy fairies a prod in the right direction. Or if nothing else, impress them with the sight and sound of you enough to make them more amenable to working. Who wouldn't be impressed by the sight of you wielding a whip?
>Without either Flandre or Reimu around to whip? Sakuya would never forgive you.
>Freshly armed, you depart the armory and head towards the western side of the Mansion. As your presence graces the floor with your travel, you broadcast first an offer of bribery, then a threat of Flandre, to any and all fairys around you. The former doesn't actually seem to draw much attention, which is odd, but the minute you mention a little quality time with Flandre, you hear a trio of distinctly fairy-like screams, and then the sounds of wings beating a hasty retreat. Considering how little sound fairy wings tend to make, this is quite a feat.
>Apart from those terrified yelps, your journey though the halls of the SDM yields a rather surprising result: There's not a fairy in sight. It's one thing for them to be useless, but it's another thing for them to be useless and invisible, that's a new one. And there hadn't been a notable drop in their presence recently, even without Sakuya to ensure they don't run off, so this makes you rather curious. You pout slightly. And after you went out of your way to get something to whip them with! No consideration...
>It is only when you enter the Grand Hallway that you catch your first sight of the little pixies. Two of them, a pair of blondes wearing the standard maid uniform of the fairy brigade, floating near one of the overhanging chandeliers to your left, talking excitedly in a semi-loud tone which you've come to term 'fairy whispers'. You arrive in time to hear to hear the one on your left say, "Nuh uh! THREE?"
>"That's what Basil said!"
>The first one wastes no time before flying off down the hall to the south, followed closely by her companion.
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>Let's chase after them then!
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>Let's chase after them then!
>Something fishy's goin' on here.
>Deciding to investigate, you fly along behind the two hustling fairies. The pair are joined by a third blonde fairy as they leave the Hallway into one of the side corridors, none of them taking any notice of you. You feel slightly annoyed at this.
>The three fairies eventually lead you to the main entrance to the Library, domain of Patchouli, and they barge right on in, followed immediately by two more fairies approaching from the north, who also take no notice of your presense.
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>Let's flip to Bat form and sneak in with them.
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>Let's flip to Bat form and sneak in with them.
>Quickly transforming into Bat-Mode, you scoot through the massive set of black doors before they close on you.
>Flying though this place is recommended, anyway, considering the enormity of this library. Marisa jokes that this one room is somehow bigger than the rest of the mansion all around it. She may not be entirely wrong.
>The triad of fairies you're tailing do not follow a set course, and titter about the location of the... Well, whatever they're seeking. Annoyingly, they never actually say what it is they came here for, but they can't seem to agree on how much of it is here. Although they do seem to agree that Patchy probably scared it.
>After several minutes, tailing these fairies is starting to get on your nerves, and you idly toy with the idea of giving them a well-placed dose of danmaku for making you waste your precious time. Before this impulse becomes anything more than, however, an odd spectacle arises as you fly around yet another one of those interminable bookcases: a large collection of fairies, easily a dozen or so, all gathered around in a group. And they're barely making a sound. That almost never happens.
>"That must be it!" The blonde leading the trio ahead of you declares.
>"Naw, can't be, no cuteness waves." The short haired one to her left disagrees.
>"Not my fault you can't see 'em, Plum." The leader gloats, before accelerating forward, followed by the quiet one.
>"Meanine..." Plum sulks before following the first two.
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> Get batman theme song stuck in head.
> Fly above fairies and identify object.
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>After we find out what this is, scold the fairies for not doing their job.
>Consider actually paying them, maybe they wouldn't be so lazy.
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> Get batman theme song stuck in head.
> Fly above fairies and identify object.
>Elevating yourself above the gathered mob, you see what you think is a red haired person sitting in the middle of them all. A little more height, and getting a bit closer reveals that, yes, the object is indeed Koakuma, kneeling down on a small section of red carpet, holding her index finger up to her lips, her expression somewhat beleaguered.
>Ordinarily, that would never be enough to silence a mob of fairys so totally, but as you fly higher, you see the second object sitting, or rather, lying, next to Patchy's familiar. A cat. An ordinary cat with off-white fur, a small saucer next to it. The little feline appears to be sleeping, and the gathered fairies appear to be entranced by the little dear.
>After we find out what this is, scold the fairies for not doing their job.
>Consider actually paying them, maybe they wouldn't be so lazy.
>One little cat? (How'd that thing get inside, anyway? Bah, one issue at a time.) One little cat can derail this much of your workforce? You knew fairies were easily distracted by cute little critters, but really. Really.
>As you debate the pros and cons of actually offering these louts some pittance in exchange for the honor of serving you, you transform back to you humanoid form and start to give them a verbal lashing. As all their attention remains fixated on the feline, you may as well have been scolding a group of rocks. The cat gives you a reaction, however, and yawns, stretches, and promptly goes back to sleep, eliciting first a chorus of of 'AWWWWWWWWWWWWW's' from the fairies, and then a gentle 'shhhhhh' from Koakuma, which actually silences the mob.
>The red haired demon turns her head towards you and offers you a somewhat helpless expression.
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"So, Patoului(i can't spell, and phones suck) decided that you did not have enough catness points? Pitty, I don't think she'll catch the rats Patches complains about." Say sternly, hiding your sarcasm.
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"So, Patoului(i can't spell, and phones suck) decided that you did not have enough catness points? Pitty, I don't think she'll catch the rats Patches complains about." Say sternly, hiding your sarcasm.
>Koakuma opens her mouth slightly, then snaps it shut again, but winces slightly at your admonishing.
>Weirdly, four of the fairies in the mob turn to face you, followed immediately by the rest of them, and to a man (fairy?) they raise their fingers to their lips and shush you. For several seconds. And then they turn around again and resume staring intently at the cat.
>Koakuma manages to look both apologetic and worried simultaneously.
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>".....Koa, take the cat to another location for the time, if you would? I have some punishments that need to be dealt with."
>Let's flick a single shot of danmaku at each of the fairies.
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>".....Koa, take the cat to another location for the time, if you would? I have some punishments that need to be dealt with."
>Let's flick a single shot of danmaku at each of the fairies.
>As you ask Koakuma to remove the feline so you can attend to these truant maids, the shortest fairy in the crowd jumps up and points her outraged face at you.
>"You no take kitty!"
>At the prospect of losing their precious cat, the rest of the fairies turn to face you as well. The sound over a dozen outraged fairy heads turning in unison isn't one you hear too often. It amuses you somewhat. Not enough to let their transgression slide, of course, but still worth a small smile.
>But you are generous, and fire but a single bullet at each of the 14 fairies present. Predictable for fairies, not a one of them has the pretense of mind, and five of them explode under this simplest of your awesome danmaku power. Unpredictably for fairies, the other 9 weather your bullets, and return fire as they fly out and away, dispersing in numerous directions. Most employ petal-like danmaku, the trio of blondes from before fire kunai-shaped bullets, and the short one, the instigator, fire medium sized orb bullets. Quite a mix.
>Despite their zeal, their fire is predictably erratic, and Koakuma takes the opportunity to follow your request, scooping up the cat and flying away to the north at a low altitude. Nice to know SOMEONE around here still listens to you.
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>Let's flit in and out of the danmaku, and catch up to the short one so we can apply the whip.
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>Let's flit in and out of the danmaku, and catch up to the short one so we can apply the whip.
>Even in bulk, danmaku from fairies merely provides you an opportunity for light exercise, as you weave elegantly between the chaotic bullets fired by your disobedient maids. Except the short one, that one actually requires you to focus a little. Focusing on her, you fly in close, but as you do, she adds large orbs of danmaku to her attack. Not enough to make you do more than make a minor course correction, but still, the fact that the orange-haired runt can do that is mildly impressive.
>Impressive or no, she still had the gall to fire upon your person, and instill what amounts to a small revolt amongst her companions. That deserves a whipping, which you apply once you come within range.
>Well... you TRY, anyway, but you've not actually held a whip in the better part of a century, and they're a lot harder to wield than a sword. Sakuya makes it look so easy... Still, it's enough to make the orange haired fairy cringe, as well as draws talk from her fellows.
>"Ooh, didn't know blood lady had one of those!"
>"What is that? Looks like a doggie tail."
>"She isn't that mean!"
>"But she tried to take the koa-kitty!"
>"There was a koa-kitty?"
>"I think so? But whatever, this is fun!"
>The fairies continue firing, save the short one, who is flinching from your whip flailing.
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> Use whip to strangle fairies.
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>Disperse into bats, and reform higher up.
>"You fairies have spirit, though you still need to be punished."
>Let's fire off a few does of Servant Flier.
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>Let's fire off a few does of Servant Flier.
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that one. Is that that thing she does in Imperishable Night that fires on its own as she moves around?
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(That, and a skill from the fighters. It does essentially the same thing.)
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(That, and a skill from the fighters. It does essentially the same thing.)
Just wanted to make sure. Thanks for confirmation.
> Use whip to strangle fairies.
>Disperse into bats, and reform higher up.
>"You fairies have spirit, though you still need to be punished."
>Let's fire off a few does of Servant Flier.
>You consider trying to use your whip to garrote the fairies, but then have another idea.
>You transform again, this time into a bat swarm, and fly up and above the fairy rebels. With the cessation your whipping, the orange fairy resumes firing up you, and one of her blasts actually catches your bat form, making it dissapear. This doesn't hurt, but it does prove that this one's got spunk. None of the other fairies manage to hit you as your swarm form rises up, and then reforms to your glorious humanoid visage.
>Invoking your Servant Flier, you unleash a sextet of large red bats upon the band of fairies. Five of them connect and make them dissapear in puffs of light, including one of the blondes you followed, and the sixth strikes the orange haired fairy, who surprises you by not exploding, but she does fall back down closer to the ground.
>4 fairies remain, and the three that are not the orange-haired short one group together beneath and to your left, two of them unleashing red and blue kunai danmaku in the general shape of a fan, the middle one- the one identified as Plum from the way in- fires a stream of light blue petals.
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>Let's have a nice and hammy laugh.
>"You have spirit! I like that. Such a pity, but you need to be disciplined."
>Let's keep bombarding them with Servant Flier, and then disperse into the bat swarm to follow along.
>Once we get close enough, reform right behind Plum, then grab her by the throat. Not hard enough to make her poof, but just hard enough to incapacitate.
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> Use overkill.
> Make the last fairy standing temporary Sakuya. Until the real Sakuya comes back. Someone has to make the "special" tea.
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>Let's have a nice and hammy laugh.
>"You have spirit! I like that. Such a pity, but you need to be disciplined."
>Let's keep bombarding them with Servant Flier, and then disperse into the bat swarm to follow along.
>Once we get close enough, reform right behind Plum, then grab her by the throat. Not hard enough to make her poof, but just hard enough to incapacitate.
>There's always time for a big hammy laugh. Nobody does it better than you.
>The fairy to your left looks at her companions, asking "What's a pity?"
>The black-haired fairy on your right replies to her with, "I dunno. Doesn't sound tasty."
>You unleash another quintet of bat-shaped energy blasts, before dispersing again to evade the fairy's fire. Their attention diverted by each other, it's quite possible that neither one even notices your danmaku until they are struck. They both go pop, but Plum, however, has the wherewithal to actually drift to the right, evading your bat. Being a fairy, it's hard to tell if she did that on purpose or not, but still.
>She seems rather flabbergasted by your transformation, and her bewilderment gives you ample opportunity to get behind her, reform, and throttle her. She makes a *GLCCH* sound, and flails against your grip. For all the good it does her.
>You hear the orange one below and behind you audibly shakes her head, then wonders aloud, "Where'd the kitty go?"
> Use overkill.
> Make the last fairy standing temporary Sakuya. Until the real Sakuya comes back. Someone has to make the "special" tea.
>You consider using overkill, but that's really more Flandre's domain. Or Sakuya, when she's in an especially bad mood. You always use the right amount of kill for any occasion.
>There are two fairies currently 'standing': Plum, in the palm of your hand, and the orange haired runt who started this little fight, if you can even call it that. And honestly, you're not sure you could trust fairy tea. They probably mean well, but they ARE fairies. They'd probably find a way to burn it.
-
>Toss plum to the side casually, and use the batcloud once more. This time to get behind the orange fairy.
>Resume whipping. "Now, have I drilled it into your head to not backtalk me?!"
-
>Toss plum to the side casually, and use the batcloud once more. This time to get behind the orange fairy.
>Resume whipping. "Now, have I drilled it into your head to not backtalk me?!"
>You fling aside the fairy in your hand, sending her crashing only somewhat heavily into the side of a bookcase, dislodging a couple of books from their resting place and sending them to the floor. The blonde fairy doesn't go Pop, but she does seem to be knocked silly. Well, sillIER, anyway.
>As the orange haired one looks back and forth for her missing feline, you deform into a bat swarm again, and reform at her back before she can fly away, and crack your whip over her head. Well, at least you try to, but your inexperience with the weapon causes you to hit a bit low, cracking in the poor thing's hair. She shrieks in pain as you admonish her, your whip snapping again, this time just short of her back. Damnations, but this thing's unwieldy.
>The little fairy turns and tries to fly past you, tears in her eyes.
-
>We'll let her run off this time, the fact that she was able to weather any of our attacks is rather admirable, for a fairy.
>We'll just wander off to find Patchy.
-
>We'll let her run off this time, the fact that she was able to weather any of our attacks is rather admirable, for a fairy.
>We'll just wander off to find Patchy.
>Satisfied that this fairy has learned her lesson- for now, at least, and granting her a modicum of respect for having the capacity to endure your barrage, you let the little fairy flee. Let no one say Remilia Scarlet is not generous and kind.
>With that attended to, you casually fly northwards, in the direction Koakuma went. After only a minute or so of flight, you find both the red-haired demon and her mistress. Patchy is working at one of her alchemy tables, situated a relatively safe distance from any book cases. A beaker containing a silverish-colored liquid boiling over a red-glowing rune of flame engraved upon the table. Her back is turned to you, but from the way she has her left hand, you'd guess she is holding a book.
>Koakuma is standing to her mistresses' left, the small white cat sleeping at her feet. As you land and approach, she bows politely to you.
>"Thanks for the help, Remilia. I wasn't sure how to chase those fairies off without resorting to danmaku."
-
(Fun Fact: Indolent means Lazy. It also means without effort, so can also be taken to mean effortless. As is the case with Yukari, who does not need to put effort into things to accomplish her goals.)
>"Not at all a problem for one such as I, they needed some disciplining to begin with. The West Wing is still in shambles because of their indolence."
>Let's get a closer look at what patchy's up to.
-
>"Not at all a problem for one such as I, they needed some disciplining to begin with. The West Wing is still in shambles because of their indolence."
>Let's get a closer look at what patchy's up to.
>"Yes." Koa places her hand on her cheek. "I do wonder what's keeping Sakuya away from the mansion for so long? It's not like her to be away for nearly a week, without saying something, at least. And no one keeps the maids in line like she can."
>Choosing not to take that as an insult, you walk slowly around the table Patchy's standing in front of. A trio of glass containers are within range of her right hand, the two larger ones containing more silvery liquids, one darker than the other, and the third, a smaller vial, holding a neon green fluid. Patchy is indeed holding a book, a black leatherbound tome with a magic circle inscribed on the back cover, while her right hand slowly swirls a fourth vial in front of her, this one holding a dark purple liquid.
>Without looking up from her tome, she states, "Remi."
-
>Nod. "Patche."
>"So, what are you working on this time?"
-
>Nod. "Patche."
>"So, what are you working on this time?"
>"Disproving Maziel's second theorem regarding the transitive properties of semi-mystical matter when applied to a molten alloy of mercury and silver."
>Her eyes flick towards you momentarily. "The whip is a new look for you. Feeling experimental, yourself?"
-
>"I thought that I should use a more...'Painful' tool to discipline the lazy maids while Sakuya is away."
>"Well, hopefully the West Wing will be repaired by the time you finish with that, Patche. I plan to look for Sakuya personally. I'll leave you in charge of things while I'm gone."
>Let's head back to the weapons room and drop off the whip.
-
> "And what's with the cat?"
-
>"I thought that I should use a more...'Painful' tool to discipline the lazy maids while Sakuya is away."
>"Well, hopefully the West Wing will be repaired by the time you finish with that, Patche. I plan to look for Sakuya personally. I'll leave you in charge of things while I'm gone."
>"Well, versatility has its advantages, and practicing on fairies is, by and large, harmless. Just be careful not to whip yourself."
>The wizard nods, as she stop swirling her vial. "Understood."
>Let's head back to the weapons room and drop off the whip.
> "And what's with the cat?"
>You half-turn to return to the armory by your room, but as your eyes fall upon the sleeping cat at Koakuma's feet, you ask them about it.
>Koakuma replies, "Well, I found her in here. Wandering the section of the library about the tarot variations. She was hungry, and I think exhausted, so I brought her some milk. And then one of the fairies saw her, and...." She smiles somewhat helplessly, shrugging slightly. "I didn't know how to get rid of them without waking the cat."
>Patchy slowly pours the purple liquid into the now-steaming beaker of boiling silver stuff. "I suggest you hold your breath for a few seconds."
-
>Quirk an eyebrow and do so!
-
>Quirk an eyebrow and do so!
>Wondering why a vampire would need to hold her breath at all, you do so anyway, as Patchy conducts her experiment. Her warnings are usually worth listening to.
>The silver liquid continues to bubble and steam, but seems otherwise unaffected by the addition of the purple stuff. This doesn't seem to be what Patchouli was hoping for, and her cheek puffs momentarily, a sign of mild irritation.
>She mutters, "Perhaps I miscalculated the mix ratio...." before turning her head to Koakuma. "Bring some cobalt sulphur nitrate, amberseed, and spinacherb to the tertiary lab. But first, fetch me Venser's second compendium."
>The demoness bows slightly and takes to wing, but pauses turning back to her mistress. "But, those ingredients..."
>"It seems I have to conduct some more research before I can effectively continue this experiment. We can continue your experiment in the meantime, after you retrieve that volume."
>Koa smiles and bows again. "Yes, Patchouli-sama." she says simply, before flying off again.
>Patchouli slowly closes the book in her hands, and waves her hand in front of the glowing flame rune, shutting it off. She looks at you and asks, "Were you planning to leave right away, Remi?"
-
>Smile somewhat. "You know as well as I that I only have a limited window of time. Shame I'll miss the results of you experiment this time though, do tell me how it went when I return."
>Let's head back to the armory to drop off the whip, and pick up something more suited to our abilities and stature as nobility.
-
>Smile somewhat. "You know as well as I that I only have a limited window of time. Shame I'll miss the results of you experiment this time though, do tell me how it went when I return."
>Let's head back to the armory to drop off the whip, and pick up something more suited to our abilities and stature as nobility.
>Patchouli pauses, then nods slowly. "Bring along an umbrella, just in case Sakuya's harder to find than you'd anticipate."
>Taking your leave of your mage friend, you take to wing and fly back through the hallways to the armory near your room, to replace that whip. You ponder, along the way, just how an ordinary cat got into the SDM. As far as your library, no less. It's an odd event, harmless though it may be. But, then again, this is Gensokyo. One can only go so long before something out of the ordinary happens.
>As no other cats cross your path on your way back, nor fairies for that matter, you arrive back at the armory in good time, and place the whip back on its resting place.
>Potential weapons that fit your image, and that you have at least a familiarity with include:
>Rapier
>Saber
>Spear
>Longsword
>Staff
-
>Take the spear.
-
> What kind of staff?
-
(The rapier's easier to carry yo.)
>Let's grab the Rapier, and go pick up a Parasol as well.
>Now then, where should we start the investigation first? Perhaps Reimu would know something.
-
> What kind of staff?
>Oak quarterstaff, unenchanted.
-
So, that was one vote for rapier, one vote for spear, and one question about the quarterstaff.
I'm willing to wait, if you folks would care to discuss it.
-
Honestly, I don't think it makes a big difference.
> Rapier.
-
Rapier AND spear. They're both one-handed weapons, after all.
-
Spears are generally two-handed though. We need something that we're both good with, and can be used one-handed.
-
Spears are generally two-handed though. We need something that we're both good with, and can be used one-handed.
I dunno about that. For humans, a spear is two-handed because of the length and weight of the spear, but that doesn't bother Remilia - and she always seems to use Gungnir one-handed in everything I've seen.
-
I'm not all that restrictive on inventory space. If you'd like to carry all of spear, umbrella and rapier, that won't be a problem as far as I'm concerned.
And for the record, ancient hoplite soldiers in greece used to wield spears one handed along with shields, as did roman centurions, as I recall.
-
Well, it's more a matter of when the sun comes up. We'll need something for close-range combat while using the umbrella.
And the Spear, while we're skilled with it, is relatively unwieldy when used one-handed..
-
Considering Remilia's prowess with that Gungnir of hers, I'm willing to say she won't suffer any penalties while wielding an ordinary spear with one hand. Plus, you can always shorten the shaft to make it easier to handle.
-
Well, I was also going for the elegant and charismatic thing too.
(Rapiers are often regarded as a weapon for nobility.)
-
Assuming there's no objections, I'll roll with the last command.
>Let's grab the Rapier, and go pick up a Parasol as well.
>Now then, where should we start the investigation first? Perhaps Reimu would know something.
>You briefly test the trio of rapiers present, and select the middle one for yourself, belting it around your waist as you return to your bedchamber, where you keep your personals, your money, your remaining spellcards, and of course, a selection of parasols, just in case. You select a nice pale purple one with a white trim that compliments your clothes nicely.
>Pondering where to being looking for your erstwhile maid, your thoughts first settle on Reimu. Considering how trouble usually manages to find the Hakurei miko of its own accord, checking in with her is never an entirely bad idea.
-
>Let's collect our remaining spellcards together just in case. When traveling Gensokyo, it's always a good idea to have as many on hand as you can.
>We may as well pick up a little money, just in case we need to bribe Reimu. Poor dear hardly ever gets any donations after all.
>Once we've done that, we'll make for Reimu's.
-
>Let's collect our remaining spellcards together just in case. When traveling Gensokyo, it's always a good idea to have as many on hand as you can.
>We may as well pick up a little money, just in case we need to bribe Reimu. Poor dear hardly ever gets any donations after all.
>Once we've done that, we'll make for Reimu's.
>It's quite rare that someone carries their entire suite of spellcards at once, not even Reimu, and she invented the system. You know Patchouli does, but she has a special book to allow her that. But you gather up an additional four to compliment the Scarlet Shoot already in your pocket.
>You also produce your change purse from one of your dresser drawers, containing a modest traveling money sum of 75,447 yen.
>You are now carrying:
>Destiny: Miserable Fate
>Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot
>Dark Sign: Scarlet Netherworld
>Divine Punishment: Young Demon Lord
>Scarlet Gensokyo
>Light pink dress with matching cap
>Purple parasol with white trim.
>Coin purse containing: 75,447 yen
>1 vial of magically preserved/fresh blood.
>1 masterwork rapier
>Properly girded for traveling, you close and lock your chamber door, head out to your balcony, lock that door, then take to wing and fly to the west, for the Hakurei shrine. You note that Mei Ling is awake and on guard. At least you can count on her to be.... well, perhaps not entirely reliable, but no worse off without Sakuya around.
>It's a short flight to the shrine from your mansion, about half an hour, and it passes uneventfully. No fairies rise up to challenge you, and any hostile youkai wandering about have long since learned to give you a wide berth.
>The time is now 8:20 PM. The sun will be in the sky at around 6:30 AM.
>Reimu is sitting on her veranda, looking up at the sky, a broom by her side. A short youkai with blue hair and mismatched eyes, wearing a blue over a white shirt with a a short blue skirt, is walking towards her, carrying a tray with two cups of tea.
-
>Let's go over to her.
>"Reimu, have you seen Sakuya around?"
-
>Let's go over to her.
>"Reimu, have you seen Sakuya around?"
>Swooping down towards the shrine maiden, she accepts her tea from the youkai with the weird eyes, and then looks up at you as you announce your presence without so much as a 'hello.'
>"What would that knife-thowing maid be doing here?" she inquires as the other youkai sits down next to her.
-
>Sigh irritatedly. "And here I expected that the one person who could defeat me would be able to resolve such an issue."
>"You see, she's been away for five days, when she was only supposed to be away for one."
-
>Sigh irritatedly. "And here I expected that the one person who could defeat me would be able to resolve such an issue."
>"You see, she's been away for five days, when she was only supposed to be away for one."
>Reimu seems unfazed by your vexation, and takes a sip of her tea. "Nearly a week without her around? Have the fairies colored the place pink yet?" The youkai next to Reimu giggles.
-
>Keep calm, we can keep calm at least long enough to not tear something apart until after we get out of the area....
>"Thankfully, no, but they are shirking their duties. They don't even obey Koa now."
-
>Keep calm, we can keep calm at least long enough to not tear something apart until after we get out of the area....
>"Thankfully, no, but they are shirking their duties. They don't even obey Koa now."
>You maintain your composure. Plenty of time to fly off the handle later, when you're disciplining Sakuya for being absent so long.
>Reimu nods in agreement. "That's about all you can expect from fairies, really. But, they work for pretty much free, can't complain about that."
>The young youkai next to Reimu nudges her in the side a couple of times. Reimu looks at her curiously, then makes an 'oh yeah' face. "I'd forgot, you've never met her have you, Kogasa?" Reimu gestures at you with her hand. "This here's Remilia Scarlet, the one in-"
>"The vampire?" the youkai interjects, her expression becoming a touch fearful.
-
>Smile ominously. "Oh? So my reputation precedes me to even those such as you, has it?"
-
>Smile ominously. "Oh? So my reputation precedes me to even those such as you, has it?"
>The young youkai identified as 'Kogasa' by Reimu works her mouth for a moment, before popping up and quickly ducking behind Reimu. Only to place her hands on Reimu's shoulders and pop her head up mere seconds later, sticking her tongue out and declaring, "BOO!"
>Reimu sighs slightly.
-
>.....
>She seriously thinks that will work? "...Brave, aren't you?"
-
>.....
>She seriously thinks that will work? "...Brave, aren't you?"
>Kogasa seems somewhat despirited for a moment, then smiles, evidently taking a second to take that as a compliment. "Hehee, the vampire praised me."
>"Don't mind her, Remilia." Reimu advises you. "She's like this with everyone."
-
>"....I can tell. At any rate, I suppose I've done what I can here. Until next time, Hakurei!"
>Batcloud on outta there, and make for that Bamboo Forest we visited during that one incident.
-
>"....I can tell. At any rate, I suppose I've done what I can here. Until next time, Hakurei!"
>Batcloud on outta there, and make for that Bamboo Forest we visited during that one incident.
>Reimu gives you a wave as you turn to depart. "If I see your maid, I'll tell her you were here."
>Kogasa's wave is much more energetic. "Bye bye, vampire lady!"
>Turning to the northwest, you set your course for the bamboo forest where dwell the refugees from the moon. You decide to circumvent the human village for now, though. The sight of a vampire flying over the village might lead to a conforntation with Keine, and that's not what you're interested in at the moment.
>Eight minutes out from the shrine, however, en route to the bamboo forest, a flash of movement on the wooded path below you catches your eye. A youkai is flitting in and out of the trees below you, a short figure with green hair and a cape. It's the same insect youkai that assaulted you and Sakuya during the False Moon incident. But it's her persuer that really catches your eye. Chasing the bug-girl is a tallish woman with pale blonde hair and pale skin, wearing a long cloak. The most interesting thing, however, is that she is a vampire.
-
>How can we tell she's like ourself?
>Let's follow them for the time being.
-
>How can we tell she's like ourself?
>Let's follow them for the time being.
>Vampires can sense another vampire when in proximity to one another. A vampire sets off a kind of 'psychic recognition' to her own kind, although older, stronger vampires learn how to suppress this when needs be. You yourself learned that trick centuries ago.
>Your curiosity piqued, you fly closer to the ground to keep a closer eye on these two, while masking your presense from the vampire below you. There is no elegance in Wriggle's flight, she seems to simply be fleeing blindly from this vampire. Curious again. Wriggle fled from you, as well, but only after you bested her at danmaku. And yet, there doesn't seem to be any evidence of a danmaku battle taken place between these two.
>With your closer proximity to the vampire, you can smell that the woman is bleeding, not a lot, but definitely bleeding. A vampire can tell from the scent of blood how long ago another vampire was turned, and by the smell of it, this one was turned only around two weeks ago, give or take a day or two either way.
>The fledgling vampire is faster than the short youkai. You suspect will only be a matter of minutes before the vampire catches her prey.
-
>Well, it isn't Sakuya then, the Timeframe doesn't match up. This is quite a relief.
>We may as well fly closer in Bat Form, and attempt to perch ourselves on the fledgling's shoulder.
-
>Well, it isn't Sakuya then, the Timeframe doesn't match up. This is quite a relief.
>We may as well fly closer in Bat Form, and attempt to perch ourselves on the fledgling's shoulder.
>Converting yourself from swarm form to single-bat form, after taking a moment to feel relieved that some other vampiric interloper had come along and claimed your maid, you swoop down and aim to land at the younger vampire's shoulder. It's been a number of years since you've seen a vampire so freshly turned, and just how quick they are had slipped your mind. Nevertheless, it only takes you about 20 seconds to adjust your speed accordingly, and land your talons upon the fledgling vampire's shoulder.
>Needless to say, the woman does not react entirely positively, and her head snaps around quickly as she hisses at you, her fanged mouth agape.
-
>Smack her across the face with a wing, and then disengage from the perch to revert to our true form in midflight.
>"Well, is that any way to react to someone who is your better?"
-
>Smack her across the face with a wing, and then disengage from the perch to revert to our true form in midflight.
>"Well, is that any way to react to someone who is your better?"
>Giving the snarly little twit a swat with your wing, you launch yourself from her as she stretches her neck forward and tries to bite you. This impertinent act on her part reveals where the scent of blood is coming from: one of the two fang marks on the left side of her neck is bleeding. Opened by her own hand, by the looks of it. You shake your head. Young vampires intoxicated by the scent of blood, even their own. Shameful to think you were ever that young once.
>Transforming back to your human form to admonish the fledgling, the woman pauses as well, Wriggle seemingly forgotten. The look she gives you is a mixture of outrage and confusion. "That's no way to treat your big sister. I was the first she turned, and you don't go around smacking your elders. And how'd you do that bat thing? I can only manage rat yet."
-
>Let out a short, derisive bark of laughter. "You? My elder? Fool! My legend began in the 16th Century!"
>Ratchet up our presence to full blast, complete with wrapping ourselves in a crackling scarlet energy. If we are going to show her who is dominant, we should do it properly!
>"You look upon a vampire of over five-hundred years! You, one of a mere two weeks, cannot even dream of being my elder."
EDIT: (And for those of you who got the joke there, I present this (http://i.imgur.com/WVEKN.jpg).)
-
>Let out a short, derisive bark of laughter. "You? My elder? Fool! My legend began in the 16th Century!"
>Ratchet up our presence to full blast, complete with wrapping ourselves in a crackling scarlet energy. If we are going to show her who is dominant, we should do it properly!
>"You look upon a vampire of over five-hundred years! You, one of a mere two weeks, cannot even dream of being my elder."
>Displaying your awesome might in its glory, the neophyte blonde vampire blanches and recoils backwards through the air, raising her arm across her chest in surprise. Young though she may be, even she knows power when she sees it. She stares at you blankly for several seconds, before her eyes narrow in suspicion. "How is that... possible?" she manages to stammer out.
-
>Smirk. "You are in the presence of Remilia Scarlet, one of the two strongest vampires in Gensokyo!"
>Dissolve into batcloud, and then reform right behind her.
>"You are still far too young you be able to catch up to one such as I."
-
>Smirk. "You are in the presence of Remilia Scarlet, one of the two strongest vampires in Gensokyo!"
>Dissolve into batcloud, and then reform right behind her.
>"You are still far too young you be able to catch up to one such as I."
>Declaring your identity proudly, you bat-a-port behind the neophyte vampire with a taunt. The sound she makes next is one that galls you to no end: she chuckles.
>"We'll see about that." she declares, before pulling her arms in around her. A spread of giant icicles erupt from her back like a porcupine, leaving you less than a second to react before getting punctured.
-
>Batcloud again, but this time reform right in front of her, and then grab her by the collar.
-
>Batcloud again, but this time reform right in front of her, and then grab her by the collar.
>Quickly dispersing into your bat swarm again, several of your bats are impaled upon the ice bristles on the fledglings' back. This neither hurts, nor does it injure you in any way, but it does make you mad. It might not annoy you under different circumstances, but this is a mere CHILD. How DARE she do that to the Scarlet Devil herself!
>Reforming yourself in front of her, you reach out and snag the collar of the forest green tunic she wears. Give the girl credit, however, her reflexes are quite good. Recovering faster than you might have thought, the girl reaches her head forward and opens her mouth, seeking to sink her fangs into your wrist.
-
>Lift her up, then slam her into the ground!
>Once we've done that, grab her by the hair and drag her up so our eyes are level with hers.
>"Now then, done warming up? Because so far, I'm not impressed."
-
>Lift her up, then slam her into the ground!
>Once we've done that, grab her by the hair and drag her up so our eyes are level with hers.
>"Now then, done warming up? Because so far, I'm not impressed."
>As you are still some feet in the air, you don't think you'd be able to slam her into the ground fast enough to keep her teeth out of your wrist. And the taste of your blood is not something this impertinent pup has earned. So you settle for driving her into a nearby tree first, which breaks her focus. THEN you slam her into the forest floor and drag her up again, leaving fledgling-shaped indentations on the ground and in the tree trunk.
>Though obviously pained, the fledgling strains against your grip momentarily, then opens her eyes and smiles at you, a small laugh escaping her. "Aren't you having fun? I know I am!"
>The upstart young vampire shapeshifts into her rat form, and though her transformation isn't quite as smooth as yours, it is enough to let her escape your grip. Hitting the ground, she scampers into the undergrowth to your northeast.
-
>"Troublesome child..."
>Dissolve into batcloud yet again to keep up!
>Of course, hide our presence so she'll think she got away.
-
>"Troublesome child..."
>Dissolve into batcloud yet again to keep up!
>Of course, hide our presence so she'll think she got away.
>Kids these days...
>You break up into your bat swarm form again, and spread out a bit to locate the miscreant. This actually proves a bit trickier than you'd anticipated. The brush and bushes around her are fairly dense, and your bat eyes are not as sharp as your human forms, more of them though you do possess.
>After several seconds, however, your task is made a lot easier by the sound of a sharp rodent-like squeek, followed immediately by the fledgling's human form growing up from a thornbush, yelling and swatting at her body. She appears to have small black insects crawling all over her.
>From above you to your right comes a proud voice, "Black soldier ants!" It is Wriggle the insect youkai, obviously calling on some of her friends. "Bad place for a rat!
-
>Reform on a branch overlooking the whole scene.
>"Ah, firefly. I simply must thank you for flushing her out. I shall handle this from here."
>Let's rocket into the fledgling with Demon Lord Arrow. Just hard enough to knock her silly though.
(Demon Lord Arrow is another skillcard from the fighters.)
-
>Reform on a branch overlooking the whole scene.
>"Ah, firefly. I simply must thank you for flushing her out. I shall handle this from here."
>Let's rocket into the fledgling with Demon Lord Arrow. Just hard enough to knock her silly though.
>You return to your humanoid form as you land upon a sturdy tree branch, watching the neophyte flail. She seems so human in the movement. She has so much to learn...
>Wriggle descends towards the cloaked vampire, but upon seeing you, backs up again slightly. "Uh, sure. No problem."
>That done, you flip backwards to touch your feet off the tree trunk, then barrel forward, your image blurred, leaving a trail of scarlet energy behind you. The fledgling, still distracted, does not even react, let alone attempt to dodge or counterattack. Your attack strikes her in the chest and jaw, sending her careening backwards several feet, crashing heavily into a tree and stopping dead. She does appear to have been knocked quite silly.
-
>Smirk a little. "I suppose this should suffice for now."
>Let's head to move so that if the kid does try something, she'll get smacked for it.
-
>Smirk a little. "I suppose this should suffice for now."
>Let's head to move so that if the kid does try something, she'll get smacked for it.
>Pausing in midair, you stop to enjoy the sensation of beating a little sense, hopefully, into this young'un. You note Wriggle throw a cheer in your direction.
>You hover slowly down towards the fledgling, who is holding her head like someone nursing a massive headache. "I didn't know a hit could make me dizzy now..." she mutters to herself, before looking up at you again, moving her hand down to massage her jaw.
>"All right, I get the point. I didn't know that youkai belonged to you."
>"Hey!" Wriggle yells, drawing closer. "I don't 'belong' to anyone!"
-
>Let's laugh a little. "Hah, and yet again you are mistaken."
>Smirk. "Also....I was holding back. No sense in teaching someone if they expire in the process, no?"
-
>Let's laugh a little. "Hah, and yet again you are mistaken."
>Smirk. "Also....I was holding back. No sense in teaching someone if they expire in the process, no?"
>You enjoy the youngling's mistake on yet another matter momentarily.
>The blonde stops working over her jaw to dap her finger at the still-bleeding wound on her neck, licking the blood off before speaking again. She seems somewhat confused. "Teach me?"
-
>Smirk. "Well, to start with, teach you who the superior vampire is."
>"Besides, it's unbecoming for the Vampire Race to have an untrained young upstart like yourself running wild."
>Sigh. "Honestly, you go wild at the scent of even your own blood. Even my admittedly off-balance sister does not do such a thing."
-
>Smirk. "Well, to start with, teach you who the superior vampire is."
>"Besides, it's unbecoming for the Vampire Race to have an untrained young upstart like yourself running wild."
>Sigh. "Honestly, you go wild at the scent of even your own blood. Even my admittedly off-balance sister does not do such a thing."
>The youngster blanches at your frank commentary, but she doesn't seem able to say much about it. Your demonstration of superiority seems to have worked. But your mention of your sister seems to strike a memory in her, and looks down and away from you for a moment, before sucking in a breath through her teeth. "I thought I recognized that name. You're the Scarlet Devil, aren't you?"
>"What're you gonna do with her?" Wriggle asks you, still maintaining a somewhat cautious distance from you both.
-
>Smile in a slightly ominous way. "Oho? So even a young upstart like you has heard of me. Good, that already works toward you redeeming yourself."
>Look to Wriggle. "Well, in the old days, I wouldn't have pulled my punches, and would have eliminated her. But this is Gensokyo after all, so I'll settle for taking her as Sakuya's temporary replacement until she's found."
>Then look back to the fledgling with all our charisma, power, and elegance. "Now then, what is your name?"
-
>Smile in a slightly ominous way. "Oho? So even a young upstart like you has heard of me. Good, that already works toward you redeeming yourself."
>Look to Wriggle. "Well, in the old days, I wouldn't have pulled my punches, and would have eliminated her. But this is Gensokyo after all, so I'll settle for taking her as Sakuya's temporary replacement until she's found."
>Then look back to the fledgling with all our charisma, power, and elegance. "Now then, what is your name?"
>The youngling closes her eyes, and lets out a very slow breath. "I understand." She opens her eyes and climbs to her feet. "If you mean to take me, then I have no choice but to fight you. I will not betray my sire, and I will serve no other. You'll not take me while there is fight in this body."
-
>Grin ominously. "Well, you have fight in you, that shows promise, youngling. Now, prove to me what you can do! Can you surpass the Eternally Young Scarlet Moon?!"
>Let's flare the aura up to 50%. We may as well show her just how strong we are.
>We'll let her have the first move, and react accordingly.
-
>Grin ominously. "Well, you have fight in you, that shows promise, youngling. Now, prove to me what you can do! Can you surpass the Eternally Young Scarlet Moon?!"
>Let's flare the aura up to 50%. We may as well show her just how strong we are.
>We'll let her have the first move, and react accordingly.
>The neophyte vampires' face falls briefly as you power up, then steels itself. The resolve of one who knows full well that she is in over her head. But can not, or will not, back down.
>Still, something about that last exchange strikes you as odd. While almost all vampires do possess a built in loyalty to their sires, at least until they acquire sufficient power to override this, that loyalty can be overpowered by the presence of a vampire that is stronger than their sire. You yourself have existed for many centuries, your power considerable. And yet, this child did not bow to you, remains loyal to her sire.
>But time to ponder that later. For now, there is still a battle to fight, however brief it may be.
>The fledgling vampire spreads her arms out to her sides, a pair of ice crystals extending from her wrists, out like knives. But she does not attack, merely asks, "Since you are the Scarlet Devil of Gensokyo, you of course know of the spellcard rules. My skill at danmaku is only simple, but I can compete on that level. Your power exceeds mine, no matter how we fight. My sire would say, it's only proper to allow you the choice of battle forms."
-
>Smirk. "Well, at least your sire knows how to teach you some measure of respect. Very well then, it is only fair that I give you a fighting chance! We shall use the spellcard rules then, First one to expend five cards, loses. That is, unless you lack even that number."
-
>Smirk. "Well, at least your sire knows how to teach you some measure of respect. Very well then, it is only fair that I give you a fighting chance! We shall use the spellcard rules then, First one to expend five cards, loses. That is, unless you lack even that number."
>The youngling chuckles a wry chuckle. "Just one, actually. I never figured I'd ever run up against someone like you."
>"Hey!" Wriggle cries again. "If you had danmaku, why did you attack me like you did? That's against the rules!"
>The fledgling looks confused momentarily. "You're a youkai." she replies simply. "I'm a vampire. I'm better than you."
>Oh, the arrogance of youth...
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Ah youth...I recall when I was that young and foolish. Very well then, we'll simply use Danmaku until one of us has taken enough to require a surrender. Does that sound fair?"
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Ah youth...I recall when I was that young and foolish. Very well then, we'll simply use Danmaku until one of us has taken enough to require a surrender. Does that sound fair?"
>The blonde vampire nods. "No spellcards from either of us?"
-
>Nod. "But of course, I am a woman of my word after all. Now, shall we begin?"
>We'll let her try the first salvo.
-
>Nod. "But of course, I am a woman of my word after all. Now, shall we begin?"
>We'll let her try the first salvo.
>The fledgling withdraws her ice blades back into her wrist. She flies slowly upwards. "Agreed." Wriggle, you note, has backed up a few feet, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire between two vampires, despite her obvious anger at the youngling.
>Spreading her arms out to her side, a spread of light purple wedge-shaped bullets fly forth from the fledgling, somewhat erratic in their flight, the only ones really threatening to you heading for your left side ribcage.
-
>Slip past effortlessly, and fling an energy-bat at her.
-
>Slip past effortlessly, and fling an energy-bat at her.
>Sliding oh so easily to the left, you return her bullet spread with a single bat, just to see what she's made of in a danmaku battle. And this, she manages to evade, sliding to her right, staying in front of you. She swings her arm in front of her, and a loose spiral of white and blue bullets appear in front of her, and spin out in a 30 degree cone in front of her, with you roughly in the middle.
-
>Smirk. "You might have potential after all. But can you handle this?"
>Break right through with Servant Flier!
-
>Smirk. "You might have potential after all. But can you handle this?"
>Break right through with Servant Flier!
>Her bullet spiral is no match for a quartet of energy bats. Any bullet that could have threatened you is overridden by your bats, although one of them does fade in the process. The rest are slowed enough to allow the fledgling time enough to go evasive, flying up and to your right. She manages to get away from two bats, but the third catches up to her, striking her torso, backing her up a pace.
>The fledgling raises her head, a faint smile on her face. "You do it like this?"
>She grabs her cloak, and spins in place, the black fabric wrapping around her, a cold mist growing around frame. From the mist comes a trio of crystalline bat-shaped projectiles, nearly the same shape as your Servant Flier.
-
>Smirk. "Not bad, picking that technique up after seeing it a few times. That further proves that you're worth my time."
>Let's match it with our own!
-
>Smirk. "Not bad, picking that technique up after seeing it a few times. That further proves that you're worth my time."
>Let's match it with our own!
>Impressive though it may be, her projectiles are slightly flawed, and slower than your own. Sending forth your own bats to intercept them is simplicity itself. The fledgling stops spinning after her bets are shattered.
>"Keine used to say I was a pretty quick learner. I think even faster now."
>She spreads her arms again, and the cold mist gathers around her lower body. As the youngling drifts backwards, bullets fly from the mist in multiple directions, in a maneuver not entirely dissimilar to one of the bullet patterns Sakuya described to you that belonged to that winter youkai she fought some years back.
-
>Smirk somewhat. "Not bad, however...Can you withstand taking a hit from this?"
>Let's use the first nonspell we used back during the scarlet mist thing.
-
>Smirk somewhat. "Not bad, however...Can you withstand taking a hit from this?"
>Let's use the first nonspell we used back during the scarlet mist thing.
>Her attack is mildly impressive. Yours is.... much more so. A triform barrage of danmaku flies out in all directions around you, mingling with the bullets of the youngling's in a rather impressive display, once you get past the fact that her bullets, in volume and shape, are dwarfed by yours.
>Through the hail of bullets, you see the sight of your attack draw an expression from the youngling that reads simply 'oh crap', before she starts going evasive. And she does relatively well for herself, but it's obvious she's never faced an attack like this one before.
>To her credit, one of her bullets actually manages to strike you, though this is probably more because you were watching her than a telling of the effectiveness of her shots. The number of bullets that strike her is much larger than one.
>When your attack subsides, you see her cloak slightly torn, and a gash in the left sleeve of her tunic. "And that was just basic danmaku?" she asks you.
-
>Smirk confidently. "And more, that was also one of my more basic Nonspells."
-
>Smirk confidently. "And more, that was also one of my more basic Nonspells."
>The fledgling sighs shortly, a small wry smile playing across her lips, and she lowers her head.
>"I've seen enough. I really didn't think I was a match for you at danmaku, but, you've made it pretty clear."
-
>Smile somewhat. "So, you surrender? Just as well, if we went any further, you could have gotten quite injured. So you wouldn't be of any use in my search."
>We may as well land.
-
>Smile somewhat. "So, you surrender? Just as well, if we went any further, you could have gotten quite injured. So you wouldn't be of any use in my search."
>We may as well land.
>The fledgling follows your descent back down to land. She doesn't seem to be extremely bothered by her defeat, merely resigned.
>"So, if I'm your prisoner now, what do you intend to do with me?"
-
>Smirk. "Well, first off, you need to learn manners. And secondly, you'll be helping me find someone. My head maid, Sakuya. Until we find her, you'll serve as her replacement."
>"So, what is your name, youngling?"
-
>"Who is it that turned you into a vampire?"
>"You said that you were the first she turned. Does that mean there are others?"
-
>Smirk. "Well, first off, you need to learn manners. And secondly, you'll be helping me find someone. My head maid, Sakuya. Until we find her, you'll serve as her replacement."
>"So, what is your name, youngling?"
>"Who is it that turned you into a vampire?"
>"You said that you were the first she turned. Does that mean there are others?"
>After explaining your plans to the youngling, you grill her a bit for information. "I'm sorry," she starts, shaking her head once. "I don't think you understand. You defeated me, yes, and per our agreement, I'm your prisoner. But that doesn't mean I'll give you anything you might use against my sire, nor will I serve you in any way. I may not be nearly as old as you, but I know that vampires regard each other as territorial rivals. She may see you as hers, and vice versa."
>"Although, I suppose my name is a concession I can make, I think she'd approve of that. I was called Rei, when I was human."
-
>"Oh, I doubt there will be a territorial issue. My territory is fairly well-established, and known to be mine; a large mansion will do that. No, I simply want to meet her. Aside from my sister, it has been a long time since I've seen others of our kind."
-
>"Oh, I doubt there will be a territorial issue. My territory is fairly well-established, and known to be mine; a large mansion will do that. No, I simply want to meet her. Aside from my sister, it has been a long time since I've seen others of our kind."
>"You don't consider Gensokyo your territory?"
>From some distance behind you, Wriggle supplies, "No, she tried that already, and the red-white beat her up for it."
-
>"Only because I had to fight by her rules. In a true battle, she wouldn't have stood a chance."
>"But no, Gensokyo as a whole is not my territory. And if anyone does try to take it over, they'll have more than the red-white and black-white to worry about."
-
>"...A thought. Have you seen a woman with silver hair? Blue eyes, but they sometimes turn red? A Blue-white maid uniform."
>Hopefully that other vampire hasn't tried anything...'untoward'. We may have to dole out some 'punishment' if that is the case.
-
>"Only because I had to fight by her rules. In a true battle, she wouldn't have stood a chance."
>"But no, Gensokyo as a whole is not my territory. And if anyone does try to take it over, they'll have more than the red-white and black-white to worry about."
>"Funny, that's what I said after she beat me, too." Wriggle replies.
>"Well, that's half your problem with me. But whether or not I believed you, the choice would still be my sire's. If she knows of your presence here, she didn't speak to me of it. She may consider you her enemy. She may ask you on a date. I simply don't know, and until I do, well, I can be nothing more than your prisoner. I'd go and ask her, but, you don't strike me as the type who lets her prisoners get away so easily."
>"...A thought. Have you seen a woman with silver hair? Blue eyes, but they sometimes turn red? A Blue-white maid uniform."
>Hopefully that other vampire hasn't tried anything...'untoward'. We may have to dole out some 'punishment' if that is the case.
>"A maid uniform? Well, there was that one time a couple years ago Keine lost a bet to Mokou, so the story goes, but I don't guess that's what you meant, was it?"
>If some other vampire has taken your chief maid from you, heaven help the poor sucker.
-
>Sigh, and smile charismatically, then spare a slight glance towards Wriggle. "I may take prisoners, but I am merciful to them. So shall we three go and meet her?"
-
>Sigh, and smile charismatically, then spare a slight glance towards Wriggle. "I may take prisoners, but I am merciful to them. So shall we three go and meet her?"
>"Hey, sure." Wriggle says, somewhat enthusiastically. "Last thing thing I want is more vampires like her running around Gensokyo."
>The fledgling scowls, but does not answer Wriggle, replying to you, "Now, I DID see another white-haired maid a few days ago. Not in the village, outside of it, she was headed...." She stops, and thinks. "North? Maybe northwest? I'm not sure, I didn't pay her too much attention." She quirks an eyebrow at you. "That wouldn't be the maid you were thinking about having me replace, would it?"
-
>Grin somewhat. "Well, this helps out quite a lot. That is indeed her. Unless there is another maid in Gensokyo who resembles Sakuya."
>"Besides, you would only serve as her replacement until I find her. You see, she left to do something, and was only expected to be gone for a day or two at the most. She has been gone for almost a week now. Do you have any idea how much disarray the mansion has been thrown into thanks to her disappearance? Quite a lot."
>"Though my first order of business is to educate your sire on how to properly teach her progeny."
-
>Grin somewhat. "Well, this helps out quite a lot. That is indeed her. Unless there is another maid in Gensokyo who resembles Sakuya."
>"Besides, you would only serve as her replacement until I find her. You see, she left to do something, and was only expected to be gone for a day or two at the most. She has been gone for almost a week now. Do you have any idea how much disarray the mansion has been thrown into thanks to her disappearance? Quite a lot."
>"Though my first order of business is to educate your sire on how to properly teach her progeny."
>"Is that before or after you put me in a dungeon back at your mansion? Or, whatever you use to keep your prisoners."
-
>"No, you'll be coming with me. The night is still young after all, and there is much to be done!"
-
>"No, you'll be coming with me. The night is still young after all, and there is much to be done!"
>Rei opens her mouth, drawing in a breath to object, then stops. "Very well."
>Rei Oumi, Fledgling with Much to Learn, has joined your party!
>"And don't even think about steppin' out of line!" Wriggle declares, crossing her arms across her rather diminutive chest for emphasis. "I'll be keeping all my eyes on you."
>Wriggle Nightbug, A Bug of Light Wriggling in the Dark, has joined your party!
>The time is now 8:41PM.
-
>"Alright, Rei, let us go pay a visit to your sire then. I shall let you lead the way for the time."
>Let's get going!
-
>"Alright, Rei, let us go pay a visit to your sire then. I shall let you lead the way for the time."
>Let's get going!
>"Haven't you been listening?" she says slowly. "I CAN'T take you to her. Not unless you let me go, so I can go back to her and hear her thoughts on you. It's simply not in me."
-
>Kids these days...Don't they know that when one who is their elder wishes it, they cannot do a thing to stop it?
>We'll keep our temper in check for now, this troublesome child is our only lead.
>Sigh annoyedly. "Very well then, we shall investigate the northern location that Sakuya was last seen at."
>Let's head for there then.
-
>Kids these days...Don't they know that when one who is their elder wishes it, they cannot do a thing to stop it?
>We'll keep our temper in check for now, this troublesome child is our only lead.
>Sigh annoyedly. "Very well then, we shall investigate the northern location that Sakuya was last seen at."
>Let's head for there then.
>Perhaps she simply doesn't realize the full scope of your greatness. She IS quite young. And that may be part of the complication, as well.
>New vampires often have a deep, natural connection to the one that turned them, at least if the turning is mutually consensual, or the fledgling is receptive and welcoming of the change. They can sometimes even be irrationally devoted to their sire. It's possible that Rei is simply psychologically incapable of doing anything she may think could threaten her sire, if these were the circumstances of her change. Overcoming this obstacle can be a difficult, and often damaging process.
>But one thing at a time. It may not even come to that, depending on what kind of vampire Rei's sire is. You're certain you'll have the chance to learn this for herself, one way or the other. After you track down Sakuya, of course. She's reason enough to hold your temper.
>Rei nods. "That, I can do."
>Taking the lead, Rei heads off in roughly the same direction you were traveling before you noticed her trying to make a meal out of Wriggle. The firefly youkai falls in just behind you, true to her word, her eyes are fixed on Rei's figure.
>Her flight eventually takes you along a very familiar stretch of woods. This is the same path that you and Sakuya flew along during the False Moon incident. You start to keep an eye out for that night sparrow, Mystia again, just in case she's feeling rowdy. But after several minutes of flight, that particular youkai does not reveal herself. But there is something different here than the last time: a decent sized wooden stall, lit by a pair of paper lamps on the ends of the awning. The long wooden bench in the front of it is occupied by a pair of forms, a short haired girl with a pair of swords, wearing a green and white outfit, with a white blobby-thing floating around her. It's been a while since you've seen that half-ghost samurai... Youmu, that was her name. Her companion in the black jacket and white skirt has very long violet hair and rabbit ears- it's the lunar rabbit you battled at Eientei during the False Moon incident.
>"Oh, it's open now." Rei comments. "I've only ever been by here in daylight, and it was never open."
>"That's Mysty's stand." Wriggle supplies. "She doesn't open when the sun's up. Hasn't found anyone wants to work that time yet."
And yes, I'm presuming that Youmu and Reimila never fought in the fighting games, but if I'm wrong, do correct me. I've never played Remi's scenario, nor am I sure if any particular route is considered 'canon' in either of those games.
-
She did, IaMP (http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Immaterial_and_Missing_Power/Story#Remilia.27s_Story).
>"Hmm, perhaps they've seen Sakuya."
>Chuckle a bit. "So, have you gotten used to your situation as a Vampire?"
-
>"Hmm, perhaps they've seen Sakuya."
>Chuckle a bit. "So, have you gotten used to your situation as a Vampire?"
>"Asking questions never hurts, that's what I always say." Rei replies.
>"'Situation'?"
>The time is now 8:50PM
-
>"Why, being a vampire of course. For a youngling who goes wild at the scent of even her own blood, you seem rather well-adapted."
>Let's head over.
>"So, have either of you two seen Sakuya?"
-
>"Why, being a vampire of course. For a youngling who goes wild at the scent of even her own blood, you seem rather well-adapted."
>Let's head over.
>"So, have either of you two seen Sakuya?"
>Rei grins at you. "Who wouldn't be? I mean, what's not to like? I'm stronger, faster, I can shapeshift, I'm so much MORE than I was! And the LIFETIME! I mean, humans only live so long, but vampires? I can sense time losing its grip on me. I'll live for CENTURIES! Okay, yeah, I got a lot to learn, yeah, but that's just makes it better!"
>Deciding to grill the pair of stage 5 bosses customers, you drop down and stab right to the issue at hand without so much as a 'hello'. Reisen turns her head, in mid-slurp of a mouthful of noodles, seeming rather unfazed by your sudden appearance. Youmu, for her part, turns a full circle rather quickly, notes you and the second vampire behind you, still in the air, and jumps to her feet, places her hand on her sword, in one fluid motion, her alert eyes upon you.
-
>Look at Youmu with an amused stare. "Oh do calm down, I am not after a battle this time around. I came seeking information."
>Look at Reisen with an unimpressed stare. "...And do finish your mouthful before speaking, it's quite rude."
-
>Look at Youmu with an amused stare. "Oh do calm down, I am not after a battle this time around. I came seeking information."
>Look at Reisen with an unimpressed stare. "...And do finish your mouthful before speaking, it's quite rude."
>"As is lecturing one without at least a greeting first." Youmu replies sternly. The samurai's admonishment of draws a giggle from your two companions. She does relax her grip on her sword, though, at least a little.
>"And you." Youmu continues, turning her attention to Wriggle. "What are you doing with the mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion?"
>"Making sure this one," Wriggle jerks her thumb at Rei, "doesn't get up to no good again."
-
>Sigh. Some days you just can't catch a break. Absolutely no respect.
>"At any rate, have either of you two seen Sakuya? I was told she was last seen in this area."
-
>Sigh. Some days you just can't catch a break. Absolutely no respect.
>"At any rate, have either of you two seen Sakuya? I was told she was last seen in this area."
>There are moments when life in Gensokyo ain't all it's cracked up to be...
>"What is that maid doing around here?" Youmu asks suspiciously. "Is there another incident going on?"
>Reisen, finishing her noodles, doesn't seem nearly as on guard by your presence. "Settle down, Youmu. If there was an incident, either your mistress or my owner would have said something about it by now." She accepts a refill of her sake cup from the black-winged youkai manning the stall, who is also not Mystia, before half-turning her head to you. "As a matter of fact, Sakuya stopped by Eientei four days ago. I was in the village at the time, but my owner told me about the visit. She said something about Sakuya 'looking for someone to heal a heart', but no more than that." She looks at you inquisitively, like one that's only got half the story.
-
>What was the errand we had sent Sakuya out on anyways?
-
>What was the errand we had sent Sakuya out on anyways?
>After Flandre decimated the west wing of the SDM, due to a slight overreaction to spicy food, you wondered if there was someone in Gensokyo would could act as a counsellor for your sister, someone who could help put her damaged mind and heart back together. Someone to make her more stable than you've managed, a fact which caused you something close to physical pain to admit. Sakuya volunteered to go forth and find that person, if they could be found, as well as gather some fresh information about the new arrivals to Gensokyo since that incident on Youkai Mountain involving that trio of goddesses that Reimu beat up.
>That was five days ago.
>By the sound of it, Sakuya may have managed to ask Eirin about that without mentioning Flandre or your goal.
-
>"..Yes, well, let's just say there was a minor incident a few days ago that made me realize something. So I had sent Sakuya out to find someone to that effect."
>Sigh exasperatedly, and have a seat. "She knew that she should have returned for the night if she couldn't find anyone the first day, and then go out and try again the next day."
>We may as well peruse the menu while we're at it.
