Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Fightest on February 08, 2013, 12:59:16 PM
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(http://i.imgur.com/w8mEoub.png)
Aichi, picture by Stuffman
> It is a vision clear as the water of a mountain spring. A sword, its straight, two-edged blade five-and-a-quarter handspans long, three fingers wide, tapering to the tip. The blade is of a shining, iridescent metal unseen across Creation. Its guard is of polished oristeel, engraved with imagery of a faceless hero fighting a vast serpent. The handle is tightly wrapped with black silk, set with silver pins, each one finely patterned. The tassel at the end is of a beautiful scarlet thread, woven into a complicated charm pattern to repel evil and misfortune.
> You reach out to grab it for you know that it is yours to take, but are always too slow. It is the same today, as the first rays of the morning sun dispel the dream before you can grasp the sword.
> You are Aichi, one of the two only students of Youki Konpaku.
> You have overslept.
> It is not like you, but young girls are allowed some selfishness on a day as important as this. You certainly had trouble getting to sleep last night, as you talked and talked with your best friend about the future.
> Still, your Master only has so much patience.
> You rouse yourself from the simple straw bed and take a quick morning wash in the cool stream behind the hut. The crisp mountain air quickly takes away any hint of drowziness you might have had. Then you dress in loose training garb and rush to the clearing a few hundred steps up the path.
> Youmu is already waiting for you, sitting patiently on the ground. She gets up as you approach.
> "We still have time," she says. "One last one?"
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> "Sure."
> How long have we been training under Youki?
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> "Sure."
> How long have we been training under Youki?
> You have been under Youki's care and tutelage for as long as you can remember. You do not know your parents, nor your hometown.
> You grab a practice sword out of the rack and give it a few swings. It fits perfectly to your style.
> ...
> Was Aichi's style:
> Fast and loose, motion neverending, her sword winding like a snake, rapidly darting and biting?
> Paced and measured, a study in tactics and positioning, her motions ponderous at one moment, explosive in the other?
> Rough and cruel, its techniques designed to hurt and humiliate, the black sheep of sword styles?
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> Fast and loose
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As amusing as it would be to have Aichi be a sadistic ojousama...
I'll go with > Paced and measured. Seems to fit a written format better.
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Excise all that is unnecessary. Carve away the impurities. Cut to the deepest truth. My enemies are numerous, but they must bow to me, or all is lost. The greater good. The ends over the means. Mistakes can later be corrected, but inaction will ruin us forever.
> It was Aichi, Koishi recalls, who bore a terrifying intensity. Perhaps it was unintentional, but there was something about that girl that made Koishi's alabaster skin crawl before she was even aware such an expression existed.
This what we have for descriptions of Aichi from previous chapter.
Fast and Loose seems like it'd be easier to RP, Paced and Measured seems like it'd really shine if one had swordsmanship experience.
Though I think a sword forged from Serpent scales would fit well in Fast and Loose style. Maybe the Rough and Cruel too.
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I think that, from the previous info we do have of her, Rough and Cruel would fit better than fast and loose.. It does draw attention to her straightforward and intense nature after all.
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Never even heard of this kid~
Rough and cruel it is.
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I think that, from the previous info we do have of her, Rough and Cruel would fit better than fast and loose.. It does draw attention to her straightforward and intense nature after all.
This what we have for descriptions of Aichi from previous chapter.
Fast and Loose seems like it'd be easier to RP, Paced and Measured seems like it'd really shine if one had swordsmanship experience.
Though I think a sword forged from Serpent scales would fit well in Fast and Loose style. Maybe the Rough and Cruel too.
> You guys make some good points, so I'll change my vote to Rough and Cruel.
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> The wooden sword feels sturdy in your grip.
> Youki has never let you and Youmu spar with real weapons, so, despite your lifelong training with a proper sword, you are still more comfortable with the wooden one in a real fight.
> You shift your grip to fit both hands on the small handle and, as Youmu carefully swings to test distance
> smash your sword into hers with all the force you can muster.
> Of course, Youmu does not let go of her sword despite the strike being strong enough to scatter pine needles off the clearing, but her hands should be numb enough to slow down her parry.
> You use the opportunity to switch to a one-handed grip again and jab at her solar plexus.
> Youmu parries the blade with her left hand, grabs it and pulls you off-balance, simultaneously sweeping her sword at your feet.
> You readjust your footing and trap her blade between your foot and the ground.
> The two of you stand there for a bit, glaring at each other.
> "I'll let go when you do," says Youmu.
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>Kick or stomp Youmu's sword hilt out of her grip with our free foot, while advancing and twisting our sword (with both hands) into Youmu.
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>Kick or stomp Youmu's sword hilt out of her grip with our free foot, while advancing and twisting our sword (with both hands) into Youmu.
> You pivot on your left foot, bringing your right to also stand on Youmu's sword, forcing her to either let go or be forced to the ground.
> Nonplussed, she lets go, sets both her hands on the length of your sword, does a simple push-and-twist and handily disarms you.
> You respond by kicking up Youmu's sword from the ground into your own hands.
> Unlike you, Youmu practices with a large, two-handed sword. It feels heavy and awkward in your hands. Similarly, yours will feel weightless and fragile in Youmu's. You are at an equal disadvantage.
> Looking awkward, Youmu adopts a copy of your usual stance - right side towards the foe, feet a shoulder-width apart, sword hand at waist level, sword tip pointing at the foe's chest.
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> Youmu will probably swing with too much power for our lighter sword. Try to sidestep so she throws herself off balance, and go for a body shot.
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>What stances do we know?
>If none for the moment, adopt a defensive stance, sword held at the hilt and one at the middle, pointed 90 degrees away from both Aichi and Youmu. Attempt to counter by pushing away the lighter blade and pivoting the sword to stabbing position.
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>What stances do we know?
> Whilst you and Youmu know a variety of stances for every situation, they are not the major power behind your swordplay
> That major power is the reason why you and Youmu have never practiced with real swords, for you have learned to fight not with strikes but with concepts.
> Youmu does not strike with speed, her strikes are speed itself. She knows how to cut through indecision, and she can skewer a man's cowardice with a single motion.
> You have mastered precision, and you know how to strike at the will to fight, and to sever one's creativity.
> And these are just the tip of the mountain. If you and Youmu were to go all-out, the potential collateral damage would be incalculable.
> Youmu will probably swing with too much power for our lighter sword. Try to sidestep so she throws herself off balance, and go for a body shot.
> Youmu realises as much. With a shrug, she tosses aside the sword, leaps at you and tackles you to the ground while you are still figuring out the longsword's weight.
> This is pretty much how every sparring session ends.
> The two of you roll on the ground, attempting entirely ineffectual holds, your laughter echoing around the clearing.
> At some point, you catch sight of Youki's sandaled feet.
Fightest's note: trying out a different combat mechanic.
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> You pan upwards to see Youki's mostly unamused face. His stern expression is marred by the hint of a smile. You unentangle yourself from Youmu and the two of you sit at attention before him.
> "A girl comes of age only once in her life," Youki says, "and I am very proud of the strong young lady that you have become, Aichi. It is only right that the task I bestow upon you is as important as this day."
> Youki pulls out a letter from his sleeve, sealed with Youki's crest - five cherry petals arranged in a radial pattern.
> "Take this letter to the Lady of House Saigyouji. It is an introductory note and proof of your identity - don't lose it!"
> Youki shakes his index finger at you for emphasis.
> "The Lady Saigyouji has promised to me to hand over to you an artifact that is rightfully yours by all accounts - your mother's sword. I regret not being able to give you the sword myself, my search for it took far longer than I had expected."
> Youki looks at Youmu. She nods back at him.
> "In exchange, Youmu has been contracted to serve the Lady Saigyouji as a bodyguard for a year and a day. This will be good training for you, Youmu, and I trust you to do both me and the Lady proud."
> Youki looks back at you.
> "Once you have received the sword, Aichi, you have the freedom to do as you wish. Your skill with the sword is unparalleled, your manner is proper, and your bearing is proud. There is nowhere on Creation that you cannot go."
> He smiles and puts a hand on your shoulder.
> "Although you would make an old man happy if you came to see him one last time before you set off on a grand adventure. Now, do you need to ask anything before you set off?"
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> Do we know who to get to our destination?
> If not, ask.
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> That major power is the reason why you and Youmu have never practiced with real swords, for you have learned to fight not with strikes but with concepts.
Fuckin' rad. I've always enjoyed this sort of samurai mysticism.
> "What's the Lady Saigyouji like?"
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> Do we know who to get to our destination?
> If not, ask.
> "I would not send you on a difficult journey on your first time down from the mountain," Youki says. "It is about two weeks' walk south along the river. There are many towns and villages on the way, so you will never need for food or lodgings."
> "What's the Lady Saigyouji like?"
> "She struck me as a typical airheaded noble. Well-meaning, mind you, with a heart of gold. Just not the sharpest knife on the rack." Youki chuckles.
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Unless you guys have any other questions:
> Pack up and get going.
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> Youki gives you and Youmu his blessing. You know he will probably have incense burning for good fortune for the entire day.
> Soon the two of you are well on your way, the early morning sun's rays occasionally breaking through the trees. It is a rarely-used mountain path that you are following, but you have no issue keeping your footing. You do not talk much - you and Youmu are as comfortable in each other's silence as you are in conversation, and it is better to use your focus to make sure you do not get lost so early on your journey.
> It is just past midday when you reach the foot of the mountain, and soon you find the road that follows the nearby river downstream. It is a picturesque walk as you start to leave the foothills into the plains, which stretch out around you for miles and miles. The sun shines brightly, and the air is fresh.
> ...
> A few hours pass. You have found a slower-flowing part of the river, perfect for a dip and a wash to freshen you up for the last leg of today's trip that will take you to the nearest village.
> The water surface sometimes sparkles as the sun glints off the scales of freshwater fish that swim to the surface to catch bugs. The fish pay you and Youmu no heed, and sometimes lazily circle around you.
> As if determined to spoil the day's peace, some unsavoury-looking individuals appear at the water's edge - a group of four or so hoodlums, three men and a woman, with assorted bladed and blunt weapons of distressingly poor quality.
> "Stay where you are, ladies," one of them says, his voice somewhat muffled by the rag covering his nose and mouth, "and there'll be no trouble."
> They are no doubt after your possessions that you have laid out on the shore.
> Youmu looks at you expectantly.
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>Are we standing? If not, then stand up and fix them with a stare that should put some nice fear into them.
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>Are we standing? If not, then stand up and fix them with a stare that should put some nice fear into them.
> You're standing already, the river is about waist to chest deep, depending on how the silt has accumulated.
> That doesn't mean you can't level a stare at the bandits. They flinch back visibly.
> "Don't you get any funny ideas!" says the first one. He then turns to his gang.
> "Look through their things, take anything what looks valuable!"
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>What sort of weaponry do we have with us, or do we feel confident enough to take them on unarmed?
>While we're at it, intensify the stare to the point that they'll probably feel they're being stared down by death itself.
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>What sort of weaponry do we have with us, or do we feel confident enough to take them on unarmed?
>While we're at it, intensify the stare to the point that they'll probably feel they're being stared down by death itself.
> You're naked, but, against these clowns, anything within reach can be a weapon - a reed by the waterside, a branch bobbing in the stream, a fish that you can easily snatch out of the water.
> "Uh, boss, they don't seem too scared," says one of the bandits.
> "Shut up!" says the boss.
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>Let's crack our knuckles a few times. "I strongly suggest you take heed of your underling's words. I can't be held responsible for the consequences of any...Ah, 'stupidity' on your part."
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>Let's crack our knuckles a few times. "I strongly suggest you take heed of your underling's words. I can't be held responsible for the consequences of any...Ah, 'stupidity' on your part."
Not crass enough. We picked the Rough and Cruel style, let's make Aichi a yakuza.
"If you think I'm bluffing, come over here and I'll break you in half, you piece of trash."
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Be sure to state your intent clearly, guys. Aichi can as much send the bandits scattering as provoke them into a fight. Both are cool with me, but I need to know what you want.
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I think it's pretty much up to them. If they run away, it means they're cowards and they're nothing to worry about. If they attack, it means they're dangerous and they need to be punished (or killed).
Actually, forgive me for not reading the last installment, but to get me up to speed: are we in Gensokyo, or at least the land that becomes Gensokyo? Are spellcard rules in effect (not that they really matter in this situation...)? How do we feel about killing in general?
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I think it's pretty much up to them. If they run away, it means they're cowards and they're nothing to worry about. If they attack, it means they're dangerous and they need to be punished (or killed).
> Whether they run away or attack you is perhaps a question secondary to whether they will do so after rifling their greasy mitts through your belongings, which is exactly what one of them is about to do.
> "Not judging you, Aichi," says Youmu airily, "not judging you at all."
Actually, forgive me for not reading the last installment, but to get me up to speed: are we in Gensokyo, or at least the land that becomes Gensokyo? Are spellcard rules in effect (not that they really matter in this situation...)? How do we feel about killing in general?
Take everything at face value, I have been trying to avoid continuity bloat, and, as such, rules and conceits are introduced anew every time. Each installment of Legend of Hieda is its own independent entity. To answer your questions: yes, this land will eventually become Gensokyo, and this conceit is currently mostly used to allow familiar characters to exist in a much grander setting. Spellcards have never been heard of at the moment. The tone has mostly been high adventure and legendary deeds, so explicitly killing a dude is perhaps not entirely appropriate.
[edit] Please use a chevron (>) for command input to the parser. It is very important to separate parser voice from author voice in this story, as the parser does not always use the author's voice.
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> Let's begin stalking towards them with an intimidating look.
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Okay, got it.
Time for some shock and awe!
> Leap out of the water, apply divekick to the face of the bandit nearest to possessions. Roar like a murderous animal while doing so.
(I am assuming we can jump ten stories in the air like a typical anime character. Forgive me if I am mistaken.)
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> Leap out of the water, apply divekick to the face of the bandit nearest to possessions. Roar like a murderous animal while doing so.
> A spray of water rises metres into the air as you leap clean of the river, somersault to bring your right foot up, over, to axe down onto the hapless bandit. He drops like a sack of potatoes.
> Let's begin stalking towards them with an intimidating look.
> It is comical how these thugs think they can threaten you. They are brandishing their weapons now, but their defense is poor, and they do not even think to cover their consciousness, or their pride, nothing! Just their physical bodies! They must have had a poor teacher indeed.
> One rushes at you, sword raised for an overhead strike.
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> If possible, dodge out of the way and grab our sword while in transit.
> After that, apply our sword to the bandit who just tried to attack.
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>Why bother with a sword? It's better to leave their bodies intact, and crush their pride! And what better way to do it than beating them without using a weapon? After all, it's rather enjoyable to break that fragile thing called 'pride'.
>So let's just slip out of the way and backhand the fool so hard we knock him to the ground!
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> You easily sidestep the strike, but the bandit continues swinging wildly in his terror.
> You grab his blade by its inadequacy, it being no more able to cut your skin than the brush of a wheatstalk. With a little pressure, the weapon shatters.
> One more in your way. You skewer her will to fight with your gaze alone, giving you time to snatch up your sword.
> It turns out to be unnecessary. The bandit falls to her knees and starts weeping.
> This is unexpected. That trick works on animals and some lesser spirits, but on humans? Youmu was always able to deflect your gaze without much effort. It is a surprise this lot has had any success in banditry at all!
> The last one remaining runs like Heaven itself was out for his head.
> Youmu gets out of the river and starts drying off.
> "They were terrible," she says, "I would have a word with their Sifu."
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>"Pitiful. Absolutely pitiful. It's a wonder how they managed to get this far in life. Their weapons weren't very good either."
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> Youmu nods.
> "Come, let us hurry and get dressed, before any more idiots suffer lapses in judgement."
> The rest of the evening's journey is mercifully uneventful, and you reach the village as the sun has set.
> The village elder welcomes you with open arms. You know him - he comes up to the mountain every few months to share stories with Youki. They go quite a way back. You are treated like family.
> Dinner conversation briefly touches banditry, and the elder is surprised - the region is very quiet usually, without much wealth that can be easily stolen. A freak occurrence, no doubt, just a bit of bad luck.
> You share a small guest room with Youmu for the night.
> "There is no such thing as luck," mutters Youmu in the dark.
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> "Do you think we should look into this? We have nothing to fear, but the villagers don't."
As a short term solution, is there anyone who's in charge of local defense that we can inform?
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> "Do you think we should look into this? We have nothing to fear, but the villagers don't."
As a short term solution, is there anyone who's in charge of local defense that we can inform?
> "We cannot stay long, we have an appointment to keep," says Youmu, then goes enigmatically silent. She tends to do this when she has trouble deciding on a course of action.
> A village this small and quiet would not have a standing guard. If anything were to happen, the farmers themselves would form a militia.
> Maybe you can talk to the enshrined spirit and suggest that it keep a watchful eye out for troublemakers.
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Well, we already told the elder, so I guess that's all we can do on that front. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to advance to the next villages and warn them as well. We can't be everywhere at once.
> Maybe you can talk to the enshrined spirit and suggest that it keep a watchful eye out for troublemakers.
Yes! Do this. Let's get our shinto on.
> Consult with local shrine before leaving the next day.
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> Consult with local shrine before leaving the next day.
> You decide on a course of action and go to sleep.
> ...
> It is a vision clear as the water of a mountain spring. A sword, its straight, two-edged blade five-and-a-quarter handspans long, three fingers wide, tapering to the tip. The blade is of a shining, iridescent metal unseen across Creation. Its guard is of polished oristeel, engraved with imagery of a faceless hero fighting a vast serpent. The handle is tightly wrapped with black silk, set with silver pins, each one finely patterned. The tassel at the end is of a beautiful scarlet thread, woven into a complicated charm pattern to repel evil and misfortune.
> This time, you are holding the sword. It feels heavy in your hand. Strange. It looks so light. Oh, that's why.
> You are no more than six years old.
> You cannot make out the details of your surroundings, and there seem to be people around you, but they are vague shapes, no more than outlines, merely there to set the stage. The only thing you can see clearly is standing seven metres away.
> A vast tiger, as tall as a man, pacing deliberately around you.
> You hear its voice in your head. Her voice. It is no mere animal.
> Oh, but you do smell familiar.
> ...
> You wake up.
> The dream remains clear in your memory.
> You wash, dress and eat breakfast. You set out early - the shrine will be a short detour away, built in a small, pleasant grove.
> You set a few incense sticks burning and recite the correct sutras.
