Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: DracoOmega on September 09, 2010, 07:37:35 PM
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>You are Keine Kamishirasawa, and the world around you is not the one you remember. Something happened in the future which broke the past, and you intend to fix it.
>Two evenings ago, you investigated a strange disturbance in the woods near the village. There you found an unknown human girl, and a mysterious white-winged youkai whose presence seemed to make you drift towards sleep. And then they spoke, and reality broke around you. You awakened to a world where some things are very different, and you've been trying to determine what caused this.
>You have discovered the human village abandoned, and inhabited only by Hina and a strange human woman named Shiouko. The Spring Snow incident went unresolved, and Gensokyo endured an entire year of winter. The ensuing famine killed a great many people, including your close friend Akyuu. The surviving humans now live in a new village at the foot of Youkai Mountain, under Kanako's protection. Kanako is working with the Kappa to industrialize Gensokyo, and some of the fruits of this work can already be found in the human village.
>You have met and befriended Rumia, who has been following you around ever since.
>You have found a chasm where the Hakurei Shrine should be. Apparently Reimu disappeared with it, sometime after the Scarlet Mist Incident.
>You have fought off Mystia, who evidently held a grude against you for reasons you cannot remember.
>You discovered a house that belonged to your counterpart in this timeline, who seems to have lived a life that you do not remember. She seems to have vanished since the time when you awoke.
>You have witnessed a large explosion of magical energy that appears to have transported a large patch of forest at a point between Yokai Mountain and the Scarlet Devil Mansion. When you investigated, you were attacked by a winged shadow creature that emerged from remnants of the energy. You obtained a sample of this energy, and gave it to Patchouli to analyze and she has mapped the location of similar fissures across Gensokyo
>You have explained your situation to Mokou, and she has been travelling with you ever since. She seems to be growing close to you already, and it's comforting to have her along.
>You have ventured into the Hell of Blazing Fires, and discovered that it has turned cold. You learned that Utsuho had been held captive by Kanako, and had told Orin that Utsuho could never be released.
>With the help of Suika, you have tunneled a path into Eientei, breaching the wards that surrounded it, and convinced Kaguya to restore the full moon.
>You've found Yukari's house, seperated from the rest of Gensokyo by a reality splice. Inside it, Yukari has been slumbering in a web of barriers for seven years, after she froze the border between the past and present to prevent a change in the future from rippling further backwards in time
>You have rescued Ran from inside this barrier and reunited her with Chen, after being seperated for seven years.
>Ran has opened a path along the fissures to where she believes the pieces of Gensokyo were transported. You have travelled along this path, discovering that it leads to Kyoto, 11 years in the future. You've found no sign of anything mysterious on the other side, however.
>You arranged for Shikieiki to judge Kanako regarding Utsuho's confinement, and in the ensuing moral argument, Sanae freed her. Although Utsuho seems damaged by her experience, she is now home with her family. Without her presence, however, the reactor that powers the villages will soon run down. You don't know whether this will bring the industrialization of the village to a halt or not.
>You are currently in the dining room of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, having just finished eating dinner.
>Rest up for a bit, then gather up Ran and head for the "admit two" rift.
>With a nod to Sakuya, you and your companions depart the dining room. You give a little time for the lovely dinner to settle, and for Ran to complete the components of the spell she's preparing, and then you get ready to depart for the rift. You leave Chen and Rumia behind again, although Mokou asks to tag along for at least the first leg of the journey.
>Soon, the three of you arrive back at the fissure where you were attacked by the shadow creature yesterday evening. The remnants of energy still flicker actively. Ran takes a look around, then withdraws the portal key.
>"I believe I am ready when you are," she says.
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>"Hmm, thinking about getting separated, perhaps we should tie ourselves together?"
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>"Hmm, thinking about getting separated, perhaps we should tie ourselves together?"
>Ran frowns. "I don't know that it would make any difference. I suppose it can't hurt to try, though. But... do we have anything to do that with?"
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>"It was sort of a last minute idea, so I don't think so. How should we try to meet up?"
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>"It was sort of a last minute idea, so I don't think so. How should we try to meet up?"
>Ran pull something that looks rather like a spellcard out of her robes. "I prepared this while I was with Patchouli," she says. "The spell is based on an aspect of a shikigami contract. Essentially, it will tie a link between us that will allow us to sense the other's position, even at a distance. Don't worry, it's temporary, and not nearly as binding. There will be no effects other than the one I described."
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>Nod.
>"Alright, how does it work? And, what is the range we can expect it to comfortable accommodate?"
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>Nod.
>"Alright, how does it work? And, what is the range we can expect it to comfortable accommodate?"
>Ran pauses thoughtfully. "I suppose I could describe it like this. You know how, when you close your eyes, you remain aware of the position of your limbs? It's a little like that. As for effective range, I'm afraid I don't really know the upper bound. The sensation will become muted as distance increases, but I would expect we could still sense each other from across the city if we concentrated on it. In Gensokyo, the only times I've felt this linkage severed was when the pair of us were not in the same realm, but Gensokyo is small, and this connection will also not be as strong as the ones I share with Lady Yukari and Chen."
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> "Okay. It sounds like it'll help a lot. Do you cast it now or when we've gone through?"
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> "Okay. It sounds like it'll help a lot. Do you cast it now or when we've gone through?"
>"The spell must be cast in person," Ran says. "It wouldn't do much good to use it after we're already separated. Are you ready?"
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>Nod.
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>Nod.
>"Very well," Ran says. She holds the card up before her and closes her eyes, then starts to incant. The lines and glyphs on the card grow bright blue and then the card itself evaporates into energy. You hear a strange resonance in the air, like a tuning fork. Ran reaches out and takes your hand in hers, and you can feel something flow along her grasp, something reach out and tug on your mind. For a moment, you feel as though you are sharing someone else's body; taller, different. And then it passes. You shake your head and blink, feeling a little disoriented. Ran releases your hand and nods. "It is done," she says.
>You can feel Ran. Not in an intimate sense, but almost as if her body were vague extension of your own. You close your eyes and turn, but her presence is still extremely clear to you. She takes a step deeper into the fissure and you feel her move. It's... a little disconcerting.
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>"This feels like it is going to lead to a headache. How long will it last?"
>Follow her down.
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>"This feels like it is going to lead to a headache. How long will it last?"
>Follow her down.
>"A headache?" Ran frowns. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm so used to the sensation that I barely notice it anymore. I hope it isn't too unpleasant for you. And perhaps... a day?"
>You follow Ran deeper into the fissure. Frankly, you could follow her just as easily with your eyes closed. She holds the portal key up, looks around a little, and then comes to a stop.
>"I think this is probably the best spot to exit from," she says.
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>"Alright, is there anything special we need to do?"
>If Mokou hasn't followed us down, wave to her.
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>"Alright, is there anything special we need to do?"
>If Mokou hasn't followed us down, wave to her.
>"No," Ran says. "The entry should be the same as always. It's the exit I'm concerned about."
>Mokou did follow you down.
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>Nod to Ran. "What do you mean, exactly, when you say worried about the exit?"
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>Nod to Ran. "What do you mean, exactly, when you say worried about the exit?"
>"Well, as I said before, we can't expect to arrive together. Nor should either of us expect to arrive at the location you traveled to the first time. But none of this should require action on your part until we're actually out on the other side."
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>"Ah. I thought you mean exiting there to come back here."
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>"Ah. I thought you mean exiting there to come back here."
>"Oh, sorry," Ran says. "I don't expect there should be any extra difficulties with that."
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>Nod.
>Turn to mokou. Giver her a hug. "Hopefully we'll have this all fixed up before morning."
>Peck on the cheek.
>"I'll try to bring you a souvenir. Wait for us at the mansion, alright?"
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>Nod.
>Turn to mokou. Giver her a hug. "Hopefully we'll have this all fixed up before morning."
>Peck on the cheek.
>"I'll try to bring you a souvenir. Wait for us at the mansion, alright?"
>You nod to Ran, then turn and give Mokou a hug. She returns it warmly, after a moment.
>"You be safe out there, got it?" she says.
>You give Mokou a peck on the check. She turns her head towards you as you release your embrace. Her eyes look deeply into yours, and you see a flicker of hesitation in them, then it passes.
>Mokou nods. "Yeah, I ain't going anywhere until you get back. Good luck finding whatever it is you're looking for."
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> Turn to the rift.
> If Ran is ready, head inside.
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>"And I will reward your patience with wild monkey sex."
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>"And I will reward your patience with wild monkey sex."
>"Awright!" Mokou says. "About bloody time! Whaddaya think I've been hanging around so long for?"
> Turn to the rift.
> If Ran is ready, head inside.
>You turn back to the rift and let Ran know that you're ready to proceed. She nods and activates the portal key, opening another gap, wider than the first, but somewhat angrier looking.
>You and Ran take a step inside together. The moment your body makes contact with the gap, you feel the parts inside being twisted away from the parts that remain outside. Stepping fully through does little to alleviate this sensation. You feel as though all your limbs are being twisted and stretched in impossible ways as if you were made out of rubber. This somehow manages not to be painful, but is still extremely disconcerting. You are flying at impossible speed, then falling, changing direction wildly with no regard for inertia. Flashes of images you cannot process flicker past you; it doesn't seem to matter whether your eyes are closed or open. You're not even sure you have eyes. Distantly, you feel Ran tumbling like yourself, your paths converging and diverging and twisting knots around each other. And then you feel the wind against your face. You're falling! For real this time. You feel so dizzy that you're not even sure which way is up.
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>Hover, if at all possible. Appearing out of nowhere won't be any less suspicious. Look around. Land soon, if it's safe.
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>Hover, if at all possible. Appearing out of nowhere won't be any less suspicious. Look around. Land soon, if it's safe.
>You manage to hover and catch yourself before you have an unpleasant encounter with the ground. Trying to clear your head as best you can, you have a quick look around. You seem to be a couple hundred feet above the ground, over what looks like a similar residential area to the one you saw yesterday. There are many, many houses, and quite a few cars driving on the street, as well as people walking. It's dark out, but you think you'd be easy to spot from here if anyone was looking. There's too much ground to survey for you to be certain if anyone has.
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>How do you know what cars are?
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>Quickly float down somewhere unoccupied - a back alley or something.
>If safe, 'feel' where Ran is.
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>How do you know what cars are?
>Inference, mostly. While knowledge of the outside world in Gensokyo is limited, some people do have a passion for it. The kappa in particular have a fascination for whatever information they could find about outsider technology, and you have heard the word a few times. Cars were supposedly something like small trains that didn't require track to run on. Given their description, you think it's fairly plausible these are them.
>Quickly float down somewhere unoccupied - a back alley or something.
>If safe, 'feel' where Ran is.