-
>"..Yes, well, let's just say there was a minor incident a few days ago that made me realize something. So I had sent Sakuya out to find someone to that effect."
>Sigh exasperatedly, and have a seat. "She knew that she should have returned for the night if she couldn't find anyone the first day, and then go out and try again the next day."
>We may as well peruse the menu while we're at it.
>Reisen nods, but Youmu looks puzzled as you seat yourself at the stall, a respectable distance from where Youmu was sitting, which was next to Reisen.
>"That is indeed odd." Youmu states, still keeping a watch on you out of the corner of her eye, but returning to her seat as well. "Sakuya-san is most skilled, and efficient. And Gensokyo is not large. You must be concerned."
>The apron-wearing bird youkai offers you a menu, wearing a businesswoman's smile, as your two companions drop down from the sky behind you. You note that Rei, for some reason, is trying her best not to stare at Reisen. And not succeeding very well.
>The menu is somewhat rudimentary, but still somewhat impressive for a wooden stand in the middle of essentially nowhere. It offers a small selection of sushi, white rice, soba and ramen noodles flavored with various vegetables and fish, chikuwa, as well as lamprey and eel dishes, though those have red X markers next to them. As well as sake, both warm and chilled.
>"We're out of lamprey and eel at the moment." the stall-keep informs you. "Boss herself handles those."
-
>"I see."
>Look to Wriggle and Rei. "Would you two like something? I have more than enough funds, because a lady never goes around without money for whatever strikes her fancy."
>"Besides, I have to make do with what I can get until Sakuya is found."
>Let's peruse the drinks section.
-
>"I see."
>Look to Wriggle and Rei. "Would you two like something? I have more than enough funds, because a lady never goes around without money for whatever strikes her fancy."
>"Besides, I have to make do with what I can get until Sakuya is found."
>Let's peruse the drinks section.
>"Heh, yeah, sure!" Wriggle enthuses, skipping over and plopping down between you and Youmu. "Gimme the usual!" she declares. The youkai behind the bar smiles and nods, evidently acquainted with Wriggle. Rei, however, actually takes a half step backwards, looking rather nervous. Almost bashful. "I, uh.. I'm, I'm fine, thanks." she manages to get out.
>"You come to the right place for that!" Wriggle assures her, her watchful eye on the fledgling vampire behind you evidently forgotten. "Mysty's stalls got some of the best eats in Gensokyo."
>The drink section contains the following, and all come either hot or chilled,
>Sake (plain rice wine only)
>Grape Juice
>Strawberry Juice
>Water
-
>Stare at Rei as if she was a troublesome child. "Now now, I have plenty of funds. Besides, I do treat my prisoners well after all."
>Let's have some Sake, and some of the Sushi.
-
>Stare at Rei as if she was a troublesome child. "Now now, I have plenty of funds. Besides, I do treat my prisoners well after all."
>Let's have some Sake, and some of the Sushi.
>"No! No, it's not..." The fledgling is both looking and sounding quite flustered now, a blush in her cheeks, which is rare among your kind.
>"Comin' right up." the youkai says with practiced ease, filling a small cup with warm sake and handing it to you, before turning to fetch the fish and fixin's.
>"Prisoner?" Youmu asks you. "You are holding this girl against her will?"
-
>"Only for the time, and it was agreed upon in a danmaku battle. She was the one who pointed me in this direction to begin with."
>We may as well eat and drink, it won't be as good as what Sakuya can make, but it'll have to do.
>"Now now, are you unable to eat normally just yet?"
-
>"Only for the time, and it was agreed upon in a danmaku battle. She was the one who pointed me in this direction to begin with."
>We may as well eat and drink, it won't be as good as what Sakuya can make, but it'll have to do.
>"Now now, are you unable to eat normally just yet?"
>Youmu narrows her eyes, and casts her eyes back at Rei. The fledgling catches the look after a second or two, and nods. "It's true, really. She beat me, and I'm helping her find... find her missing maid, now." This seems to satisfy the ghostly gardener, who grasps a floating piece of fish with her chopsticks and devours the morsel.
>The black winged youkai is currently preparing the vegetables portion of your meal, and has produced the small mold you've come to recognize as the shaping component of 'oshizushi' style rice. So you sit back and sip the contents of your cup. The sake has a surprisingly strong flavor to it, but a pleasant one, better than you might have expected in such a place as this. You can tell a lot about a location and its foods from the quality of their sake, you've learned since coming to Japan, and then Gensokyo. Mystia, it seems takes care of her customers rather well. If the food is as good as the sake indicates, it may not be up to Sakuya's standards, but you might not have much to complain about.
>The young vampire's blush grows slightly brighter, and she takes another half step diagonally away from Reisen. She visibly swallows and, raising her hand, beckons you over with a somewhat frazzled gesture. Seems she wants a word away from the ears of the others.
-
>Sigh amusedly, and head over to her. We can go back for our food afterwards.
-
>Sigh amusedly, and head over to her. We can go back for our food afterwards.
>Indulging the youngling will give Blackwing time to finish preparing your grub, anyway.
>You allow Rei to guide you away from the stall, after assuring the chef you'd be right back, a bit further out into the trees. She seems rather relieved to have put some distance between her and whatever was bothering her.
>"Okay.." she starts, still trying to pull herself fully together. "It's not that I can't eat norma.... Wait a second, do we even NEED to eat food anymore? I mean, does it do us any good?"
-
>Smile charismatically. "It's still nice to enjoy what the humans eat every now and again. I myself have a taste for sweets."
>Fistpalm. "When we find Sakuya, you should try the cakes she can make, I can tell you right now that they're worth your time."
>Chuckle heartily. "They're worth anyone's time really, because Sakuya is the Perfect Maid."
-
>Smile charismatically. "It's still nice to enjoy what the humans eat every now and again. I myself have a taste for sweets."
>Fistpalm. "When we find Sakuya, you should try the cakes she can make, I can tell you right now that they're worth your time."
>Chuckle heartily. "They're worth anyone's time really, because Sakuya is the Perfect Maid."
>"If that's true, I can see why you'd want her back."
-
>"That, and she's the only one who can keep those lazy fairies in check. They've even started being disobedient to me! ME!"
>"I even used the whip, danmaku, everything. Lazy good-for-nothings."
>Keep calm....Oh what the hell, we need to let off some steam.
>Find the nearest tree and punch a hole in it. Elegantly and charismatically of course.
-
>"That, and she's the only one who can keep those lazy fairies in check. They've even started being disobedient to me! ME!"
>"I even used the whip, danmaku, everything. Lazy good-for-nothings."
>Keep calm....Oh what the hell, we need to let off some steam.
>Find the nearest tree and punch a hole in it. Elegantly and charismatically of course.
>Enduring and then recalling the uselessness of fairies is usually a surefire way to get one's blood boiling. You are no exception to this rule, especially when they're your fairies. And you decide to take it out on a nearby tree, turning around and introducing it to the business end of your fist, causing a somewhat physics-defying cylinder of wood to pop out of the trunk on the other side.
>Needless to say, this demonstration of temper- uh... ELEGANCE, of course- impresses Rei. "Cool." she breathes, before forming a fist and examining it. "Let me try." Selecting another try, she hauls off and gives it a much less elegant slug than you did. Her fist only goes a few inches into the tree, whereas yours could well have gone straight through, if you had a mind to.
>She also flinches ever so slightly, before withdrawing her fist and looking at the log you made. "Guess it'll take a few decades to get that far."
-
>Sigh. "Yes..You will probably have to train for quite some time. I have such power because it is natural."
>"At any rate, let us return to the stand. I'm paying, and you'll eat. And that's been decided already."
>Let's head back to the cart!
-
>Sigh. "Yes..You will probably have to train for quite some time. I have such power because it is natural."
>"At any rate, let us return to the stand. I'm paying, and you'll eat. And that's been decided already."
>Let's head back to the cart!
>"Ah, wait!" The blush returns to her face immediately as you turn back to the stand, and she reaches out and, rather boldly, or, you think, desperately, grabs your hand in an attempt to halt your motion.
-
>Look at her with a stare that tells her to shut up and accept things already.
>Then drag her to the cart and plonk her down into a seat.
-
>Look at her with a stare that tells her to shut up and accept things already.
>Then drag her to the cart and plonk her down into a seat.
>Even a stubborn fledgling like her withers under that particular look. Well, at least when it comes to things bothering her, rather than her sire. Some progress, at last.
>She still drags her feet a bit, but even if she was applying her full strength, this wouldn't stop you from returning her to Mystia's stand, forcing her into the seat to your left, and then sitting yourself back down.
>The thoughtful youkai has refilled your sake cup in your absence, and you food is not long in arriving after you return to your seat. The cube shaped offering of rice is topped with a very tasty looking piece of what appears to be codfish, accentuated by a small wedge of lemon, seasoned by cinnamon and salt. An assortment of asian-style vegetables layers the bottom of the sushi square. The youkai behind the bar offers you an 'Enjoy!', before returning to check on the noodles boiling for Wriggle's portion.
>Rei, for her part, has been blushing rather a lot since you dragged her back over here, and now she sits stiff and solid as a board, When offered a menu, she merely nods stiffly, and the stall-keep, looking somewhat surprised, simply lays it down in front of her. She seems almost afraid to look at anything other than her hands, which are clenched between her legs.
-
>Let's have some of the food, and a little more Sake.
>"So, choose what you want. Money is no object to one such as I."
-
>Let's have some of the food, and a little more Sake.
>"So, choose what you want. Money is no object to one such as I."
>Rei finally settled in... Well, sitting down, at least, you can finally tuck into your own repast. Truth be told, you prefer knives and forks over wooden chopsticks, but, conforming to local practices has its charm.
>This sushi is actually quite good. A touch too much vinegar, and perhaps not quite as much salt as you might prefer, but the texture is just right. And the codfish has that essential freshness to it. You were right, it's no Sakuya, but of course, no one can follow that act. But this youkai's not too bad, all things considered.
>In a rather quiet voice, Rei manages to stammer out, "T-then... Uh, vegetable r-ramen... please." You have to translate to the stall-keep, but Wriggle obviously approves.
>"Good choice, kid. Mysty's stands got the tastiest veggies outside of Youkai Mountain." Wriggle pauses as the black-winged one deposits a large bowl of steaming ramen noodles in front of her, large chunks of vegetables floating in the broth. "And where is Mysty tonight, anyway, 'ko?"
>The youkai's eyebrow twitches only slightly at the name Wriggle calls her by. "Still over at the Myoren temple, last I heard."
>"Still?"
>The youkai called "'ko" shrugs slightly. "As far as I know." she repeats, offering you a refill on your sake.
-
>Nod, and accept the refill. Then drink a little more, we'll stop after this one though, we're no Oni.
>"I have to admit, this food is rather nice. It isn't quite as good as what Sakuya can make, but that's to be expected. A shade too much vinegar than I'm used to, and not quite as much salt, but overall good."
>Smile confidently. "You did rather well, all things considered."
-
>Nod, and accept the refill. Then drink a little more, we'll stop after this one though, we're no Oni.
>"I have to admit, this food is rather nice. It isn't quite as good as what Sakuya can make, but that's to be expected. A shade too much vinegar than I'm used to, and not quite as much salt, but overall good."
>Smile confidently. "You did rather well, all things considered."
>Topped off, you have another measured swallow. You're not a connoisseur of sake, but you'd guess this stuff has a lower alcohol volume than average. Still, a lady knows her proper limits, and there is still work to be done. Including complimenting the chef for her very adequate work.
>The youkai takes the critique in good humor as she boils Rei's noodles. "Thank you very much."
>Wriggle grins as she slurps up her meal. "Mysty doesn't hire just anyone to mind her stands, y'know. Ritsuko knows her stuff." she compliments the bird youkai as she tops off Reisen's cup.
-
>Nod. "So, there are more than just this one? Interesting."
>Have we finished our food yet? If not, we can afford to wait a little while for Rei to get her food.
>Look to Reisen. "So, you say Sakuya came by Eientei. I suppose that's the next stop on the journey then."
-
>Nod. "So, there are more than just this one? Interesting."
>Have we finished our food yet? If not, we can afford to wait a little while for Rei to get her food.
>Look to Reisen. "So, you say Sakuya came by Eientei. I suppose that's the next stop on the journey then."
>Ritsuko nods. "Mystia decided to expand her original stall into a... 'franchise', I think was the word. Although she had a little staffing trouble, at first."
>There is a small portion of fish and some rice remaining, though you have consumed the vegetables available. The sushi dish wasn't quite your ideal, but the vegetables were quite good indeed. You decide to slow your pace while Rei works on hers, which is just now arriving. Wriggle is nearly done as well.
>"Actually, I can save you the trip." Reisen offers, setting down her cup and returning your look. "Master mentioned the people she...." she trails off, her red eyes narrowing slightly as she cranes her neck forward, trying to look around the others sitting at the bar. Look around you, specifically.
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
>"I thought I...." Reisen mutters, before a look of recognition strikes her. "Rei?" she blurts. "Rei Oumi?"
>At the mention of her name, Rei jumps like someone that sat on a live wire.
-
>Quirk an eyebrow, and watch interestedly.
-
>If Rei looks like she's going to run, grab her.
-
>Quirk an eyebrow, and watch interestedly.
>If Rei looks like she's going to run, grab her.
>"How did this happen?" Reisen wonders aloud, coming to her feet. "WHEN?"
>Reisen starts to move down the stall and, just as you anticipated, Rei tries to bolt. Which she finds quite hard after you grab ahold of her arm and keep her firmly in place. She doesn't answer Reisen. From the strained look on her face, you're not certain she can.
>"Rei?" Reisen asks again. The fledgling jumps again, but less strongly, but her lips remain tightly drawn. Reisen, puzzled and somewhat alarmed, looks at you inquisitively.
-
>Sigh. "You already know I don't turn anyone. Why bother with that?"
>"Apparently there's some other vampire running about siring more. Rei here said she was turned roughly two weeks ago."
>Sigh exasperatedly, and massage the bridge of our nose. "Honestly, whoever this vampire is needs to learn sense. It's just not elegant to let one's progeny run amok, especially when they can still go wild at the scent of even their own blood."
-
>Sigh. "You already know I don't turn anyone. Why bother with that?"
>"Apparently there's some other vampire running about siring more. Rei here said she was turned roughly two weeks ago."
>Sigh exasperatedly, and massage the bridge of our nose. "Honestly, whoever this vampire is needs to learn sense. It's just not elegant to let one's progeny run amok, especially when they can still go wild at the scent of even their own blood."
>"No, I know." Reisen assures you. "But I'd hoped you knew why she was... Well, like this." she finishes with a gesture at the nearly paralyzed Rei.
>"There's another vampire in Gensokyo?" Youmu asks with a start, jumping to her feet again. Jumpy, isn't she? "Where is it? How powerful is it?"
>That's all you need, a gung-ho samurai half-ghost to go with the headache you're already getting.
-
>Ugh...Keep calm, keep calm...keep...calm...We can keep calm for now at least...We'll just take out our anger on the next group or five of fairies we come across.
>Fix Youmu with a stare that says we're really not in the mood for this right now. "I plan to tend to that myself once I locate Sakuya."
>"As for why she is how she is now? I can only surmise that something about you has her rather spooked, the poor dear. I wouldn't really know, since I rarely have reason to leave the mansion."
-
>Ugh...Keep calm, keep calm...keep...calm...We can keep calm for now at least...We'll just take out our anger on the next group or five of fairies we come across.
>Fix Youmu with a stare that says we're really not in the mood for this right now. "I plan to tend to that myself once I locate Sakuya."
>"As for why she is how she is now? I can only surmise that something about you has her rather spooked, the poor dear. I wouldn't really know, since I rarely have reason to leave the mansion."
>"Another vampire turning humans... That sounds like an incident." Youmu continues, though she seems to be speaking more to Reisen than you. "Yuyuko-sama will want to know of this." Her enthusiasm seems to be growing. But at least she spares you any more questions. Small favors.
>Reisen appears thoroughly confused now. "Me?" she wonders aloud. "I can't think why..." Her thoughts revealing nothing, she turns her attention once more on your fledgling prisoner. "Rei, are you alright?" Reisen reaches out and touches Rei on the shoulder. Rei's face blushes red as a tomato, she emits a sound like a tire deflating, and, without warning, faints. Slumping atop your shoulder, no less.
>"Ddn'tno vimpires f'nted." Wriggle mutters around a mouthful of noodles.
-
>Disgraceful.
>"She's young. Still goes wild at the scent of her own blood, even."
>"Reisen, I take it you knew her before she was turned. Please, tell me of her."
-
>Sigh. "Yes, well, they don't usually blush either."
-
>Disgraceful.
>"She's young. Still goes wild at the scent of her own blood, even."
>"Reisen, I take it you knew her before she was turned. Please, tell me of her."
>KIDS these days... Between this one and her sire, you've got a lot of learnin' to dole out.
>Ritsuko adds, "We were all young once."
>Reisen, looking somewhat worried about the former human, checks her pulse first. When you inform her that vampires don't HAVE a pulse, she then checks Rei's eyes. This seems to alleviate her worry somewhat, and then she answers your question, "Well, I didn't know her too well. I met her a couple of times in the village. We have a clinic there now. She came in to pick up some medicines for her mother. She didn't say much, but she seemed to me to be intelligent, very curious. I could tell she was analyzing things when she looked at them."
>"The last time I saw her was about three weeks ago. Said she was going exploring." She frowns. "I guess she found more than she bargained for."
>Sigh. "Yes, well, they don't usually blush either."
>"So, this is rare for vampires?" Reisen asks you. "Will she be all right?"
-
>"Well, she did say that Keine had told her she was a fast learner."
>Chuckle. "You know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it a mere two or three times."
-
>"Didn't come close to mine, of course, but still, learning it at all so quickly is fairly impressive."
-
>"Well, she did say that Keine had told her she was a fast learner."
>Chuckle. "You know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it a mere two or three times."
>"Didn't come close to mine, of course, but still, learning it at all so quickly is fairly impressive."
>"Really?" Reisen seems equally as impressed. "Wow. Duplicating someone's danmaku technique from observation, even partly, is no small feet."
>At this point, Youmu deposits a handful of coins on the stall top, and promptly flies off to the southwest.
>"Can you vampires assimilate ghosts?" Wriggle asks you.
-
>Have we ever really tried?
-
>Have we ever really tried?
>Until you came to Gensokyo, you'd never met a ghost that was solid enough to even sink your fangs into. It might be worth experimenting with that ghost princess one day...
-
>"Hmm....You know, usually ghosts were not solid enough to try. Why do you ask?"
-
>"Hmm....You know, usually ghosts were not solid enough to try. Why do you ask?"
>Wriggle points at Rei. "Youmu's faster than her. Not someone I want chasing me, thank you very much."
-
>"Well, I could beat her if she decided to start something. After all, she was child's play back in the Endless Festivals Incident."
>Smirk proudly. "I am the fastest Vampire in Gensokyo after all. Catching up to you and Rei was rather effortless, though actually landing on her was another thing entirely."
-
>"Well, I could beat her if she decided to start something. After all, she was child's play back in the Endless Festivals Incident."
>Smirk proudly. "I am the fastest Vampire in Gensokyo after all. Catching up to you and Rei was rather effortless, though actually landing on her was another thing entirely."
>"Plus," Reisen adds, "I expect Reimu will have something to say about multiple vampires flitting around Gensokyo. Which reminds me, Remilia, does she know about this yet, do you know?"
-
>Pause thoughtfully.
>"You know, I doubt she does."
>Smirk. "Which will make it all the more delicious when I beat her to it. Besides, there's already a decent number of vampires, it's just that Flan and myself are the most notable. You tend to overlook other examples when the pinnacles of a race are present. Just look at Yuyuko, the only other ghosts you ever hear about aside from her are the generic sort. They're rather underwhelming by comparison."
-
>Pause thoughtfully.
>"You know, I doubt she does."
>Smirk. "Which will make it all the more delicious when I beat her to it. Besides, there's already a decent number of vampires, it's just that Flan and myself are the most notable. You tend to overlook other examples when the pinnacles of a race are present. Just look at Yuyuko, the only other ghosts you ever hear about aside from her are the generic sort. They're rather underwhelming by comparison."
>Hohoh. Opportunity. Who wouldn't relish the chance to get a leg up on the Hakurei Miko? And who better to do it than you.
>"I suppose you have a point, though I know Yuyuko-san would say something different." Her mouth bends into a small little grin. "And probably incomprehensible."
>"So, is that what you'll be doing, looking for this new vampire first?"
-
>"No, my first goal is to locate Sakuya. Then I plan to find this other vampire, which I will likely end up doing along the way."
>"And what's more, Hakurei is rather lazy. She didn't even know where Sakuya was, so she will likely not be getting involved unless someone else tells her."
>Pause. "You know, it's possible that Rei might have held a candle for you in the past. It would certainly explain her reaction." Smirk a bit.
>Come to think of it...She was pretty excited about becoming a vampire...
>"Although, now that I think about it, she was quite happy about being a Vampire when I questioned her on how well-adapted she seemed. I do wonder why?"
>"To be certain, we have longer lives than most anyone, with the potential to live well over a millennia, but the downsides are rather bothersome. I doubt the poor dear would even be able to last more than three minutes in direct sunlight. Though she does have the potential."
>Chuckle amusedly. "If her sire has no desire to teach her properly, I may well end up doing so. She's got quite a bit of talent for a youngling. I do wonder if she would be capable of copying other techniques as well? Though I doubt that the ice fairy's techniques would be of any use, she seems to have picked some up pertaining to that one."
-
>"No, my first goal is to locate Sakuya. Then I plan to find this other vampire, which I will likely end up doing along the way."
>"And what's more, Hakurei is rather lazy. She didn't even know where Sakuya was, so she will likely not be getting involved unless someone else tells her."
>Reisen doesn't seem convinced. "Reimu has a way of getting involved, whether she wants to her not, when things get too big." Looking at Rei, she adds, "Although, that point may have come already."
>Pause. "You know, it's possible that Rei might have held a candle for you in the past. It would certainly explain her reaction." Smirk a bit.
>The lunar rabbit colors faintly, but laughs lightly. "Really?"
>Come to think of it...She was pretty excited about becoming a vampire...
>"Although, now that I think about it, she was quite happy about being a Vampire when I questioned her on how well-adapted she seemed. I do wonder why?"
>"To be certain, we have longer lives than most anyone, with the potential to live well over a millennia, but the downsides are rather bothersome. I doubt the poor dear would even be able to last more than three minutes in direct sunlight. Though she does have the potential."
>Chuckle amusedly. "If her sire has no desire to teach her properly, I may well end up doing so. She's got quite a bit of talent for a youngling. I do wonder if she would be capable of copying other techniques as well? Though I doubt that the ice fairy's techniques would be of any use, she seems to have picked some up pertaining to that one."
>She was, at that.
>After listening to your speech, Reisen looks upon Rei again. "If she's happy about it, then I suppose that's the important thing. Going from one life to another, so suddenly, isn't an easy thing. I hope it works out for her."
>"I'd ask if I could go with you, Remilia, but I think I'd just make Rei more... uncomfortable. As long as she'll be all right, then that's what matters. I should head back to Eientei, my master will want to know of this."
>"Oh, yes. I got distracted." she says with a start. "I was starting to tell you about Sakuya, wasn't I? About where she went after she left Eientei, I mean."
-
>Nod. "Ah yes, please, go on. I'll even foot the bill for your meal myself. I have plenty of funds to work with."
>Smile confidently. "Besides, you're being far more helpful than Hakurei. I have to reward that somehow after all."
-
>Nod. "Ah yes, please, go on. I'll even foot the bill for your meal myself. I have plenty of funds to work with."
>Reisen seems about to object, but Ritsuko cuts her off. "Reisen eats for free for a while, actually. Mystia feels she owes her after she chased off an overly amorous youkai that didn't seem to recognize the words 'buzz off'."
>The lunar rabbit seems a touch flustered at that. "Oh, come on, I've told Mystia that wasn't necessary!"
>"Mystia disagrees." Ritsuko replies with a light smile. "And she's the boss of this little piece of the wood."
>Reisen sighs a resigned sigh (one which you think she's sighed many, many times before) and returns her attention to you. "Thanks for offering, anyway."
>"I don't know exactly where Sakuya went, Master guided her to a couple of places. She mentioned the Myoren Temple as a start, considering it's the closest to here. But she also told her about that mind reader that lives in the Underworld, Satori Komeji. Sakuya didn't mention which one she'd visit first, at least not that Master told me. But she DID say that Sakuya mentioned swinging by the village first. Probably to see Keine-sensei, but I couldn't say for sure."
-
>Sigh, and massage our forehead. "Great....Of course she'd likely be in the one place I am not welcome."
>"I suppose my first order of business is to visit the Temple then, and ask there."
>Pause, then look at Rei.
>"...I don't suppose any of you have a way to bring the dear around do you?"
-
>Sigh, and massage our forehead. "Great....Of course she'd likely be in the one place I am not welcome."
>"I suppose my first order of business is to visit the Temple then, and ask there."
>Pause, then look at Rei.
>"...I don't suppose any of you have a way to bring the dear around do you?"
>That headache's probably to be a constant companion on your quest, at this rate...
>"Well..." Reisen starts, "Since you're taking care of Rei, I could drop by the village for you, if you want. Ask if anyone had seen her, and where she went." She thinks for a moment before adding, "I don't think I'll mention this to Keine, though. She won't be happy about one of her old students becoming a vampire." She gives you an apologetic look. "No offense."
>Reisen nods at your question. "I have some smelling salts in my medical kit, actually."
-
>Nod. "Alright, I'll leave the village to you then. You're more welcome there than I am at least."
>"Well, let's wake her up so she can finish her food, I did pay for it after all. So I won't accept it going to waste."
>"And no offense taken....I don't suppose you have anything for headaches as well do you? At this rate I'll end up developing migraines.."
-
>Nod. "Alright, I'll leave the village to you then. You're more welcome there than I am at least."
>"Sure. Will you still be at the temple when I'm finished? Seems as good a place as any to rendezvous."
>"Well, let's wake her up so she can finish her food, I did pay for it after all. So I won't accept it going to waste."
>"And no offense taken....I don't suppose you have anything for headaches as well do you? At this rate I'll end up developing migraines.."
>Reisen smiles. "Of course." The rabbit looks down at her hip, and her eyes flash a reddish light for a moment. A lavender colored leather bag appears on her hip, with a large red cross lying atop a crescent moon stitched into the side of it.
>"Neat trick." Wriggle remarks.
>Resien's face, for a moment, becomes an expression of long suffering. "I had to at least try to keep Tewi from pranking it." From her bag, Reisen produces a small jar which has a fairly pungent scent to your nose even sealed, and a pair of light blue capsules, all of which she offers to you. "The pills are for headaches. Just wave the bottle of salts under her nose, it should bring her around in short order. Although," she adds with a note of caution in her voice. "I've never treated vampires before. I don't know if there will be any side effects. Or any effects at all, for that matter."
-
>"Alright, I suppose I can wait for you at the temple. But please don't make me wait too long, Rei and myself only have a short window of time to freely roam without hindrance."
>Let's add the jar and pills to the inventory. "I'll save the pills for when I really need them. Currently I can manage just fine. I'll wake Rei once you've departed, we can't have her fainting again after all."
>Sigh. "Although, dealing with as many people as I shall have to tonight, I shall likely have much need of them by morning."
-
>"Alright, I suppose I can wait for you at the temple. But please don't make me wait too long, Rei and myself only have a short window of time to freely roam without hindrance."
>Let's add the jar and pills to the inventory. "I'll save the pills for when I really need them. Currently I can manage just fine. I'll wake Rei once you've departed, we can't have her fainting again after all."
>Sigh. "Although, dealing with as many people as I shall have to tonight, I shall likely have much need of them by morning."
>Reisen nods. "Of course. I'll be as quick as I can."
>You acquire:
>1 Jar of Smelling Salts (Youkai strength)
>2 Headache Pills
>Making her medicine bag disappear again, Reisen takes her leave of you, and takes off into the air.
>"Hey, Remilia." Wriggle asks you. "If those salts don't work, can I have her ramen?"
-
>"We'll see."
>Let's use the smellingsalts on Rei now.
-
>"We'll see."
>Let's use the smellingsalts on Rei now.
>Opening the jar, you resist the urge to plug your nose instinctively. This stuff is STRONG, must stronger than your average ammonium compound. "Youkai strength" indeed. Wriggle, not having your sense of decorum, coughs sharply, and covers her nose, her eyes watering. Ritusko, oddly, seems even less fazed than you.
>Wrinkling your nose, you wave the jar under the fledgling vampire's nose. Immediately, she coughs, blinks, coughs again, then ratchets upright, coughing and grasping at her throat and nose.
-
>Seal up the jar, and put it away. Could this stuff be even stronger than Flan?
>....Rather frightening prospect that.
>"Well, glad to see you're awake again. Still hungry?"
-
>Seal up the jar, and put it away. Could this stuff be even stronger than Flan?
>....Rather frightening prospect that.
>"Well, glad to see you're awake again. Still hungry?"
>Your nose is quite grateful to you as you replace the lid on the jar of salts.
>Thinking about your sister, you have to admit that, despite the fact that she is one of the most powerful creatures, and easily one of, if not the, most dangerous, you can't quite recall the last time she ever created a smell quite that potent. She may have competition here.
>Rei coughs and sputters a couple seconds more, before looking visibly collecting herself. "Did I.... *cough* Did I just faint?"
>"You sure did." Wriggle chimes.
>"I didn't know I COULD faint now...." She flings her head back and forth. "Where'd Reisen go?"
-
>"She left to inquire at the village. Being one of the few Youkai permitted in there means she can search there for Sakuya on my behalf."
>It bears wondering how Flan would react to being brought around by something this pungent...She'd probably react worse than when she had that spicy food.
>"She left behind this jar of smellingsalts so we could wake you."
-
>"She left to inquire at the village. Being one of the few Youkai permitted in there means she can search there for Sakuya on my behalf."
>It bears wondering how Flan would react to being brought around by something this pungent...She'd probably react worse than when she had that spicy food.
>"She left behind this jar of smellingsalts so we could wake you."
>Rei manages to look relieved, disappointed and happy all at once.
>If you brought those salts back to the mansion and let Flandre experience them, you would probably be well served to tell Sakuya to remove your valuables some miles away first.
>A rather dreamy looking smile crosses Rei's face. "She's so nice, isn't she."
-
>Just smirk a bit, it seems we were right after all.
>"At any rate, you should finish the Ramen. We'll depart for the Myouren Temple as soon as you do. Unless you don't mind Wriggle finishing it for you."
-
>Just smirk a bit, it seems we were right after all.
>"At any rate, you should finish the Ramen. We'll depart for the Myouren Temple as soon as you do. Unless you don't mind Wriggle finishing it for you."
>Spot on, by the looks of it.
>"What? Oh, right!" Evidently the thought of food had slipped her mind altogether. "Uh, yeah, that's fine, Wriggle, I wasn't hungry before, really."
>The insect youkai grins. "Maybe you're not so bad after all."
>As Wriggle dives in to her second helping, Rei asks you, "So, Sakuya's at the Myoren Temple? What's she doing there?"
-
>"Well, we don't know for sure, Reisen suggested that she was at one of several places. The Myouren Temple, the Human Village- Which neither of us are currently welcome in anymore. And the Underground. Reisen is taking care of the village, so we'll visit the Temple, and work from there."
-
>"Well, we don't know for sure, Reisen suggested that she was at one of several places. The Myouren Temple, the Human Village- Which neither of us are currently welcome in anymore. And the Underground. Reisen is taking care of the village, so we'll visit the Temple, and work from there."
>"Sounds like a plan. And the folks at Myoren would help, anyway, I bet, they're good like that. Met any of them before?"
-
>Have we?
-
>Have we?
>You have not. In fact, now that you think about it, you know next to nothing about the Myoren temple, nor its inhabitants. You know it stands somewhere nearby the human village, but not where. A particularly brave jeweler visited the SDM several months ago to peddle his wares, and he mentioned the name in passing. Apparently the leader of the place is a very kind, very beautiful woman, but they don't have much in the way of money, mostly because they give away much or all of what they take in, and use the rest of buy food and other materials for the needy. He didn't mention anything beyond that.
-
>"Have you? I have only heard of them in passing."
-
>"Have you? I have only heard of them in passing."
>Rei nods. "Even been there, once. Was my first stop after I left the village." She shrugs slightly. "Wasn't the most exotic place I could have started with, but, everybody's gotta start somewhere."
>"I wanted Byakuren's blessing before I went too far. That's the woman who runs the place, by the way, Byakuren Hijiri. I don't know if she has any kind of affinity for travelers and explorers, but, I figured she gave more reliable blessings than that shrine maiden Keine talks about sometimes, uh.... What was her name again?"
>"Reimu?" Wriggle offers between mouthfuls.
>"Reimu, yeah, that was her name."
-
>Sigh. "Hakurei is quite possibly the laziest shrine maiden I have ever heard of."
>Smile slightly. "And yet, one of the few who can beat even I. Amusing, isn't it? I have to give that human some respect for being able to do so."
-
>Sigh. "Hakurei is quite possibly the laziest shrine maiden I have ever heard of."
>Smile slightly. "And yet, one of the few who can beat even I. Amusing, isn't it? I have to give that human some respect for being able to do so."
>Rei gives the shrine maiden's name some consideration, after you mention her power. "I should probably avoid crossing her path, now that I'm a vampire, shouldn't I?"
-
>Nod. "Indeed. She's likely to come for you first off, and work her way to your sire by that. It's how she reached me when I first created the Scarlet Mist several years ago."
>Sigh. "It's a shame she's only human, as she was one of the few to actually give me a good fight. Going up against Sakuya's no fun because she'll generally throw the fight out of loyalty. She shall possibly be one of the few I shall miss when they depart life's embrace, if only because she was powerful."
>Smirk. "Does it not make sense to mourn when the strong perish?"
-
>Nod. "Indeed. She's likely to come for you first off, and work her way to your sire by that. It's how she reached me when I first created the Scarlet Mist several years ago."
>Sigh. "It's a shame she's only human, as she was one of the few to actually give me a good fight. Going up against Sakuya's no fun because she'll generally throw the fight out of loyalty. She shall possibly be one of the few I shall miss when they depart life's embrace, if only because she was powerful."
>Smirk. "Does it not make sense to mourn when the strong perish?"
>"Oh yeah, that red fog was YOUR doing, wasn't it? Keine taught us about in school, about the Scarlet Devil and her mansion. But, there was one thing she didn't mention, one thing that a lot of kids my age wondered about."
>As Wriggle slurps up the last of her broth (girl must have been hungry, to eat seconds that fast), Rei asks you, "Why DID you turn that mist loose?"
-
>"The reason why I did that...?"
>Smirk. "Think about it. What is the one thing that limits a vampire above all else? The Sun. Even a youngling such as yourself can figure out the rest."
-
>"The reason why I did that...?"
>Smirk. "Think about it. What is the one thing that limits a vampire above all else? The Sun. Even a youngling such as yourself can figure out the rest."
>"Ahhhh, I get it. If you blocked out the sun, then you could go anywhere you wanted without any problem, any time of day."
-
>Point at her a little. "Precisely."
>"Well, Wriggle's finished, we've had our fill, all that's left is to pay, and make for the Temple."
>Look over to Ritsuko. "So, how much does the bill come to?"
-
>Point at her a little. "Precisely."
>"Well, Wriggle's finished, we've had our fill, all that's left is to pay, and make for the Temple."
>Look over to Ritsuko. "So, how much does the bill come to?"
>The black-winged youkai replies, "For you and your companions, 2,250 yen, please."
-
>Let's fish out 2,500 then, the vegetables were rather good after all. A proper lady always tips well.
>"Alright, this should be enough to cover it, with a little extra."
>Smirk. "It can't be said that I don't pay well after all."
>Look to Rei and Wriggle. "Well, let's be off! Rei, since you've been there, you lead the way."
>Let's get going for the temple, following Rei's lead. It isn't usually our style, but like it or not, she's the only one who knows where it is right now.
-
>Let's fish out 2,500 then, the vegetables were rather good after all. A proper lady always tips well.
>"Alright, this should be enough to cover it, with a little extra."
>Smirk. "It can't be said that I don't pay well after all."
>Look to Rei and Wriggle. "Well, let's be off! Rei, since you've been there, you lead the way."
>Let's get going for the temple, following Rei's lead. It isn't usually our style, but like it or not, she's the only one who knows where it is right now.
>Ritsuko accepts your generousity with a smile and a polite bow. "Thank you very much."
>Remaining money: 72,947 yen.
>Your bill settled, you set Rei to point duty again, again reminding her to circumvent the village's airspace, just in case that had slipped her mind. Fledglings do need reminding of things, now and then.
>She sets off in a southwesterly direction, but, after Wriggle reminds her that this would take you all over village airspace, she veers to the south to go around it. This adds a bit of time to your overall flight, but less time, you suspect, than a confrontation with Keine would entail.
>Your travel is uneventful, not even menaced by fairies. You can't help but be a touch dissapointed by this; a little danmaku play might have helped relieve some of the stress you've accumulated over the course of the night. As you fly past the southern edge of the village, the land before you opens up in a grassy plain, largely unadorned, save the occasional trees and stone here and there, with an obvious trail leading to the southwest.
>Flying over the trail, you find that it is not uninhabited. Humans are walking down the trail towards the village. Many humans, actually, in pairs or larger groups, stretching back a fair ways. Their path is being led and lit by a flying woman with black hair carrying a bright lantern, wearing what seems to be a sailor's uniform. Albeit a somewhat feminine version thereof. Another flying figure seems to be bringing up the rear a couple dozen feet behind her carrying another lamp.
>"That's a lot of people..." Rei notes, the corners of her mouth twitching.
>"Keep your fangs in your mouth, Rei." Wriggle admonishes her. "Reimu's not someone you wanna mess with, and that one in the lead there's no softie herself."
>The time is now 9:31 PM
-
>"Is there anyone you recognize? The only reason why humans would be outside the village this late would be if they were at that temple, no?"
>We should still have plenty of time in the night to follow up on at least some of the leads.
-
>"Is there anyone you recognize? The only reason why humans would be outside the village this late would be if they were at that temple, no?"
>We should still have plenty of time in the night to follow up on at least some of the leads.
>"That many humans this time of night, probably for Mysty's show." Wriggle supplies. "If 'ko was right, and Mysty's still there, it's a safe bet she was putting on one of her shows. She and that shouting girl have been doing that now and then recently."
>Rei nods, but says nothing. Your aged and experienced eye can see her new instincts playing over her face. She was probably chasing Wriggle before just for the thrill of hunting someone, moreso than real need of blood. You'd bet your favourite cap those instincts are flaring up again.
>More than likely. Sunrise is at 630 AM, leaving you slightly less than nine hours until sunrise.
-
>Let's give Rei a light smack to the back of the head. Nothing too severe, just a sharp little reminder. "Keep them in check youngling. One wrong move and things could end up rather messy."
>"So, Wriggle, what do you know about this 'shouting girl'?"
-
>Let's give Rei a light smack to the back of the head. Nothing too severe, just a sharp little reminder. "Keep them in check youngling. One wrong move and things could end up rather messy."
>"So, Wriggle, what do you know about this 'shouting girl'?"
>Dropping a little down to her level, you give the young vampire a small tap on the back of the head, prompting a "Gah." from the woman in question. Wriggle laughs.
>The insect youkai pauses to think for a moment. "Kyouko's her name, Kyouko Kasodani. Friendly girl, kinda new to the temple, started living there... half a year or so ago, I think. She's kinda the temple gardener, and BOY, can she shout! You're lucky she hasn't broken some of the windows at your place before now. And her danmaku's not bad, either. But she's got a good singin' voice, too; her and Mysty harmonize well."
-
>Nod. "So, we can simply make for the Temple from here. I take it they're heading home from there?"
-
>Nod. "So, we can simply make for the Temple from here. I take it they're heading home from there?"
>Wriggle nods, then jerks her thumb at Rei, who hasn't taken her eyes off the procession. "Might wanna give them a wide berth, though. Just in case."
-
>"Alright then, I take it you know the way as well Wriggle? Because somebody is going to have to keep the youngling in check, and you didn't exactly prove to be a good enough foe earlier."
>Let's grab Rei by the collar, and drag her off with us if Wriggle can take the lead for now.
>Otherwise, we'll just give Rei another reminder tap.
-
>"Alright then, I take it you know the way as well Wriggle? Because somebody is going to have to keep the youngling in check, and you didn't exactly prove to be a good enough foe earlier."
>Let's grab Rei by the collar, and drag her off with us if Wriggle can take the lead for now.
>Otherwise, we'll just give Rei another reminder tap.
'
>"Hey, my danmaku's as good as hers and better!" Wriggle protests. "She just caught me by surprise, is all. But yeah, I know the way." She points down the path lit by the two flying youkai. "Pretty much a straight line down that road, anyway."
>Grabbing the young vampire by the collar of her tunic, you drag her a bit aways from the parade of humans as Wriggle drifts to the left as she takes the lead. She flies a bit faster than Rei did, probably more experience at flying over open areas, as you maintain your grip on Rei, just to make sure she doesn't give you any undue problems. Apart from that initial lapse, however, she seems to have reigned in her instincts. Not totally, obviously, but she doesn't strain against your grip. She seems almost... contemplative.
>"It's weird...." she says quietly, almost as much to herself as you. "There's a part of me that knows... that only weeks ago, those were my fellow villagers. My friends, maybe even my parents are down there. Well, my father, at least. And yet.... For a second, I almost...."
-
>"That's what happens when you become a Vampire, youngling."
>Smirk. "But I suppose it isn't all that bad though, being a Vampire. For one, you don't perish as easily."
>Let's keep going until we reach the Temple!
-
>"That's what happens when you become a Vampire, youngling."
>Smirk. "But I suppose it isn't all that bad though, being a Vampire. For one, you don't perish as easily."
>Let's keep going until we reach the Temple!
>Offering some sage advice to the fledgling Rei, you relax your grip a little bit on her as you fly. She seems to be in control of herself, at least, nearly completely. You remain alert for any signs of trouble, however. Prudence has its place.
>The lantern-bearing sailor looks your way as Wriggle leads you around the parade, but makes no motion towards you. Nor does the youkai at the rear of the processions as you fly past her, a rodent youkai of some sort, evidently, with a grey dress nearly the same shade as her hair, her head topped by a circular pair of ears. They seem content to let the three of you fly past.
>After about ten minutes or so, you find yourself floating in front the temple grounds themselves. In addition to the modest-looking but still sizable temple itself, a large ship sits to the east of it, propped up on large wooden blocks. Considering that, to your knowledge, there's no place to sail a ship that size within miles of here, its presence is quite a mystery. As are the pair of large silver metallic objects sitting to the port side of the thing. The banner reading "Nightbird LIVE!" nailed to the port side of the hull, however, would seem testament to Wriggle's theory about Mystia's concert.
>The grounds are not devoid of life entirely, despite the exodus of humans. A few stragglers are only now heading for the trail, and a tall woman with oddly multicolored hair, flanked by another tall youkai in a simple white gown with large white wings, are sweeping the cobblestone section of the grounds free of rubbish. A pair of blue-haired females are standing together near one of the metal objects.
>The time is now 9:40 PM.
>"Shame we missed the show." Wriggle comments to no one in particular.
>Rei's observation, however, is definitely directed at you. "It gets easier, though."
-
>Nod. "Yes, over time it gets easier to keep the impulses in check. I myself hardly even feel them anymore, as I can easily get what sustenance need from Sakuya's cooking. She adds blood when she cooks for Flan and myself you know."
>Let's head over to those two people then.
-
>Let's head over to those two people then.
>Which two?
-
>The two women sweeping. The wingly one, and and the one with the hair.
-
>Nod. "Yes, over time it gets easier to keep the impulses in check. I myself hardly even feel them anymore, as I can easily get what sustenance need from Sakuya's cooking. She adds blood when she cooks for Flan and myself you know."
>"Flan?"
>The two women sweeping. The wingly one, and and the one with the hair.
>Picking your target, you descend towards the courtyard where stand the two women with brooms. Wriggle slides back behind you, letting you have the lead, as is proper.
>The winged youkai is the first to notice your descent, and she turns her head to the taller woman, who has her back turned to you. "M'lady, we have more guests."
>"Oh?" The long-haired woman turns to face you. Her hair is very odd indeed. Her bangs are a shade of purple, but it changes to brown as it sweeps down over her head and down her back. She regards you for a moment, seems to recognize you, and then bows formally, followed by her winged comrade. "Good evening, traveler. Welcome to the Myoren Temple. All are welcome here."
-
>Return the bow. It's only polite. "The evening is always good for those like myself."
>"So, I was told a Maid had come by here seeking someone?"
>Glance over to Rei. "Flan is my younger sister."
-
>Glance over to Rei. "Flan is my younger sister."
>"Ahh, that's her name." Rei replies in understanding.
>Return the bow. It's only polite. "The evening is always good for those like myself."
>"So, I was told a Maid had come by here seeking someone?"
>"Indeed she did." the tall woman replies. "May I assume that you are her employer?"
-
>"That is correct."
-
>Nod. "I am Remilia Scarlet. Would you know where she departed for after coming here? She's been gone for five days now, and things are in quite a mess, no thanks to her extended absence."
-
>"That is correct."
>Nod. "I am Remilia Scarlet. Would you know where she departed for after coming here? She's been gone for five days now, and things are in quite a mess, no thanks to her extended absence."
>"My name is Byakuren Hijiri." the woman introduces herself to you, before looking a touch concerned. "Five days? Oh dear. She visited our temple four days ago. I offered to help, as best as I can, with what she sought, but, I also advised her of the abilities of one Satori Komeji, a resident of Gensokyo's underworld. Her talents are unique, and, I believe, more in line with what you seek than my own."
>"My lady is far too modest." the winged youkai interjects, admiration for her mistress plain as day on her sculpted face. She has a long white tail, streaked with gold hair on either side, that swishes slightly as she praises Byakuren. "She has healed the hearts of many, human and youkai alike, including myself. She merely felt it was her duty to inform your servant of other options, as she helps any who visit our temple. Your servant chose to explore that option for herself, to see for herself what this Satori could do."
-
>Nod. "I see. So she is down there, as I suspected."
>"Well, we'll wait here for a while, the person who informed me agreed to ask after her in the Village, and a proper lady always does the polite thing. Which in this case, is to wait."
-
>Nod. "I see. So she is down there, as I suspected."
>"Well, we'll wait here for a while, the person who informed me agreed to ask after her in the Village, and a proper lady always does the polite thing. Which in this case, is to wait."
>"Certainly." Byakuren smiles at you. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like." She gestures around the mostly tidy grounds. "I hope you don't mind us being a little unorganized. A young youkai just finished a lovely performance for us here."
-
>Smile somewhat. "At least it's a fair sight better than those fairies that are supposed to be repairing a damaged area of the mansion."
>Sigh. "Without Sakuya, they've grown overly willful, and quite disobedient. They've even dared to strike out at me, the mistress of the mansion."
>Smirk a bit. "I have to give some of them credit for durability though."
>Pause.
>"...Ah, someone among my little entourage had apparently visited around two weeks back. Poor dear ran afoul of some other vampire." Gesture towards Rei.
>Sigh irritatedly. "Honestly, whoever that vampire is has no idea of proper Vampire Ethics. Don't they know they're supposed to take those they turn, and keep them under lock and key for a month or two for them to grow accustomed to joining one of the strongest races of Youkai?"
>Smirk a little. "But I suppose I can't complain, because if it wasn't for her, I would have been without a lead."
-
>Smile somewhat. "At least it's a fair sight better than those fairies that are supposed to be repairing a damaged area of the mansion."
>Sigh. "Without Sakuya, they've grown overly willful, and quite disobedient. They've even dared to strike out at me, the mistress of the mansion."
>Smirk a bit. "I have to give some of them credit for durability though."
>Pause.
>"Perhaps you should consider hiring a temporary replacement." Byakuren's winged janitor suggests.
>"...Ah, someone among my little entourage had apparently visited around two weeks back. Poor dear ran afoul of some other vampire." Gesture towards Rei.
>Sigh irritatedly. "Honestly, whoever that vampire is has no idea of proper Vampire Ethics. Don't they know they're supposed to take those they turn, and keep them under lock and key for a month or two for them to grow accustomed to joining one of the strongest races of Youkai?"
>Smirk a little. "But I suppose I can't complain, because if it wasn't for her, I would have been without a lead."
>Byakuren nods slowly. "Yes... I had noticed that, myself." She follows your gesture to Rei, who still hangs in the air slightly behind and to the right of you. She seems rather uncomfortable. "Good evening, Oumi-san." Byakuren continues, her smile still warm and genuine. "You seem to have found the adventure you were seeking."
>".. and more, besides." Rei replies after a moment.
>The winged youkai's face becomes somewhat stern as you outline the proper procedures for handling newborn vampires. Rather bluntly, she states, "Clarify."
-
>Nod. "Well for starters, young vampires tend to go wild at the scent of even their own blood. Which little Rei here was when I encountered her chasing after Wriggle here. Keeping new vampires under lock and key to grow accustomed to being as such averts messy incidents that could cause trouble."
>Sigh. "Being a vampire commands at least some measure of dignity and aristocratic behavior you know?"
>"But as I was saying, if it wasn't for Rei's information after besting her in the typical gensokyo method of a little danmaku, I wouldn't have any leads on where Sakuya went."
-
>Nod. "Well for starters, young vampires tend to go wild at the scent of even their own blood. Which little Rei here was when I encountered her chasing after Wriggle here. Keeping new vampires under lock and key to grow accustomed to being as such averts messy incidents that could cause trouble."
>Sigh. "Being a vampire commands at least some measure of dignity and aristocratic behavior you know?"
>"But as I was saying, if it wasn't for Rei's information after besting her in the typical gensokyo method of a little danmaku, I wouldn't have any leads on where Sakuya went."
>Byakuren seems outwardly unfazed by your description of how best to handle newborn vampire, though you get the impression she does not approve entirely. But that's hardly unusual, all it means is that she's never dealt with one herself before now, whereas you're something of an expert on the matter.
>The winged one, however, grows even sterner. "If what you say is true, Remilia, then why, after acquiring said information, did you not place Rei under lock and key yourself?"
-
>"I was speaking metaphorically. As long as she remains with me, I can ensure proper behavior."
-
>"And furthermore, she's rather useful right now. And she also seems to be getting used to it at a rather accelerated rate. I suspect she already had a power before becoming a Vampire, the power to adapt and learn at an accelerated rate."
>Smirk in a somewhat proud manner. "You know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it a few times. Rather impressive, isn't it? A flawed copy, but one nonetheless."
-
>"I was speaking metaphorically. As long as she remains with me, I can ensure proper behavior."
>The winged youkai does not seem entirely convinced by your assurance.
>"And furthermore, she's rather useful right now. And she also seems to be getting used to it at a rather accelerated rate. I suspect she already had a power before becoming a Vampire, the power to adapt and learn at an accelerated rate."
>Smirk in a somewhat proud manner. "You know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it a few times. Rather impressive, isn't it? A flawed copy, but one nonetheless."
>"All the more reason to not let her roam free." the youkai insists. Stubborn little thing, isn't she.
>"I believe you can calm yourself, Minako." Byakuren says in that warm tone of hers. "Oumi-san means no harm." The youkai gapes, but Byakuren has turned back to face Rei, who seems a slight embarrassed that Byakuren has come to her defense. "Replicating the technique of another through mere observation, and limited observation, at that, is a talent worthy of praise, not concern. Especially when replicating the technique of someone like Remilia Scarlet. Is she right, Oumi-san? Is that your special power?"
>Rei fidgets under Byakuren's hazel eyes. "I.... don't know if you'd call it a 'power'... But, I've been a quick study for as long as I can remember. That's why a lot of my classmates disliked me."
-
>Nod. "It may well be her power. Though I've noted she also has an affinity for Ice and Cold. Perhaps you could discern if that ability to learn and adapt is indeed her power."
>"Come to think of it, when we fought, she used rather familiar techniques. I suspect she learned them from watching other Youkai, such as that Winter Youkai I heard about from Sakuya."
-
>Nod. "It may well be her power. Though I've noted she also has an affinity for Ice and Cold. Perhaps you could discern if that ability to learn and adapt is indeed her power."
>"I believe I have a spell that should fulfill that purpose. However," Byakuren adds, "I've never used my magic in any way on a vampire before. It may take a little longer than normal for the divination to take effect. With your permission, Oumi-san, though, I'm willing to try."
>"Sure, yeah, go ahead. I mean, I don't THINK I had a 'power' like that before, but... And hey, I'm a vampire now, that means I'm a youkai. If I didn't have a power before, maybe I do now, I mean... A lot of youkai have their own unique powers."
>"We sure do, fangs." Wriggle remarks.
>If Rei minds the nickname, it doesn't show, as she continues to address Byakuren, "And... You can call me Rei. If you like."
>"Come to think of it, when we fought, she used rather familiar techniques. I suspect she learned them from watching other Youkai, such as that Winter Youkai I heard about from Sakuya."
>"Winter youkai?" Rei asks you. "I've never met a 'winter' youkai before, not one I could tell was a winter, anyway."
-
>"I'll have to have Sakuya explain to you after all this, she ran into her a long time ago, during the Missing Spring Incident. I do know that she's far more active during winter though."
>"And besides, even Humans have a power at times. Sakuya herself being a good example as such, being able to control how time flows. Slow, Stop, Accelerate, she can do that. It's part of why she's such a reliable maid. Chores get done in a flash thanks to it."
-
>"I'll have to have Sakuya explain to you after all this, she ran into her a long time ago, during the Missing Spring Incident. I do know that she's far more active during winter though."
>"And besides, even Humans have a power at times. Sakuya herself being a good example as such, being able to control how time flows. Slow, Stop, Accelerate, she can do that. It's part of why she's such a reliable maid. Chores get done in a flash thanks to it."
>"And don't forget Reimu." Wriggle adds. "She's got more than just those giant orbs and bullets. I'm not sure exactly what she can do, but I know it's big."
>As she speaks, Byakuren produces a rainbow-colored scroll, and unfurls it. Instead of paper, however, it unfurls into a spread of light, with intricate runes of seven-colored light spreading out between the ends.
>Rei doesn't seem surprised at the sight, and speaks to you as Byakuren begins to recite a spell quietly. "I actually never met a lot of youkai outside of the village, and none of them were really... 'wintery'. Other than that trick with the ice bats, the rest of my danmaku's self-taught. Although, after I was turned, I found I could generate more bullets than before."
-
>"Hm, that's rather interesting. Because one of the patterns you used against me was not unlike one used by that winter youkai that Sakuya mentioned. The one with the mist."
>Let's watch patiently.
-
>"Hm, that's rather interesting. Because one of the patterns you used against me was not unlike one used by that winter youkai that Sakuya mentioned. The one with the mist."
>Let's watch patiently.
>"Maybe she and I hit on the same idea?" Rei wonders. "I've actually been kinda proud of that one; came up with in on a foggy day."
>Settling in to watch Byakuren work her magic with Rei, Wriggle and the youkai called Minako have words with each other, Wriggle asking the other about the concert.
>"Peaceful, and enjoyable. Although, there was one odd thing. Kyouko mentioned that she would perform with her."
>"She didn't?"
>Minako seems a touch irritated at Wriggle's interjection, but simply fields her question. "No. In fact, we've not seen her for some hours. Shou doesn't think anything's the matter, but I still intend to fly around the vicinity, just to be safe."
>As you watch Byakuren chant, her scroll vacillating gently as her magic takes form, you feel a twinge of envy for the tall, beautiful woman. Your powers and talents are profound, but the kind of magical talent that Patchouli, and apparantly this woman, possess have eluded you for centuries.
>You shake it off. You've never been jealous of Patchouli for her talent before; she earned her power just as you earned yours. Why should you be envious? Although, the twinge isn't as easy to shake off as you'd expect. That's a bit odd.
>Even odder, at nearly the same time, Wriggle comments, "Y'know, I gotta admit, I'm a little jealous of Mysty up there. Wish I had a singing voice like hers."
>"Really?" Minako asks her. "I envy Shou. Her talents still far exceed my own, despite my best efforts."
-
>"Did everyone just get jealous at the same time?"
-
>"Did everyone just get jealous at the same time?"
>"I'm not-!" Minako starts to protest hotly, but stops herself, seeming unsure of herself. "But I did.... Why did I say that?"
>"I DID just say I was jealous of Mysty, didn't I?" Wriggle asks anyone around her. "I thought I just thought it."
>Rei seems just as puzzled as the other two youkai. "I didn't feel a thing."
-
>"Okay, raise your hand if you just got jealous."
>Raise our hand.
-
>"Okay, raise your hand if you just got jealous."
>Raise our hand.
>Both Wriggle and Minako raise their right arms to join yours in the air. Rei and Byakuren do not. The two blue-haired woman standing over by the large ship are out of earshot without shouting slightly.
-
>"Huh."
>Do we know anything about a certain jealousy youkai?
-
>"Huh."
>Do we know anything about a certain jealousy youkai?
>You currently know of no youkai whose ability is to invoke and/or manipulate jealousy.
-
>"Um... I don't suppose anyone knows if there's someone who could cause such a thing."
-
>"Um... I don't suppose anyone knows if there's someone who could cause such a thing."
>After several seconds, Minako suggests, "Parsee, maybe?"
>"What's a Parsee?" Wriggle asks her.
>"Not 'what', 'who', Wriggle. She's a youkai, a resident of the Underworld. I have yet to meet her myself, but I've been told she has the ability to manipulate jealousy. She may even BE a jealousy youkai, we aren't sure on that one."
>Rubs passes a hand under her chin. "She one of your enemies?"
>"No. At least, not that she's demonstrated. I've been told she keeps mostly to herself. By all accounts, I'd be surprised if she decided to come to the surface at all, though I can't rule out the possibility. We simply don't know her that well."
>Byakuren, you note, has changed the tone of her spell chanting slightly.
-
>"Hmm...I do wonder what she would stand to gain from doing such a thing."
>Let's disperse into a cloud of bats and send all but one all over the temple. That remaining one being so we can still keep tabs on things here.
-
>"Hmm...I do wonder what she would stand to gain from doing such a thing."
>Let's disperse into a cloud of bats and send all but one all over the temple. That remaining one being so we can still keep tabs on things here.
>"Jealous of the good music she can't make, maybe?" Wriggle suggests. Her head lowers slightly. "Who can blame her for being jealous of Mystia's voice, though, really?"
>"Agreed." Minako says, her own head hanging slightly. "I should be able to entertain my new family as well as she can."
>Your transformation to bat swarm spares you from echoing their sentiment, but you do experience another flash of envy. They all speak so highly of this Nightbird's song. Why does no one compliment YOUR singing?
>.. If this Parsee person is the one behind this, you would have words with her when you find her. Messing with the emotions of one such as yourself is not an entirely bright idea.
>Dividing your attention among so many bats tends to give you a headache, but you manage some distance between each aspect of your swarm form, although you detect nothing out of place. At least, no person out of place. There are a pair of individuals walking out of the deck of the large wood boat. The woman in the blue and white outfit is unfamiliar to you, but you do recognize the shorter youkai next to her as Mystia herself, in the flesh. They appear to be comparing experiences with seafood soups at the moment.