> The mirror set in the shrine grows opaque and a powerful female voice echoes out.
> "And here you are, Aichi of the Hieda. How you have grown up! Do not worry, those bandits will not trouble the villagers, their presence upsets the feng shui of the land. They are long gone."
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Whoa shit. Is having the shrine talk back to you something we're accustomed to?
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Whoa shit. Is having the shrine talk back to you something we're accustomed to?
> It is not unexpected. Spirits and gods are as much a part of Creation as you are, and if they have something to say, they are sure to say it.
> That said, you do not remember ever meeting the village's enshrined spirit. Perhaps it knows about you from Youki?
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> That said, you do not remember ever meeting the village's enshrined spirit. Perhaps it knows about you from Youki?
>Enquire.
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>Enquire.
> The spirit laughs joylessly. Is there a mocking streak in its tone?
> "You should be more concerned about yourself, Aichi of the Hieda. There is a curse on your shoulders, a shadow dark and terrible. You are going to be answering for transgressions that you have never committed. Steel yourself."
> Her laughter fades away as the mirror begins to reflect your face again.
> "This is inauspicious," says Youmu.
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>"...Quite."
>What could that have been about?
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>"...Quite."
>What could that have been about?
> It is not entirely unusual for spirits and small gods to issue warnings to individuals, but you have never heard of it being quite this personal before.
> You continue to try to come up with explanations as you leave the shrine and the village behind you. At least, despite the dire omens foretold by the spirit, the weather is excellent.
> The river winds on and on, and the road alongside it follows faithfully.
> A few hours after lunch you start seeing more and more travelers on the road. There appears to be some sort of roadblock ahead, where the river left its banks and washed away part of the road. It looks like a caravan of oxen is unable to pass, and a group of farmers are in heated debate on how to proceed forward.
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>Hmm...Washed away part of the road did it? Let's go have a look-see up close, and listen in on their little debate while we're at it.
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Let me guess, they're arguing about whether to ford the river, caulk their wagons, or wait to see if conditions improve. :V
> Cordially greet caravan in an attempt to lower the tension, and ask about the situation.
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> Although they might have been discussing methods of crossing at some point, now the argument has devolved into little more than petty name-calling and shifting of blame.
> It is unnatural how the river has managed to overflow here - there was no heavy rainfall to provide the sudden surge of water required.
> When you come close to the bank where the farmers argue, the water stops reflecting the brilliant blue sky to instead show the strangest scene:
> It is as if there is an opulent reception chamber beyond the riverbed, with tables decked out in finery and plentiful delights, and humanoid shapes move between the tables, dressed in elegant silks and ornamental armour.
> One of them comes into better view. She is dressed in green silks and silver armour with images of strange water creatures embossed on it. A jaunty cap covers her head.
> She bows low - to you, you realise - and in a sound of the stream's gurgle addresses you.
> "Greetings, Mistress Hieda. Your arrival was long in coming, but we are eager to see you. Our Mistress invites you to visit the Court of the Eightfold Dragon River".
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> "Youmu, are you seeing this?"
> Head on in, dumbfounded.
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> Youmu is trying to hide her reaction, but you grew up with her - both of you can read each other like an open book, and Youmu is clearly agitated.
> "We're caught up in something far too large. We should not have left."
> Your fingers brush the surface of the water, and an unpleasant sensation passes over you.
> With a speed only she can manage, Youmu lunges to pull you away, but as she touches your shoulder both of your bodies turn to water and run into the flowing river.
> ...
> You open your eyes.
> You are inside the reception hall. Colours and shapes are far clearer now than when you saw them through the river.
> You are weightless, and your hands are transparent. There is a small goldfish swimming up your left arm and out of sight into your sleeve - your clothes, at least, look as normal as before. You feel a mild tickling sensation as the fish swims around your upper body.
> Youmu floats at your left, unnerved at the transition.
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> "Well."
> Is the unpleasant sensation still around?
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> Do we sense EVIL? (We can sense evil, right?)
> If not, go with the flow. Literally, in this case. Tell Youmu to trust us.
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> "Well."
> Is the unpleasant sensation still around?
> The sensation is gone.
> Do we sense EVIL? (We can sense evil, right?)
> If not, go with the flow. Literally, in this case. Tell Youmu to trust us.
> You do not know how to observe something as deeply fundamental as evil itself, but you do know how to see the will to fight, and when such a will is directed at you. There is no such hostility in anyone around you.
> You reassure Youmu, and she nods, subtly moving to position herself to your left and a step behind, a bodyguard's position. There is now no safer place in Creation than where you are standing.
> The one who greeted you bows again, the green silks of her robes rippling gently. You notice her skin is a soft lime green.
> "Welcome, Mistress Hieda," she says, "to our Court. My name is Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River, and I am entitled to speak for our Mistress today, who regrets not being able to meet you in person on this auspicious day. Please, help yourself to our feast, and enjoy our company. There are many here who have long looked forward to meeting you."
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> "Is that so?"
> How hungry are we?
> Look around.
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> "Is that so?"
> How hungry are we?
> Look around.
> "Of course. This is a momentous occasion!"
> It is around lunchtime, and you were going to stop somewhere to eat just before you came across the roadblock.
> Everyone in the opulent reception room is trying to look casual and unforced, but it is quite clear that all attention is on you. Groups here and there are talking in hushed tones, glancing at you from time to time.
> The general tone of conversation seems to be mostly curiosity and wonder.
> In a corner, a pale woman in jet-black robes and brilliant white armor with embossed dragon motifs looks at you warily. Her white scarf, adorned with bright red frills, ripples gently behind her. There is a will to fight bubbling angrily within her.
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>Raise an intrigued eyebrow, and keep the tone of our voice at a mildly amused register. "Well, she's a interesting one."
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> "She will not be the only one, Mistress Hieda," whispers Brilliant-Castle, "there are many who want to claim the Sword."
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> "Ah, so it's about that is it?"
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> "Ah, so it's about that is it?"
> "Oh, certainly," she says, smiling eagerly, "it is going to be a great day indeed!"
> Excited whispers ripple over the congregation. Despite seeming random, the motion of courtiers and nobles across the reception room floor has cleared a space in its centre, with you right in the middle of it. Brilliant-Castle is on the edge of the circle, smiling enigmatically.
> The pale lady in jet-black steps into the circle, stopping just out of range so as not to provoke an instant strike from Youmu.
> "Aichi, daughter of the Hieda clan, daughter of Are of the Celestial Chosen, I, Black-Jade-in-the-River, hereby challenge you to a Trial of Possession," she says, her clear voice ringing out across the room. "The stakes, of course, are the sword named Gathering-Clouds-Of-Heaven. The precedent is well-known."
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Can I retroactively >To Brilliant-Castle, "Whom is mistress of these strange circumstances that we find ourselves guests of?"
>How much do we know of our own past? Family tree?
>"Forgive me, but I've lived a life bereft of such formalities. What's your grudge?"
>Examine the sword.
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Can I retroactively >To Brilliant-Castle, "Whom is mistress of these strange circumstances that we find ourselves guests of?"
> "The Mistress wishes to remain anonymous. It is a political play, I am sure you understand."
>How much do we know of our own past? Family tree?
>"Forgive me, but I've lived a life bereft of such formalities. What's your grudge?"
>Examine the sword.
> You know nothing of your family. You have lived under the care and tutelage of Youki for as long as you can remember.
> A surprised muttering rises from around the circle when you ask your question. Brilliant-Castle speaks up.
> "We have visitors from far away, honorable Messenger, such as the esteemed Captain Honey-of-the-Water from far West. One would do well to inform everyone present of the precedent you state. For clarity, of course."
> "Of course," Black-Jade mutters, frowning at Castle, then turns to you.
> "Territorial Law states that an Artifact that has laid unmoved and untouched for over fifteen years will shift the Dragon Lines to form a well of power. The ruling power of the affected territory then has claim on the Artifact. This claim can be contested by the Artifact's true rightful owner, who Aichi of the Hieda is as daughter of the Celestial Chosen Are of the Hieda. That she is even permitted to contest this claim as a mortal is proof of this Court's magnanimity and respect for Are of the Hieda's heroic deeds."
> You have never seen the sword except for in your dreams. It is still presumably safe in the hands of the Lady Saigyouji.
-
Fortunately, cutting concepts is a technique that is just as effective against celestials as it is against humans (if not moreso) :V
> Birthright aside, retrieving the sword is a task given to us by our Master. There is no way in hell we are going to let somebody take it.
> "I accept your challenge for this Trial of Possession, whatever it is."
-
> Your resolve is, of course, unshakeable. Youki taught you far better than to be browbeaten by saber-rattling and officious jargon.
> "I am glad to hear that," says Black-Jade.
> She draws her sword, a thin blade of gleaming steel five handspans long and a finger wide, its guard elaborately woven from golden wire, the handle wrapped in polished red leather. Youmu steps back to the edge of the circle.
> You can hear quiet chuckling from around the audience. You know why - the sword Black-Jade drew against you may be razor-sharp and beautifully-crafted, but you can tell by its falsehood that it is purely an ornamental blade.
> She is not even giving you the time of day.
-
> Frown a little.
> "Are you sure you want to use that blade?"
-
> Frown a little.
> "Are you sure you want to use that blade?"
> "It should be more than enough," she says, smirking.
> "Duel proceeds to first blood," says Brilliant-Castle to the congregation, "contestants may begin!"
-
Initially I was tempted to say we should just break her dumb sword and call it good, but I think it'd be better to make a reputation for ourselves and show we mean business.
> Fight seriously.
> Note that pride of hers is a pretty fat target.
-
>What are we dueling with?
>Gauge opponent while fighting.
-
>What are we dueling with?
>Gauge opponent while fighting.
> Fight seriously.
> Note that pride of hers is a pretty fat target.
> You have your Jian, a light, two-edged, one-handed sword, five-and-a-half handspans long and three fingers wide.
> Black-Jade is clearly a competent fighter, but her stance seems somewhat blurry, as if foreign combat styles have wormed their way into her technique. You're quite certain you see hints of staff-fighter and what looks like kusari-gama expertise. What is surprising is that even someone like her is not covering herself properly - her pride is wide open, her eyesight is undefended, as well as her will to fight - you can spot weaknesses in that from a mile away - and her loyalty. You are certain you would be able to find more weaknesses if you knew what to look for. The less said about her sword, the better.
> All this you see in the blink of an eye, before even Black-Jade makes her first step to lunge with her rapier.
> You are about to stop her sword with your open hand - a bloodless weapon like hers could never cut you - but instead you parry the lunge properly.
> And even in the parry you hold back - a careless motion might brush the sword's already weak sense of being a weapon and shatter it to pieces.
> She is aggressive at least, and throws out a flurry of lunges and slashes, that you gently block.
> You are not used to fighting like this, like you are the only one in the fight who is not blind. At least the audience sounds entertained, from the murmurs you hear all around.
> You pick a moment between Black-Jade's strikes, a difficult timing when she subtly adjusts the sword's weight as she pulls her arm back, and flick your sword at her face, where her pride shines brightly.
> She is quick enough that her eyes widen as the flat of your blade connects with her left cheek, and an angry welt soon forms afterwards. Anger blazes in her eyes.
-
her will to fight - you can spot weaknesses in that from a mile away - and her loyalty.
I get it. She's using the shitty sword because she doesn't want to win.
I think we have two choices:
a) help her keep up the ruse and beat her fast, to make it look like we legitimately overpowered her.
b) just come right out and ask her who told her to take the sword from us.
What do you guys think?
-
I get it. She's using the shitty sword because she doesn't want to win.
I think we have two choices:
a) help her keep up the ruse and beat her fast, to make it look like we legitimately overpowered her.
b) just come right out and ask her who told her to take the sword from us.
What do you guys think?
Aichi seems like the blunt type to me, so b) sounds pretty good.
-
Yeah, I agree.
Actually, let's kill two birds with one stone here.
> Attempt a decisive strike against her loyalty.
> Ask who sent her to challenge us.
-
Aichi : blunt
This tickles my humor; agreed with current course, but it is interesting that she was eager to fight at her introduction.
Hmm, thinking about these concepts as motivation, would it be easier to slice her loyalty by gashing her will to fight ?
-
> Attempt a decisive strike against her loyalty.
> Ask who sent her to challenge us.
> You take no heed of Black-Jade's anger and the wild attack that follows. It is a simple matter to twist, turn and let her sword's point brush along your chest without the tip ever connecting.
> You take aim just off-centre of her heart and stab.
> A shattering sound resounds throughout the reception room. It looks like Black-Jade was able to bring her sword back just in time to hit yours away, but that was the last strike the weapon would make, as it floats to the ground in pieces.
> You are now briefly Youmu.
> Brilliant-Castle has maneuvered her way through the crowd to stand next to you.
> "She is very skilled," she says quietly to you. "I daresay Jade is in trouble."
> It is quite embarrassing to watch for you, actually. Aichi is barely holding back to stop herself from cracking her opponent in half.
-
Youmu probably hasn't let go of her suspiciousness.
> Aichi has the duel under control, but what do we sense from the audience?
-
> Aichi has the duel under control, but what do we sense from the audience?
> Despite Aichi being the guest of honor, you have been getting the feeling up until now that many of the audience merely view her as a village girl to be used and thrown away. It is quite clear that plots and schemes run deep at this congregation, all centred on the handover of Aichi's Sword.
> Unfortunately, you do not have the court savvy to grasp any more than that.
-
>"What's your angle on this? Surely our host hasn't gone through the trouble of summoning Aichi and I just for a duel. Are you on our side, or scheming against us as well?"
-
>"What's your angle on this? Surely our host hasn't gone through the trouble of summoning Aichi and I just for a duel. Are you on our side, or scheming against us as well?"
> Brilliant-Castle gives you a friendly smile.
> "I am only acting in the best interests of my Mistress, nothing more. There are many who would want to take advantage of the situation, as esteemed Black-Jade has made so clear, but one has as much control over that as one does over the river's finally reaching the sea."
> She leans in to whisper at your ear.
> "Black-Jade resents having to serve here. She fell in disfavour with the Dragon Palace, and now she has to answer to the Mistress out here in the sticks. What a fall, from Divine Messenger to court lackey."
> Indeed, despite the opulent dress and educated manner of the courtiers here, Black-Jade stands a cut above the rest, that much is plain for you to see.
> "This challenge is a transparent play initiated by the Dragon Palace, no doubt," continues Castle, "our Mistress would not have a guest challenged to a duel at her own welcoming reception."
-
(http://i49.tinypic.com/oua1p4.png)
Black-Jade-in-the-River, picture by Stuffman.
-
> Frown a little.
> "A play?"
(http://i49.tinypic.com/oua1p4.png)
Black-Jade-in-the-River, picture by Stuffman.
Oh! I definitely wasn't expecting this~
Great work Stuffman!
-
> Frown a little.
> "A play?"
> "Yes, probably to put Jade in her place. Embarrass her some more. That she might acquire the Sword is a fortunate bonus, of course. Ah, I think something is happening."
> You are Aichi once again.
> Black-Jade does not answer your challenge. Incensed, she snatches her scarf that had been gently floating around her and whips around, sending the cloth streaking at you with an unnatural momentum.
> You are briefly fascinated by how the scarf's nature as a weapon was so well-concealed that you could not even see it before. You quickly parry the scarlet razor edge - this is something that could definitely cut you - and note that the leading edge of the scarf is coming around behind you. This is a fight that needs to be ended quickly, before Black-Jade's sudden advantage in reach pushes you out completely.
> You drop all defenses, focus on her will to fight, and lunge!
> It is a good, precise hit.
> The congregation gasps. Some faint. There is a scream.
> You realize a fraction too late that to them it looks like you buried your sword to the hilt in Black-Jade's neck.
> But you are no butcher. You are precise enough to deeply wound her will to fight, located in her throat chakra, without harming skin, muscle, bones or nerves. You gently slide your sword out without spilling a drop of blood.
> Black-Jade sinks to her knees.
> "I concede," she says, sending the congregation into a stunned silence.
-
> Sheathe our sword.
> Grin a little. "That was a neat thing you pulled off with your scarf."
-
>"I'm impressed. Had the fight gone on any longer, I might have actually been in a bad situation. So I can safely say that that is a rather high compliment."
-
> Black-Jade does not move, does not look at you. Shame burns within her like a torch.
> "Just go," she says.
> Before you can answer you are swept up in the crowd of courtiers who pepper you with a barrage of questions, invitations and flattery. You do not see Black-Jade again. Brilliant-Castle serves as a buffer between you and the rest of the court, so you are able to actually understand some of what is going on.
> You learn that the sword that you are to receive from the Lady Saigyouji, your mother's sword, is a very big deal in this region. It is nicknamed Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven for her last, greatest achievement - bringing a great storm to the region when it was parched in drought and defeating a great Dragon Serpent who came to challenge her.
> While many saw the event, the details are extremely hazy - most witnesses saw everything from far away as they were too afraid to approach for a closer look.
> Some time after her heroic deed - and nobody knows why, although everyone was keen to offer their interpretation - she threw into a river the sword that she forged from the scales on the Dragon's tail.
> Of course, that river was the very same one where you are now.
> A few hours pass, during which you learn that Youki has left a huge, potentially life-threatening gap in your education by omitting matters of court and proper manners in such. You note that Youmu seems slightly better-off - her calmness and reserve allow her to keep a clear head in the situation.
> Eventually the reception comes to a close, guests start to leave, and Brilliant-Castle offers to escort you out.
> "I am certain you already realise," she says, "but there are many eyes on you, Aichi of the Hieda. There are far worse attacks than strikes of a sword."
> She does not elaborate on her words, but sets the water around you whirling in swift currents. Your vision is obscured by the turbulent flow and you are caught up in the stream.
> You come to your senses on a grassy riverbank. On your right Youmu is pulling river weeds out of her hair. You are utterly soaked, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
-
>Remark in a nonchalant tone. "Well, this has been quite a day hasn't it? I can only expect it to get more interesting."
-
>Remark in a nonchalant tone. "Well, this has been quite a day hasn't it? I can only expect it to get more interesting."
> "You are my best friend, Aichi," says Youmu, "and I will stay close no matter what, but please do not invite more misfortune. It is starting to become uncanny. I am starting to think-"
> You do not hear the last part of her sentence because you're too busy being distracted by the giant tiger materializing out of thin air no more than a few feet away from you.
-
>"Tiger."
-
Same tiger from the dream?
> "I know you..."