>You search for an isolated, unoccupied area near where you are, and spot a small side-street. You quickly land there. You're still not sure that you went unnoticed, but at least you didn't see anyone pointing and yelling.
>The area around seems perfectly safe, and if no one spotted your arrival and descent, you probably shouldn't draw any more attention than you did last time you were here. Now that you're not preoccupied and can see straight again, it takes no effort at all to sense Ran. The sensation is significantly fainter than it was in the fissure, however. She seems to be a considerable distance away, but you have no trouble telling her direction.
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>Look for one of those booth things have come with phone books.
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>Look for one of those booth things have come with phone books.
>You set out and wander the streets for a while, looking for something that resembles the phones that Sanae described to you, and generally angling towards Ran's location. Despite the hour, the streets still seem fairly active, with people going their various ways, and a number of those cars passing unnervingly fast beside you. You cover a few blocks, passing mostly houses, although you do spot a small store or two. There is no sign of a booth that seems to match this description.
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>Wonder if they've been outlawed or some such since Sanae left.
>Try to get some idea where we are from the various signs.
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>Wonder if they've been outlawed or some such since Sanae left.
>Try to get some idea where we are from the various signs.
>That would be... very unfortunate, given your current situation.
>While there are plenty of street signs, the names of the streets mean nothing to you. You're not sure how they would help you ascertain your position.
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>Moslty to make sure we don't backtrack unless we want to.
>Look for a place that sells newspapers while travelling in a generally Ran-ward position. As well as booths with phone books.
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>Moslty to make sure we don't backtrack unless we want to.
>Look for a place that sells newspapers while travelling in a generally Ran-ward position. As well as booths with phone books.
>You think you've got a pretty good grasp of where you're going. Ran helps with this, serving as a sort of compass anchor point, although she's moving, too. Towards you, it seems.
>You continue to travel in Ran's direction, although you think you're separated by quite a distance, still. Eventually, some of the houses give way to a small commercial area. You can see several shops clustered together and a large open space in front of them filled with stationary cars. And... by the buildings themselves, you think you see some booths labeled 'telephone'.
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>Check one of these booths!
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>Check one of these booths!
>You move towards one of the booths. Inside it, there appears to be a large grey box, with a series of numbered buttons and several slots in it. According to the writing, these appear to be for depositing money or cards of some sort. There appears to be a 50 yen charge per usage. There is a sort of roughly bananna-shaped object hanging off the a lever on the side of box and connected to it by a metal cord. You also see a large book bound to the box.
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>Grab the book! Examine it!
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>Grab the book! Examine it!
>You open the book and page through it. It seems to contain a massive list of names, each accompanied with an address and a sequence of numbers. There are a truly staggering number of people listed in this book, despite the wording suggesting that it only contains people living within Kyoto.
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>"Maybe it is a summoning tome?"
>Look up Reimu Hakurei.
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>"Maybe it is a summoning tome?"
>Look up Reimu Hakurei.
>You mutter to yourself about the book. Even if mundane, this is an impressive feat of logistics. Many large scale censuses were less comprehensive than this in the old days.
>You search through the book for a Reimu Hakurei... and find one! The address means nothing to you, but the kanji in her name is an exact match.
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>Contemplate the numbers.
>Contemplate the device.
>Contemplate what we saw yesterday, with the guy and the thing he was talking into.
>Look around to see if anyone else is using a booth for further guidance.
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>Do we have a way to write down the address for later use? And what is it, specifically?
>Make sure to check for Marisa Kirisame as well.
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>Contemplate the numbers.
>Contemplate the device.
>Contemplate what we saw yesterday, with the guy and the thing he was talking into.
>Look around to see if anyone else is using a booth for further guidance.
>Looking at the numbers and the device, it seems fairly plausible that you're intended to push the numeric buttons in a particular order to reach the associated person. Somehow.
>None of this looks especially similar to the device you saw that man speaking into the other day, although Sanae said that phones come in a wide range of sizes. This one is substantially bigger. Perhaps it's more powerful, somehow?
>You don't see anyone in the adjacent booths at the moment.
>Do we have a way to write down the address for later use? And what is it, specifically?
>Make sure to check for Marisa Kirisame as well.
>You have nothing with you that you could write with, although you believe you can commit it to memory. The address is Mibuboujou-chou 48-3-2-113 Nakagyou-ku.
>You decide to check whether there is a Marisa Kirisame in the phone book. There is! Complete with address and number.
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>Step one. Look for the part of the phone you talk into. And listen from.
>We'll defeat this thing, yet.
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>Step one. Look for the part of the phone you talk into. And listen from.
>We'll defeat this thing, yet.
>You stare at the box for a bit. It doesn't seem to be making any noises of any sort. That bananna-shaped object on the side looks liftable, though, although you're not sure what purpose that serves. You pick it up to take a better look at it, and it starts to make a sort of buzzing noise. It seems to be coming from a few holes in one end of the object. There are a few holes in the other end, as well. Perhaps this is it?
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>Consider the shape of the banana thing; compare it to what we saw yesterday.
>It wants fifty yen. Look around for a place to put them.
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>Consider the shape of the banana thing; compare it to what we saw yesterday.
>It wants fifty yen. Look around for a place to put them.
>It's shape is quite different, but you suspect it was meant to be used in the same fashion. If you put the noise-making section to your ear, the other bit seems to line up with your mouth.
>There is a spot clearly labeled to deposit these coins
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>Try slipping in a fifty yen coin, if we have one.
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>Try slipping in a fifty yen coin, if we have one.
>You have no coins of the appropriate denomination, so you try inserting a series of smaller coins. As you put them in, you hear a clattering, and the coins reappears in a tray at the base of the phone. Some moving text on the phone admonishes you to use only proper coinage.
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>Well, at least it gave to back.
>Reclaim coins.
>Examine this admonishing text! This is fascinating. Does it say anything else?
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>Well, at least it gave to back.
>Reclaim coins.
>Examine this admonishing text! This is fascinating. Does it say anything else?
>Yes, that would be rather unpleasant. You aren't exactly rich, and the newspaper cost a small fortune as it is. But perhaps you're only spending someone else's money at the moment, anyway?
>You take your coins back.
>It certainly is quite impressive. You're not sure how it moves like that. All it seems to be displaying at the moment is a request to deposit 50 yen. Which you just did. Vexing...
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>Look around for a store that seems open and not too busy, preferably nearby.
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>Look around for a store that seems open and not too busy, preferably nearby.
>These phones are in fact immediately outside a small cluster of stores. There appears to be a small grocery store, a hardware store, restaurant of some sort, and some place that deals in electronics.
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>Glance into them, do they seem busy, or open?
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>Glance into them, do they seem busy, or open?
>You have a little glance into the windows. The restaurant and the grocery store appear to be open, while the other two are closed. Neither of them are hugely crowded, although both have a solid number of customers at the moment.
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>Oh well.
>Head into the grocery, and approach the merchant if she doesn't seem busy.
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>Oh well.
>Head into the grocery, and approach the merchant if she doesn't seem busy.
>You head towards the grocery store, pausing with a startle when the doors slide open in front of you without anyone nearby to have done this. You take a step back and they close again. Moving forward, they re-open. How... different.
>The inside is spacious and brightly lit, and there are row upon row of products in all kinds of strange and colorful packaging. There doesn't actually appear to be a merchant immediately by the entrance, but a little ways away you spot several lines of customers paying for items with several different uniformed people. All of them seem presently engaged, however. You also notice a couple solitary people wearing the same uniform walking around the store and shelving items.
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>Frown. Too busy for barter.
>Look around for someone who seems well to do, and not in a visibly bad mood.
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Popping in to say I like you for numbering your thread titles :3
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Popping in to say I like you for numbering your thread titles :3
Happy to oblige ^^;
>Frown. Too busy for barter.
>Look around for someone who seems well to do, and not in a visibly bad mood.
>You frown. They really do seem rather busy at the moment.
>You scan around the store. It's somewhat harder to tell who's well to do when so many of the external markers of status have changed. The clothing styles are all different than you recognize, and no one at all you've seen so far carries a sword. Still, you eventually settle on a middle-aged man whose clothing seems somewhat more finely tailored than average here. His mood seems rather neutral. He's currently putting oranges into some sort of mostly transparent bag.
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>Approach.
>"Excuse me sir, may I have a moment to make an odd request of you?"
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>Approach.
>"Excuse me sir, may I have a moment to make an odd request of you?"
>You approach the man as he puts the bag of oranges into unusual wheeled cart made of thin metal piping.
>He turns to you, attempting not to regard your dress with too much obvious dubiousness, although you catch a hint of it nonetheless. "Is there something I can do for you?" he asks.
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>Smile.
>"I need money for the booth outside, would you be willing to trade me an antique coin for fifty yen?"
>Present a small denomination coin!
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>Smile.
>"I need money for the booth outside, would you be willing to trade me an antique coin for fifty yen?"
>Present a small denomination coin!
>You smile, make the man an offer, and present one of your coins. He takes it and examines it critically.
>"Is this genuine?" he asks, his face looking rather incredulous. "Something like this would be worth far far more than 50 yen. I- I cannot accept this. Even an imitation this convincing would be-" He hesitates and takes a closer look for you. "If you really need money for the phone, here."
>He takes a wallet out of his pocket, extracts a 50 yen coin from it, and hands it to you.
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>Take coin!
>"Are you sure you don't want it?"
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>Take coin!
>"Are you sure you don't want it?"
>You take the coin.
>"It's quite alright," he replies. "If you really want to sell it, I'm sure there are places that would be able to give a fair price for it."
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>Bow.
>"Thank you very much, sir, that's quite kind of you!"
>Head back to the phone before he changes his mind.
>Examine the number, and consider how to properly transmit it to the phone. Likely the buttons, but let's take some time and be sure we have it right.
>_
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>Bow.
>"Thank you very much, sir, that's quite kind of you!"
>Head back to the phone before he changes his mind.
>Examine the number, and consider how to properly transmit it to the phone. Likely the buttons, but let's take some time and be sure we have it right.
>You bow.
>"Oh, it's only 50 yen," he says. "It's no trouble at all."
>You quickly head back to the phone. The man makes no further comment.
>You look at the number in the phone book again, and the numeric buttons. It seems most likely that you're simply supposed to press the buttons in the order that corresponds to a given number in the phone book. Certainly, you see no other means of interacting with the phone.
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>Make sure we have the number handy.
>"Alright, you. We're going to do this and I don't want any trouble."
>Put in coin.
>Pick up the noisy thing if it's in the road. Punch in the numbers.
>Listen.
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>Make sure we have the number handy.
>"Alright, you. We're going to do this and I don't want any trouble."
>Put in coin.
>Pick up the noisy thing if it's in the road. Punch in the numbers.