>Back with the others, Minako visibly starts at your swarm-shaping, flaring her wings slightly.
>Wriggle tries to calm the youkai, placing her hands in her pant pockets casually. "Take it easy, Minako. Remilia does that; it's one of her tricks." The white winged youkai is not automatically calmed by Wriggle's assurance. Man, but this girls' twitchy.
>Byakuren's chant comes to a close, and her scroll furls closed along with it. She half turns, adressing both Rei to her left, and the rest of you to her right. "Can you still hear me, Remilia?"
-
>We'll deal with her when we find her.
>Reform back to normal. "Of course."
>"So, what is the verdict? Was my assumption correct?"
-
>We'll deal with her when we find her.
>Reform back to normal. "Of course."
>"So, what is the verdict? Was my assumption correct?"
>Assuming that twitchy youkai behind you doesn't beat you to the punch...
>Returning to your normal form, Byakuren gives you a bit of a mixed response. "It is possible, but at this point, I am not certain. Rei does possess an ability unique to herself, but I couldn't determine the exact nature of that power. There is a strange magic in the area that interfered with my spell. The same magic that, as far as I can tell, is affecting you three, as well."
-
>Sigh. "If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's that Parsee person you've been talking about. We'll settle her, and then try again I suppose."
>"Does anyone have any arguments against that? Toying with a girl's emotions like that is a rather unbecoming thing after all."
-
>Sigh. "If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's that Parsee person you've been talking about. We'll settle her, and then try again I suppose."
>"Does anyone have any arguments against that? Toying with a girl's emotions like that is a rather unbecoming thing after all."
>Byakuren shakes her head. "I have to disagree, Remilia. I don't believe that Parsee's power is at play here."
>"Why do you say that, m'lady?" Minako asks her, her voice showing agreement with your suggestion to go put a hurtin' on this jealousy youkai.
>"For starters, Minako, I have met Parsee myself. It is true that, at the moment, she has the potential to be dangerous to some. However, she bears the responsibility of guarding one of the bridges in the Underworld. She may envy those that have the freedom to go where they please, but I do not believe she feels she has that freedom herself."
>"In addition, if this magic were Parsee's, I suspect it would be affecting all of us, instead of merely some of us."
-
>"Hmm....Well, perhaps you can figure out what the source of this strange magic might be? Or perhaps what it is?"
>Well, we are waiting for Reisen, so it's not like we have anything better to do. A true lady of morals always keeps her word after all.
>What exactly is the limitations of our own power over fate?
-
>What exactly is the limitations of our own power over fate?
>Your power over fate is one that is hard to define, even for you, and it's been your for many centuries. You're not all powerful, obviously. You can't wave your hand and alter the fate of everyone around you to worship you like the superior being you fancy yourself, but no one's that strong, not even that Yukari. .... You think.
>You power essentially works by 'pushing' someone's fate to where you think it should be, to some extent. You can't completely change someone's fate, but you can make alterations to it. For example, if you sensed that Minako's fate was to "Die in childbirth", you could push that fate to become "Will survive giving birth to twins." You would not be able to affect anything about the children themselves, though.
>Which brings up another limit. In order to sense the fate of someone, you must be in proximity to that person; within the same room, essentially. And you must know their name. At the moment, you would only be able to sense the fate of the women around you, and not, say, Patchouli.
>There are some difficulties in sensing someone's fate, as well. The easiest way to do this is for the other person to be willing, and you must have something of theirs, like a strand of hair, a tooth, a toenail. If the person is unwilling, or unaware of your intent, you would require more powerful biological agents from that person; blood, bone, sexual fluid, a finger. Except in the case of normal, unpowered humans, those require only the former reagents to discern their fates. Stronger beings require stronger materials.
>And you cannot sense that person's entire fate at once, you must be specific. "How will this person die?" "Will this person ever marry?" "Will Marisa ever stop stealing Patchy's books?" Each question must be asked, and the answer received, one at a time.
>There are also some people whose fate you can neither affect nor sense. These are largely the insane, but children also. Not that you'd meddle with the destinies of children, anyway, even if you could. You're not sure why you can't affect children, but centuries of living with Flandre have given you a theory as to why you can't affect the insane. Like their minds, their fates are unstable, in a state of flux. They, along with certain other individuals, exist outside the influence of fate.
>"Hmm....Well, perhaps you can figure out what the source of this strange magic might be? Or perhaps what it is?"
>Well, we are waiting for Reisen, so it's not like we have anything better to do. A true lady of morals always keeps her word after all.
>"I will try. The magic is erratic, suggesting someone either untrained or weak. I should be able to localize it."
>She holds out her scroll again, but Rei interrupts her before she starts another spell, "Now wait a second here, Byakuren, why not us? Why's this magic affecting Remilia, Wriggle and Minako, but not you or me?"
>"I can only speculate, at this point. It is possible there is some factor present in newly formed vampires that is absent in elder ones, such as Remilia. It's also possible that your power offers you resistance to this kind of magic. As for myself, I'm even less certain. I have but one theory, and it seems extremely unlikely." That said, she unrolls her 'scroll' again, but does not start chanting right away. "Minako?"
>"Yes, m'lady." The winged youkai closes her eyes and spreads her wings out, her face slightly squenching in concentration. After several seconds, her eyes open again. "Nothing, m'lady."
>"Thank you." Byakuren begins reciting another spell.
-
>"Hmm....Untrained...Weak...Well, perhaps it's part of Rei's power. Considering how new she is to being a Youkai in general, that would certainly imply as such."
>"But, we'll find out eventually."
>"Wriggle, I'd like to conduct an experiment by examining your fate."
-
>"Hmm....Untrained...Weak...Well, perhaps it's part of Rei's power. Considering how new she is to being a Youkai in general, that would certainly imply as such."
>"But, we'll find out eventually."
>"And I'll be ready for that moment." Minako assures you, lowering her broom to the ground, and then lifting off the ground, coming to a hover about four feet or so above you, her eyes alert.
>"Wriggle, I'd like to conduct an experiment by examining your fate."
>Wriggle seems slightly alarmed, but more confused. "Experiment? Fate? Examine?"
-
>Smile a bit. "Don't worry, it's nothing painful, I'll just be examining your future. I just require three things. Your permission. A reagent from you, such as fluid, or a strand of hair. And a question to ask."
>"So, what do you want to find out about what will happen in your future? Perhaps finding a love interest, or having children?"
>Chuckle a bit. It's rather like fortunetelling, isn't it?
-
>Smile a bit. "Don't worry, it's nothing painful, I'll just be examining your future. I just require three things. Your permission. A reagent from you, such as fluid, or a strand of hair. And a question to ask."
>"So, what do you want to find out about that will happen in your future? Perhaps finding a love interest, or having children?"
>Chuckle a bit. It's rather like fortunetelling, isn't it?
>Wriggle gapes. "You can do that?"
>Rei asks you, "Is that your 'power', Remilia?"
>It is, at that. Although no crone with a deck of tarot cards could ever do what you can.
-
>Smirk. "An application of it, yes. If something is unfavorable, I can also push on a fate to make it a more favorable one. I can't fully change a fate though, merely adjust it."
>Look to Minako. "For example, if, let's say, you were fated to die in childbirth, and I found that, I could adjust your fate to make it so that you survive. Of course, the child's fate itself would be another story."
>Smirk. "No child should be without a mother after all."
-
>"And I could potentially find out when and how you would die, also. I could even tweak that, if I so choose."
-
>Smirk. "An application of it, yes. If something is unfavorable, I can also push on a fate to make it a more favorable one. I can't fully change a fate though, merely adjust it."
>Look to Minako. "For example, if, let's say, you were fated to die in childbirth, and I found that, I could adjust your fate to make it so that you survive. Of course, the child's fate itself would be another story."
>Smirk. "No child should be without a mother after all."
>"And I could potentially find out when and how you would die, also. I could even tweak that, if I so choose."
>The trio of youkai offer you a variety of expressions as you outline your ability to them. Minako visibly disapproves, almost threatened by the idea that you can manipulate her fate. Rei's face is a mixture of concern and curiousity, though concern for what, you're not certain. Wriggle, however, is nothing but curious.
>"Sounds interesting." she says. "But... I can't think of anything to ask, right now, anyway."
-
>"Hm...How about if you'll come into a sudden windfall?"
>"...That means a lot of money."
-
>"Hm...How about if you'll come into a sudden windfall?"
>"...That means a lot of money."
>Wriggle considers this, then grins. "I could buy anything from Mysty's stands, whenever I wanted!" The insect youkai reaches into her hair and jerks out a trio of green strands. And then promptly yells, "OW!" Even the hard-faced Minako winces a little at the sight.
>Recovering, Wriggle extends the hairs out to you, and opens her mouth to say something, but her face falls just before she speaks. "Will I ever be as strong as you? It's not fair you have so much power and I don't."
>You feel another twinge of jealousy, this time for Reimu. It isn't fair a mere human has powers matching, no, surpassing yours.
>Byakuren announces, "I have it."
-
>Keep it in check, we haven't been around for over 500 years for nothing after all....
>Nod. "Alright, I can use these three strands for three questions. But let's see what Byakuren has to say first."
>Take the hairs, then look to Byakuren. "So, what is the verdict?"
-
>Keep it in check, we haven't been around for over 500 years for nothing after all....
>Nod. "Alright, I can use these three strands for three questions. But let's see what Byakuren has to say first."
>Take the hairs, then look to Byakuren. "So, what is the verdict?"
>The envy fades as quickly as the other flashes. Not that it would have lasted long under the willpower of someone like you, anyway.
>"Good idea." Wriggle agrees. Minako simply nods, her eyes more alert than they were before.
>You receive: 3 strands of Wriggle Nightbug's Hair.
>Byakuren rolls her scroll up again, and points towards the two blue-haired women; specifically, the shorter one, with the short rat's tail hairdo. "The magic is coming from that individual."
-
>Nod. "Alright, I'll perform the Fate Examination after looking into things."
>Let's shift to batcloud, and carefully slip near those two. We'll see what they're up to from there.
-
>Nod. "Alright, I'll perform the Fate Examination after looking into things."
>Let's shift to batcloud, and carefully slip near those two. We'll see what they're up to from there.
>Wriggle nods enthusiastically.
>Returning to your swarm form again, you send a few of your bat selves over to keep a discreet eye on the pair of blue-heads. Upon closer examination, they appear to be both kappa, which surprises you a touch. Your own dealings with the mountain-dwelling species of youkai have been sparse, but you had the impression they didn't care to socialize with non-kappa much. Not out of arrogance, but a kind of racial shyness, you suspect. These two, however, don't seem to be acting self-conscious at all, as far as you can tell. In fact, they seem to simply be talking more business than anything. You catch something about a 'spotlight' and 'problems with transport', but they also use a fair number of larger and/or bizzarre-sounding words that even you, in all your vast experience with language, have never encountered.
>The two kappa are wearing similar outfits, the taller one in black leggings that stop below her knees and a sleeveless blue top, with a green cap on her head. The shorter one, the one Byakuren pointed out, wears a blue sundress with a black belt and trim, her cap nearly identical to the other kappas. They both have green eyes, but the shorter one's seem to be a brighter shade. They have an energy that her friends' lack. An almost unnatural looking energy, in fact...
>Unlike you, patient and wise and knowing to observe before acting, Minako the youkai is more... to the point in her actions. "Then she will be removed from here at once." she declares, and charges through the air straight for the short girl.
>"Minako, wait!" Byakuren cries, reaching futilely after the winged youth. "I wasn't finished! I don't-"
>Before Byakuren can finish her sentence, the shorter kappa, without even looking over or breaking off her conversation about 'photokinetic spotlight mounts', whatever those are, extends her right arm out to the side and fires a thick green laser blast at the oncoming youkai!
>Say what you will about her impulsiveness, there's nothing wrong with Minako's reflexes, as she rolls out up and left, but she doesn't evade that laser beam by much. The blast carries on past the winged youkai, and Byakuren floats in its path, extending her arm out before her. The laser makes contact with a rippling shield of energy and disappears.
-
>Reform behind her and get her in a choke hold.
>"Explain yourself."
-
>Reform behind her and get her in a choke hold.
>"Explain yourself."
>Gathering your bat forms back in together, you reconstitute yourself behind the attacking kappa as the one in front of her recoils in shock. "Sui, what are you doing?!" she cries.
>If she was answering, your hand around the back of her neck cuts her off. This gives you a very unwelcome experience, however, as you have the sensation of wrapping your hand around hundreds of freezing cold needles. It is very painful, and repellant as well, like the sensation you get when trying to cross running water. It takes a great deal of focus and will to keep your hand where it is, despite the pain.
>"Nicely done, Remilia." Minako compliments you as she approaches, more slowly, this time, you note.
>The other kappa, however, does not approve of your hand around her friends neck, and comes back towards you. "You let her go!" she demands of you, her braid flaring slightly. "Don't you hurt her."
-
>Throw her into the other kappa.
>Aim Gungnir at them.
>"Talk. Now."
-
>Why bother with Gungnir? Just the Rapier and our Full Presence is enough for the likes of them.
-
>Throw her into the other kappa.
>Aim Gungnir at them.
>"Talk. Now."
>Why bother with Gungnir? Just the Rapier and our Full Presence is enough for the likes of them.
>With a flex of your muscles, you fling the offending kappa towards her friend. With some relief, as well, as your the pained sensation in your hand abates after you release her neck. The kappa, however, is not anxious to impact upon her fellow, as her body shimmers blue, and transmogrifies itself into water in midflight. The watery-formed kappa splits into two halves, each of which passes on either side of the braided one. The two halves reform about six feet behind that kappa, the one called Sui turning flesh with an odd smirk on her face. "Can't make me." Weirdly, two different voices come from her mouth, one a fairly pleasant alto, the other a somewhat grating bass.
>"Remilia, Minako! Please don't hurt her!" Byakuren calls to you both. "I don't believe she's responsible for her actions!"
-
>"Don't worry, she won't be hurting for long, nothing a dip in water won't fix. Besides, Danmaku is nonlethal."
>Put the rapier away and flare up our presence to full blast.
-
>"Don't worry, she won't be hurting for long, nothing a dip in water won't fix. Besides, Danmaku is nonlethal."
>Put the rapier away and flare up our presence to full blast.
>Sheathing your blade, you power yourself up for the benefit of all to see. Both of the kappa seem to shrink back from your blazing scarlet aura, Sui even flinching slightly. Even Minako flinches a little, though not as much as the two Kappa. Brave girl.
>The kappa with the glowing green eyes frowns slightly. "I wish I could do that." she moans in that weird two-voices-at-once voice. "But, I bet none of you can do this." She extends her right arm out away from her as it shifts to water, reforming itself into a thin blade-like shape.
>You do indeed feel, for a heartbeat, a sharp twinge of jealousy for her ability to do something you can't. From the looks on their faces, the other kappa and Minako experience this as well.
-
>Surely we can do better than that though.
>Focus our energy into a set of five blades over our own arm, like our claws.
-
>Surely we can do better than that though.
>Focus our energy into a set of five blades over our own arm, like our claws.
>You may not be able to selectively alter body parts instead of the whole of your body, but no kappa's about to upstage YOU, whatever mojo's she on.
>Refocusing the scarlet power flowing over your right arm, a great crimson hand capped by glowing claws overlapping your flesh and blood arm.
>"Oh yeah?" The kappa with the glowing eyes taunts. "Try the other side." Her left arm bubbles and shifts form to match the bladed water of her right.
>You swear you hear the sound of banjos dueling.
>"What exactly do you mean, Byakuren?" you hear Rei ask the head of the temple.
>"The magic that's been causing those flashes on envy is coming from within Suirei. But it seems to be separate from her, a different energy than hers."
-
>Hell, let's do one better, and shape our entire aura into a giant batlike demon, with us where the heart would be!
>"So, it's coming from within her? Then all we need to do is contain her."
-
>Hell, let's do one better, and shape our entire aura into a giant batlike demon, with us where the heart would be!
>"So, it's coming from within her? Then all we need to do is contain her."
>That kappa may have a couple neat tricks with water, but your show is even more impressive. It does a good job of unnerving the unhostile kappa, but the other one merely looks jealous again.
>"I don't believe that will be enough." Byakuren advises. "If I'm-"
>"Try and contain THIS." the kappa called Suirei half bellows in that double voice, and raises her watery arms. A moderate swarm of blue wedge shaped bullets fly out from her arms in all directions, as she takes to the air.
-
>Spellcards
-
>Spellcards
>You are currently carrying:
>Destiny: Miserable Fate
>Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot
>Dark Sign: Scarlet Netherworld
>Divine Punishment: Young Demon Lord
>Scarlet Gensokyo
-
>Let's disperse the shaped aura in an explosive manner to cancel out her shots, and then liberally apply Chain Gang to capture her. She can't escape the chains of fate after all.
-
>Let's disperse the shaped aura in an explosive manner to cancel out her shots, and then liberally apply Chain Gang to capture her. She can't escape the chains of fate after all.
>The scarlet energy enveloping you erupts in a cascade of power, negating the bulk of the blue bullets fired by the kappa, including most of the ones in front of you. The ones that survive post no threat to you.
>Pressing your hands together in front of you, you send a scarlet chain forth from your palms, homing in on Suirei. She maintains her fire, adding medium sized sea-green orbs to the mix, as she breaks up and away in an attempt to dodge your chain. Having never seen it before, however, the kappa, or whatever force is driving her, underestimates the speed of your attack, and is, in short order, wrapped safely in your power chain. You wince despite yourself, as even through a mystic extention of your power, contact with the kappa's hydroform arms is very uncomfortable.
>The downside to this ability is, as you well know, the fact that it renders you immobile while channeling power into the chain. And Suirei's danmaku didn't dissappear when your chain caught up with her.
>Fortunately for you, there is one present willing to come to your aid. You hear the beating of wings from behind you, and a barrage of rapid fire white lasers fly out in front of you, intercepting the vast majority of the bullets traveling in your direction. The worst you suffer is a graze from one of the orb bullets.
>"Do you have her, Remilia?" Minako asks from behind you.
-
(Sakuya?)
>We can bear the pain and discomfort until this is resolved, such pain is nothing compared to the indignities we've suffered in Sakuya's absence!
>"Of course, as discomforting as it is. As this is technically a variety of Danmaku, her powers are of no avail."
>Look to the others, particularly Byakuren. "Well, have at it, I'm busy keeping her in place."
-
>We can bear the pain and discomfort until this is resolved, such pain is nothing compared to the indignities we've suffered in Sakuya's absence!
>"Of course, as discomforting as it is. As this is technically a variety of Danmaku, her powers are of no avail."
>Look to the others, particularly Byakuren. "Well, have at it, I'm busy keeping her in place."
>Byakuren holds her scroll in front of her, and her power begins to gather, causing her hair to flutter slightly.
>The other kappa seems almost beside herself, obviously wanting to help her friend, but obviously uncertain what would be the best way to go about it.
>Suirei, for her part, looks at the chain binding her with undisguised envy. "This is a really nice chain. Wish I could make one like it." She then levels a mocking leer in your direction. "But, I think you've overlooked something here."
-
>Let's channel some extra energy into the chains, we'll give her a good zap. "I don't think so."
>Level a nice and fearsome sneer at her. "You were fated to be bested here."
-
>Let's channel some extra energy into the chains, we'll give her a good zap. "I don't think so."
>Level a nice and fearsome sneer at her. "You were fated to be bested here."
>The chained kappa flinches under your power surge, and her unchained friend doesn't take that too well. "You've got her chained, you don't need to hurt her, too."
>"Calm yourself." Minako commands the blue haired woman. "The situation will be resolved shortly, for the better of all."
>"Fate, is it?" Suirei asks you. "Was it your fate, then, vampire, to try and hold a body that was water?"
>The kappa's body transforms into water again, causing your discomfort to blossom into full-out pain. The watery body of Suirei slips and slides out and over your power chain, a sensation that is quite unwelcome to you.
>Her voice rings out again, despite not having any visible mouth, both voices distorted by a gargling sound, like one underwater, "I won't be caged again as easily as that." she declares, spinning her body into a whirlwind of water, sending blue and green globe-shaped bullets, blurred by a watery film, in wave-like patterns out from her.
-
>Sigh. We DID try to resolve this peacefully, but some just won't listen.
>"My apologies for any collateral damage that might ensue, I'll be certain to reimburse you for damages. Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot!"
-
>Sigh. We DID try to resolve this peacefully, but some just won't listen.
>"My apologies for any collateral damage that might ensue, I'll be certain to reimburse you for damages. Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot!"
>No one can say you didn't give the girl fair opportunity to do things the easy way. But, since it's come to the other way, there's few in Gensokyo better capable of handling the other way than you.
>Spell card set! Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot.
>Unleashing the cannon-fire of bullets that Scarlet Shoot is renders you temporarily immobile, and a few of the shots launched by the watery kappa do catch you. However, she's in for far worse. She resumes her solid form before going evasive, drifting to her left. She gets around the first discharge of shots, but the second blast comes earlier than the kappa was expecting. She is barely able to get around the big bullet at the front of the wave of danmaku, which only serves to make her bank into one of the large red bullet following behind it. Her eyes flash, and she stretches her hand up over her head, a glowing green rune on the back of her fist.
>'Envy Sign: Discord of Desire!"
>A wave of green energy encircles her, negating the bullets in her immediate vicinity. A crooked circular shaped pattern of danmaku appear around her, as larger green bubbles fly out in seven directions, only one of which is currently a threat to you.
>Spellcard health: Scarlet Shoot - 94% Discord of Desire - 100%
>While Minako has backed off slightly after you announced your spellcard, the other kappa has retreated further, coming to a halt in front of Byakuren, Rei and Wriggle, to watch you slug it out with her friend. "That's not one of Sui's spellcards..." you hear her say in surprise.
>"I expect it's one of the cards belonging to the one controlling her." Byakuren replies, an unmistakable hint of steel in her voice. "I believe your friend is possessed."
-
>"Then perform an exorcism. I'll keep her occupied."
-
>Smirk. "I can hold this easily enough, even if I dislike water."
>Let's keep the card going at full blast!
-
>"Then perform an exorcism. I'll keep her occupied."
>"I will try."
>"And we'll handle the stray bullets." Wriggle assures you all, taking flight and standing ready to launch counter-fire. Rei seems ready as well, but slightly concerned.
>"Can you do that?" she asks the temple head.
>"My magic doesn't lend itself to exorcism, no. I will try, but I can't be sure I'll succeed. However, if Remila can force the possessor out of Suirei's body, then I will be able to contain it."
>Smirk. "I can hold this easily enough, even if I dislike water."
>Let's keep the card going at full blast!
>After reassuring your allies of your ability to handle this duel, you suffer the impact of the green bubble of her spell, and fly up and to your right, before unleashing the triple-blast potion of your spellcard. Her technique, it seems, does not afford her much mobility either, as her faint movement down and to her port are not enough to let her escape the brunt of your blast.
>Despite sustaining a substantial impact from your Scarlet Shoot, the possessed kappa's spellcard does not break, and her own attack starts to take form. The green bubbles abate, but the staggered bullets in a crooked circle around her duplicate themselves just behind the originals. The original bullets, green colored, move back towards her body, while the duplicates, a lighter green and slightly smaller, blast out away from her, the originals following behind them slightly slower. And just for good measure, she starts discharging the big green bubbles again.
>Spellcard health:
>Scarlet Shoot: 88%. Discord of Desire: 53%
>"You stay out of this, Mina!" The unidentified woman next to Mystia, still standing on the deck of the boat, calls down to the winged youkai, who's put a bit more distance between you and herself. "Spellcard duels are still one on one, even in this case."
>"Be that as it may," the winged youkai counters, "I finish the job, should Remilia be defeated."
>"You're not the first vampire that I've challenged, or escaped." the possessed kappa taunts you. "Your confidence is enviable, but what makes you think you'll do better than her?"
-
>Sneer. "Is it not obvious? I am on a level far beyond most Vampires. Witness the power of the Scarlet Devil!"
>Let's keep it going, and pour everything we've got into it!
-
>Sneer. "Is it not obvious? I am on a level far beyond most Vampires. Witness the power of the Scarlet Devil!"
>Let's keep it going, and pour everything we've got into it!
>Tossing the kappa's taunt back into her teeth, you discharge your back to back five-way bullet streams with a little extra emphasis, criss-crossing with the oncoming emerald fire of the kappa's spellcard. The Myorens and the rest of them are getting a good show tonight.
>Suffering the bullets of the kappa's spellcard is not entirely pleasant. Though one of the large bubbles merely grazes you, the staggered fire of green bullets catch you in waves, doing a rather impressive amount of damage to your own card's health. Not enough to break it, but enough to take note of. And your return fire is not as effective as your first barrage, since it seems Suirei's spellcard allows her more mobility when she's not channeling danmaku, much like your own. And this spellcard is one of your simpler patterns.
>That said, it is a relatively simple pattern employed by one of the most proficient wielders of danmaku in all of Gensokyo. She'll break before you do. It's only a matter of time.
>The kappa slows again as the crooked circle of bullets begins to form around her again, preluded by those 6-way bubble discharges.
>"Scarlet Devil? Never heard of you, but I do wish I had a title like that. But not as much as I wish I had the Cobalt Countesses' title."
>Spellcard health:
>Scarlet Shoot - 54%. Discord of Desire - 13%.
-
>Cobalt Countess? Could we be approaching a lead on our mysterious vampire-maker?
>We should try to get our opponent to let more information slip.
>"And I have never heard of this 'Cobalt Countess'."
-
>Cobalt Countess? Could we be approaching a lead on our mysterious vampire-maker?
>We should try to get our opponent to let more information slip.
>"And I have never heard of this 'Cobalt Countess'."
>You speculate about the possibility that this kappa, or rather, the entity that may or may not be possessing, may be a source of information on whoever turned Rei here. So you adjust your rate of fire to allow yourself more time to pump the thing for information.
>"I guess that makes the two of you even, then. But I do think hers is better. Alliteration is such an enviable talent."
>Although you've slacked your rate of fire, your opponent certainly has not, and you catch the brunt of one of her large bubbles, as her circular pattern of bullets duplicates themselves, in preparation to fire again.
>Spellcard health:
>Scarlet Shoot - 38% Discord of Desire - 9%
-
>"Well, perhaps she is remotely powerful then! I shall certainly have to meet her some time."
>We've toyed with her enough, we can squeeze her for information after the fact.
-
>"Well, perhaps she is remotely powerful then! I shall certainly have to meet her some time."
>We've toyed with her enough, we can squeeze her for information after the fact.
>"She's a good host, too. It helps to have an invitation, though, at least for other vampires."
>Decided to hold off on the interrogation until after the danmaku have stopped flying, you unleash another cannon-blast stream of shots, as the kappa's green bullets fly out mere moments after yours.
>Byakuren, you see in the corner of your eye, has her hand extended out in front of her, probably in preparation for whatever magic she plans to employ if and when you manage to dislodge the possessing entity from the kappa.
>Your shots and Suirei's intermix and pass by each other again, each of you scoring hits on the other. Her bullet strikes bring your spellcard down to a somewhat alarming level of health. Yours, on the other hand, reduce her spellcard to 0. The spell effect of Discord of Desire breaks, and the glowing green rune on the back of the kappa's hand shatters as well.
>As per usual, the kappa reacts from the spellcard break as one who sustained a sizable impact, but an odd thing happens as she reels back. A figure partially emerges from her back and head - a woman, attractive, with long black hair streaked a deep green on either side, a read headband holding her bangs back. She doesn't seem entirely corporeal either.
>Her timing impeccable, Byakuren calls out, "Flow break!" Her scroll flashes white, and a six-pointed star flies from her hand and imbeds itself in the ground underneath the floating kappa. The star glows with power, and a column of light erupts from the star, trapping the kappa and the spirit extending from her. The kappa seems not to notice, but the black haired woman shrieks, and is visibly pulled, almost torn, from the body of the kappa. The two separate with an audible snap.
>The glow fades from the kappas eyes and she slumps forward, and begins to fall from the sky. You hear her kappa friend cry out and start to move, but Minako moves faster than she does, darting forward and catching the kappa as she passes through the wall of light. The winged youkai pauses there for a moment, one of her wings passing in and out of the column, before she descends down towards the ground, Suirei in her grip, seemingly very dazed.
-
(Got that one from Slayers did you? Very nice pick for someone like her. Kudos. Think we'll see Marisa using Dragon Slave/Slayer anytime soon? :getdown:)
>Fly over to the pillar with a somewhat impressed smirk. "Well, I must say, you were rather impressive. May I ask your name?"
-
(Got that one from Slayers did you? Very nice pick for someone like her. Kudos. Think we'll see Marisa using Dragon Slave/Slayer anytime soon? :getdown:)
>Fly over to the pillar with a somewhat impressed smirk. "Well, I must say, you were rather impressive. May I ask your name?"
(Is there anything you HAVEN'T seen??)
>Now that you've bested the possessing entity, it's time to grill the girl. She's on the short and 'flat' side, and her style of dress is somewhat similar to Mei Lings, a Chinese dress called a qipao, although this girls is a much darker green, with an ivy-vine pattern embroidered in it. She compliments her eastern dress with western-style shoes and black socks.
>The black haired girl doesn't acknowledge your question right away, focused instead on the light surrounding her. She reaches out to touch one of the walls, and the light repels her hand with a jolt of power. Shaking her hand, she then turns to face you. "Envy."
>"Your name is Envy?" Rei asks her. After the black haired woman nods, Rei continues, "How'd you get that name?"
>"Easily. It's what I am."
-
(Oh, I'm sure it's out there. I just haven't seen it yet. *rimshot* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=bcYppAs6ZdI))
>"Interesting. Now, would you mind telling me a little more about this 'Cobalt Countess'? Being of the vampiric persuasion, and nobility myself, it's only proper."
>"By the way, my gatekeeper has an outfit rather like your own, only not quite as green. I shall have to see about having her obtain a deeper shade of green for her clothing."
>Ponder on if it would clash too much with that red hair of hers.
-
>"Interesting. Now, would you mind telling me a little more about this 'Cobalt Countess'? Being of the vampiric persuasion, and nobility myself, it's only proper."
>"That depends on what you want to know."
>"By the way, my gatekeeper has an outfit rather like your own, only not quite as green. I shall have to see about having her obtain a deeper shade of green for her clothing."
>Ponder on if it would clash too much with that red hair of hers.
>"New clothes for your employee? How lucky for her..." Her face is one of undisguised envy.
>Red hair tends to mesh fairly well with most shades of green, in your opinion, and Mei Ling's is a nice balance between dark and light red. Although a shade of green as dark as the one Envy's wearing might not work, perhaps a nice forest green... Maybe jade?
-
>Smirk. "You should be thankful, you were the one who prompted the idea in the first place with that outfit of yours."
>Then chuckle a bit. "For starters, it would be rather nice to know how long she has been going about the whole vampire business. It might be nice to have one around my age to converse with. ..Well, that isn't my own sister that is."
>"And a word of advice, she isn't one to envy, she's a little off-kilter you know."
-
>Smirk. "You should be thankful, you were the one who prompted the idea in the first place with that outfit of yours."
>Then chuckle a bit. "For starters, it would be rather nice to know how long she has been going about the whole vampire business. It might be nice to have one around my age to converse with. ..Well, that isn't my own sister that is."
>"And a word of advice, she isn't one to envy, she's a little off-kilter you know."
>"She's been around a long time, but, I don't know how long, exactly. She's real strong, stronger than the Keeper, which I think, for you vampires, means she's been one for a few centuries. But I don't know how many."
>At your advice on Flandre, the girl called Envy actually smiles a small smile. "I can't help it. It's what I am."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well then, I suppose I shall certainly have to meet her then! If she is as powerful as you say she is."
>Then flip to a hammy grin that no self-respecting vampire is without! "I may have to bring my best cards if that is the case!"
>Then flip back to a confident smirk. "That spellcard I used? One of my weaker ones. Though it's always a classic."
>Do we know what she means by 'the Keeper'?
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well then, I suppose I shall certainly have to meet her then! If she is as powerful as you say she is."
>Then flip to a hammy grin that no self-respecting vampire is without! "I may have to bring my best cards if that is the case!"
>Then flip back to a confident smirk. "That spellcard I used? One of my weaker ones. Though it's always a classic."
>Do we know what she means by 'the Keeper'?
>"Ah, I see." she asks you. "You don't want another vampire in your territory, especially a strong one. 'I was here first', and all that."
>"Beaten by a weaker card... Now there's someone else way stronger than me...." she mopes. The expression seems to suit her, somehow.
>The term 'Keeper' can mean any number of things, in and of itself. You don't know what she's referring to, specifically, in this case.
>"Why Sui?!" the other kappa demands of Byakuren's prisoner, pointing to the kappa you just freed from Envy's possession. "What'd she ever do to you?"
>The green eyed woman looks at the kappa, her face for once devoid of jealousy of any kind. "Like you don't know." she says harshly.
-
>Smirk. "More like 'it might be interesting to have a rival who isn't Hakurei'."
>Sigh amusedly. "Besides, my territory is merely my mansion, and the lake near it. Though I'll permit the humans and others to fish there, one can find some rather choice fishes there you know."
>Then sigh wearily. "I would rather that others do not try something as foolish as claiming all of gensokyo as their territory. I once tried something similar, and was soon...'dissuaded' from such actions."
-
>Smirk. "More like 'it might be interesting to have a rival who isn't Hakurei'."
>Sigh amusedly. "Besides, my territory is merely my mansion, and the lake near it. Though I'll permit the humans and others to fish there, one can find some rather choice fishes there you know."
>Then sigh wearily. "I would rather that others do not try something as foolish as claiming all of gensokyo as their territory. I once tried something similar, and was soon...'dissuaded' from such actions."
>"I don't think you'll-" Envy glances to her left, and abruptly cuts herself off. "What's a 'Hakurei?'" she asks you.
-
>Chuckle a bit, then slowly roll it up into full-on hammy laughter. "Hakurei is one of Gensokyo's strongest residents! Nearly everyone here has been defeated by her in some way, shape, or form!"
>"You see, I once tried to make all of Gensokyo my dominion, and she was one of the two who stepped up to the plate, as it were."
>Then sigh disappointedly. "Though it saddens me to see how lazy and slothful she has become of late. At least Kirisame dedicates herself to growing stronger."
-
>Chuckle a bit, then slowly roll it up into full-on hammy laughter. "Hakurei is one of Gensokyo's strongest residents! Nearly everyone here has been defeated by her in some way, shape, or form!"
>"You see, I once tried to make all of Gensokyo my dominion, and she was one of the two who stepped up to the plate, as it were."
>You have to admit, after the indignities and stresses you've met so far tonight, having a nice big laugh does wonders for a ladies' soul.
>"Must be nice to have enemies that strong..."
>Envy continues, "So is this Hakurei the local vampire slayer?" You note her voice has no trace of its usual jealous undertone when she uses the title 'vampire slayer'.
>Then sigh disappointedly. "Though it saddens me to see how lazy and slothful she has become of late. At least Kirisame dedicates herself to growing stronger."
>"The Hakurei miko seems to believe her natural talent makes up for her lack of... extra effort." says Byakuren.
>"She's pretty right, too." Wriggle grumbles.
>"Never mind all that!" The second kappa interrupts. "Will Sui be all right?" she demands of Envy.
>Envy's sneer returns as she looks at the kappa, "She wasn't in danger in the first place, Kikomi." she spits.
-
>Chuckle a little. "Not exactly. For one, were she a slayer, I would not be around. And for two, as you already have noted, spellcard duels are entirely non-lethal. It hurts, but you never die from it."
>"However, she is one of the primary Incident Resolvers of Gensokyo. Though Sakuya's prolonged absence is also verging on Incident-level as well."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Not exactly. For one, were she a slayer, I would not be around. And for two, as you already have noted, spellcard duels are entirely non-lethal. It hurts, but you never die from it."
>Envy nods. "That's good. Those guys are trouble for everyone."
>"However, she is one of the primary Incident Resolvers of Gensokyo. Though Sakuya's prolonged absence is also verging on Incident-level as well."
>Envy blinks. "Sakuya?"
-
>"Sakuya is my Chief Maid, the best there is. You would have no chance at beating her in a Maid-off."
>Sigh. "I sent her out to attend to something five days ago. She was intended to return each night, but she hasn't returned once. It's exceptionally vexing, as the fairy maids are becoming quite unruly in her absence."
-
>"Sakuya is my Chief Maid, the best there is. You would have no chance at beating her in a Maid-off."
>Sigh. "I sent her out to attend to something five days ago. She was intended to return each night, but she hasn't returned once. It's exceptionally vexing, as the fairy maids are becoming quite unruly in her absence."
>"On the tall side, short white hair, nice legs, flat chest? Carries more knives than some countries?"
-
>Nod. "So, you've seen her I take it? If this 'Cobalt Countess' has taken her for herself, I may be forced to do some rather...'violent' deeds."
>Fix Envy with a stare that shows we mean business. Full presence while we're at it.
-
>Nod. "So, you've seen her I take it? If this 'Cobalt Countess' has taken her for herself, I may be forced to do some rather...'violent' deeds."
>Fix Envy with a stare that shows we mean business. Full presence while we're at it.
>Envy's face shows she gets the message rather clearly.
-
>Let's have a bit more of a laugh. Really ramp it up full blast, because we can afford to let off a little steam and crazy.
>"Though that's not to say I won't have a little fun in the doing."
>Then look to Byakuren with a somewhat amused expression. "I can't help it if it's in my nature, it's just what I am."
-
>Let's have a bit more of a laugh. Really ramp it up full blast, because we can afford to let off a little steam and crazy.
>You're definitely getting the lion's share of the attention now.
>"Does she do that often?" you hear Minako ask.
>"Only when she's winning or in a good mood." Wriggle answers. "...I think."
>"Because it sounds almost like she's about to attack again." Minako adds.
>The braided kappa huffs. "As long as she attacks Envy again, I'm all for it."
>"Though that's not to say I won't have a little fun in the doing."
>Then look to Byakuren with a somewhat amused expression. "I can't help it if it's in my nature, it's just what I am."
>The temple head's expression doesn't change, she seems to be focusing on her spell. Although, you can't help but get the impression that, although she understands, she hopes that, if you do end up in conflict with this Cobalt missus, it ends without violence of any sort.
-
>Sigh in a pleased manner. "Ah...It's been far too long since I've gotten to laugh like that. Really it has."
>Let's land now, if we haven't already.
>Then stare at the back of our hand and our fingernails somewhat with a slight smile. "I do hope that she hasn't attempted to turn Sakuya though, otherwise..."
>Let the small smile creep into a full-on demonic smile. "Things may get a little messy in that case."
(In case you haven't noticed, I'm channeling a little Hellsing into things this time around.)
-
>Sigh in a pleased manner. "Ah...It's been far too long since I've gotten to laugh like that. Really it has."
>Let's land now, if we haven't already.
>Then stare at the back of our hand and our fingernails somewhat with a slight smile. "I do hope that she hasn't attempted to turn Sakuya though, otherwise..."
>Let the small smile creep into a full-on demonic smile. "Things may get a little messy in that case."
>You descend to ground level.
>Envy looks upon your smile with obvious jealousy of your ability to generate such an expression, glances to her side again, then says to you, "If you mean turn her as in vampire-like, then I can safely say that no, this Sakuya of yours is still very much human. In fact, she's giving Pride all kinds of problems, which is not only something I wish I could do, I admire her for it. Pride gets on my last nerves sometimes."
-
>"Envy, and now Pride has been mentioned...There must be others then. Wrath, Greed, and the like. Which would mean there's at least five others."
>Then smirk a little. "Of course she would be giving that fool problems, she's not only my Chief Maid, but one of the best fighters in the Mansion. Short of myself, and my younger sister."
>Perhaps if things get too dicey, we should bring her along. It's risky, but as they say, 'Desperate times call for desperate measures'.
>Fistpalm with a cheerful grin. "Ah, I do wonder what would happen if Envy were to meet that Parsee person?"
-
>"Envy, and now Pride has been mentioned...There must be others then. Wrath, Greed, and the like. Which would mean there's at least five others."
>Envy nods at this. "You know your religion."
>"What are they speaking of, my lady?" Minako asks Byakuren.
>The multi-colored woman replies, "It is an aspect of a religion in the outside world, Minako. The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins, characteristics and behaviors seen as contrary to the will of God."
>Then smirk a little. "Of course she would be giving that fool problems, she's not only my Chief Maid, but one of the best fighters in the Mansion. Short of myself, and my younger sister."
>Perhaps if things get too dicey, we should bring her along. It's risky, but as they say, 'Desperate times call for desperate measures'.
>As you debate the question of whether or not to bring Envy along with you on your travels, she says, "If you're Sakuya's owner, then you might be able to settle that particular problem for all of us."
>Fistpalm with a cheerful grin. "Ah, I do wonder what would happen if Envy were to meet that Parsee person?"
>Minako snorts out a harrumphing chuckle. "By all accounts, they two of them would spend a week floating around being jealous of other."
>"Minako." Byakuren chides her.
>The winged youkai hangs her head slightly. "Sorry."
-
>Smirk. "I use crosses as a part of my attacks often, so of course I would know of the Seven Deadly Sins. Envy, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, and Lust."
>...Come to think of it, wasn't there a comic book from the outside that Patchouli had that also included these as characters? It had something to do with alchemy or something.
>"I did reside in the outside world for quite a while before moving to Gensokyo after all."
-
>Smirk. "I use crosses as a part of my attacks often, so of course I would know of the Seven Deadly Sins. Envy, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Greed, and Lust."
>...Come to think of it, wasn't there a comic book from the outside that Patchouli had that also included these as characters? It had something to do with alchemy or something.
>"I did reside in the outside world for quite a while before moving to Gensokyo after all."
>Such a manga rings a bell indeed, although, if it's the one you're thinking of, it was a bit too 'shounen' for your tastes, much more of a Mei Ling, or Koakuma thing. Although you did like the blonde girl with the wrench, she was spunky. And the golem was cute, in its own way.
>"A cross-wielding vampire?" Envy asks you. "That's so unique."
>"Why's that special?" Rei asks the both of you.
>"Normally, vampire hunters use crosses against vampires, not the other way around." Envy replies, her voice serious again. "Although it never seems to work too well for them."
-
>Smirk. "That's because here in Gensokyo, Vampires lose many of their western weaknesses, such as silver or garlic, and take on weaknesses that are more often ascribed to the Oni. Such as a shattered holly branch inside a sardine head, or roasted soybeans."
>Pull a bemused face. "I never really understood how the first one worked. You would just end up smashing the sardine head too."
-
>Smirk. "That's because here in Gensokyo, Vampires lose many of their western weaknesses, such as silver or garlic, and take on weaknesses that are more often ascribed to the Oni. Such as a shattered holly branch inside a sardine head, or roasted soybeans."
>Pull a bemused face. "I never really understood how the first one worked. You would just end up smashing the sardine head too."
>"Does that mean I should give sardines a wide berth, or just the ones near holly branches?" Rei asks you. "I used to like sardines a lot."
-
>".....I'm not entirely certain how that works, as we Vampires are a variety of Oni apparently."
>Shrug. "Either way, I would err on the side of caution for the time being. I'm certain Patchouli has books on that matter. We can visit her after we've dealt with things, and recovered Sakuya."
-
>".....I'm not entirely certain how that works, as we Vampires are a variety of Oni apparently."
>Shrug. "Either way, I would err on the side of caution for the time being. I'm certain Patchouli has books on that matter. We can visit her after we've dealt with things, and recovered Sakuya."
>Rei nods in agreement.
>"Know you not your own vulnerabilities?" Minako asks the fledgling.
>Rei looks slightly defensive. "Give me a break, I've only been like this for a week now."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Two to be exact. I can tell from her scent, among other things. It's rather impressive that she's already relatively adjusted to being a Vampire."
>Smirk. "Small impulses and urges notwithstanding of course."
>"At any rate, Reisen should be arriving shortly, I told her we would meet up here after she had inquired at the village after Sakuya. I feel that her abilities might prove useful in the near future, as will Byakuren's. Should others be possessed as the Kappa was."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Two to be exact. I can tell from her scent, among other things. It's rather impressive that she's already relatively adjusted to being a Vampire."
>Smirk. "Small impulses and urges notwithstanding of course."
>"At any rate, Reisen should be arriving shortly, I told her we would meet up here after she had inquired at the village after Sakuya. I feel that her abilities might prove useful in the near future, as will Byakuren's. Should others be possessed as the Kappa was."
>"Count me in, too!" the second kappa declares, stepping forward and raising her fist. "Nobody possesses my best friend and gets away with it. If there's six more like her out there, I want a piece of tracking them down!"
-
>Let's have another laugh, good and hammy. "The group just grows by the minute! At this rate, we may well have a small army by the time Sakuya is recovered!"
-
>Let's have another laugh, good and hammy. "The group just grows by the minute! At this rate, we may well have a small army by the time Sakuya is recovered!"
>"Then I definitely know what I must do." Envy intones, drawing herself to her full height. The effect of this is somewhat diminished by the fact that Byakuren has her magically caged, but she doesn't seem to care. "Much as I've enjoyed my vacation, I'm Envy, but not disloyal. I must warn the masters of the keep."
>Her green eyes flash with power, and she places her hand over her breast. The area shimmers with green light and her hand passes through her flesh into her body.
>"She seeks to flee!" Minako cries.
>"Fear not, Minako." Byakuren calms her follower. "No magic can escape that barrier, and neither can she."
>Envy does not seem as convinced. "I'll pit your magic against that of my Keeper any day, witch." An aura of green energy surrounds her, and she throws her head back, and cries into the sky, "Recall Envy!" Her aura ripples outward, stopping at the barrier of light and bouncing back in on itself, filling the woman's cage with emerald light. Sparks of white energy fly from the star-shaped barrier under the force of Envy's spell, but Byakuren's spell holds strong.
>Or seems to, at least. When the green light fades from within the seal after several long seconds, the woman called Envy is gone. What remains in her place is a heptagonal jewel, a deep green emerald.
-
>"Byakuren, can you track that magic?"
>If not: "What about that gem she left behind?"
-
>"Byakuren, can you track that magic?"
>If not: "What about that gem she left behind?"
>"I might be able to, but, in this case, that won't be necessary." The tall woman points to the emerald sitting in the middle of the star-shaped barrier. "I believe that IS Envy. She seems to have sealed herself, somehow. That spell was also supposed to teleport her somewhere, but that part of her spell was blocked by my flow break."
>"Then she is well and truly our prisoner now." Minako gloats. "Is she has sealed herself, then we can ensure she STAYS sealed."
>"Good!" the kappa called Kikomi declares.
>Byakuren gestures calmingly with her free hand. "Let us not all get carried away. I'm willing to let Envy remain this way for now, but not indefinitely."
-
>"Well then, we can alter your spell to contain her for now, no?"
>Smirk. "If the others do such things as well, then our problem is solved for us."
-
>"Well then, we can alter your spell to contain her for now, no?"
>Smirk. "If the others do such things as well, then our problem is solved for us."
>"I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. Flow Break is a fixed spell, and it's duration is not endless."
>"That said, however, I do know several spells to maintain a seal of this nature. I'd simply have to dispel this one first."
>"You sure that's a good idea?" Wriggle asks her. "It'd be trouble if she got up and tried to get away."
>"Don't worry, Wriggle. Her spell took all her power and turned it inward. She's not even aware of her surroundings at the moment. For all intents and purposes, she's indistinguishable from an ordinary jewel."
-
>"Until she's freed, correct?"
>Chuckle a little. "Poor fool, thinking she could escape so easily. Ah well, at least this makes it easier for us to keep her under control for now."
>"At any rate, we should make haste with the seal, and find Sakuya."
-
>"Until she's freed, correct?"
>Chuckle a little. "Poor fool, thinking she could escape so easily. Ah well, at least this makes it easier for us to keep her under control for now."
>"Until she is freed. Or, until her power restores on its own. A self-imposed seal of this kind does not last forever. Although I am loathe to do so, I do have the ability to force a continuation of this seal. What I would prefer to do, however, is allow to her return to her humanoid form on her own, and help her see that taking control of other people bodies against their will is wrong. And perhaps she could carry that lesson back to those like her, as well."
>"At any rate, we should make haste with the seal, and find Sakuya."
>The tall woman waves her hand, and the star of light fades out of existance, the energy walls disappearing along with it. The woman who had been standing next to Mystia on the boat takes to the air, landing next to the jewel and scooping it off the ground, before turning her gaze upon Byakuren and flying over to stand in front of her. "Hijiri, I know how you feel, but how do we know this one won't try to possess YOU if her seal breaks on its own? That's may be a risk you're prepared to take, but we're not prepared to let you take it."
>Byakuren smiles a gentle, kindly smile, and takes her follower in a hug, pressing the woman's head to her bosom. "You're all so thoughtful of me, Ichirin. Thank you." The tall woman releases the woman called Ichirin, and takes the emerald-form of Envy from her. "However, we should discuss that later, as we have the luxury of time." Byakuren then turns her attention upon you. "Will you be leaving now to try and find the Cobalt Countess?"
-
>Nod. "Once Reisen arrives, we can set off. Your abilities may also be needed, should others be possessed as well."
>Smirk. "Besides, a lady always keeps her word after all."
-
>Nod. "Once Reisen arrives, we can set off. Your abilities may also be needed, should others be possessed as well."
>Smirk. "Besides, a lady always keeps her word after all."
>"In the meantime," Minako interjects, addressing Byakuren, "We should consider the possibility that these other six are at large in Gensokyo. That represents a threat to this temple."
>"I'd call it a bona fide incident." Wriggle adds. "Which means we should start watching for Reimu and Marisa, they're bound to be trigger happy when there's an incident."
>"One problem at a time." Minako responds, before returning her attention to the temple head. "If you intend to keep that possessor in the temple, m'lady, I shall modify a room to act as a cell to serve that purpose."
>Byakuren frowns, but Ichirin answers, "That's not how we operate, Mina. If Envy unseals herself, then she'll be a guest, not a prisoner. Byakuren's made up her mind on that, I assure you."
>The winged youkai is obviously displeased by this, but seems quite unwilling to go against Byakuren's will. So, she holds her peace. At least on this matter, so she turns to you and asks, "And you, Remilia. What would you do with the other 'Seven Sins', were you to find them?"
-
>Smile somewhat ominously. "Simple, the same thing we did here with Envy. Discipline them, and drive them out of anyone they may be possessing. And if they happen to self-seal in the doing, then that's just as well, as it means one less obstacle to deal with for the time being."
>Smirk. "And for driving them out of those they may be possessing, we'll need your skill, Byakuren."
-
>Smile somewhat ominously. "Simple, the same thing we did here with Envy. Discipline them, and drive them out of anyone they may be possessing. And if they happen to self-seal in the doing, then that's just as well, as it means one less obstacle to deal with for the time being."
>Smirk. "And for driving them out of those they may be possessing, we'll need your skill, Byakuren."
>"I do not travel with the intention of fighting others, nor sealing or trapping them, Remilia." Byakuren replies in her quiet voice. "It is not my nature. I help those who need it." She looks down at the emerald in her hand. "It saddens me that this encounter ended the way it did."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "It was her own fault that she sealed herself, and you know it."
>"Either way, what if others have been possessed as the kappa was? Surely you can feel that it would be a crime to leave them like that? Would you not desire to free one of your own allies if they had suffered such a terrible fate?"
-
>Chuckle a bit. "It was her own fault that she sealed herself, and you know it."
>"Either way, what if others have been possessed as the kappa was? Surely you can feel that it would be a crime to leave them like that? Would you not desire to free one of your own allies if they had suffered such a terrible fate?"
>"You misunderstand me, Remilia." Byakuren replies. "I do not relish confrontation, nor do I wish for it, no matter the circumstances. But do not mistake my reluctance for weakness. If the other Sins are a genuine threat to peace and life of Gensokyo, be it human or youkai or anything else, then it is a threat that should not be ignored. And if my power can be used to alleviate that threat, with minimum harm done to either the Sins or the ones they've attached themselves to, then I will do so."
>"However, there are still questions that need to be answered about these Sins. And their 'keeper', for that matter. Despite what's happened here tonight, I'm not prepared to label these beings as evil yet. It is possible that we may be able to handle the other Sins without a confrontation, danmaku or otherwise. That would be ideal."
-
>Nod. "You have a point, but some people listen to nothing but strength of arm. That's the nature of many Youkai, like it or not."
>"And besides, we'll end up confronting them regardless when we encounter them. Maybe not with force, but they'll likely start the fight to begin with."
-
>Nod. "You have a point, but some people listen to nothing but strength of arm. That's the nature of many Youkai, like it or not."
>"And besides, we'll end up confronting them regardless when we encounter them. Maybe not with force, but they'll likely start the fight to begin with."
>"Time will tell, Remilia."
-
>Nod. "True, but who knows?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah, while we're waiting for Reisen, I believe I can perform that Fate Reading now."
-
>Nod. "True, but who knows?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah, while we're waiting for Reisen, I believe I can perform that Fate Reading now."
>"I'd almost forgot about that." Wriggle says, her smile coming back.
>"What's this fate reading?" you hear Mystia's voice from behind as she flies overhead, and lands next to Wriggle.
>"Apparantly, Lady Scarlet here can tell you your future."
>"Ichirin, would you mind preparing some tea while we wait for Reisen and the others to return?"
>"Of course, Hijiri." the woman in the habit replies, and walks off towards the temple.
-
>Smirk. "And far more accurately than any old crone with a deck of tarot cards."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh. "Gather 'round, for this shall be something to engrave into your memories!"
>Then look to Wriggle with a slight grin. "Now, three questions, but one at a time if you please, it makes it more efficient."
-
>Smirk. "And far more accurately than any old crone with a deck of tarot cards."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh. "Gather 'round, for this shall be something to engrave into your memories!"
>Then look to Wriggle with a slight grin. "Now, three questions, but one at a time if you please, it makes it more efficient."
>"Minako, would you take Suirei inside? She'll be fine, but she should have a comfortable place to rest until she comes around." Byakuren asks her minion.
>"At once, m'lady." The winged youkai scoops up the still out of it kappa, and flies after Ichirin towards the temple.
>Seeing her friend looked after, Kikomi seems to debate for a moment between following Suirei, and staying to watch you do your thing. She opts for the latter. As does Mystia. And Wriggle, of course.
>The insect youkai furrows her brow in thought for several moments, before an idea strikes her, "How many more spellcards will I write, and how strong will they be?"
>"I think that's two questions, Wriggle." Mystia advises her.
>Wriggle blinks. "Oh." She pauses, considering. "Is it?"
-
latelatelate entry.
>Sigh
>"Yes it's two questions, no matter, I can do one at a time."
>Let's do this thing, look at Wriggle's fate with regards to spellcards, how many more will she write?
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>Sigh
>"Yes it's two questions, no matter, I can do one at a time."
>Let's do this thing, look at Wriggle's fate with regards to spellcards, how many more will she write?
>Handling the first half of Wriggle's question first, you focus your will and power upon one of the strands of green hair in your hand.
>The mists of the future roll away from your mind's eye, as you direct the curiousity of the youkai into the yet to come. The answer is quicker, and easier, in coming, than some, which is not surprising, as it is a simple question, asked with the full consent of the woman the answer pertains to.
>The number '2' appears in your minds' eye, in plain white. And then, it shimmers and fades, and is replaced by a '7', bordered by a yellow-ish energy.
>This sort of phenomenon usually indicates the answer depends on a choice the person will make later than she is not aware of yet. At least, when it pertains to a varying answer. The yellow bit, that's different.
-
>"Tell me, do you have only 7 spellcards right now?"
>Perhaps that glow is related to her nature as a firefly.
-
>"Tell me, do you have only 7 spellcards right now?"
>Perhaps that glow is related to her nature as a firefly.
>"On me? I'm only carrying three at the moment."
>It's possible. You've never divined into a insect youkai of any sort before.
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>"In total. Also, does the color yellow mean anything to you?"
-
>"In total. Also, does the color yellow mean anything to you?"
>"In total, no, I've got 11 total."
>Wriggle blinks. "Yellow? Well, it's not one of my favourite colors, though some of my danmaku are yellow. Mixes well with green, if I do say so myself."
-
>"Hmm...Well, you'll have a choice in the future, you might make two, or you might make seven. It all depends on the outcome of that one choice. It might pertain to something yellow. Perhaps running away when you're needed most, or perhaps choosing to eat lemon sorbet, or some other yellow food."
>"Now for the second question."
-
>Focus on the second question now. How strong will her cards be?
-
>"Hmm...Well, you'll have a choice in the future, you might make two, or you might make seven. It all depends on the outcome of that one choice. It might pertain to something yellow. Perhaps running away when you're needed most, or perhaps choosing to eat lemon sorbet, or some other yellow food."
>"Now for the second question."
>"Lemon sorbet?" Wriggle and Mystia exchange a look.
>"Can you even make food-themed danmaku?"
>"I don't think anyone's ever tried."
>"I think I wanna try... Although, I've never had a lemon sorbet before."
>"Neither have I. I'll ask Reisen next time I see her if she knows how to make one."
>You have the impression you've inspired these two.
>Focus on the second question now. How strong will her cards be?
>The answer to this question is hazy, somewhat obscured by the mists of time. This is due to the fact that the answer to it is dependant on an answer to a question Wriggle has not answered for herself yet. A question that depends on on the answer to a question you don't know the answer to is difficult to answer.
>You would guess, from the impressions you're getting, that the spellcards will either be not much stronger than the ones she has currently, or be spiked in power beyond what you know her to possess, though how this could be, you cannot sense.
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>"Alright, and an answer to the second question has come. This too depends on another question, one that only you hold the answer to. The cards may well be no stronger than what you have already shown. But, they may also be far stronger than anything you've yet demonstrated. This all depends on what answer you have to that question. What that question is, I know not."
>"Now...Ask your final question."
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>"Alright, and an answer to the second question has come. This too depends on another question, one that only you hold the answer to. The cards may well be no stronger than what you have already shown. But, they may also be far stronger than anything you've yet demonstrated. This all depends on what answer you have to that question. What that question is, I know not."
>"Must be a big question." Wriggle muses.
>"Now...Ask your final question."
>"All right." The insect youkai spares a look over at Byakuren, or rather, the emerald in her hand, and asks you, "Will I be possessed by one of these 'Sins', like that kappa was?"
>"That kappa's name is Suirei." Kikomi snarls at Wriggle.
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>Let's see what fate has to say on that. Perhaps we might even be able to nudge it in a different direction if it's not to our liking.
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>Let's see what fate has to say on that. Perhaps we might even be able to nudge it in a different direction if it's not to our liking.
>You peel back the mists of fate for the next few days, as this incident will likely be resolved within that span, to see if Wriggle will be assaulted by these Sins as Suirei was.
>Your senses reveal two circumstances in which she would be at risk:
>In the event she remains behind here at the Myoren Temple, but Byakuren accompanies you on your travels to find Sakuya and this Countess, Envy will possess her, or another figure you cannot identify. You cannot be certain of this outcome, however, as it is dependent on Byakuren accompanying you, and you yourself are not 100% of that just yet.