-
>"Tiger."
> "I noticed," says Youmu, gritting her teeth.
> "I know you..."
> "Oh Heaven," says Youmu, "this one's here for you, too?"
> The tiger sniffs the air around you. She is fearsome, but not tensed to attack. It is strange that you cannot see her chakras. An apparition?
> "Ah," says the tiger, "I am getting closer. Your smell is unmistakeable, daughter of Are, and Fate winds around you tight as a hangman's noose. Some may stalk you in the shadows, but I am not so cowardly a hunter to be unbeknownst to my prey. Come, let us talk that we may know one another before our confrontation."
-
> Get into a more comfortable sitting position if we haven't already.
> "Sure."
-
> "Are you after the sword as well, or do you have some other business with me?"
-
> Get into a more comfortable sitting position if we haven't already.
> "Sure."
> "Are you after the sword as well, or do you have some other business with me?"
> The tiger sits on its haunches.
> You note that Youmu has been gradually losing her ability to keep her cool throughout the day - her face is now a kaleidoscope of emotion. She does not say a word, however, and sits to your left and a step behind.
> "Ama-no-Murakumo is a mighty weapon, but what need do I have for a sword? No, daughter of Are, I hunt you. Only your flesh and your blood can satisfy my hunger."
> A small retching sound from Youmu is almost masked by her starting to draw her sword.
-
> "There's no use in that, Youmu. This is just an image."
If the tiger wants to chat, let's pump her for info.
> Turn back to the tiger. "If you know my lineage, than what do you know of my mother?"
-
> "There's no use in that, Youmu. This is just an image."
> Youmu grumbles incoherently, but sheathes her sword.
> Turn back to the tiger. "If you know my lineage, than what do you know of my mother?"
> "I tasted Are's flesh when she was a child. I was but an animal back then, and for a while since. But then your mother did something. Something terrible and irreversible, something so fundamental that it rewrote the fabric of Fate completely and retroactively. Everything she touched, would touch and had touched became something far too great for its simple form and was given a new Karma. This I know as I would know my own mothers, child of Are, both the one that bore me and the one that created me anew."
-
>What do we know of the event the Tiger speaks of?
-
> "And do you expect to gain even greater form by eating me?"
-
>What do we know of the event the Tiger speaks of?
> Absolutely nothing. Youmu looks equally mystified.
> "And do you expect to gain even greater form by eating me?"
> "No. Such is my Karmic bond - I exist through virtue of having tasted Hieda flesh, and I must taste Hieda flesh to continue to exist."
-
>How old are you, that you have met a Hieda as a child?
-
>How old are you, that you have met a Hieda as a child?
> "I do not rightly know. I do not remember my life as an animal, but I have spent many years after my ascension in Heaven with a Chosen monk as my instructor, who told me many stories of the first deeds of the Chosen. Perhaps, then, I met Are around fifty years ago."
-
> "Fine, then. What is your name?"
-
> "Fine, then. What is your name?"
> "I am called Tiger-Patterned Shou. What is yours?"
-
> "Reimu Hakurei."
> "Hieda no Aichi. I'll be waiting for you, Tiger-Patterned Shou."
Actually, do we even know to call ourselves Hieda? Just Aichi if not.
-
> "Then you are Aichi of the Hieda. I look forward to our meeting."
> The tiger bows and vanishes as silently as she appeared.
> The sun has nearly set, and the land around you is faintly lit in the last remnants of its red glare. It is quiet, save for the gurgling of the river.
> You can feel Youmu's gaze drilling into you. She does not ask the question that has been heavily hanging in the air ever since Shou told her story.
> What was it that your mother did that now you seem to be held responsible for her actions?
> You have no convincing answers. All you can do now is look for shelter before the night comes.
> Fortunately, the Court seem to have been gracious enough to have left you close to what looks to be a moderately large town.
> It takes almost no time for you to learn that this town is actually your destination! The residence of the Lady Saigyouji should be easy to find.
-
> Well then, let's get going!
-
Let's get in some Youmu banter while we still can.
> "To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. I hoped our journey together would be a bit longer."
-
> "To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. I hoped our journey together would be a bit longer."
> "I would certainly be thrilled to see what next will come for your head beyond thugs, spirits and god-tigers," says Youmu.
> Despite her tone, you can see her smiling honestly.
> "We are inseparable, Aichi, it's a fact of life. No matter how far you may go, I am certain we will be together in spirit."
> Well then, let's get going!
> It is nearly dark by the time you reach the gates of the Saigyouji residence. It is a large mansion, surrounded by white mortar walls. Patterns on the walls depict an idyllic countryside in full spring.
> A servant lets you through the gates and into the inner courtyard after you show him your letter.
> The courtyard is spacious, but most of it is dedicated to a perfectly maintained rock garden, at the centre of which stands a vast cherry tree in full bloom. It is somewhat out of season, making the sight even more striking.
> You are led through the garden and into the residence proper, where you are instructed to wait in the opulent lobby, laid out in exotic redwoods and white marble.
> It is only a matter of minutes before you are invited to join the Lady Saigyouji for dinner. You are guided through ornate corridors, traditionally decorated with brush paintings of countrysides, battles and grand buildings. Many show the most exotic scenes of mighty warriors imbued with the powers of the gods, and the grand projects they have constructed - palaces, ships, weapons. Youki had occasionally told you of his travels towards the central sea and the Imperial Isle, and his encounters with similar wonders. Perhaps, one day, you will see them with your own eyes.
> In the dining room you finally meet the Lady Saigyouji. She is sitting at the head of a richly-set table covered in delicacies, some of which you have never even seen. She is dressed in an elaborate formal kimono, sky-blue with white accents. She has a wide, earnest smile.
> "Youmu and Aichi, students of Master Konpaku! I am very much honored to finally meet you two girls!"
> She beckons for the two of you to sit at the table.
-
>Bow politely, and then take a seat!
>"It's been quite the adventure getting here."
>While we're at it, let's appraise the various delicacies by both sight and smell.
>Come to think of it, did we ever have any preference for spicy, sweet, or sour foods?
-
>Bow politely, and then take a seat!
>"It's been quite the adventure getting here."
>While we're at it, let's appraise the various delicacies by both sight and smell.
>Come to think of it, did we ever have any preference for spicy, sweet, or sour foods?
> You and Youmu sit at the table. The variety laid out in front of you is approaching overwhelming.
> "Oh my goodness! This region is normally so very quiet. At least the weather has been nice."
> There looks to be something of everything - sweet and savoury, meats and fish and vegetables, fruits of endless variety, baked things, fried things, boiled things, raw things.
> At this point, you've no idea what of any of this you like or not.
-
>"It's a long story, but I'll agree on the weather. Fine weather to have a little swim really. Shame that those two-bit amateur bandits-that-can't-even-be-called-bandits interrupted earlier on in the day."
>Let's peruse the things that look like they'll be sweet first, with a slight smile. "But I really have to admit though, I didn't expect this much food. I almost find myself believing that you're expecting more than just Youmu and myself."
-
> The Lady Saigyouji invites you to start eating with a gesture.
> "Bandits? Oh my. I hope they merely wandered into the region. I would hate to think that they might have organised a lair somewhere."
>Let's peruse the things that look like they'll be sweet first, with a slight smile. "But I really have to admit though, I didn't expect this much food. I almost find myself believing that you're expecting more than just Youmu and myself."
> You grab a few sticky-looking things, hoping that they are so due to some form of syrup or honey. Youmu cautiously pokes at a fish.
> "Oh, no, it's the least I could do!" Saigyouji says, smiling widely, "I know Youki from a long time ago, and I have to treat any wards of his with the utmost respect!"
-
>Chuckle a bit. "I think we'll be at this for a while then, there's quite a lot of food here."
>Let's have a bite of that sticky-thing.
>>After tasting said bun, and finishing the bite we had; "I doubt they'll be much trouble, they couldn't even fight their way out of an open and empty room methinks. It's a shame really, their weapons weren't even worth the minimal effort of breaking. Such poor quality that I'll only mention them in reference to said poor quality."
-
>Chuckle a bit. "I think we'll be at this for a while then, there's quite a lot of food here."
> "Please, go ahead! I certainly wouldn't be able to finish all this by myself!"
> She laughs.
>Let's have a bite of that sticky-thing.
>>After tasting said bun, and finishing the bite we had; "I doubt they'll be much trouble, they couldn't even fight their way out of an open and empty room methinks. It's a shame really, their weapons weren't even worth the minimal effort of breaking. Such poor quality that I'll only mention them in reference to said poor quality."
> It is some sort of pastry with a somewhat bitter fruit filling. It contrasts well with the sugary syrup covering its outside.
> "Mhm, mhm."
> Saigyouji nods her head at your comments, smiling. She looks a bit blank, though, as if she does not understand anything more beyond the basics of your bandit adventure.
> "Oh, now that we're on the subject of stories, I've got one for you! It is about your mother, I believe."
-
> "Oh? I don't know much about her, so anything to fill in the gaps would be great."
-
> "Oh? I don't know much about her, so anything to fill in the gaps would be great."
> Saigyouji points to a large map on the wall to your right. It is beautifully drawn and intricately detailed, showing the entirety of Creation, from the island nations far in the West all the way to the deep jungles of the East. Something is strange about this map - it shows far more territory, nearly a third more in every compass direction than the maps Youki showed you.
> "I only know this second-hand, from some of the soldiers who fought under your mother's command. You see, there was a time when Creation was shrinking! A strange attack eroded its borders with every day, every hour. It was then that your mother, along with a group of the mightiest of the Celestial Chosen arrayed a force unlike any other against this attack. She herself led but a tiny fraction in one small territory, but her contribution was the greatest."
> "For a brief moment, she disappeared from Creation entirely, wielding unique weapons suited to combat the strange erosion. I hear that, in the place she went to, she encountered a strange being that lived on stories, played in them like a child would in a sand pit, and wielded these very stories as weapons. Your mother fought back. She learned to fight with story too, using her own past to defeat this strange enemy."
> "I do not know what happened afterwards, but the erosion was halted and, in some places, even driven back."
> Saigyouji makes a gesture to someone behind you, and a servant walks into the room, holding a lacquered box.
> "I wish to present to you the first of the artifacts that are yours by right, bequeathed by the Celestial Chosen Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender, a scientist who worked closely with your mother."
> The servant kneels down and opens the box. Inside are four ... cards? As if dozens of thin metallic strands - pure oristeel, you can tell - have been elaborately woven into flat rectangles. The strands slowly move and weave by themselves, occasionally making near-images on the card faces, but they never remain still for long enough for the images to form something recognizable.
> "The weapons your mother wielded were called Spell-Spheres, and since, I am told, they have been refined and perfected. Their workings are beyond me, I am afraid."
> A small note is affixed inside the lid of the box. It reads:
> Use these Spell-Cards when you find yourself in a story you wish to be no part of.
-
> "Whoa..."
> Carefully take the box
-
> "I think I understand, a little..."
> Attempt to examine the various concepts in the room and how the Spell-Card would interact with them.
-
> "Whoa..."
> Carefully take the box
> You take the box from the servant. It is not heavy, but you can tell the material it is made of is very expensive.
> "I think I understand, a little..."
> Attempt to examine the various concepts in the room and how the Spell-Card would interact with them.
> Despite your eye being as keen as ever, you cannot even begin to guess how to use the Spell-Cards. They certainly do not look capable of attacking the entirely grounded concepts hidden in things like people or furniture.
> If these are weapons designed to be used against a being that fights with story, you will need to learn how to identify a story and its source.
> "The main event I would like to reserve for the morning, if you do not mind," Saigyouji says, "I am getting quite tired, I am afraid. I would like to offer you bedrooms for you to spend the night."
-
>So this map shows how all of Creation used to be?
>The way Yuyuko tells it, sounds like Creation is currently growing.
>What's beyond the edge of Creation?
>Prepare for a bed that is probably way more opulent than we're used to.
-
>What's beyond the edge of Creation?
> You do not even begin to have answers for a question like this. Even this town is the furthest you've ever been away from the mountain in your entire life.
>Prepare for a bed that is probably way more opulent than we're used to.
> You do not sleep restfully. The room, the bed, the lack of trickling water and wind blowing through trees, it is all very unfamiliar. The visions of tiger stripes when you finally do manage to fall asleep do not help, either.
> As a result, you are still drowsy even after you have eaten the rich breakfast brought to you by a servant. With the breakfast came a short note, written in beautiful calligraphy, inviting you to the main reception hall of the Saigyouji residence.
> When you get to the hall, you notice that Youmu is already there, sitting at attention in front of the Lady Saigyouji, who appears to be talking to her. You catch the last scraps of what she says.
> "-a year and a day, is that right? How formal! Youki loves tradition, he's very reliable that way."
> Saigyouji looks up at your arrival.
> "Ah, Aichi! You are just on time! Please, join us."
-
> Grab a seat by Youmu.
-
Fightest's note: OP updated with another image by Stuffs, thank you Stuffs. Shit is about to go down, will be up once time is available.
-
> "I am afraid that I have lied to the two of you yesterday. Or, at least, I have not told you the whole truth about events, which amounts to the same thing. The erosion of Creation continues. The map you saw is woefully out-of-date. Since its making, we have lost about one-third of the world."
> Saigyouji's demeanor changes. No, that is not the right word for it - she is a completely different person now. Where before flaws and virtues coursed within her, easily spotted by your keen eye, now she is completely opaque. Her airiness is gone, replaced with a deep sobriety.
> "Aichi, daughter of Are, scion of the Hieda clan. I present to you the Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven, the sword without equal. May you never use it."
> She turns to a table covered at her side and lifts the velvet cloth covering it. Underneath the cloth you see an achingly familiar hilt. With a practiced motion she draws the sword, bathing the room in the blade's opalescent light. She reverses her grip, rests the flat of the blade on her left forearm and presents the sword to you, hilt-first.
-
> Accept the blade and look it over.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/D83wBtU.png)
> It is like holding a shard of a world that only exists in dreams.
> A sword, its straight, two-edged blade five-and-a-quarter handspans long, three fingers wide, tapering to the tip. The blade is of a shining, iridescent metal unseen across Creation. Its guard is of polished oristeel, engraved with imagery of a faceless hero fighting a vast serpent. The handle is tightly wrapped with black silk, set with silver pins, each one finely patterned. The tassel at the end is of a beautiful scarlet thread, woven into a complicated charm pattern to repel evil and misfortune.
> It seems to sing silently in your hands. The blade is so impossibly sharp that its edge disappears from sight. The things this sword cannot cut are next to none.
> Saigyouji nods, and addresses the two of you again.
> "Creation has been invaded with story. It strikes out deeply and insidiously, slowly worming its way into everyday life, weakening the fabric of the world for the inevitable erosion. I have resisted for far too long, hoping that salvation would come sooner. I am sorry, Aichi, Youmu. I have given in."
> Saigyouji puts her hand on Youmu's head, stroking it gently.
> Time stops. An incessant buzzing in your head grows louder and louder until it resolves into a woman's voice.
> "It was at first hypothesised that story could only be destroyed outright. But where is the sense in that? Story follows rules just like anything else, it has its own cadences, culminations and gentle flows of narrative. It is known that nothing destroys story faster than loss of focus. The Spell-Card channels pure counterstory at the user's discretion. Targeting the Narrator can destroy the story outright, but she rarely shows herself. Targeting individual elements can let the Chosen reshape the story to her choosing."
> You can feel something appear in your hand, rough, metallic, worming between your fingers - it is one of the Spell-Cards you have left in their box in your room. Something terrible is about to happen, induced by rules cold and alien that play with lives like they were grains of sand. You have the ability to interject.
-
It occurs to me that we're about to do The Neverending Story, except this time instead of helping resolve the story we're going to wreck its shit.
> Let that bit about Creation eroding sink in, and take a moment and realize that we're about to have a lot of work to do.
> We must save the Lady Saigyouji! Use the Spell-Card!
-
> Let that bit about Creation eroding sink in, and take a moment and realize that we're about to have a lot of work to do.
> It sounds like a job impossible for just one individual, and you are only mortal. You remember Youki's stories, of the Celestial Chosen empowered by Heaven itself, who could control their own destiny. If only you had such power.
> We must save the Lady Saigyouji! Use the Spell-Card!
> The Spell-Card flashes in your hand. You feel something pulled out of you and with an artificer's expertise rapidly molded into a weapon. You instinctually visualise a sword, and so it appears in your mind's eye: a vast blade, extending out into infinity, ready to cut at your command.
> And it is as if now splits into chapters in a book, and you peek ahead as far as you can, but there is so much to take in at once. You try to focus on as many important events as you can:
> The Lady Saigyouji gives in to the story, and, to challenge Aichi, to draw her into her nefarious scheme, pulls Youmu's soul out through her forehead chakra, separating the girl's body and soul forever. For contracts have hidden power in them, and Saigyouji wields such power expertly.
> She has no choice: Youmu surrenders to the story as well, but not before she attempts her last act of defiance. As her soul is removed from her body, she makes a single strike, severing her upper and lower souls. But it is a strike that lacks precision, and Youmu's upper soul is grievously damaged, for it is a fragile, human thing. It vanishes, never to be seen again.
> You are being watched, you can feel it, the hairs on your skin standing on end. Something distant and very, very curious to see what happens next in the story it spun for itself. A large alteration to the narrative will introduce a plot hole, which will attract the close attention of the observer. A small change is less likely to be noticed.
> What will you do?
-
> "The Lady Saigyouji has promised to me to hand over to you an artifact that is rightfully yours by all accounts - your mother's sword. I regret not being able to give you the sword myself, my search for it took far longer than I had expected."
> Youki looks at Youmu. She nods back at him.
> "In exchange, Youmu has been contracted to serve the Lady Saigyouji as a bodyguard for a year and a day. This will be good training for you, Youmu, and I trust you to do both me and the Lady proud."
This would be the contract The Lady Saigyouji has with Youmu. Changing this would result in a plothole.
I'm thinking the best thing to change Youmu's precision so it doesn't so greviously damage her upper soul.
-
This would be the contract The Lady Saigyouji has with Youmu. Changing this would result in a plothole.
I'm thinking the best thing to change Youmu's precision so it doesn't so greviously damage her upper soul.
Yeah. That seems like the safest option right now.
-
Concurred.
-
> She has no choice: Youmu surrenders to the story as well, but not before she attempts her last act of defiance. As her soul is removed from her body, she makes a single strike, severing her upper and lower souls. It is a strike of fateful precision, and Youmu's upper soul is undamaged, for it is a precious, human thing. It remains apart, suspended in the air.