>Listen.
>You double-check the number. You think you've got this.
>You admonish the phone. It does not reply. At least you're not crazy yet.
>You deposit the 50 yen coin in the slot. The phone makes a beeping sound, and the display thanks you for depositing money, and asks you to input the number. So far so good.
>You pick up the noisy thing, and carefully press the numbers in their given sequence.
>You listen in. As you input each number, a beep came from the phone. Once the sequence was finished, it starts making a different periodic sound. This repeats several times until you begin to wonder if you've done something wrong. Perhaps there's some other trick required to get the phone to operate properly? Then suddenly this noise stops, and you hear a person's voice in it.
>"Hello?"
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>Several sounds?
>Sound one: "Reimu?"
>Sound two: "Reimu is that you?"
>Sound three: "Reimu, are you making that weird noise?"
>Sound four: "This is really important, Reimu!"
>Sound five: "I don't know what's going on, is that you Reimu?"
>Pickup: "Oh good, why were you making that weird noise? And, is this Reimu?"
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>Several sounds?
>Sound one: "Reimu?"
>Sound two: "Reimu is that you?"
>Sound three: "Reimu, are you making that weird noise?"
>Sound four: "This is really important, Reimu!"
>Sound five: "I don't know what's going on, is that you Reimu?"
>Pickup: "Oh good, why were you making that weird noise? And, is this Reimu?"
>You utter a series of increasingly confused and desperate remarks into the phone, but get no acknowledgment.
>"Uh, what weird noise?" the voice responds. "And yeah, this is me. What do you want?"
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>"The noise, that...oh, forget it. Are you Reimu Hakurei, of the Hakurei Shrine?"
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>Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down if you let me speak it'll take a minute or two I'll tell you how I became a were-hakutaku (http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/606/keinebelair.png)
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>Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down if you let me speak it'll take a minute or two I'll tell you how I became a were-hakutaku (http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/606/keinebelair.png)
>"Sorry," Reimu replies abruptly, "But I don't want whatever you're trying to sell me."
>"The noise, that...oh, forget it. Are you Reimu Hakurei, of the Hakurei Shrine?"
>There is a pause on the other end. "What did you just say?" Her tone is rather severe.
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>"I asked if you were Reimu Hakurei, of the Hakurei Shrine. You are, aren't you? This is Keine."
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>"Well you see I'm an emissary from Youkai Mountain here to tell you about the benefits of converting to Moriyaism..."
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>"I asked if you were Reimu Hakurei, of the Hakurei Shrine. You are, aren't you? This is Keine."
>"I don't have a clue who you are," Reimu says. "But you're going to tell me how you know that."
>"Well you see I'm an emissary from Youkai Mountain here to tell you about the benefits of converting to Moriyaism..."
>"...do they give bigger donations?"
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>"No, but they do drive hellcrows mad with power and lock them up for years!"
>"I'm a historian from the human village in Gensokyo."
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>"No, but they do drive hellcrows mad with power and lock them up for years!"
>Reimu sighs. "You're really not making the best sales pitch here, you know. You new at this?"
>"I'm a historian from the human village in Gensokyo."
>Reimu sighs. "Great. Just great. I'm not sure whether I should be happy or annoyed. Alright, how long you been here?"
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>Skip a few steps of explanation, point out that we have a way back in
>"Several minutes so far, this time. I take it something like this has happened before?"
>"How's Marisa?"
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>Skip a few steps of explanation, point out that we have a way back in
>"Several minutes so far, this time. I take it something like this has happened before?"
>"How's Marisa?"
>"I sit here waiting for five whole threads for you to talk to me, and then you want to skip it!? That's it, you're on your own, buddy." The phone line goes dead.
>"Wait a moment... this time?"
>"Same as always, pretty much. Now answer the question."
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>"I found my way here last night, and had a brief look around. Didn't even think you ended up here for until someone back home suggested it. But overall, I've not spent much time here. And, has anyone else showed up that you know about?"
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>"I found my way here last night, and had a brief look around. Didn't even think you ended up here for until someone back home suggested it. But overall, I've not spent much time here. And, has anyone else showed up that you know about?"
>"Whoa, whoa, wait a moment," Reimu says. "You came here, then left? How'd you get out?"
>"And the only other person here from Gensokyo that I know of is Marisa. Haven't seen anyone else all these years. Figured it was a freak accident or something."
-
>"We're still not sure why it happened. And yes, there's kind of a way back. But it's really unreliable at the moment."
>"Would it be possible to meet you? There's a lot of stuff to go over. And honestly, I feel kind of vulnerable out here."
-
>"We're still not sure why it happened. And yes, there's kind of a way back. But it's really unreliable at the moment."
>"Would it be possible to meet you? There's a lot of stuff to go over. And honestly, I feel kind of vulnerable out here."
>Reimu pauses. "...how unreliable? How'd you even discover it? ...and are you trying to drag me back through it?"
>Reimu sighs. "Yeah, sure, I guess I can come pick you up. Where are you?"
-
>Frown.
>"We found it with a lot of research into why you ended up here. As for dragging you back through, I guess you don't want any part of that?"
>"Umm. I'm not sure. There's a hardware store, a restaurant of some kind, a grocery, and...I don't know what the other one is for. Kappa-looking devices. Electrical stuff, I think."
-
>Frown.
>"We found it with a lot of research into why you ended up here. As for dragging you back through, I guess you don't want any part of that?"
>"Umm. I'm not sure. There's a hardware store, a restaurant of some kind, a grocery, and...I don't know what the other one is for. Kappa-looking devices. Electrical stuff, I think."
>"Well, I-" Reimu sighs. "I don't know, ok? I'd kinda left the place behind me now, you know? And if someone's gone looking for me, I can only figure you want me to go fix something, right?"
>Reimu sighs again. "You have any idea how big this place is? You're going to have to be a lot more specific than that. Give me an address, or something."
-
>"Well, I wouldn't mind your help with something, but I'm not here to drag you back or anything if you don't want to. Really, I don't even know if we can."
>Look around for addresses.
-
>"Well, I wouldn't mind your help with something, but I'm not here to drag you back or anything if you don't want to. Really, I don't even know if we can."
>Look around for addresses.
>"Long story, I guess," Reimu says. "Well, may as well hear it once I get there, anyway."
>A brief look around reveals a street address on one of storefront's signs.
-
>"Okay, here's an address."
>Read it off.
-
>"Okay, here's an address."
>Read it off.
>You give Reimu the address.
>"Ok, got it," she says. "Don't wander off, and I'll be by in a bit."
-
>"Alright, I'll be by this phone."
-
>"Alright, I'll be by this phone."
>"Fine," she says. "See you."
>You hear a clicking sound and Reimu falls silent.
-
>"Okay, I'll be here. Reimu? Reimu? ...Did it break or something? Reimu?"
>Put the talky bit back where it was.
>Examine the phonebook!
-
>"Okay, I'll be here. Reimu? Reimu? ...Did it break or something? Reimu?"
>Put the talky bit back where it was.
>Examine the phonebook!
>You call out into the phone but get no response. Eventually, it starts making an angry sounding beeping noise into your ear. Did you do something wrong?
>You decide that perhaps you should cut your losses, and put the talky bit back where you got it. Thankfully the noise stops when you do so.
>You take a closer look at the phonebook. It is a thick green-covered book whose pages are made of very thin and somewhat rough paper. In addition to the innumerable names and numbers, you also notice a section at the back containing advertising for numerous businesses, sorted by the type of good or service that they offer. There's an amazing number of these, as well. The book itself is contained within some sort of hard shell, attached to the phone by a cord, presumably so that it cannot be removed from it.
-
>Examine some of these services while waiting.
>Try to get an idea where Ran is.
-
>Examine some of these services while waiting.
>Try to get an idea where Ran is.
>There seem to be services of almost every conceivable description, many of which are familiar to you, but a great many that are not. People specializing in the repair of air conditioners, and computers, whatever those are, IT consultants, and far too many others to enumerate. Strangely, there seem to be no blacksmiths or millers at all listed in this book. Are they called something else these days?
>You can still easily sense Ran, although she remains quite a ways away from you. You get the definite impression that she's moving in your direction, however. Although, at that speed, you wonder if it might take an hour or two. If only you could fly here without attracting unwanted attention...
-
>Check the grimoire to see if there's a map in it.
>If so, try to estimate where Ran might be.
-
>Check the grimoire to see if there's a map in it.
>If so, try to estimate where Ran might be.
>There do appear to be a few, relatively low-detail maps in the book. Not that this comes as any surprise to you at this point, but the city seems practically endless.
>However, your sense of her is not nearly specific enough to tell where Ran is by looking it them. With some effort you manage to find your own location on one of the maps, and roughly figure out your current orientation. But the best you can do by combining this information is get a line along which she could be. You can tell her direction fairly precisely, her distance somewhat more vaguely, and nothing else beyond that at this distance.
>While you're busy pondering the map, you hear a voice call out behind you. "Well, you stick out like a sore thumb." It sounds like Reimu.
-
>Turn around.
>"I imagine anyone from Gensokyo would."
-
>Turn around.
>"I imagine anyone from Gensokyo would."
>You turn around. Reimu is standing a few feet behind you. She's wearing a loose-fitting short sleeved shirt, and a pair of those textured blue pants you've seen a lot of people wearing. If you didn't recognize her face, she wouldn't look the slightest bit out of place among the people you've seen here so far. She's vaguely frowning at you while she examines you.
>"Yeah, probably," she says. "At least you can pass for human. I'd hate to have to figure out a way to explain you if you couldn't."
-
>"Hopefully the illusion Ran set up to hide her tails is working, then. I doubt she'd have an easy time with that."
-
>"Ran being the other person who came here with me...I'm not sure if you met her or not, come to think of it. As for you...I don't even think I would have recognized you if I passed you by you."
-
>"Hopefully the illusion Ran set up to hide her tails is working, then. I doubt she'd have an easy time with that."
>"Tails?" Reimu frowns. "Well, I hope it's working, too. I do not want to pick up the newspaper tomorrow and see some youkai plastered across it."
>"Ran being the other person who came here with me...I'm not sure if you met her or not, come to think of it. As for you...I don't even think I would have recognized you if I passed you by you."
>"Name doesn't ring a bell," she says. "And, well..." she takes a takes a look at herself. "suppose this is a bit different than what I used to wear back then. It's been a long time since I dressed like that."
-
> "Eh? Why doesn't it ring a be- Oh... Right."
-
>"Should we, uh, 'pick up' Ran and Marisa, as well?"
-
>"I've been trying to figure out where she is using the map in this book, and the spell she put on me so we could find each other. She's about an hour or two away in that direction."
>Point the appropriate way.
-
> "Eh? Why doesn't it ring a be- Oh... Right."