>In the event she accompanies you on your quest to find the Countess, she will become possessed by another one of the Sins. You can't make out which one.
-
>Frown. "...Alright, there are two outcomes. One of which has you staying here, and Byakuren comes along in your stead. If such a thing comes to pass, either Envy, or one of the others will do so. And the alternate outcome isn't so good either. If you come along, you'll still get possessed."
>Sigh. "However, the first outcome is wholly dependent on Byakuren coming along."
>"Now, There's a chance that I can alter the outcome into a more favorable one."
>What would we need in order to nudge things in a better direction?
-
>Frown. "...Alright, there are two outcomes. One of which has you staying here, and Byakuren comes along in your stead. If such a thing comes to pass, either Envy, or one of the others will do so. And the alternate outcome isn't so good either. If you come along, you'll still get possessed."
>Sigh. "However, the first outcome is wholly dependent on Byakuren coming along."
>"Now, There's a chance that I can alter the outcome into a more favorable one."
>What would we need in order to nudge things in a better direction?
>You don't really need material reagents in order to push on someone's fate. But, your ability to do so depends on the situation and the people involved. Different alterations require varying degrees of concentration and effort, assuming you can even push on the fate of the beings involved or not. You would need to alter Wriggle's fate herself, though. For instance, you would not be able to make Envy possess someone else if Wriggle remains at the temple, or alter Byakuren's fate to ensure she goes with you (not without her consent anyway) but you could alter Wriggle's fate to not be at the temple. Basically, you would need to alter Wriggle's fate herself, not the fate of anyone else involved in the event in question.
-
>"...Alright. If you'd like, I can see about pushing your fate in a better direction, because what I saw was not good."
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>"...Alright. If you'd like, I can see about pushing your fate in a better direction, because what I saw was not good."
>Wriggle swallows. "Push it how? In what direction? Where?"
-
>"A more favorable one. You see, I saw that if you were to stay here at the temple, and Byakuren came with me, you would be possessed by Envy, or one of the other Sins."
>"If you were to come along, you would also be possessed by one of the Sins. So you can see why I'm offering you the chance to have your fate adjusted."
>Now, in what sort of direction could we push her fate in if she accepted? it would be nice if she could still come along, but not get possessed. Or at the very least, be in a situation where the Sin could be expelled within the minute.
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>Now, in what sort of direction could we push her fate in if she accepted? it would be nice if she could still come along, but not get possessed. Or at the very least, be in a situation where the Sin could be expelled within the minute.
>Strictly speaking, you don't really NEED her permission to manipulate her fate, now that you know it. It just makes things a bit easier, makes the process less energy consuming.
>Manipulating her fate to make this possession short, or harmless, is possible. You could manipulate the fabric of her being to make her resistant to possession by otherworldly forces at the appropriate time, either rendering her completely immune, or making her an unsuitable host which would reject the parasite after mere seconds. You could make this permanent, if you wanted, but that might have consequences you haven't forseen at this point.
>You could also push her fate so that she wasn't in the right room at the right time. For instance, if she was fated to be possessed by Envy in, say, the kitchen of the temple, then you could push her fate so that she was in the bathroom when Envy was there, and thus, the opportunity would pass. It's not a guarantee, but it is easy to do.
>And of course, you could be a bit radical, and push her fate so that she and Mystia go home together, and spend the night together. Takes a bit more energy, but, using one's imagination is encouraged. And makes a better show.
>"A more favorable one. You see, I saw that if you were to stay here at the temple, and Byakuren came with me, you would be possessed by Envy, or one of the other Sins."
>"If you were to come along, you would also be possessed by one of the Sins. So you can see why I'm offering you the chance to have your fate adjusted."
>"Well, uh..."
>As Wriggle stews, Mystia asks you, "Well, what if she just went home? Didn't stay here, didn't go with you?"
-
>"Hmm....let's see about that then, but I'll need another hair, or a nail clipping."
-
>"Hmm....let's see about that then, but I'll need another hair, or a nail clipping."
>Wriggle forks over another pair of green hairs.
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>"Well, this means you'll get an extra question I suppose."
>Now, let's use a hair for the question Mystia had. Wriggle's already given permission, so let's give it a look-see.
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>"Well, this means you'll get an extra question I suppose."
>Now, let's use a hair for the question Mystia had. Wriggle's already given permission, so let's give it a look-see.
>Utilizing the first of Wriggle's hairs, you peer into the future again. In the event that Wriggle simply goes home, then she will be in no risk of possession from the Sins.
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>Smile a bit. "Well, this is a light of cheer, I must say."
>"If she just goes home, she won't be at risk."
>Smirk, "Now, since there's an extra hair, how about another question?"
-
>Smile a bit. "Well, this is a light of cheer, I must say."
>"If she just goes home, she won't be at risk."
>Smirk, "Now, since there's an extra hair, how about another question?"
>Both Wriggle and Mystia breathe a sigh of relief.
>"Well... Now that that's answered, I'm not sure what else I wanna ask."
-
>Smirk deviously, with just a hint of playfulness. "You could ask something simple. Like say, if you and your bird friend are to 'hook up' in the future?"
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>Smirk deviously, with just a hint of playfulness. "You could ask something simple. Like say, if you and your bird friend are to 'hook up' in the future?"
>Wriggle turns as pale as a ghost, and Mystia's face flushes redder than some tomatoes you've seen. Both of them open and close their mouths, but seem quite at a loss for words. Even Kikomi blushes slightly.
>Byakuren, for her part, places a hand to her chin, closes her eyes, smiles, and says, "Ara ara."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Sorry about that, but I couldn't resist toying around with you two for a moment. It's in my nature you know."
>Then laugh a little. "Does anybody have a mirror? These two have a rather nice color contrast with each other that they simply must see~!"
-
>Chuckle a little. "Sorry about that, but I couldn't resist toying around with you two for a moment. It's in my nature you know."
>Then laugh a little. "Does anybody have a mirror? These two have a rather nice color contrast with each other that they simply must see~!"
>"I'll... I'll mirror YOU!" Mystia squawks, a puff of steam coming off the top of her head.
>Byakuren, still smiling, indicates behind you. "Perhaps we should hold off on the mirror for a moment? I believe Reisen and the others are approaching."
-
>Chuckle a little. It's good to tease people sometimes.
>"That's true, we'll sit tight until she gets here."
>Let's wait until Reisen arrives.
-
>Chuckle a little. It's good to tease people sometimes.
>"That's true, we'll sit tight until she gets here."
>Let's wait until Reisen arrives.
>Mystia still sputters as you turn to watch the approaching form of Reisen, and the two forms alongside her. They seem to be the lantern bearing pair that were escorting the human procession back to the village.
>Kikomi turns her eyes in that direction as well, and holds her hands atop her eyes, for some reason. "Isn't that the, uh.... The nurse rabbit from the forest?"
-
>Nod. "Yes, I once fought her back during the Imperishable Night Incident. She agreed to help gather information on Sakuya's whereabouts."
-
>Nod. "Yes, I once fought her back during the Imperishable Night Incident. She agreed to help gather information on Sakuya's whereabouts."
>"Imperish... That was when the moon went all weird, right?"
-
>Nod. "That it was. It was a rather nice night if you look past the moon having been incorrect."
-
>Nod. "That it was. It was a rather nice night if you look past the moon having been incorrect."
>"Not for me." the kappa frowns. "I had a prototype spotlight blow up on me that night. I was picking glass out of my hair for days."
-
>Wince slightly. "That can't have been enjoyable."
>"At any rate though, it's almost time to prepare to depart. I should check everyone's fates to see if they'll be possessed though, as a precaution."
-
>Wince slightly. "That can't have been enjoyable."
>"At any rate though, it's almost time to prepare to depart. I should check everyone's fates to see if they'll be possessed though, as a precaution."
>"Well, I've been in worse explosions." Kikomi grins with a weird pride. "Comes with the territory. Can't be a builder without a few booms."
>"But that's a good idea." The braided kappa forks over one of her blue hairs.
-
>Nod. "That goes for everyone else coming along as well. better safe than sorry after all."
>Let's see if our new ally will be possessed like her friend was.
-
>Nod. "That goes for everyone else coming along as well. better safe than sorry after all."
>Let's see if our new ally will be possessed like her friend was.
>Utilizing the kappa's hair, you peer into her future to see if she will become possessed as Suirei was within the next 24 hours.
>You see that, within what appears to be a church of some kind, she will indeed become possessed by one of the Sins, the sin of Lust. However, this will only come to pass if Kikomi chooses to be possessed. Lust will not take her against her will.
-
>"Well, this is quite interesting. I saw you, and Lust, in a church. However, if you refuse, she won't take you. I suppose it's a 'Deal With The Devil' matter."
-
>"Well, this is quite interesting. I saw you, and Lust, in a church. However, if you refuse, she won't take you. I suppose it's a 'Deal With The Devil' matter."
>Kikomi barks out a laugh. "As if I'd ever choose to let one of those things inside me." She pauses then, frowning slightly. "But where you find a 'church' in Gensokyo? Does the Moriya shrine count as a church?"
-
>"A church is a place of worship in the western world of the outside. I used to reside in the west for quite some time you know. In fact, I was born there. That is also why I do not have a Japanese name like all of you sometimes do. However, instead of worshiping many gods, they held only one. Daft fools that they were, their faith did have the power to damage me back then."
>Smirk. "But since arriving in Gensokyo, I no longer have to worry about those fools. I almost feel sorry for any Hunter that manages to arrive in this land. I daresay they would mistake those Wolf Tengu for a Werewolf, a classic nemesis of the Vampire Race. Also dreadfully pungent fellows those, always smelling like gore and wet dog."
>That reminds us, did we ever take to Shogi and Go as well as we have to Chess?
-
>"A church is a place of worship in the western world of the outside. I used to reside in the west for quite some time you know. In fact, I was born there. That is also why I do not have a Japanese name like all of you sometimes do. However, instead of worshiping many gods, they held only one. Daft fools that they were, their faith did have the power to damage me back then."
>Smirk. "But since arriving in Gensokyo, I no longer have to worry about those fools. I almost feel sorry for any Hunter that manages to arrive in this land. I daresay they would mistake those Wolf Tengu for a Werewolf, a classic nemesis of the Vampire Race. Also dreadfully pungent fellows those, always smelling like gore and wet dog."
>"Remilia's right." Byakuren adds. "Churches do exist in Japan, but they're far more common in other parts of the world, and unheard of in Gensokyo. I didn't think there was anywhere in Gensokyo where you could find what you'd call a church." She gives you a look. "If you came here from the outside world, Remilia, is it possible that this church is a part of your home?"
>That reminds us, did we ever take to Shogi and Go as well as we have to Chess?
>You know the rules, and have played a few games, but chess is still your game of preference.
-
>Do we have anything remotely churchlike as a part of the mansion?
-
>Do we have anything remotely churchlike as a part of the mansion?
>Not as such, no. It didn't seem to fit your image, and neither you nor your friends are particularly devout, so you never bothered to have one build in the Mansion.
-
>Shake our head no. "No, I would have recognized it, so there is no possible way that it could be a part of my Domain. For one, I never bothered to have one built."
>"Hmm...It may well be a part of the Cobalt Countess's Domain though, given how these Sin Spirits seem to be her underlings. I suspect she may even bear spellcards named after the Nine Circles of Hell. It's a simple conclusion to draw really, given her underlings."
-
>Shake our head no. "No, I would have recognized it, so there is no possible way that it could be a part of my Domain. For one, I never bothered to have one built."
>"Hmm...It may well be a part of the Cobalt Countess's Domain though, given how these Sin Spirits seem to be her underlings. I suspect she may even bear spellcards named after the Nine Circles of Hell. It's a simple conclusion to draw really, given her underlings."
>"If this Countess brought a new kind of faith with her, I can think of a few folks here that aren't gonna take that too kindly." Mystia remarks.
>Wriggle nods. "That church of hers could be real crowded before the night's done."
>The trio of approaching females are close enough now to see. Reisen and the woman in the sailor suit seem to be sporting some light battle damage. The sailor shows some danmaku damage on her clothing, and the right side of Reisen's jacket looks like someone tried to take a bite out of it. A smaller bite is visible on her skirt.
-
>Nod with an irritated look. "There are quite enough faiths already, there is no room for another one from the west."
>Let's wait until they get here.
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>Nod with an irritated look. "There are quite enough faiths already, there is no room for another one from the west."
>Let's wait until they get here.
>The sailor and the rodent youkai split off from Reisen as the trio approach where you stand, the pair of them heading over and past you, towards Byakuren, while Reisen descends towards you.
>"Sorry I'm a bit late." She says as she approaches you. "There was an incident in the village that had to be resolved."
-
>Sigh. "Do tell. There was a rather bothersome one here as well. I take it someone got possessed by something?"
-
>Sigh. "Do tell. There was a rather bothersome one here as well. I take it someone got possessed by something?"
>"How did you... Yeah, that's exactly what happened." She looks around. "I gather things here ended a bit more peaceably than there?"
-
>Nod. "A kappa who was working on the stage here was possessed by the Spirt of Envy, one of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion."
>Sigh. "Going by the bite marks, I'd be willing to wager that it was Gluttony who possessed someone. So who was it?"
-
>Nod. "A kappa who was working on the stage here was possessed by the Spirt of Envy, one of the Seven Deadly Sins of western religion."
>Sigh. "Going by the bite marks, I'd be willing to wager that it was Gluttony who possessed someone. So who was it?"
>"One of the villagers. One whom I've told more than once not to eat so much as he does." She shakes her head slightly. "I hope he starts to listen to me when he wakes up."
-
>Sigh exasperatedly. "Gluttony, most definitely. Did anything leave him when you knocked him out? If so, then he should be fine. Otherwise we'll have to pay a visit there to have Byakuren expel it. I'm sure Keine will understand."
-
>Sigh exasperatedly. "Gluttony, most definitely. Did anything leave him when you knocked him out? If so, then he should be fine. Otherwise we'll have to pay a visit there to have Byakuren expel it. I'm sure Keine will understand."
>Reisen winces. "I didn't 'knock him out'. I put him to sleep, that's all. I could tell he was acting against his will, so I took care not to hurt him."
>"But yes, after he was asleep, the entity possessing him came out. Given that it was Gluttony, I was expecting something... Well, overweight. It wasn't. If anything, he was painfully underweight, like someone that hadn't eaten in months. Which, in a way, makes sense. It's a manifestation of the impulse to feed, so, a form that shows great hunger is only appropriate."
>"Regardless, he was none too happy about having his meal interrupted, and he attacked us." She gestures towards the sailor suited female, who is talking to Byakuren, covering much the same ground Reisen is with you. "Murasa took him on in a danmaku battle, and broke one of his spellcards. Keine took over the fight then and broke the second one he used. After that, something...." She tilts her head. "Actually, if you fought one like Gluttony yourself, you probably know what happened next. Did someone here fight Envy after it left its host?"
-
>"No, because Byakuren used her Flow Break spell to force Envy out, and when she attempted to use a Recall ability, she inadvertently self-sealed herself into an emerald. Byakuren has the emerald in question right now."
>Chuckle a little. "A rather fitting gem for the spirit of envy though, I must say. I've pondered what would happen if she met that bridge princess who also deals in jealousy."
-
>"No, because Byakuren used her Flow Break spell to force Envy out, and when she attempted to use a Recall ability, she inadvertently self-sealed herself into an emerald. Byakuren has the emerald in question right now."
>Chuckle a little. "A rather fitting gem for the spirit of envy though, I must say. I've pondered what would happen if she met that bridge princess who also deals in jealousy."
>"So Envy ended up in a jewel, too? Same thing happened with Gluttony, after Keine walloped him. A fire opal, if I'm not mistaken. Nazrin took it, brought it back here. Keine didn't want it left behind in the village. Can't say I blame her, either."
>The moon rabbit quiets then, thinking. "If there's a Gluttony, and an Envy, it stands to reason there's five more of these beings. Did Envy mention anything about where they came from, or who brought them to Gensokyo? Gluttony wasn't entirely coherant after we seperated him from his host."
-
>"I can answer that, as well as inform you on the other five."
>"You see, I've recently gotten word of another Vampire looking to cause trouble, she goes by the title of 'Cobalt Countess'. I intend to show her how we do things in Gensokyo. I fact, I suspect that she is the one who turned Rei in the first place."
>"As for the Seven Sins, they are Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, Pride, Lust, and and Wrath. Since they tend to possess people with those traits, I have several guesses on who may be at risk of being possessed, and by which."
>"Reimu, being the perpetually lazy girl that she is, is at risk of being claimed by Sloth. That ferrywoman at the Sanzu is also a good candidate. Greed will likely aim for Kirisame, due to her habits. I should keep a closer eye on my little sister, in case Wrath comes along. She has a somewhat volatile nature at times after all. Pride, according to what Envy said, is having quite a bit of trouble with Sakuya, and might opt for yours truly if an opportunity shows itself."
>Chuckle ominously. "I almost feel sorry for the poor dear."
-
>"I can answer that, as well as inform you on the other five."
>"You see, I've recently gotten word of another Vampire looking to cause trouble, she goes by the title of 'Cobalt Countess'. I intend to show her how we do things in Gensokyo. I fact, I suspect that she is the one who turned Rei in the first place."
>"As for the Seven Sins, they are Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, Pride, Lust, and and Wrath. Since they tend to possess people with those traits, I have several guesses on who may be at risk of being possessed, and by which."
>"Reimu, being the perpetually lazy girl that she is, is at risk of being claimed by Sloth. That ferrywoman at the Sanzu is also a good candidate. Greed will likely aim for Kirisame, due to her habits. I should keep a closer eye on my little sister, in case Wrath comes along. She has a somewhat volatile nature at times after all. Pride, according to what Envy said, is having quite a bit of trouble with Sakuya, and might opt for yours truly if an opportunity shows itself."
>Chuckle ominously. "I almost feel sorry for the poor dear."
>Reisen takes in what you have to say, although, you think a bit of what you said went over Kikomi's head.
>The rabbit points to the Myoren crew a bit behind you, as well as Mystia and Wriggle, who seem to have returned to their normal colorings. Well, mostly. Wriggle still seems a touch pale. "Have you shared these theories with them? They're involved in this, too."
-
>Smirk a little. "Wriggle's pale because I had a little fun teasing her and her friend."
>Nod. "But yes, they were around for the incident with Envy after all. I even looked into her fate at her request. She'll be safe from being possessed if she goes home."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, if you intend to come along, I'll have to check your fate as well, as a safety measure."
-
>Smirk a little. "Wriggle's pale because I had a little fun teasing her and her friend."
>Nod. "But yes, they were around for the incident with Envy after all. I even looked into her fate at her request. She'll be safe from being possessed if she goes home."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, if you intend to come along, I'll have to check your fate as well, as a safety measure."
>Reisen considers that. "Not a bad idea, actually. Better safe than sorry. When you've done that, though, maybe she should consult with the Myorens and them as to what should be our next move. I know that, usually, incidents in Gensokyo are handled by one or two individuals, but, since we have so many strong people together at the start of one, seems to be an opportunity to do things a bit differently."
-
>Nod. "Indeed. To think that such an incident would arise when I most need Sakuya. If this Cobalt Countess is indeed trying to claim Sakuya for herself by having one of her underlings possess her, then I shall hold nothing back."
>"But aside from that, shall we see what your fate has to say about things, hmm? All I require to do so is a single hair, or a nail clipping, and I can easily check your fate to see if you will end up being possessed."
-
>Nod. "Indeed. To think that such an incident would arise when I most need Sakuya. If this Cobalt Countess is indeed trying to claim Sakuya for herself by having one of her underlings possess her, then I shall hold nothing back."
>"But aside from that, shall we see what your fate has to say about things, hmm? All I require to do so is a single hair, or a nail clipping, and I can easily check your fate to see if you will end up being possessed."
>Your sentiment towards Sakuya brings a quiet smile to Reisen's face.
>"A hair?" The lunar rabbit reaches into her jacket pocket and produces a small pair of scissors. She clips off a small strand from her somewhat excessively lengthy head of hair, and hands it to you. "Will that do?"
-
>Nod. "That will do nicely."
>Let's see if the rabbit will have to deal with being possessed.
-
>Nod. "That will do nicely."
>Let's see if the rabbit will have to deal with being possessed.
>As you peer into Reisen's future, your fate-sight encounters some... resistance. The clouds do not part as easily as they have at other times tonight. You've encountered this before; some individuals are simply harder to read than others. Whether it is something in her spiritual nature, her mental makeup, or simply due to the fact that she is a Lunarian rabbit, you can't be sure without a more detailed, or prolonged, analysis, but some factor, if not all the above keeps you from getting a perfectly clear answer to your query into Reisen's fate.
>Regardless, after some concentration, you do eventually get at least a partial answer. You detect the figures of Pride and Lust in Reisen's future. They seem to be standing on either side of the rabbit, and you sense some form of conflict between the two of them. The nature of this conflict, you cannot see for certain, but you would guess they are arguing over possession of Reisen.
-
>"Well, it seems that Pride and Lust will fall to arguing over who gets you."
>What do we know of her power, come to think of it?
-
>What do we know of her power, come to think of it?
>You know that she has some form of hypnotic power with those she makes eye contact with, although humans seem more vulnerable to this than youkai. She can use this to affect peoples' sense of equilibrium, at least. When you fought her during the False Moon incident, Sakuya was more affected by this than you, she was somewhat dizzy for a while afterwards, and during the fight, both of you had some difficulty in gauging which direction you were moving, and which direction her bullets were coming at you from. She also has a very nasty danmaku ability, in that she can make her bullets intangable, reverse their direction, and then send them back at you, or make them invisible altogether, and possibly both.
>She claimed to be able to drive people insane with her eyes, but if she can, you saw no evidence of this. Although you have to admit, anyone who saw enough of her spellcards and were unprepared for them could be driven a bit batty trying to figure them out. Even you and Sakuya had a devil of a time beating this rabbit, although, of course, you did.
>"Well, it seems that Pride and Lust will fall to arguing over who gets you."
>"That's interesting. And could work to our advantage."
>"What do you mean?" Kikomi asks her.
>"Well, if two of those Sins are arguing over me, then they'll be distracted. And someone as powerful as Remilia here could take advantage of that distraction." She returns her attention to you. "Can you determine if either of them will prevail over the other?"
-
>"I would need something of theirs to know how thier fates will flow. Though I might be able to work around that by seeing further ahead into yours to see which one will succeed. I might need something a bit more potent than hair though, such as a little blood, but just a drop should suffice."
>Smirk. "You're a bit of a challenge to divine for, you know that?"
-
>"I would need something of theirs to know how thier fates will flow. Though I might be able to work around that by seeing further ahead into yours to see which one will succeed. I might need something a bit more potent than hair though, such as a little blood, but just a drop should suffice."
>Smirk. "You're a bit of a challenge to divine for, you know that?"
>Reisen doesn't seem to surprised at that. "I suspect it's because of my Lunarian physiology. Master and I have discussed this now and then, and there are some types of Earth power that doesn't affect Lunarians as strongly as it does earth races. We've speculated that divination styled powers could be among them."
-
>Nod. "It was a little difficult, but I just had to push a little harder than for most. Generally, I can do much more with a stronger catalyst, such as a finger, or a bone fragment. But given how you've already given permission, I think that I can push further along to garner more useful information with a drop or two of blood, as I previously stated."
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>Nod. "It was a little difficult, but I just had to push a little harder than for most. Generally, I can do much more with a stronger catalyst, such as a finger, or a bone fragment. But given how you've already given permission, I think that I can push further along to garner more useful information with a drop or two of blood, as I previously stated."
>"It's worth trying."
>Using her scissors, Reisen gives her middle finger on her left hand a little poke. After a couple of seconds, a blob of red blood forms on the surface of her skin. You restrain yourself from inhaling sharply. You've never smelled the blood of a Lunarian before, and it's strong. Heady, but not unpleasant, it fills your nostrils. A pleasant sensation, and one you've not had in many years.
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>Alright, let's keep in check, and stick to the task at hand by trying the last question, but pushing further along.
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>Alright, let's keep in check, and stick to the task at hand by trying the last question, but pushing further along.
>Not letting on how delicious Reisen smells, you wipe the blood smear onto your own finger and focus upon it. With the stronger reagent, the mists of the future do roll back easily, although the scene you're targeting is still not completely clear.
>Although Pride and Lust are arguing amongst themselves over Reisen, the rabbit is standing passively by. If anything, she seems... embarrassed, by the debate going on around her. There doesn't seem to be any hostility that you can detect, either from the Sins towards Reisen, or from Reisen towards the Sins. The Sins don't seem to be hostile towards each other, merely debating strongly, although you can't make out the words.
>After nearly a minute, Lust reaches out and grabs Reisen by the right hand. Pride follows suit and grabs her left. Before they start tugging however, as they seem to be about to, you clearly detect the voice of Youmu Konpaku yell, "Unhand her immediately!" and a spread of bullets fly out from just beyond your field of vision. Pride and Lust fly up in reaction, whereas Reisen simple stands impassive, as the blue and red spheres of bullets fly to either side of her. She sighs again as Youmu and the two Sins start exchanging fire.
>This then is Reisen's fate tonight, as it stands right now: To be fought over by Pride and Lust, and to be defended by Youmu Konpaku.
>As for who will win between the two, if either of them, do, that's a bit unclear. You see Youmu pull out one of her spellcards, and turn her face to address Reisen, but her words are obscured, staticy. Whatever she says, you see Reisen nod, and you think you see another figure start to enter your field of vision from the opposite side of Youmu, before the mists of time roll back in, concealing the scene from your mind's eye.
-
>Smirk just a bit. "Well, seems that little half-ghost will play the hero tonight. They'll both try to take you at the same time, but she'll show up and act rather valiantly. But someone else will also show up shortly after, I couldn't discern who though, which is rather bothersome."
>"The sins themselves didn't feel hostile though, towards you, or themselves, and you were rather passive, embarrassed by them fighting over you it seems."
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>Smirk just a bit. "Well, seems that little half-ghost will play the hero tonight. They'll both try to take you at the same time, but she'll show up and act rather valiantly. But someone else will also show up shortly after, I couldn't discern who though, which is rather bothersome."
>"The sins themselves didn't feel hostile though, towards you, or themselves, and you were rather passive, embarrassed by them fighting over you it seems."
>"Youmu? Even better, that means she'll be there when we confront those sins. Between you, me and Youmu, that's enough power to handle anything."
>"Don't forget me!" Kikomi declares.
>"Of course not. Still, I have to wonder why they'd be fighting with each other over me." The rabbit shakes her head. "I shouldn't complain, though. Any confusion among enemy forces only serves our side."
-
>"Envy had said that she didn't get along with Pride at all. The fact that this latest reading shows pride arguing with Lust seems to imply that Pride gets on everyone's nerves."
>Smirk. "Which may indeed work to our advantage, as you commented earlier."
>"That being said, I shall have to do a reading for Youmu as well if she joins prior to everything. And I'm rather interested to see what gems the other sin spirits are tied to. Envy was a brilliantly green Emerald. And according to you, Gluttony was a Fire Opal. Rather curious choice for the latter really."
-
>"Envy had said that she didn't get along with Pride at all. The fact that this latest reading shows pride arguing with Lust seems to imply that Pride gets on everyone's nerves."
>Smirk. "Which may indeed work to our advantage, as you commented earlier."
>"That being said, I shall have to do a reading for Youmu as well if she joins prior to everything. And I'm rather interested to see what gems the other sin spirits are tied to. Envy was a brilliantly green Emerald. And according to you, Gluttony was a Fire Opal. Rather curious choice for the latter really."
>"I'm not sure what Gluttony could represent, myself. Although, I wouldn't expect to see Youmu any time soon. I know her. Once she reports in to her lady Yuyuko, she'll start scouring Gensokyo for whoever turned Rei on her own. If either one of us sees her before this affair is over, it'll be a stroke of luck."
>The rabbit then casts her gaze around the yard. "Speaking of Rei, where is she?"
-
>Sigh. "Just a moment, I'll check the area."
>Time for the batcloud scan again.
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>Sigh. "Just a moment, I'll check the area."
>Time for the batcloud scan again.
>Dispersing into your swarm form again, you spread out over the area around and over the Myoren temple. It's a bit embarassing to think that Rei could have escaped while you were dueling with Envy without you noticing. But that seems to have been the case here.
>Knowing she can become a rat, you send some of your bats lower to the ground to scan any areas of concealment she could be using, some more to scan more human-sized areas of the surrounding woodland, and yet more to sweep the skies for signs of her flying away.
>Several minutes to searching yields no result, at least not of Rei. You do see a pair of figures flying towards the temple from the west, but neither one of them are Rei. If the fledgling has tried to escape, she seems to have done a good job at it.
-
>Reform, and sigh. "Seems she's given us the slip, aggravatingly enough. But if this Cobalt Countess is the one who turned her, then we'll find her again soon."
>Come to think of it, most fledgelings tend to not stray too far from where they were turned, as well as who sired them, correct?
>"There's also a pair approaching from the west, I'll go find out who they are myself."
>And batcloud on over to where those folks are, we'll meet 'em halfway.
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>Reform, and sigh. "Seems she's given us the slip, aggravatingly enough. But if this Cobalt Countess is the one who turned her, then we'll find her again soon."
>Come to think of it, most fledgelings tend to not stray too far from where they were turned, as well as who sired them, correct?
>"She must have got away during the fight." Kikomi offers. To her credit, she seems just fine conversing with a swarm of bats.
>Yes and no. You've known some fledglings who were practically glued to their sires' sides for several months, even years, after being turned. And some who, immediately upon rising, flew off into the sky to see the world through their new eyes. And some of those got a fair distance under their belts; you recall one several week old Indian vampire who arrived at your door one day on one of these 'walkabouts'. Rei would appear to be among the latter group. Since you don't know where Cobalt's home is, you can't be certain how far Rei flew from home. However, it's almost a guarantee that's where she's gone.
>"There's also a pair approaching from the west, I'll go find out who they are myself."
>And batcloud on over to where those folks are, we'll meet 'em halfway.
>You gather in your bats and fly in a westerly direction, intending to intercept the incoming pair.
>The two women are obviously youkai. The shorter of the pair has short, wavy green hair, and wears a purplish-brown dress with a rather short skirt, trimmed with green and grey. A pair of floppy brown ears are on her head, an indication of her youkai nature.
>The taller of the two is obviously a youkai as well, as the big bushy raccoon tail and matching ears show. The top part of her dress is a shade of green and her skirt is a brownish color, with green accents upon it. She sports a pair of cloth accents on her shoulders, and wears glasses. She carries a clay sake bottle, and a notepad.
>Neither one seem to react to a swarm of bats flying towards them.
-
>Let's keep an eye on then, and make the bats act natural as we keep nearby.
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>Let's keep an eye on then, and make the bats act natural as we keep nearby.
>Opting not to reveal yourself to the pair of youkai, you continue to gather your bats together, but ensure they fly over and around the flying pair as any proper swarm of bats would.
>"Don't see too many bats around here." the shorter youkai comments to her companion.
>"Indeed. I would have expected any bats in the area not to become active until sometime later in the evening. Still, it is possible they were disturbed by the festivities of young Lorelai's performance."
>The shorter youkai frowns. "I'm still a little sad we didn't make it back in time."
>"Try not to let it bother you, dearie." the 'coon tailed youkai says with a comforting smile. "You couldn't have known about that mining operation."
>The youkai called 'dearie' pouts. "'Mining operation'. Fairys have lousy timing, that's what it is."
>Her companion chuckles. "So I've been learning."
-
>Well, let's make back for the temple, but keep most of the bats acting natural as we have been. This 'Mining Operation' they refer to seems mildly amusing.
>We ourselves in one of the bats will fly a little closer, and play the role of Cute Talking Critter for the time.
>"...Mining Operation...? What could those fairies have been after...?"
-
>Well, let's make back for the temple, but keep most of the bats acting natural as we have been. This 'Mining Operation' they refer to seems mildly amusing.
>We ourselves in one of the bats will fly a little closer, and play the role of Cute Talking Critter for the time.
>"...Mining Operation...? What could those fairies have been after...?"
>A little humor seems welcome, and so you have one of the bats detach from the main group and fly in closer to the two youkai.
>At the sound of a talking bat, the shorter youkai yelps in surprise. Unfortunately for your ears, her yelp is a lot louder than you'd expect. And we mean a LOT louder than you'd expect. You swear you can almost SEE the soundwaves. Moments like this make you regret having several dozen sets of ears.
-
>"Ow-ow-ow-ow! Too loud! Too loud!"
-
>"Ow-ow-ow-ow! Too loud! Too loud!"
>Wincing, the tailed youkai nods in agreement.
>Her companion looks between you and the taller youkai. "I've never seen a talking bat before." Fortunately, her voice has returned to normal volumes.
-
>"What, never seen a Youkai Bat before? Must be new to the Youkai business, huh?"
>It might be a little lie, but it's also somewhat the truth after all. We are a Youkai, but we're also a Bat right now.
>At any rate, let's keep flying with 'em as they go. We'll keep the rest of the swarm near, but at a natural-seeming distance.
-
>"What, never seen a Youkai Bat before? Must be new to the Youkai business, huh?"
>It might be a little lie, but it's also somewhat the truth after all. We are a Youkai, but we're also a Bat right now.
>At any rate, let's keep flying with 'em as they go. We'll keep the rest of the swarm near, but at a natural-seeming distance.
>The pair of youkai resume their path towards the temple.
>"I didn't think bat youkai were all that common." the loud one replies.
>"Well, they're not, dearie. At least, no more common than other youkai of a bestial nature. And, if you'll note, that's not quite what she said, either. She said 'youkai bat', not 'bat youkai'. There's a difference." She gives you an appraising look. You get the feeling she sees through even that little lie of yours.
-
>Wink a little. "See? She knows what I'm talking about. Two completely different things."
>Let's keep going with 'em until we're all back at the temple.
>Once we're there, we'll pull back together to our usual self with a playful smirk. "I couldn't help but have a little fun, tonight's been a rather eventful and trying one after all."
-
>Wink a little. "See? She knows what I'm talking about. Two completely different things."
>Let's keep going with 'em until we're all back at the temple.
>Once we're there, we'll pull back together to our usual self with a playful smirk. "I couldn't help but have a little fun, tonight's been a rather eventful and trying one after all."
>The three of you make your way towards the Myoren temple without furthur incident, which your aching heads are quite grateful for. It's been a long time since you've had a headache in this many heads at once, but that should pass once you return to your humanoid form. Hopefully.
>You note that Ichirin has rejoined Byakuren and the others, and that Reisen and Kikomi have gathered around the group as well, as you approach the grounds.
>As your two companions come in for a landing, you resume your glorious natural form. And note, before you joke with the two youkai, that your mutiple headaches have indeed receeded. Into a minor dull ache at the temples.
>The raccoon tailed youkai squints her eyes at you momentarily. "Am I mistaken, or, would you happen to be a vampire?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "Right in one dear. I am Remilia Scarlet, one of Gensokyo's more notable Vampires."
>"Recently, there's been a bit of trouble that I didn't foresee getting involved in, but since my head maid, Sakuya, has gone missing, and has been revealed to be in a spot of trouble related to this little problem, I've been forced to involve myself."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Right in one dear. I am Remilia Scarlet, one of Gensokyo's more notable Vampires."
>"My word, but it's been some years since last I laid my eyes upon a vampire."
>"What's a vampire, Mamizou?" the loud one asks.
>"A vampire is a type of youkai, and a particularly strong one, at that. In the same league as oni, even. But, if you'll pardon me saying, Remilia, they are quite uncommon in this part of the world."
>"Ah, please excuse me. I am Futatsuiwa from Sado. Mamizou Futatsuiwa." She gestures to her companion. "And this young lady is Kyouko Kasodani."
>"Recently, there's been a bit of trouble that I didn't foresee getting involved in, but since my head maid, Sakuya, has gone missing, and has been revealed to be in a spot of trouble related to this little problem, I've been forced to involve myself."
>"If you need assistance with this problem, or any problem, the Myoren temple is here to assist all youkai." Mamizou says with a gentle little smile.
-
>Nod. "Byakuren herself has already helped a bit. And we've gathered quite the ragtag band to deal with this irritating matter."
>Sigh. "In fact, this bothersome matter involves another Vampire who seems to think she's better. She forgets her place in the hierarchy if you ask me. Scarlet will forever be superior to Cobalt."
>"Look at the past, have people ever killed excessively for sapphires? No, it has always been for Diamonds or Rubies."
-
>Nod. "Byakuren herself has already helped a bit. And we've gathered quite the ragtag band to deal with this irritating matter."
>Sigh. "In fact, this bothersome matter involves another Vampire who seems to think she's better. She forgets her place in the hierarchy if you ask me. Scarlet will forever be superior to Cobalt."
>"Look at the past, have people ever killed excessively for sapphires? No, it has always been for Diamonds or Rubies."
>"Remilia's right, Mamizou." the mouse youkai called Nazrin calls to the youkai. "Come here, we'll bring you two up to speed as soon as Minako and Master come out."
>Kyouko flits over to join the crew, while you and Mamizou take a more leisurely pace. "I wouldn't say 'always' so automatically, dearie. People can do many things in the name of wealth and power. Although, that discussion might best be served another day. Do you happen to know aught of this other vampire?"
-
>"Well, we know she's been turning people every so often, I've actually encountered one such individual, and that girl implied that there were many others. Also, she's referred to as the Cobalt Countess. What her actual name is, I know not."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, and she also has seven underlings that are embodiments of the Seven Deadly Sins of Western Religion. Two of which, Envy and Gluttony, have already been faced and dealt with for the time being."
-
>"Well, we know she's been turning people every so often, I've actually encountered one such individual, and that girl implied that there were many others. Also, she's referred to as the Cobalt Countess. What her actual name is, I know not."
>"I'm afraid I've not heard of the title, either. It is possible she is not native to this part of the world. As, I would venture to guess, is the case for you as well?"
-
>"I have actually been here for a while now, rather nice place all things considered. But you are correct, I was not brought into being in Japan at all. I brought my mansion with me when I entered Gensokyo."
>"But yes, I had never heard of her until tonight either. I must say though, she has rather poor tact for a Vampire, letting her progeny run rampant as she has. For shame."
-
>"I have actually been here for a while now, rather nice place all things considered. But you are correct, I was not brought into being in Japan at all. I brought my mansion with me when I entered Gensokyo."
>"But yes, I had never heard of her until tonight either. I must say though, she has rather poor tact for a Vampire, letting her progeny run rampant as she has. For shame."
>Mamizou chuckles quietly. "Mayhap the Countess of Cobalt merely lets her children roam free? Has this young one caused any trouble in her roamings, that you are aware of?"
-
>Sigh. "Unfortunately, one of her progeny nearly made a meal of that Firefly Youkai there. She even dared to bare her fangs at one such as I when I revealed myself to her. Such a troublesome little girl, but I'd like to think I got through to her somewhat, she was adapting rather quickly to being a Vampire after all."
>"But it is proper Vampire Ethics to keep one's progeny locked in the castle or mansion until they have full control of themselves. This girl, while she was adapting rather quickly, still had much to learn."
>Smirk a little. "Though I must admit, she has quite a bit of potential. I shall have to see about taking her for myself, as such potential is wasted on a fool as the Countess. She was actually able to replicate one of my Techniques, Servant Flier, after seeing it in action. A flawed copy, but still a feat worth praise.""
-
>Sigh. "Unfortunately, one of her progeny nearly made a meal of that Firefly Youkai there. She even dared to bare her fangs at one such as I when I revealed myself to her. Such a troublesome little girl, but I'd like to think I got through to her somewhat, she was adapting rather quickly to being a Vampire after all."
>"But it is proper Vampire Ethics to keep one's progeny locked in the castle or mansion until they have full control of themselves. This girl, while she was adapting rather quickly, still had much to learn."
>Smirk a little. "Though I must admit, she has quite a bit of potential. I shall have to see about taking her for myself, as such potential is wasted on a fool as the Countess. She was actually able to replicate one of my Techniques, Servant Flier, after seeing it in action. A flawed copy, but still a feat worth praise.""
>The bespectacled youkai smiles again as you bemoan Rei's state under her current mistress. She'd be far better under your wing than the scrawny wing of this new arrival. After you lecture this Countess on proper etiquette among the children of the night, of course.
>"The emulation of another's skills and techniques is quite an admirable feat. Although, as you say, it does require a bit of polishing, however much raw talent one possesses." She chuckles her quiet chuckle. "I believe I'd like to meet this fledgling vampire myself."
>As you and Mamizou join the gathering of youkai, Minako reemerges from the temple, now carrying a ranseur. And she is followed by a tall woman with black and blonde striped hair, clad in a multicolored dress, with a large cloth circle tied at the back defying gravity and standing over her head, somehow. She carries a spear, which she uses as a walking stick.
>"Now we are gathered." Byakuren declares.
>"'cept Nue." Murasa grumbles. "When's that ever different?"
>Mamizou gestures with her hands. "Now, now. You know she'd be around if the need arose."
>"We can make do without her, anyway." Nazrin says simply.
>The woman with the striped hair and the tiger patterned belt turns her attention to you as Nazrin and Byakuren bring Mamizou and Kyouko up to speed on what's been going on. "You're the vampire who defeated Envy before?"
-
>Nod. "Indeed, I am Remilia Scarlet."
>Smirk a little. "And I must say, excellent choice of weapon. Far too few fellow practitioners of the Spear Arts in Gensokyo if you ask me."
-
>Nod. "Indeed, I am Remilia Scarlet."
>Smirk a little. "And I must say, excellent choice of weapon. Far too few fellow practitioners of the Spear Arts in Gensokyo if you ask me."
>The multihaired youkai laughs a little sheepishly. "If you say so. I carry it more out of a sense of duty than actual desire to use it. I'm very happy to be in a world that has no almost need of weapons."
>"And I am Shou Toramaru."
-
>Nod. "At any rate, did you have something to ask me about Envy? She was rather weak this time, but I think that her power may well vary based on the power of the one she is currently possessing."
-
>Nod. "At any rate, did you have something to ask me about Envy? She was rather weak this time, but I think that her power may well vary based on the power of the one she is currently possessing."
>"Actually, I wanted to thank you, on behalf of the Myoren temple. You've probably heard this before, but it's our duty to help any and all youkai that need help. And for your help in that duty, you have our thanks."
-
>Smirk. "I may be considered a Devil, but that doesn't mean I'm not noble about it. After all, 'even evil has standards', as they say."
>"But aside from that, the other five will be troublesome sorts. Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, Pride, Lust, and Wrath. These are the Seven Deadly Sins. Envy and Gluttony have already been dealt with, and Pride will be a troublesome one, as the proud are oft to be. Sloth, I don't think we'll need to worry about, unless it possesses the likes of Hakurei."
-
>Smirk. "I may be considered a Devil, but that doesn't mean I'm not noble about it. After all, 'even evil has standards', as they say."
>"But aside from that, the other five will be troublesome sorts. Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, Pride, Lust, and Wrath. These are the Seven Deadly Sins. Envy and Gluttony have already been dealt with, and Pride will be a troublesome one, as the proud are oft to be. Sloth, I don't think we'll need to worry about, unless it possesses the likes of Hakurei."
>Shou nods. "Knowing Nazrin, she'll have one of us head over to the Hakurei shrine. Unless you were planning to do that yourself?"
-
>Nod. "It would be best if we all went, on the off chance she has been possessed. Hakurei has proven to be quite a powerful foe, as all present know personally."
-
>Nod. "It would be best if we all went, on the off chance she has been possessed. Hakurei has proven to be quite a powerful foe, as all present know personally."
>Shou looks over at the gathered youkai. "Even with Reimu's known power, I doubt it would take all of us to handle her. If she's even possessed at all."
-
>"Well, better to err on the side of caution. You don't get to be as old a Vampire as I am without being cautious."
-
>"Well, better to err on the side of caution. You don't get to be as old a Vampire as I am without being cautious."
>Shou gives you a small warriors' grin. "I've been around a few years myself." Her expression becomes neutral again, then. "Though, I think I'll wait on Nazrin's analysis before deciding for myself. You could call her the tactician of our group."
>"Of course, there's nothing stopping you from heading there yourself, if you'd rather."
-
>Smirk a little. "I much prefer to have things all planned out before acting. it's in my nature as a Vampire to hedge my bets. So let's see what your little friend has to say on things for now. I may be able to add to it if need be."
>Ramp up the smirk a bit. "Schemes and plots are something I rather enjoy after all."
-
>Smirk a little. "I much prefer to have things all planned out before acting. it's in my nature as a Vampire to hedge my bets. So let's see what your little friend has to say on things for now. I may be able to add to it if need be."
>Ramp up the smirk a bit. "Schemes and plots are something I rather enjoy after all."
>"We prefer a more straight forward and honest approach to conflict ourselves, when they arise."
>Oy, the goody two-shoesness of this place is palpable.
>"But, we're also not in the habit of not listening to the other side of things. Otherwise, we wouldn't let Nue hang around."
-
>Well, we aren't one to refuse useful allies if they're needed. And with Hakurei being a liability, we need the muscle we can get.
>"At any rate, let's go see what she has in mind, shall we?"
>Let's head over to the rest of the group.
-
>Well, we aren't one to refuse useful allies if they're needed. And with Hakurei being a liability, we need the muscle we can get.
>"At any rate, let's go see what she has in mind, shall we?"
>Let's head over to the rest of the group.
>Still concerned with the idea of battling with a possessed Reimu (which is quite a legitimate concern, all told), you and Shou rejoin the rest of the assembled youkai.
>"Let's cut right to the chase." the small mouse youkai. "We're dealing with no less than six figures at large in Gensokyo: the Cobalt Countess, and the remaining five of the seven sin youaki. At least, let's assume they're youkai for now. The Gluttony and Envy sins weren't all that difficult to defeat, but I don't think we should assume the others will be as easy."
>Nazrin turns her gaze on you. "Reisen shared your theories on where four out of five of those sins would be, but, did you have any guesses where Lust might find a host to its liking?"
-
>Nod thoughtfully. "That one could be a problem, but if we go by my earlier readings, it would appear Lust may still have yet to claim a host. Though Lust is typically seen as a strong sexual desire, it can also be termed as a strong desire in general, such as a lust for power, material wealth, knowledge, and so on."
>Beat.
>"....Oh dear."
-
>Nod thoughtfully. "That one could be a problem, but if we go by my earlier readings, it would appear Lust may still have yet to claim a host. Though Lust is typically seen as a strong sexual desire, it can also be termed as a strong desire in general, such as a lust for power, material wealth, knowledge, and so on."
>Beat.
>"....Oh dear."
>"'Oh dear', what?"
-
>"....We should check back at the mansion, just in case. Patchouli has always had a thirst for more knowledge. I should check on Flan while we're at it, she can be a little volatile at times, and it would be very bad if Wrath were to possess her."
-
>"....We should check back at the mansion, just in case. Patchouli has always had a thirst for more knowledge. I should check on Flan while we're at it, she can be a little volatile at times, and it would be very bad if Wrath were to possess her."
>The diminutive youkai considers this. "Your mansion, where is it? More specifically, is the Hakurei Shrine between here and there?"
-
>Where are the Mansion and the Hakurei Shrine in relation to this Temple?
-
>Where are the Mansion and the Hakurei Shrine in relation to this Temple?
>The Hakurei shrine lies generally Southeast from here, while your mansion would be more of an eastsoutheast direction. As the crow flies, your mansion and the shrine do not line up directly from here, but they do come close to it.
-
Which is farther away, the mansion or the shrine?
-
Which is farther away, the mansion or the shrine?
>Your mansion.
-
>"They don't quite line up from here, but making a detour to the shrine on the way to the mansion would still be fairly quick. I assume you are thinking of stopping there on they way, and such a plan is fairly sensable."
-
>"They don't quite line up from here, but making a detour to the shrine on the way to the mansion would still be fairly quick. I assume you are thinking of stopping there on they way, and such a plan is fairly sensable."
>"I was thinking of sending one of us there, yes, if for no other reason to see if the red-white was involved in this incident one way or the other. But, if you, Reisen and Kikomi are going there, that should be sufficient for doing that. We can cover the rest of Gensokyo."
-
>Nod. "Alright then. Stay safe, and be cautious. And be sure to push them to sealing themselves to keep them out of the way for the time being if you find any of the Sins. It's not the nicest of things to do, but it's a practical means of keeping them occupied until the Incident's resolved."
>Chuckle a little. "It's been quite some time since I've resolved an Incident."
-
>Nod. "Alright then. Stay safe, and be cautious. And be sure to push them to sealing themselves to keep them out of the way for the time being if you find any of the Sins. It's not the nicest of things to do, but it's a practical means of keeping them occupied until the Incident's resolved."
>Chuckle a little. "It's been quite some time since I've resolved an Incident."
>Mystia takes a step closer to you. "Me and Wriggle'll go with you, at least as far as the shrine."
>Wriggle nods. "If the red-white's on the wrong end of a youkai possession, that'll be worth seeing with our own eyes."
-
>Nod. "First, let's see if that will lead to either of you getting possessed, hm? All that's required is a hair, or even a feather in the case of some."
-
>Nod. "First, let's see if that will lead to either of you getting possessed, hm? All that's required is a hair, or even a feather in the case of some."
>Both Wriggle and Mystia reach up to their heads, but then Mystia stops. "Wait a second, I thought you did Wriggle already?"
-
>Nod. "Good point. Just you then."
-
>Nod. "Good point. Just you then."
>Mystia nods and slices off a small piece of her hair with her sharpened fingernails, and hands it to you.
-
>Alright, let's check her future now to see if she'll be possessed at all.
-
>Alright, let's check her future now to see if she'll be possessed at all.
>Within the next 24 hours, only if Mystia remains at the temple will she become possessed by one of the Sins. Gluttony, you forsee. The other six pose no threat to her.
-
>Smile a little. "Well, if you don't wish to be possessed, I suggest we leave now. If you stay, you'll get possessed by Gluttony. Not a good thing for that girlish figure you have, I must say~"
>Let's roll, but take a little time for Mystia to cool down a little if that little remark gets her going again.
-
>Smile a little. "Well, if you don't wish to be possessed, I suggest we leave now. If you stay, you'll get possessed by Gluttony. Not a good thing for that girlish figure you have, I must say~"
>Let's roll, but take a little time for Mystia to cool down a little if that little remark gets her going again.
>The avian youkai keeps her cool this time around, somewhat to your disappointment, and she and Wriggle move to stand by you.
>Byakuren gives you a smile. "Take of yourselves, and each other."
>Kyouko gives Mystia a hug. "Watch yourself around the red-white."
>Mystia answers her with a grin. "Always."
>Kikomi gives Byakuren a concerned look. "Tell Sui where I've gone when she wakes up, please. I don't want her to worry."
>The temple head nods to the kappa. "Of course I will."
>The farewells said, you and your group take to the air, and fly off towards the demesne of the one and only Reimu Hakurei.
>Rei Oumi has left your party...
>Mystia Lorelei has joined your party!
>Reisen Udonge has joined your party!
>Kikomi has joined your party!
>The time is now 10:33 PM.
-
(It's actually Mystia Lorelei, believe it or not.)
>"Well, perhaps she'll be less of a threat if she has indeed been possessed. Sin Spirits, I've noted, magnify their respective trait. Hakurei is already quite lazy, so if she is possessed by Sloth, she might not even bother to do much to fight back."
>Grin in a slightly evil manner. "Which is alright with me, as it shall make driving Sloth out that much easier."
>Keep going until we get there.
-
(It's actually Mystia Lorelei, believe it or not.)
>"Well, perhaps she'll be less of a threat if she has indeed been possessed. Sin Spirits, I've noted, magnify their respective trait. Hakurei is already quite lazy, so if she is possessed by Sloth, she might not even bother to do much to fight back."
>Grin in a slightly evil manner. "Which is alright with me, as it shall make driving Sloth out that much easier."
>Keep going until we get there.
And I'd even called her that earlier, too. Ah, well, carp happens.
>"I'm not sure it's Reimu we have to worry about, one way or the other." Kikomi adds. "None of the danmaku Envy used, or her spellcard, were Sui's. They had to have been her own. And you heard what the rabbit said about the human. Gluttony didn't even start firing until he'd been driven out of his host, right, Reisen?"
>"That's right." she replies, seemingly taking no offense to being referred to as 'the rabbit'. "He just tried to take a bite out of anyone around him. Twice, in some cases." she adds with a look at the hole in her jacket. "And if that's the case here, then if Sloth has possessed Reimu, then we'd only have to worry about it's danmaku. And it should come out just as easily if I can put Reimu to sleep."
>"Big if." Mystia notes. "I don't know if anything like that can even affect her. When I made her night-blind, it didn't seem to affect her one bit."
>"I was able to affect her before. Not as much as I might have liked at the time, but it was still something. If anything, it might be easier this time around, since that gap youkai won't be with her. Probably."
>The flight between the temple and the shrine is uneventful, though you again make a special point to skirt the human village, in case Keine's still on edge after the events that transpired earlier.
>As you approach the Hakurei shrine, you see the skies over the shrine are lit by flashes of light. And even though you're still a bit of distance away, you know danmaku light when you see it.
>The time is now 10:51 PM.
-
>Chuckle a little, and point towards the shrine. "Seems we're late to the party, so let's pick up the pace, shall we?"
>Time to get there on doubletime!
-
>Chuckle a little, and point towards the shrine. "Seems we're late to the party, so let's pick up the pace, shall we?"
>Time to get there on doubletime!
>As your little group accelerates their flight, Reisen holds two fingers up to her temple, and narrows her eyes. She then clenches her teeth. "We were wrong."
>Kikomi asks her, "About what?", but the answer is evident to you, and by the looks on their faces, Wriggle and Mystia as well. Every youkai in Gensokyo knows the light of Reimu's danmaku when they see it, and that's what you can see ahead.
>Mystia supplies the answer to the kappa's question. "Those are Reimu's danmaku." she says, her voice laden with worry. And with good reason, too.
>"Maybe she's fighting Sloth?" Kikomi offers, hopeful.
>Reisen points at the two humanoind figures in the air. "Guess again."
>Youmu Konpaku and Kogasa are exchanging danmaku with the red and white clad shrine maiden. Well, more accurately, Kogasa is firing, and Youmu is evading a line of needle-shot from Reimu. Or trying to, at least. Kogasa's shot seems to be one of her spellcards. And judging by the fact that only Youmu and Kogasa are showing damage, and there's a smile on Reimu's face that doesn't look like one of hers, the fight's not gone well for them.
-
>Spellcards
>"Well, let's get ready to join the fun, hm?"
-
>Spellcards
>You are currently carrying:
>Destiny: Miserable Fate
>Scarlet Sign: Scarlet Shoot (current health 78%)
>Dark Sign: Scarlet Netherworld
>Divine Punishment: Young Demon Lord
>Scarlet Gensokyo
>"Well, let's get ready to join the fun, hm?"
>Wriggle, Kikomi and Mystia all chime in with an affirmative, but Reisen is a bit more cautious.
>"Just a moment." she advises. "I don't know that we should assume that's Sloth down there. The last two Sins we encountered couldn't use the hosts danmaku, and those talismans are definitely Reimu's. It's possible that Youmu just jumped the gun. She has a tendency to do that, now and then."
-
>Sigh. "Well, let's find out what's going on then, shall we?"
>Let's rocket in at full aura! Let it not be said that we were ever slow to act.
-
>Before going in: "What about the other two? Does what they're using look like their danmaku?"
-
>Before going in: "What about the other two? Does what they're using look like their danmaku?"
>Reisen nods. "I've seen both of their danmaku before. It's theirs. If one of the Sins has possessed any of them, I can't tell right now."
>Sigh. "Well, let's find out what's going on then, shall we?"
>Let's rocket in at full aura! Let it not be said that we were ever slow to act.
>Leaving Reisen to hang back and observe, you power up your scarlet aura and fly forwards towards the possessed- or not possessed, in the event Reisen's right- miko. The smaller trio of youkai follow right behind you.
>The telltale sign and shattering sound of a spellcard breaking preceeds your arrival, as Kogasa's spellcard surrenders to a barrage of amulet danmaku. You hear Reimu chuckle as Kogasa backs off, clutching her umbrella tightly.
>Despite the quartet of new arrivals, none of the three current combatants seem to take note of any of you.
-
>Let out a nice and hammy laugh. "Well, well, well. Having a party, and you three didn't think to invite me? For shame dears, for shame."
-
>Let out a nice and hammy laugh. "Well, well, well. Having a party, and you three didn't think to invite me? For shame dears, for shame."
>"Oh, there's plenty of room for more." Reimu declares. Unlike Envy, it's only her voice that you hear. But there's something off about her eyes. She's side on to you now, so you can't get a good look at them, but something doesn't look entirely kosher. "In fact, I'm willing to take on all seven of you."
>"I've never heard of someone having a spellcard duel with seven people at once." Wriggle comments to Mystia.
>"Well, it IS Reimu saying it, so, it should be by the rules." the winged youkai replies.
-
>Smirk. "I'm not so sure about that. Something's rather fishy, wouldn't you say?"
>Let's see if we can't get a better look at her peepers.
-
>Smirk. "I'm not so sure about that. Something's rather fishy, wouldn't you say?"
>Let's see if we can't get a better look at her peepers.
>Floating laterally in a wide circle, you come around to the right front of Reimu and have a better look at her eyes.
>They're the wrong color. Normally her eyes are a chocolate shade of brown. Now, however, they're as grey as agates.
>Reimu's eyes turn upon you. "You're first, then?"
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well, if you insist."
>Rocket backwards while scattering some shots.
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well, if you insist."
>Rocket backwards while scattering some shots.
>Reimu returns your smile. "Oh, I do." and takes to the sky herself, having broken Kogasa's spellcard while on the ground.
>Your bullets are joined by Wriggle and Mystia's as well, filling the sky with yellow, green and red danmaku. Kogasa, you note, falls back slightly towards Youmu.
>Reimu flies forwards and throws a quartet of amulets to her right, and a glowing square of blue energy appears in the air, the shrine maiden stopping behind it. The two younger youkai's bullets refract off Reimu's barrier while she focuses on your bullets. Possessed or not, there's no change in her maneuverability. She grazes your shots quite expertly, and grins. The kind of grin that dares its opponents to do better. Cheeky little monkey...
-
>Chuckle a little, and really pour on the hot sauce with this one. Let's use that one non-spell, the one with all the bats.
-
>Chuckle a little, and really pour on the hot sauce with this one. Let's use that one non-spell, the one with all the bats.
>Ordinarily, you wouldn't use that particular technique at this point in a duel. Ordinarily, you're not dueling Reimu Hakurei. All bets are off.
>Your form explodes into your bat swarm again, each bat spraying out droplet danmaku. This does little to affect Reimu's grin as she begins her evasive maneuvers again, though she doesn't make any forwards progress in the process.
>She starts firing amulets at your swarm form, which really does you no damage whatsoever, and she should know better. And her amulet barrier dissapears as she fires at you, which lets Wriggle and Mystia open up with their own fire. Lines of green spheres and swarms of green droplets fly in towards the shrine maiden and as good as she is, she can't graze them all.