-
> She has no choice: Youmu surrenders to the story as well, but not before she attempts her last act of defiance. As her soul is removed from her body, she makes a single strike, severing her upper and lower souls. It is a strike of fateful precision, and Youmu's upper soul is undamaged, for it is a precious, human thing. It remains apart, suspended in the air.
> You choose, and the eversword plunges deep between the cracks in now.
> You sense a brief moment of confusion from the observing entity, but it seems satisfied with the turn of events. Now reassembles itself...
> "I am sorry, Aichi, Youmu. I have given in."
> Effortlessly, Saigyouji pushes her hand into Youmu's forehead, as if meeting no resistance at all, and Youmu's eyes roll up into her head as Saigyouji withdraws her hand, trailing shining Essence.
> But Youmu is defiant. She regains her senses for a moment and
> Her strike will lack precision, but yours will lack the speed. There is only one thing you can do: you find Youmu's certainty and impale it with your gaze, slowing her down enough for her strike to hit at just the right spot...
> slices her soul apart, cleanly severing the upper and lower soul. You feel your hands tingle as something seems to enter your sword.
> "According to old customs, the terms for 'servant' and 'soul' were the same, so here we are," says Saigyouji. She does not seem to have noticed Youmi's strike, nor your intervention. "I have heard of your prowess, Aichi of the Hieda, but a mortal, even one so skilled such as yourself, cannot sever a soul from its owner, for that is shaping destiny, and only the Chosen can perform such feats. So here is my challenge: discard your mortality. Take your destiny into your own hands, and learn to take your friend back from me. Your time limit is the same as that imposed on all living things: until your last breath."
> She tucks Youmu's lower soul into her sleeve and strides out of the room, Youmu's body following her with a strange, puppet-like gait.
> The room is empty save for you. A voice rings out in your head. It is Youmu's.
> Leave. Quickly. Before she notices.
-
> GTFO. Don't forget the rest of the spellcards!
-
> It is hard to keep calm, but you do just that as you walk a measured pace.
> You pick up the box with the Spell-Cards, along with the rest of your things you have left in your room and, without looking back, leave the Saigyouji residence. You notice that the once-brightly-blooming cherry tree's branches are now barren.
> You only stop once you have left the outskirts of the town behind. It is still the morning, and it looks like it will be yet another beautiful day.
> Grandfather will be so upset.
-
> Sigh a little.
> "Don't worry about that. Everything'll turn out."
-
> We need to go see our Master. He wanted to see us again anyway, but unfortunately it doesn't look like this will be a happy sendoff.
-
> Sigh a little.
> "Don't worry about that. Everything'll turn out."
> You are right, Aichi. No problem at all.
> We need to go see our Master. He wanted to see us again anyway, but unfortunately it doesn't look like this will be a happy sendoff.
> The two weeks back pass unnoticed. Certainly nothing that happens along the way comes close to measuring up to what you had experienced. Youmu is mostly quiet throughout the journey. Any comments she makes are trivial observations about the weather and other such things.
> And it feels as if you have left only just yesterday when you enter the forest at the foot of the mountain and begin the journey to Youki's cabin.
> And the walk that should perhaps take an hour or, preferably, an eternity, seems to take but moments.
> Youki is there, with a bundle of wood on his back, and he takes off the bundle and he greets you with a smile.
> "You are back so early, Aichi! Did you have help getting to the Lady Saigyouji's residence? How did Youmu settle in?"
> You hear Youmu stifle a sob.
-
> "Youmu is still with me, Master..."
> Tell him we should sit down. Then tell him everything.
-
> Youki does not interrupt you as you tell your story. In fact, he does not so much as make a sound. But you can see the fatigue in his eyes, and, by the time you finish, it has taken over his entire body. For the first time, you see him as the old man he truly is.
> "Are you in pain, Youmu?" he asks.
> "No, Grandfather," Youmu says. There is neither life in the question, nor the answer.
> "Good," Youki says, "then you can stay in Creation for a while longer. A soul is not meant to be separate from its body, but perhaps Fate has not yet noticed."
> Youki looks at you. There is no dignity in his expression, no stoicism, but a quiet desperation.
> "Save my granddaughter, Aichi. Please."
-
> Nod.
> "I would've done it anyway."
-
> Youki smiles faintly.
> "So you want to take hold of your own Fate? Indeed, the Chosen of Heaven are unbound by the Orrery, but they are picked at the whim of Heaven itself. Of course, there are some common properties amongst them all, and I am certain you could be picked, but that could take years."
-
> "Then I'll have to do something that makes me worthy beyond the shadow of a doubt."
> Take a moment to possibly feel conflicted about giving up our mortality.
> Nope, fuck that! Gotta save Youmu.
-
> "Then I'll have to do something that makes me worthy beyond the shadow of a doubt."
> Youki's expression darkens. You've never seen him like this. He mutters something to himself, under his breath, and you do not hear it.
> He nods to himself, as if he was merely testing the words against the air, against reason itself, whether they could even be uttered at all.
> He speaks again, loud enough for you to hear.
> "You must take it, Aichi. This power that you need. You have seen beneath the veneer of politics and tradition, that anything can be taken through force. Heaven chooses its champions, so take the choice away from them."
> He looks up at you, his expression hollow, his gaze unsteady.
> "You must challenge the gods themselves."
> Take a moment to possibly feel conflicted about giving up our mortality.
> Nope, fuck that! Gotta save Youmu.
> You would certainly never be the same again, regardless of how you obtained the power, but it does not matter. Youmu must be saved. The ends justify the means. If you make mistakes, you can later correct them, but inaction will ruin you forever.
-
>Let's cast our gaze to our sword. "I think that with this, your teachings, and the 'Spell Cards' I got before this mess properly started, I may well be able to accomplish just that."
-
> To be able to achieve your goal, you will need to accomplish several tasks, but the first is already beyond the capability of mortals:
> How will you even reach Heaven?
-
Gosh you guys are lazy.
> To approach Heaven, you will have to find some way of getting in touch with a god who holds position there. You have a few options:
> Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River referred to Black-Jade-in-the-River as a Divine Messenger, exiled from the Dragon Palace.
> Tiger-Patterned Shou talked of studying with a Chosen monk. If Shou knew your mother, then perhaps so did the monk.
> An enshrined spirit seemed to know you and what would befall you quite intimately. Perhaps you can learn more from it.
-
Gosh you guys are lazy.
It IS Easter weekend, so perhaps people are visiting others or some such?
> To approach Heaven, you will have to find some way of getting in touch with a god who holds position there. You have a few options:
> Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River referred to Black-Jade-in-the-River as a Divine Messenger, exiled from the Dragon Palace.
> Tiger-Patterned Shou talked of studying with a Chosen monk. If Shou knew your mother, then perhaps so did the monk.
> An enshrined spirit seemed to know you and what would befall you quite intimately. Perhaps you can learn more from it.
>Consider returning to the shrine where we had encountered the enshrined spirit after defeating the bandits toward the beginning of our journey. It seemed to know much of our fate and the trials we would face in the future, so perhaps there is some further guidance to be had.
-
Gosh you guys are lazy.
> To approach Heaven, you will have to find some way of getting in touch with a god who holds position there. You have a few options:
> Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River referred to Black-Jade-in-the-River as a Divine Messenger, exiled from the Dragon Palace.
> Tiger-Patterned Shou talked of studying with a Chosen monk. If Shou knew your mother, then perhaps so did the monk.
> An enshrined spirit seemed to know you and what would befall you quite intimately. Perhaps you can learn more from it.
Black-Jade is probably the best choice but it might be hard to track her down again. And that shrined spirit was acting a little fishy the last time we talked to her, I dunno if we can trust her. Furthermore, I dunno if we should be asking for help from a god on our quest to beat up gods.
> Shou wants to eat us, but at least she's been forthright about the whole business. Let's beat her and try to meet that monk.
-
>Consider returning to the shrine where we had encountered the enshrined spirit after defeating the bandits toward the beginning of our journey. It seemed to know much of our fate and the trials we would face in the future, so perhaps there is some further guidance to be had.
> Seconding this. It seems like the closest option as well.
-
Votes are in, almost too many to count, but I went the extra mile for you guys. The winning majority voted for shrine, but, magnanimous as I am, I'm going to implement the option that got only one vote in as well.
> "Something about your story strikes me as strange, Aichi," says Youki. "I have been at that shrine many times, and the spirit always manifested as a male form. And yet you're certain you heard a woman's voice?"
Fightest's note: It hadn't even occurred to me to make an April Fool's special. Shame, wasted opportunity.
-
> Nod.
> "It was definitely female."
-
> You ready yourself again, and set out.
> Before you left, Youki, strangely secretive, slipped you a note. "Do not let Youmu see it," he said, darkly.
> ...
> A few days pass on your journey. Youmu has been quiet for a long time, but now she breaks the silence as the day creeps close to evening.
> "This is preposterous," she says. She does not sound like herself, her tone filled with an unconcealed anger. "I never asked for this. I only accompanied you because of your sword, and now, in some comical twist of irony, your sword is all that is keeping me in Creation."
> She pauses, and lets the silence hang in the air.
> "This is your fault."
> You are not surprised by this. You remember Youki's note:
> Youmu now denies what has happened to her, and all the connotations thereof, the note said. As the shock wears off, the denial will turn to anger, and she will lash out at everyone around her - stay strong, and do not abandon her for petty slights. As anger becomes futile, she will try to bargain - she will be at her weakest then, ready to do anything to regain her self. When bargaining fails, she will retreat into a dark place in her mind. She will lose drive and conviction, and she will be furthest from humanity then. It is in this state - and it will only be a matter of time, then - that she will finally come to accept her fate.
When Youmu accepts her fate, her soul will be set free, and nothing will be able to bring her back again. Under no circumstance let Youmu come to terms with herself.
-
:ohdear:
So I guess for now we have to try to keep her angry? Let's at least try to direct it elsewhere.
> "It is NOT my fault. Whether it's your new master, that damned story, or the gods themselves, there are plenty of things to be angry at that aren't me, and we're going to make it clear to each and every one of them how you feel about it. Stay focused."
-
> "Oh, hah, as if I get a choice in the matter," Youmu says. "You get to have your absurd vision quest, and I get dragged along like some trophy wife to fawn over you playing hero!"
-
> "Well, you WOULD make a good wife."
I'M SORRY I COULDN'T STOP MYSELF
-
> You've certainly never heard a ghost splutter before. Do they even have the mouth parts to splutter over? Yet Youmu somehow manages.
> "What? You have some nerve, Aichi, don't you even start changing the subject on..."
> You can almost feel the heat draining from Youmu.
> "...On my blaming you for something beyond your control. Oh, Aichi, I am so sorry."
-
> "Don't worry about it. It's understandable that you'd be upset with the current situation."
-
> "Don't worry about it. It's understandable that you'd be upset with the current situation."
> "Understandable, perhaps, but also inexcusable. I have no right to abuse our friendship so. I will do my best to remain rational - we will overcome these trials yet."
> Youmu remains quiet for the rest of the journey.
> Youmu has regressed into denial.
> Soon enough, you reach the village and, beyond it, the grove with the shrine to the spirit. But it is different now: the lush, leafy trees and dense underbrush surrounding the shrine are now withered and bare, sharp thorns and claw-like branches now greet you.
> Ah, and there is that feeling again, the prickling on the back of your neck, every hair on your body standing on end, and the sense of something alien watching this location with curiosity, eager to see what happens next.
> And it is as if someone far away is speaking but you cannot hear the words, animated, hushed, light, foreboding, the vocal range of a practiced speaker narrating a story that has made this small grove and shrine its center stage.
-
> Keep hand on sword and approach.
> Do we feel comfortable using this thing yet? It probably feels like we could cut the sky in half if we're not careful.
-
> Keep hand on sword and approach.
> Do we feel comfortable using this thing yet? It probably feels like we could cut the sky in half if we're not careful.
> The sword is so sharp it could be cutting things you did not even know existed with every swing. You are very keenly aware of just how limited your senses are, and you can see far more than the average mortal. Fortunately your precision should allow you to keep collateral damage from using the sword to a minimum.
> You approach the grove. The feeling of charged tension never abates, but at some point you get used to it.
> When was it exactly that you knew you had entered the story? There was never a sudden transition, a line that you had passed, but you are definitely in the middle of it now, and the world shifts around you as if reflections in a pool of water and you clearly hear the voice of the speaker
> A grand ballroom, greater than any she had ever seen, all gold and jade and precious materials in an opulent display of wealth and power, and so many people here! Nobles and generals and scholars mingled, but all wore elaborate masks that none would lord over another. She came here searching, but she knew neither face nor voice. Would she find the one she is searching for? Or would the one searching for her find her first?
-
>Does she wear a mask as well? Whom is she searching for?
-
I don't think that's going to work :V
Actually, why the fuck not? Let's give it a try.
> Break fourth wall and ask the storyteller directly.
-
> Break fourth wall and ask the storyteller directly.
>Does she wear a mask as well? Whom is she searching for?
> She wore a mask, too, for not following the rules of the ball would be extremely rude. She had doubts on her mind, certainly, for the spirit that talked to her back then was not the shrine's! Was she being deceived? Little did she know that she was being watched by the same deceiver right now! What a cunning scheme, the deceiver thought to herself, to lead this wicked child to her own downfall, all in the guise of some low-ranked shrine spirit. She would watch the child flounder about for a while longer, she thought, then
> and it is as if the story recoils at the presence of something just behind it and its storyteller and it is so clear to see, its regret, its envy, its pity and its disgust all wrapped up in a shell of thorns and blades all black and dripping with scorn but it is just passing by, and the story slides back into place as if nothing had
> then she would appear to the child as a helpful but mysterious ally, yes, and that would be the start of the child's ruin, for no mortal can bear the splendor of Heaven. Ah, what intrigue was about to happen here! Would the deceiver have her revenge? Or would our new hero brave this peril unscathed?
-
Well, since we know they're going to try to mislead us, maybe we can pretend to be a chump but double cross them at the right moment.
> Wait for our "ally" to appear. Attempt to look like a chump.
-
>She looks about, but is unable to find what she's looking for. She then turns around, and before her is...
-
> Wait for our "ally" to appear. Attempt to look like a chump.
>She looks about, but is unable to find what she's looking for. She then turns around, and before her is...
> The girl was looking rattled enough, surely now would be the perfect opportunity to strike! Thus thought the cunning goddess as she approached the child, her face concealed beneath a beautiful mask of phoenix feather and jade and gold filigree. With a light touch she catches the child's attention and, speaking quietly, she muses that she has lost control, that the story, hardly high literature, is giving everything away before
> Your hair stands on end again as you feel that you are being watched, being scrutinized with intensity.
> ...speaking quietly, she invites the child to a private alcove that none may spy on them.
> Amidst everything, Youmu's voice rings clear in your mind, lightly laced with impatience.
> "Aichi, what is happening out there?"
-
Looks like we might want to be careful about how thick we lay on the meta. Stick with the plan for now, though.
> Follow the cunning goddess.
> Think to Youmu, "What do you mean, 'out there'? What are you able to see from your perspective?"
-
> Follow the cunning goddess.
> Think to Youmu, "What do you mean, 'out there'? What are you able to see from your perspective?"
> The child, unaware of the peril she is stepping into, follows the masked figure into a secluded alcove, where a curtain separates them from the rest of the ball. Look at her, thinks the goddess, this pitiful thing, why, if she doesn't struggle it might even feel disappointing. Still, she proceeds to muse, what was decided must be d...
> "I... do not rightfully know, it is a torrent of colour and emotion, with human-like shapes appearing and disappearing many times over and I cannot make sense of any of this! Why is it that you see something else?"
> ...e goddess, having offered her invitation, waits for the child's response, her impatience hidden behind her mask.
-
Aw hell D:
Missing out on exposition sucks, but let's give Youmu a quick but full explanation. If we just tell her to shut up, she'll probably get angry and start ranting, and then we won't be able to hear anything when it matters.
> Keep walking towards her slowly, looking around uncertainly, as if this is all too much to take in. La la la, dumb peasant girl, mystified by the opulence of the gods!
> "It's the story. I'm at some sort of ball, like the banquet before. Some goddess is trying to get me to follow her, and there's a narrator saying it's a trap. I'm pretending to go along with it."
-
> "It's the story. I'm at some sort of ball, like the banquet before. Some goddess is trying to get me to follow her, and there's a narrator saying it's a trap. I'm pretending to go along with it."
> "A narrator? Heavens above, Aichi, are you mocking me?"
> What a battle of wits! The child would not let the goddess trick her, but also not let the goddess know that she had seen through her ruse. Which of these two would finally outwit the other? Frustrated with this charade, the goddess takes off her mask and, clearly annoyed, admits that the proverbial cat has been let out of the bag by this thrice-damned story that should have been stopped in its tracks over fifty years ago but for the laziness of fools and cowa
> You can feel something coming as the story screeches to a halt.
-
> "I know it sounds crazy, but when exactly have the last couple of days been normal?"
> Get ready to draw our sword on a moment's notice.
-
>Inventory
-
>Inventory
Of all things.
> You currently possess and own your travel clothes, along with a change in a small pack slung around your back. You have enough provisions to last you a few days. You possess your Jian, which you also own. Whilst you own the wondrous sword Gathering-Clouds-Of-Heaven, it is Youmu who possesses it. You have a strange certainty that this is somehow meaningful, but have no idea how.
> "I know it sounds crazy, but when exactly have the last couple of days been normal?"
> Get ready to draw our sword on a moment's notice.
> "Ah, something has changed. Something comes, Aichi."
> The story pulls away from you, and you finally see what it is that Youmu spoke of. Surrounding you on all sides, with you at the centre of a spherical bubble, is a roiling, evershifting mass of every colour and texture, and shapes appear and disappear as the colours shift, never staying still long enough to become meaningful. A voice echoes inside your bubble, coming from without, and it is not like any speech you have ever heard, but more of a truth being sent directly into your head.
> No, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO! The audacity! The shamelessness! Interrupting such a story and running? Whose responsibility is this? Koishi was absolutely determined to catch the criminal and bring them to justice, but deep down she knew that the culprit was already long gone. Tossing back her flowing hair, she turned her keen eye to the scene of the crime, and her flawless senses revealed before her a witness! Who would this girl be, Koishi wondered. She stalked forward like an elegant hunting animal to investigate.
-
> "What."