>Reimu raises an eyebrow. "Oh right what?"
>"Should we, uh, 'pick up' Ran and Marisa, as well?"
>"You know her, too? Not too surprised, I guess." She pauses. "She might be working now, though. Where's this Ran, anyway?"
>"I've been trying to figure out where she is using the map in this book, and the spell she put on me so we could find each other. She's about an hour or two away in that direction."
>Point the appropriate way.
>You point out the direction that Ran is located on the map.
>Reimu frowns. "An hour or two? That would put her out of-" She looks at you critically. "I suppose you don't mean by car, do you?"
-
>"I'm afraid I don't even know how fast those go, though it would probably be much faster that way."
>"... wait, do you have one?"
-
>"I'm afraid I don't even know how fast those go, though it would probably be much faster that way."
>"... wait, do you have one?"
>"You can't expect to get across the city on foot, unless you want to spend the whole day at it. And flying's well..." she frowns. "Flying's not worth the risks, here."
>"Yeah, over there." Reimu points to a small red car, sitting amongst the other cars in front of the stores. "How'd you think I got here this fast? Wait, wait, sorry." She puts a hand to her head and sighs. "I forgot, you're clueless."
-
> Oh God. We have to ride in one of those things?
> "If you want a response to my confused comment... Well... Its a long story."
-
>"And confusing. So, let's begin with a confusing part. Do you know me, at all? Even a little bit?"
-
>Or maybe we should hold off explaining until Marisa's around as well? Eh... might as well give her the short version, at least.
-
> Oh God. We have to ride in one of those things?
> "If you want a response to my confused comment... Well... Its a long story."
>You shudder at the thought of sitting in one of those barreling things. Well, maybe they're safer on the inside....
>Reimu shakes her head. "Why am I not surprised? C'mon, let's go. You can tell me on the way." She walks towards her car.
>"And confusing. So, let's begin with a confusing part. Do you know me, at all? Even a little bit?"
>"Nope, sorry." She stops. "Wait, you said you were a historian in the human village? Since when would a youkai be living there?"
>Or maybe we should hold off explaining until Marisa's around as well? Eh... might as well give her the short version, at least.
>"Eh, she'd probably be curious, anyway. It's what she does." Reimu shrugs. "I'll give her a call after we find this friend of yours. How'd you two get separated so far from each other, anyway?" She opens a door in the side of her car, and gestures towards it. "C'mon, get it."
-
>Get in and have a seat. Look around!
-
>Get in and have a seat. Look around!
>You get into the car and sit down. There are a pair of upholstered seats in the front, and a longer one in the back. The seat next to you has a number of displays and devices near it. You see a few levers and a wheel of some sort. The rear seat seems to be a bit cluttered with random minutia and other junk. There's an empty box in the space between the seats with a few crumbs and a piece of wilted lettuce in it.
>Reimu enters from the other side of the car and sits in the seat opposite you. She takes a key out of her pocket, inserts it into a slot, and turns it. Suddenly the car makes a loud noise! Reimu seems not to notice, however. Maybe it's supposed to do that?
>"Put a seat belt on," she says, as she reaches and pulls on a belt affixed to the wall and secures into a small slot to her side.
-
>Mimic this action!
>Brace self.
-
>Mimic this action!
>Brace self.
>You grab a similar belt on your side of the car. It snaps into place securely.
>You brace yourself, and not a moment too soon as Reimu does something and the car lurches forward. She navigates it out of the lot and towards the road.
>"So, you said there was some kinda spell on you that let's you know where she is?" Reimu looks out at the road. "Which way?"
-
>"This way, <appropriate compass direction>"
>Point.
-
>Resist panic.
-
>"This way, <appropriate compass direction>"
>Point.
>You point in Ran's direction, and Reimu turns the car towards it, weaving into the road among all the other cars and accelerating rapidly.
>Resist panic.
>You do your best not to panic. You're already at or beyond your maximum flight speed, and Reimu shows no signs of slowing down, despite the shear number of cars moving around you and in the opposite direction, no more than a couple feet to your side. Reimu seems entirely unfazed by all this. That helps a little, at least. You hope.
>"So, you found me," she says, as she turns the car around another corner. "Now what."
-
Suggest: "We figure out exactly what happened, and fix the timeline. This may or may not involve beating up the time-traveler responsible."
-
>"We work on sorting this mess out. Can you tell me what your experiences were, being pulled over?"
-
>"We work on sorting this mess out. Can you tell me what your experiences were, being pulled over?"
>Reimu frowns. "Still don't know what happened. I gave up trying to figure it out after a while. Seemed like a completely normal, boring day. You know, one of the good ones. Ha." She pulls the car up a ramp onto another larger road and picks up even more speed. You try not to focus on all the cars whizzing past your window.
>"Anyway, we were eating when suddenly there was an incredible surge of energy and everything exploded into purple. When I woke up again, I was here. Well, somewhere else in the city, but still here. Never found a way back. Eventually I just stopped looking. After these many years, I'd figured this is where I'd be spending the rest of my life now."
-
>Tense up!
>"That incident is the root of it all, essentially. It's not just that you two were taken from Gensokyo, it's that you were also originally supposed to be there. Reimu, that purple energy didn't originally happen that day. Something reached back in time to make it happen."
-
>Tense up!
>"That incident is the root of it all, essentially. It's not just that you two were taken from Gensokyo, it's that you were also originally supposed to be there. Reimu, that purple energy didn't originally happen that day. Something reached back in time to make it happen."
>You tense up. That is disturbingly easy at the moment.
>"What do you mean, didn't originally happen?" She sounds a little annoyed.
-
>"Time travel is a bitch."
-
>"Something reached back and changed history. You were never supposed to have been taken from Gensokyo. I have very clear recollection of what should have happened since then, and it didn't involve you being brought to the outside world at all."
>"As for how I know this, well, do you know what a hakutaku is?"
-
>"Time travel is a bitch."
>"Ok, that's it." Reimu swerves the car. "I've seen too much bad sci-fi since I got here. Take your paradoxes and go home before you give me a headache."
>"Something reached back and changed history. You were never supposed to have been taken from Gensokyo. I have very clear recollection of what should have happened since then, and it didn't involve you being brought to the outside world at all."
>"As for how I know this, well, do you know what a hakutaku is?"
>Reimu sighs. "This is going to be a pain, isn't it?"
>"Yeah, more or less," Reimu says. "Never met one, though."
-
>"It's going to be a pain. And, you have now. Sort of. I'm a were-Hakutaku. This is part of how I know that things got changed. We're reasonably certain that whatever is causing it is from this area."
>"Here's another fun thing that should give you a headache, what's today's date?"
-
>"It's going to be a pain. And, you have now. Sort of. I'm a were-Hakutaku. This is part of how I know that things got changed. We're reasonably certain that whatever is causing it is from this area."
>"Here's another fun thing that should give you a headache, what's today's date?"
>Reimu sighs. "Great. Well, if it's around here, it's been hiding itself pretty well. I haven't felt anything. You have any idea what it is?"
>"July 23nd, 2021," Reimu replies. "What of it? If you're going to tell me a lot of time has passed since I left, I'm aware."
-
>"The actual date back home is <Gensokyoan date>; That would be August <date>, 2010 in the Gregorian calendar."
-
> "I only have a vague idea of what it could be. It seems to be related to a mysterious youkai and a shadow-gap abomination."
-
>"The actual date back home is <Gensokyoan date>; That would be August <date>, 2010 in the Gregorian calendar."
>You tell Reimu that it is currently 25th of Leaf Month, 125th season back in Gensokyo, which equates to August 25th, 2010.
>"Moving forward in time is easy," Reimu says. "I figured I'd just been unconscious in that magical... whatever it was for while. But you're saying you went back to that time? ...how long have I been gone, as far as your concerned?"
> "I only have a vague idea of what it could be. It seems to be related to a mysterious youkai and a shadow-gap abomination."
>"Well, you're the first youkai I've seen since since I got here," Reimu says. "And I don't think I even want to know what that other thing is."
>Reimu sighs. "Look, you see, information travels really quickly here, and magic stands out like a sore thumb. If anything happened here like what happened back in Gensokyo, it'd be all over the news before the day was out. I haven't see or heard of anything like this."
-
>"Such are my thoughts. But once we find Ran, I can try a thing."
>"As for the time difference, if we take the way out, we'd be back in the present, which is 25th of Leaf Month, 125th season. But going through, we've also been skipped ahead eleven years. From here, it was 18 years ago that the incident happened, but from the present it was only seven. How many years have you experienced since then?"
-
>"Such are my thoughts. But once we find Ran, I can try a thing."
>"As for the time difference, if we take the way out, we'd be back in the present, which is 25th of Leaf Month, 125th season. But going through, we've also been skipped ahead eleven years. From here, it was 18 years ago that the incident happened, but from the present it was only seven. How many years have you experienced since then?"
>"A thing?" Reimu asks. "What did you have in mind?"
>"Seven sounds about right," Reimu says.
-
>"To be honest, I'm not even sure how this could work; there shouldn't be a future for you to occupy yet. What happens if history is set in a different manner? It's so frustrating. As for the thing I have, Patchouli let me borrow an item that should direct me toward large sources of power. Given the nature of this thing, it's possible that might stay hidden somewhere else, and just manifest here from time to time.
>"As for the thing, or things, we think are behind this, They have no history. They literally have no record of existing until they appear, then stop existing when they don't. All I can say is that them seem to prefer to attack using sleep-based magic."
>"Oh, maybe you might have heard something about this. Have there been any stories of a second of forest just...appearing somewhere? Such a thing was ripped from Gensokyo in the manner of your shrine last night."
>_
-
>"To be honest, I'm not even sure how this could work; there shouldn't be a future for you to occupy yet. What happens if history is set in a different manner? It's so frustrating. As for the thing I have, Patchouli let me borrow an item that should direct me toward large sources of power. Given the nature of this thing, it's possible that might stay hidden somewhere else, and just manifest here from time to time.
>"As for the thing, or things, we think are behind this, They have no history. They literally have no record of existing until they appear, then stop existing when they don't. All I can say is that them seem to prefer to attack using sleep-based magic."
>"Oh, maybe you might have heard something about this. Have there been any stories of a second of forest just...appearing somewhere? Such a thing was ripped from Gensokyo in the manner of your shrine last night."
>"You'd think if it was that large," Reimu says, "I would have sensed something myself in all this time. But I guess we can see what this item of Patchouli's does."
>"Sleep magic?" Reimu frowns. "That's not something you see very often. Although I've fought a couple of things that lived in a dream. More or less. Not that any of them could pull something like this off, though. ...at least I don't think Yuka could."
>"I don't think so...." Reimu pauses. "And you're telling me the whole shrine disappeared?"