>You resolidify yourself as Reimu starts to take hits, only a couple, but it's a start. And then she goes on the offensive, throwing her arms out before her, sending a dozen large ying-yang orbs out from her in all directions, and following this immediately by loosing some of her homing bullets upon you.
-
>Heh, once more then! Homing shots are futile against swarm mode after all, and Reimu's clearly not herself. So we can afford to be cheap this time around.
-
>Heh, once more then! Homing shots are futile against swarm mode after all, and Reimu's clearly not herself. So we can afford to be cheap this time around.
>It takes a few seconds to go from swarm to humanoid to swarm again, and in that time, it is not Reimu's homing bullets that should concern you. It is the orbs she used before them, one of said orbs catching you full in the stomach. From the sound of Wriggle's yelp, she didn't fare any better against that attack, though you see Mystia manage to evade the orbs traveling in her direction. Only for Reimu to blast her with a concentration of needles, making the avian fall back a bit in the air.
>After eating only a couple of homing shots from Reimu, you disperse again, unleashing rapid-fire waves of giant globe bullets in a strafing pattern. The shrine maiden jerks an evasive pattern to your right. If she is possessed, it doesn't seem to have hurt her in this case. She's seen this particular shot of yours before, and she knew how to handle it then.
>Last time, however, she didn't have to deal with collateral fire. Wriggle's also recovered from her impact with Reimu's orb, and a stream of staggered green droplet bullets fly in towards Reimu. Simultaneous, the kappa Kikomi decides to get involved at last, and sends a fan of blue globes forward from your left, followed by a tri-directional stream of bullets shaped like... bullets. "If you're not possessed, more reason to take you down fast!" she declares.
>The shrine maiden merely chuckles again, and throws out another group of amulets, forming another blue forcefield to protect herself from Kikomi's shots. But she can't evade both Wriggle's shots and yours, the gaps in your giant globes just aren't wide enough to allow that. She opts to try and fly up through your last couple of waves. Not the best decision she could have made, as one of the globes catches her in the side as she flies up and away from Wriggle's shots.
>In answer to this hit, and the couple of glancing blows she took from Wriggle, she discharges another wave of ying-yang orbs and a pair of circular amulet waves, a white wave after a red one.
-
>Oh ho, so she's playing that way, is she?
>The flaw with her little attack though....Is that it's terribly vulnerable to attacks from above. So we'll tetort with some Ceiling Fear, full power.
>Hell, we'll shape our aura into the form of a giant demonic fist while we're at it!
-
>Oh ho, so she's playing that way, is she?
>The flaw with her little attack though....Is that it's terribly vulnerable to attacks from above. So we'll tetort with some Ceiling Fear, full power.
>Hell, we'll shape our aura into the form of a giant demonic fist while we're at it!
>Flying up and above the shrine maiden as she discharges a triple stream of amulets in the direction of Kikomi and Mystia, who manage to evade the streams but not the circules of amulets following them, you mold your scarlet glow into a massive fist with hellish features. Reimu glances up as you rocket downwards, and manages to fire a few amulets your way, but your attack aura handles these easily enough and you crash into the Hakurei shrine maiden, slamming her into the ground.
>Amazingly, she recovers rather faster than you would have thought, and somersaults backwards, her glowing foot catching you under the jaw and leaving a trail of orange light behind it. Her flip kick, however, left her flank open, and a stream of green bullets from Wriggle fly in towards her. Out of the corner of your right eye, you catch Youmu swinging her katana, creating a collection of wedge-shaped danmaku and sending them in towards Reimu, a tricky snaking pattern to the red and blue wedges. The Hakurei maiden grazes Wriggles green globes easily enough, but doesn't fare as well against Youmu's twisting danmaku, taking at least three hits that you can detect.
>When the samurai's wedges pass, Reimu raises her head. She's still smiling. "Now that's more like it. I haven't had this much fun in years."
-
>Rub our jaw a little with an amused grin. "Likewise. It's a shame you aren't yourself though, I could rather get to like this more serious you."
>Flare our aura to full force with a devilish smile. "I think I can finally go without holding back for once. This shall be a show to remember! Destiny: Miserable Fate!"
-
>Rub our jaw a little with an amused grin. "Likewise. It's a shame you aren't yourself though, I could rather get to like this more serious you."
>Flare our aura to full force with a devilish smile. "I think I can finally go without holding back for once. This shall be a show to remember! Destiny: Miserable Fate!"
>Reimu returns your grin. "Oh, I think I could be convinced to stay this way for a while. It's turning out to be a real good night."
>As you declare your spellcard, Reimu throws out another one of her amulet forcefields, a bit thicker and wider than the previous ones. Your first chain impacts against the shield, leading to both shattering in bursts of light, but the subsequent pair chains of yours fare better. Reimu tries to get around them, but, as is often the case, people underestimate the speed of your chains. She eats the third chain in all its glory, and you are rewarded with the sound of the shrine maiden grunting, and falling back a step.
>"Now that's a nice technique." she compliments you. "Anyone else wanna try one like that?" she announces in a loud voice.
>"Well, since you asked..." Mystia replies, and produces a spellcard of her own. "Toxin Sign: Poisonous Moth Scales!" A pair of glowing insects appear to her right and below her, and fly up towards, leaving globe shaped danmaku in their flight. These globes transform to purple wedges of bullets that curl and fly in towards the shrine maiden, as the avian youkai fires off a pattern of lavender petals, followed by a line of similarly colored larger globes. All put together, it's a very pretty technique, but it shouldn't be beyond Reimu's ability to handle.
>At least, ordinarily, it wouldn't be. But combined with your own spellcard, things could get difficult even for one like Reimu. Evidently, this occurs to her as well, as the Hakurei shrine maiden gives you both a grin, after grazing some of Mystia's curling wedges, and produces a card of her own.
>"Light Spirit: Divine Orbs!" Reimu extends her arms out to the side and, with a sound like a machine gun firing, dozens of glowing bullets fly out from her, all colors of the rainbow, and remain stationary for only a second before dividing themselves into a multitude of bullets and flying out in every direction around her.
Parser's Box: Before you get to handling Reimu's spellcard, I wanted to address a thing. Miserable Fate, as I wager most if not all of us know, has no danmaku component. So, if you wanted to ADD bullets to the spell, then you may do so at your discretion, or, if you'd like, I can make a danmaku pattern to go with it. The choice is yours.
>Reisen, meanwhile, has circled around the battle field and is now floating with Youmu and Kogasa. "What started all this, Youmu?"
>"I do not know." The samurai replies. "The shrine maiden was dueling this young youkai when I arrived, and requested I assist her."
-
>Why don't we add shotgun-like blasts to slow her down, with a few aimed lines of daggers designed to herd her into the chains? Since Reimu's not herself right now, we can afford to cheat a little right now. This is a special case after all.
>"I think it's time I take this to the next level! But first, how does a little 'Tennis' sound~?"
>We'll just use the chains to bat her orbs right back into her!
-
>Why don't we add shotgun-like blasts to slow her down, with a few aimed lines of daggers designed to herd her into the chains? Since Reimu's not herself right now, we can afford to cheat a little right now. This is a special case after all.
>"I think it's time I take this to the next level! But first, how does a little 'Tennis' sound~?"
>We'll just use the chains to bat her orbs right back into her!
>You think you can manage that.
>Reimu laughs as you scatter some smaller shots out in front of you, the small crimson pellets mingling nicely with the violet petals of Mystia flying through the air. "Now that's a sport I haven't seen a long time. Try it!"
>With one hand you loose daggermaku while the other one swings your chains around, diverting a pair of them to batting Reimu's rainbow balls. And while you do swat a few of them in the air, they do not bounce at you'd have liked, but rather detonate into clouds of danmaku energy. One of which even close enough to brush against you, which does no signifigant damage, but it does distract you enough from the other un-impacted orb heading your way, which clonks you square in the forehead. Reimu immediately follows this with another round of orbs unleashed, after dashing backwards, through an impact of one of Mystia's wedges.
>Mystia, for her part, doesn't fare as well, and takes more of an impact from at least two bullets that you can see. Weirdly, though, she starts to smile a little herself. She seems to be enjoying herself as well, at least a touch. "C'mon, Wriggle, you too!" she calls to her insect friend as she unleashes another line of globes. Said globes, combined with your flying red daggers, force Reimu sideways into one of your flailing chains.
>Wriggle flies forward again, a spellcard in her hand. "Sure, okay. Firefly Sign: Meteor on Earth!" Eight glowing familiars fly from her, leaving trails of bullets behind her.
>Between her spellcard and Mystia's, you're going to have to start watching out for friendly fire.
>Spellcard Health Report:
>Miserable Fate: 78%. Divine Orbs: 67%. Poisonous Moth Scales: 52%. Meteor on Earth: 100%
-
>Alright then, set the chains to defense, and ramp up the shotgun and daggermaku. We'll put out such a display of daggermaku that even Sakuya will feel a twinge of envy!
>"Mind the friendly fire there girls."
-
>Alright then, set the chains to defense, and ramp up the shotgun and daggermaku. We'll put out such a display of daggermaku that even Sakuya will feel a twinge of envy!
>"Mind the friendly fire there girls."
>Drawing your chains in a bit closer to you for defensive purposes, you unleash more bullets of both types. It's a bit of a departure from your usual execution of this technique, but nothing you can't handle.
>As Reimu's multicolored danmaku blasts out again, a somewhat puzzled expression crosses her face. She watches yours and Mystia's danmaku pass through her bullets, reduced in intensity by the passing, but remaining solid. "That doesn't seem right. Those are supposed to cancel shots." she says aloud as she passes between a stream of your daggers and a cloud of large blue globes from Wriggle.
>"That's because you don't have complete control over Reimu's powers." Reisen declares from behind you. "Or her danmaku."
>"What do you mean, Reisen?" Youmu asks her.
>The bunnygirl points at Reimu. "I mean that's not Reimu. She's been possessed by some sort of spirit."
>Reimu cracks a grin as she takes another hit from your pellets while dodging Mystia's waves. "Smart rabbit." she admits.
>Using your chains defensively has a twofold effect. While Reimu isn't damaging you as much, your shots aren't damaging her as much, either. The addition of Wriggle's spellcard helps make up for that, though. As does Kikomi, who, taking a page out of your book, flies up and over top of Reimu after her rainbow bullets pass and unloads another swarm of blue bullets down upon her. Reimu discharges another wave of bullets, but can't dodge or weaken everything flying at her.
>Spellcard Health Status:
>Miserable Fate: 58%. Divine Orbs: 31%. Poisonous Moth Scales: 17%. Meteor on Earth: 51%
-
>Alright, time to end this in a glorious display of power! "Alright girls, you might want to find something to hide behind, because things are about to go into Phantasm!"
>Set EVERYTHING to attack! Go all out with the card! Double- No, Triple the chains! And do the same for the shots too if we can!
-
>Alright, time to end this in a glorious display of power! "Alright girls, you might want to find something to hide behind, because things are about to go into Phantasm!"
>Set EVERYTHING to attack! Go all out with the card! Double- No, Triple the chains! And do the same for the shots too if we can!
>Offense of this type, with this spellcard at least, is possible, certainly for you.
>However, it has a rather taxing effect on the card in question. Overclocking a spellcard in this manner will render it unusable for at least a week. Patchouli theorized that it could even shatter if pushed too hard, but that theory has never been proven. And you will slowed for a short time afterwards, owing to the expenditure of energy.
>Do you wish to proceed?
-
>Would we be able to simply push it to the card's limit safely?
-
>Would we be able to simply push it to the card's limit safely?
>In theory, yes. But you've never really tested your cards in this manner before, so you're not sure where that limit is. You've never actually had an opponent that required doing so, and Patchy didn't think experimenting in the field was wise.
-
>Well then, we'll just increase the number of chains, but leave the danmaku as is. That should be safe enough.
-
>Alright, time to end this in a glorious display of power! "Alright girls, you might want to find something to hide behind, because things are about to go into Phantasm!"
>Well then, we'll just increase the number of chains, but leave the danmaku as is. That should be safe enough.
>Dialing up your spellcard just a touch, you send yet more chains out from you as Reimu unleashes another barrage of bullets. Kikomi makes a hasty retreat backwards, which is nearly completely successful to the kappa's credit. Mystia, however, is not so likely, as her spellcard breaks under Reimu's danmaku, her own purple danmaku fading from view.
>Despite the loss of Mystia's bullets, however, Reimu's own spellcard health is quite low, and the addition of your extra chains, and Kikomi's answering waves of blue bullets, make up for the loss of Mystia's attack. At least enough to let you land one final solid strike with your chain.
>Reimu's spellcard dissolves under you and your companions' combined assault. The possessed shrine maiden grimaces and backs off several steps.
>Miserable Fate doesn't seem to have suffered from your slight overclocking of it, but it will still be unusable for about 24 hours.
-
>Eh, we can pick up a new card when we revisit the mansion to check up on Patchy, Flan, and that gatekeeper of ours.
>Let out a sufficiently hammy and arrogant peal of laughter. "Ah...It's been quite some time since I've had a battle like this one!"
>Surely even in her possessed state, we can move faster than she can react, yes?
-
>Eh, we can pick up a new card when we revisit the mansion to check up on Patchy, Flan, and that gatekeeper of ours.
>Surely even in her possessed state, we can move faster than she can react, yes?
>You make a note to adjust your spellcard capacity upon your return home.
>Difficult to say. Despite being only human, Reimu has displayed uncanny agility and reaction times in the past. Even before her closer association with that gap youkai, she quite the agile little human. She's also displayed teleportation abilites from time to time, although she hasn't so far tonight. The entity possessing her might not have access to those powers of hers, or perhaps it's merely sitting on them.
>Either way, being faster than Reimu is not something you can count on.
>Let out a sufficiently hammy and arrogant peal of laughter. "Ah...It's been quite some time since I've had a battle like this one!"
>The possessed shrine maiden takes a couple of deep breaths, then turns her grey eyes upon you again. "Don't think it's over yet, vampire. I'm not out of fight just yet."
>"Why don't you give up?" Reisen asks her. "You know you can't beat all of us."
>Reimu chuckles. "Maybe. But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun first. Tell me something, though, vampire." she continues, turning her attention back to you. "You knew what I was before that rabbit announced it, didn't you?"
-
>Smirk. "You're one of the Seven Sins. And given your choice of host, I presume that you must be either Sloth, or Greed, no? Your insistence on relying on your host's abilities, and not your own point towards the former. Envy was a rather underwhelming foe, I have to say. She needs more confidence in herself if you ask me."
>Let's bat-a-port behind her in a flash to try to grab her by the neck from behind.
-
>Smirk. "You're one of the Seven Sins. And given your choice of host, I presume that you must be either Sloth, or Greed, no? Your insistence on relying on your host's abilities, and not your own point towards the former. Envy was a rather underwhelming foe, I have to say. She needs more confidence in herself if you ask me."
>Let's bat-a-port behind her in a flash to try to grab her by the neck from behind.
>Reimu nods in agreement. "Some of us are more... primal than others."
>Employing your own 'teleportation' abilities, you maneuver yourself behind Reimu. Somewhat to your surprise, the maneuver works perfectly, and you find yourself grasping Reimu's tender neck.
>"There's a flaw in your logic." the shrine maiden says conversationally, like your hand isn't even there. "If you had access to the kind of power this girl has, why WOULDN'T you use it?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "It's a matter of personal preference dear. That, and I didn't get where I am by employing half-baked gambits like yourself. I use what I know will work, unlike you."
>Let's put on some pressure, and point her at Reisen so she can do her thing.
-
>Chuckle a little. "It's a matter of personal preference dear. That, and I didn't get where I am by employing half-baked gambits like yourself. I use what I know will work, unlike you."
>Let's put on some pressure, and point her at Reisen so she can do her thing.
>Reimu chuckles in response. "There's another flaw in your logic there, 'dear'."
>Directing Reimu towards the lunar rabbit, you wait for her to do what she did to Gluttony's victim. Reisen, however, shakes her head slowly. "That won't work this time, Remilia. I've been trying while you all were fighting her. Reimu's mind is already asleep."
>"Of course she's asleep." Reimu chides you both. You can practically feel her smug smirk as she says, "I used what I knew would work."
-
>Well, we'll just use what we know works. A point-blank barrage from our free hand will loosen her up easily enough. But be sure to keep a good grip with the hand that's got her.
>But do be sure to let out some sufficiently evil and hammy laughter as we do so. "And now I'm using what I know works! Wakey-wakey~!"
-
>Well, we'll just use what we know works. A point-blank barrage from our free hand will loosen her up easily enough. But be sure to keep a good grip with the hand that's got her.
>But do be sure to let out some sufficiently evil and hammy laughter as we do so. "And now I'm using what I know works! Wakey-wakey~!"
>Bursts of crimson light explode from Reimu as you bombard her body with danmaku.
>"I just endured a six on one danmaku fight, vampire. You really think a few more bullets are gonna dislodge me?" she asks around impacts.
>"By the way, I haven't been in this position for a while, so, remind me, how well do humans do with someone's hand around their throat?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that, I know how to be careful with that."
>Let's drag her down to the ground, and hold her down with a giant arm made of our aura.
>"Alright, You're the fastest one here Youmu, I need you to bring Byakuren here while I hold her down."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that, I know how to be careful with that."
>Let's drag her down to the ground, and hold her down with a giant arm made of our aura.
>"Alright, You're the fastest one here Youmu, I need you to bring Byakuren here while I hold her down."
>"That shall not be necessary." the young samurai declares boldly, striding forward and drawing one of her katanas. "I'll slash her out."
-
>...
>"As long as you can do so without harming Reimu."
-
>...
>"As long as you can do so without harming Reimu."
>At this point, Reimu finally starts to show some discomfort. "Hold on a second here, you're just gonna let her slice me open?"
-
>..Let's look at her eyes to see if they're how they should be.
-
>..Let's look at her eyes to see if they're how they should be.
>Her eyes are still the wrong color; grey, instead of brown.
-
>"She seems to be saying that she can cut you out of Reimu's body without harming Reimu. And if she can, then I see no reason not to let her do it."
-
>"She seems to be saying that she can cut you out of Reimu's body without harming Reimu. And if she can, then I see no reason not to let her do it."
>"Isn't that a bit much?" she asks, obviously on edge now. "I mean, I haven't done no harm here. Just had a bit of fun. I mean, you said youself we had a nice little duel there. Well, maybe not 'duel', but you know what I mean."
-
>Chuckle. "Oh, don't worry, we can still fight after she's gotten you out. It's just a matter of incident resolution protocol. You and your comrades are going around causing quite the fuss you know."
>Smirk. "No hard feelings, as you're one of the few mostly respectful sins I've encountered. Envy was somewhat respectful, if a bit stubborn and recalcitrant, and I didn't personally fight gluttony, but he seemed to be a rather uncouth fellow."
-
>"Isn't that a bit much?" she asks, obviously on edge now. "I mean, I haven't done no harm here. Just had a bit of fun. I mean, you said youself we had a nice little duel there. Well, maybe not 'duel', but you know what I mean."
> "You have a better idea?"
-
>Chuckle. "Oh, don't worry, we can still fight after she's gotten you out. It's just a matter of incident resolution protocol. You and your comrades are going around causing quite the fuss you know."
>Smirk. "No hard feelings, as you're one of the few mostly respectful sins I've encountered. Envy was somewhat respectful, if a bit stubborn and recalcitrant, and I didn't personally fight gluttony, but he seemed to be a rather uncouth fellow."
>"Well, you can't blame us, can you? We've been cooped up for centuries, after all. Keeper's good company, but, a girl needs to get out now and then, even me."
> "You have a better idea?"
>"As a matter of fact I do. I call it 'NOT slashing me with a katana'!"
-
>Sigh. "Oh do calm down. It's like cutting a puppet's strings really. Reimu is the puppet, and you are the puppeteer.If Sakuya were here, you'd be filled with knives by now. This is unarguably a more merciful thing."
>"And another thing, there's so much more fun to be had by finding less harmful methods than possessing people at random. In fact, you could cause your own incident, under your own power. It's much more satisfying than stealing another's power to do so."
-
>Sigh. "Oh do calm down. It's like cutting a puppet's strings really. Reimu is the puppet, and you are the puppeteer.If Sakuya were here, you'd be filled with knives by now. This is unarguably a more merciful thing."
>"And another thing, there's so much more fun to be had by finding less harmful methods than possessing people at random. In fact, you could cause your own incident, under your own power. It's much more satisfying than stealing another's power to do so."
>"Don't encourage them!" Youmu and Reisen say in unison.
-
>Chuckle. "It's better than them going around possessing people, no?"
>"At any rate Youmu, go ahead and cut the strings, if you would? We can discuss things easier with our little friend that way. I daresay Reimu will thank us later."
-
>Chuckle. "It's better than them going around possessing people, no?"
>"At any rate Youmu, go ahead and cut the strings, if you would? We can discuss things easier with our little friend that way. I daresay Reimu will thank us later."
>"The hell with that." Reimu declares as Youmu advances on her, but this time her voice is not her own. It's a much lower register. "Pride might let himself get cut by some half-baked samurai, but not me."
>A ghostly form drifts out of Reimu's body. A young woman, with short messy brown hair capped by a red and purple nightcap. She wears a pale purple buttoned pajama top, with a dull grey dress underneath. There is an anklet around her left leg above her bare foot, a jeweled snail, pink.
>Mystia lets out a yelp, while Kikomi snarls at her.
-
>Set Reimu down if we haven't already. "That's better. Going by the snail, I was correct in assuming Sloth. Now, why don't we have a nice little sit-down, hm?"
-
>Set Reimu down if we haven't already. "That's better. Going by the snail, I was correct in assuming Sloth. Now, why don't we have a nice little sit-down, hm?"
>You had her on the ground before. She is still there.
>"'Sit-down', my foot." Kikomi growls. "You're goin' back where you came from."
>As she starts to advance herself towards the Sin, her emotions plain to see on her face, Reisen flies over to her rapidly and restrains her. "Take it easy. We've already beaten her, and freed Reimu. Now we have a chance to get to the bottom of this mess. Youmu, put your sword away." she adds without even looking at Youmu, who does indeed still have her sword out.
>"She was strong enough to take control of the Hakurei. I should slash her."
-
>Chuckle a little. The girl's got spirit. "Now now, if you slash her, we'll have to find yet another of them to lead us to the source. And I'd rather have her lead us because unlike the others, she's a reasonable one. Besides, she most likely caught Hakurei when she was asleep. Do keep in mind how late it is, the poor dear's still a youngling after all, so she can't stay awake as long as the rest of us. Nevermind that she's also inherently lazy, which was likely what drew our little friend here to her in the first place."
>Smirk. "Besides, if she couldn't even beat myself, whom Hakurei has already bested several times in the past, then she could not have possibly managed it while Hakurei was awake. Sloth said it best herself; 'Reimu is already asleep'."
-
>Chuckle a little. The girl's got spirit. "Now now, if you slash her, we'll have to find yet another of them to lead us to the source. Besides, she most likely caught Hakurei when she was asleep. Do keep in mind how late it is, the poor dear's still a youngling after all, so she can't stay awake as long as the rest of us. Nevermind that she's also inherently lazy, which was likely what drew our little friend here to her in the first place."
>Smirk. "Besides, if she couldn't even beat myself, whom Hakurei has already bested several times in the past, then she could not have possibly managed it while Hakurei was awake. Sloth said it best herself; 'Reimu is already asleep'."
>"She did, yeah." Kogasa's voice sounds from just behind you. How did she get back there? "Reimu was taking a nap out on the veranda, after you left. It was a nice night. And then she sat up, and her eyes were all weird, and she started firing on me!"
>Sloth nods. "Yeah. But it was fun. And I have to say, I enjoy this... danmaku. Didn't have that the last time I was out and about in this world."
>"And when was that?" Reisen asks her.
>"Oh....." Sloth rolls her eyes upwards in thought. "Two centuries? Maybe three? I can't remember. But it's better than how things used to get settled." She shrugs. "I'm not big on bloodshed."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Danmaku is rather preferable, isn't it? Though I won't hesitate to resolve things the old way if the matter requires it, Danmaku's far more enjoyable."
>Smirk. "If you'd like, I can show you a few smaller tricks. I'm rather skilled at this if I do say so myself."
>How accurate are we with our flung crystal shots?
(Remi's Weak Shot in the fighters.)
-
>How accurate are we with our flung crystal shots?
>It varies depending on how many you're firing. One or two shots, and you can put them just about where you want them to go, like darts. Any more than that, and they tend to shotgun on you.
>Chuckle a bit. "Danmaku is rather preferable, isn't it? Though I won't hesitate to resolve things the old way if the matter requires it, Danmaku's far more enjoyable."
>Smirk. "If you'd like, I can show you a few smaller tricks. I'm rather skilled at this if I do say so myself."
>"Is this really the time for that?" Youmu asks you pointedly. "There are still more of these possessers out there." She points her finger at Sloth. "You will tell us where the others are."
>"Yeah, talk!" Kikomi adds.
>Sloth folds her arms over her diminutive chest. "Do I look like Greed to you? I'm not about to sell out the others just because I've got an irate half-ghost and kappa pointed at me."
-
>Sigh. "You get more flies with honey than with vinegar. I can already venture a guess as to where one or two might already be though."
>Sigh once more. "For now, we need to gather more information of where all of them came from. With that, we can resolve all this that much easier. Once we know where the source is, we can handle that matter once we've found the others and made them retreat or the like. Once we've done so, we can then strike at the heart of the matter, the Cobalt Countess. I noticed that Rei vanished shortly after Envy fled. I can then assume that the Vampire who turned her, the Cobalt Countess, and the leader behind the Sin Spirits, are all one and the same."
>Let's look at any of the nearby trees to see if there's a leaf we could hit at a decent distance away.
-
>Sigh. "You get more flies with honey than with vinegar. I can already venture a guess as to where one or two might already be though."
>Sigh once more. "For now, we need to gather more information of where all of them came from. With that, we can resolve all this that much easier. Once we know where the source is, we can handle that matter once we've found the others and made them retreat or the like. Once we've done so, we can then strike at the heart of the matter, the Cobalt Countess. I noticed that Rei vanished shortly after Envy fled. I can then assume that the Vampire who turned her, the Cobalt Countess, and the leader behind the Sin Spirits, are all one and the same."
>Let's look at any of the nearby trees to see if there's a leaf we could hit at a decent distance away.
>"Hold on." Sloth says, turning back to face you. "You know of the Countess?"
>There is a number of decent sized cherry trees within shooting distance, though their blossoms have long since fallen. Their branches are optimum targets, however.
-
>Fling a single shot idly, to neatly sever a far off twig from it's branch.
>"Envy mentioned her after our battle. Rei was once a human villager who got turned by a vampire that was not myself. It was rather easy to connect the dots between this enigmatic vampire who turned Rei, and the new one Envy mentioned. And as I stated earlier, Rei vanished around the same time as Envy."
>Smirk some. "I happen to be a rather high-profile Vampire myself."
-
>Fling a single shot idly, to neatly sever a far off twig from it's branch.
>"Envy mentioned her after our battle. Rei was once a human villager who got turned by a vampire that was not myself. It was rather easy to connect the dots between this enigmatic vampire who turned Rei, and the new one Envy mentioned. And as I stated earlier, Rei vanished around the same time as Envy."
>Smirk some. "I happen to be a rather high-profile Vampire myself."
>Sloth glances around her as you idly demonstrate your accuracy. "Let me see if I read the situation right here. A lunar rabbit, a trio of youkai, a triggerhappy samurai, an angry kappa, and a vampire, and all of you are looking for the Countess?"
>Mystia nods towards Reimu. "And her, too, when she wakes up."
>Sloth lets out a slow breath. "Tell me, when Envy fled, as you said, how did she do it?"
-
>"She used a Recall ability, but it backfired due to a spell Byakuren had in place to contain her. Poor dear ended up sealing herself in an emerald. It's at the Myouren Temple still, in Byakuren's care. I only seek the Countess in order to teach her proper Vampire Ethics regarding her progeny, as well as to retrieve my Head Maid, Sakuya."
-
>"She used a Recall ability, but it backfired due to a spell Byakuren had in place to contain her. Poor dear ended up sealing herself in an emerald. It's at the Myouren Temple still, in Byakuren's care. I only seek the Countess in order to teach her proper Vampire Ethics regarding her progeny, as well as to retrieve my Head Maid, Sakuya."
>Kikomi gives you a curious look. "That's all? What happened to all that evil laughing and threats?"
-
>Smirk in an obviously evil and arrogant manner. "Oh, I haven't forgotten about that dear. Though the laughing was mostly just me enjoying myself. I do intend to show her who the better Vampire is of course."
>Let out a good laugh. "If she's trying to steal Sakuya though, then all bets are off~"
-
>Smirk in an obviously evil and arrogant manner. "Oh, I haven't forgotten about that dear. Though the laughing was mostly just me enjoying myself. I do intend to show her who the better Vampire is of course."
>Let out a good laugh. "If she's trying to steal Sakuya though, then all bets are off~"
>Sloth arches one of her brown eyebrows. "Maybe Gensokyo hasn't changed all that much, then." She sighs a tired sigh. "Well, if you're all done with me, I'm going home. The Countess and the Keeper will want some warning."
-
>Chuckle. "Do at least point the way for later, would you?"
>"Besides, just because danmaku is non-lethal, that doesn't mean someone like myself who enjoys a good fight can't still enjoy herself~"
-
>Chuckle. "Do at least point the way for later, would you?"
>"Besides, just because danmaku is non-lethal, that doesn't mean someone like myself who enjoys a good fight can't still enjoy herself~"
>Sloth does not seem to share your amusement as she deadpans, "Now, why would I want to do something like that?"
>You see Youmu open her mouth, no doubt to promise another slashing, but Reisen stops her, "Because the sooner this incident is resolved, the better it will be for everyone, including the Countess and your Keeper."
>The Sin arches an eyebrow again. "How do you know she's MY keeper?" she asks the rabbit.
>Reisen gives the purple-clad sin a small smile. "Servants of a type know each other. And I believe you're more loyal to this Keeper than Envy and Gluttony are."
>"Gluttony, yes." Sloth agrees. "Envy, no. At least, most of the time. She can't control her nature as well as I can." She glances back at you. "Did Envy cause much damage before you forced her Recall?"
-
>"Not that I know of, she mostly just possessed a hapless kappa and made everyone feel envious of various things another had. Said kappa was a friend of Kikomi here. All in all though, minimal damage really. Gluttony wasn't so peaceful though from what I heard. I take it Gluttony was dead set on having rabbit for dinner."
-
>"Not that I know of, she mostly just possessed a hapless kappa and made everyone feel envious of various things another had. Said kappa was a friend of Kikomi here. All in all though, minimal damage really. Gluttony wasn't so peaceful though from what I heard. I take it Gluttony was dead set on having rabbit for dinner."
>Reisen nods with a small wince. "Or anything else in front of him."
>"I'm not surprised." Sloth says simply. "Gluttony has even less control over his nature than Envy does."
>On the ground, Reimu stirs.
>"The ones you'll need to watch out for the most are Pride and Wrath." Sloth continues.
-
>Nod. "From how Envy spoke, Pride will be the more troublesome of the two. I just pray that Wrath was not so foolish as to possess who I think he or she may have possessed. I feel sorry for them if they have."
>"Also, according to how Envy spoke, Pride was attempting to claim Sakuya, and failing."
-
>Nod. "From how Envy spoke, Pride will be the more troublesome of the two. I just pray that Wrath was not so foolish as to possess who I think he or she may have possessed. I feel sorry for them if they have."
>"Also, according to how Envy spoke, Pride was attempting to claim Sakuya, and failing."
>Sloth shrugs. "I wouldn't know. I've no idea where all the others went after we got out. I didn't even know things had gone south for Envy and Gluttony until now."
-
>Hmm...Well, let's hope Wrath didn't try for Flan. Things could get ugly.
>"I intend to check my own residence once more here when Reimu comes to, I may have need of her power should my hunch be correct."
>Well, so far we've resolved three of the seven. Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth. That leaves four more to go. Wrath, Pride, Lust, and Greed.
>Fistpalm. "Ah, anything I should know about Wrath and Lust? I suspect they'll be the next two I'll have to deal with."
-
>Hmm...Well, let's hope Wrath didn't try for Flan. Things could get ugly.
>"I intend to check my own residence once more here when Reimu comes to, I may have need of her power should my hunch be correct."
>Well, so far we've resolved three of the seven. Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth. That leaves four more to go. Wrath, Pride, Lust, and Greed.
>Fistpalm. "Ah, anything I should know about Wrath and Lust? I suspect they'll be the next two I'll have to deal with."
>Wrath and Flan would be an apocalyptic mix.
>Sloth looks down at Reimu, and pokes her once with her toe. "Won't be much longer."
>You make a mental tally of the remaining Sins.
>Sloth presses her lips together momentarily. "Well, with Lust, if you find her, expect her and whoever she's shacked up with to get along well." She pauses. "And don't wear irreplaceable clothes." Kogasa, Mystia, Wriggle and Reisen all blush slightly. Youmu and Kikomi do not.
>"Wrath..." Sloth's lazy tone becomes a bit sharper. "Try to fight it where there's nothing valuable and no one without power. And don't be surprised if it doesn't take to danmaku as quickly as the rest of us will. Lust, you can talk to. Wrath, not so much."
-
>"...And Greed?"
>"At any rate, I suppose we'll be parting soon. Well, for the time at least, as I suspect we'll meet again when the time comes. I'll have to take special care against Wrath, particularly if it's possessed who I suspect it might. My younger sister is a rather volatile and dangerous one when she's got a notion in her head."
-
>"...And Greed?"
>"At any rate, I suppose we'll be parting soon. Well, for the time at least, as I suspect we'll meet again when the time comes. I'll have to take special care against Wrath, particularly if it's possessed who I suspect it might. My younger sister is a rather volatile and dangerous one when she's got a notion in her head."
>"Greed's more smarts than brawn." Sloth answers sourly, poking Reimu again. "He's a crafty bastard with a silver tongue. Lying bastard could sell a dryad her own tree. I was actually a bit surprised he didn't come after Hakurei here himself. But he's not as tough as Lust or Wrath. Best thing you can do with him is shove a sock down his mouth and pummel him a little."
>"That's rather direct of you." Youmu comments. Kikomi, you note, nods approvingly.
>Sloth shrugs again. "Nobody likes Greed. It would almost make me smile to see him get brought down a peg or three."
>"Almost?" Kogasa asks her.
>"It takes a lot to get me excited." the Sin replies with another small shrug.
-
>Smirk slightly in that deviously sadistic way. "Would you mind too terribly if I pushed him to the breaking point? I daresay that would be worth a few laughs, no?"
>"And what of Pride? I could infer from the use of my ability, and the information gained from Envy, that he's a rather unlikable sort."
-
>Smirk slightly in that deviously sadistic way. "Would you mind too terribly if I pushed him to the breaking point? I daresay that would be worth a few laughs, no?"
>"And what of Pride? I could infer from the use of my ability, and the information gained from Envy, that he's a rather unlikable sort."
>"Much as I might like that, Keeper wouldn't. He's her problem, after all."
>"Pride's kind of insufferable, but Envy's beef is more personal than that." She considers, then tilts her head slightly in a small shrug. "But I shouldn't say more on that one. Hearing her whine about would be a pain in my ass."
-
>Smirk. "I'll probably end up working my way up. Though I've already bested you this time around, so you should just rest for the night. First was Envy, then Gluttony was dealt with off-screen, then I bested you, so that leaves the remaining four, this Keeper, and the Countess."
>Grin somewhat sinisterly. "Tonight is going to be a fun night. You can do so much more with Danmaku than with typical bloodshed you know."
>Then let out a little laugh. "Ah...I do so enjoy a good battle~!"
>Then look to Sloth with a slight, yet all too sinister and ominous smile. "Just a word of warning though, you might find yourselves short a member if I find that Lust has...ah, 'dabbled', with my younger sister. She's only a child by mental reckoning you know. That warning also extends to any others of your number."
-
>Smirk. "I'll probably end up working my way up. Though I've already bested you this time around, so you should just rest for the night. First was Envy, then Gluttony was dealt with off-screen, then I bested you, so that leaves the remaining four, this Keeper, and the Countess."
>Grin somewhat sinisterly. "Tonight is going to be a fun night. You can do so much more with Danmaku than with typical bloodshed you know."
>Then let out a little laugh. "Ah...I do so enjoy a good battle~!"
>"Better get a move on, then." Sloth advises you in that lackadaisical tone of voice. "Night isn't gonna last forever." She pokes Reimu again.
>"Can you stop that?" Kogasa asks her. "I don't think Reimu likes it."
>"Eh, come on, give it a shot yourself, eyes. She's squishier than you'd think."
>Kogasa blinks. Even the eye on her umbrella. "'Eyes?'"
>Then look to Sloth with a slight, yet all too sinister and ominous smile. "Just a word of warning though, you might find yourselves short a member if I find that Lust has...ah, 'dabbled', with my younger sister. She's only a child by mental reckoning you know. That warning also extends to any others of your number."
>"She a vampire like you?"
-
>Nod, and go poke Reimu a little. "Yes, my younger by five years. Though we've been like this for some time. I took to being one rather well, due to being a bit more mentally mature. She wasn't so fortunate. Due to that, she's rather...'unstable', to put it bluntly. She also hit the metaphorical jackpot in terms of power. I don't often admit that one could be stronger than I, but she is a special case."
>What the hey, let's smack Reimu's face lightly, to get her to wake up. "Wakey-wakey Reimu, there's an Incident to resolve~"
-
>Nod, and go poke Reimu a little. "Yes, my younger by five years. Though we've been like this for some time. I took to being one rather well, due to being a bit more mentally mature. She wasn't so fortunate. Due to that, she's rather...'unstable', to put it bluntly. She also hit the metaphorical jackpot in terms of power. I don't often admit that one could be stronger than I, but she is a special case."
>"I wouldn't worry that much. Vampires are hard for us. 'f Lust is visiting your home, she's probably with one of your servants, or whatever you've stocked your castle with."
>What the hey, let's smack Reimu's face lightly, to get her to wake up. "Wakey-wakey Reimu, there's an Incident to resolve~"
>Sloth was right, poking Reimu is a surprisingly fun sensation, her skin texture is soft yet strong, a nice combination of sensations. Which may have led to you getting a little carried away, so you stretch out your hand to give the lazybones miko a little slapping about. Only to have Reimu's hand flash up and catch yours. Not as nice a sensation, this one.
>Her brown eyes open, and fixes the two of you with a glare. "Stop poking me."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well, glad to see you're awake. Any discomfort?"
>Chuckle a little in a teasing sort of way. "I must say, for a servant of the gods such as yourself to get possessed by something is rather unbecoming, isn't it~?"
-
>Smirk a bit. "Well, glad to see you're awake. Any discomfort?"
>Chuckle a little in a teasing sort of way. "I must say, for a servant of the gods such as yourself to get possessed by something is rather unbecoming, isn't it~?"
>Reimu's free hand comes up. Holding a pair of needles. "I'll give you DISCOMFORT."
>Belying her nature, Sloth ducks behind you rather adroitly.
-
>Chuckle. "Now-now, is that any way to treat someone who is helping to resolve an Incident for once? People might think you're behind it after all if you do that~"
>Keep an ear trained on Sloth, just in case she tries anything funny.
>Smile slightly. "I must admit though, for all your laziness, that body of yours has a rather nice feel. Shame you're already a shrine maiden, you'd make a lovely and charismatic Vampire you know."
>Sigh in a theatrical and showy way, with a knowing smile. "Truly a shame~"
>Then smirk a bit. "Sorry about roughing you up though, I had to in order to get you to no-longer be possessed. be thankful I'm actually apologizing for something, for you already know that is a rare occurrence."
-
>Chuckle. "Now-now, is that any way to treat someone who is helping to resolve an Incident for once? People might think you're behind it after all if you do that~"
>Keep an ear trained on Sloth, just in case she tries anything funny.
>Smile slightly. "I must admit though, for all your laziness, that body of yours has a rather nice feel. Shame you're already a shrine maiden, you'd make a lovely and charismatic Vampire you know."
>Sigh in a theatrical and showy way, with a knowing smile. "Truly a shame~"
>Then smirk a bit. "Sorry about roughing you up though, I had to in order to get you to no-longer be possessed. be thankful I'm actually apologizing for something, for you already know that is a rare occurrence."
>A smile spreads across Reimu's face. The kind of smile she only gets when she's about to bust some youkai. "Then I suppose I only need to exterminate you a little." she says in a cheerful, strained voice.
>Kogasa and Sloth utter in unison, as Mystia and Wriggle already take to the air, "Run."
-
>Grin. "Well, let's make this a short one then, two spellcards sound good? There's only a short window of time I have to resolve this incident after all."
>"Ah, that's right, you've already used a spellcard while under Sloth's control, so you won't be able to use that one."
>Then laugh a bit. "Personally speaking, I'm glad to see you back to normal. This is the Reimu I know can provide a good fight."
-
>Grin. "Well, let's make this a short one then, two spellcards sound good? There's only a short window of time I have to resolve this incident after all."
>"Ah, that's right, you've already used a spellcard while under Sloth's control, so you won't be able to use that one."
>Then laugh a bit. "Personally speaking, I'm glad to see you back to normal. This is the Reimu I know can provide a good fight."
>"I know." Reimu spits, glaring at Sloth. "I wasn't completely asleep."
>Sloth tries to look unfazed in the presence of an irate Hakurei miko. She actually succeeds rather well. "You're a tough girl." she compliments.
>"You're about to see HOW tough!" Returning her brown eyes to you, she points angrily at you. "Get out of my way, grey hair. I'll pick my bone with you later."
-
>Smirk a bit. "What if I told you we could take it out on her boss instead? I was planning on checking back home to make certain things are alright there after all."
-
>Smirk a bit. "What if I told you we could take it out on her boss instead? I was planning on checking back home to make certain things are alright there after all."
>"Extermination delayed is.... Ah, screw it." Reimu sighs, lowering her needles. Everybody around you breaths a sigh of relief, though some louder than others. "Might be nice to stab to the heart of a matter, for once." She punctuates her point by jabbing another finger at Sloth. "But don't think I'm gonna forget this."
-
>Smile somewhat. "First things first, we should return to the Temple to pick up Byakuren, I doubt any of the other Sin Spirits will be as accommodating as Sloth here was. In fact, we had to beat Envy our of her host, and Gluttony attempted to eat Reisen over there. Now while I can't find much fault with it for trying, as her blood does have a rather nice and heady aroma, the efforts were completely unbecoming. Personally, I would have settled for a small vial. But suffice it to say, we shall have need of that Flow Break spell Byakuren has at her disposal. That is, unless you have a means of replicating the effect in a similar manner?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah, we'll have to see about that some time after all this, I'm certain that Yagokoro knows a means of making it a much safer process than my methods."
>"At any rate though, let's be off. I daresay Sloth will want to retrieve those foolish associates of hers later on."
>Look to Mystia and Wriggle. "You two were only going to tag along to at least here, so you should go somewhere safe until all this has blown over."
>Fistpalm once more, and look to Reimu and Kogasa. "Ah, I'll need a single hair for a fate reading, just in case you might get possessed again. I've learned that it never hurts to hedge one's bets after all."
-
>Smile somewhat. "First things first, we should return to the Temple to pick up Byakuren, I doubt any of the other Sin Spirits will be as accommodating as Sloth here was. In fact, we had to beat Envy our of her host, and Gluttony attempted to eat Reisen over there. Now while I can't find much fault with it for trying, as her blood does have a rather nice and heady aroma, the efforts were completely unbecoming. Personally, I would have settled for a small vial. But suffice it to say, we shall have need of that Flow Break spell Byakuren has at her disposal. That is, unless you have a means of replicating the effect in a similar manner?"
>Reimu snorts. "Hello? Seals and boundaries are my specialty. Had I woke up when your new friend back there was inside me, I'd have locked her inside one of my toenails. And don't think I won't try it if you do that again." she adds for Sloth's benefit.
>Surprisingly, Sloth merely offers that casual shrug of hers. "No worries. I've had my fun for the night."
>Youmu gives Reisen a look. "Your blood smells good?"
>Reisen gives the samurai a helpless look. "Maybe to vampires?" she offers.
>Fistpalm. "Ah, we'll have to see about that some time after all this, I'm certain that Yagokoro knows a means of making it a much safer process than my methods."
>"At any rate though, let's be off. I daresay Sloth will want to retrieve those foolish associates of hers later on."
>Reisen mutters something as you mention her owner.
>Sloth shrugs again. "Not my problem."
>Look to Mystia and Wriggle. "You two were only going to tag along to at least here, so you should go somewhere safe until all this has blown over."
>The pair of youkai exchange a look. They chime in unison, "Nah."
>Fistpalm once more, and look to Reimu and Kogasa. "Ah, I'll need a single hair for a fate reading, just in case you might get possessed again. I've learned that it never hurts to hedge one's bets after all."
>"Don't bother with her." Sloth offers, indicating Reimu. "Vampires are hard for us, Hakurei's are harder. Why do you think I entered her when she was sleeping? Or would have bailed if she woke up, for that matter."
>"Don't possess people in the first place!" Reimu yells.
-
>Chuckle a little. "Well, at any rate, let's be off. I need to pick up a new spellcard either way, I overtaxed one of them earlier. And I should also check on Patche and Koa."
>Seems we've gained three more party members. Let's roll for the mansion!
-
>Chuckle a little. "Well, at any rate, let's be off. I need to pick up a new spellcard either way, I overtaxed one of them earlier. And I should also check on Patche and Koa."
>Seems we've gained three more party members. Let's roll for the mansion!
>Don't count your minions before they're broken in, scarlet mistress. Sloth places a hand to her breast as you take to the air. "If you meet Wrath there, good luck." She raises her head. "Sloth Kept." The unkempt Sin shimmers with grey energy, becoming shrouded by the dull light of a summer morning. Her form compresses down in seconds, the light passing to reveal another one of those heptagonal jewels, this one a flat, unattractive grey.
>Reimu snorts. "A self-defeating youkai. That saves me some trouble."
>Youmu starts to move forward, probably to claim the jewel. Unlike Envy, however, the rock form of Sloth pulses with grey light, and levitates off the ground. Youmu places a hand to her sword, but the jewel takes off towards the sky in a vaguely western direction, dissapearing mere seconds laters, leaving a faint trail of flickering grey sparkles in the air.
>"Hey!" Youmu cries. "No evil shall escape my blade!" Without pausing to consider, the samurai rockets into the air in the same direction as the vanished jewel.
>Kikomi the kappa follows her with her eyes, then takes off after her. "Wait for me! I still want a piece!"
>Kikomi has left your party, and joined Youmu's...
-
>Sigh. "Those younglings are so energetic, aren't they? At least she helped point the way as she left. Once we've tended to my domain, we'll return to the Temple, and notify those there, then proceed accordingly."
>Let's roll on to the Mansion to make sure things are okay there.
-
>Sigh. "Those younglings are so energetic, aren't they? At least she helped point the way as she left. Once we've tended to my domain, we'll return to the Temple, and notify those there, then proceed accordingly."
>Let's roll on to the Mansion to make sure things are okay there.
>With the departure of Sloth, Youmu and Kikomi, the remaining humanoids present launch themselves and head off towards the scarlet devil mansion.
>Reimu Hakurei has joined your party!
>Kogasa Tatara has joined your party!
>The time is now 11:02 PM.
>Although the lot of you fly in a bit of a loose group, Reimu draws in closer to you as Reisen and Wriggle bring Kogasa up to speed about the other events of the evening.
>In a quiet voice, she says to you, "You and I are the only ones here who really know what your sister's capable of. You got a plan for if she got possessed by this Wrath?"
-
>"Well, if Sloth's words were true about them having trouble possessing Vampires, we shouldn't have much to worry about. But otherwise we can count on Patche to be able to force it out. Recall that storm that occurred only near the mansion the first day you and Kirisame met Flan? That was Patche's doing, she does that every time Flan comes close to escaping."
>Let's keep going!
-
>"Well, if Sloth's words were true about them having trouble possessing Vampires, we shouldn't have much to worry about. But otherwise we can count on Patche to be able to force it out. Recall that storm that occurred only near the mansion the first day you and Kirisame met Flan? That was Patche's doing, she does that every time Flan comes close to escaping."
>Let's keep going!
>Your group exchanges stories as you fly along. Reimu seems a touch out of sorts, which is weird for her.
>"Still feeling Sloth's effects?" Reisen asks her.
>The shrine maiden shakes her head. "It's weird, is all. When there's incidents happening, I almost never handle them with this many youkai around me. One or two, max."
>Reisen nods. "I can relate. Working in a group of this size can be a different experience, but it has its advantages. Give it some time, you'll get used to it."
>"Eh, maybe." Reimu grumbles. "I don't suppose any of you have seen Sanae tonight, or Mairsa?"
-
>"I don't believe so. We probably should check in on those two after this. I plan to find the Countess's domain after this though. I may even feel it necessary to bring Flan along as well, so as to show her we mean business. And you know I almost never let her out."
>Let's keep moving along. "I think I'll swap most of my cards around this time, I'm not playing around anymore after all."
-
>"I don't believe so. We probably should check in on those two after this. I plan to find the Countess's domain after this though. I may even feel it necessary to bring Flan along as well, so as to show her we mean business. And you know I almost never let her out."
>Let's keep moving along. "I think I'll swap most of my cards around this time, I'm not playing around anymore after all."
>"Beh, those two can handle themselves." Reimu harrumphs. "I just wanna know how much of a head start they have on me. Way those two can go, they might find this Countess long before I do."
>"Or Youmu." Wriggle adds. "She can move."
>Reimu nods wryly. "Yeah, but I'd bet she goes the wrong way first." She turns her head back to Mystia and Wriggle. "And why are you two tagging along anyway?"
>Wriggle grins. "cuz it's interesting."
>Mystia, however, is a bit more serious-faced. "Something about these Sins makes me uncomfortable. I don't like the idea of them menacing people willy nilly."
>Kogasa nods her agreement with her fellow youkai. "That's the bad kind of surprise."
>It is 11:34 PM when you reach the airspace over your mansion. Curiously, Mei Ling is not standing in front of the gate. She wasn't scheduled to get off until 2.
-
>"....Hong was not scheduled off until 2. I have a bad feeling about this. Let's move."
>Let's go inside, and make a beeline for the Library first, keeping an eye and ear out for Hong.
-
>"....Hong was not scheduled off until 2. I have a bad feeling about this. Let's move."
>Let's go inside, and make a beeline for the Library first, keeping an eye and ear out for Hong.
>"Maybe she's taking a break." Reimu suggests.
>Not standing on formality, you hastily enter your domicile, and travel unerringly towards the library. Reimu can handle the other youkai, she's been here a few times before, she knows her way around.
>There is a distinct lack of activity as you fly through the halls towards the library, either fairy or youkai, until you reach the hallway outside the east entrance, where you find a taller brunette fairy clad in a dull green and brown dress, intently playing cat's cradle with a bit of green thread.
-
>Fly over to the fairy then. "You! Where is Meiling? She was not scheduled to be off work until 2:00!"
-
>Fly over to the fairy then. "You! Where is Meiling? She was not scheduled to be off work until 2:00!"
>Amazingly, the fairy does not yell or pop in surprise. Merely pauses her finessing of the thread. In a rather proper voice, she replies, "Miss China departed here about an hour ago, Lady Scarlet. I believe she was going in search of Miss Izayoi."
-
>Sigh. "She already knew I was going out to look for her....Such a troublesome girl she is, I'll have to remember to punish her a little when I find her."
>"At any rate, has anything strange happened in my absence?"
>This fairy's rather bold, and level-headed too. Admirable qualities. I do wonder if this fairy hasn't been possessed.
-
>Sigh. "She already knew I was going out to look for her....Such a troublesome girl she is, I'll have to remember to punish her a little when I find her."
>"At any rate, has anything strange happened in my absence?"
>This fairy's rather bold, and level-headed too. Admirable qualities. I do wonder if this fairy hasn't been possessed.
>"She knew that, Lady Scarlet. But she was quite worried about Miss Izayoi. I believe she said something along the lines of 'I'm probably going to get it for this, but...' before she left."
>"No, Lady Scarlet. Apart from your somewhat unexpected venture outside, it has been an uneventful night."
>She certainly seems a lot more together than your average fairy. And taller, too, from what you can tell, she's sitting down at the moment. She isn't immediately familiar, but you think you may have seen her once or twice before, in passing. But you've certainly never interacted with her before.
-
>Chuckle a little. "She knows me all too well then."
>"You know, you've got a better head on your shoulder than most fairies. A fairy like you is rather rare you know, may I ask your name? That is, if you have one."
-
>Chuckle a little. "She knows me all too well then."
>"You know, you've got a better head on your shoulder than most fairies. A fairy like you is rather rare you know, may I ask your name? That is, if you have one."
>"I'm called Rainy Stars, Lady Scarlet. And my uniqueness is not lost on me, either. Fairies such as myself as rather rare, but, we do exist." She smiles slightly. "Obviously."
-
>Smirk. "But of course. Good fairies are so hard to find these days. I shall be certain to remember your name for when I've retrieved everyone. Perform well enough, and you're certain to get a promotion."
>"But for now, we'll meet again, Rainy Stars."
>Off to the library!
-
>Smirk. "But of course. Good fairies are so hard to find these days. I shall be certain to remember your name for when I've retrieved everyone. Perform well enough, and you're certain to get a promotion."
>"But for now, we'll meet again, Rainy Stars."
>Off to the library!
>The brunette fairy gives you a smile. "I appreciate the sentiment, Lady Scarlet. Have a nice night." She returns to her cat's cradle as you take your leave of her.
>The library is as you left it; devoid of fairies. Although there is a pungent odor in the air, a curious mixture of things.
-
>Can we identify the odors?
>For now, let's head for where we last saw Patchy and Koa.
-
>Can we identify the odors?
>For now, let's head for where we last saw Patchy and Koa.
>Not specifically. There's at least four components, but they're intermingled very thoroughly. It smells almost like a Patchy experiment gone wrong.
>You set off towards the table the pair were working at when you left.
>You keep a sharp eye for signs of anything out of place, just in case Rainy was wrong. But none of Patchy's specially trapped books appear to have been activated recently, nor are there any signs of conflict, danmaku or otherwise.
>A few uneventful minutes later, you find the small lab again. Neither Patchouli nor Koakuma are present, and all of the equipment and books they were using earlier have been removed. The floor looks swept, although there is another scent isolated in this area. The distinct, but fading, scent of brimstone.
-
>Where do they usually go after an experiment's been completed?
-
>Where do they usually go after an experiment's been completed?
>Depends on how taxing the experiment usually is, or how badly it backfired. Based on the smell in the air, but lack of any obvious damage or debris, this one, or ones, may have failed, but not spectacularly. Taking that into consideration, you would guess Koa has been sent into the library either to put back the books they were using, fetch new ones, or, most likely, both. Patchouli, for her part, would either be setting up shot in another lab- she has a few scattered throughout the library in isolated sections- or taking a short rest- Koakuma set up several hammocks for her around the lab, in addition to her own chamber somewhere in here. Assuming she's not consulting one of her own books, which is entirely possible.
>Vexingly, Patchy can be rather hard to track down in here when she's working. You've known her to all but vanish for days, even weeks or months, at a time. You've considered putting a bell on her now and then. How Sakuya manages to find her as often and as quickly as she does, you're not certain. Time tricks, certainly.
>Koa, at least, is a bit easier to locate. Unlike Patchouli, who can be quieter than a pious mouse in church, Koa is never entirely quiet, and can be located either by the rustling of pages, the flapping of her wings, or the sounds of her humming, or singing, as she's prone to do. If not all the above.
-
>Well, let's hunt down Koa then.
-
>Well, let's hunt down Koa then.
>Leaving this location, you decide to venture northward to see what sounds you can detect.
>After about four minutes of flight, you spot nothing, but then your ears report the faint sound of humming coming from your northeast, and what appears to be the light of a candle.
-
>Head there then!
-
>Head there then!
>Changing course towards the sight and sound leads you to find one red-headed familiar sitting at a small wood desk, taking a pencil to a book. She does not seem to have noticed your presence.
-
>"Koakuma!"
>"Where's Patchy?"
-
>"Koakuma!"
>"Where's Patchy?"
>Bellowing to announce your presence makes Koakuma scream is surprise, and her pen flies into the air as she jolts. She catches it after it twists for the ninth time, and whirls to face you.
>"Don't you know it's rude to do that to a girl?" she demands, obviously flustered.
-
>Stare at her like she dun goofed. "Now is not the time for that. Where is Patche?"
-
>Stare at her like she dun goofed. "Now is not the time for that. Where is Patche?"
>Koakuma huffs, her pride obviously wounded.
>"Over here." Patchy's voice emerges from between a pair of book shelves a few feet to your right.
-
>Sigh in a somewhat relieved way, and go see her. But don't let our guard down.
>"I trust nothing strange has happened tonight? I've found myself resolving yet another incident."
-
>Sigh in a somewhat relieved way, and go see her.
>"I trust nothing strange has happened tonight? I've found myself resolving yet another incident."
>Koakuma pouts a little before returning to her chair.
>Patchouli is standing between two small stacks of books on either side of her, studying a tan leather-bound books. "Apart from you announcing yourself with a shout, no." she deadpans.
>"What kind of incident?" Koakuma call out.
-
>Sigh in a much more relieved way. "You recall the Seven Deadly Sins, no? Well, another Vampire has shown up, and attempted to take Sakuya for herself with one of her Sin Spirits. I came back here after finding that even Hakurei was possessed, though I knocked it out of her."
>"Suffice it to say, after discovering them, I returned to make sure everyone else was okay. I'll need you to erect a barrier encompassing the entire mansion to bar spirits and the possessed from entering until everything is done."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, I pushed a spellcard of mine to the limit, it will be out for at least a day from the feel of it. I also plan to bring my best this time around, so as to show this new Vampire who is the boss."
>"I also plan to check on Flan, just to be on the safe side. Hopefully she has not been Possessed."
-
>Sigh in a much more relieved way. "You recall the Seven Deadly Sins, no? Well, another Vampire has shown up, and attempted to take Sakuya for herself with one of her Sin Spirits. I came back here after finding that even Hakurei was possessed, though I knocked it out of her."
>"Suffice it to say, after discovering them, I returned to make sure everyone else was okay. I'll need you to erect a barrier encompassing the entire mansion to bar spirits and the possessed from entering until everything is done."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, I pushed a spellcard of mine to the limit, it will be out for at least a day from the feel of it. I also plan to bring my best this time around, so as to show this new Vampire who is the boss."
>"I also plan to check on Flan, just to be on the safe side. Hopefully she has not been Possessed."
>Patchouli listens as you sketch her and her familiar in, in brief, on the events of tonight. "Another vampire in Gensokyo." she comments. "And one bearing servants with the powers of the Sins of christianity. Fascinating. Though I have to question her wisdom in targeting Sakuya."
>"A shield of that nature shouldn't be too hard, though I'll need to brush up on my knowledge of possessing spirits. It has been many years since we encountered anything with that capacity, after all."
>"Flandre's still in the basement, as far as I know." Koakuma offers.
>"Have you been able to acquire any of these 'Sins'?" Patchouli inquires. "Studying one would aid in my efforts to ward the Mansion against the rest."