-
Of all things.
Sorry, just wanted to make sure we still had the Jian.
>Draw the Jian.
-
Sorry, just wanted to make sure we still had the Jian.
> And, of course, you still possess and own three Spell-Cards.
>Draw the Jian.
> "What."
> She was clearly a warrior, thought Koishi, the sort who faces all her problems with the tip of a sword. Best be wary with her, lest she become unruly and threaten the story. Koishi wondered for a while how to best approach, and decided on a truly genius course of action, that which truly fitted her supreme intellect - she would narrate in a weaker, less beautiful, not nearly as elegant and generally worse in every way version of herself! Koishi congratulated herself on her idea, what a good storyteller she was!
> A shape emerged from the Wyldspace that quickly coalesced into a homely-looking girl, dressed in simple clothes, her only defining trait being her soft-purple hair. She could be considered beautiful compared to the average person, but there was just something about her that prevented her from achieving the transcendental beauty that some others might possess. Her name was Satori and, her being a bit of a coward, she stayed well back from the girl with the sword and, making sure she looked as presentable as possible, called out to her.
-
>"Youmu, are you hearing this? There's a fool named Koishi trying to pass herself off, but she's literally spilling her own beans while attempting to deceive."
I'm down for attacking the target presented.
-
I'm down for attacking the target presented.
Nah, not yet.
> "Look, Koishi, I don't care about your damn story. Stop trying to get me wrapped up in it, or I'll cut through it and then I'll cut through you."
> Look at Satori.
> "And who's this?"
-
>"Youmu, are you hearing this? There's a fool named Koishi trying to pass herself off, but she's literally spilling her own beans while attempting to deceive."
> "And what do you want me to do about it? You are the one with a body, you solve the problems that, I would add, you once again got us into in the first place!"
> "Look, Koishi, I don't care about your damn story. Stop trying to get me wrapped up in it, or I'll cut through it and then I'll cut through you."
> Look at Satori.
> "And who's this?"
> Koishi's patience was wearing thin with the girl's absolute refusal to join in the story, but she was nothing if not the better individual, calm and full of grace. With a nudge from her, Satori made a placating gesture and assured the rowdy girl that she is who she is, a simple individual called Satori, and that she was merely investigating the god who was once here but is no longer.
-
> Roll eyes with enough force to destroy a small country.
> Begrudgingly cooperate, and ask Satori if she's found out anything, for we were hoping to meet the god as well.
-
> Roll eyes with enough force to destroy a small country.
> Begrudgingly cooperate, and ask Satori if she's found out anything, for we were hoping to meet the god as well.
> Koishi nodded to herself proudly. The girl was all bluster, but, still, she had her uses, and it would definitely be a waste not to include her in a scene or two. She returned her attention to Satori, who explained that the god here had usurped the place of the local spirit, and that it seemed like an excellent start to some sort of story of conspiracy or intrigue.
-
> (http://i.imgur.com/3Cw1N5Y.png)
> Is this Koishi the same person that's been doing all the narrating we've heard so far?
-
> Satori fidgeted. This girl made her uncomfortable, and she would rather finish her business with her as soon as possible. Still, she had a duty to perform, so she pulled herself together and continued to elaborate that a god taking the place of another is unusual, and would certainly have to have some sort of influence or blackmail to do so without upsetting others in a higher station. Having explained what she knew and thought, Satori asked the girl if she had seen anyone suspicious in the area.
> Yes.
-
> Point out that these two are pretty damn suspicious themselves, but no. We haven't seen anyone else.
-
Not dead, only attending a coronation and going to Germany.
> Point out that these two are pretty damn suspicious themselves, but no. We haven't seen anyone else.
> How uninteresting, thought Koishi. The girl was lying, of course, but Satori was too dull-witted to realise that, and acting out-of-character was an unthinkable taboo. Koishi decided to wrap some story around the girl, that she may use her later. With a nudge from her, Satori bows deeply to the girl and excuses herself.
> With a sound of rushing water the story recedes, leaving you alone in the sunlit grove, its greenery as lush as it ever was. The mirror set in the shrine shines a brilliant gold, and through it is a glimpse of untold wonders you have never imagined.
-
I was starting to wonder here, what with it being so long...Whose coronation were you attending, and what brought/will bring you to Germany of all places, assuming it's far from wherever you live?
>Confirm that none of our possessions went missing when the story vanished, then approach the mirror, to get a better look at what lies beyond. Remain on-guard in case anything else malicious should show up.
-
Not dead, only attending a coronation and going to Germany.
What the fuck, you didn't tell us you were royalty.
> Now that we have a moment, make sure Youmu fully understands all the story crap.
-
The coronation was of our new king of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander! I went down to Amsterdam to see it with some friends who had come over to see it too. The Germany thing was just a trip with said friends afterwards.
> Now that we have a moment, make sure Youmu fully understands all the story crap.
> "Hey, Aichi? Th-this story made me like this, ri-right? Ma-maybe... maybe we can get Koishi to turn me back? J-just, you know... appeal to her? We could go through with her story to get on her good side?"
>Confirm that none of our possessions went missing when the story vanished, then approach the mirror, to get a better look at what lies beyond. Remain on-guard in case anything else malicious should show up.
> Everything is in order.
> Beyond the mirror is a sight unbelievable. A realm of clouds and sky, with majestic pagodas rising high up from gardens of cherries and peaches, where the Sun rides a chariot across the sky and the Moon looks on in envy, where gods and spirits hold forum on matters of politics and protocol and where, in a pavilion at the very heart of the realm the Fate of Creation tick-tocks away in a grand Orrery of jade and oristeel.
-
>Youmu, your soul is still complete, albeit apart, because we manipulated the story that entrapped you. Koishi is a story weaver, and can only be trusted to spin a tale. Instead, trust, and hope in a friend to create a legend that rivals the gods themselves.
>Can we see or call to anyone in the mirror?
>Touch the mirror.
-
>Youmu, your soul is still complete, albeit apart, because we manipulated the story that entrapped you. Koishi is a story weaver, and can only be trusted to spin a tale. Instead, trust, and hope in a friend to create a legend that rivals the gods themselves.
> "Oh, and once again it becomes all about you! How convenient! This is all some adventure to you, isn't it? I never thought you'd be such a gloryhound, and at my expense too!"
>Can we see or call to anyone in the mirror?
>Touch the mirror.
> You see so many all at once, but nobody seems to respond to your calls. Things flash by too quickly for you to be able to tell, anyway.
> You touch the mirror and you are overcome with a sensation of weightlessness as everything becomes too bright to see for a brief moment, and then the light subsides and you realise that you are falling.
> But only a second or so pass of your stomach trying to force its way free of its fleshy prison before you land with a mighty splash into a pool of water, and a magnificent koi carp passes across your vision, and a hand reaches into the water to grab you and pulls you out.
> "Ah, may we meet on quiet waters, is that how the saying goes? A little literal, but very apt, Mistress Hieda."
> You blink the water out of your eyes. You recognize the speaker - she is Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River, and you appear to have landed in an ornamental pond in the middle of an orchard of peach trees.
-
>"Where are we?"
>Do we have a way of privately communicating with Youmu?
-
>"Where are we?"
>Do we have a way of privately communicating with Youmu?
> Brilliant-Castle smiles softly.
> "You are in Heaven. Do not worry, you have not died - rather, you are being given the immense honor of treading the radiant pathways as a mortal."
> You own the sword Youmu possesses. Through this peculiar semantic link you think you might be able to communicate intent.
-
> "Do the gods know I'm here, then? I'm sorry to say it, but unfortunately I've come to start some trouble."
-
> "Do the gods know I'm here, then? I'm sorry to say it, but unfortunately I've come to start some trouble."
> "And I am here merely to observe," she says. "Your appearance here has made quite a stir, but there are some who would see you succeed. You may now know this, but Heaven has been having quite the... crisis of management."
-
> "I'm here to take hold of my own Fate. Who should I see to make this known?"
> More details on what Brilliant-Castle looks like? (Trying to figure out if she's a touhou.)
-
> "I'm here to take hold of my own Fate. Who should I see to make this known?"
> More details on what Brilliant-Castle looks like? (Trying to figure out if she's a touhou.)
> Brilliant-Castle nods her head.
> "If you want to take the power of the Chosen, you must be aware that only the greatest of the gods in Heaven have the authority to bestow it. Indeed, my Mistress - the one who has extended you this invitation - has such an authority."
> You've seen Brilliant-Castle before, in the Court of the Eightfold Dragon River. She is dressed as she was then - in green silks and silver armour with images of strange water creatures embossed on it. A jaunty green cap still covers her head.
-
>"Is there anything I must do to obtain an audience with your Mistress?"
-
>"Is there anything I must do to obtain an audience with your Mistress?"
> "Nothing, she awaits you. All you need to do is get there."
-
> "Then please, direct me to her. I have little time to waste."
-
> "Then please, direct me to her. I have little time to waste."
> Her smile never leaving her face, Brilliant-Castle, bows and gestures.
> "Very well. Follow me."
> She turns and walks away. A single oak leaf, its colours the oranges and yellows of autumn despite it being summer, drifts across your vision. A voice speaks straight in your head - no, make that two voices, in perfect harmony.
> Do not trust her. Break away, find the Harvest Pagoda!
-
AWW YES. I don't care if it's a good idea or not, time for AKI ACTION.
> Are we pro enough to sense anything from B-C regarding her intent?
> Discretely try to spot anything that looks like a Harvest Pagoda.
-
Player knowledge vs. character knowledge dilemma!
>Did Youmu catch that? Convey "Caution" or "Wariness".
>Look around. "Where in Heaven are we?"
-
> Are we pro enough to sense anything from B-C regarding her intent?
> Discretely try to spot anything that looks like a Harvest Pagoda.
> Brilliant-Castle is keeping everything about herself hidden, expertly so. Still, you are able to pick up a few concepts here and there from her stance and demeanor. There is her sense of superiority, an aura of manipulation and a razor-edged feeling of anticipation.
> Pagodas and pavilions emerge out of the clouds all around you as Brilliant-Castle leads you out of the garden. They are grand and opulent, certainly, but it is the gods and spirits that catch your attention as sights you have never seen before.
> Animals the size of a man wreathed in coin and fruit, ethereal shapes through whom blue fire streams like liquid, rotating collections of masks on mechanical skeletons, women in ceremonial garb, their faces obscured with prayer strips, winged beetles with shells of pure diamond, it is like something out of a truly fanciful dream. And yet, you can feel attention on you as the truly alien being in their midst.
> You are completely disoriented. There is no way for you to identify the Harvest Pagoda.
>Did Youmu catch that? Convey "Caution" or "Wariness".
>Look around. "Where in Heaven are we?"
> "Gods, Aichi," says Youmu, quiet enough for only you to hear, "maybe one of them can turn me back!"
> "You landed very close to the central hub," says Brilliant-Castle, "from here one can travel in any of the four Compass directions to the ministries of the North, East, South and West. The Dragon Palace is nearby, as is the Palace of Day and Night, but that's off-limits at this time. That is the Central Ministry of the Four Seasons there, the one with the four pagodas, and you can see the dome of the Orrery coming up on our left."
-
> Look over at the Central Ministry and see if we can identify a likely candidate for the Harvest Pagoda.
-
Let's try something simpler.
> Just look for a building with autumn-y colors (brown, orange, gold, maybe some purple).
-
> Look over at the Central Ministry and see if we can identify a likely candidate for the Harvest Pagoda.
> Just look for a building with autumn-y colors (brown, orange, gold, maybe some purple).
> There is indeed one such building - one of the four pagodas of the Central Ministry building is decorated with autumn motifs.
-
> Is Brilliant-Castle currently looking at us? If she turns away, make a break for the pagoda.
-
> She may not be looking at you all the time, but her attention is on you always. You are going to have to make an opportunity yourself if you want to break contact.
-
> Are we headed in the Pagoda's general direction already? If so, we could follow a bit and see if an opportunity presents itself before acting.
-
>"Are there anything like markets in heaven?"
-
> Are we headed in the Pagoda's general direction already? If so, we could follow a bit and see if an opportunity presents itself before acting.
>"Are there anything like markets in heaven?"
> "Not as such, no, but the more enterprising gods - artists, sculptors, their like - like to show off their works in public exhibitions. These works may change hands, of course, but the exchange is not monetary."
-
Right, this is going nowhere. Time for an interlude!
> You are now Akyu.
> You pause your story. The sun is low in the sky and shines a bright red through the windows. You have been talking the whole day, but your audience remains as captive as ever. Some time during the past few hours the two Goddesses had stepped out, and Byakuren had left when you had finished telling the story of Are, but otherwise your full congregation is here, in the spacious reception room of the Hieda house.
> In fact, you can even see Reimu in the back, looking uneasy but clearly not going anywhere. Marisa is at her side, as usual.
> Sensing the subtle pause, Keine stands up and addresses everyone in the room.
> "Pardon me, Lady Hieda, but perhaps it is time for a short recess? I can see how tense everyone is, and a breath of fresh air would do us well."
-
> Nod.
> "That would be great. I'd like a moment rest my voice a bit as well."
-
> A few minutes pass. Everyone has split up into small groups and are talking amongst themselves. Mostly they are discussing aspects of your story, but some talk of casual, inconsequential things. You feel a hand on your shoulder.
> It is Reimu, and she has a dark look on her face. That in itself is not unusual, but you can see that she is clearly very nervous as well.
> "It is unlike me to ask favours of you, Hieda," she says, "but I want to tell Ani's story myself. After all these years it is perhaps time for a confession, and often have I told myself that I need not explain myself to anyone, but..." she pauses and looks to the side, where Marisa is standing.
> Marisa offers her an encouraging nod. Reimu smiles and looks back at you.
> "But perhaps it would be for the better if others understood me."
-
> "If that's what you want, I don't have any complaints. I'll leave it up to you, then."
Also: Sorry Fightest I can't think of anything for Aichi to do!
Do you guys think we should just hoof it? Can we pull any bullshit like cutting through our own trail to avoid being followed?
-
I was just thinking that we should ask our guide if it weren't a detour, to see these heavenly exhibitions, before going to see the mistress.
Though, I am having a little trouble as to have Aichi rationalizing to make a getaway to the Aki's. Are would have reason to trust the warning, not necessarily Aichi.
Previous interactions with water dwellers begins here (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,14281.msg951141.html#msg951141), best I could come up with is that the mistress not revealing herself is super sketchy, and maybe with the way our encounter with Yuyuko turned out, we'd be wary of meeting any big wigs. Interestingly though, Brilliant-Castle-in-the-River warns us > "I am certain you already realise," she says, "but there are many eyes on you, Aichi of the Hieda. There are far worse attacks than strikes of a sword."
gives reason to doubt both Castle River's mistress and the Aki Warning. Hmmm.
-
> One hour ago:
> You are now Aichi.
> Another leaf painted in reds and brows floats across your vision. Where did it come from?
> Hear us out, we saw the Gathering Clouds of Heaven event, we saw your mother's last-
> The voice stops as Brilliant-Castle snatches the leaf out of the air. It crumbles in her hand.
> Brilliant-Castle smiles at you, and continues walking.
> Now:
> You are still Aichi.
> You have broken away from Brilliant-Castle. She will not be able to follow you easily, with your trail cut, but she will no doubt find a way soon enough. You do not have much time.
> You are inside the Ministry of the Four Seasons, on your way towards the Harvest pagoda. It is surprising to find a human here, but one was very eager to help you find the pagoda. She introduced herself as Alice of the Outbound Road, and said nothing more afterwards.
> At least she looks human.
-
> Hustle along to the Pagoda.
> Examine Alice.
-
Oh for pete's sake. Push the wrong button, lose all text. It was going to happen eventually. Update when I can be bothered to write all that out again.
[edit] Stuffs, did you get my PM?
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> Visually, Alice is unassuming. Dirty-blonde hair pokes out from under a brown hooded cloak, and underneath the cloak you can catch glimpses of earthy blues and reds.
> Everything else about her is an enigma, however. The secrecy that covers everything about her is so deep it makes your eyes water, Haste occasionally bubbles its way to the surface and a strange crimson tint colours everything about her.
> She leads you through the wondrous halls of the Ministry, and what splendors surround you! Mozaics on the floors and walls portray familiar scenes of autumn, but also ones that you have not seen before: strange trees flower brightly against backgrounds of endless sands and vast seas hide bright bursts of yellow. In grand indoor gardens grow plants both known to you and completely exotic, and beasts, birds and insects of myriad variety roam freely in these gardens.
> Alice opens a door and suddenly everything is subdued - redwoods and dark granite make for a focused working atmosphere. Desks stand in rows a large hall surrounded by tall bookshelves filled to the top with tomes and documents. Ghost-lights flit between the bookshelves, and small bird-like spirits tirelessly ferry papers back and forth between the bureaucrats at the desks and the bookshelves.
> Alice leads you deep into the maze of bookshelves, where, in a small alcove, a girl with bright yellow hair sits, reading. She looks up at your arrival.
> "This is her," says Alice.
> "Of course/Of course," says the girl, two voices coming from her mouth in harmony, "she is so like her/she is so like her. Thank you, Alice/Thank you, Alice."
> Alice nods, looks around, and disappears into the maze of bookshelves.
> The girl looks directly at you, and it is as if there are two people sitting on the spot where she is. Like strange overlapping images of the same girl but in different clothing, they sometimes waver and shift onto each other.
> "We are Quiet Leaves of Autumn and Bountiful Harvest of Autumn. We know you do not have much time/We know you do not have much time, so listen closely/so listen closely."
> She spreads her hands, and the air shifts in the space between, and she starts drawing with her finger like a brush in the shifting air and pictures start to appear.
> She tells you of the time your mother came to a particular region in the north-east and, with a heroic effort, made rain where none should have been. A great Dragon Serpent came to challenge her, for it wanted to devour both children of Autumn, and Quiet Leaves/Bountiful Harvest explains in detail, with illustrations, how your mother fought the Dragon.
> "This all you know/This all you know," she says, "but we saw more/but we saw more."
> It was as if your mother hesitated during the fight, as if she were listening to a disembodied voice. Quiet Leaves/Bountiful Harvest heard only fragments, but she mentions how Alice later filled in the story.
> "Your mother was part of a legend she was not meant to be in/she was not meant to be in. There/there-"
> She stops, interrupted by Alice emerging from the maze of bookshelves again.
> "It is best that I tell this part," says Alice, "as I was as complicit in it as all the others."