-
>"There's just a pit there now. I assume you didn't wake up near it?"
-
>"There's just a pit there now. I assume you didn't wake up near it?"
>Reimu shakes her head. "Haven't seen a sign of it." There's a long pause. "Dammit! That was my home!"
-
>Reimu shakes her head. "Haven't seen a sign of it." There's a long pause. "Dammit! That was my home!"
>"That raises the question of how you and Marisa got through when it didn't. And, if I have my way, to be honest, that event will never have happened by the time I'm done."
-
>"That raises the question of how you and Marisa got through when it didn't. And, if I have my way, to be honest, that event will never have happened by the time I'm done."
>"Never have happened?" Reimu sighs. "Time travel. Right. Oh for the love of..."
>"Anyway, we getting close to this friend of yours?"
-
>Are we?
>If so, give better directions.
-
>Are we?
>If so, give better directions.
>You've definitely covered a lot of the distance between the two of you. It's amazing how quickly you're traveling. Perhaps these cars aren't all bad. Maybe.
>You give Reimu an update on Ran's location. She nods and adjusts her route accordingly.
>Now that you're closer to Ran, it's easier to get a precise sense of where she is. You feel her along the street to your left before she actually comes into view. As you see her walking down the side of the street you realize there is something... different about her. You can't put your finger on quite what it is. You see her turn her head towards you, although it's very unlikely she could see you inside the car at this distance. Not that this would stop her from being sure you're in it, given how you can sense her own presence. Although, at this speed you'll drive right past her in a couple seconds.
>"That's her over there, isn't it?" Reimu says, gesturing her head in Ran's direction.
-
>Can we see the tails?
>"That's her. Can you see the tails?"
-
>Can we see the tails?
>"That's her. Can you see the tails?"
>Yes, they're still quite visible to you.
>"Of course I can see her tails," Reimu says, then looks critically at the people around her. "Why isn't anyone staring at her?"
-
>"She put a spell on herself. Guess we're immune."
>Figure out how to escape from the high speed death trap so we can put Ran in it.
-
>"She put a spell on herself. Guess we're immune."
>Figure out how to escape from the high speed death trap so we can put Ran in it.
>Reimu nods. "That might do it. Thought there was an odd aura around her."
>While you're busy contemplating how you're suppose to collect Ran like this, Reimu pulls off onto the side of the street and brings the car to a stop. You have passed Ran a little, though, but she's already turned around and is heading back towards you. Reimu presses a button and the window next to her lowers. She sticks her head out the window and looks back towards Ran.
>"Hey!" she calls out. "I think I'm supposed to be picking you up."
>"Excuse me?" Ran says as she walks over to the window and then peers in it at you.
-
>Sheepish wave.
>"Ran, meet Reimu Hakurei. Reimu, meet Ran Yakumo."
>Ponder if Ran will be able to sit comfortably these seats.
-
>Sheepish wave.
>"Ran, meet Reimu Hakurei. Reimu, meet Ran Yakumo."
>Ponder if Ran will be able to sit comfortably these seats.
>You wave to Ran sheepishly. She smiles and nods to you.
>Ran takes an appraising look at Reimu once you introduce her. "A pleasure to finally meet you in person," she says.
>"Yeah, sure it is," Reimu says. "Just get in the back."
>Well, Ran was sitting in a fairly ordinary chair in her house when you met her. Perhaps she can move her tails sufficiently out of her way? Or just doesn't mind leaning up against them.
>Ran opens the rear door and looks dubiously at the mess in the back seat.
>"Oh, just toss that anywhere," Reimu says.
>With slight hesitation, Ran carefully moves several items from one side of the seat to the other and sits down, shutting the door behind her.
>"So," Reimu say, turning to you. "We've got her. What now?"
-
>Take out the tracking item Patchy gave us.
>"Let's see what this can tell us..."
>Put it to work!
-
>Take out the tracking item Patchy gave us.
>"Let's see what this can tell us..."
>Put it to work!
>You take out the attuned lodestone and hold it in front of you. It glows very faintly, the tip of it pointing north-north-east.
-
>"That seems to be the way to go."
>Ponder.
>"Do you think Marisa would have anything useful to add to all this?"
-
>"That seems to be the way to go."
>Ponder.
>"Do you think Marisa would have anything useful to add to all this?"
>You indicate the direction to Reimu, who nods, and starts to drive that way.
>"She doesn't know what happened any better than I do," Reimu says. "We both spent a while trying to figure that out when we got here. After a while, well... we just decided to blend. Figure out a way to live here. I mean, what else are you supposed to do?"
-
>"I think, if nothing else, it might not be bad to have a skilled black magician around. However rusty she might be."
>"How did you manage to blend in, anyways?"
-
>"I think, if nothing else, it might not be bad to have a skilled black magician around. However rusty she might be."
>"How did you manage to blend in, anyways?"
>"Less rusty than you might think," Reimu says. "At least she's managed to find an excuse to use her magic. Even if she hasn't found one to blow anyone up with it yet."
>"Well, you stumble around for long enough, make enough stupid mistakes, and eventually figure out how the place works. Find a job, find a place to live. I hate to imagine what it would be like for a youkai to end up stuck here. Uh, one that couldn't hide themselves like you're doing, I mean." She pauses. "It's really not too bad here, you know. I hated it at first. Wanted to be home. But... I've gotten used to it, now, I think. Some days, I almost forget about Gensokyo. I mean, I miss some things. I miss flying. But this place has a lot of things going for it, too. A lot of things you'd never see in Gensokyo. And there hasn't been a single incident anyone's wanted me to go fix since I woke up here, either." She grimaces. "Until today, anyway."
-
>"Well, if it makes you feel better, we're not asking you to solve it on your own. And if she's not rusty, we should get her if she's available."
-
>"Well, if it makes you feel better, we're not asking you to solve it on your own. And if she's not rusty, we should get her if she's available."
>"I suppose more firepower doesn't hurt. Actually..." Reimu shakes her head. "I'm sure Marisa would just love to get the chance to blast something again. ...somehow that irritates me," she says, frowning. "Oh well, may as well call her."
>Reimu reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small device, like the one you saw the man speaking into the other day. She presses a couple buttons then puts it to her head while continuing to drive. After a couple seconds, she starts to speak into it, pausing between every few words.
>"Marisa. ...yeah, yeah, that's great. Of course it is. I'm-" She sighs. "Look, Marisa, something's up. I have two youkai in my car right now. ...yes, that's what I said. No, they're not- Marisa! Look, they've come here from Gensokyo, and they have a way back. Apparently there's some timetravel nonsense going on. Yes... No. Oh fer- Look, can you just meet up with us?"
>She turns to you. "You have no idea what I'm driving towards, do you?"
-
>"Not even a little bit."
>Appreciate Reimu's succinct summary.
-
>"Not even a little bit."
>Appreciate Reimu's succinct summary.
>"Great..." Reimu says, then resumes talking into the phone.
>"Look, Marisa, we're following some sort of tracking device Patchouli made. ...yes, her. Yes. No, I don't know where we're going, that's the problem!" She sighs. "Ok, how about this. You head in around the same direction we're going, and I'll let you know when we get... wherever we're going. Ok, yeah, sure."
>Reimu gives Marisa some directions.
>"Ok, see ya then." She presses another button on her phone and puts it back in her pocket, scowling faintly.
>"Well, she's on her way," she sighs. "As much as anyone can be without knowing where they're going."
-
>"Sorry. Literally anything I knew of Kyoto is dated by about a hundred and thirty years, at least. I doubt anything other than some sites of historic interest remain that I would have any ideas about."
-
>"Sorry. Literally anything I knew of Kyoto is dated by about a hundred and thirty years, at least. I doubt anything other than some sites of historic interest remain that I would have any ideas about."
>Reimu sighs again. "Nah, it's not your fault. I mean, I know the place pretty well, and I still couldn't tell you where we're going to end up just by looking at that... compass thing."
-
>Nod.
>"Hmm. Do you still have your spell cards and things? And...if I may, just what do you do here, now?"
-
>Nod.
>"Hmm. Do you still have your spell cards and things? And...if I may, just what do you do here, now?"
>"Yeah," she replies. "I kept all that stuff. Memories, you know? I don't have them on me, if that's what you're asking. It's not like there's ever any situation I could use them in, around here." You hear her grumble. "Or at least there's not supposed to be."
>"And, well..." she sighs. "I work part-time as a shrine maiden at the Yasaka Shrine. It's what I knew how to do, ok?" she adds, defensively.
-
>"Yeah," she replies. "I kept all that stuff. Memories, you know? I don't have them on me, if that's what you're asking. It's not like there's ever any situation I could use them in, around here." You hear her grumble. "Or at least there's not supposed to be."
>"And, well..." she sighs. "I work part-time as a shrine maiden at the Yasaka Shrine. It's what I knew how to do, ok?" she adds, defensively.
>"Yasaka...as in, Kanako Yasaka?"
>Ponder if we should have lead the charge against her anyways.
-
>"Yasaka...as in, Kanako Yasaka?"
>Ponder if we should have lead the charge against her anyways.
>"Who?" Reimu asks.
>It certainly could have been satisfying. But... you have to wonder at the collateral damage.
-
>"A deity. In particular, one who immigrated to Gensokyo a couple years ago. Well, a bit over a decade ago from this point in time. She's the kind of a pain."
-
>"A deity. In particular, one who immigrated to Gensokyo a couple years ago. Well, a bit over a decade ago from this point in time. She's the kind of a pain."
>Reimu frowns. "Can't say I've heard of her. The shrine isn't hers, if that's what you're thinking. At least, not as far as I know, and I hope I haven't gotten so rusty that I couldn't tell."
-
>"Good. I've had my fill of her for quite some time. Anyways, I have no doubt the shrine is pleased to have you. What about Marisa? You mentioned she was still using her talents?"
-
>"Good. I've had my fill of her for quite some time. Anyways, I have no doubt the shrine is pleased to have you. What about Marisa? You mentioned she was still using her talents?"
>Reimu gives a wry chuckle as you say that the shrine would be pleased to have her.
>"Yeah," she says, "leave it to her to find a way. She does pyrotechnics. Fireworks shows, concerts, that sort of thing. Can slip in a little bit of magic without anyone suspecting anything. Makes them just that bit fancier than anyone else's. She's done pretty well for herself, really. Eventually started her own business and everything, although she's more or less the only employee."
-
>Nod.
>"Interesting. Originally, she opened up a kind of free-for-all youkai bashing and magic service. I think only faeries ever asked for her help, though."
-
>Nod.
>"Interesting. Originally, she opened up a kind of free-for-all youkai bashing and magic service. I think only faeries ever asked for her help, though."