-
>Who has Gluttony's gem right now?
-
>Who has Gluttony's gem right now?
>Nazrin gave it to Byakuren.
-
>Lovely, Sloth escaped. And Envy and Gluttony are still at the Temple.
>"Had only they not escaped. Though two are currently trapped in their gem forms at the Myouren Temple, I fear we haven't the time to retrieve them. I shall make haste to check on Flan right this minute to ensure her safety. Be certain to prepare for the worst though."
>Let's rush to Flan's room!
-
>Lovely, Sloth escaped. And Envy and Gluttony are still at the Temple.
>"Had only they not escaped. Though two are currently trapped in their gem forms at the Myouren Temple, I fear we haven't the time to retrieve them. I shall make haste to check on Flan right this minute to ensure her safety. Be certain to prepare for the worst though."
>Let's rush to Flan's room!
>To be fair, Sloth didn't so much escape as you let her go. Albeit with Youmu and Kikomi in hot pursuit.
>Taking your leave of the library-dwellers, you exit the library through the north exit into the Grand Hallway and make your way towards the entrance to Flandre's basement.
>There is a certain hallway to the north of the hallways containing your personal chamber. In this hallway are several stone busts of various historical figures, from Alexander the Great to Plato to Shakespeare. On the wall behind the bust of Edgar Allen Poe, (One of your favored poets) a certain panel of the wood conceals a secret switch. Pressing this switch opens a seamless panel in the wall, which you duck into before it closes quickly.
>You find yourself atop the long flight of carpeted stairs leading down to Flandre's basement. Each stair, as well as the walls around, are enchanted heavily with not only strengthening spells but also a variety of defensive spells, which Reimu and Marisa discovered, as well as restraining and sedation spells to use on Flandre, if she ever broke out and tried to run amok.
>As you descend, you note, with some relief, that none of these spells have recently been activated. And as you are exempted from activating these defenses accidentally, which you and Patchy made sure when you were installing them, you make good time down to the massive double-iron doors of Flandre's room. You check the runes and magic circles inscribed upon the door, indications of the wards keeping Flan's power in check and her in place down here, and find that nothing seems out of place.
-
>Well, we meant to visit her too, so we shouldn't put that off.
>So let's head in and visit our dear little sister for a moment.
-
>Well, we meant to visit her too, so we shouldn't put that off.
>So let's head in and visit our dear little sister for a moment.
>You push the doors open slowly. They're heavy, even for you.
>Flandre's room is really quite large for one room. You may have had to lock her down here for everyone's safety, including her own, but you wanted her to be comfortable down here, and have room to move about, to play.
>Your blonde little sister is currently drawing on the east wall of the room with a blue crayon, several more on the floor beneath her. While floating upside down in front of the wall. She holds a finger up to her mouth as you enter. "Shhh. I'm catching a moment." she says with that odd fixated tone she gets in her moments of intense focus.
-
>Smile a bit, and float on over quietly and carefully to see what she's drawing this time.
-
>Smile a bit, and float on over quietly and carefully to see what she's drawing this time.
>Taking special care not disturb her, you glide on the air closer to Flan to have a gander at her current project. She is currently tracing a big blue circle on the wall. Below the big circle are three humanoid figures, crudely drawn, as though by the hand of a child. The top most is colored black and white, with long yellow hair. Below her are two figures, one blue and white with white hair, the other wearing red with light purple hair. All around these three are shapes; stars, lines with points, balls with crude wings. A field of green borders the scene.
>"Grey." Flandre intones, not looking up.
-
>"Of course."
>Let's find the grey crayon and pass it to her.
-
>"Of course."
>Let's find the grey crayon and pass it to her.
>A quick glance down to the scattered crayons reveals the grey one beneath the orange, so you retrieve it and pass it along.
>"Thank you." she says intently, and starts filling in the blue circle with grey. After several moments, she asks for a black crayon.
-
>Let's keep passing a few along as she needs them.
>Perhaps we should invest in a harness for her to store her art supplies in for these moments where she's struck with a mood.
>This seems like something interesting, and possibly important. I do wonder what she's aiming at.
-
>Let's keep passing a few along as she needs them.
>Perhaps we should invest in a harness for her to store her art supplies in for these moments where she's struck with a mood.
>This seems like something interesting, and possibly important. I do wonder what she's aiming at.
>You hand your sister the requested color, and she begins drawing black circles within the big blue and grey circle.
>Any harness or holster for her supplies would have to made of tough stuff indeed. Still, it's a thought worth looking into.
>Watching your sister work is a very interesting experience, even after all these years. In this frame of mind, she has the same focus and attention of any professional artist you've ever seen, yet her skills are really not better than you'd expect to see out of someone nine years of age. And yet, you've seen her, on rare occasions, do the exact opposite. With minimal effort or focus, she can turn out a painting every bit as worthy of hanging in a gallery as any work by that Da Vinci fellow. Sadly, most of those works, she destroyed herself, but you've managed to save a couple throughout the years.
>Plus, she's drawing while hanging upside down. You can't help but smile at that.
>After filling in her fourth black circle, Flandre stops, and floats backwards a little, sticking her black crayon in her mouth, her brow furrowed in concentration.
-
>Red Clothing with purple hair...Perhaps that figure is us. So mayhaps this other figure in blue and white is our foe, the Cobalt Countess.
>Let's keep watching for a moment to see where she goes with this next.
-
>Red Clothing with purple hair...Perhaps that figure is us. So mayhaps this other figure in blue and white is our foe, the Cobalt Countess.
>Let's keep watching for a moment to see where she goes with this next.
>It's an idea.
>Very slowly, Flandre spins around, turning herself right side up. And proceeds to start eating her crayon, her expression unchanging.
-
>Sigh amusedly. That's the Flan we know.
>"So, who are the people, Flan?"
-
>Sigh amusedly. That's the Flan we know.
>"So, who are the people, Flan?"
>Flandre. Flandre never changes.
>Your sister pauses, mid bite, then twists her head to look at you. She swallows and blinks in confusion. "Onee-chan? When did you get here?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "A little while ago, you were in one of your artistic trances again. I decided to help you out a little by passing you the colors you asked for."
>Let's give her a hug like we always do. "Now Flan, a little matter's come up that needs my attention, your big sister has a Rival to knock down."
>Disengage, and ruffle her hair with a warm and loving expression. "Now, can I count on you to be a good girl and stay inside for now? When I come back with Sakuya, I'll have her make our favorite sweets when she's able, okay?"
Ah, sibling love. 'Tis a beautiful thing. If only my sister was more like this Flan.
-
>Chuckle a little. "A little while ago, you were in one of your artistic trances again. I decided to help you out a little by passing you the colors you asked for."
>Flandre gives you another curious look, then looks back at the wall. "Oh. I guess I did."
>Let's give her a hug like we always do. "Now Flan, a little matter's come up that needs my attention, your big sister has a Rival to knock down."
>"A rival..." Flandre closes her eyes. She does that a lot when she thinks. She... struggles with that, sometimes. "Is that one of those bad vampires?" she asks, uncertain.
>Disengage, and ruffle her hair with a warm and loving expression. "Now, can I count on you to be a good girl and stay inside for now? When I come back with Sakuya, I'll have her make our favorite sweets when she's able, okay?"
>Flandre smiles. She likes it when you pat her on the head like that. "Of course, onee-chan."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Don't you worry about her though, I'll take care of everything. And who knows, perhaps we'll even have a new friend along the way. You see, I found another new Vampire that was created by this other one who I already mentioned."
>Laugh a bit. "Would you believe that the fledgeling is little more than two months into Vampire-hood, and was already capable of copying Servant Flier! The youngling has a lot of potential, wouldn't you say? Shame it's being wasted on who her sire is."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Don't you worry about her though, I'll take care of everything. And who knows, perhaps we'll even have a new friend along the way. You see, I found another new Vampire that was created by this other one who I already mentioned."
>Laugh a bit. "Would you believe that the fledgeling is little more than two months into Vampire-hood, and was already capable of copying Servant Flier! The youngling has a lot of potential, wouldn't you say? Shame it's being wasted on who her sire is."
>"But what if the sire is a bad vampire?" Flandre asks you. Her head twitches slightly to one side for an instant. "What if she doesn't understand the balance of Gensokyo, like you do? We've met a lot of bad ones before, vampires that weren't as kind as you, as smart as you." She frowns. "I like Gensokyo, onee-chan. I don't want another bad vampires here."
-
>Smile. "Exactly. I plan to teach her a few lessons. Particularly in regards to her progeny. Even you know that a new vampire should be kept indoors for at least a year after being turned, so they can get used to their new lot in life."
>Smirk. "And I also intend to take that youngling for ourselves as well, her potential is going to waste after all."
-
>Smile. "Exactly. I plan to teach her a few lessons. Particularly in regards to her progeny. Even you know that a new vampire should be kept indoors for at least a year after being turned, so they can get used to their new lot in life."
>Smirk. "And I also intend to take that youngling for ourselves as well, her potential is going to waste after all."
>Flandre nods, sagely. "The change is hard. .... I.. think?" She pauses, confused. "It tickled, but, kinda the good kind, kinda the bad."
>You give her a moment before informing her of your plans for Rei. It takes her a moment to return to the present when her mind wanders back to that area of the past.
>She smiles slightly when you tell her. "We should get a room ready for her, then."
-
>Smile. "Exactly. I think I know someone I can leave that to, reliable fairies like her are terribly rare after all."
>Ruffle her hair once more. "Now, be good like always, okay Flan? I have to take care of things after all, and I overdid it with one of my spellcards tonight, so i need to replace it with another one. I'll see you later~!"
>Let's make for our room after hugging her one last time.
-
>Smile. "Exactly. I think I know someone I can leave that to, reliable fairies like her are terribly rare after all."
>Ruffle her hair once more. "Now, be good like always, okay Flan? I have to take care of things after all, and I overdid it with one of my spellcards tonight, so i need to replace it with another one. I'll see you later~!"
>Let's make for our room after hugging her one last time.
>As you embrace your sister again, she makes a suggestion. A rather... unnerving suggestion. "I could handle this sire myself, if you wanted me to, onee-chan. It wouldn't be hard."
-
>Smile somewhat. "And ruin the fun? I haven't gotten to have a good battle since Hakurei, remember? It's been ages since I've found someone not related to me in some manner that I deem a worthy foe."
>Chuckle. "Don't you worry about a thing, I think I can handle her easily enough. For all we know though, that drawing may well have been a glimpse of things to come. My coming battle with her."
-
>Smile somewhat. "And ruin the fun? I haven't gotten to have a good battle since Hakurei, remember? It's been ages since I've found someone not related to me in some manner that I deem a worthy foe."
>Chuckle. "Don't you worry about a thing, I think I can handle her easily enough. For all we know though, that drawing may well have been a glimpse of things to come. My coming battle with her."
>Flandre nods. "Okay, onee-chan. Flan won't make her go pop."
>Your comment about her drawing, though, makes her stop and think, then her eyes light up with recognition. "You like it? I made it cuz I was thinking about that looooooooong night story again."
-
>Ah yes, the Imperishable Night Incident we regaled her with tales of. That was a fun time, wasn't it?
>"Amusingly enough, we've learned something about this new vampire, she calls herself the 'Cobalt Countess'. So you can see why I commented on her possibly being that other figure in your drawing."
>Smirk. "But as if a countess could hope to best a Devil."
-
>Ah yes, the Imperishable Night Incident we regaled her with tales of. That was a fun time, wasn't it?
>"Amusingly enough, we've learned something about this new vampire, she calls herself the 'Cobalt Countess'. So you can see why I commented on her possibly being that other figure in your drawing."
>Smirk. "But as if a countess could hope to best a Devil."
>It was a very good night. Most of it. Eirin was a bit of a pain, though.
>Flandre looks between you and the wall. "Why's that?" She considers, then points at the blue figure. "Didn't you recognize Sakuya when you saw her?"
-
>...Foreheadpalm. Doy! We really need to work on that.
>"I should have thought about that beforehand."
>Sigh a bit. "At any rate, I'll see you again soon. Hopefully I won't need to call for you, because that would not only put you at risk, but take all the fun out of it."
>Has Flan ever tried to use any of our spellcards to any degree of success?
-
>Has Flan ever tried to use any of our spellcards to any degree of success?
>She's never tried to use any of your spellcards at all, nor have you tried to use hers. To your knowledge, no one that uses spellcards has ever shared theirs or loaned theirs to someone else. True, Marisa 'borrowed' a technique or two from Patchy, but she made her own spellcards to do so, instead of stealing Patchy's or copying from the card itself.
>...Foreheadpalm. Doy! We really need to work on that.
>"I should have thought about that beforehand."
>Sigh a bit. "At any rate, I'll see you again soon. Hopefully I won't need to call for you, because that would not only put you at risk, but take all the fun out of it."
>You apply liberal palm to your forehead.
>Flandre looks at you seriously. "You should apologize to Sakuya when you find her."
-
>Nod. "I should, shouldn't I?"
>Then laugh. "To think, being reprimanded by you for once, when usually it's the other way around! Ah, this is quite a change of pace, isn't it Flan?"
>Perhaps she should keep these aspects of herself, all she desperately needs is self-control. And oftentimes the young have much more wisdom and common sense than their elders.
>Smile, and ruffle her hair once more. "Well, I'll see you again soon, you be good now, okay?"
>Let's make for our room now.
-
>Nod. "I should, shouldn't I?"
>Then laugh. "To think, being reprimanded by you for once, when usually it's the other way around! Ah, this is quite a change of pace, isn't it Flan?"
>Perhaps she should keep these aspects of herself, all she desperately needs is self-control. And oftentimes the young have much more wisdom and common sense than their elders.
>Flandre joins you in your laugh, albeit a bit quieter.
>Self-control is one aspect of Flandre does indeed struggle with. And she does have it, but very fleetingly. Her mind is too fragmented, too unstable, to let her keep it for more than a few fleeting moments. Its like she jumps back and forth between realms you can't imagine. You've seen her try very hard to stay in the same world as the rest of you, but she simply can't hold it for long. Still, if you find someone to act as a 'counselor' for Flan, or if Sakuya managed to before getting waylaid, mentioning this to her would give her a place to start.
>Smile, and ruffle her hair once more. "Well, I'll see you again soon, you be good now, okay?"
>Let's make for our room now.
>"Be careful, onee-chan." your sister cautions you. "Don't underestimate her just 'cuz we're in Gensokyo now."
>Bidding farewell to your sister, you depart from the basement, closing the door behind you as Flandre gives you a friendly wave. You then return to your room, passing by a pair of fairies heading towards the south end of the mansion.
>Your room is as you left it. Always a minor relief when neither you nor Sakuya is around to keep the fairys in line.
-
>Now, let's pull out our repertoire of cards to adjust the ones we have on hand.
>We should probably get a better outfit as well, so we'll take care of that too.
-
>Now, let's pull out our repertoire of cards to adjust the ones we have on hand.
>We should probably get a better outfit as well, so we'll take care of that too.
>You walk over to your drawer and produce the black book containing all your cards, bound in plastic sleeves for protection, and convenient access.
>You then consider changing clothes before heading back out into the field.
-
>Let's crack open the book first, since we've already got it out already.
-
>Let's crack open the book first, since we've already got it out already.
>Laying the book down atop the end table containing it, you open it up.
>How do you wish to adjust your spellcards on hand?
-
>Hmm....Aha. These will do the job quite well.
Slot 1: Divine Lance - Spear the Gungnir
Slot 2: God Devil - "Remilia Stoker"
Slot 3: Scarlet Sign - "Bloody Magic Square"
Slot 4: Scarlet Gensokyo
Slot 5: Scarlet Destiny
>With that settled, we'll then put the book away, and look for a sufficiently awe-inspiring, yet sufficiently mobile outfit to change into.
-
>Slot 5: Scarlet Destiny
>A note about Last Word type spellcards.
>They're essentially 'show off' cards, a chance for people to show off their creativity and skill with danmaku, without anything on the line. Last Words have no bearing on the outcome of a spellcard duel, they're basically 'bonus' cards to use for fun after one has exhausted all her other cards.
>As you normally employ 5 cards, you can consider Scarlet Destiny a 'bonus' card and select another one to compliment it, giving you a repertoire of 5 'regular' spellcards plus your Last Word.
>With that settled, we'll then put the book away, and look for a sufficiently awe-inspiring, yet sufficiently mobile outfit to change into.
>After adjusting your spellcard rotation, you walk over to your large closet on the wall and fling it open, parousing your numerous outfits.
>Here are your normal choices when going out on one of these adventures. (http://en.touhouwiki.net/images/f/f6/Th123RemiliaColors.png)
-
>Well then, we'll append Devil Sign 'World in Nightmare' as the 5th Slot card then, and bring along Scarlet Destiny as an extra.
>As for the outfits, we might need something a bit more awe-inspiring than variations of our usual.
-
>Well then, we'll append Devil Sign 'World in Nightmare' as the 5th Slot card then, and bring along Scarlet Destiny as an extra.
>You are currently carrying:
>Divine Lance: Spear the Gungnir
>God Devil: Remilia Stoker
>Scarlet Sign: Bloody Magic Square
>Scarlet Gensokyo
>Devil Sign: World in Nightmare
>Scarlet Destiny (last word)
>As for the outfits, we might need something a bit more awe-inspiring than variations of our usual.
>What sort of awe-inspiring did you have in mind?
-
>Where did we put that (http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=895255) one outfit..?
-
>Where did we put that (http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=895255) one outfit..?
>Ah, yes. THAT one.
>Ordinarily, you wouldn't break out that particular outfit unless you were the one behind an incident, or at least, doing something particularly fiendish.
>On the other hand, if this Countess is the one responsible for Sakuya's dissapearance, well, the gloves come off. Until you.. put on the new ones, at any rate...
>If memory serves, it should be.... Yes, there it is. Right behind your wedding dress and your funeral dress. Cleaned and wrinkle-free, as only Sakuya does so well.
-
>Well, if the Countess is indeed behind Sakuya's disappearance, then we likely will be up to something fiendish.
>So let's change into that one, and then we'll put the Rapier away in favor of something a bit more us.
-
>Well, if the Countess is indeed behind Sakuya's disappearance, then we likely will be up to something fiendish.
>So let's change into that one, and then we'll put the Rapier away in favor of something a bit more us.
>Fair bet.
>Unequip: Remilia Standard
>Equip: Tepes-style
>Having altered your attire, you return to the weapons' storeroom you retrevived your rapier from earlier, and return it to its resting place.
-
>Let's find something in the breed of polearm. Something with some heft, but still light and non-unwieldy enough for us to maneuver deftly.
-
>Let's find something in the breed of polearm. Something with some heft, but still light and non-unwieldy enough for us to maneuver deftly.
>This room offers a selection of short spears, longspears, staves, halberds, and one ranseur. Halberds and ranseurs, though, you have practically no experience with.
-
>We should remedy that sometime, when things have cooled down. So let's peruse the spears.
>After all, nobility like ourselves is bound to have a wide variety of types to choose from. From the Ochstan(Oxtongue) Spear, to a Hunting Lance.
-
>We should remedy that sometime, when things have cooled down. So let's peruse the spears.
>After all, nobility like ourselves is bound to have a wide variety of types to choose from. From the Ochstan(Oxtongue) Spear, to a Hunting Lance.
>You might think that, but the selection before you is rather limited. After all, it is but one weapons' locker, can't have everything in here.
>There are a half dozen simple short spears, a quartet of simple long spears, and a curved-bladed glaive that you would feel confidant in wielding. The glaive is a bit exotic, perhaps not something you'd want to use in a serious battle without more practice, but it's more flashy than the other options.
-
>Battle's likely to be danmaku-based, anyways.
>Take the glaive.
-
>Battle's likely to be danmaku-based, anyways.
>Take the glaive.
>Seems to be the way things go in Gensokyo.
>You heft the glaive, and feel a slight tingling sensation when your fingers fall upon it. A faintly magical tingle. You consider why this would be, and something tugs at your memory, but the details elude you.
-
>We should take it to Patchouli before we go then, she should be able to jog our memory. Or at the very least, she'll be able to remind us what it does.
-
>We should take it to Patchouli before we go then, she should be able to jog our memory. Or at the very least, she'll be able to remind us what it does.
>Patchouli IS your go-to girl for magic.
-
>Well then, what are we waiting for, a formal invitation? Let's go find Patchouli again!
-
>Well then, what are we waiting for, a formal invitation? Let's go find Patchouli again!
>Taking up the leather-bound clamps for the glaive so you can carry it on your back, you strap the weapon on and depart the weapon's locker, heading back towards the library.
>In the Grand Hallway, however, you find Wriggle, on her hands and knees, pressing her ear against the floor. A pair of fairy maids have joined her.
-
>Walk over with an ear out for things.
>"And just what, pray tell, are you three listening for?" Be sure to have a little of our aura visible around us as we do so, it wouldn't do to not show off while we're wearing our finest.
-
>Walk over with an ear out for things.
>"And just what, pray tell, are you three listening for?" Be sure to have a little of our aura visible around us as we do so, it wouldn't do to not show off while we're wearing our finest.
>Surrounding yourself with a rather simple dark red aura, you stride over towards the gathering of listeners.
>Wriggle raises her head slightly to look at you. "I'm not sure, they're being sneaky. But I think you've got termites."
>"Termites!" the red-haired fairy echoes.
>"What's a termite?" her blonde companion asks.
>"The little nibblers that eat wood."
>"That's bad!" the blonde cries, flitting backwards away from the floor.
-
>Frown. "That is something bad. Judging from earlier events, I believe that you can do something about that though, no? After all, You utilized those ants while I was chasing down Rei earlier tonight. Which implies you have an ability related to insects, no?"
-
>Frown. "That is something bad. Judging from earlier events, I believe that you can do something about that though, no? After all, You utilized those ants while I was chasing down Rei earlier tonight. Which implies you have an ability related to insects, no?"
>Wriggle nods. "Termites can be a little tricky, though. They have a sort of a hive mind, not unlike ants, but it's harder to penetrate. Probably because of the long life of the termite queen."
>"Still, I shouldn't be having this much trouble..." She presses her ear to the ground again. "They're... avoiding me. I can't quite get a grip on their minds."
-
>"...Could they be possessed? I wonder..."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, what do termites react to the worst? Heat? Cold? I believe that could be achieved with Patchouli's help."
-
>"...Could they be possessed? I wonder..."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, what do termites react to the worst? Heat? Cold? I believe that could be achieved with Patchouli's help."
>"I can't say for sure, but I don't think so. If one of the Sins possessed the colony queen, I'd be able to sense the Sins' thoughts throughout the drones, and I'm not. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was because of this place. Different colonies do react a bit different to their surroundings, and I've never talked to any insects that lived in a vampire's home."
>Wriggle frowns in concern as you inquire into termites' weakness. "Let me work at this a bit longer yet. My pride would never let me live it down if I didn't get to the bottom of this."
>"No!" the blonde fairy cries, dropping from the ceiling and squarely onto your shoulders. "You should blow them all up!"
-
>.....Sigh exasperatedly. Fairies... We'll develop recurring migraines at this rate.
>Bat-a-port to a still nearby spot without the fairy. "My plan was to force them out of hiding, so that we could find out just what is going on with them."
-
>.....Sigh exasperatedly. Fairies... We'll develop recurring migraines at this rate.
>Bat-a-port to a still nearby spot without the fairy. "My plan was to force them out of hiding, so that we could find out just what is going on with them."
>You keep telling yourself you'll get used to them. Maybe if you say it often enough, it'll be true...
>The blonde fairy lets out a yelp as you dissolve into your swarm form again, falling the ground with an audible thump. You resolidify a few feet away as her friend snickers.
>"Well, they're not 'hiding'... They're just not responding to me. YET." She adds with emphasis. "Besides, I'd like to pinpoint where they are exactly, first. Forcing them to surface might not do me much good if I don't know WHERE they surface."
-
>Smirk. "That's the beauty of it. With Patche's magic, we can control where they surface. Leave a single location that lacks their weaknesses, and the flood the rest of the area with it, and they'll soon take refuge there. A rather simple tactic, elementary warfare stratagems really. But I suppose pinpointing their leader would aid us in that regard then."
>Fistpalm. "Perhaps we could herd them into this very room. As there are already termites here, the others would instinctively follow to where their kin are unharmed, no?"
-
>Smirk. "That's the beauty of it. With Patche's magic, we can control where they surface. Leave a single location that lacks their weaknesses, and the flood the rest of the area with it, and they'll soon take refuge there. A rather simple tactic, elementary warfare stratagems really. But I suppose pinpointing their leader would aid us in that regard then."
>Fistpalm. "Perhaps we could herd them into this very room. As there are already termites here, the others would instinctively follow to where their kin are unharmed, no?"
>"Actually, they're not HERE, they're over there, somewhere." Wriggle points towards the eastern wall.
>"Shoot there, shoot THERE!" the blondy fairy cries. "Oh, never mind, I'll do it myself!" she declares, picking herself up off the wall and discharging red globe danmaku one after another at the offending wall. The other fairy snickers again.
-
>Sigh, then walk over to the blonde fairy and apply a sharp dope slap.
>"Do refrain from doing such things. I'm already starting to get a headache as it is."
>Then look back to Wriggle. "So, the eastern wall is it?"
>What do we know to be on the other side of that wall?
-
>Sigh, then walk over to the blonde fairy and apply a sharp dope slap.
>"Do refrain from doing such things. I'm already starting to get a headache as it is."
>Then look back to Wriggle. "So, the eastern wall is it?"
>What do we know to be on the other side of that wall?
>You go upside the head of the very blonde fairy, prompting a sharp yelp from the little thing as her danmaku sputters out. The wall remains undamaged, of course. One fairy's danmaku could never damage any property, let alone yours, unless she spent an hour or more at it.
>"But what about the wood nibblers?!" she cries, almost despairing. Her redhaired comrade snickers.
>Beyond that portion of the wall.... A pair of spare bedrooms, a linen closet, a janitorial station Sakuya set up (both of those being a bit overstocked at the moment, Sakuya having moved a number of supplies from the damaged west end into those rooms.) a washroom, and a small dining room, for casual entertainment of guests.
>Oh, and one of the karaoke boxes.
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>Apply another one. "We'll get to that soon enough, now be quiet. Before I put you on Playtime Duty."
>"Well, that was where Sakuya moved most of the supplies from the west wing after it was damaged. Perhaps they got over there in that fashion. There's a small dining area, a pair of spare bedrooms, a Karaoke Box, a linen closet, and a janitorial station left by Sakuya. They could be in any of those rooms, so we should investigate."
>Let's take them to the spare bedrooms first.
-
>Apply another one. "We'll get to that soon enough, now be quiet. Before I put you on Playtime Duty."
>"Well, that was where Sakuya moved most of the supplies from the west wing after it was damaged. Perhaps they got over there in that fashion. There's a small dining area, a pair of spare bedrooms, a Karaoke Box, a linen closet, and a janitorial station left by Sakuya. They could be in any of those rooms, so we should investigate."
>Let's take them to the spare bedrooms first.
>Whacking the fairy again yields a somewhat satisfying sound, both from her head and from her mouth. The redhead snickers again.
>Wriggle nods and gets back to her feet. The other fairy, the redhead, remains where she is as Wriggle heads for the nearest door in that wall, but asks you, "Pickin' bugs over head maid, boss?"
-
>Sigh. "I'm taking care of a little issue while I'm here. A fairy like you two wouldn't be able to understand. It's just practical to settle one's affairs before progressing with a potentially risky effort. 500 years have been a very good teacher in those regards."
>Does the fairy seem at all off? Like those who have been possessed?
-
>Sigh. "I'm taking care of a little issue while I'm here. A fairy like you two wouldn't be able to understand. It's just practical to settle one's affairs before progressing with a potentially risky effort. 500 years have been a very good teacher in those regards."
>Does the fairy seem at all off? Like those who have been possessed?
>You don't think the fairy understands fully, but the blonde one starts flying around you again. "Yeah, we'll find the nibblers and make them go away!"
>Not from what you know of your staff. Some of them are fond of Sakuya, in their own ways, especially Honey Braids, and this redhead here may want her back more than some others. Even if she has an odd way of expressing it.
-
>Smirk. "Besides, it will make Sakuya's job easier that way."
>Now, let's go investigate the Spare Bedrooms.
-
>Smirk. "Besides, it will make Sakuya's job easier that way."
>Now, let's go investigate the Spare Bedrooms.
>"If she comes back." the redhead adds, still unmoving.
>Wriggle has already gone through the door, so you and the blonde maid follow behind her. You find her currently standing outside one of the spare bedrooms, pressing her head against the door.
-
>Let's keep our ears on the ready as well, as our hearing surpasses most any creature. "Anything?"
>"...Perhaps the reason why they're avoiding you could be because the queen may have become a youkai herself?"
>This merits looking into, as we may have found a new means of getting back at the Cobalt Countess. Provided her domicile is mostly wood.
-
>Let's keep our ears on the ready as well, as our hearing surpasses most any creature. "Anything?"
>"...Perhaps the reason why they're avoiding you could be because the queen may have become a youkai herself?"
>This merits looking into, as we may have found a new means of getting back at the Cobalt Countess. Provided her domicile is mostly wood.
>Your own exquisite hearing reveals nothing out of the ordinary.
>Wriggle points her finger furthur down the hallway. "That way. I think the next... No, two rooms down." Which would be the small dining room.
>The insect youkai pulls her head back and shakes her head. "I wouldn't think so. Youkai or not, I should be able to sense the Queen's mind acting." Her antennae twitch once. "Then again, I've never met a termite youkai before..."
>You consider the merits of termite-based warfare. It'd be original, if nothing else.
-
>Nod. "Alright then, shall we be off to investigate there then?"
>To the small dining room!
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>Nod. "Alright then, shall we be off to investigate there then?"
>To the small dining room!
>Wriggle nods and takes off alongside you.
>As you reach for the handle of the door, Wriggle nods sharply. "Got 'em. They're coming up through a small gap in the floor of that room. I still can't totally read their minds or instincts, but I think they're coming in from outside." She points off in an easterly direction. "Their tunnel network must extend under the mansion."
>The blonde fairy maid, at this point, lets out a rather piercing yelp. "Shovels, we need shovels!!" she yells, and immediately makes a beeline for the Grand Corridor, obviously in search of said digging instrument.
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>Nod. Wasn't that the same direction that Sloth generally flew in?
>"Well, now that that's settled, I can have Patche examine this Glaive, and then I can be off. I'll leave this matter in your care, as you have the most expertise when it comes to insects. Feel free to bring as many of the maids as you need, you might need some extra hands."
-
>Nod. Wasn't that the same direction that Sloth generally flew in?
>"Well, now that that's settled, I can have Patche examine this Glaive, and then I can be off. I'll leave this matter in your care, as you have the most expertise when it comes to insects. Feel free to bring as many of the maids as you need, you might need some extra hands."
>Sloth flew vaguely west, from the Hakurei shrine.
>"Who is this 'Patche'?" Wriggle asks you.
-
>"Patchouli, the resident magician of the mansion. When it comes to magical things, I tend to consult her. But at any rate, I shall leave the matter of the termites in your care. I trust you can take care of it? I'll see to it that you're compensated for your time and effort as well."
-
>"Patchouli, the resident magician of the mansion. When it comes to magical things, I tend to consult her. But at any rate, I shall leave the matter of the termites in your care. I trust you can take care of it? I'll see to it that you're compensated for your time and effort as well."
>"I can take of it." Wriggle states confidently, puffing her chest and straightening her antennae in the doing. "I can convince them to find somewhere else to find lunch, somewhere safer. As Gensokyo's strongest insect youkai, my pride is on the line here."
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>Chuckle a bit. "If you find that their queen has indeed turned Youkai, as I suspect is a possibility, resolve things the usual way, and keep her here until I return. I'd like to have a few words with her if that's the case."
>Let's step the aura up one level, then make for the Library to find patchy again.
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>Chuckle a bit. "If you find that their queen has indeed turned Youkai, as I suspect is a possibility, resolve things the usual way, and keep her here until I return. I'd like to have a few words with her if that's the case."
>Let's step the aura up one level, then make for the Library to find patchy again.
>Issuing your commands to Wriggle, the pair of you leave this hallway and return to the Grand Corridor. You make a right turn, entering into the library, while Wriggle flies on towards the entrance.
>Upon entering the library, you can see a mystic light coming from the northwest, and have a sense of gathering magic in the air.
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>Raise an eyebrow, and go investigate with our aura subdued to minimal. Don't want to risk an interference backlash like that one time.
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>Raise an eyebrow, and go investigate with our aura subdued to minimal. Don't want to risk an interference backlash like that one time.
>Indeed not.
>Toning your aura down a notch, you fly in that direction.
>You find Patchouli in a more open area of the library, with a book in hand, her right hand stretched out to her side, a glowing magical circle surrounding her. Obviously casting a spell of some sort.
>Koakuma is standing outside the circle. Upon seeing you coming, or rather, in your new digs and armed, she raises one of her eyebrows, which also raises her head-wing on the same side.
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>Smirk a bit. She always was amusing.
>Well, Patchy's busy, so Koa will have to do. So let's pull her off to the side, so as to not disturb Patchy.
>"Koa, this Glaive here has some sort of magical trait, but it's been so long that I've forgotten. I need it examined so I know what it can do, and since Patche is busy with her magic, you are the next best things. Being her familiar and all."
>Let's pull out the Glaive and pass it to Koa.
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>Smirk a bit. She always was amusing.
>Well, Patchy's busy, so Koa will have to do. So let's pull her off to the side, so as to not disturb Patchy.
>"Koa, this Glaive here has some sort of magical trait, but it's been so long that I've forgotten. I need it examined so I know what it can do, and since Patche is busy with her magic, you are the next best things. Being her familiar and all."
>Let's pull out the Glaive and pass it to Koa.
>Motioning to one side, Koakuma nods, and you fly a bit to the left, between a pair of bookcases.
>Other familiars you've known would be insulted at being considered 'the next best thing' to their master, but not Koakuma. No shame in being second best to a mage as talented as Patchy, and she knows it. She merely accepts the weapon and holds it out before her in both hands.
>After only a few seconds, she nods her head and mutters, "Demonic chill. This glaive strikes with abyssal ice."
>That jogs your memory. Round about the end of the 18th century, you ran afoul of a particularly aggressive vampire lord from an African country, Egypt, you believe it was. He had three elite vampire progeny as his guards, and each wielded an enchanted glaive, empowered by the vampire's hellish magics. One struck with flame, the second with lightning, and the third, this one, with icy chill. That fight was actually very taxing. Your vampiric powers surpassed theirs, but they were better at armed combat than you. It took a great deal out of you to defeat them, and only this weapon of the three glaives survived. If you're honest, it was a bit of luck that their sire fled the field after seeing his guards defeated. Had he pressed the attack, it would have been difficult indeed to best him.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Ah yes. Now I recall how I obtained it. Quite a difficult battle that one was. Shame that this was the only one of the three to survive the fight though. You see, it was part of a three weapon set. One was attuned to fire, and another was attuned to lightning. Of those three, only this one remained. This shall come in quite handy later."
>We can let off some ham later, when we're confronting the countess. Let's get the Glaive back from her, and put it back in it's holster.
>Smirk. "Well, have an enjoyable night. I certainly will."
>Let's go off to find Reimu and the others.
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>Chuckle a bit. "Ah yes. Now I recall how I obtained it. Quite a difficult battle that one was. Shame that this was the only one of the three to survive the fight though. You see, it was part of a three weapon set. One was attuned to fire, and another was attuned to lightning. Of those three, only this one remained. This shall come in quite handy later."
>We can let off some ham later, when we're confronting the countess. Let's get the Glaive back from her, and put it back in it's holster.
>Smirk. "Well, have an enjoyable night. I certainly will."
>Let's go off to find Reimu and the others.
>"It's lost a bit of its potency over the years." Koakuma cautions you. "I would guess that it only imparts its icy enchantment when it hits something, and even then, not as strongly as it once was. So keep that in mind, if you end up having to use it." She eyes your choice in costume again, then grins. "Which wouldn't surprise me."
>"Good luck in finding this other vampire." Koa wishes you as you depart the library once again.
>As you emerge into the corridor, however, it occurs to you that you're not entirely certain where the others have gone. You pretty much left them in the lurch after you landed and noticed Mei Ling not at her post.
>You're not entirely familiar with Kogasa, Mystia or Reisen, so you're not sure where any of them would have got to in your mansion. Reimu, however, you do know. Considering her... average financial state, if she went anywhere first, it would be your kitchen.
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>Well, let's go to the kitchen then, Reimu's probably there raiding the icebox for a sandwich or something.
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>Well, let's go to the kitchen then, Reimu's probably there raiding the icebox for a sandwich or something.
>She'd probably consider it her just rewards for saving Gensokyo as often as she does.
>Her behavior considered, you take a right turn out of the Grand Corridor and head towards the large kitchen where Sakuya works a lot of her magic.
>You find Reisen standing outside the main doors of the kitchen, holding a deck of cards. She seems to be demonstrating a card trick to a pair of fairy maids.
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>Chuckle. Well, Reimu does deserve at least a little something. Have to keep our allies in good condition for the coming battle after all~
>Let's walk over with our aura at step 1. "Well, that solves where you went. Now to find out where Mystia and Kogasa went. I suspect Reimu's already inside the kitchen, raiding the icebox."
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>Chuckle. Well, Reimu does deserve at least a little something. Have to keep our allies in good condition for the coming battle after all~
>Let's walk over with our aura at step 1. "Well, that solves where you went. Now to find out where Mystia and Kogasa went. I suspect Reimu's already inside the kitchen, raiding the icebox."
>None can doubt your generousity.
>Making sure your aura isn't too dramatic, you approach Reisen and her audience. Both of the fairies flit off when they see you coming in your Tepes-style ensemble. Reisen seems rather unfazed as she tucks her cards away inside her jacket. "Well, Mystia went to see if there was a theater or stage in here. I think she was thinking about putting on one of her concerts here, if she could." She gives you a small smile. "If your mansion's as big as I think, that might take her some time."
>"Reimu and Kogasa, however..." The rabbit pauses momentarily before filling in that blank. "Well, you're half right about Reimu. She DID pop into the kitchen for a minute, and helped herself to a small wedge of cheese. And then she left, along with Kogasa."
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>Facepalm. "Ugh...Well, at least she didn't take too much, unlike Marisa. But I believe there should be something suitable for such efforts what Mystia plans. I shall have to remember her for the next party then, sometimes one needs a change of pace. I daresay her and Sakuya can compare notes on cooking as well. After all, the sushi and vegetables earlier were quite nice."
>Foreheadpalm. "I forgot to mention that to her when we found her."
>Sigh. "At any rate, let's be off. I've left handling a small insect-related matter in Wriggle's care, and I'll let Mystia roam my domain for the time. Besides, you know as well as I that if they aren't in a safe place, they'll end up just as Reimu was. I've already tasked Patchouli with erecting a full barrier against the Sin Spirits, and anyone possessed by one."
>Smirk. "After all, Troy fell to such a plot. The infamous Trojan Horse."
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>Facepalm. "Ugh...Well, at least she didn't take too much, unlike Marisa. But I believe there should be something suitable for such efforts what Mystia plans. I shall have to remember her for the next party then, sometimes one needs a change of pace. I daresay her and Sakuya can compare notes on cooking as well. After all, the sushi and vegetables earlier were quite nice."
>Foreheadpalm. "I forgot to mention that to her when we found her."
>"She may still be here when you get back." Reisen offers.
>Sigh. "At any rate, let's be off. I've left handling a small insect-related matter in Wriggle's care, and I'll let Mystia roam my domain for the time. Besides, you know as well as I that if they aren't in a safe place, they'll end up just as Reimu was. I've already tasked Patchouli with erecting a full barrier against the Sin Spirits, and anyone possessed by one."
>Smirk. "After all, Troy fell to such a plot. The infamous Trojan Horse."
>"There's just one thing I should ask, before we start flying all over Gensokyo like Youmu and Reimu did, looking the rest of the sins, and this other vampire." Reisen says. "Do you have any idea how to go about finding them?"
-
>"Well, Sloth left a rather telling clue in her departure. when she parted ways with us, she went a specific direction. That, my little rabbit friend, is where we'll find our prey. And likely Sakuya as well."
>Smirk. "You see, if there's one thing I can tell you in absolute certainty about powerful vampires who are nobility, it's that we never 'downgrade'. The lowest we ever go is a mansion much like my own. So all we need to do, is keep an eye out for any new or abnormal buildings, and that is where we shall strike."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for what it's worth, I plan to take little Rei for myself in the doing as well, such potential is being wasted on her sire. She'll be much better off in the care of someone who is quite skilled, and not ineptly turning many souls to the night's embrace as recklessly as her sire does."
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>"Well, Sloth left a rather telling clue in her departure. when she parted ways with us, she went a specific direction. That, my little rabbit friend, is where we'll find our prey. And likely Sakuya as well."
>Smirk. "You see, if there's one thing I can tell you in absolute certainty about powerful vampires who are nobility, it's that we never 'downgrade'. The lowest we ever go is a mansion much like my own. So all we need to do, is keep an eye out for any new or abnormal buildings, and that is where we shall strike."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for what it's worth, I plan to take little Rei for myself in the doing as well, such potential is being wasted on her sire. She'll be much better off in the care of someone who is quite skilled, and not ineptly turning many souls to the night's embrace as recklessly as her sire does."
>"Let me make sure I understand you here. Your plan of attack is 'fly west until you find something interesting'?" Reisen considers that for a moment. "Well, then again, this IS Gensokyo. It obviously works well enough for Reimu and Youmu."
>Reisen shakes her head. "You'll have a fight on your hands, I think, if you tried that with Rei. You saw how devoted she was to her master just as I did. I don't think you'll take her for yourself, anymore than another vampire could take Sakuya from you."
>"Of course, that doesn't mean it might not be for the best. Depends on what her master's like, of course. It's just worth noting that it isn't going to be easy for you, seperating the two of them."
-
>Smirk. "All I need to do is prove that I am the superior Vampire, and Rei's nature as a fledgling should follow the rest. You see, generally, if a fledgling is confronted with aa vampire superior to their sire, they tend to change allegiance rather quickly. She didn't when I first showed her my power, so I am inclined to believe that a more direct approach is required."
>Amp the smirk to an amused smile. "By defeating the Countess."
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>Smirk. "All I need to do is prove that I am the superior Vampire, and Rei's nature as a fledgling should follow the rest. You see, generally, if a fledgling is confronted with aa vampire superior to their sire, they tend to change allegiance rather quickly. She didn't when I first showed her my power, so I am inclined to believe that a more direct approach is required."
>Amp the smirk to an amused smile. "By defeating the Countess."
>Reisen does not seem entirely convinced. "You're the expert on vampiric nature, obviously. But from what I could tell, her devotion to the Countess was genuine."
>"I suppose we'll see for ourselves, if and when we find her again."
-
>Smirk. "Of course. Now, let's be off, we can't let those other four have all the fun!"
>Let's roll! It might take a little while to find any abnormal building, but that's what the parasol's for.
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>Smirk. "Of course. Now, let's be off, we can't let those other four have all the fun!"
>Let's roll! It might take a little while to find any abnormal building, but that's what the parasol's for.
>Your party reduced to merely Reisen, you and the lunar rabbit exit the mansion, and take flight, traveling in a generally westerly direction.
>You settle yourself in for a bit of a lengthy flight. Gensokyo may not be all that big, but it does still take a while to get from one end of it to the other, and it may well take that to find what you're looking for. Especially when you're not entirely certain how many unusual structures, if any, lie to the west of your mansion.
>After a few minutes of flight, Reisen asks you, "I've been wondering something, Remilia. Envy told us that Pride was having trouble with Sakuya. But what if Pride's beaten her? We could have to fight her, too, in addition to the Countess."
-
>Let's let out a good laugh as we search. "Why do you think I brought only my best cards this time? Besides, the odds of Sakuya being defeated are rather low, the only way they could hope to win would be if she were to run out of stamina. But she rarely ever does."
>Smirk. "Besides, she's also rather susceptible to your wavelength power, being a human and all. I've noted that Sin Spirits are bounded by the upper limit of their host's capabilities, but how much of it they can muster seems to vary according to the Sin, and the Host itself. If they end up possessing her by forcing her to run out of stamina, they won't be able to muster much of her power. And thus, will make it so even you will be able to manage. They seem limited by their host's vulnerabilities as well, so you could easily disorient her severely if that may be the case. We'll just have to tend to her afterwards is all."
>Then laugh some more. "And while she's occupied by the nasty little side effects of your ability, that will free things up for me to take care of the Countess. And if need be, I'll make certain she troubles us no more. I came prepared for the 'long haul', as it were."
-
>Let's let out a good laugh as we search. "Why do you think I brought only my best cards this time? Besides, the odds of Sakuya being defeated are rather low, the only way they could hope to win would be if she were to run out of stamina. But she rarely ever does."
>Smirk. "Besides, she's also rather susceptible to your wavelength power, being a human and all. I've noted that Sin Spirits are bounded by the upper limit of their host's capabilities, but how much of it they can muster seems to vary according to the Sin, and the Host itself. If they end up possessing her by forcing her to run out of stamina, they won't be able to muster much of her power. And thus, will make it so even you will be able to manage. They seem limited by their host's vulnerabilities as well, so you could easily disorient her severely if that may be the case. We'll just have to tend to her afterwards is all."
>Then laugh some more. "And while she's occupied by the nasty little side effects of your ability, that will free things up for me to take care of the Countess. And if need be, I'll make certain she troubles us no more. I came prepared for the 'long haul', as it were."
>"Oh, I know between your power and mine, fighting Sakuya wouldn't be a problem. I doubt you'd even need me to take her, honestly. But doesn't it bother you, the idea that you might have to fight one of your friends?"
-
>"...Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. 500 years has also taught me this. Besides, My intent is for you to incapacitate her with your ability, which will likely force Pride out due to an unresponsive Host. Which will then allow me to give Pride a good thrashing for it's impertinence."
>Let's continue searching for any possible abnormal buildings that seem Western in origin.
-
>"...Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. 500 years has also taught me this. Besides, My intent is for you to incapacitate her with your ability, which will likely force Pride out due to an unresponsive Host. Which will then allow me to give Pride a good thrashing for it's impertinence."
>Let's continue searching for any possible abnormal buildings that seem Western in origin.
>"I'll certainly try, but it didn't work on Reimu. Of course, Pride may not have the same skills as Sloth does. We'll have to wait and see."
>You and Reisen fly on. The rabbit seems a little... put off, by your sentiment, but makes no further comment about it.
>Twenty-five minutes of uninterrupted flight time west brings you closer to the shadow of the great Youkai Mountain. You've yet to traverse it yourself, nor have you sent any of your servants up to investigate it, but the events of the Moriya Trinity's arrival are known to you. The area between here and your mansion was unremarkable and seemingly uninhabited.
>Ahead of you is a small river scything through a grassland area. Pretty scenery, yes, but what draws your attention is the small house, more of a cabin, to the north east of your current location. It has a large waterwheel built next to it, and is definitely Western in construction. North American, you believe.
-
>"Well, if we're lucky, it will work. Otherwise I'll have to knock her around a bit. But then again, I don't really mind having a little battle with her every now and again, have to keep our skills sharp somehow after all."
>Let's go investigate then.
-
>"Well, if we're lucky, it will work. Otherwise I'll have to knock her around a bit. But then again, I don't really mind having a little battle with her every now and again, have to keep our skills sharp somehow after all."
>Let's go investigate then.
>You descend from the air. but Reisen follows you slower than you. "I thought you said that vampires never 'downgrade.'"
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>Nod. "Usually, but for all we know, this could merely be a facade for a vast underground complex."
>Look back at her with a smirk. "I've faced a few who enjoyed this sort of thing as a hideout."
>Didn't that Vampire from Egypt try such a means of keeping under the radar?
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>Nod. "Usually, but for all we know, this could merely be a facade for a vast underground complex."
>Look back at her with a smirk. "I've faced a few who enjoyed this sort of thing as a hideout."
>Didn't that Vampire from Egypt try such a means of keeping under the radar?
>Reisen considers that. "I suppose you could have a point there." She winces. "Master once had to talk the Princess out of building a bunker like that beneath Eientei."
>That one, no. Subtlety was not his forte, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is hardly uncommon for vampires to employ that tactic. There was a neighbor of yours from your early days who kept a well maintained dungeon underneath a simple woodcutter's cottage, until she was exterminated by a vampire hunter. You also once knew a vampire in Macedonia who had a bunker built beneath the bakery she owned. The two of you got off on the wrong foot, but things smoothed out after a little while. And there was talk of the Vermillion Viper of Hong Kong and his subterranean empire, and the Triad that moved into the old Viet Cong tunnels in Vietnam not long before you came to Gensokyo.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "I recall one particular Vampire, he was referred to as 'The Vermillion Viper of Hong Kong'. The rumors say that he had a vast underground empire. And then there was that Triad who moved into the old Vietcong Tunnel network shortly before I arrived here."
>Smile slightly. "And then there was that one baker, she was one as well. She had quite the extensive hideout under her bakery in Macedonia. We didn't get along at first, but things smoothed over soon enough. She was a match for Sakuya almost in terms of baking, which really says something."
>Well, let's knock on the door, and dial the aura to 0 to appear less-threatening, might be the wrong place after all.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "I recall one particular Vampire, he was referred to as 'The Vermillion Viper of Hong Kong'. The rumors say that he had a vast underground empire. And then there was that Triad who moved into the old Vietcong Tunnel network shortly before I arrived here."
>Smile slightly. "And then there was that one baker, she was one as well. She had quite the extensive hideout under her bakery in Macedonia. We didn't get along at first, but things smoothed over soon enough. She was a match for Sakuya almost in terms of baking, which really says something."
>Well, let's knock on the door, and dial the aura to 0 to appear less-threatening, might be the wrong place after all.
>Reisen smiles a little in response to your stories. "You've met a number of colorful characters before you came to Gensokyo, didn't you?"
>Hitting the ground, you and your partner approach the small wooden cabin. The wood siding is a bit rough, but well made, if perhaps a bit out of place. None of the windows are currently lit, so you approach the door on the south wall of the cabin and knock politely. There comes no response.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "They were quite the cast, I should tell you about how I got this Glaive sometime. It was quite the battle you know, won it from the underlings of a Vampire from Egypt you know, enchanted with demonic chill this one."
>Hmm, out of place you say..? Let's get a better look at things by examining the wood closer.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "They were quite the cast, I should tell you about how I got this Glaive sometime. It was quite the battle you know, won it from the underlings of a Vampire from Egypt you know, enchanted with demonic chill this one."
>Hmm, out of place you say..? Let's get a better look at things by examining the wood closer.
>"Egypt... Ah, yes, the African country, famed for its ancient architecture and rich myths and history."
>Well, out of place in that it's a North American designed cabin in an isolated corner of Japan. The wood itself appears to be.... Oak, you would guess, maybe pine. You're not an expert on wood. But mundane wood, whatever type it is.
-
>Sigh nostalgically. "Shame the other two Glaives were destroyed, they were quality weapons you know, enchanted with fire and lightning."
>Knock again, this time with a tad more force.
-
>Sigh nostalgically. "Shame the other two Glaives were destroyed, they were quality weapons you know, enchanted with fire and lightning."
>Knock again, this time with a tad more force.
>"I've never been a big fan of weapons, myself." Reisen replies.
>You knock once again. After a few seconds, one of the lights in the cabin flicks on.
>"Looks like someone's home." your partner comments.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "A lady of my stature has to collect something after all. And there's something charming about a quality weapon, they're works of art if they're made well. Deadly Beauty, as some term them."
>Let's wait for them to answer the door then.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "A lady of my stature has to collect something after all. And there's something charming about a quality weapon, they're works of art if they're made well. Deadly Beauty, as some term them."
>Let's wait for them to answer the door then.
>Reisen's face becomes a little downcast. "People on the moon used to say the same thing, too."
>You take a step backwards and wait, politely, for the occupant to open the door. About a minute later, you hear motion on the other side of the door. And then, the distinct sound of whistling. The first notes of a tune, a familiar tune... 'Shave and a Haircut', was that what it's called?
-
>Chuckle a bit. Now there's something we haven't heard in a long while.
>Let's keep waiting.
-
>Chuckle a bit. Now there's something we haven't heard in a long while.
>Let's keep waiting.
>Indeed not.
>You and Reisen exercise patience and wait another little bit. After a bit less than a minute, the door lock clicks, and swings in, revealing a sleepy-eyed long-haired kappa in a black tank top and loose trousers. She glances between you and Reisen, squinting a bit. "Too big for fairies." she drones.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Perhaps you need glasses then? But at any rate, I've been investigating this region of Gensokyo for a certain thing, have you seen any other buildings that you do not recall seeing last year?"
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Perhaps you need glasses then? But at any rate, I've been investigating this region of Gensokyo for a certain thing, have you seen any other buildings that you do not recall seeing last year?"
>She blinks. "Glasses?" She reaches up and touches her face. "Oh, yeah, glasses." she mumbles, promptly closing the door.
>Reisen stifles a laugh. "I think we woke her up."
-
>Chuckle a bit as well. "I had a hunch that she needs glasses to see right, given how she mistook us for fairies at first. But she can get back to her sleep once we've gotten information from her, as she's a local. She may have something to point us in the right way, such as having seen a sparkling trail in the sky, which would have been sloth."
-
>Chuckle a bit as well. "I had a hunch that she needs glasses to see right, given how she mistook us for fairies at first. But she can get back to her sleep once we've gotten information from her, as she's a local. She may have something to point us in the right way, such as having seen a sparkling trail in the sky, which would have been sloth."
>"Either that or a fairy." Reisen counters. "Or perhaps Marisa. Or Mokou. Or a misfiring kappa invention. Or one of Youmu's techniques."
>You get the impression she could go on for a few more.
-
>Sigh. "At this point, it's the only lead we have though."
>Let's wait for her to get back to us.
-
>Sigh. "At this point, it's the only lead we have though."
>Let's wait for her to get back to us.
>"Well, not necessarily..." Reisen offers, but the door opens again before she can elaborate.
>The kappa is now properly bespectacled. She looks you up and down, and squints again. "Bat?" she asks curiously.
-
>Smirk. "Vampire, actually. I've been looking for a certain thing. Have you perhaps seen a trail of light in the skies tonight, or perhaps a strange building that wasn't around before?"
-
>Smirk. "Vampire, actually. I've been looking for a certain thing. Have you perhaps seen a trail of light in the skies tonight, or perhaps a strange building that wasn't around before?"
>The kappa blinks. "Vampire?"
-
>....Some days you just get no respect.
>Facepalm. "Have you seriously not heard of Vampires before?"
-
>....Some days you just get no respect.
>Facepalm. "Have you seriously not heard of Vampires before?"
>"Oh, I have. 'scuse me." She shuts the door again, a bit quicker this time.
-
>Look to Reisen with a quirked eyebrow. "Well."
-
>Look to Reisen with a quirked eyebrow. "Well."
>The rabbit seems to be trying very hard not to laugh.
-
>Sigh. "I'll just hide in Bat form, I'll leave getting information from her to you."
>Let's switch to bat form, and hide by hanging on a not-so easily visible overhang from the roof. But make sure we're within hearing range.
-
>Sigh. "I'll just hide in Bat form, I'll leave getting information from her to you."
>Let's switch to bat form, and hide by hanging on a not-so easily visible overhang from the roof. But make sure we're within hearing range.
>As you transform into a bat, Reisen emits a sound like a popped tire and then has a laugh, despite her best efforts.
>The door opens again after a minute or so, and the kappa's voice sounds first, "All r- ... Where'd the vampire go?"
>"I don't think she felt entirely welcome here." Reisen answers.
>"Yeah, well, vampires oughta be used to that. As bad as Oni..." the kappa mutters.
>"You've met one before, then?"
>"Well, no, not personally." the kappa replies, and you hear an odd metallic clunk from inside the cabin. "But Kappa and Vampires haven't historically got on well. And what's a rabbit doing with a vampire, anyway?" This kappa doesn't seem quite as personable as other kappa you've met. Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
>"Helping her find someone she cares about, who we think may be held prisoner by another vampire."
>"Since when do rabbits get involved in vampire conflicts?"
>Reisen takes a few moments before answering that one. She eventually settles on "I said I'd help."
-
>Can we fly inside without being seen? If so, investigate the clunk.
-
>Let's keep listening as we do so, just to be sure.
-
>Can we fly inside without being seen? If so, investigate the clunk.
>Let's keep listening as we do so, just to be sure.
>The kappa appears to be standing just inside the doorway, and now that she has her glasses, it would probably be quite difficult to fly over her head without her noticing your wings beating.
-
>Well, we'll just have to keep listening then.
-
>Well, we'll just have to keep listening then.
>"So what are you two doing out here?" the kappa asks.
>"Like my... acquaintance said, we're looking for the other vampire." Reisen replies. "We have reason to suspect one of her servants fled in this direction after being defeated. That's why my companion asked you about new buildings or structures in this part of Gensokyo. We believe this other vampire is a new arrival to this region."
>The kappa makes a sound like one thinking. "Kyrie might have seen something, I'll ask her. Give me a minute."
>"Sure." Reisen nods.
>The door shuts again, more casually.
-
>Well, this might not have been a waste after all. We'll make sure to listen closer.
-
>Well, this might not have been a waste after all. We'll make sure to listen closer.
>Seems to actually be getting somewhere, now.
>About a minute or so later, another woman walks out of the cabin door. This one is much taller than the kappa, with very long blonde hair, flowing straight down her back, clad in a silvery-blue gown. The trim of her gown falls over her feet. She wears a pair of earrings, a silver moon dangling from her left ear, a yellow sun on from her right. She doesn't seem to walk as much as float. She compliments her look with dusky blue wristbands and an orange choker.
>"It is rare, indeed, that a rabbit of the moon and a daughter of the night seek out Kyrie." she intones to Reisen, her voice melodic, soothing. Said rabbit, you note, seems rather... taken aback, by the woman in front of her. "There is no need to conceal yourself from me, O Scarlet one." she says aloud, tilting her head back slightly. "Kyrie is no enemy of thee or thy kin."
-
>Chuckle while still in Bat form, and then reveal ourselves in our normal state.
>"Quite skilled, aren't you?"
>Does she feel at all different from anything else we've previously encountered?
-
>Chuckle while still in Bat form, and then reveal ourselves in our normal state.
>"Quite skilled, aren't you?"
>Does she feel at all different from anything else we've previously encountered?
>Never one to refuse an invitation such as that, you detach yourself from the cabin roof and fly over to stand beside Reisen, changing back to human guise as you do so.
>The woman is very attractive, beautiful, you would say. There is an otherworldly-ness about here, like she might vanish with each breath of wind. Her eyes are the same shade of blue as the river your stand next to, but then she blinks, are they are a different shade, blue as dawn. Her orange choker has a Mobius strip stitched into the front of it, and she wears an hourglass pendant. A very odd hourglass. It doesn't seem to be glass, or metal, but rather some kind of thread woven together to create the shape. There is a white ring on her hand, which also appears to be some kind of thread, but only upon close examination. A layman would take it for a white circle of some kind of gem.