> She sits down and continues telling the story.
> "Your mother had found a book, you see, we called it the Broken-Winged Crane. A strange volume bound in the skin and bone of dead gods that had not yet been born that often tended to narrate the reader's actions as the reader read it. It was enchanted with strange spells - reading before or after the present, as it were, became increasingly difficult as the content delved into more and more obscure reference and metaphor. Between an ... associate of mine and me, we managed to convince your mother not to read it, but instead to give it to us for research."
> Alice pauses briefly to arrange her thoughts.
> "And research it we did. A team of the greatest minds of our time. We came to the conclusion that the book was a weapon, aimed solely at Are. It was a proof, beautifully-written, absolutely incontrovertible, with explanations, references and demonstrations of every point of contention. A proof that your mother's life was not her own."
> Alice shakes her head.
> "I still cannot imagine what that realisation would do to your mother's mind, but I tried my best to convince the rest of the group to keep the contents of the book a secret. I failed. Before the White-Lotus Monk could work her magic, one of the group relayed the truth to your mother."
> Alice glances at Quiet Leaves/Bountiful Harvest.
> "That was during the Gathering Clouds of Heaven event. I am still wrapping my mind around the causes and effects, but the Broken-Winged Crane is an artifact that exists outside of Fate. The Orrery cannot perceive it. And it was that book that caused - directly or indirectly - your mother to perform an act she was not meant to."
> "She was already not herself then/She was already not herself then," says Quiet Leaves/Bountiful Harvest, "when she came back to forge the sword/when she came back to forge the sword."
> "All track of her was lost then," says Alice. "And then, some time later, you, her daughter, popped up."
> Alice comes in closer to look deeply into your eyes. In hers, you can see a hostile crimson light glowing brightly.
> "Your mother wanted revenge. She is no longer around, but her desire still lives. You see, I believe she forged two weapons on that day, aimed at the heart of the world. It is no surprise that these weapons would be inevitably drawn to each other. You are your mother's sword, Aichi. You will be an enemy of the world for as long as you live."
> Alice sits back, spent.
> "So now you know. I will not stop you or impede your actions, I owe your mother that much. But, at least, you might be able to make an informed choice."
-
> Well. Take a minute to digest that info.
-
> "Where is that book now?"
Fightest: I'll have it for you by this weekend.
-
> Well. Take a minute to digest that info.
> If your mother has orchestrated events to the point of you coming to reclaim Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven, then how much deeper can things go? Can you really ever be sure that you are acting of your own free will?
> "Where is that book now?"
> "Where we first found it - hidden deep in a library in Empyrean."
> You remember some of Youki's stories - Empyrean is a grand city-state on the on the east mainland shore. It is famed for its scientific and engineering prowess, and its libraries are the most valued in all Creation.
-
> "Who created this book? This weapon?"
> If your mother has orchestrated events to the point of you coming to reclaim Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven, then how much deeper can things go? Can you really ever be sure that you are acting of your own free will?
> "The two swords have become one, but something unfortunate and unforeseen has happened to my treasured friend because of this. Is there anything that can make this right?"
> "Who does Brilliant Castle serve? She knows autumn leaves have brought me here."
-
> "Who created this book? This weapon?"
> "We still do not know. Someone with intimate knowledge of Are's life, certainly."
> "The two swords have become one, but something unfortunate and unforeseen has happened to my treasured friend because of this. Is there anything that can make this right?"
> Alice looks up at you.
> "You are making big waves in Fate, despite you being just a mortal. It is natural that others would get caught up. All I can suggest is that you take full responsibility for your words and actions."
> "Who does Brilliant Castle serve? She knows autumn leaves have brought me here."
> "Ah, an easy question. She serves Kanako of the Eight Hills, the one whose legend Are took for herself."
-
> "Ah, an easy question. She serves Kanako of the Eight Hills, the one whose legend Are took for herself."
> "That sounds like a good enough reason to not trust either of them."
> "Would I be right in thinking the Broken-Winged Crane and the story are related? Does the name 'Koishi' mean anything to you?"
-
> "Would I be right in thinking the Broken-Winged Crane and the story are related? Does the name 'Koishi' mean anything to you?"
> Alice mulls for some time over her answer before speaking.
> "I know who you speak of. Your mother fought against her, too, did you know? Regardless, there is a fundamental difference between Koishi's machinations and the Broken-Winged Crane - Koishi always tells stories of her own choosing, sometimes spicing them up with events from the lives of those involved. The Broken-Winged Crane, however, never embellished or adjusted details - it told the story of Are's life as it was."
> Alice pauses, then smiles.
> "Also the Crane was much better written. Koishi's a terrible storyteller."
-
>"Yes. I noticed."
>"You mentioned a White-Lotus Monk. Who is she, and what did she plan to do?"
-
> "The White-Lotus Saint? She was one of the greatest of the Chosen. Perfect in body, mind and soul, or so they said - I only know her from our work on the Crane. She had the ability to infuse part of herself into things, to then know if they are under threat and to protect them. A fascinating trick - she could infuse people, places, even events. She was able to protect the Crane and the twin goddesses of Autumn, but the secret was broken before it was even fully formed. They tried to break her enchantments by dragging her into Hell and imprisoning her there. What irony - now they can neither break the enchantments, nor can they reach her."
-
>"So you simply wanted to hide the existence of the Crane? It seems that if I want to wrestle control away from it, I would need to read it. I can't defy it if I don't know what it says. Am I wrong in thinking this way?"
> Remember the spell-cards, and pull one out.
> "What do you know about these?"
-
>"So you simply wanted to hide the existence of the Crane? It seems that if I want to wrestle control away from it, I would need to read it. I can't defy it if I don't know what it says. Am I wrong in thinking this way?"
> "I do not know what you want to do, but the Broken-Winged Crane has fulfilled its purpose. While your existence may be a consequence of this purpose, it has no sway over you. With Are gone, it is but a strange book now."
> Remember the spell-cards, and pull one out.
> "What do you know about these?"
> "You have them? I am sorry, I do not know what is going on any more. They were made by Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender, and she was the one that told the truth of the Crane to Are."
-
> "Oh, I was expecting the Crane would carry over to me as well. Well, good, that's one less thing to worry about."
> "The spell-cards were being kept along with the sword by the Lady Saigyouji. She said Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender left these for me. Perhaps I should speak with her at some point, is she still at the Empyrean library?"
Then,
> Turn back to the Harvest gods. "My goal is to destroy the story that erodes at Creation. For this, I must become a Chosen, and I don't have time for whatever silly trials are normally laid out for such a thing. Can you help me?"
-
> "Oh, I was expecting the Crane would carry over to me as well. Well, good, that's one less thing to worry about."
> "The spell-cards were being kept along with the sword by the Lady Saigyouji. She said Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender left these for me. Perhaps I should speak with her at some point, is she still at the Empyrean library?"
> "She vanished a few years go, and nobody has seen her since. You have to remember, I speak of events that occurred more than two decades ago."
> Turn back to the Harvest gods. "My goal is to destroy the story that erodes at Creation. For this, I must become a Chosen, and I don't have time for whatever silly trials are normally laid out for such a thing. Can you help me?"
> "Carry on along your chosen path/Carry on along your chosen path. We are too weak to grant you the power you seek/We are too weak to grant you the power you seek."
-
> "Then is there anyone else in Heaven I can trust?"
> "No, wait, I have a better idea. What did my mother do to become a Chosen?"
-
> "No, wait, I have a better idea. What did my mother do to become a Chosen?"
> "Ah, the legend. What she did at the moment of her ascension will be different depending on whom you ask. Some say that she harnessed living fire as a weapon. Some say that she seduced an incorruptible merchant-prince of a vast nation. Some say that she wrestled and defeated a tiger when she was no more than a child. Some whisper that she outsmarted Fate! I am afraid that the only one who can tell you the truth is Are herself, but I believe that what she did is no more and no less than survive. She demonstrated - to someone who was watching - a will to live that was strong enough to send ripples through destiny."
> Alice shrugs, and smiles.
> "Mind you, the thing with the tiger seems closest to the truth. Call it a hunch."
-
> "How convenient, I know a tiger that's looking for a rematch."
That's all the questions I can think of, we know our next goal and a bunch of people we could go after for more info afterward. Does anybody else have anything they want to ask?
If not,
> Bow. "Thank you very much, you've helped me a lot with this information. I should be off before they find me."
-
> "How are we going t get back anyway?"
-
> "How are we going to get back anyway?"
> "You are here to gain the power of a Chosen, are you not? Our kind comes and goes as we wish, Heaven's protocol be damned."
> "How convenient, I know a tiger that's looking for a rematch."
> Bow. "Thank you very much, you've helped me a lot with this information. I should be off before they find me."
> And so our heroine left her company of conspirators, unaware of the layers and layers of intrigue that ran beneath everything! Would the devious Brilliant-Castle suspect anything? Why, of course she would! She would not be in her position if she were not! But our heroine cut her trail so keenly that Brilliant-Castle can only start guessing at what our heroine learned. And here she is now, walking up to Castle as if nothing had ever happened. Brilliant-Castle fumed. This was a slippery one, she thought, but she will learn her place yet! Putting on a serene face, Brilliant-Castle asked nonchalantly if our heroine's visit to the Ministry of Four Seasons was fruitful. She could not know this is what happened for certain, of course, but the silly girl would no doubt fall for this basic ploy.
-
The story might actually work to our advantage here. The gods would probably waste us if we were going in blind, but with Koishi spilling the beans everywhere we can probably get some useful information and use a spellcard to GTFO if it gets hairy.
(http://i.imgur.com/ippz92T.png)
> Feign embarrassment. "That's not where I went. When you said the Palace of Night and Day was off-limits, I thought that might be where I needed to go. But I couldn't get in, so it looks like I have no choice but to rely on you."
-
> There was no way that someone was this stupid, thought Brilliant-Castle. Literally. This girl had to be hiding something, but her idiotic expression made her all but impenetrable. She was definitely one of a kind. Still, if the fool child had actually managed to get into the Palace, she could have ruined everything. Admittedly, that would have been the end of her then and there, but whether the Mistress' revenge was worth dozens of years' worth of planning was doubtful. Brilliant-Castle wondered idly how long the idiot girl would last under a god's geas. No more than a few hours, no doubt, if it were placed within the Mistress' sanctum. No more than a minute - no, perhaps a few minutes - if she were to wander into the Palace and have every god in Heaven tearing at her to upset the balance somehow. So as not to alert-
> Like a hiccup, the story breaks for just a brief moment to let through Youmu's voice.
> "Aichi? I... have been thinking. Maybe you do not have to do this for me. I... I think I am satisfied."
-
Okay fuck that, I'm not interested in meeting Kanako anymore.
> Run. It doesn't matter where, just get away.
> "Youmu, no! I can save you. It's within our reach now - all we have to do is defeat that damn tiger so I can become a Chosen, and then we can face the Lady Saigyouji."
> "And if there's more to it than that, I will do it. If our positions were reversed, wouldn't you do the same for me?"
> "But even if you can't believe in me or trust in me, whatever you do, don't accept this fate! What did we spend all those years training for? The world has no right to do this to you, so fight it!"
-
> "Ah, Aichi. What is the use? There are too many obstacles, it is just... too hard. It is too hard watching you suffer on my behalf, and it is too hard pretending that our efforts will amount to anything. We are facing gods, Aichi. Who has ever heard of challenging a god? This is foolishness."
> It looks like Youmu has returned to wallowing in depression. But you cannot keep this up much longer. The next time Youmu starts accepting her fate will be your last chance to offset her passing.
> Why is she running? She has no reason to, there have been no flashbacks, no exposition has occurred, no scenes of brilliant insight, thinks Koishi, twirling her silky hair. And then Koishi's serene - and, of course, perfectly beautiful - expression is marred by rage. No, no, no, no, no, no, NO! How dare she! Does she not understand her place? Oh, she will be made to! What would she use, what was there around her? Ah, a nearby adversary and an old story!
> And everything shif-
>
> As if Heaven itself beco-
>
> For her sixth birthday, her parents took the girl to the fair. The girl was wearing her new summer dress, all light and silky and patterned in salmon pinks and pearl whites. What sights there were to behold! Decorations, stalls, entertainers, dancers and merchants! Wondrous artifacts of jade and oristeel playing music and showing moving pictures hanging in still air! And all it would take to destroy the life of the girl was a speck of sand. Across-
> "I have heard this story before, and you were not in the leading role then, Aichi of the Hieda. No, a six-year-old girl was no match then, and neither will she be now. Take your real form."
> And everything is Heaven again, and you are yourself once again, and the sky is awash with colours and emotions as the story rages above, trying to make its way back in, and before you is the vast tiger in your visions, Tiger-Patterned Shou, and she is real now.
-
> "I never thought I'd be so happy to see you."
> Draw sword.
> "I'll defeat you, Tiger-Patterned Shou, and become a Chosen. Let's fight!"
-
> Draw sword.
The normal one or the Youmu one?
>Gauge Shou.
-
> "I never thought I'd be so happy to see you."
> Draw sword.
> "I'll defeat you, Tiger-Patterned Shou, and become a Chosen. Let's fight!"
> Shou nods, then bares her teeth.
> Her stance is formalised, practiced, entirely unlike that of a normal tiger. She is low to the ground, keeping her centre of mass perfectly under control, and her tight limb positioning will allow her to spring in any angle.
>Gauge Shou.
> She is bigger, faster, older and stronger than you are. You are certain she has at least a small spark of divinity. She is bound to you by her Karmic bond, and she will not be satisfied until she has tasted your flesh.
> In addition, you see coursing within her regret, fondness, anger, hunger and pride.
> Your unambiguous advantage is your precision.
-
We're using THE sword, because Shou will completely wreck our shit otherwise.
I'm thinking we should target her hunger first, since that's (ostensibly) her entire reason for fighting us. At the very least, if we get that out of the forefront we might be able to read her better.
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With a few deadlines coming up, I'm going to continue my hiatus, but it is quite clear that a lot of readers have lost interest. I, personally, want to finish this story, but I am also quite capable of taking a hint when I see it. As such, I am open to comments and suggestions. I want to know why you have lost interest. With enough feedback, I will be able to make adjustments to liven up the story again.
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In my case it's not that I've lost interest, but more that I just can't think of actions or I can't think of anything to add on to actions that have already been posted.
I do tend to lurk more often than post though, so it may also just be a habit I need to break.
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This may not be a reliable metric, but the number of views per reply for the thread, compared to other quests on the board, is doing decently. I think people are reading the quest, just hesitating to put in commands. It may be because this quest is very serious business, and bad choices will fuck us up.
Or it may be because I have almost entirely seized control of Aichi :V
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It's the former of what stuffs listed in my case.
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In my case it's not that I've lost interest, but more that I just can't think of actions or I can't think of anything to add on to actions that have already been posted.
I do tend to lurk more often than post though, so it may also just be a habit I need to break.
Pretty much exactly this. If I'm gonna post, I want it to be something that'll be good on its own, not something you need to try to do verbal gymnastics around to avoid a Bad End or some other negative issue.
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Very well. I had suspected a bigger problem, but player block I can easily deal with.
> Shou nods, then bares her teeth.
> Her stance is formalised, practiced, entirely unlike that of a normal tiger. She is low to the ground, keeping her centre of mass perfectly under control, and her tight limb positioning will allow her to spring in any angle.
> She is bigger, faster, older and stronger than you are. You are certain she has at least a small spark of divinity. She is bound to you by her Karmic bond, and she will not be satisfied until she has tasted your flesh.
> In addition, you see coursing within her regret, fondness, anger, hunger and pride.
> Your unambiguous advantage is your precision.
> Shou is a phenomenal challenge, a Fate-born God-tiger, as smart as she is strong. She is also, however, in your way.
> Do you:
> Make sacrifices? You will fight aggressively and try to take down your enemy as quickly as possible. She will overpower you, but, with your precision, you should be able to prevent Shou's attacks from hitting too many vital spots.
> Drag it out? You will go fully defensive. The story that has enveloped Heaven seems to be rushing in even now. Perhaps you can use your limited experience in Koishi's chaos to pull the advantage to your side.
> Change your nature? You will surpass your limits by striking them from yourself. Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven may be sharp enough to wound your own weakness. You cannot even begin to imagine the long-term ramifications of doing this.
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> Make sacrifices.
I think this might be the best course considering Youmu's deteriorating situation.
-
Agreed. She's stronger, so we're either going to win fast or not at all.
That third option is interesting, but we should probably save that for an emergency.
-
Heh, I'm too invested in this and enjoy Fightest's parse-mancery and story weaving to lose interest. I'm used to the hiatuses as well.
I personally enjoy the challenges, but sometimes they can be a bit vague to know what to do, or try next.
I'm down for first or third option, both seem to fit the cruel sword-play. I'm going to edge out the first though because it seems to be a bit more direct.
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Is it your birthday, Bob? Happy birthday!
> Make sacrifices.
> Your sword is built for a one-handed style, and the extra power that an additional hand on the grip gives is meaningless in this fight.
> You left arm is the first sacrifice. You leave a deliberate opening at your left flank, and Shou strikes without hesitation, crossing the distance in the blink of an eye. You guard against her rending strike with your bare left arm and strike out with your right, and the sheer impact of the tiger's attack sends you tumbling.
> Your strike connected perfectly - Shou's hunger was too fundamental to her nature for you to damage, but you see her legs shake and her expression cloud - her speed took a grave wound.
> Shou's attack, however, is almost equally debilitating - the skin and flesh of your left arm are near-ribbons where Shou's claws had raked across. Bone shines through, a ghastly white in a rapidly-growing sea of red as blood flows uncontrollably.
> Shou will see another gambit like this coming. You will need to up the stakes. What do you sacrifice next?
> Your reasoning?
> Your heartbeat?
> Your eyesight?
-
Hm... Sacrificing our reasoning seems to fit the cruel style as well so let's try that.
> Our reasoning.
-
Hah, thanks a lot Fighty, I turned 24; last week. Staff hasn't removed it yet, but I enjoy the shenanigans, it's only once a year after all.
Aw shit, all of those are horrible to lose.
>How strong is Aichi blind? She has more of a sword-sense than spirit-sense, right?
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>How strong is Aichi blind? She has more of a sword-sense than spirit-sense, right?
> You have always relied on your eyesight to see your opponents and the concepts coursing within them.
> Perhaps you may adapt to loss of eyesight somehow, but it will be difficult indeed.