>Reimu chuckles. "Sounds about like something she'd do."
>"Hey, how's Gensokyo been since we've been gone, anyway?"
-
>Reimu chuckles. "Sounds about like something she'd do."
>"Hey, how's Gensokyo been since we've been gone, anyway?"
>"It...rather fell apart. The ghost princess of Hakugyokurou stole spring, right after you were taken; possibly she was doing it while you were taken. Originally, you, Marisa, and Sakuya were able to handle it. But, with Sakuya on her own, she wasn't able to defeat the Princess' retainer. The princess intended to restroe spring after she was done with it, but...she was overwhelmed, and killed by what she did. So, there was just a long winter. Many died. The tentative peace with the youkai took a severe blow. Then another incident happened, one that had really only a nominal effect on the humans, but hit the Youkai rather badly. The full moon was sealed away. After that, Kanako came, and the battered people were all too happy to accept her protection... They resettled near Youkai Mountain, where her shrine is, along with the tengu and the kappa that already lived there."
-
>"It...rather fell apart. The ghost princess of Hakugyokurou stole spring, right after you were taken; possibly she was doing it while you were taken. Originally, you, Marisa, and Sakuya were able to handle it. But, with Sakuya on her own, she wasn't able to defeat the Princess' retainer. The princess intended to restroe spring after she was done with it, but...she was overwhelmed, and killed by what she did. So, there was just a long winter. Many died. The tentative peace with the youkai took a severe blow. Then another incident happened, one that had really only a nominal effect on the humans, but hit the Youkai rather badly. The full moon was sealed away. After that, Kanako came, and the battered people were all too happy to accept her protection... They resettled near Youkai Mountain, where her shrine is, along with the tengu and the kappa that already lived there."
>Reimu grows an irritated frown as you recount the major events of the last few years in Gensokyo. "So, humans are living with youkai, now? Well... I suppose that's not so bad, if they're getting along. And as much as that all sounds like a giant headache, I don't like thinking people died because I was stuck out here. How's that Kanako person, anyway? You said she's protecting them, and you also said that she's a pain in the ass. ...not that those two don't go together sometimes, I guess," she adds, a little sheepishly.
-
>"Let's just say her sense of justice is very bound up in whether you are with her or not with her. Originally, when she came, she tried to annex your shrine. So you flew up the mountain and knocked sense into her. And later ended up cleaning up after one of her messes."
-
>"Let's just say her sense of justice is very bound up in whether you are with her or not with her. Originally, when she came, she tried to annex your shrine. So you flew up the mountain and knocked sense into her. And later ended up cleaning up after one of her messes."
>Reimu groans. "You know, maybe I don't regret being here. And I'm sure that isn't everything I'm supposed to have fixed, either, is it?"
>"Hey, are we getting close, by the way? Or still going in the right direction, for that matter? Can't exactly drive in a straight line here."
-
>"There's a couple other things, too, yeah."
>Check the lodestone, report results.
-
>"There's a couple other things, too, yeah."
>Check the lodestone, report results.
>Yeah, yeah, of course there is," Reimu says. You hear her mutter under her breath.
>You check the lodestone again. It's still faint, but a little brighter than last time. You give Reimu a slight course correction, and she adjusts her route accordingly. However, as she does so, you can see the direction the lodestone is pointing shift. Despite the low power reading, that suggests you're fairly close.
-
>"We're close, I think. That alone make the lodestone move."
-
>"We're close, I think. That alone make the lodestone move."
>Reimu glances towards it. "Just keep that held up there a bit, and let's see if we can figure out what it's pointing at."
-
>Keep it held up.
>Silent Pray to Shizuha she doesn't hit anything if she's looking at the stone and not where she is going.
-
>Keep it held up.
>Silent Pray to Shizuha she doesn't hit anything if she's looking at the stone and not where she is going.
>You keep the lodestone held before you. Reimu glances at it on occasion while driving, sometimes turning onto a different road to gauge how it moves. The movement isn't much, at first, but is definitely detectable.
>You decide to offer a silent prayer to a comparatively inoffensive deity. Reimu doesn't seem particularly perturbed by the distraction, but this isn't entirely comforting.
>Eventually, the movement in the lodestone becomes greater; you seem to be narrowing it down. And none too soon, either. Your arm is getting kind of tired of holding it up. Eventually, you drive around a small block and notice the lodestone spin full circle. Reimu doubles back and pulls into a lot in front of a very large structure. It is not as tall as some of the structures you saw across the skyline, but its footprint is larger. You think it would remind you a castle, were its architecture not so different. It is a plain, heavy-set building, mostly light brown in color, with a few large banks of windows. Reimu looks at it and frowns.
-
>"What is this place?"
-
>"What is this place?"
>"It's a hospital," Reimu says, still frowning.
-
>Are we familiar with the concept?
>If so: "Huh..."
-
>Are we familiar with the concept?
>If so: "Huh..."
>Certainly. Though not quite on this scale...
>"I'm not sure what I think about... whatever that thing you're looking for is, being in there," Reimu says.
-
>"Perhaps it's just a hiding place?"
-
>"Perhaps it's just a hiding place?"
>"Exactly," Reimu says. "How would you feel about something like that hiding in a crowd of sick and injured people?"
>Ran frowns. "It... would be a little unsettling, I think. Or possibly extremely disturbing, depending on its disposition."
>Reimu nods. "Uh-huh."
-
> Ponder the possibility of someone within causing the trouble in Gensokyo unknowingly or unconsciously, rather then intentionally.
-
> Ponder the possibility of someone within causing the trouble in Gensokyo unknowingly or unconsciously, rather then intentionally.
>You shudder at the thought that someone could wield that much power, and cause that much misfortune by accident. ...what would that imply they'd be capable of doing consciously?
-
>"Let's wait for Marisa to show up."
>Does the loadstone seem to be pointing upwards, downwards, or staying level to the ground?
-
>"Let's wait for Marisa to show up."
>Does the loadstone seem to be pointing upwards, downwards, or staying level to the ground?
>"I'll give her a call and let her know where we are," Reimu says, pulling her phone out again and putting it to her ear.
>It seems to be pointing up slightly. It looks like it's probably aiming at something on the second floor.
-
>"I think whoever it is, they're on the second floor."
-
>"I think whoever it is, they're on the second floor."
>Reimu looks at the lodestone and nods.
>"Yeah, Marisa," she says into the phone. "I think we're here." She relays some directions. "Yeah, see ya then." Reimu puts the phone away.
>"Well, she'll be here soon," she says, turning back to you. "Any plans for what we do about that thing?"
-
>"Not sure, really. We need to figure out what it is, first. But, at least it doesn't seem like we'll need to lead in with danmaku, which ought be a good thing."
-
> "Well, first we find it. Then, we find out wether it's even doing this consciously, as it could be out of it's control, and then we do something about it. Also, you have no idea how much I want to just be able to beat something or someone up for all this trouble."
-
>"Not sure, really. We need to figure out what it is, first. But, at least it doesn't seem like we'll need to lead in with danmaku, which ought be a good thing."
>"Hopefully," Reimu says. "I'm not exactly that well armed at the moment."
> "Well, first we find it. Then, we find out wether it's even doing this consciously, as it could be out of it's control, and then we do something about it. Also, you have no idea how much I want to just be able to beat something or someone up for all this trouble."
>Reimu laughs. "Oh, you have no idea how much I can related to that last bit. Wait, maybe you do..."
-
>Is this what it feels like to be Reimu?
>...Ponder what she might have said to Eirin.
-
>Is this what it feels like to be Reimu?
>...Ponder what she might have said to Eirin.
>...maybe it is? If you had to go around solving and preventing things like this on a regular basis, you can only imagine you'd be more than irritated with the next person that made you go out and do it.
>You have a funny feeling her remarks would have been much briefer and punctuated with danmaku.
-
>"I think I do. But let's hope it won't be necessary. I'm not of the caliber you are."
-
>"I think I do. But let's hope it won't be necessary. I'm not of the caliber you are."
>Reimu gives a wry laugh. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't that caliber, either."
>"Well, I think we should be amply supported, if combat becomes inevitable," Ran says.
>"Yeah, maybe," Reimu replies, looking towards the part of the hospital the lodestone is pointing at.
-
>Nod.
>"Can you sense anything strange, Ran? I've got nothing until the full moon happens."
-
>Nod.
>"Can you sense anything strange, Ran? I've got nothing until the full moon happens."
>Ran shakes her head. "Nothing, I'm afraid. That device of Patchouli's must be very sensitive, even if it can only detect the single thing it's attuned to."
-
>Nod.
>"So, how do we get in? There aren't any laws I should know about, are there?"
-
>Nod.
>"So, how do we get in? There aren't any laws I should know about, are there?"
>"This world isn't as strange as you might think, you know," Reimu says. "We can get in by walking in the front door. Now, some parts of the hospital are going to be restricted to staff or doctors or whatever. It depends on what part of the hospital that thing happens to be in. Hopefully, they'll be in a public area. If not..." Reimu frowns. "Then I guess we figure out a way in. And I don't think there are any laws that would surprise you. Don't attack people, don't steal things, don't be a complete jackass. The usual."
-
>"If that's what you say, then I suppose that's how it is."
>Wait for Marisa to show up.
-
>"If that's what you say, then I suppose that's how it is."
>Wait for Marisa to show up.
>Reimu nods. "The people here aren't what I'd be worried about."
>You wait patiently for Marisa's arrival while cars and people come and go around you. Eventually, a rather sleek and shiny silver car pulls into the lot.
>"That's her," Reimu says, stepping out of the car and waving her over. "C'mon, let's go."
>You see the car drive past you and pull into the first available space, some distance away.
-
> Head over to the car.
-
> Head over to the car.
>You and Ran step out of Reimu's car and walk over towards Marisa's. As she walks, you see Reimu pull a small device out of her pocket and idly point it back at her car. You hear a clicking sound, and the car beeps twice. Must everything in this world beep at you?
>The front door of the silver car opens, and Marisa steps out. The effect is much the same as when you first saw Reimu. It is unmistakably her, but you might easily have missed her in a crowd. She's wearing a black vest over a form-fitting white shirt with some sort of logo on it, and two-tone black pants. She looks towards your group with a grin on her face, and gives Reimu a flick of the wrist in lieu of a wave. "Yo!" You can practically feel Reimu's vaguely disapproving frown from here.
-
>"Marisa, it's a pleasure. Um, I hope you recognize either of us?"
-
>"Marisa, it's a pleasure. Um, I hope you recognize either of us?"
>Marisa takes a closer look at you. "Eh, might've seen you around once or twice." She turns to Ran. "I know I've never seen you before. What's this about, anyway? Reimu says you can come and go between here and Gensokyo?"
-
>"Kind of. Maybe Ran should explain it?"