>And she feels powerful. Very powerful.
>"Merely deduction. I glean this rabbit to be now an ally true, and she promised thee aid. And thee, I surmised, would not leave an ally thou deemst useful, ere learned what thou came to learn."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Quick on the draw as well, admirable ability that. Too few have such a talent these days sadly."
>"At any rate, I came this direction in pursuit of someone tied to the disappearance of my head maid. WHen I saw this cabin, I considered one of two possibilities, that it was merely a facade for the underground complex of who I seek, or an average house from which information could be gleaned. You see, the culprit behind this fuss is someone called the 'Cobalt Countess', another Vampire similar to myself who seems to have recently arrived in Gensokyo. Now, it would have been excusable if she had left well enough alone and not meddled in my affairs. But as things stand now, I have to teach her a lesson in respect. After all, a Devil is superior to a Countess."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Quick on the draw as well, admirable ability that. Too few have such a talent these days sadly."
>"At any rate, I came this direction in pursuit of someone tied to the disappearance of my head maid. WHen I saw this cabin, I considered one of two possibilities, that it was merely a facade for the underground complex of who I seek, or an average house from which information could be gleaned. You see, the culprit behind this fuss is someone called the 'Cobalt Countess', another Vampire similar to myself who seems to have recently arrived in Gensokyo. Now, it would have been excusable if she had left well enough alone and not meddled in my affairs. But as things stand now, I have to teach her a lesson in respect. After all, a Devil is superior to a Countess."
>"Insight is oft squandered upon the young. And yet, mayhap, perhaps not as rare as thou may think."
>Kyrie follows your explanation easily, up until you mention the title of your enemy. "That shouldn't be." she says quietly. "Her time was not for years to come." The odd youkai closes her eyes.
>The kappa reappears in the doorframe. "Ah, she's doing her thing." she remarks as Kyrie's hair flutters slightly in a breeze that is not there. The kappa turns her head to regard Reisen. "Might take a minute."
>"What's she doing?" Reisen asks her, and the kappa replies with a shrug.
>After several seconds, Kyrie's eyes open again, but they're a different color altogether; a dark grey. "I am permitted to aid thee in thy quest. The Countess's tapestry hath been tugged upon by an unseen hand. It must be set right, ere Genskoyo succumbs to the throes of Hatred, or the grasp of Avarice."
>"Yet ere I speak, must I first hear certain words from thy mouth, Remilia Scarlet. Is it thy intent to slay the Countess whom thou hath judged as enemy?"
-
>Smirk. "Why end her, when I can savor the pain of her wounded ego? That is, unless there happens to be someone else pulling the strings. Then I might even have a equal to rival Hakurei's might. Besides, it's no fun to kill off the strong, leaving only the weak. Because then things get tedious, and that's been the bane of many a long-lived being. Besides, it's been ages since I've encountered a powerful vampire who isn't my younger sister."
>Chuckle a little. "I might maim a bit, but nothing too grave that can't be healed with a period of rest at least. If she's at least as strong as I am, then she should easily be able to recover from it after a few days if it comes to it."
>So, it seems she too can gaze at the tapestries of fate as we do. This night certainly has been a fun one.
-
>Smirk. "Why end her, when I can savor the pain of her wounded ego? That is, unless there happens to be someone else pulling the strings. Then I might even have a equal to rival Hakurei's might. Besides, it's no fun to kill off the strong, leaving only the weak. Because then things get tedious, and that's been the bane of many a long-lived being. Besides, it's been ages since I've encountered a powerful vampire who isn't my younger sister."
>Chuckle a little. "I might maim a bit, but nothing too grave that can't be healed with a period of rest at least. If she's at least as strong as I am, then she should easily be able to recover from it after a few days if it comes to it."
>So, it seems she too can gaze at the tapestries of fate as we do. This night certainly has been a fun one.
>"Very well, then."
>Reisen, however, is curious. "Why ask her that?"
>"Many threads intersect with the tapestry of the Countesses' life tonight, but only this one's thread potentially bore lethal malice with her. It is imperative that no lives be ended on this night."
>"Which brings me to thee, young rabbit." Kyrie says in that odd voice of hers, turning her eyes upon Reisen. They shift color again, as well, changing to a red that nearly mirrors Reisen's own. "From you, I require truth. You said you would aid this vampire, and this is true. But is that the only reason you journey to the Keep of Cobalt?"
>She asks the question like she already knows the answer, but her tone seems to go over Reisen's head. The lunar rabbit considers it, then turns her head and eyes slightly downward. "No. It isn't."
>"For your own reasons?"
>"For..." Reisen trails off, hesitant to say what's on her mind.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Someone she knew was turned by the countess. While the youngling has potential, it's going to waste under her."
>Sigh. "All the countess does is let her progeny run free without a care in the world. It's completely unbecoming for a member of the Vampire race, she should conduct things with more tact and class."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Someone she knew was turned by the countess. While the youngling has potential, it's going to waste under her."
>Sigh. "All the countess does is let her progeny run free without a care in the world. It's completely unbecoming for a member of the Vampire race, she should conduct things with more tact and class."
>Kyrie smiles a mysterious smile at you. "So certain of that, are you?"
-
>Mirror the smile as best we can. "Well, we'll just see how things go from there. Though the youngling's potential is rather interesting, she could possibly even become a Vampire that surpasses even myself after all."
-
>Mirror the smile as best we can. "Well, we'll just see how things go from there. Though the youngling's potential is rather interesting, she could possibly even become a Vampire that surpasses even myself after all."
>You've never been the best at 'mysterious'. 'Arrogant' is more your forte. Still, you do your best at it.
>The youkai with the strange eyes chuckles once, a sound not quite like any other chuckle. "We shall see, indeed."
>"Is she right, though, young rabbit?" Kyrie asks Reisen. "Do you seek only to resolve the issue of this fledgling vempire, and prevent the creation of more?"
>Reisen does not answer for several seconds. She closes her eyes when she says, "... no." somewhat quietly. Kyrie's smile takes on a gentler shade, but she says nothing, so Reisen continues, "You obviously know about the other groups involved in this as well. One of those individuals can be... reckless, at times. She can handle herself better than a lot of people I've known, but the power of a vampire isn't something that should be underestimated. Especially if this Cobalt vampire is more... bloodthirsty than Remilia here."
>The rabbit falls silent again, but Kyrie's expression does not change. She seems to be expecting something from Reisen.
>"You seek only to fight by her if you feel the need?" Kyrie asks at last.
>Reisen shakes her head slowly. "I seek...." She pauses again, and twists her head slightly to look at you out of the corner of her eye.
>"I understand." Kyrie speaks into the silence, and then addresses you. "The truth is what I must hear from this rabbit, but for her to speak, we must ask for your silence on the matter she will speak of, and indeed, has already spoken of."
-
>Smirk a bit. "I look at fates rather often myself, and I wouldn't have gotten this far in life as a Vampire without being able to keep a few secrets."
-
>Smirk a bit. "I look at fates rather often myself, and I wouldn't have gotten this far in life as a Vampire without being able to keep a few secrets."
>"I understand that. Nevertheless, I must ask you to say it directly, that you will not reveal what Reisen says here to the ears of another." The youkai tilts her head slightly. "It sounds a touch exacting, I know, but, words have power, as I believe you understand."
-
>Chuckle a bit, then sigh amusedly. "Very well then, I shall not reveal it."
-
>Chuckle a bit, then sigh amusedly. "Very well then, I shall not reveal it."
>Kyrie nods. "I thank you." She titles her head back slightly. "And you, Runa?" she asks the kappa behind her.
>The blue haired woman clenches her teeth with a *che* sound. "As if anyone would ever ask me. But yeah, sure. I promise."
>"I thank you." And then Kyrie returns her red eyes to Reisen. "What do you seek?"
>And with her eyes lowered, with a quiet voice, Reisen answers, "To protect her."
>The youkai blinks again, her eyes returning to that river-blue shade. "I thank thee, child of the moon. And now, daughter of the night," she starts, clearly addressing you, "ask of Kyrie what thou would know this night of thy foe."
-
>Smirk a bit. "The location, of course. As for how strong they are, it might not be a bad idea, but I prefer firsthand experience on that matter."
>Seems she's realized Rei's feelings for her, and is starting to reciprocate~ We'll have to look into the future for them sometime, to see if it's in the cards then.
>Fistpalm. "And perhaps you could clarify a bit on how it was too early for her to arrive in Gensokyo. What brought her here, I can find out personally, but that little remark struck me as odd."
-
>Smirk a bit. "The location, of course. As for how strong they are, it might not be a bad idea, but I prefer firsthand experience on that matter."
>Seems she's realized Rei's feelings for her, and is starting to reciprocate~ We'll have to look into the future for them sometime, to see if it's in the cards then.
>Fistpalm. "And perhaps you could clarify a bit on how it was too early for her to arrive in Gensokyo. What brought her here, I can find out personally, but that little remark struck me as odd."
>"The first I may relay to thee, the second is less definite. The nature of their current condition hath rendered their powers in a state of flux. There are those among their number who experience a weakening, and certain others that are increased in their threat."
>You make a note to probe into Reisen and Rei's romantic futures.
>"That thread is not mine to reveal at this time. Though this much I can clarify: tis not her arrival 'twas untimely, but her reemergence."
>"You mean this Countess was here before?" Reisen asks her.
>"To be more precise, young rabbit, she and her companions have yet to truly depart from this world. Yet tis not time for their awakening. An unseen hand tugged upon that thread of their lives, and many hands will it take to stitch their tapestry aright."
-
>Nod. "Such as Envy and Gluttony being weaker than they should have been. And Sloth actually providing a decent challenge, which goes counter to the very nature of that Sin."
>"But to summarize, they were asleep, sealed away. And something released them before the seal faded naturally, correct?"
-
>Nod. "Such as Envy and Gluttony being weaker than they should have been. And Sloth actually providing a decent challenge, which goes counter to the very nature of that Sin."
>"But to summarize, they were asleep, sealed away. And something released them before the seal faded naturally, correct?"
>Kyrie nods as you recount your encounters with the Sins. "It is as you say."
>"Thou are correct. Twas some years yet afore the walls of their cells were to dissolve, yet one, I know not who, caused this to come about prematurely."
>"And when you say 'set things right', does that mean the right thing for us to do would be to seal them again?" Reisen asks her.
>The kappa called Runa nods. "Sounds good to me. One less vamp and her goons running around is fine in my books."
>Kyrie, however, does not acknowledge the kappa's sentiment. She merely says, "Your actions are yours to choose, Reisen Udongein. As are yours, Remilia Scarlet."
-
>Nod. "It seems the most prudent thing would be to punish the one who freed them. I have a hunch as to who as well, this mysterious being the Sins refer to as 'The Keeper'. Initially, I assumed that the Countess and the Keeper were one and the same. But in light of new information, that may not be the case at all."
-
>Nod. "It seems the most prudent thing would be to punish the one who freed them. I have a hunch as to who as well, this mysterious being the Sins refer to as 'The Keeper'. Initially, I assumed that the Countess and the Keeper were one and the same. But in light of new information, that may not be the case at all."
>"Enlightenment shall ye receive, within the walls of the Cobalt Keep. If ye be willing to ask the questions."
-
>Smirk. "I suspected as such. So, where must I look to find it?"
-
>Smirk. "I suspected as such. So, where must I look to find it?"
>The youkai with the shifting eyes points behind you, down the river. "Follow this water downstream from here. In the basin of the falls, she awaits her time."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, Reisen and I should be off then. Can't have Hakurei beating us to the punch after all. I do apologize for having possibly woken you though, sleep is rather important after all."
>Look to Reisen with a slight, playful smirk. "So, let's get this all wrapped up then, shall we? I daresay you're eager to see Rei again, no?"
>Return our gaze to Kyrie, and curtsey slightly. Then regard her with a somewhat mysterious smile. "Perhaps we'll meet again sometime, it isn't often one meets another who also gazes at the threads of fate after all. Indeed, a rare ability we both have."
>We should remember to send an invitation or two here next time we have a party, it would be nice to have another with a similar ability to converse with sometime. So let's memorize this location so we can relate it to Sakuya after all this, so she can have the invitation delivered.
>"Now, until next we meet." Let's take Reisen and follow the river as Kyrie said.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, Reisen and I should be off then. Can't have Hakurei beating us to the punch after all. I do apologize for having possibly woken you though, sleep is rather important after all."
>The disgruntled kappa merely grunts.
>Look to Reisen with a slight, playful smirk. "So, let's get this all wrapped up then, shall we? I daresay you're eager to see Rei again, no?"
>Reisen looks at you in slight confusion. "What makes you say that?"
>Return our gaze to Kyrie, and curtsey slightly. Then regard her with a somewhat mysterious smile. "Perhaps we'll meet again sometime, it isn't often one meets another who also gazes at the threads of fate after all. Indeed, a rare ability we both have."
>We should remember to send an invitation or two here next time we have a party, it would be nice to have another with a similar ability to converse with sometime. So let's memorize this location so we can relate it to Sakuya after all this, so she can have the invitation delivered.
>"Now, until next we meet." Let's take Reisen and follow the river as Kyrie said.
>"Rarity is as it should be. 'Tis a burden every bit as much as a blessing." She half closes her eyes for a moment. "I do believe, yes, that the thread of your life and mine shall cross again."
>You commit Runa's cabin's location to memory.
>"Thanks for the help." Reisen adds, still seeming a touch unsettled by the conversation with Kyrie. Runa tosses her a brief salute as she takes to the air after you. Together, under the odd youkai's watchful eye, the pair of you fly south, downriver.
>The time is now 12:33 AM.
>"Is it just me, or was that youkai a bit strange even for youkai?" Reisen asks as you travel. "I've never heard anyone else talk like she did."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Couldn't you tell? She's an Oracle, one whose very reason for living is to watch the threads of fate. I couldn't quite make sense of her outfit until just recently, when I caught on to her ability. And then everything snapped into place once I made sense of that. As much as I dislike admitting that someone could be better than me at something, she is most likely better at gazing into the future than I."
>Smirk. "But I make do with being able to nudge things in better directions. All an Oracle can do is see the threads, and the tapestry they weave. I can reweave that tapestry to a point, altering things to a more favorable appearance. Perhaps I should reweave their fates later on to fix that little snag she mentioned. After we've dealt with whoever meddled with it though. I suspect they might also have a similar ability, which will be a rather difficult matter to deal with. It may become morning by the time all this is resolved, as it's 12:33 AM now. Less than 6 hours until dawn comes."
>So let's book it!
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Couldn't you tell? She's an Oracle, one whose very reason for living is to watch the threads of fate. I couldn't quite make sense of her outfit until just recently, when I caught on to her ability. And then everything snapped into place once I made sense of that. As much as I dislike admitting that someone could be better than me at something, she is most likely better at gazing into the future than I."
>Smirk. "But I make do with being able to nudge things in better directions. All an Oracle can do is see the threads, and the tapestry they weave. I can reweave that tapestry to a point, altering things to a more favorable appearance. Perhaps I should reweave their fates later on to fix that little snag she mentioned. After we've dealt with whoever meddled with it though. I suspect they might also have a similar ability, which will be a rather difficult matter to deal with. It may become morning by the time all this is resolved, as it's 12:33 AM now. Less than 6 hours until dawn comes."
>So let's book it!
>"I've never actually dealt with a genuine oracle before." Reisen answers. "Such things were considered a bit taboo on the moon. Which was probably due in part to their popularity on Earth."
>"The one thing that I wonder is, she mentioned 'Avarice and Hatred' as special threats. Which has to mean Greed and Wrath of the Sins. Did she mean that those two were more powerful than the Countess?" she wonders aloud as you accelerate your pace, Reisen matching suit. "No, probably just more dangerous, would be my guess.
>Flying this close to running water is a cause of some discomfort, but you keep this to yourself. No need to reveal that particular weakness of your to Reisen if she doesn't know herself. You shouldn't have to cross it, though, you tell yourself, as the being you're seeking is a vampire herself. She'd never set herself up in a place that courted that particular vampiric weakness.
>The terrain turns a bit rocky after about fifteen minutes or so, and a copse of evergreen trees comes into view across the river, their needles and nettles still attached in spite of the oncoming winter. Five minutes later, though, it is the terrain ahead of you that becomes a more pressing matter. The river forks. It branches due south, and to the southeast.
>The time is now 12:54 AM.
-
>"Tch....Which one leads to the Waterfall Basin..."
>We should be able to break off a bat or two to investigate as scouts, yes?
>"As for Greed and Wrath, I suspect Wrath will just be pure power, like Flan when she gets in one of her tempers. Simple enough to redirect. Greed will likely try to use any means necessary to con us into something. And I suspect we should be especially careful should it attempt to possess Reimu, as it might promise her vast wealth in exchange for playing host to it."
>Smirk. "However....Even Greed can fall prey to it's own machinations when making a Deal with a Devil."
-
>"Tch....Which one leads to the Waterfall Basin..."
>We should be able to break off a bat or two to investigate as scouts, yes?
>"As for Greed and Wrath, I suspect Wrath will just be pure power, like Flan when she gets in one of her tempers. Simple enough to redirect. Greed will likely try to use any means necessary to con us into something. And I suspect we should be especially careful should it attempt to possess Reimu, as it might promise her vast wealth in exchange for playing host to it."
>Smirk. "However....Even Greed can fall prey to it's own machinations when making a Deal with a Devil."
>"I don't know. I've never been in this part of Gensokyo before."
>Following the southern fork is simple enough, you can do that without crossing the water at all. However, unless you find a bridge, you will be unable to explore the southeast fork.
-
>Sigh. "Well, we have two options. We split up, I take the south fork, you take the southeast one. Or, we both take the south one."
-
>Sigh. "Well, we have two options. We split up, I take the south fork, you take the southeast one. Or, we both take the south one."
>Reisen looks down the southeast fork, then looks back at you. "Is there something wrong with that side for you?"
-
>"A girl has to keep at least some secrets, no? I'm just not particularly fond of water."
-
>"A girl has to keep at least some secrets, no? I'm just not particularly fond of water."
>"Even flying over it? .... Well, I won't make a deal of it. I guess even vampires have phobias." Reisen looks down both branches again. "I think we'd be okay splitting up. And whichever river turns out to be the wrong one, well, that one of us can always turn around and head down the other river." She pauses then. "Well.... at least I can." she adds.
-
>...We'll go with that. Better she think it a phobia than a weakness.
>"Alright, we'll play it that way."
>Let's take the southern fork!
-
>...We'll go with that. Better she think it a phobia than a weakness.
>"Alright, we'll play it that way."
>Let's take the southern fork!
>Allowing Reisen her misconception, you agree to her plan of action, and fly down the south-flowing strand, while the rabbit heads southeast.
>Flying solo... First time you've actually done that since the night began. Gives a vampire time to think. As you've said to others, it has indeed been a very long time since the last time you met one of your kind. Then again, the normal precedents for contact with another vampire don't apply to this situation, anyway, not if this Countess is holding Sakuya. Be she superior to your, or inferior, nobody but NOBODY takes your head maid from you and gets away with it. You may have to damage Rei, if push comes to shove, but she'll get over it in time. A few decades under your wing will do the youngling some good. Even if you've never actually tried to train a youngling yourself before, but, how hard can it be?
>After twelve minutes of following the gently winding river, a bridge comes into view ahead. Not the sturdiest bridge in the world, made of rope and wood planks, but it will serve the purpose if wish to cross to the other side here. The bridge is not uninhabited, however, as two figures stand upon it, a trail-beaten man and a taller, muscular woman with bright red hair. Both seem to be holding crude fishing poles.
>The time is now 1:06 AM.
-
>Let's flip to bat form and fly over. We'll masquerade as a youkai bat like we did earlier.
-
>Let's flip to bat form and fly over. We'll masquerade as a youkai bat like we did earlier.
>Transforming to snoop on the pair, you fly over them in your batshape.
>Neither of the two seem familiar to you. The taller woman has dull brown eyes and her thick hair has a bit of a mohawk going on on top of the rest of the mop of hair. She has a bit of an unkepmt look about her, though, her green and brown dress seems to be homespun, crudely, and is dripping wet, as is her hair. How she can maintain a mohawk while having wet hair is beyond you. Her skin also has a bit of a greenish pall, faint but noticable.
>The male also appears shabby. His faded blue trousers are battered, his black windbreaker is dusty, covering a patched blue shirt. His thin brown hair is tied back in a tight braid. The faint scent of his blood washes across your nose as you approach him, sign of a thin cut somewhere on his body. He's definately human, although there is a faint touch of something else you can't quite place. He's a handsome sort, though, despite the scar on his throat. In defiance of his raggedy appearance and the fact that he's standing next to what may well be a feral, or at least, wild youkai, he wears a casual grin, the grin men wear when they're fishing. Bit of an odd bird, this human. Humans aren't usually that comfortable in the company of youkai. Then again, you've never heard of a human this far away from the village or the Hakurei shrine, either.
-
>Let's keep nearby in bat form.
>"'scuse me, but does this branch of the river lead to the waterfall basin?"
-
>Let's keep nearby in bat form.
>"'scuse me, but does this branch of the river lead to the waterfall basin?"
>Dropping down slightly to communicate with the odd pair, you ask them of your destination. The woman grunts, a deep sound. "Buzz off. You'll scare the fish."
>The human, though, looks up at you with curious eyes.
-
> Perch on one of the bridgeposts. "That's pretty rude y'know, All I'm doing is asking for directions."
-
> Perch on one of the bridgeposts. "That's pretty rude y'know, All I'm doing is asking for directions."
>"And all I'm doin' is tellin' you yer scaring the fish. Now get off my bridge, before I flatten you."
-
>And back to normal form, 50% aura.
>"Well, seems that asking you won't get me anywhere. Tch, a waste of time..."
>Let's just fly over the bridge so we can get across to the other branch if this one doesn't work, and keep going.
-
>And back to normal form, 50% aura.
>"Well, seems that asking you won't get me anywhere. Tch, a waste of time..."
>Let's just fly over the bridge so we can get across to the other branch if this one doesn't work, and keep going.
>Transforming back makes both youkai and human take a step backwards.
>As you attempt to cross the bridge, however, the youkai reaches out and grabs you by the foot, despite your power aura. Rather violently, she sends you flying back the way you came. She's rather strong.
>"Nobody crosses my bridge without besting me, scrawny." The youkai snarls.
>The human, however, seems fixated upon you. That's a bit refreshing, been some years since a human gave you that kind of respect.
-
>Smirk. "I had a feeling it would end up like this. Troll, I assume? This reminds me of an old tale from the outside world you know."
>100%! "But it seems the time for talk is over, no? How many spellcards shall we settle this with, five?"
-
>Smirk. "I had a feeling it would end up like this. Troll, I assume? This reminds me of an old tale from the outside world you know."
>100%! "But it seems the time for talk is over, no? How many spellcards shall we settle this with, five?"
>The suspected Troll pulls her lips back into a feral grin, revealing canine teeth that are more like tusks than teeth, elongated as they are. "Come on, even this human could do better than that."
>"And maybe I can again." the human offers, his eyes still upon you. "You're a... vampire, aren't you? The Scarlet Devil?"
-
>Smirk. "I see my reputation precedes me once again."
-
>Smirk. "I see my reputation precedes me once again."
>"Keine taught us about you. Though I had to pick up most of it myself." The boy seems fascinated by your presense, his eyes fixed on, you think, your fangs. "But what would you want with a waterfall? I didn't think vampires were big fans of water." His eyes alight with curiousity. "Have you found a way to beat that?"
-
>Chuckle. "Another Vampire's shown up, and she's caused me a great deal of trouble by attempting to steal my head maid for herself. I've discovered that her domain is somewhere in the waterfall basin, which is why I asked about it earlier."
>Then smirk. "I must admit though, most humans don't readily associate with Youkai so easily."
-
>Chuckle. "Another Vampire's shown up, and she's caused me a great deal of trouble by attempting to steal my head maid for herself. I've discovered that her domain is somewhere in the waterfall basin, which is why I asked about it earlier."
>Then smirk. "I must admit though, most humans don't readily associate with Youkai so easily."
>The human's face swirls with a mix of pride and, simultaneously, disgust. "I'm not like most humans." he says in an odd voice. "But I might be able to help you, if you don't mind the help of a human."
-
>Smirk. "Who am I to turn down an offer of aid? You can come along if you so choose."
>Does this young man seem to be possessed? Regardless, we'll be on internal guard just in case.
>"I shall warn you though, this new vampire has seven underlings that are rather dangerous for non-vampires. Envy, Wrath, Greed, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust. Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth have already been bested, which leaves the other four. Why do I say they're dangerous? They can possess people, and use that person's body as their own."
-
>Smirk. "Who am I to turn down an offer of aid? You can come along if you so choose."
>Does this young man seem to be possessed? Regardless, we'll be on internal guard just in case.
>"I shall warn you though, this new vampire has seven underlings that are rather dangerous for non-vampires. Envy, Wrath, Greed, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust. Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth have already been bested, which leaves the other four. Why do I say they're dangerous? They can possess people, and use that person's body as their own."
>The young man smiles broadly as you extend the invitation. It's hard to say if he seems possessed, as you're not familiar with him. But you haven't felt any surges of strange emotions, as you did with Envy, and if she and Sloth were any indication, he wouldn't be offering to help you if he were possessed. Unless, of course, the spirit is lying to you.
>"Those are weird names for youkai. I didn't think a youkai would name herself after human emotions."
>"We name ourselves whatever we damn well please, toothpick." the burly youkai rumbles.
-
>"That is because they aren't normal Youkai. But rather, the embodiments of the Seven Deadly Sins, a strong part of Western belief. I've taken to calling them Sin Spirits myself, which is a simple and straightforward means of referring to them."
>Chuckle a bit. "I've heard of another Youkai who can also be considered an embodiment of jealousy. I've entertained the idea of placing her and Envy in the same room together to see what results from that. I daresay it could be an amusing little experiment, no?"
-
>"That is because they aren't normal Youkai. But rather, the embodiments of the Seven Deadly Sins, a strong part of Western belief. I've taken to calling them Sin Spirits myself, which is a simple and straightforward means of referring to them."
>Chuckle a bit. "I've heard of another Youkai who can also be considered an embodiment of jealousy. I've entertained the idea of placing her and Envy in the same room together to see what results from that. I daresay it could be an amusing little experiment, no?"
>"You vamps got a weird sense of humor." The youkai grunts. Bah. Your genius is obviously wasted on this brute.
>The human glances over the bridge at the river below, twists his lip, then nods. "Well, I don't know how much use I'd be in a fight, especially against a vampire. I mean, I'm still only human. But I might be able to point you in the direction. I think. I've never used my tricks like this before. For all I know, I could make the river explode."
>"River's made of water, toothpick." the youkai corrects him.
>"You haven't seen what I can do..." the human retorts.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "And that brings me to another matter, what is it you can do? I take it it's related to Water?"
>Oh yeah, we may as well power the aura down to stage 1.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "And that brings me to another matter, what is it you can do? I take it it's related to Water?"
>Oh yeah, we may as well power the aura down to stage 1.
>"Not exactly." he mutters, clenching his fist and opening it again as you reduce your aura, for now. "But, if I do this right, I should be able to get this river to give up its secrets, and tell you, hopefully, where this waterfall is."
>He flexes his right arm. "Ah, it'll work out." he adds with a grin. "And it'll be cool, either way."
-
>Nod. "Alright, let's see if it'll work. I'm rather pressed for time after all."
-
>Nod. "Alright, let's see if it'll work. I'm rather pressed for time after all."
>The grinning human chuckles. "Trust me." he says grandly as he pulls his right arm out of his jacket sleeve, letting that half of his jacket hang loose. He walks off of the bridge to your side of the river, and the youkai behind him grunts sharply.
>"Better not damage my river, stick. I'll take it out of your hide." she threatens the human. That could be a problem, if the boy turns out to be useful. To his credit, he doesn't seem outwardly scared of the burly youkai's threat, either.
>The young man takes a knee by the side of the river, and takes a couple of steadying breaths. He reaches his wirey arm out towards the surface of the water, but comments to you, "Might wanna back up a step or two, though, just in case there's a splash."
-
>Nod. "You have a point."
>Let's do so. But keep an eye on Ms. Brawny here.
-
>Nod. "You have a point."
>Let's do so. But keep an eye on Ms. Brawny here.
>You float backwards a few paces, keeping the bridge guardian under your wary eye.
>The boy removes a ring from his hand, pocketing it quickly before submerging his battered right hand. He breathes out, slowly, measured, then clenches his eyes in concentration. He remains in this state for several long seconds before clenching his teeth as well. He audibly strains with effort. And yet, for all of his strain, there is no visible effect upon the water. The boy seems to be pained, and yet, you can't seem to figure what he's doing to make himself that way. And neither can the youkai, by the looks of her.
>Up until the point when the water, as far as you can see, becomes subsumed in white light, becoming so bright it strains your eyes to look upon. The boy yells, and the sound of an impact roars across the plains around, like a giant fist striking flesh. The young man is hurled backwards from the river, and the light fades to a thin glow, but the water remains wrapped around the boy's hand.
>The young man strikes the ground after flying nearly twenty feet in seconds, the tendrill of water still engulfing his hand.
-
>That was rather impressive, a human with an ability like that is something quite rare. Perhaps we should bring him back with us to have him learn how to better use it from patchy.
>"Well, that's a rare occurrence, even in Gensokyo." Let's keep an eye on him, can't have a prospective new pupil for Patchy getting done in by their own power after all.
-
>That was rather impressive, a human with an ability like that is something quite rare. Perhaps we should bring him back with us to have him learn how to better use it from patchy.
>"Well, that's a rare occurrence, even in Gensokyo." Let's keep an eye on him, can't have a prospective new pupil for Patchy getting done in by their own power after all.
>Humans with abilities at all is quite rare, let alone one who can do.... Well, whatever it was he did just then. But he could definitely use some coaching in this area. Patchy's a better teacher of magic than one's innate abilities, but, she could probably figure something out. She's a whiz at figuring things out.
>"Toothpick had some mojo, after all." the muscular youkai concurs. "I was thinkin' he was full of crap."
>He may have some mojo, but it's of a kind that has some side effects, as the watery tendrill engulfing the young man's hand starts to spread up his arm.
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>Well, if anything, she can teach him some water magic since that appears to be his affinity.
>"Indeed. Would you make sure he's alright? Water and Vampires don't exactly mix you know."
>We'll keep an eye on things, and hopefully he'll pull through.
-
>Well, if anything, she can teach him some water magic since that appears to be his affinity.
>"Indeed. Would you make sure he's alright? Water and Vampires don't exactly mix you know."
>We'll keep an eye on things, and hopefully he'll pull through.
>She does indeed know her water magic.
>The troll grins a carnivore's grin. "Serves him right for messing with my river. I'll eat whatever it doesn't."
>The young man groans, weakly, and raises his free arm up, but the act is rather feeble, and does nothing to halt the advance of the river's arm up his own limb, now just above his elbow.
-
>Sigh, and eyeroll. "Oh fine, I'll have to do things myself."
>Let's go over and make sure he's holding up, but be careful to avoid the tendril.
-
>Sigh, and eyeroll. "Oh fine, I'll have to do things myself."
>Let's go over and make sure he's holding up, but be careful to avoid the tendril.
>"Don't YOU mess with my river, either." the wild youkai warns you in no uncertain terms.
>As you approach the young man, you catch the sight of blood floating within the tendrill. The precious fluid is leaking out from under his finger nails. That must hurt. He himself fumbles about with his free arm, pressing it to his forehead for a moment before it drops to the ground again. His eyes are glazed, distant, like someone that's just sustained a concussion. He seems to be trying to say something, but all that escapes his mouth is muttering and wind.
>The tendril has now engulfed his bicep.
-
>Hmm....We should be able to sever the tendril with the Demonfrost Glaive, what with it being magic and all. And Koa did say it freezes what it cuts.
>So let's go on and try severing the tendril about a few inches away from his hand. have to leave him intact after all.
>Hope this doesn't screw him up, otherwise we'll need to bring him along to get fixed up as well.
-
>Hmm....We should be able to sever the tendril with the Demonfrost Glaive, what with it being magic and all. And Koa did say it freezes what it cuts.
>So let's go on and try severing the tendril about a few inches away from his hand. have to leave him intact after all.
>Hope this doesn't screw him up, otherwise we'll need to bring him along to get fixed up as well.
>Strictly speaking, you're not certain if the force acting upon the water is magic, in the truest sense, or some aspect of the lad's natural power. But either way, your glaive should be able to handle it. Assuming Koa was right.
>Detaching the glaive from its rest, you walk down the young man's side, positioning yourself for a slice at the tendril clear of his hand.
>The bridge guard unfolds her arms as you produce your weapon. "What'du think you're doing with that?" she demands, but too late, as you've already started your swing. The glaive's curved blade chills the air as it swings, bisecting the watery appendage as easily as it might sever a limb of flesh. And sure enough, the water touched by the blade freezes, an inch thick in either direction. The rest of the water falls to the ground, inert, the ice falling with dull thuds upon the grass.
-
>Alright, let's put the Glaive back where we carry it, and see about bringing him around. If he's out cold, try using the smellingsalts.
>"Saving him, what does it look like? Besides, water always returns to the streams and rivers. When the ice melts, it will eventually return to this river."
-
>Alright, let's put the Glaive back where we carry it, and see about bringing him around. If he's out cold, try using the smellingsalts.
>"Saving him, what does it look like? Besides, water always returns to the streams and rivers. When the ice melts, it will eventually return to this river."
>Replacing the glaive on your back, you set about trying to rouse the young man. He tries to raise his left arm again, to his head. He's far from out cold, but he's definitely been knocked silly.
>The creaking of wood announces the youkai's movement. "I warned you." she growls menacingly. "You mess with my river, and you pay the price for it." She stops at the end of her bridge, the veins in her arms pulsing. "Now I'm gonna eat you first."
-
>Step away from the young man and flare up our aura into the Giant Demon form we used against Envy.
>"Do you really think it wise to face me?"
-
>Step away from the young man and flare up our aura into the Giant Demon form we used against Envy.
>"Do you really think it wise to face me?"
>The youkai does not seem impressed.
>"You got a point." she admits. "I'll leave the wings. They give me heartburn."
>Clearly the brutish woman has no idea who she's dealing with here.
-
>"Well, I see you'll only listen to force. Let's begin then, shall we?"
>It's time to take to the skies, and just bombard with a swarm of bat-danmaku. While retaining the Giant Demon auraform.
-
>"Well, I see you'll only listen to force. Let's begin then, shall we?"
>It's time to take to the skies, and just bombard with a swarm of bat-danmaku. While retaining the Giant Demon auraform.
>Flying over head, you unleash a barrage of bat-shaped bullets. The muscular youkai holds her left arm up in front of her to absorb the shots headed at her face, and simply takes the rest. When she lowers her arm, she seems almost disappointed.
>"Why do so many people play by that red-white's rules now? Even half the youkai you see."
-
>Smirk back. "It would be a shame to kill such an obviously challenging opponent such as yourself. It's much easier for those who enjoy a good fight to keep fighting strong foes this way. And it gives the weak the chance to grow stronger as well, it's a rather nice change of pace from how things are done in the outside world."
>Let's let out a good and hammy laugh. "After all, we were all once weak younglings at some distant point in the past, and look how strong we've grown now."
>Let's land, using the feet of the auraform. "But then again, there is something to be said for an old-fashioned skirmish. I wonder if you can pierce this aura of condensed energy? For it is not only an impeccable defense..."
>Launch a remote strike using one of the arms of the auraform, but dismiss and reform it if she grabs it. "...But also the perfect offense!"
-
>Smirk back. "It would be a shame to kill such an obviously challenging opponent such as yourself. It's much easier for those who enjoy a good fight to keep fighting strong foes this way. And it gives the weak the chance to grow stronger as well, it's a rather nice change of pace from how things are done in the outside world."
>Let's let out a good and hammy laugh. "After all, we were all once weak younglings at some distant point in the past, and look how strong we've grown now."
>Let's land, using the feet of the auraform. "But then again, there is something to be said for an old-fashioned skirmish. I wonder if you can pierce this aura of condensed energy? For it is not only an impeccable defense..."
>Launch a remote strike using one of the arms of the auraform, but dismiss and reform it if she grabs it. "...But also the perfect offense!"
>"Yeah, well, you try finding a human to eat nowadays." the youkai grumbles. "Toothpick there's the first human I've even seen in years, other than that cursed miko, or whatever she calls herself."
>Coming back down to earth (nearly), you fire off an Rocket Aura Punch at the bridge guardian. She lowers her arm and takes the impact of your blow, being forced backwards from the impact but staying on her feet. She does indeed try and grab the first between her hands, but you dissolve that part of it out from under her. The youkai snarls in frustration. She leaps forward, her feet coming down at the edge of her bridge as she drives her fist into the earth before her. Two feet away from her, the ground bulges, and an eruption of stone, gravel and dirt rocket forward towards you.
-
>Concentrate the aura into a wall to block it!
>"Please, what do you take me for, a primitive savage who eats with her hands? I can subsist off their blood, it's much easier than merely killing them to eat them you know. That way, if I like the taste, I don't have to go searching high and low for another like them."
-
>Concentrate the aura into a wall to block it!
>"Please, what do you take me for, a primitive savage who eats with her hands? I can subsist off their blood, it's much easier than merely killing them to eat them you know. That way, if I like the taste, I don't have to go searching high and low for another like them."
>Extending your aura out in front of you, you focus its power into a more solid form. The cannon-blast of grit impacts upon your shield and disintegrates.
>"Who're you callin' primitive?!" the youkai bellows, driving both fists into the ground before her. This time she doesn't generate another earth blast, merely hauls her arms back out again after a couple of seconds. Impossibly, however, she's holding an impressively large boulder between her hands. Which she promptly hurls at you.
-
>With our strength, it would be child's play to shatter something like that barehanded, wouldn't it? After all, even China can do that, and we far surpass her.
-
>With our strength, it would be child's play to shatter something like that barehanded, wouldn't it? After all, even China can do that, and we far surpass her.
>Unless the boulder is made of some unusual exotic material, or enhanced by some kind of magic, the only real risk to you, if you wished to bare-hand it, would be chipping a nail.
-
>Then we'll drop the barrier, and put all our strength behind shattering the boulder with a vicious 1-2 punch when it gets in range! We can just have Sakuya tend to any chipped nails later after all this.
>But if it doesn't show any signs of breaking when met with the first punch, instantly boost the aura to full to make sure the job's done right with minimal damage.
-
>Then we'll drop the barrier, and put all our strength behind shattering the boulder with a vicious 1-2 punch when it gets in range! We can just have Sakuya tend to any chipped nails later after all this.
>But if it doesn't show any signs of breaking when met with the first punch, instantly boost the aura to full to make sure the job's done right with minimal damage.
>Dispersing your aura in a dramatic flash of scarlet light, you thrust your right fist forward to intercept the incoming projectile. The '2' part of your combination isn't even necessary, as your first blow splinters the rock like an old piece of wood, sending gravel and pebble-sized rocks in every direction. And while it didn't damage any nails, it did make your hand tingle a bit. The rock may have been an ordinary rock, but it was still hurled with a great deal of force.
-
>Shake out that hand with an amused, but considerably unhinged sort of grin. The kind we reserve usually for hamming it up as a madwoman sort of villain.
>"Did you really think something like that would be good enough?"
>Then let out the sort of demented and grandiose laugh we usually reserve to the same thing as the grin. "Is that really all you can do? So disappointing! And I had such high hopes for you being able to damage me at least a little bit. But so far you haven't even landed one single hit! Can't leave that bridge of yours, can you?"
-
>Shake out that hand with an amused, but considerably unhinged sort of grin. The kind we reserve usually for hamming it up as a madwoman sort of villain.
>"Did you really think something like that would be good enough?"
>Then let out the sort of demented and grandiose laugh we usually reserve to the same thing as the grin. "Is that really all you can do? So disappointing! And I had such high hopes for you being able to damage me at least a little bit. But so far you haven't even landed one single hit! Can't leave that bridge of yours, can you?"
>The brutish woman spits on the ground and smirks. "Guess again, Chuckles." she taunts, and promptly throws herself over the side of her rope bridge, disappearing beneath the water's surface.
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, seems you have some potential to be a challenge after all! But you know, hiding in your precious little river won't progress the battle any. Do you plan to wait until dawn in an effort to win? Come now, I expected better of you."
>Re-assume the Giant Demon Auraform.
>Even if we can't affect the water ourselves, we can still do so with the auraform's arms, correct?
-
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, seems you have some potential to be a challenge after all! But you know, hiding in your precious little river won't progress the battle any. Do you plan to wait until dawn in an effort to win? Come now, I expected better of you."
>Re-assume the Giant Demon Auraform.
>Even if we can't affect the water ourselves, we can still do so with the auraform's arms, correct?
>The water ripples and bubbles from the youkai's rather inelegant dive, but there comes no reply as you reform your demon-shaped power aura.
>You've actually never tried before.
-
>Let's extend an aura tendril into the water to try then, but be ready to dissolve it if something tries grabbing it.
-
>Let's extend an aura tendril into the water to try then, but be ready to dissolve it if something tries grabbing it.
>Snaking a prong of your aura forward, it doesn't even get over the water's surface. The same force that prevents you from crossing running water seems to affect your power aura as well.
>The bridge guardian's head breaks the surface of the water, and now it's her turn to laugh at you, a deep guffaw. "You ain't afraid of water, are you?"
-
>"More like water doesn't like me."
>Fling a high-speed trio of crystals right at that forehead of hers!
-
>"More like water doesn't like me."
>Fling a high-speed trio of crystals right at that forehead of hers!
>Rather than let the oaf let out another taunt, you flick a trio of crystals at her exposed head. While your aura may not be able to extend over running water, your bullets most certainly are. The youkai's head rocks backwards slightly as two of your shots make impact, the third missing the right side of her head by a few hairs.
>With a snarl, she ducks her head underwater again, only to surface a second later, discharging a hefty and high-pressure stream of water from her mouth, targeting you.
-
>Slip to the side, and return fire with a swarm of bat shots. But keep careful of her changing her firing angle too.
>"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to spit at people? You might find yourself in more trouble than you can imagine."
-
>Slip to the side, and return fire with a swarm of bat shots. But keep careful of her changing her firing angle too.
>"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to spit at people? You might find yourself in more trouble than you can imagine."
>With a flap of your wings, you sideslip to starboard, the youkai's water stream slipping by you, it's course unchanged.
>Seemingly learning from her past mistakes, the youkai submerges again to elude your return fire. But her lesson seems to be short lived, as she immediately afterwards launches herself back out of the water and onto the bridge, a bit more than halfway across to the other side.
>She beckons you forward with a dripping hand. "Why don't you say that to my face."
-
>Smirk. "Touch a nerve there did I?"
> "I was saving this sort of show for the Cobalt Countess, but I can easily do it once more. However, why don't you come over here?" Reform the aura into a mass of writhing arms, hands, tentacles, beast heads, and the like, then send all of them to attack and drag her to us in a completely imprisoned state.
-
>Smirk. "Touch a nerve there did I?"
> "I was saving this sort of show for the Cobalt Countess, but I can easily do it once more. However, why don't you come over here?" Reform the aura into a mass of writhing arms, hands, tentacles, beast heads, and the like, then send all of them to attack and drag her to us in a completely imprisoned state.
>Never one for half measures, you reshape your battle aura into a tower amalgam of nightmares and send it flying forward. Your aura may not be able to extend over open water, but it can cross the youkai's bridge just fine.
>You see the youkai mutter something as she turns to her side, and make a rising sweep with both her arms. The river rises to her call, and and arc of rushing water rises from the trunk of the river and washes over the rope and wood bridge, sheathing her in its concealing and protective liquid. Your aura retreats from the rushing water, and while you admire her control over the river, she didn't seem unfazed by the impact, making you question its overall effectiveness.
>When the arc of the river subsides, the youkai is no longer standing on the bridge, but rather dangles off the left side on it by one arm, her nose slightly bent at an odd angle, the lower half of her legs submerged beneath the surface.
-
>Smirk. "Impressive, you managed to avoid getting caught by that. You might not have come out of it intact if you didn't dodge that~♥"
>Pull the Nightmare Auraform back to around us with a devilish smile. "If I had more time, I might be able to fight you longer. But as it stands now, time is running short. I'll have to defeat you quickly, won't I~?"
-
>Smirk. "Impressive, you managed to avoid getting caught by that. You might not have come out of it intact if you didn't dodge that~♥"
>Pull the Nightmare Auraform back to around us with a devilish smile. "If I had more time, I might be able to fight you longer. But as it stands now, time is running short. I'll have to defeat you quickly, won't I~?"
>"Says you." the youkai grumbles, her voice a bit different, stunted, somehow.
>Withdrawing your aura from the bridge, you and the brute exchange looks. Her eyes are not as dull as her carriage might indicate. They are the eyes of a predator, dull perhaps in intellect, but bright with instinct and simple wisdom. She seems to be sizing the situation up.
>Her eyes eventually settle on the handsome young lad, who's finally coming around, trying to sit up. "You gonna eat him, or not?" she asks you at last.
-
>Facepalm. Hell, make our auraform facepalm. Er, facetentacle? Whatever.
>"No, because he likely has information I seek." Disperse the auraform back to our usual Level 1 Aura, don't want to reduce our little friend to a gibbering wreck after all.
-
>Facepalm. Hell, make our auraform facepalm. Er, facetentacle? Whatever.
>"No, because he likely has information I seek." Disperse the auraform back to our usual Level 1 Aura, don't want to reduce our little friend to a gibbering wreck after all.
>At the moment, you can do either. Or both. You opt for both. That must make for a heck of a sight.
>"Well, hurry up and question him, then I can eat him. If he beats me."
-
>Facepalm yet again. "Insistent on that, aren't you? He's already coming around as it is."
>Let's spare a glance back to him. How's he holding up?
-
>Facepalm yet again. "Insistent on that, aren't you? He's already coming around as it is."
>Let's spare a glance back to him. How's he holding up?
>"I'm hungry." she growls. "I was hungry before he showed up, brawling with you didn't exactly help."
>He's holding his head like he's nursing a massive headache, but he appears otherwise undamaged. Although your vampiric nose can detect a swelling of blood near the surface of the boy's skin. Likely his nose. He'll probably pop a nosebleed within the minute.
-
>The area's forested for the most part, no?
-
>The area's forested for the most part, no?
>The area immediately around the river is flat, grassy and rocky. There is a copse of trees several dozen feet behind you.
-
>Smirk. "I think I have an idea that should alleviate your troubles. I trust you have no qualms about an alternative meal?"
>Glance over to the young man. "I suggest you mind your nose, I suspect you'll have a nosebleed soon, if you aren't already."
>Now, let's focus on sending an aura tendril or two into the copse to search for deer, or any other wildlife that isn't a youkai that could serve as a meal for our feisty little friend here..
>If we find a deer, or any other non-youkai wildlife, we'll impale it with the tendrils and reel it in.
-
>Smirk. "I think I have an idea that should alleviate your troubles. I trust you have no qualms about an alternative meal?"
>Glance over to the young man. "I suggest you mind your nose, I suspect you'll have a nosebleed soon, if you aren't already."
>Now, let's focus on sending an aura tendril or two into the copse to search for deer, or any other wildlife that isn't a youkai that could serve as a meal for our feisty little friend here..
>If we find a deer, or any other non-youkai wildlife, we'll impale it with the tendrils and reel it in.
>"I've got one." the youkai grunts. "I'd rather have human, but if you're gonna claim him, then my river will provide." She releases her grip on her bridge, dropping down into the river, leaving her head above water. "Just leave him on my bridge when you're done with him, and we'll call it even for you messing with my river."
>The boy mutters something like "Down... What, bleed?" he raises his head to look at you and, sure enough, red blood flows down from his nose.
>The scent of fresh blood in the air gives you a better sample of what you were smelling before. The young man's blood is definitely not 100% human. It's faint, but, at some point in his family tree is a story to be told.
-
>"See what I mean? But at any rate, what did you find out?"
>Well, we can still just send out a tendril to drag a deer or something back from that forest. It should be simple enough for one of our power.
-
>"See what I mean? But at any rate, what did you find out?"
>Well, we can still just send out a tendril to drag a deer or something back from that forest. It should be simple enough for one of our power.
>The young man presses his hand to the blood leaking out of his nose and stares at it, blinking owlishly. "THAT'S never happened before..." He presses his other hand against his head again and tries to focus his eyes on you. "Find out?" He pauses. "About her?"
>You snake an aura tendril back towards the distant copse of trees, but the youkai guardian of the bridge sinks her head underwater again, and you see her arms and legs pumping as she begins to swim upstream, away from you.
-
>Well, we can leave her a little surprise at the bridge. Youkai do need to eat after all, and it's quite likely that the dear hasn't had a chance to enjoy the taste of venison. She should be thankful we're even going to the trouble of procuring a little meal for her.
>"Indeed. Does this branch lead to the waterfall basin?"
>Point a thumb back at the bridge. "Also, she was wanting to eat you. I doubt she would have found it a satisfying meal though. She left though, I suppose she didn't want to endanger herself further."
>Chuckle a bit. "Then again, she was the one who insisted on not using Danmaku. And a proper lady always accepts her foe's terms of battle. But I am relatively impressed by her skill and resilience. She was actually able to not only withstand, but mostly parry something I've been keeping in store for the Cobalt Countess."
-
>Well, we can leave her a little surprise at the bridge. Youkai do need to eat after all, and it's quite likely that the dear hasn't had a chance to enjoy the taste of venison. She should be thankful we're even going to the trouble of procuring a little meal for her.
>"Indeed. Does this branch lead to the waterfall basin?"
>Point a thumb back at the bridge. "Also, she was wanting to eat you. I doubt she would have found it a satisfying meal though. She left though, I suppose she didn't want to endanger herself further."
>Chuckle a bit. "Then again, she was the one who insisted on not using Danmaku. And a proper lady always accepts her foe's terms of battle. But I am relatively impressed by her skill and resilience. She was actually able to not only withstand, but mostly parry something I've been keeping in store for the Cobalt Countess."
>You continue to snake your aura-arm towards the woods, an exercise of your generousity, as you bring the young man up to date. Or, at least try to, but from the somewhat unfocused look in his eye, you're not quite sure he follows your barrage of words.
>"One... ugh, one thing at a time. Please, my head's still swimming." He covers his eyes briefly, then looks out at the river. "In more ways than one."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Quite alright. After all, that was quite an ordeal, wasn't it? That power of yours was backfiring on you rather badly, so I had to cut you free with this Demonfrost Glaive."
>"But at any rate, let's start from the beginning. Does this branch lead to the Waterfall Basin?"
-
>Chuckle a little. "Quite alright. After all, that was quite an ordeal, wasn't it? That power of yours was backfiring on you rather badly, so I had to cut you free with this Demonfrost Glaive."
>"But at any rate, let's start from the beginning. Does this branch lead to the Waterfall Basin?"
>"Backfire." He shakes his head, making droplets of blood trail in his wake. "No, it wasn't... wasn't a backfire, it was... overWHELMING." he says between breaths, coming back to his feet. Still looks a bit unsteady, but he stays upright. "I never tried anything like that before, I had no idea...." His eyes, though still slightly glazed, are wide, alive. "I only... But what I got... Ohhh...." He sighs and splits his mouth into a silly grin. "Oh, what I got!"
>He blinks again, lowering his eyes sideways, like a thought struck him. "Right. Right the waterfall. There IS a waterfall on this river, yes. Yes, there is, but there's another fork before you get there. I couldn't tell which way leads to that waterfall, not from here. At that fork, mayb- Forget maybe!" he interrupts himself, clenching his fist. "I KNOW I could tell from there. Yes, I could definately tell from there, she would know from there, just not here, her children are too far away."
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "'She'?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow. "'She'?"
>"Didn't you..." He chuckles, more of an abashed snicker. "Right, sorry. I'm still trying to sort this out. She said she was sorry, by the way, I got that loud and clear."
-
>Keep that eyebrow raised. "Are you referring to the rather violent woman from earlier? Or perhaps..."
>This young man is quite the enigma, could he perhaps be born of a river spirit..?
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>Keep that eyebrow raised. "Are you referring to the rather violent woman from earlier? Or perhaps..."
>This young man is quite the enigma, could he perhaps be born of a river spirit..?
>"The who? OH, her?" He points after the somewhat distant youkai you brawled with. She swims fast. "No, she just lives here. Well, it's more than that, but, mostly she just lives here. I meant her." he clarifies, turning and pointing directly at the river in front of him. "She knew being around her makes you uncomfortable."
>He's certainly unlike any human you've met in Gensokyo up to now, whatever his lineage.
-
>Chuckle a little. "Well, it can't be helped you know, it's just how things are. Vampire and all that."
>Then make a slightly interested and impressed expression. "Still, that's rather interesting...From all the information I've been able to gather, I think I've come to a few possible conclusions about you, and your nature. I couldn't quite put things together until just recently, when you had that nosebleed, Vampires are quite good at telling things from the scent of a person's blood you know. And then, the next clue fell into place when you referred to the river as 'She'."
>Hold up one finger. "Scenario one. Sometime in the past, the spirit of this river fell in love with a human male, and eventually your ancestor was born, eventually fathering or mothering children, and continuing on down the line until you were born."
>Hold up a second finger. "Scenario two. The spirit of this river is, in fact, the one that birthed you."
>Hold up a third finger. "And then we come to Scenario Three, the slightly implausible, but nevertheless equally likely scenario of you being descended from a River Goddess, or something of the like."
>Smile just a bit. "My apologies if any of that offended you though, you're a rather interesting individual, filled with potential. As the young oft are."
-
>Chuckle a little. "Well, it can't be helped you know, it's just how things are. Vampire and all that."
>Then make a slightly interested and impressed expression. "Still, that's rather interesting...From all the information I've been able to gather, I think I've come to a few possible conclusions about you, and your nature. I couldn't quite put things together until just recently, when you had that nosebleed, Vampires are quite good at telling things from the scent of a person's blood you know. And then, the next clue fell into place when you referred to the river as 'She'."
>Hold up one finger. "Scenario one. Sometime in the past, the spirit of this river fell in love with a human male, and eventually your ancestor was born, eventually fathering or mothering children, and continuing on down the line until you were born."
>Hold up a second finger. "Scenario two. The spirit of this river is, in fact, the one that birthed you."
>Hold up a third finger. "And then we come to Scenario Three, the slightly implausible, but nevertheless equally likely scenario of you being descended from a River Goddess, or something of the like."
>Smile just a bit. "My apologies if any of that offended you though, you're a rather interesting individual, filled with potential. As the young oft are."
>Rather than be offended, the young man simply looks... confused. "Huh?"
-
>Sigh in a slightly amused way. "Simply put, there was something about the scent of your blood what wasn't quite human, and those were my best guesses as to what the source could be. I know how touchy some people descended from Youkai and the like can get about that sort of thing, rather like that device from the outside world called a Land Mine. Set one foot wrong and they explode."
>"But at any rate, we should probably find an ally of mine that I split from at the earlier fork before we proceed any further with things. She's a Moon Rabbit you know, lives in a charming little house in that Bamboo Forest people have a dreadful tendency to get lost in. It wouldn't be safe to go much further without a medic after all."
-
>Sigh in a slightly amused way. "Simply put, there was something about the scent of your blood what wasn't quite human, and those were my best guesses as to what the source could be. I know how touchy some people descended from Youkai and the like can get about that sort of thing, rather like that device from the outside world called a Land Mine. Set one foot wrong and they explode."
>"But at any rate, we should probably find an ally of mine that I split from at the earlier fork before we proceed any further with things. She's a Moon Rabbit you know, lives in a charming little house in that Bamboo Forest people have a dreadful tendency to get lost in. It wouldn't be safe to go much further without a medic after all."
>The handsome young man's grin changes subtly, becoming a bitter expression, a mocking and loathing curl of the mouth. "Tell me about it. I've lived around that kind of ignorance and fear all my life. It's one of the reasons I left the village. One of many."
>The mention of a lunar rabbit brings a smile back to his face. A genuine smile, this time, but when you tell him of her job, he seems confused again. "I didn't think that you got hit during that scrap you had, why would you need a medic?"
-
>Smirk a bit. "Oh, you never know when you might need one. Besides, she's rather reliable. And what's more, even a powerful one such as myself may have need of one later on."
>Then sigh a bit. "But I suppose we aren't so different in a way. Back in the old days, in the Outside World, people tried killing me, and many of my kind. Simply because of what we are."
>Smirk just a tad. "Not that it did them any good against myself, given how powerful I am. I would show you some of what I used in the little tussle with the woman from earlier, but I fear that you might become a gibbering wreck for it. Most people tend to end up that way when a Vampire of my caliber uses such a technique. ...Or you might end up with terrible nightmares, I never did find out which happens most of the time."
>Note to Self: Remember to use Nightmare Auraform as a means of disciplining the Fairy Maids. Fear is an excellent motivator!
-
>Smirk a bit. "Oh, you never know when you might need one. Besides, she's rather reliable. And what's more, even a powerful one such as myself may have need of one later on."
>Then sigh a bit. "But I suppose we aren't so different in a way. Back in the old days, in the Outside World, people tried killing me, and many of my kind. Simply because of what we are."
>Smirk just a tad. "Not that it did them any good against myself, given how powerful I am. I would show you some of what I used in the little tussle with the woman from earlier, but I fear that you might become a gibbering wreck for it. Most people tend to end up that way when a Vampire of my caliber uses such a technique. ...Or you might end up with terrible nightmares, I never did find out which happens most of the time."
>Note to Self: Remember to use Nightmare Auraform as a means of disciplining the Fairy Maids. Fear is an excellent motivator!
>At the prospect of seeing a vampire's powers in action, the young man actually seems curious. "Don't you worry 'bout me, Scarlet Devil. Meeting youkai and seeing all of their world's another reason I left home. It'd be an honor to see what you can do." After a moment, though, he adds, "But, uh, gimme a sec, first."
>He turns and kneels again, and brings some water to his face, in an effort to clean the blood from around his nose. He adds as he does so, "I'd heard, though, that vampires were one of the strongest youkai races, that's why they're feared here. Was that true for the outside world, too?"
>Your aura arm that you'd snaked back into the forest finally brushes up against something that could be what you're looking for. It's not entirely easy to locate things this way, it's rather like searching for something purely by touch in an unfamiliar area. You'd passed over some bugs thus far but nothing of any notable size. Until now. It doesn't feel like a deer of any sort, though, it seems to be much larger, much thicker.
-
>Shrug. "Sad but true. I'm rather used to it by now though."
>Smirk a little. "Not to say that I don't enjoy using it at times. It's a rather effective motivator when the need calls."
>Raise an eyebrow, and send several more tendrils to get a better feel for it. "Ah? Seems I've found something in that forest over there. I do wonder what I've caught."
-
>Shrug. "Sad but true. I'm rather used to it by now though."
>Smirk a little. "Not to say that I don't enjoy using it at times. It's a rather effective motivator when the need calls."
>Raise an eyebrow, and send several more tendrils to get a better feel for it. "Ah? Seems I've found something in that forest over there. I do wonder what I've caught."