-
>Reasoning. If more sacrifices are needed, heartbeat, then one last precise strike before our body gives out.
-
> Too often it is our mortal minds that hold us back through reason and fear. Surely, then, one can transcend mortality by discarding the mind, if only for a brief moment?
> Everything goes red.
> To an onlooker it would appear as if the fighters had switched roles.
> Before, there was the god-tiger, animalistic and primal, spurred on by deep hunger, and there was the human, weak and frail, her mind filled with regret and ambition.
> Now the human has become the animal, savage and feral, and the animal has, upon seeing a reflection of herself, become all-too-human, filled with doubt and worry.
> Koishi looked on as the girl roared and pounced on the creature five times her size, sword flashing. There was no wrapping a story around this. She looked at how the blade cut through skin, flesh and sinew. She looked at how the tiger's return attack sent the girl reeling, bleeding from a dozen wounds, only for the girl to stand again and to leap back into the fight. There was no elegance. No charm. There was only a frenzied beast fighting a fight it could not win. Stop, she thought. Please. You'll ruin the story. Nobody dies in stories.
> And you are back and in a burst of clarity you see that you are broken and the tiger is still strong and your body is simply not equipped to win. But what are obstacles if not simply things to overcome?
> The tiger hears the heartbeat of the girl, furious and determined all this time, cease, and her own heart skips a beat at the shock. She sees the girl die, still standing, in front of her and understands that this is no longer a fight the tiger can win. She closes her eyes and accepts the blade.
> ...
> You are dead.
> In the strictest definition: with your body unable to support it, your soul has separated from its mortal shell.
> Yet there is such a pressure, a suffocating grasp and you cannot move and, of course, it is your best friend holding on to you, tight as can be and she will not let you go.
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> I don't suppose we can try and come back alive could we?
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This idea is kind of metal so it's okay if you guys don't support it.
> Become Chosen and not need a body anymore.
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I see what Stuffman put, but there's an idea I wanted to throw out there anyway, assuming it's possible. Idea's been running through my head all day but I didn't have time to type it til now. Other players may feel free to disregard this if they'd like. (Thanks, Koishi, if this works!)
>If we can still utilize our Spell Cards(I was imagining the primary source of power was one's will, rather than physical contact, but forgive me if I'm mistaken.), try and latch onto the end of Koishi's story with the following, which would be placed after the rest of the Parser's post:
>>Nobody dies in stories. Though Aichi has disproven this, her will is absolute, and with a titanic effort aided by her companion, she begins to generate a new body unlike the husk she left behind, forged entirely from her own thoughts, feelings, and sheer will to continue to exist alongside the friend she's known so long. This new self is unbound by the rules mortals face, for one no longer alive in the strictest sense cannot be restrained by limits faced by the still-living.
Parser(and other players), feel free to ask for clarification if I made this unclear. I hope this is as interesting as it sounds to me in my head and not just weird or something...
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I see what Stuffman put, but there's an idea I wanted to throw out there anyway, assuming it's possible. Idea's been running through my head all day but I didn't have time to type it til now. Other players may feel free to disregard this if they'd like. (Thanks, Koishi, if this works!)
>If we can still utilize our Spell Cards(I was imagining the primary source of power was one's will, rather than physical contact, but forgive me if I'm mistaken.), try and latch onto the end of Koishi's story with the following, which would be placed after the rest of the Parser's post:
>>Nobody dies in stories. Though Aichi has disproven this, her will is absolute, and with a titanic effort aided by her companion, she begins to generate a new body unlike the husk she left behind, forged entirely from her own thoughts, feelings, and sheer will to continue to exist alongside the friend she's known so long. This new self is unbound by the rules mortals face, for one no longer alive in the strictest sense cannot be restrained by limits faced by the still-living.
Parser(and other players), feel free to ask for clarification if I made this unclear. I hope this is as interesting as it sounds to me in my head and not just weird or something...
So... we would basically will ourselves a new body?
Oh hell yes, seconding this instead of my original post.
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> You feel the strangest sensations of cloth and metal - silk and oristeel - where Youmu has a hold on you and you are overcome by cold and strength and age. You are inside Gathering-Clouds-Of-Heaven and Shou is here too, three silhouettes against a light gray eternal expanse.
> "Break one destiny bond and another forms in its place, is that it?" says Shou with a smile. "How well you have fought, Aichi. And what a loyal friend you have."
> How long has it been since you saw Youmu's face? And there she is by your side, holding you tight, grinding her teeth in exertion to keep you bound within the sword.
> But this is not enough, is it? Youmu still does not have her body back.
> Your journey, and your life, do not end here.
> Where is it, where is it, where is it? Let's see. Origin story? Orphan girl raised by old swordmaster. Check. Friends? Swordmaster's granddaughter, stern but fond. Check. Enemies? ... Blast it, go all the way. A strange entity that feeds on stories and plays in them like a child would in a sandbox. Check. Virtue? Determined. Check. Vice? Cruel. Check. Excellent Swordsmanship, Average Negotiation, Average Survival, Poor Etiquette. What's missing, what's missing? Ah. Appearance. This one is always hard. Just start copying and the story will-
> Where does fiction end and life begin? Is it possible to rewrite yourself? Something white flashes in your mind and the grand eversword formed of your own will and the great sorcery imbued within the Spell Card plunges deep into cracks laid wide open by the invading story. And you're still there, there is a place for you, there will always be one for as long as Youmu needs you and is it your old broken body fixed or a whole one made anew, who knows, but it is yours and you reach for it and it is so difficult
> and you see streaks of black and orange, and the tiger-essence flows into you, so strong, so raw, and the rush is all you need to grab hold
> And you're back. A light breeze caresses your face. A dull thumping comes from your chest. You're alive.
> "Oh, well done, well done," says a voice that sounds used to commands and declarations. "Truly heroic. Why, I daresay that, were it any other day, you would be Chosen then and there, right on the spot."
> You open your eyes. Outlines are still a bit vague. Just to your right, on the step of a black-and-gold palanquin sits a woman dressed in a layered formal kimono, bands of yellow and green and white visible, but the primary colours are red and purple. She idly rests her head against the side of the palanquin, looking with almost a bored expression at the miniature sun that she holds in her right hand.
> For that is what it is - a sphere shining with a blinding white light, throwing stark shadows across everything but you and the goddess.
> "But, you see, there has been a coup. I am in charge now and, quite honestly, I am not convinced. Here is your chance, then, daughter of Are."
> She smiles, baring her teeth.
> "Convince me."
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>Examine ourselves. Get bearings.
>"Do you wish to fight me?"
-
A bit of a rhetorical question, isn't that?
> Assess the woman and get ready to attack.
> "You have something to do with the Palace of Night and Day, don't you?"
> "It doesn't matter, I'm only here for one thing anyway."
Also, now that we have Shou helping us, play Eye of the Tiger whenever we fight.
-
>Examine ourselves. Get bearings.
> You are still in the grand square in Heaven that leads in all the compass directions. It has been completely abandoned at some point, you are not sure when.
> You are still yourself, as far as you can tell. Your left arm that should have been shredded by Shou's attack is whole, and even your clothes are good as new.
> Assess the woman and get ready to attack.
> She is painful to look at. Divinity courses within her like a mighty river, radiating off her in blinding waves. She must have greed and ambition and age within her, but you cannot see them.
> You draw your sword.
>"Do you wish to fight me?"
> "You have something to do with the Palace of Night and Day, don't you?"
> "It doesn't matter, I'm only here for one thing anyway."
> "Oh, goodness me!" she says, not to anyone in particular, her voice echoing across the empty square, "A mortal threatens me, with the desire to claim something that is not hers! Why, this goes against every Mandate in Heaven!"
> "Why, should she succeed, what an uproar there would be!" She raises her hands to her face in mock horror. "Heaven itself would practically come crumbling down under the weight of its own hubris!"
> She looks straight at you, smiling an unpleasant smile, and opens her hand that holds the miniature sun.
> "Here you go."
> You don't know what she does after, for the sun shoots straight into your chest like an arrow and everything goes golden.
> Divinity pulses its way through your body, touching every part of you. Your muscles grow stronger, your eyes sharper, your mind quicker, but the infusion goes so much deeper than that. The strangest sensation of authority fills you. The authority to challenge, the ability to refuse and the ability to declare things the mortal cannot.
> With no place for it any more, the tiger-essence departs your body, leaving only the strangest ability. You know that you can, with absolute certainty, sever the left arm of Are of the Hieda, as Shou did so many years ago.
> Your vision clears. You are not in Heaven any more.
> You can see everything. Concepts float around you like petals in the wind, and you can pluck them out of the air with a thought. With a single strike of your sword you could take the flow out of a river or the dark out of the night.
> It is a beautiful day. The air is warm, but a gentle breeze blows to make it pleasant. You are sitting on the top of a small hill, and before you grasslands stretch out as far as the eye can see. You remember this place, you stopped here with Youmu on the way to see the Lady Saigyouji.
> And here is Youmu, sitting at your side, a black-and-white form, looking so fragile as though a strong gust of wind might blow her away.
> "Thank you, Aichi," she says, "thank you for everything you have done for me. I have... had a good life."
> This is it. This is your last chance to stop Youmu from passing on. She will no longer regress. Should you succeed, you will have bought only until sundown for Youmu to pass on.
> You have no time to observe her to determine strengths and weaknesses.
> Fortunately, you have a few advantages from having known her since childhood.
> You can use the Guilt ability once to guarantee an automatic success or to nullify an automatic failure. This must be used in conjunction with presenting an argument.
> You can use the Best Friend ability once to guarantee an automatic success or to nullify an automatic failure. This must be used in conjunction with presenting an argument.
> A reminder of the social combat system:
> Every round you must make an argument that is relevant to the stakes at hand.
> If Youmu has no good response, it will count as a success. If Youmu has a response available, then no progress is made. With no progress three times in a row Youmu will recognise that you are stalling and it will count as an automatic failure.
> Arguing against a weakness prevents Youmu from coming up with a response - it is an automatic success.
> Arguing against a strength provides Youmu assurance that she is correct - it is an automatic failure.
> Four successes will induce enough doubt in Youmu to stall her passing on.
> Three failures will show to Youmu that her time on the mortal plane is over.
> Enforced Participation Corollary: every participating player may present only one argument, once. If a player does not wish to present an argument, they may do the following instead:
> You can use the Flashback ability to reveal one each of Youmu's strengths and weaknesses. This counts as presenting an argument for purposes of player participation.
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Ah... I'm not very good at this kind of thing, so I think I'll opt for the Flashback.
That okay with you guys?
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What the fuck Okuu.
Kasu: That's fine, but I would think Youmu's personality is consistent enough that we can probably pull this off.
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I dooon't think that's Okuu. At least, not the Okuu we know. I'm pretty sure this is The Yatagarasu.
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Guys, it's Kanako. Come on. Okuu's colour palette is white, black and green. I pretty clearly said red and purple. Gosh.
Flashback
> How many times have the two of you sat together like this? You would skip practise, and Youmu would pretend to be disapproving but you knew as much as she did that she loves the little spot under the waterfall where the two of you would sit and watch past the rushing waters as the world went by. And, at the end of the day, you would return to Youki and report on your training and know that even he knew what the two of you had been doing all day long, but he would not scold you, and you knew that this was all Youmu wanted out of her life. Someday perhaps you would go your separate way, perhaps yearning for an adventure of your own, but for now and for the years to come, you had carved out your own slice of Heaven.
> Strength: Content. Youmu does not crave adventure, nor does she care about what she may or may not achieve in the future.
> Weakness: Family ties. Youki played a big part in Youmu's life. Youmu would balk at leaving the old man alone and disappointed.
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I'll take a whack at trying to make one of the hard arguments. If it works, the rest of you can use the freebies, if it doesn't, I hope one of you can knock this out of the park D:
> "Youmu, please! It's not your time yet! This is the story's doing, it's just trying to make us both suffer! This isn't natural, it's an attack by an enemy! Don't surrender like this!"
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> Enforced Participation Corollary Addendum:
> If all participating players have presented an argument and neither success nor failure have been reached, one automatic failure will be added and player participation will be reset.
> "Youmu, please! It's not your time yet! This is the story's doing, it's just trying to make us both suffer! This isn't natural, it's an attack by an enemy! Don't surrender like this!"
> "Ah, Aichi. In the end it does not matter, does it? For us mortals, our death comes one way or another, whether it be in our sleep or at the end of a foe's blade. We can only hope that we have no regrets when we die, and I know that I die peacefully. I have you to thank for that, Aichi."
> Youmu smiles.
> No progress count: 1.
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Seems this will be appropriately difficult. Wasn't looking to use the weakness now, but I think we should try to get things rolling in our favor, see if we can build momentum.
>"What about those who you would leave behind, though? I couldn't bear to see you go before you are meant to...and I'm not the only one who would feel this way."
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>"What about those who you would leave behind, though? I couldn't bear to see you go before you are meant to...and I'm not the only one who would feel this way."
> Youmu hesitates.
> "You mean Grandfather. He would outlive his grand-child." She buries her face in her hands. "He is not strong enough to go on without me."
> Weakness targeted. Automatic Success! Success count: 1. No progress count reset.
> The Family ties weakness may not be targeted again.
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Hmm... Could there be a weakness tied to her duties to Yuyuko? What do you guys think?
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Hmm... Could there be a weakness tied to her duties to Yuyuko? What do you guys think?
I'm not so sure, given that Youmu only met Yuyuko recently, right when this whole mess started. (Recall that THIS Youmu is most likely not the Youmu we know from canon, given that this is many, many years in the past as compared to Akyuu's time, which could be called the present.)
However, duty in general, or perhaps loyalty or some similar vein, could be a viable target. I can't try it due to the Enforced Participation Corollary. If you can't think of anything to try, whoever can act right now, feel free to Flashback so we get a better idea of our options.
Also I do have a command to input if I'm allowed. It's not an argument, so the EPC shouldn't stop me, but anyway...
>Skills, filtered to only those useful in context of Social Combat. (We were able to utilize these sorts of things in Are's tale(to say nothing of Akyuu's), so maybe Aichi has some we can take advantage of that the Parser hasn't let us in on because we didn't ask.)
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However, duty in general, or perhaps loyalty or some similar vein, could be a viable target.
If you want to go with this angle, I think the fancy italicized keyword thing you'd be aiming for is her obligation. Not sure how likely it is to be a thing, though, and it might just be pressing the guilt button.
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I get the feeling that there's an argument to be made with the fact that almost every single duel with Youmu simply ended in the both of us grappling each other on the grounds. I mean, despite having trained together and sparring all those times, there has never really been a conclusion has there?
I mean, you can't really spend your entire life growing up with someone that you consider to be both your best friend and your rival and be content with simply having fun. At some point you want to find out who is stronger than the other don't you?
On the topic of the duties regarding Yuyuko, on top of it being an obligation that she has yet to fulfil, wouldn't it also tarnish the name of her grandfather to leave a contract incomplete?
Iunno. Back to lurking for me.
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>Skills, filtered to only those useful in context of Social Combat. (We were able to utilize these sorts of things in Are's tale(to say nothing of Akyuu's), so maybe Aichi has some we can take advantage of that the Parser hasn't let us in on because we didn't ask.)
I'll answer this outside the Parser's voice: I've moved away from the Skill/Stance paradigm, at least for Aichi's story. The main mechanic is, indeed, targetable keywords.
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Should we say that the entire reason we went on this quest was for her, and that our efforts would go to waste if she passed on now? Or is that a bit too close to Best Friend?
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Well, somebody do something. Take the freebie if you're not feeling confident.
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Hrm... You know what? I think Stuff was onto something when he mentioned Youmu's obligations.
So if everyone's okay with it...
> Target Youmu's obligation to Yuyuko and Youki.
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You spent your turn on the flashback, somebody else would have to do it.
It's one of the better ideas we have, though.
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I'd like to request a list of who you're counting as active members who've not yet taken a turn, if that's possible, Fightest? This way I, Kasu, and Stuffman can tell when we can take additional turns.
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Tell you what, I'll reset the counter here, as I simply have no way of telling who is active or not or whether people are off on holiday or something.
> Youmu laughs quietly.
> "Look, Aichi, I'm starting to fade! How strange. It is like looking at the world through through a light fog!" she says, looking at the sun through her hands.
> Failure count: 1. Participation reset.
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Since the counter's been reset let's try it and see what happens.
> Target Youmu's obligation to Yuyuko and Youki.
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> Target Youmu's obligation to Yuyuko and Youki.
> "So what?" she snaps, "is this not her doing? I do not think I owe anybody anything!"
> Youmu bites her lip.
> "And even if I did, she already has my body. That should be enough."
> She fidgets some more.
> "And even if it is not, then... she would have to voice her discontent personally!"
> Weakness targeted. Automatic success! Success count: 2.
> The Loyal weakness may not be targeted again.
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Great! Now we just have to bring it home.
I'll think up a way to play the Guilt card. In the meantime, somebody should start writing a heartfelt BFF speech to go afterward.
-
This will probably make her a bit mad, but that's the point, I suppose.
> Attept to guilt Youmu.
> "And what about all those years your grandfather spent training you? You want to quit here, and put it all to waste? How will he feel when I have to tell him that you gave up right at the last moment, and that it was all for naught? It's just...lazy!!"
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> Attept to guilt Youmu.
> "And what about all those years your grandfather spent training you? You want to quit here, and put it all to waste? How will he feel when I have to tell him that you gave up right at the last moment, and that it was all for naught? It's just...lazy!!"
> "How like you to be so cruel, Aichi. Leave grandfather out of this! He devoted his life to me, and I to him! I do not owe anybody anything! Not grandfather, nor you! Just let me die in peace!"
> Guilt used. Automatic success! Success count: 3.
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Hoping this isn't too over the top, and that it's written half as well as I was intending...
>Attempt persuasion as Youmu's Best Friend.
>"How can you expect me to just LET you die, Youmu?! You know me better than anyone, so you should know that's impossible! You're someone irreplaceable to me, and I know you feel the same of me! Don't just leave me after all we've been through! There's still so much more we could do together- still so much happiness unshared, sadness unconquered...So many potential memories unmade! Please, Youmu, just stay with me!"
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>Attempt persuasion as Youmu's Best Friend.
>"How can you expect me to just LET you die, Youmu?! You know me better than anyone, so you should know that's impossible! You're someone irreplaceable to me, and I know you feel the same of me! Don't just leave me after all we've been through! There's still so much more we could do together- still so much happiness unshared, sadness unconquered...So many potential memories unmade! Please, Youmu, just stay with me!"