-
>"Kind of. Maybe Ran should explain it?"
>Ran nods. "Essentially, the phenomenon that transported you two from Gensokyo applied such force that it left impressions in the contour of space around it. I was able to trace a path along these contours and open up a small transit between here and there. Unfortunately, the trip is... less than pleasant."
>"And what did you go to all that trouble for?" Marisa asks. "I kinda doubt a pair of youkai came here to rescue us, or anything, did ya?"
-
>"If things go according to my hopes, you'll never have been sent here to begin with."
-
>"If things go according to my hopes, you'll never have been sent here to begin with."
>Marisa raises an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
>Reimu shakes her head. "Time travel," she says wearily. "Apparently she remembers us spending the last seven years in Gensokyo, however that's supposed to work."
>"No kidding?" Marisa says. "And, uh, I still don't really get it." She grins sheepishly.
-
>"Whatever sent you here didn't do it from the present, it did it from seven years ago. Literally, the change only took place a few days ago"
-
>"Whatever sent you here didn't do it from the present, it did it from seven years ago. Literally, the change only took place a few days ago"
>Marisa frowns. "That... doesn't really help it make more sense, you know."
-
>"No, but it might give you an idea what to expect."
>"Shall we head in?"
-
>"No, but it might give you an idea what to expect."
>"Shall we head in?"
>"How the heck can something have happened seven years ago, but only a few days ago?"
>Reimu sighs and shakes her head. "Look, let's just give up on trying to understand that for the moment. Either way, there's something weird and possibly dangerous in that hospital. Whoever did all this. You still remember how to shoot things, right?"
>Marisa's frown turns into a grin. "Of course I do! My magic's not just for show, you know."
>"Yes it is," Reimu says, her expression flat. "Shows are exactly what your magic's been about for years now."
>"Hey," Marisa responds, looking a little hurt. "the only reason fireworks don't hurt is because I'm not aiming them at anyone."
>Reimu shakes her head and heads towards the hospital. "Let's just get this over with."
-
>Head inside.
-
>Head inside.
>You head towards the main doors of the hospital and step inside. You enter into a large area, full of people and chairs. There are several counters people seem to be lining up behind, and you see a few corridors heading off to other parts of the hospital.
>"Lead the way," Reimu says. "Oh, and try to be at least a little discrete about that glowing stone thing."
-
>Is the lodestone small enough to be concealed by our hand?
>Regardless, pocket it for now, and go in the general direction it indicated until we finds some stairs.
-
>Is the lodestone small enough to be concealed by our hand?
>Regardless, pocket it for now, and go in the general direction it indicated until we finds some stairs.
>It is about an inch and a half in diameter, so it should be possible to conceal it.
>You put the attuned lodestone in your pocket and head along the corridor that most closely matches its path. You quickly discover that the corridors are rather labyrinthine, branching and turning fairly frequently. To the builder's credit, there are signs at every intersection, but most of the places they direct you towards are inscrutable. Ultrasound? X-ray? EKG? It's taken very little time in Kyoto to grasp the shear breadth of the things you don't know. As someone who's prided themselves on their literacy and education, it's... more than a little disheartening. No sign yet of stairs, though.
>"You said it was on the second floor, right?" Reimu says, stopping. "Let's just take the elevator." She presses a button built into the wall next to a metal door of some sort and waits next to it.
-
> "Eh, what exactly are we waiting for?"
-
> "Eh, what exactly are we waiting for?"
>"Uh, the elevator?" Marisa says.
>Reimu puts a hand to her head. "Right, right, sorry... Look, just think of it as another way up, ok?"
>The doors in front of you slide open, revealing a very small and apparently empty room. For whatever reason, Reimu and Marisa step inside it.
>"C'mon," Reimu says. "Get inside."
-
>Pause in confusion for a moment.
>Head inside.
>Whisper, "Some sort of teleporter or something?"
>While it'd be nice to learn about these outside-world shenanigans, we don't want to attract attention by being loud about it.
-
>Pause in confusion for a moment.
>Head inside.
>Whisper, "Some sort of teleporter or something?"
>While it'd be nice to learn about these outside-world shenanigans, we don't want to attract attention by being loud about it.
>You pause and stare at the tiny room. All it looks like you would be able to accomplish in there is essentially shut yourself in a closet with 3 other people. And, to be fair, the person you'd most happily share a closet with is not currently among them.
>You step into the room, nonetheless.
>Marisa starts to snicker, when you inquire whether this is a teleporter of some sort. Reimu throws her a look. "It goes up," she says. "It's a mechanical thing."
>You really don't want to stand out any more than you already do. Although, if there wasn't an incident in need of solving at the moment, you think you'd very much like to park yourself in a library and read. Surely those still exist, right?
>Reimu presses another button labeled '2' among a panel of them on the wall. The button lights up and the doors close. Shortly thereafter you're stuck by a sudden sensation of vertigo, and another a few moments later. The doors re-open. The corridor outside is... not the same as it was a moment ago. Reimu and Marisa step out.
>"Which way now?" Reimu asks.
-
>"What just..."
>Think better of it.
>"Nevermind. And..."
>Check the lodestone by touch if feasible, and direct.
-
>"What just..."
>Think better of it.
>"Nevermind. And..."
>Check the lodestone by touch if feasible, and direct.
>You express your confusion over what just happened. Marisa shakes her head and gives you a pat across the back. "Don't worry about it," she says. "I remember how it was."
>You need to let the lodestone hang freely in the air for it to point in the right direction. The force applied isn't great enough for it to direct itself otherwise. However, you shield it with your hand and observe its direction. You do seem to be on the right floor. You lead off towards where it's pointing, and the others follow.
>You navigate along the corridors, and past a few more desks that people are manning. You eventually reach an area that is quite a bit less crowded than the rest of the hospital.
>You are in a hallway lined with nondescript doors, each bearing a room number and little else. Judging by the lodestones's movement, you're very close. A few of the doors are open, and glancing in, you see small rooms with beds and some other equipment you don't recognize. A few of the beds are occupied. In one room, you see a pair of people sitting on a chair, conversing with the person in the bed. Eventually, you reach a door that the lodestone points directly towards. You're fairly certain it contains what you've come here to find. Whatever it is.
-
>"This should be the place."
>Examine the door.
>Put away the lodestone for now. No need to attract attention.
-
>If there are any windows in it, look in.
-
>"This should be the place."
>Examine the door.
>Put away the lodestone for now. No need to attract attention.
>"Yeah," Reimu says, looking around. "I can't say I really like where this is going."
>The door is painted light blue, with a brushed metal doorknob. It is featureless except for a small plate bearing a number in sequence with the other rooms in this corridor.
>You put the lodestone back in your pocket.
>If there are any windows in it, look in.
>There are no windows.
-
>"I'm guessing we're reasonably allowed in here?"
>Try the doorknob.
-
>"I'm guessing we're reasonably allowed in here?"
>Try the doorknob.
>Marisa glances around her. "I, uh, don't really think so," she says in a hushed tone. "I mean, visitors are supposed to be friends and family, and that. It's just that no one here knows for sure that we're not."
>Reimu takes a deep breath and shakes her head.
>You try the doorknob. It doesn't appear to be locked.
-
>Crack knuckles.
>"All right, let's do this!"
>"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINS!!!"
>Burst through wall like kool-aid man.
-
>Walk inside.
>Prepare to bust up some green torsos
>Be ready for dangers and sneak attacks and such.
-
>Crack knuckles.
>"All right, let's do this!"
>"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINS!!!"
>Burst through wall like kool-aid man.
>You crack your knuckles and utter a conspicuous battlecry at the top of your lungs.
>"What the hell are you doing!?" Reimu says, in a hushed voice. Marisa cringes.
>Ignoring the rest of your teammates, you charge at the wall with all your might! You have sustained a concussion! Soon, the nurses arrive and cart you off to an adjacent room.
>Walk inside.
>Prepare to bust up some green torsos
>Be ready for dangers and sneak attacks and such.
>You tentatively open the door and step inside the room, keeping an eye out for ambushes or other dangers.
>You prepare to unleash the culmination of your frustration on a variety of unlikely hued people
>Stepping into the room, you see no assailants, no traps lying in wait. No supernatural beings or other sources of obvious magic. There is a bed, partially screened by a curtain and a chair pulled up next to it. You can see a silhouette of someone lying in the bed through the curtain, but can't see any features from here. There are a few pieces of equipment, and storage cupboards. None of it strikes you as especially out of place, or different than any of the other rooms you've walked past.
-
>Glance at the others.
>Double-check whether the stone actually points at the person on the bed.
>Approach carefully.
-
>Glance at the others.
>Double-check whether the stone actually points at the person on the bed.
>Approach carefully.
>You glance at the others. They're all sharing a dubious and wary expression as they survey the room.
>You take out the lodestone check it again. It is clearly pointing at the person in the bed.
>You approach careful, but sense no movement, or anything else, for that matter.
>Stepping around the curtain, you finally get a look at the person and your eyes widen. You hear Ran quickly draw in breath.
>Lying in the bed is a young blond-haired woman. Her eyes are closed, and there is a thin tube running from her hand to a small transparent pouch hanging from a metal pole next to her. She is breathing slowly, and looks to be asleep. None of this on its own would provoke such a response. However, the woman in the bed bears an unnatural resemblance to someone you know. Like a slightly younger version of her, in fact. Which should be thoroughly impossible. You glance at Ran, and the expression on her face clearly mirrors your own sentiments. The woman lying in the bed looks like Yukari.
-
>"sup mary"
>"... Ran, do you know if Yukari has any... sisters or something?"
>How similar is this condition to Yukari's current state?
-
>"sup mary"
>"... Ran, do you know if Yukari has any... sisters or something?"
>How similar is this condition to Yukari's current state?
>"Hi, Keine," she replies. "I just had this strange dream where you pulled me to Gensokyo, and I got to learn magic, and watch my friend lead a fairy army into battle. ...I think I was having a lot more fun in that reality than I am here."
>Ran shakes her head absently. "None that I have ever known of."
>Other than then both having their eyes closed, you don't know that there's any similarities. Yukari was enmeshed in the heart of a web of gaps and barriers, almost as if she were the heart from which they were spun. This person is simply lying in the bed. She might simply be asleep for all you know. You don't know what the object connected to her hand is or what purpose it might serve.
-
>"Let's change that. Bend over."
>"What is all this equipment?"
>How much have we explained about Yukari?
>Is there anything magical about this girl at all?
-
>"Let's change that. Bend over."
>"What is all this equipment?"
>How much have we explained about Yukari?
>Is there anything magical about this girl at all?
>"Sorry," she frowns. "I'm kind of bedridden at the moment. Maybe next time?"