>"Yeah..." the young man mutters as he wipes his face with his left sleeve. "But wouldn't it be cool if you could fix it?"
>Dispatching more tentacles out to try and ascertain what you've found, you probe the creature with your existing arm in advance of them. You feel the beast shift, and something strikes at your aura. Not hard enough to make it dissipate, but hard enough to knock it back a little bit. It's a strong best, that's for sure.
-
>Oh? Perhaps we should send a veritable swarm of tendrils then, a powerful creature like that isn't terribly common.
>"Well, sometimes, no matter what, things like that can't be fixed."
>Sigh. "It isn't my fault that I have to drink blood to survive. And despite being a perfectly reasonable lady, the village still wards me off like I was some sort of rabid beast."
>"Speaking of beasts, that creature I found in that little copse there seems rather powerful. It managed to strike, and knock back, one of my Aura Tendrils that I sent to probe for a little 'gift' for the woman from before. It can't be said that I'm not generous when need be after all."
-
>"Well, sometimes, no matter what, things like that can't be fixed."
>Sigh. "It isn't my fault that I have to drink blood to survive. And despite being a perfectly reasonable lady, the village still wards me off like I was some sort of rabid beast."
>"Is Keine still that uptight?" the young man asks with a touch of disgust. "I haven't been back in a few years, but I was sort of hoping she'd loosen up a bit in that time." He shrugs. "I wasn't actually expecting it, but it would've been nice, 'specially with people like Mokou and my sister around. And she was thinking about letting that doctor in, as well, the one from the forest, uh... Yakomo, or something?"
>Oh? Perhaps we should send a veritable swarm of tendrils then, a powerful creature like that isn't terribly common.
>"Speaking of beasts, that creature I found in that little copse there seems rather powerful. It managed to strike, and knock back, one of my Aura Tendrils that I sent to probe for a little 'gift' for the woman from before. It can't be said that I'm not generous when need be after all."
>Indeed not. It might be a bear, or a similarly muscular animal, but most beasts you've known on the outside would flee from your supernatural appendages. But then again, this IS Gensokyo.
>Your generousity brings a smile to the young man's face.
>Your own smile, though, is a bit fleeting, as something else strikes the first arm your sent out. Something smaller than the beast, yet still quite solid, and, you think, magical. That arm dissipates completely.
-
>"She's never really changed since I've known her."
>Then make a somewhat amused, yet surprised d face. "Well, this is interesting. I wonder what that was, to strike and dispel a tendril? I almost feel tempted to personally investigate."
>Let's send several more tendrils, like the hydra. For every one it strikes down, three more shall replace it.
>This time, we're going after what struck the tendril.
-
>"She's never really changed since I've known her."
>Then make a somewhat amused, yet surprised d face. "Well, this is interesting. I wonder what that was, to strike and dispel a tendril? I almost feel tempted to personally investigate."
>Let's send several more tendrils, like the hydra. For every one it strikes down, three more shall replace it.
>This time, we're going after what struck the tendril.
>The young man spits. "She should know better. She's not even a whole human herself."
>His surprised expression nearly mirrors yours. "Maybe it's a youkai? I camped there last night, but I didn't see anyone else in that stretch of woods."
>Nearly a dozen aura-form tendrils and tentacles lash out from your form, towards the mysterious force that was able to best one of them. As they pass beyond the treeline, however, the forest itself begins to react. The trees begin to sway, their leaves rustling, their bark creaking.
>Angling in towards where your first aura dissipated, your new invading tendrils run up against a barrier this time, definitely magical in nature. From that direction, a greenish light glows, and the howling of a wolf splits the night air. Moments later, the guttural growing of a bear joins the cacophony.
>"Whatever's in there, Scarlet Devil, I think you pissed it off." the young man remarks.
-
>A Wolf, a Bear, and a barrier? "Interesting..."
>Raise an eyebrow, and change to Bat form while canceling the tendrils. "I suggest you find someplace to take refuge while I investigate."
>Let's fly over to the borderline of the grove, but keep on the guard for anything off, such as a surprise attack.
-
>A Wolf, a Bear, and a barrier? "Interesting..."
>Raise an eyebrow, and change to Bat form while canceling the tendrils. "I suggest you find someplace to take refuge while I investigate."
>Let's fly over to the borderline of the grove, but keep on the guard for anything off, such as a surprise attack.
>The young man nods, uncertainly. "Yeah, I'll hang back, but... I wanna know what's in there, too, and why I DIDN'T know before."
>In your bat form, you fly towards the treeline, and you hear the young man following behind you on foot moments later. Not at a fast pace, though.
>Wary of another attack, or something else, you are on guard as you approach the wood. But the green light fades with your tendrils, as does the shaking of the trees and the noises with in. By the time you reach the edge of the grove, all signs of what you witnessed before have vanished.
>Well, all signs but one. There seems to be a humanoid figure within the grove, heading towards the treeline, following the direction your tendrils came from.
>Correction. A humanoid figure on the back of a bear.
-
>Well, let's just act like a normal bat for now, and keep an eye on this person.
-
>Well, let's just act like a normal bat for now, and keep an eye on this person.
>Hovering a bit high up to keep yourself out of the casual line of sight, the bear rider approaches. There's something... odd about the trees, though. You don't feel entirely comfortable this close to them.
>The rider is clad in a long brown raiment, trimmed with green at the waist and shoulders, dull yellow and brown at the cuffs and hem. Twig-like extensions sprout from the shoulders of the gown. A long green cloak billows behind her, trailing bits of green energy and red leaves, and she carries a staff of white wood with a carved sun atop it, and a pair of jewels dangling from it, an emerald and an amber. She wears a white circlet with feathers on the side and a single green gem in the center.
>There is a pronounced ruggedness to her complexion, but beneath her pale skin, auburn hair, blue eyes and freckles (been quite a lot of years since you saw freckles on someone), you judge she could be quite pretty, with a bit of refinement.
>The caped woman and her sizable brown bear come to a halt several feet from the border of the trees, in front of a thick old oak, and she looks around the area below you, her expression rapt and stern. She narrows her eyes when she sees the young man coming, but takes no action towards him. She merely tilts her head slightly to the side.
-
>Hmm...Perhaps a Druid, a Forest Spirit, or even a Goddess of the Woods.
>Well, we can look into this further after all this has been resolved. Let's act natural, and fly off in the direction of the young'n, and then perch on his shoulder.
>Then whisper; "I suspect she could be a Forest Spirit, or even a Druid."
-
>Hmm...Perhaps a Druid, a Forest Spirit, or even a Goddess of the Woods.
>Well, we can look into this further after all this has been resolved. Let's act natural, and fly off in the direction of the young'n, and then perch on his shoulder.
>Then whisper; "I suspect she could be a Forest Spirit, or even a Druid."
>Speculating on the nature of the woman, you perch yourself upon the young lad's left shoulder, advising him of your theories.
>"Pretty, too." the young man adds.
>The cloaked woman dismounts her ursine steed, giving it a pat on its nose, and takes a few steps towards the treeline. A pair of field mice run across her path, followed by some insect life in front of them. The woman jabs her staff into the ground hard and looks directly at your companion. "Be proud, boy. I had no prior sense you were in league with an undead."
>The young man throws up his arms. "Hey, now, I'm not in league with nobody."
>"Then why is there an undead perched on your shoulder, whispering in your ear?" she demands.
>The young man winces. "I only met her ten minutes ago! But if you must know, I'm helping her find someone important to her."
>The woman's eyes narrow. "Is that why you and it were attacking this grove?"
-
>Sigh, and unperch, then return to normal. "I was merely interested in that grove. When one of the auraforms I sent to inspect it was dispelled, I chose to send more to continue it. This time, to investigate what dispelled it. So it could hardly be called an attack when they were intended to gather information."
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>Sigh, and unperch, then return to normal. "I was merely interested in that grove. When one of the auraforms I sent to inspect it was dispelled, I chose to send more to continue it. This time, to investigate what dispelled it. So it could hardly be called an attack when they were intended to gather information."
>The woman's face hardens. "A vampire." she breathes, hefting her staff, and holding it before her in both hands. "That this day should be mine...."
>The young man shakes his head. "Funny how we were just talking about that." he mutters to you.
-
>Examine her with all our senses. Is there any sign that she's posessed?
-
>If she isn't possessed then say; "Calm yourself, would you? I am not the vampire to be concerned with, there is another out there that I've been seeking out to punish for her transgressions. Also, a friendly warning. 'Beware the Cobalt Countess, and her Spirits of Sin'. She is the one I seek to punish for attempting to steal my treasured Head Maid. Good help is so hard to find, and I've grown rather fond of having Sakuya around, being the ever-reliable sort she is."
-
>Examine her with all our senses. Is there any sign that she's posessed?
>Drawing on your past experience with Envy and Sloth, you attempt to gauge whether or not the woman before you is possessed by Sin. But nothing seems out of whack with her, and that feeling of discomfort you felt before faded when you moved away from the treeline. If she is possessed, you cannot determine it definitively.
>If she isn't possessed then say; "Calm yourself, would you? I am not the vampire to be concerned with, there is another out there that I've been seeking out to punish for her transgressions. Also, a friendly warning. 'Beware the Cobalt Countess, and her Spirits of Sin'. She is the one I seek to punish for attempting to steal my treasured Head Maid. Good help is so hard to find, and I've grown rather fond of having Sakuya around, being the ever-reliable sort she is."
>The mention of the Countesses' title makes the auburn haired woman's eyes raise in surprise. She looks between you and the male next you, silent for a long moment. "Every vampire is my concern." she starts. You notice, however, that her grip on her staff relaxes a little. "But it IS possible I may not need to be immediately concerned with you. If the Blighter is not your target."
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>Raise an eyebrow. "I do wonder what that is. Well, I can always look into it later on, as it seems like something worth learning about, if only for novelty's sake."
>"At any rate, do be careful, those Sin Spirits can possess people and youkai alike, though Vampires are quite resistant to that. Which, ironically, makes those like myself the perfect means for combating them. Amusing, is it not?"
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>Raise an eyebrow. "I do wonder what that is. Well, I can always look into it later on, as it seems like something worth learning about, if only for novelty's sake."
>"At any rate, do be careful, those Sin Spirits can possess people and youkai alike, though Vampires are quite resistant to that. Which, ironically, makes those like myself the perfect means for combating them. Amusing, is it not?"
>"Very amusing." the woman replies flatly. "But if you're seeking the Countess, then why were you trying to slay a denizen of this grove?"
-
>"A youkai wanted to eat my friend, here. I wasn't about to allow that, so she left to go hunt elsewhere, but even so, I thought I'd see if I could find her a meal."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Have to make it up for interfering after all. It's only the polite thing to do. That, and this was the only wooded spot in the area."
>Chuckle a bit. "Besides, in this land called Gensokyo, even Vampires are a part of the natural order of things. As here, we're just another form of Youkai. Which I must admit, does wonders for one's social life. It was terribly droll, not being able to enjoy myself with any parties and the like. Once I arrived here so long ago though, I've actually been able to host parties for those I consider associates and friends. Which is a rather pleasant breath of fresh air compared to the Old World."
>Then smile enigmatically. "If you wish to blame anyone for there being more Vampires, blame the one who turned me all those centuries ago."
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>"A youkai wanted to eat my friend, here. I wasn't about to allow that, so she left to go hunt elsewhere, but even so, I thought I'd see if I could find her a meal."
>Smirk a bit. "Have to make it up for interfering after all. It's only the polite thing to do. That, and this was the only wooded spot in the area."
>The staff-wielding woman seems somewhat impressed. "Generous of you. But this grove is protected. You'll have to find somewhere else to acquire a meal."
>Chuckle a bit. "Besides, in this land called Gensokyo, even Vampires are a part of the natural order of things. As here, we're just another form of Youkai. Which I must admit, does wonders for one's social life. It was terribly droll, not being able to enjoy myself with any parties and the like. Once I arrived here so long ago though, I've actually been able to host parties for those I consider associates and friends. Which is a rather pleasant breath of fresh air compared to the Old World."
>Then smile enigmatically. "If you wish to blame anyone for there being more Vampires, blame the one who turned me all those centuries ago."
>"Vampires may be youkai, but a vampire is still an undead." the young woman counters. "And I'm not sure how things were outside Gensokyo, but here, things were not always.... peaceful, between vampires and the rest of the world. And not everyone has forgotten that."
>"Regardless, I am not an unreasonable woman. If what you seek is not the Blighter, if you mean no furthur harm to this grove, and you have some quarrel with another of your kind, then I see no reason for us to do battle."
-
>Smirk a bit. "Good that things ended up like this then, haven't seen freckles in quite some time after all. Almost reminds me of the Old World."
>"Besides, the Spellcard Laws are in effect these days. I myself being one of the many restricted by it for the most part. Though I can use combat that's far more 'traditional'. I rather prefer Spellcards, as they allow one to continually face a powerful foe time and time again."
>Smile in a slightly enigmatic way. "Which, I must admit, is a great improvement over the Old Ways."
>Fistpalm. "Judging from your behaviors, I take it you are either a Forest Priestess, or a Druid, or a Hermit, or a Forest Spirit, or a Forest Deity. No?"
>"At any rate, I have no reason to bother with this grove now that I know what's within."
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>Smirk a bit. "Good that things ended up like this then, haven't seen freckles in quite some time after all. Almost reminds me of the Old World."
>"Besides, the Spellcard Laws are in effect these days. I myself being one of the many restricted by it for the most part. Though I can use combat that's far more 'traditional'. I rather prefer Spellcards, as they allow one to continually face a powerful foe time and time again."
>Smile in a slightly enigmatic way. "Which, I must admit, is a great improvement over the Old Ways."
>The woman nods, slowly. "I'm inclined to agree. And much less damaging to the surroundings, as well."
>The young man joins in his concurrance. "Any way youkai can settle things among themselves without hurting each other is a-okay in my book. And with non-youkai, as well." he adds, almost as an afterthought.
>Fistpalm. "Judging from your behaviors, I take it you are either a Forest Priestess, or a Druid, or a Hermit, or a Forest Spirit, or a Forest Deity. No?"
>"At any rate, I have no reason to bother with this grove now that I know what's within."
>"I am the current Guardian of the Grove. That's all that matters about who and what I am. It's what I was born to do, and all that I am. No more, no less. Even my name, Baraki, is immaterial compared to what I am."
>The auburn haired woman considers your words, then, slowly, lowers her staff to the ground. "And you?" she asks of the young man beside you.
>"Like I said, I'm helping her find someone she cares about." he replies, with a smile. "Helping youkai is what I do, every chance I get. Vampire, Guardian, or anything in between."
>"Commendable." she says approvingly. "But don't be TOO casual. Not all youkai would as appreciative or welcoming as others."
>"I can handle myself." he replies confidently.
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>Smirk a bit. "If you look past the fact that your power brought some harm to you. But as I said before, I think someone I know can help you get a handle on it."
>"But regardless, it's been a rather good day if you look past my Head Maid being in a bit of a situation with the Countess, I've gotten to enjoy a few non-lethal battles with a few others, found so many promising younglings that deserve a shot at becoming stronger, and much more."
>Smile slightly, in a warm way. "I even found some information that may well bring closure to a goal I've had for almost 500 years..."
>Yeah..If that works out as planned, Flan will finally be healed...
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>Smirk a bit. "If you look past the fact that your power brought some harm to you. But as I said before, I think someone I know can help you get a handle on it."
>The young man smirks. "I've had worse."
>"But regardless, it's been a rather good day if you look past my Head Maid being in a bit of a situation with the Countess, I've gotten to enjoy a few non-lethal battles with a few others, found so many promising younglings that deserve a shot at becoming stronger, and much more."
>Smile slightly, in a warm way. "I even found some information that may well bring closure to a goal I've had for almost 500 years..."
>Yeah..If that works out as planned, Flan will finally be healed...
>The young man gives you a friendly clap on the shoulder. "Glad to hear it, Scarlet."
>"I'll claim no joy over the realization of a vampire's goals." the young woman counters as a large raven descends from a nearby tree and lands on the back of her bear. The bear doesn't seem to care. "But something you said puzzles me. The Countess you speak of has been sealed for nearly two centuries now. What makes you think she's active again?"
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>"Someone unsealed her before she was meant to be. I know not who, but that seems to be the main issue. I procured this info by way of my prior skirmishes with two of the Sin Spirits, and a meeting with one the local Oracle. That, and I happened to run into a young lass who she turned approximately two months ago."
>Smile a bit. "She was rather happy about the change though, she gets to enjoy a longer life than most, and she has a special someone she cares about that would have normally soon outlived her."
>"At any rate though, I know better than most about how nasty things could get if someone dies before they're fated to. Nasty, nasty thing that. Wide-reaching repercussions for eons to come you know. Not a good thing at all. The countess wasn't fated to awaken for another 200 years, I can only assume that whoever freed her could also gaze at the threads of fate, and could be directly aiming for such a thing."
>Smirk. "Besides, if my goal's achieved, then things will be that much safer for everyone. And not just vampires either, but humans and youkai alike. When you look at it, I'm ostensibly one of the nicest vampires you'll chance to meet."
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>"Someone unsealed her before she was meant to be. I know not who, but that seems to be the main issue. I procured this info by way of my prior skirmishes with two of the Sin Spirits, and a meeting with one the local Oracle. That, and I happened to run into a young lass who she turned approximately two months ago."
>It was weeks, not months.
>"Someone unsealed her before she was meant to be. I know not who, but that seems to be the main issue. I procured this info by way of my prior skirmishes with two of the Sin Spirits, and a meeting with one the local Oracle. That, and I happened to run into a young lass who she turned approximately two months ago."
>Smile a bit. "She was rather happy about the change though, she gets to enjoy a longer life than most, and she has a special someone she cares about that would have normally soon outlived her."
>"At any rate though, I know better than most about how nasty things could get if someone dies before they're fated to. Nasty, nasty thing that. Wide-reaching repercussions for eons to come you know. Not a good thing at all. The countess wasn't fated to awaken for another 200 years, I can only assume that whoever freed her could also gaze at the threads of fate, and could be directly aiming for such a thing."
>Smirk. "Besides, if my goal's achieved, then things will be that much safer for everyone. And not just vampires either, but humans and youkai alike. When you look at it, I'm ostensibly one of the nicest vampires you'll chance to meet."
>"Certainly one of the most talkative, too." the snarky woman comments.
>"But what do you mean, 'local oracle'?"
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>Weeks, months, they all go by like blips to one such as us.
>"Oh, my mistake, it was two weeks, not two months. Well, it doesn't matter so much, seeing as time flows a bit differently for people such as myself. Days blend into weeks, weeks blend into months, months blend into years, and before you know it? A full century's gone by. That's the problem with being long-lived, your grasp of time starts getting skewed."
>Nod. "As for the Oracle though, I happened to encounter her further back on my path tonight. It was thanks to her that I even know which direction to go now. Rather nice woman really, I simply must remember to invite her over for tea sometime. And perhaps find out her secret to looking as nice as she does, I do enjoy being charismatic after all."
>Smirk. "It's why I'm wearing the outfit I am now. I rarely get a chance to use it, so confronting one of my peers is as good an excuse as any to do so."
>" At any rate, she said that the Countess had made her base somewhere in the Waterfall Basin in this area."
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>Weeks, months, they all go by like blips to one such as us.
>"Oh, my mistake, it was two weeks, not two months. Well, it doesn't matter so much, seeing as time flows a bit differently for people such as myself. Days blend into weeks, weeks blend into months, months blend into years, and before you know it? A full century's gone by. That's the problem with being long-lived, your grasp of time starts getting skewed."
>Nod. "As for the Oracle though, I happened to encounter her further back on my path tonight. It was thanks to her that I even know which direction to go now. Rather nice woman really, I simply must remember to invite her over for tea sometime. And perhaps find out her secret to looking as nice as she does, I do enjoy being charismatic after all."
>Smirk. "It's why I'm wearing the outfit I am now. I rarely get a chance to use it, so confronting one of my peers is as good an excuse as any to do so."
>" At any rate, she said that the Countess had made her base somewhere in the Waterfall Basin in this area."
>"And I'm helping her find it." the young man adds. "And if you ask me, Scarlet Devil, the look you're sporting now ain't bad at all, if a bit on the 'I'm gonna mess you up big time' side."
>"Scarlet Devil." the Guardian called Baraki says with some recognition. "The newest vampire. Well, newest from the outside." She visibly relaxes. "I see then that, indeed, I have no quarrel with you."
>"As for this Waterfall, I don't know of one around there, personally. But there-" She bites her tongue. The raven sitting atop the bear caws once, a very quiet sound, especially for a raven. "I know." the Guardian replies. "But assisting a vampire... It goes against my nature, and my teachings."
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>Smile slightly, in a playful way. "Help, or not. It's your choice. If you wish, I can even look at your future three times. Three hairs, three questions."
>Smirk. "I may not be an oracle, but I am far better than some crone with a deck of cards."
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>Smile slightly, in a playful way. "Help, or not. It's your choice. If you wish, I can even look at your future three times. Three hairs, three questions."
>Smirk. "I may not be an oracle, but I am far better than some crone with a deck of cards."
>The woman opens her mouth to reply, but her bear cuts her off with a deep bass growl. "Are you sure?" The raven caws again. "You think she'd approve?" She looks down at the ground, where a worm crawl slowly. "Now that's not fair!"
>The young man seems impressed. "That's a neat trick she's got there." he comments to you as Baraki deals with the wildlife around her. "I've seen youkai talk to one type of animal before, but never more than one like that."
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>Nod. "I assume Guardians are much like the Druids of the Old World, people so highly in tune with nature itself that they can understand the will of any creature, big or small."
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>Nod. "I assume Guardians are much like the Druids of the Old World, people so highly in tune with nature itself that they can understand the will of any creature, big or small."
>"Do they normally distrust vampires as much as this one did?"
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>Were they? Because usually, that was reserved for Hunters.
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>Were they? Because usually, that was reserved for Hunters.
>The trouble that nearly all Druids have with vampires, indeed, all undead, is that they viewed your kind as as aberrations, affronts to nature. The natural world emcompases the cycle between life and death. A new life begins when another ends, and all that jazz. Undead, in their eyes, are freaks, neither living nor dead. To the kindest of druids, an undead is a twisted existance full of misery and suffering, worthy of pity, but an existance that should be granted release as quickly as possible. To the most militant, hard-hearted of Druids, all the walking dead are a blight upon the world. Druids and Hunters aiding each other is far from unheard of. In fact, one of the most feared Hunters during your 'life'time WAS an Ex-druid, called herself Barkhide. Kept the magic, lost the mercy.
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>Nod. "They generally consider the undead an aberration, a thing that goes against the natural order. I remember a particularly fearsome Hunter who used to be a Druid in fact. Nasty piece of work really. Kept the magic, lost the mercy."
>Chuckle. "However, in this world, even those such as myself are a part of the natural order. It's less losing one's life, and more evolving to a higher form. Such as a Human becoming a Magician, or an Animal becoming an Animal Youkai. It's merely becoming yet another form of life."
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>Nod. "They generally consider the undead an aberration, a thing that goes against the natural order. I remember a particularly fearsome Hunter who used to be a Druid in fact. Nasty piece of work really. Kept the magic, lost the mercy."
>Chuckle. "However, in this world, even those such as myself are a part of the natural order. It's less losing one's life, and more evolving to a higher form. Such as a Human becoming a Magician, or an Animal becoming an Animal Youkai. It's merely becoming yet another form of life."
>"That sounds like a good way to look at it." the young man agrees, though his expression is slightly sour. "But humans don't accept that kind of view all that often. Not often enough, anyway. Your average human's too limited in his thinking to look at magicians or vampires and not be afraid. Even Keine's afraid, and we both know she's not entirely human. She just thinks like one. I mean, sure, you get the odd exception, like me, or Marisa, but we're rare."
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>Shrug. "Sad but true. It's a shame more people aren't like that. Rei herself was quite happy at the change. That's the youngling I mentioned earlier you know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it once. A rather flawed copy, but that still demonstrates the potential she holds."
>Let's ham it up with a good laugh! "I don't often say this, but she might even surpass myself! ...With the proper training and enough time that is."
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>Shrug. "Sad but true. It's a shame more people aren't like that. Rei herself was quite happy at the change. That's the youngling I mentioned earlier you know, she actually managed to copy my Servant Flier technique after seeing it once. A rather flawed copy, but that still demonstrates the potential she holds."
>Let's ham it up with a good laugh! "I don't often say this, but she might even surpass myself! ...With the proper training and enough time that is."
>"Rei?" the young man gapes. "Rei OUMI?" He whistles in surprise. "Boy, she changed her tune. I remember her from back in the village. But how'd SHE end up..." He pauses, then considers. "Well, I guess you'll learn that when we find this waterfall."
>Baraki at this point clears her throat. "Which, as it turns out, I might be able to help you with." The raven caws again, a somewhat... 'smug' tone to her voice. Which the Guardian ignores. "Assuming you, as a vampire, have no issues accepting help from one like me." The raven caws, but Baraki cuts into the sound with a defiant, "How do I know she WANTS a Guardian's help unless I ask, hm?"
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>Smirk. "It's entirely your choice. Follow, or don't."
>Look to the young man. "And yes, the very same. She left the village a while ago 'seeking adventure'. Well, she certainly found it two weeks ago, when she was turned. I found her a while ago today, chasing after some youkai. Poor thing was running wild at even the scent of her own blood. I had to...'discipline' her a bit. Just the usual for Gensokyo though."
>Smirk. "It was during that little escapade that she copied Servant Flier. She couldn't copy my other nonspell though, which is a shame. But just being able to copy a single technique of mine, no matter how flawed the copy was, is worth praise."
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>Smirk. "It's entirely your choice. Follow, or don't."
>Look to the young man. "And yes, the very same. She left the village a while ago 'seeking adventure'. Well, she certainly found it two weeks ago, when she was turned. I found her a while ago today, chasing after some youkai. Poor thing was running wild at even the scent of her own blood. I had to...'discipline' her a bit. Just the usual for Gensokyo though."
>Smirk. "It was during that little escapade that she copied Servant Flier. She couldn't copy my other nonspell though, which is a shame. But just being able to copy a single technique of mine, no matter how flawed the copy was, is worth praise."
>"I never said anything about FOLLOWING, Scarlet." Baraki corrects you. "I have another bit of business to attend to before I go myself to investigate the return of the Countess. But I CAN point you towards some people who might know where this waterfall is. I plan on asking them myself, once I'm done here."
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>Chuckle. "Very well then. Though the way you were speaking to the animals implied they meant for you to tag along."
>"At any rate, would you be so kind as to point the way?"
>Fistpalm. "Oh, and if you see a Moon Rabbit with long purple hair, point her along as well. She chose to lend her hand in aid as well."
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>Chuckle. "Very well then. Though the way you were speaking to the animals implied they meant for you to tag along."
>"At any rate, would you be so kind as to point the way?"
>Fistpalm. "Oh, and if you see a Moon Rabbit with long purple hair, point her along as well. She chose to lend her hand in aid as well."
>The Guardian points her staff to your right. "There's a small Kappa village about ten miles southeast from here, on the river. They're more knowledgeable about the geography of these parts than we are. If there's a waterfall anywhere around here, I'm pretty sure they'll know about it." She pauses, then adds, "Just, try not to scare them too much. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, that you mean them no harm, either, but they're still Kappa."
>She nods. "I'll pass along the message." Rather surprisingly, then, she laughs. "A Moon Rabbit, a Human and a Vampire working together to settle a score with another Vampire? What a night."
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>"Also a Kappa, a Shrine Maiden, and a Half-Ghost. It's almost like one of those fantasy novels I'd find on the Library's bookshelves."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for a brief time, a Night Sparrow and a Firefly also helped. They're currently exploring my mansion, and dealing with a termite infestation respectively."
>Then fistpalm once more. "Ah, I don't suppose you've seen a woman in green and white clothing with long red hair? Beret-looking cap, gold star on the front with the kanji for Dragon on it?"
>We aren't forgetting anyone else that was involved aside from Rei, are we?
>"Either way though, I have no reason to fight anyone who doesn't attack. If they don't fight, then they aren't worth fighting. It's simple Youkai Logic."
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>"Also a Kappa, a Shrine Maiden, and a Half-Ghost. It's almost like one of those fantasy novels I'd find on the Library's bookshelves."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for a brief time, a Night Sparrow and a Firefly also helped. They're currently exploring my mansion, and dealing with a termite infestation respectively."
>Then fistpalm once more. "Ah, I don't suppose you've seen a woman in green and white clothing with long red hair? Beret-looking cap, gold star on the front with the kanji for Dragon on it?"
>The young man claps your shoulder again. "Man, I wish I'd met you sooner!"
>Baraki shakes her head. "I can't say I've ever met anyone with that kind of hat, no. But... there IS another stranger within the grove, on the east side. If it is that woman, I assume she is a friend of yours?"
>"Either way though, I have no reason to fight anyone who doesn't attack. If they don't fight, then they aren't worth fighting. It's simple Youkai Logic."
>"My experience has lead me to think 'youkai logic' isn't quite as simple as that. But that aside, I'm glad to see we agree that meaningless battles should be avoided."
>We aren't forgetting anyone else that was involved aside from Rei, are we?
>Well, there was the entirety of the Myoren temple residents... Oh, and Kogasa is accompanying Reimu, or at least she was, when they left your mansion.
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>"Well, if it is her, then that would be my Gatekeeper who left her post to deal with things herself. Does she have long red hair, and wear green and white clothing? Hmm...To make matters simpler, just have her come here."
>Sigh exasperatedly. "She's got a good heart and noble intent, dashing off like that, but who will keep my home safe in my absence? She wasn't scheduled to be off work until 2:00 anyway."
>Good help is just so hard to find... "Oh yes, I almost forgot some of the others involved in the matter. There was that Karakasa, who I presume is still with Reimu, and essentially all of the Myouren Temple. t was there I encountered the first of the Sin Spirits, Envy. Troublesome one she was, but all too easy to force out of her host. Nothing a night of bedrest won't cure for the poor girl who played host though, given how Danmaku is nonlethal. She was another kappa you know, friend of the one out gallivanting around in her own efforts to lend a hand."
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>"Well, if it is her, then that would be my Gatekeeper who left her post to deal with things herself. Does she have long red hair, and wear green and white clothing? Hmm...To make matters simpler, just have her come here."
>Sigh exasperatedly. "She's got a good heart and noble intent, dashing off like that, but who will keep my home safe in my absence? She wasn't scheduled to be off work until 2:00 anyway."
>The Guardian blinks. "Have her come HERE?" she asks incredulously. "For one, I don't know who, or even WHAT, this stranger is, only that I feel its presence. And normally, I'd let the grove tell me more before I made a move, but considering what you've told me of the Countess and the Sins, I think I should investigate myself."
>"For another, crossing this grove is not a quick trip, vampire. It can be much bigger than it looks."
>"She's got a point, Scarlet." the young man adds. "Woods here don't LOOK that big from outside, but it took me almost two days to get from one side to the other."
>Good help is just so hard to find... "Oh yes, I almost forgot some of the others involved in the matter. There was that Karakasa, who I presume is still with Reimu, and essentially all of the Myouren Temple. t was there I encountered the first of the Sin Spirits, Envy. Troublesome one she was, but all too easy to force out of her host. Nothing a night of bedrest won't cure for the poor girl who played host though, given how Danmaku is nonlethal. She was another kappa you know, friend of the one out gallivanting around in her own efforts to lend a hand."
>The young man draws in a breath. "The Myorens? THEY'RE involved, too? Even Byakuren?"
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>Nod. "That they are. Largely because the first of the two major incidents involving the Sin Spirits, Envy's appearance, happened right inside the Temple Grounds. The other, Gluttony's appearance, occurred inside the Village."
>Sigh a bit. "Well, if it is Reisen, the moon rabbit I mentioned, then tell her to make for the Kappa Outpost you told me about. If it does happen to be my gatekeeper, Meiling, tell her that she's to return to the mansion at once, orders from the Scarlet Devil herself. Don't hesitate to rough her up a bit if she gets stubborn though, as she neglected her duty after all. And thus, deserves it."
>Smile a bit. "While I do care for those who serve me, and those I consider friends, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."
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>Nod. "That they are. Largely because the first of the two major incidents involving the Sin Spirits, Envy's appearance, happened right inside the Temple Grounds. The other, Gluttony's appearance, occurred inside the Village."
>"I'll be damned." the young man muses. "That lot'd make minced meat out of any bad guys that comes down the pike."
>Sigh a bit. "Well, if it is Reisen, the moon rabbit I mentioned, then tell her to make for the Kappa Outpost you told me about. If it does happen to be my gatekeeper, Meiling, tell her that she's to return to the mansion at once, orders from the Scarlet Devil herself. Don't hesitate to rough her up a bit if she gets stubborn though, as she neglected her duty after all. And thus, deserves it."
>Smile a bit. "While I do care for those who serve me, and those I consider friends, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."
>The Guardian folds her arms. "I'm not about to fight any battles I don't have to, either, Scarlet Devil. But I will pass along the message, if indeed it is your friend. Unless, of course, she is possessed, as you mentioned. You mentioned an Envy and a Sloth and a Gluttony. Did these Sins act solely on those emotions?"
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>"Mostly. Wrath and Greed are the more dangerous of the seven apparently, due to their power having been augmented by being released before their time. Even Envy, Sloth, and Gluttony fell prey to such things, being weaker than they usually would. There's also Lust and Pride. Personally speaking though, I'd be careful if it is Lust, I have it from Sloth herself that she is a rather...'active' one, if you understand my meaning. That extends to anyone who becomes possessed by her as well. Pride is apparently insufferably arrogant. And Wrath? The less said about it the better, even someone like myself, who enjoys a good fight every now and again, would find themselves hard-pressed against it."
>"Of the seven though, only five remain in fighting order. Envy and Gluttony sealed themselves in gems. Envy, by accident, due to attempting to escape while in a binding circle. Gluttony presumably sealed itself to go dormant until such a time as it could procure food for it's insatiable hunger. Sloth, I had the fortune of facing personally, much as with Envy before her. Although, she was a far more amicable one than the prior Sins, and is the one who provided me with not only information on the other Sins, but unintentionally provided me with a direction in which to search. For you see, unlike the previous two, I let her go. I do have my honor to think about after all. She opted to return to her base and sleep it off apparently, and in doing so, provided me with what I stated prior."
>Fistpalm. "Ah yes, it slipped my mind, young man, but I never asked your name."
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I think Pride's actually the most dangerous and Greed was the weaker one who was good at talking, right?
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>"Mostly. Wrath and Greed are the more dangerous of the seven apparently, due to their power having been augmented by being released before their time. Even Envy, Sloth, and Gluttony fell prey to such things, being weaker than they usually would. There's also Lust and Pride. Personally speaking though, I'd be careful if it is Lust, I have it from Sloth herself that she is a rather...'active' one, if you understand my meaning. That extends to anyone who becomes possessed by her as well. Pride is apparently insufferably arrogant. And Wrath? The less said about it the better, even someone like myself, who enjoys a good fight every now and again, would find themselves hard-pressed against it."
>"Of the seven though, only five remain in fighting order. Envy and Gluttony sealed themselves in gems. Envy, by accident, due to attempting to escape while in a binding circle. Gluttony presumably sealed itself to go dormant until such a time as it could procure food for it's insatiable hunger. Sloth, I had the fortune of facing personally, much as with Envy before her. Although, she was a far more amicable one than the prior Sins, and is the one who provided me with not only information on the other Sins, but unintentionally provided me with a direction in which to search. For you see, unlike the previous two, I let her go. I do have my honor to think about after all. She opted to return to her base and sleep it off apparently, and in doing so, provided me with what I stated prior."
>"And they held themselves to the spellcard rules laid down by the Hakurei, or did you have to resort to older methods to battle them?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah yes, it slipped my mind, young man, but I never asked your name."
>"Ayeah, forgot that myself." the young man remarks, rubbing the back of his head with his left hand. "Musta slipped my mind in all the goin's on." With a friendly grin, he sticks out his right hand to you. "I'm Koryu. Koryu Daidouji."
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(Sour, I had a feelin' it was gonna be him! XD)
>"Spellcard, as per usual for Gensokyo. Though, ever since the Endless Festivals Incident, people have been blending the two every so often, which is rather nice. The full-contact thrill of the Old Ways, with the non-lethality of the Spellcard Laws."
>Shake the his hand. "Well, I suppose you already know who I am."
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(Sour, I had a feelin' it was gonna be him! XD)
>"Spellcard, as per usual for Gensokyo. Though, ever since the Endless Festivals Incident, people have been blending the two every so often, which is rather nice. The full-contact thrill of the Old Ways, with the non-lethality of the Spellcard Laws."
>Shake the his hand. "Well, I suppose you already know who I am."
He grew on me so much I couldn't NOT use him somewhere outside OtB. :P
>Baraki nods. "So long as I don't have to do any serious damage to someone that doesn't deserve it, if I don't have to." The bear growls as the raven takes off and flies up into the trees. "Yes, that too."
>"I'd like to think I know most of the big names in Gensokyo." he says proudly. "Well.... 'least I WILL, one day."
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Who is he?
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(I figured as much.)
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, there's one thing I've noted. Defeating someone who's possessed generally forces the Sin Spirit out. You just need to be mindful that you don't get possessed in the doing yourself. Due to being a Vampire, I have no such worries about being hoisted by my own petard like that, but others are a different matter entirely."
>Smirk. "At any rate, keep safe would you? I'd hate to have to beat a Sin Spirit out of you dear, they tend to be almost as strong as the host, if not stronger."
>"Well, I'll leave this in your hands, Guardian. Kouryu and myself will make for the Kappa Outpost."
Also, I'm considering Wrath as one of the more dangerous due to the Berserk nature it most likely holds. Think EVA-01.
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Who is he?
Kohaku's brother, from Sonae's RP.
>Chuckle a bit. "Well, there's one thing I've noted. Defeating someone who's possessed generally forces the Sin Spirit out. You just need to be mindful that you don't get possessed in the doing yourself. Due to being a Vampire, I have no such worries about being hoisted by my own petard like that, but others are a different matter entirely."
>Smirk. "At any rate, keep safe would you? I'd hate to have to beat a Sin Spirit out of you dear, they tend to be almost as strong as the host, if not stronger."
>"Well, I'll leave this in your hands, Guardian. Kouryu and myself will make for the Kappa Outpost."
>"I understand. But you don't need to worry too much about me. The forest and I are well prepared for hostile spirits."
>The grove guardian gives you a polite nod. "And you look after yourselves, as well, Scarlet Devil. Daidouji."
>Koryu grins at her. "Working with a vampire, I got no worries."
>The Guardian nods again, and jerks her head backwards to her bear. "Let's go." she says as she turns and starts to walk off. The bear, however, does not move. It seems to be giving you and Koryu the eye. Well, insomuch as a bear is capable of. The Guardian halts and turns to look at her ursine companion. "What's the matter?" The bear growls, which makes the freckled woman look rather surprised. "What??" The bear growls again. "Are you serious?" The bear 'whuffs' out a growl, making Baraki cross her arms. "Your sense of humor is weird, even for a bear, and you know it."
>After one more growl from the brown bear, Baraki sighs and looks at you with a somewhat helpless expression on her face. "I don't suppose you have some special affinity for animals beyond the ones vampires normally do, do you?"
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>Do we?
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>Do we?
>Not really. Animal affinity does vary from vampire to vampire. You yourself, for instance, are partial to bats, and they to you. But you've never known of any vampire who had an affinity for bears. Well, living bears, anyway.
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>Raise an eyebrow. "Not beyond the normal, I myself have an affinity with bats. I never really heard of a Vampire with an affinity for bears. Well, living bears at least. Why do you ask?"
>Flandre has the same affinity for animals as us, correct? Or has her damaged psyche been an obstacle with that?
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>Flandre has the same affinity for animals as us, correct? Or has her damaged psyche been an obstacle with that?
>Flandre loves animals. And being around them seems to help keep her stable. Helps her be 'normal', the bright, loving cheerful girl she was supposed to be. But it never lasts. Nothing ever lasts...
>If anything, she had an affinity for cats and dogs, which is indeed atypical for vampires. And she has a special affinity for stuffed animals of a number of types. Sadly, those tend to last much longer than the flesh and blood variety...
>Raise an eyebrow. "Not beyond the normal, I myself have an affinity with bats. I never really heard of a Vampire with an affinity for bears. Well, living bears at least. Why do you ask?"
>She sighs again, then points her staff faintly in the bears' direction. "Because she likes you. Well, to be more precise, she finds you interesting. Both of you." She adds, including Koryu in her look. The bear growls a small, simple sound, and Baraki continues, "I'm really not sure why, but she wants to go with you."
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>Perhaps we should get her a cat-ear headband, a nice little accessory to wear when she's in a catty mood. That'll have to come after she's cured though.
>Chuckle a little. "Well, I have no arguments about that. If she wants to, then so be it. Hopefully the kappa won't find it too frightening to have both a bear and a vampire at their doorstep."
>A bear joins the party, this has been quite an interesting night, hasn't it? We'll have to remember to keep a journal of this, to record it for Flan's benefit later on. She'll certainly want to know more about this adventure when all's said and done.
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>Perhaps we should get her a cat-ear headband, a nice little accessory to wear when she's in a catty mood. That'll have to come after she's cured though.
>Chuckle a little. "Well, I have no arguments about that. If she wants to, then so be it. Hopefully the kappa won't find it too frightening to have both a bear and a vampire at their doorstep."
>A bear joins the party, this has been quite an interesting night, hasn't it? We'll have to remember to keep a journal of this, to record it for Flan's benefit later on. She'll certainly want to know more about this adventure when all's said and done.
>You make a note to acquire the means for Flan to go nekomimi-mode. One day.
>Koryu, however, curls up his lip in a gesture of uncertainty. "Look, Baraki, I got nothin' against bears, but, well, it's just, I can fly. And obviously Remilia here can, too, so... How's she plannin' on keeping up with us? Sunup'll be-GAH!" the young man screams as the bear, in answer to his question, lifts off the ground. And floats there, giving him a look. You're not sure how, but you swear the bear is grinning at him.
>Baraki joins the bear in her grin, the humans much more obvious. "I may not have have mentioned, but, she happens-"
>"A youkai?" Koryu interrupts her. He seems... gobsmacked, is the term you would use. "An animal youkai?" The bear grunts, and Baraki opens her mouth to say something, but she doesn't get the chance to get more than half a syllable into it before Koryu belts out, "Cool!" He promptly takes off and flies over to the bear, flying around her like a teenager running around his new ferrari. Now it's Baraki's turn to look stunned, before it turns into a soft smile.
>A youkai bear, no less! You'll definitely have quite the story to tell Flandre when you get home again. And it ain't over yet.
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>Let's have a laugh! "This will certainly be something to write about later!"
>Smirk. "Well, shall we be off then? Until next we meet, Guardian."
>We may as well get going to the kappa outpost that Baraki mentioned, while we still have night to do it in.
>What's next, a Nurikabe? A Gasha-dokuro? Who knows what will appear next, to be either an ally or an obstacle!
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>Let's have a laugh! "This will certainly be something to write about later!"
>Smirk. "Well, shall we be off then? Until next we meet, Guardian."
>What's next, a Nurikabe? A Gasha-dokuro? Who knows what will appear next, to be either an ally or an obstacle!
>"I'll say!" Koryu agrees enthusiastically, stopping his flight in front of the bear. "Do you have a name?"
>Baraki walks a bit closer to them. "She can't speak in human tongues. But if she has something to say, she can make herself understood."
>"I believe it." Koryu replies with a nod, stretching out his hand slowly towards the bear's head. The bear does not seem to object, and Koryu lays his hand upon the large ursine's cranium. Baraki smiles again.
>Your call attracts Koryu's attention back to you. "Oh yeah, the Kappa. Right, sorry." He grins at you and then the bear. "Got caught up, didn't I." The bear makes a sneezing sound. Koryu chuckles, and then gives the bear a serious look. "I know I can count on you if push comes to shove."
>We may as well get going to the kappa outpost that Baraki mentioned, while we still have night to do it in.
>Bidding farewell to the Guardian Baraki, who salutes you with her staff, she turns and walks towards the east, while Koryu and the bear float back down the ground and walk out from under the trees, joining you. The three of you take off into the sky, and start to head southeast.
>As you pass over the trees, however, that uncomfortable sensation you felt before returns. Stronger now than it was when you were simply close to the trees.
>The time is now 1:21 AM.
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>Try not to shudder. There'll be time for that after we get past the trees.
>So for now, let's keep moving!
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>Try not to shudder. There'll be time for that after we get past the trees.
>So for now, let's keep moving!
>Deciding to tough it out, you keep pressing straightforward the way Baraki directed.
>The feeling persists, though, and intensifies as you continue to pass over the trees. You start to feel sickened, and weakened as well. It feels almost like a ward of some sort.
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>Let's float over to Kouryu. "Ugh...There must be a ward...We'll have to circumvent most of the grove if it will be like this."
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>Let's float over to Kouryu. "Ugh...There must be a ward...We'll have to circumvent most of the grove if it will be like this."
>He and the bear had been trailing behind you, so you reverse and bring him up to speed.
>"I don't feel anything." He looks around below him. "Maybe it's a vampire thing." He points to your left, the shortest distance to the treeline. "It shouldn't take us too long to fly around the long way."
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>Nod. "Then we'll use that route."
>Let's go and simply skirt the forest's edge instead.
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>Nod. "Then we'll use that route."
>Let's go and simply skirt the forest's edge instead.
>Flying around the forest will add a little to your flying time, but it's far preferable to continuing on the straight path. So you decide to heed the young man's advice and fly out from over the trees.
>You start to feel better as you get closer to the forest's edge, and better still when you clear the green airspace. But you still feel slightly nauseated and weakened, and a touch light-headed.
>"You all right?" Koryu asks as you pause for a moment to catch your breath.
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>"I shall recover soon enough...Just a little lightheaded."
>Are these the same symptoms we suffer when we haven't had blood in a while?
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>"I shall recover soon enough...Just a little lightheaded."
>Are these the same symptoms we suffer when we haven't had blood in a while?
>Koryu glances back at the grove beneath you, then looks at the bear. "Is the forest protected from vampires, or something?" The bear's head goes up and down in an ursine nod. "But why?" The bear has no answer to that one.
>Not entirely the same. Lack of blood tends to evoke a more... primal response from vampires, and you yourself are no exception to this, if you're honest with yourself. Although there is a sense of physical weakness caused by lack of blood that is not entirely dissimilar to this.
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>"I suspect it must be due to that 'Blighter' thing she mentioned. Well, I have no real desire to go after anything like that myself, though I can't say the same for the Countess. Though I am interested in at least what it could be. An artifact? A weapon? Another person? Nobody knows but those of the forest."
>How much is in our little vial of prepared blood?
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>"I suspect it must be due to that 'Blighter' thing she mentioned. Well, I have no real desire to go after anything like that myself, though I can't say the same for the Countess. Though I am interested in at least what it could be. An artifact? A weapon? Another person? Nobody knows but those of the forest."
>How much is in our little vial of prepared blood?
>"And you ain't sayin', are you, girl?" Koryu asks the bear, whose head waves side to side in a negative answer. Koryu merely shrugs. "Maybe I can find out myself, after this Countess thing is all settled up."
>Enough to make about half a meal. It's more of an emergency supply than a meal supplement.
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>"Well, hopefully I won't be in this state for the confrontation. That would be a rather irksome matter. Let's move on. And this time, we'll go around the Warded Grove."
>Let's get going to the outpost at the best speed we can muster.
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>"Well, hopefully I won't be in this state for the confrontation. That would be a rather irksome matter. Let's move on. And this time, we'll go around the Warded Grove."
>Let's get going to the outpost at the best speed we can muster.
>Giving yourself a few more feet of space between you and the grove, you set off again, heading south for now, until you pass the grove, and then planning to turn southeast towards the kappa village. Fortunately, your speed doesn't seem to be hampered much, if at all. You'll be clear-headed and iron-stomached again in a matter of time, you tell yourself.
>Koryu and the bear tuck in behind you as you set off, Koryu's face a mix of curiosity and concern. "Do you need fresh blood?" he asks you.
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>"I should be fine, having any more would make me bloated either way. Hopefully I'll recover by the time we reach the village."
>Let's roll.
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>"I should be fine, having any more would make me bloated either way. Hopefully I'll recover by the time we reach the village."
>Let's roll.
>"All right." Koryu replies. "Just ask if you need."
>You continue on your way south. It takes about 15 minutes or so flying time to reach the tip of the trees, allowing you and your motley companions to finally turn towards the southeast.
>It doesn't take long for you to catch sight of the Kappa village, as there are several lights coming from the village, including a large concentration in what you would guess is the center of town. And a peculiar floral scent on the breeze, mixed with some kind of smokey smell.
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>"Well, that's a rather odd smell. I'll change into my bat form, and let you do the talking when we land. I've already encountered one Kappa who was put off by my presence. These will likely be no different."
>That being said, change to bat form and land in the village with the others, taking a perch on Kouryu's shoulder when we do.
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>"Well, that's a rather odd smell. I'll change into my bat form, and let you do the talking when we land. I've already encountered one Kappa who was put off by my presence. These will likely be no different."
>That being said, change to bat form and land in the village with the others, taking a perch on Kouryu's shoulder when we do.
>Koryu sniffs the air. "I don't smell anything." The bear also has a whiff, and sneezes. Koryu chuckles wryly. "Yeah. Human nose."
>The young man nods. "If you say so. I've met a few kappa, and most of them were pretty shy around me. Still, I suppose shy might be better than 'put off'. I'll do what I can." He glances at the bear again as you transform. "You might be a bit hard to explain, though." The bear grunts, and thrusts her head backwards, towards her back. Koryu blinks. "Are you saying you... You want me to RIDE you into that village?" The bear nods. "But.... you're a youk-" The bear cuts him off with a sharp growl.
>You feel a twinge of annoyance. The human's protests are costing you valuable time. The night's not going to last forever.
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>"They won't know that unless they see her land. Now if you please, let's not waste any more time." Let's shift to bat form and land with them.
>We should be careful that another Sin Spirit isn't here. Is the twinge of annoyance normal-feeling? Or does it feel as if it's from an outside force, like with Envy?
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>"They won't know that unless they see her land. Now if you please, let's not waste any more time." Let's shift to bat form and land with them.
>We should be careful that another Sin Spirit isn't here. Is the twinge of annoyance normal-feeling? Or does it feel as if it's from an outside force, like with Envy?
>A burst of air rushes out of the bear's nostrils. She seems to share your impatience.
>The young man sighs. "All right, all right." he says somewhat irritatedly. The three of you descend to the outskirts of the village, then, and Koryu mounts the bear, looking a bit uncomfortable up there.
>It didn't feel entirely out of place. The lad's principals or morals or whatever were slowing you down. Plus that flowery smell is tickling your nose, and is vexingly evading your attempts to identify it. It's only natural to be a bit annoyed.
>The bear shuffles forwards. The village is more than just an outpost, it's a fair sized place. Not as big as the human village, but easily big enough to accommodate a couple hundred kappa or more. It is built on the river itself, with what seems from the air to be a dam built across it, connecting the buildings on one side of the river to the ones on the other.
>As the bear shuffles through the bare streets, the young man cocks a hand to his ear in order to hear what you already can: the sound of a crowd, mulling about, coming from the center of town. Human hearing is so pathetic compared to yours. And that damned flower smell's getting worse, although at least you can place the smoky bit now. Someone is barbequing up ahead. Meat and fish, by the scent of it.
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>Whisper a bit; "Well, let's head to the gathering then. Perhaps we'll find out what that flower scent is as well."
>Let's chill as we go along for the ride.
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>Whisper a bit; "Well, let's head to the gathering then. Perhaps we'll find out what that flower scent is as well."
>Let's chill as we go along for the ride.
>Koryu nods, while the bear merely plods forward. She pauses but once, passing down a small alley between two larger buildings, growling once, an irritated sound, and shaking her paw before continuing.
>Very few of the houses along the way have lit windows. Only two, in fact. Rest of town must be either in bed or gathered in the center of town. One of those lights, however, produces the sound of an argument from within. A petty sounding thing, but loud enough to annoy you. They'd probably be useless to you, so you direct the bear to pass them by.
>The bear growls in response, an annoyed sound. Uppidy little youkai...
>"Not so loud, will ya?" Koryu snaps at the bear. "I don't want to announce a bear walking through a kappa town sooner than I have to." The bear snarls sharply and snaps her teeth shut, telling quite clearly what she thought about Koryu's tone.
>Even the general tone from the crowd ahead seems more hostile than not.
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>Hmm..Perhaps Wrath is already here. "Take our ursine friend and find a little spot to stay out of sight while I look in on the gathering up ahead. I suspect we may have found the influence of another Sin Spirit."
>Come to think of it, there heve been more Vampires of late. Ourself, the Scarlet Devil. And then this Cobalt Countess. What's next, a Green Duchess? A Yellow King?
>Well, that last one could be rather bad news. Given that there was a book lying around the Library that mentioned something similar.
>At any rate, let's take a moment to steel ourselves and center our mind before doing a flyby over the gathering to inspect it.
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>Hmm..Perhaps Wrath is already here. "Take our ursine friend and find a little spot to stay out of sight while I look in on the gathering up ahead. I suspect we may have found the influence of another Sin Spirit."
>Come to think of it, there heve been more Vampires of late. Ourself, the Scarlet Devil. And then this Cobalt Countess. What's next, a Green Duchess? A Yellow King?
>Well, that last one could be rather bad news. Given that there was a book lying around the Library that mentioned something similar.
>At any rate, let's take a moment to steel ourselves and center our mind before doing a flyby over the gathering to inspect it.
>"Screw that." Koryu interrupts you before you can tell him of your theory.
>Sin Spirit or no, you hate being interrupted. Nobody interrupts the Scarlet Devil.
>"I didn't fly all this way to hide in an alley." Koryu continues. The bear growls, seemingly in agreement. But the young man's faint scowl fades slightly, looking a little confused. "Why did I...." He shakes his head and presses a hand to the side of his head. "Why am I so... so angry..." His voice is more of a snarl at the end of his sentance. He then looks up at the sky, anger plain on his face. "And where is that damned SMELL coming from?!"
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>"You should fall back. This is likely Wrath's influence. I expect that I am far more able to resist it than you two."
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>"You should fall back. This is likely Wrath's influence. I expect that I am far more able to resist it than you two."
>"And what makes you so sure of that?" Koryu growls. Then he places his hand to his head again. "Agh, this isn't right..."
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>"You're showing the effects. I am not."
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>"You're showing the effects. I am not."
>The young man glares at you out of the corner of his eye. "So you're feeling it, too? This growing sense of rage in the back of your skull?"
>The bear snarls, an angry sound. "Yeah, I know. It's only natural that it'd affect you, too." Koryu says to the bear youkai.
>"So what Sin is this? The sin of rage?"
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>"Yes, Wrath."
>"Please, stay back. It's likely the effect will be stronger closer to its source. If you're having this much difficulty now, you may well lose control upon confronting Wrath."
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>"Yes, Wrath."
>"Please, stay back. It's likely the effect will be stronger closer to its source. If you're having this much difficulty now, you may well lose control upon confronting Wrath."
>"And what makes you so sure you can do any better?"
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>"For one, I've had years of practice. And for two, it seems that Sin Spirits can't affect Vampires so much. So please, I'll handle this. I can't be letting you get in too much danger before I take you to see Patche when all this is over and done with after all."
>Screw being in bat form then, time to return to normal, with 80% Aura Power.
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>"For one, I've had years of practice. And for two, it seems that Sin Spirits can't affect Vampires so much. So please, I'll handle this. I can't be letting you get in too much danger before I take you to see Patche when all this is over and done with after all."
>Screw being in bat form then, time to return to normal, with 80% Aura Power.
>As you transform, the bear turns around in place, growling menacingly at you. It seems the ursine youkai takes your display of power as a challenge to her own.
>Koryu, however, visibly keeps himself in check, and takes a long breath, then another. "Don't underestimate me, Scarlet." he says at last, his voice telling of the effort he's putting forth. "I'm not just another helpless human. I've fought youkai before, and won. I'm not about to let myself be beaten by some angry ghost."
>The human's brave, but his courage is only serving as another delay. You're getting very angry with him. And who does this bear think she is, bearing her fangs to you? You're a vampire, Remilia Scarlet! And she? A beast of a youkai, without even a human form. She should be put in her place. They both should.
>"But... You are stronger than me." Koryu continues. "You're a vampire, you're stronger than me, that's.... That's just a fact. But that... doesn't mean there's nothing I can do. If I can figure out how this Wrath spirit is affecting us all, I might be able to reverse it."
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>Keep it cool there, we let it get to us, and they win.
>"Well, I'm not underestimating you, I'm speaking from experience. So keep somewhere safe until you do figure it out. Besides, our little friend here isn't faring as well as we are, And the longer we sit here, the stronger the effects will be. It might be via this irksome scent, so if you can find the source, destroy it."
>We should be able to seal away our sense of smell for the time being, yes? Surely a vampire of our caliber can do just that.
>If so, let's do that and make for the gathering, steadily increasing our Aura Power to 100%.
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>Keep it cool there, we let it get to us, and they win.
>"Well, I'm not underestimating you, I'm speaking from experience. So keep somewhere safe until you do figure it out. Besides, our little friend here isn't faring as well as we are, And the longer we sit here, the stronger the effects will be. It might be via this irksome scent, so if you can find the source, destroy it."
>You take a moment to try and calm yourself. This is actually easier said than done. You can practically feel the anger boiling in the pit of your stomach. And your nose.
>"Then get going." Koryu advises us. "We all want answers." He pats the snarling bear on her neck. "I can keep her in check for as long as I can keep myself in line." He then looks you in the air, his eyes alight with a fierce determination to match the anger on his face. "You find the source and wreck it. You wreck it GOOD. And I'll try to purge it from us all." He glances down the street behind him, towards the well-lit area. "And watch your backside. If the Kappa are affected, too, they might take a few potshots at you."
>We should be able to seal away our sense of smell for the time being, yes? Surely a vampire of our caliber can do just that.
>If so, let's do that and make for the gathering, steadily increasing our Aura Power to 100%.
>'Seal away'? Not exactly. The best method you have available to you for blocking your sense of smell would be the simple, undignified method of holding your nose shut.
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>Nod. "Alright. Here's hoping this works."
>By 'seal away', I meant the possibility of temporarily disabling it.
>Wait...Let's try the Smellingsalts we got from Reisen, another, stronger scent may be able to purge the effects.
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Crap, it's post #1000. We missed the opportunity to say something silly. :(
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>Nod. "Alright. Here's hoping this works."
>By 'seal away', I meant the possibility of temporarily disabling it.
>Wait...Let's try the Smellingsalts we got from Reisen, another, stronger scent may be able to purge the effects.
>You fish the bottle out of your pocket and pop the lid, waving it under your nose. A thick pinkish cloud envelops your nose, and you feel very warm all of a sudden. Looking at the bottle, you see the label reads "Fun-Fun Honeymoon Night Gas". You swoon as your world turns pink, and you swear you can hear Tewi laughing.
Crap, it's post #1000. We missed the opportunity to say something silly. :(
Sourfang never forgets.