> Youmu unclenches her fists and looks down at the ground. She speaks quietly.
> "Of course you care, Aichi. Of course."
> She reaches out to touch you on the shoulder, but her hand passes right through you. You do not even feel anything.
> "Hah," she says, trying to keep a level expression.
> Best Friend used! Automatic success! Success count: 4. Victory condition met.
> And Youmu's facade breaks, and she opens her mouth to speak but only a quiet wail comes, unending, punctuated only by big, sobbing gasps, and tears flow, disintegrating into strangely cheerful starry wisps as soon as they leave touch, and she does nothing but sit there and cry, her whole body limp.
> "I don't want to die," she squeaks out,
> And it is as if the realisation has only caught up with her as her eyes widen and she tries to ask you something but only the wail comes again and she collapses onto the ground, pounding weakly at the soft grass with her fists and she tries to regain control, use your shoulder to pull herself back up, but of course she cannot touch you and she is overwhelmed once again, her body wracked, trying to breathe only to cry it all out again and she tries again and again to pull herself together but it seems that anything, anything is enough to remind her of her fate.
-
We have somewhere to be.
>"Youmu, we should return. We need to get your body back, and we won't do that here."
>Using our recently given power, carve open our own path to the Saigyouji mansion. Manipulating the concept of here and there should be simple for us now.
>Begin to search for Yuyuko.
-
>"Youmu, we should return. We need to get your body back, and we won't do that here."
> It takes some time, but Youmu gathers herself enough to retreat into Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven. You can still hear quiet sobs coming from the sword. Youmu might still be here with you, but you know that she will not last past sunset.
>Using our recently given power, carve open our own path to the Saigyouji mansion. Manipulating the concept of here and there should be simple for us now.
>Begin to search for Yuyuko.
> Whoa, there, buddy, you're good, but you're not that good. Fortunately the Saigyouji mansion is, indeed, not far away, and you get to the town with time to spare before evening comes.
> A servant greets you at the gates of the mansion. There is no resistance laid out against you, and you are led to meet, once again, with the Lady Saigyouji. The vast cherry tree yet blooms, despite its season being long gone.
> The walls of the mansion shift and churn with colour and emotion, and even the floor seems uncertain of itself. The story that has penetrated this place so deep seems unsure where it will go next. The main reception room is a caleidoscope of patterns and colours.
> And in the same room where the deed happened she met the Lady again, and right there behind her, a silent reminder of everything that has happened so far, stood Youmu's body at attention, eerily rigid, its eyes unseeing, its mouth moving as if speaking, but no sound came out. The Lady Saigyouji seemed eager, there was an excitement in her eyes.
> "Yes, the resolution! Oh, it was worth everything just to see this ending! You will do it, will you not? You will end the story?"
-
Well, I'm glad that worked out. If it didn't, my last resort would've been to tell Youmu I love her :V
> "Oh, I'll end it, alright."
> "As you asked, I've become a Chosen.* Are you going to hand over Youmu's body?"
*I kind of have my doubts about this because I have no idea what the hell Kanako was on about.
-
Well, I'm glad that worked out. If it didn't, my last resort would've been to tell Youmu I love her :V
Part of me considered this(in a platonic sense), so it's not just you who thought of that. Anyway, I think we might be some sort of Chosen given that we're now chock full of divinity and such and our abilities and such have been amplified greatly, if the description our lovely Parser gave is any indication. Seems there're still certain limits though, as I ended up finding out. Glad it didn't end up costing time or anything.
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Fightest's note: if you don't mind, I'll take over to get us to the next challenge and the endgame.
> "Oh, I'll end it, alright."
> "As you asked, I've become a Chosen. Are you going to hand over Youmu's body?"
> "Yes, yes you have, you wonderful child! Now come! Take what's yours to take! Defy-"
> She does not wait for the Lady to finish. She could see everything already, and how could she not have before? There she was, Youmu as property of the Lady, life and death intertwined but so exposed, and all it requires is a step to get into reach and a single clean slice, and the ghost within the sword leaps out to reunite with her body-
> No.
> And the story, primed for your triumph, so, so ready to write its own happy ending stops.
> There, behind the story, you see it again, the form dark and wrapped in thorns, so filled with disgust and envy and it reaches out with its left arm-
> you briefly feel the tiger-essence's hunger
> -an arm of tendrils of oristeel, a shifting, entwining, rushing mass that extends out into eternity-
> and pulls.
> You have the briefest glimpse of a horrid, cruel smile on the Lady's lips.
> "Youmu," she says, "kill yourself."
>
> and the act is done before you can blink.
> a bloodstained blade
> hunched over, she drops to her knees
> and the foolish girl dies
-
> This could not be happening. There was no possible way this was right. This was not the ending she had intended. Nobody dies in stories. Nobody dies in stories!
> The story pulls in close, closer, engulfing everything until there is nothing more than you and Youmu's body surrounded by the roiling mass of chaos and you can feel a taboo is about to be committed, something stupid and desperate.
> She would call it the Resurrection Butterfly. And she would keep doing it until she no longer had to.
-
> "Yes, yes you have, you wonderful child! Now come! Take what's yours to take! Defy-"
> She does not wait for the Lady to finish. She could see everything already, and how could she not have before? There she was, Youmu as property of the Lady, life and death intertwined but so exposed, and all it requires is a step to get into reach and a single clean slice, and the ghost within the sword leaps out to reunite with her body-
> You have the briefest glimpse of a horrid, cruel smile on the Lady's lips.
> "Youmu," she says, "kill yourself."
-
>Is Yuyuko's ownership of Youmu targetable? If so, sever it immediately. A servant need not be OWNED by the one they serve.
>Before the Resurrection Butterfly, did we manage to determine any attributes, strengths, and/or weaknesses of the dark form with the oristeel arm?
-
>Is Yuyuko's ownership of Youmu targetable? If so, sever it immediately. A servant need not be OWNED by the one they serve.
Oh that's a good idea, if Yuyuko is closer than Youmu that might be fast enough.
-
>Before the Resurrection Butterfly, did we manage to determine any attributes, strengths, and/or weaknesses of the dark form with the oristeel arm?
> It evoked a hunger from the remnants of the tiger-essence within you.
> Its feelings coursed around it clear as day, its regret, its envy, its pity and its disgust.
>Is Yuyuko's ownership of Youmu targetable? If so, sever it immediately. A servant need not be OWNED by the one they serve.
> You are just in reach, you strike-
> -but the words have already been spoken, and you cannot outrace Youmu's sword. If only you could slow her down!
>
> and the act is done before you can blink
> a bloodstained blade
> Resurrection Butterfly.
-
> "Yes, yes you have, you wonderful child! Now come! Take what's yours to take! Defy-"
> She does not wait for the Lady to finish. She could see everything already, and how could she not have before? There she was, Youmu as property of the Lady, life and death intertwined but so exposed, and all it requires is a step to get into reach and a single clean slice, and the ghost within the sword leaps out to reunite with her body-
> You have the briefest glimpse of a horrid, cruel smile on the Lady's lips.
> "Youmu," she says, " kill yourself."
-
>Is Aichi able to prevent the order from reaching Youmu? Perhaps creating a large sound to drown out Yuyuko?
>Youmu: Call out to our body.
-
>Is Aichi able to prevent the order from reaching Youmu? Perhaps creating a large sound to drown out Yuyuko?
Nah, seems the order is already given at our savestate, it doesn't do any good to target Yuyuko. We also can't reach Youmu in time to stop her personally. Why does she have to be so fast D:
I think we have to cut a thing that will indirectly stop her from killing herself. We could also bust out a spellcard, I'm not sure what kind of modification we could make to this though.
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>Is Aichi able to prevent the order from reaching Youmu? Perhaps creating a large sound to drown out Yuyuko?
> You would have to act so quickly the command cannot reach Youmu's ears. And even then, the link between Master and Servant would carry the implied order.
>Youmu: Call out to our body.
> You are briefly Youmu.
> What strange sensation! You have spent so long outside your body that a corporeal form seems alien. More alien yet is how it resists you: your lower soul is still bound to the Lady. But it is your own soul, after all. You can regain control of it. You just need a few moments...
-
Let's go for the 360 noscope.
> In one smooth motion, cut the distance between ourselves and Youmu, instantly placing ourselves next to her, and finish the slice by destroying her sword.
-
> In one smooth motion, cut the distance between ourselves and Youmu, instantly placing ourselves next to her, and finish the slice by destroying her sword.
> You cannot bend time and space, but you can give yourself a little extra reach.
> Much as an architect can build a palace in her mind's eye, so can a swordsman strike at her foe in her imagination. And if they imagine it hard enough, then what choice does reality have but to concede?
> It is a conflict on such minor scales that it boggles the imagination. Youmu is infinitely faster on the draw and the strike, but your sword is ready, and your target requires no large swing.
> Even though you stand too far from your target to hit, you make a strike so absolutely precise that it cannot possibly miss, the rules of Creation be damned. In mid-motion, half of Youmu's sword flies off, embedding itself in the floor.
> You can feel another Resurrection Butterfly winding up. Youmu will readjust her grip and slice open her throat. You have enough time to make a step to get in physical reach. How many times has this already happened?
-
>Strike at Youmu's wrist of the arm that holds her sword(with the flat of our blade), aiming such as to disarm her.
>How is Youmu(upper soul) doing with regards to jumping back into her body?
-
>Strike at Youmu's wrist of the arm that holds her sword(with the flat of our blade), aiming such as to disarm her.
> Every moment matters. Against the fastest swordsman in Creation, even the simplest economy of movement is enough to gain the advantage you so desperately need.
> Youmu shifts her grip. You make the step just a fraction slower, but her motion is from her waist, upwards and across, yours is simply down, and you do not miss. You cannot afford to miss.
> Her hand spasms and lets go of her sword.
> You feel the Resurrection Butterfly wind again. Right hand on yours, left palm on the blade, she pulls and impales herself on your sword. Not even a second has passed but why are your arms so tired?
-
> You feel the Resurrection Butterfly wind again. Right hand on yours, left palm on the blade, she pulls and impales herself on your sword. Not even a second has passed but why are your arms so tired?
WHY YOU LITTLE
Someone think of a way to use the spellcard.
-
Taking Stuffman's earlier suggestion to attack something to indirectly stop this. The link Yuyuko and LowerSoul!Youmu share is what makes the order unable to prevent, so maybe we can do something with it even after the order is given. Is this objectionable to anyone? Was thinking to repeat up to the point where we break her sword, then instead of targeting Youmu's body, target the link. I just don't want to take too many actions without consent since there're more players than just me.
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Taking Stuffman's earlier suggestion to attack something to indirectly stop this. The link Yuyuko and LowerSoul!Youmu share is what makes the order unable to prevent, so maybe we can do something with it even after the order is given. Is this objectionable to anyone? Was thinking to repeat up to the point where we break her sword, then instead of targeting Youmu's body, target the link. I just don't want to take too many actions without consent since there're more players than just me.
Fightest's note: I'll answer this indirectly by providing some feedback.
> In the grey, motionless space between moments, when everything exists in a potential state ripe with possibility, you can see Youmu's eyes, before cold and emotionless, now light up with comprehension. She is regaining control. Every single action has been buying her moments in which to claim her body. Now, if only you can buy one more...
-
Fightest's note: we're so close to being done here. If you don't mind, I'll take over and bring us over the finish line.
> You feel the Resurrection Butterfly wind again. Right hand on yours, left palm on the blade, she pulls and impales herself on your sword. Not even a second has passed but why are your arms so tired?
> Here it is again, the small advantage that is yours and yours alone. Youmu has to aim her body. You have but to aim your sword.
> Youmu pulls. You nudge.
> The divinely sharp sword enters her body like it were water, but that only makes your task so much easier. With tremendous effort you guide Gathering-Clouds-of-Heaven past nerve clusters, past bone, past blood vessels, past organs, past chakras, harming not a single one and through, through, the tip of your sword emerging from her back bloodless.
> And with a sharp breath, Youmu regains control.
> "Hah," she gasps, trying to find words that just won't come. She looks down at your hands, still holding the sword that is buried in her abdomen to the hilt and laughs a giddy laugh.
> You tense to start pulling the sword out, but Youmu puts her hands on yours to stop you.
> "I," she starts, but again comes short of finding what to say. Instead, she shuffles in closer and wraps her arms around you. You can hear her giggling quietly.
-
>Wait for Youmu to regain her composure
>"I'm so glad that's finally over. Now, if you don't mind..."
>Glance at the sword stuck in her
>*I'm going to need that back. There is still one last thing I need to do."
>Try to sense the shadowy figure from before.
Jq's note: Should I just act from now on when I have an idea, or is waiting for others if I have multiple consecutive inputs better? I'd waited this time to give someone else a chance to do stuff too, but then nobody did,so I dunno.
-
>Wait for Youmu to regain her composure
>"I'm so glad that's finally over. Now, if you don't mind..."
>Glance at the sword stuck in her
>*I'm going to need that back. There is still one last thing I need to do."
>Try to sense the shadowy figure from before.
> The spectre is gone. How long it has been gone is as hard to answer a question as how many times the Resurrection Butterfly wound and rewound its ending.
> "Hold, Aichi," Youmu whispers, "I...I would stay like this for a while longer."
> Koishi stood politely aside, waiting for an opportunity to present herself. She had lost control of her story and endangered the characters within. Perhaps she should offer an apology.
-
>As carefully as we can, finally return the hug that we left hanging
>"As long as you'd like, Youmu."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/OdsMxUp.png)
[ Urge to make dirty joke regarding penetration. Will refrain. ]
-
>As carefully as we can, finally return the hug that we left hanging
>"As long as you'd like, Youmu."
> "You are the best friend I could ever hope to wish for, Aichi," says Youmu, "I can only hope to measure up to you some day."
> Letting go, she grins and nods.
> You grasp the sword and carefully pull it out of her. You do not rush. You have all the time in the world now.
[ Urge to make dirty joke regarding penetration. Will refrain. ]
Fightest's note: You will have to believe me that I realised only a few hours afterwards that Aichi's journey to save Youmu culminates in her plunging her sword deep inside her. I honestly intended no innuendo, but it appears that, when dealing with swordsmen, the possibility can get quite real of it happening anyway.
-
> A few days pass.
> You check your pack for everything that you might need for the short trip back to the mountain, from where you will begin the first leg of a longer journey.
> "Do not forget to visit me and grandfather once you are done," instructs Youmu, "and bring souvenirs from your travels. I want to hear what heroic deeds you get yourself into. The Lady Saigyouji as well, she loves to hear of faraway places."
-
> Nod and smile. "Of course."
-
> What happened with the Lady Saigyouji? Did we fix her?
-
> What happened with the Lady Saigyouji? Did we fix her?
> The Lady Saigyouji was released from the story when you finally saved Youmu. It appears that the story had no more use for the Lady. It took several days for Youmu to convince the Lady that she holds no grudge against her, but the Lady still has a tendency to fall over herself apologizing for her actions. How the Lady's and Youmu's relationship will develop over the coming year you cannot begin to fathom.
> Nod and smile. "Of course."
> "Fare well, Aichi," says Youmu, "we will always be together in spirit."
> You leave.
> The early morning sun begins to peek over the horizon. Out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of tiger stripes.
> "A strange form, this." A voice comes from your left. The speaker is a rough-looking girl, with gold-and-black streaked hair, wearing simple white linen clothing. "But it has its advantages. A good morning to you, Aichi of the Hieda, and my congratulations on a grand challenge overcome."
-
> Squint as we look her over. "Tiger-Patterned Shou, is that you? Well met."
> Examine her new form. Has anything about her changed besides her body?
-
> Squint as we look her over. "Tiger-Patterned Shou, is that you? Well met."
> Examine her new form. Has anything about her changed besides her body?
> The tiger-essence within her has diminished. While she might be able to regain her previous strength, she is less now.
> "I will not intrude on you for long. I am here to warn you. Heaven is cracked and broken. The Mandate has lost its power and nothing is absolute any more. Uncertain times are coming. Uncertain and terrible."
> She could not stop it now, whether she wanted to or not. The Hieda girl had quite aptly demonstrated that a character in a story is not just a pawn to be played with and, yet, no matter how she might regret it, no matter how she might want to change her ways, Koishi could not stop it now. A story had momentum. Like a river that has thousands of tributaries feeding it it is no longer possible to change its path. But, she contemplated, perhaps it is possible to reduce its flow.
> The tiger-girl disappears into the forest, leaving you alone on the road again. Despite the cloudless day, the sky seems no longer as clear, and the sun no longer as bright. There is a staleness on the air, and the breeze does little to refresh you. You recall the map on the wall of the reception room in the Saigyouji manner. The world is growing smaller, losing itself to uncertainty.
> You nod to yourself. There is much to be done.
> Her Mother's Sword END.
> To be continued in The Legend of Hieda III: Esteemed Companion.
Fightest's note: I'll leave the thread open for a few days to answer any questions you might have, then move on straight to part 3.
-
What made you decide to eschew the Stance and Technique system?
Were there any things that you woud have liked to go differently?
While I won't ask what they'd BE, do you have any other new combat or gameplay mechanics in mind for Esteemed Companion?
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What made you decide to eschew the Stance and Technique system?
By giving Aichi a more cinematic, open-ended technique I get a lot more narrative freedom. It is also, frankly, easier. There was a lot more to keep track of in this installment, and not having huge movelists was a blessing. I also don't hugely like the Stance/Technique system, and I know that Dynamic Powers are, in the end, a bit lazy, but I've yet to come across a goldmine like Araki did with Stands in JoJo, for example.
Were there any things that you woud have liked to go differently?
The original intent was to have two more fights, one against Kanako and one against Koishi. I felt that both would impede the pace of the plot, and they had to be cut out. Perhaps I could have kept them in if I had better control of pacing, but, otherwise, I am quite happy with how part 2 went, provided that readers felt at all any sympathy to Aichi and Youmu's struggles.
While I won't ask what they'd BE, do you have any other new combat or gameplay mechanics in mind for Esteemed Companion?
The Esteemed Companion grew up amongst gods and spirits, and has a strong affinity with them. A sword will not cut her if the sword's spirit is her ally, and the wind might conceal her from foes if she makes a strong enough case to it.
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Ah, so Legend III's going to basically be "Befriend EVERYTHING!". I'm definitely looking forward to it. Thanks for doing these and putting up with any lapses we've had throughout the Hieda series thus far!