>"Oh, that stuff?" Marisa says, pointing at the device attached to the woman. "That's an IV. You can think of it as a way to get medicine directly into your bloodstream. They're pretty common in hospitals."
>You did not mention Yukari to either Reimu or Marisa.
>Other than whatever the lodestone is sensing, you do not detect anything immediately magical about her. In fact, she appears quite human, which makes her resemblance to Yukari all the more bizarre.
-
>Make sure the lodestone is pointing to her, and not something else.
>"Um, is there any way to tell who she is?"
-
>Make sure the lodestone is pointing to her, and not something else.
>"Um, is there any way to tell who she is?"
>You check the lodestone a second time. It is definitely still pointing at her.
>Reimu walks over to the bed and picks up a clipboard attached to the side of it. "Her chart says she's Maribel Hearn," Reimu says, then turns back and looks at you. "Why are you two staring at her like that, anyway?"
-
>"She...looks a whole lot like someone from Gensokyo. One of the most powerful and feared youkai; one who had a role in creating the great barrier to begin with."
>"Does that say what is wrong with her?"
-
>"She...looks a whole lot like someone from Gensokyo. One of the most powerful and feared youkai; one who had a role in creating the great barrier to begin with."
>"Does that say what is wrong with her?"
>"She... does?" Reimu has a closer look at Maribel. "Well, she's no youkai. You sure about that?"
>"I am most sure," Ran says. "I have served as Lady Yukari's shikigami for many centuries. There is no mistaking the resemblance. She is not simply similar. She is nearly identical."
>You ask whether the chart says anything about her condition. Reimu has another look at the clipboard and frowns. "It probably does, but it's all in medical language and shorthand. I'm not sure what half of it means."
-
>"Is she doing anything, um...gap related?"
-
>"Is she doing anything, um...gap related?"
>"Not as far as I can tell," Ran says, shaking her head. "I... have no idea what this could mean."
-
>"Well, this lodestone says she's doing something magical, and apparently lots of it. It doesn't even care that Marisa is in the room. I don't expect you could tell me anything, Marisa?"
-
>"Well, this lodestone says she's doing something magical, and apparently lots of it. It doesn't even care that Marisa is in the room. I don't expect you could tell me anything, Marisa?"
>"Not a clue," Marisa says. "I don't feel much off her, either."
>"Actually," Ran says, "Patchouli stated that the lodestone was attuned only to the specific magical signature of the energy you collected from the fissures. It wouldn't matter how much energy Marisa was generating if it were different in kind. Judging by the faintness of the lodestone's glow, the magnitude may not be great, either. It may simply be traces remaining from when the fissures were created."
-
>"Oh, right. Sorry, too many details in the day."
>"So, should we wake her up?"
-
>"Oh, right. Sorry, too many details in the day."
>"So, should we wake her up?"
>Ran nods. "Don't worry about it. I can certainly relate."
>"I dunno," Marisa says. "Would you want to wake up a stranger in their hospital bed? Especially if she's actually real sick or somethin'."
>Reimu frowns. "She might know something important, though."
>"Oh, and how do you think she'd react if she woke up to 4 strangers around her bed?" Marisa asks.
-
>"Then what are we supposed to do? Slink off? There's really not much we can do."
-
>"Especially if she's somehow secretly magical enough to recognize a youkai."
>"... but do you have any other ideas? What else can you find about her, without asking?"
>... no, it'd probably be even worse to look her up in the phone book to try and find her place, wouldn't it?
>Come up with some way to explain Yukari.
-
>"Then what are we supposed to do? Slink off? There's really not much we can do."
>"Well, I'm not willing to just leave this," Reimu says. "If she's connected to what happened to us, we're going to find out how."
>"Especially if she's somehow secretly magical enough to recognize a youkai."
>"... but do you have any other ideas? What else can you find about her, without asking?"
>... no, it'd probably be even worse to look her up in the phone book to try and find her place, wouldn't it?
>Come up with some way to explain Yukari.
>"I'm sure that wouldn't help," Marisa says. "Although I suppose if she was, she might have some idea why we'd be here."
>"Well, it's not like they're exactly going to have a magical history written on this chart," Reimu says. "Even if I could read half of what it says. ...why is their handwriting always so bad," she mutters.
>"I suppose we could track her place down," Marisa says. "If she really is a magician of some sort, there might be some hints around."
>"Would anyone that dropped by your place think you were a magician, Marisa?" Reimu asks pointedly.
>Marisa frowns sheepishly. "Uh, probably not."
>That is a bit of a conundrum, isn't it?
-
>Have a look at the clipboard. We're a teacher, dammit. We see the worst handwriting.
-
>Have a look at the clipboard. We're a teacher, dammit. We see the worst handwriting.
>You take a look at the clipboard, determined that your greater experience deciphering terrible penmanship will give you the edge necessary. ...wow, it really is terrible. There are a few pages full of numbers and abbreviations that you do not understand, and several comments in short hand that are similarly inscrutable. The best you can assemble from the bits that you can understand is that the patient has been comatose and unresponsive for several days. Breathing is normal, bloodwork normal, x-ray normal, and several other things that you understand even less are also normal.
-
>Read these things off. Maybe the residents will know some of this stuff.
-
>Read these things off. Maybe the residents will know some of this stuff.
>You read out a few more of the things that are apparently normal, in the hopes that someone else will know what they are.
>"Some of those are medical diagnostics," Reimu says. "Actually, all of them probably are, but I don't know what they all mean. Sounds like all the tests says she should be fine, but she isn't, for some reason."
-
>We are away of what a comatose is, right?
>Walk over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. It worked with Yukari, at least.
-
>We are away of what a comatose is, right?
>Walk over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. It worked with Yukari, at least.
>Yes, you do know the word.
>You walk over and put a hand on her shoulder. She does not respond in any way.
-
>"I suppose there isn't much we can do here, then. Unless one of the doctors knows what happened to her?"
-
>"I suppose there isn't much we can do here, then. Unless one of the doctors knows what happened to her?"
>Marisa frowns. "I don't think they go around talking about patient's medical history to strangers."
-
>Frown.
>"I suppose the be best thing to do is try to find where she lived, and hope she didn't live alone."
-
>Frown.
>"I suppose the be best thing to do is try to find where she lived, and hope she didn't live alone."
>"Well, if we have a name," Marisa says, "I should be able to find her address. I can even do it now." She pulls a small flat device out of her pocket and starts poking it with her finger.
>"I cannot accept that her appearance is a co-incidence," Ran says. "If she is connected with the phenomenon that manifested these fissures..."
-
>"Her appearance alone might be, but along with this connection there's no way it's a coincidence..."
>Wait for Marisa to find something.
-
>"Her appearance alone might be, but along with this connection there's no way it's a coincidence..."
>Wait for Marisa to find something.
>Ran nods, still staring intently at Maribel.
>Reimu sighs. "You know, I don't even think I'm even going to bother trying to understand any of this."
>After a little more poking at her device, Marisa calls out "Got it!" Wow, nothing even beeped this time!
-
>"Where does she live? Did you find anything else?"
-
>"Where does she live? Did you find anything else?"
>"Oh, I just checked her address," Marisa says. "It's kinda near the university. Was there something else you wanted me to look for?"
-
>"Anything we can find out about her could be useful, I think, but I have no idea what sort of magic that device you have can work."
-
>"I suppose we could try to find more on the way there."
-
>"Anything we can find out about her could be useful, I think, but I have no idea what sort of magic that device you have can work."
>Marisa laughs. "There's not a drop of magic in this thing. It's just a smartphone. I just looked up her number on the internet. It's, well... just think of it as a way to access this giant pile of information from anywhere in the world. So if you can think of something worth searching for, I might be able to find it."
>"I suppose we could try to find more on the way there."
>"Yeah, there's an idea," Marisa says, nodding. "Want to head out?"
>"I guess she's not going to do anything while we're-" Reimu pauses. "Uh, hello?" she says tentatively, looking past you.
-
>Oh dear.
>Turn.
-
>Oh dear.
>Turn.
>This doesn't sound good...
>You turn around. There is a young brown-haired woman standing in the doorway, looking at you with a dumbstruck expression.
>"Oh, hi," Marisa says as she waves to her. "Are you a friend of Maribel's, too?"
>The woman turns to her, eyes widening. "W- who are you?" she says. "What are you doing here?!"
-
>Warm comforting smile time! The kind we use when a student breaks down into tears due to falling or some such.
>"We're friends. And you are...?"
-
>Warm comforting smile time! The kind we use when a student breaks down into tears due to falling or some such.
>"We're friends. And you are...?"
>You put on your friendliest smile. The sentiment of tears looks especially apt now that you get a closer look at her face. Her eyes are red and puffy and she looks very weary. You're pretty sure she's already broken down into tears.
>"I-" she looks at you, then Ran. Her eyes widen even further. "You- you're not human, are you?"
>Reimu puts her head in her hands. "Oh boy..."
-
>"What makes you think that?"
>How close is she to the door?
-
>"What makes you think that?"
>How close is she to the door?
>"...the tails," she says. Ran frowns.
>She is still standing in the doorway.
-
>"... I see."
>Is there any hint of magic about this girl?
Suggest: "I suppose we owe each other a few explanations, then."
-
>"... I see."
>Is there any hint of magic about this girl?
>"Who are you people?" she says, her voice sounding on the edge of panic. "And what are you doing here?"
>Nothing obvious as far as you can tell
-
>Keep the smile on!
>"We're from elsewhere, and we have much to talk about you can see Ran's tails. Don't worry, we're not here to hurt your friend or do anything. We'll try to explain things to you, and you can try to explain things to us. Alright? Come inside, please."
-
>Keep the smile on!
>"We're from elsewhere, and we have much to talk about you can see Ran's tails. Don't worry, we're not here to hurt your friend or do anything. We'll try to explain things to you, and you can try to explain things to us. Alright? Come inside, please."
>You attempt to remain as reassuring looking as possible.
>"....I'm not moving," the woman replies. "I'll listen if you have something to say."
-
>"I don't think you'd readily believe us, but I'll try to start from the beginning. That is Ran. As you can see, she isn't human. And that you can see her tails at all means you yourself must be quite special. As you probably established, she is not from here, or anywhere else you would know about. You probably think I am lying, am I right? All I can say is to look at those tails and understand she really isn't anything you would find out here. As for why we are her, we think your friend is involved in a rather dire incident. Do you understand, so far?"
-
>"I don't think you'd readily believe us, but I'll try to start from the beginning. That is Ran. As you can see, she isn't human. And that you can see her tails at all means you yourself must be quite special. As you probably established, she is not from here, or anywhere else you would know about. You probably think I am lying, am I right? All I can say is to look at those tails and understand she really isn't anything you would find out here. As for why we are her, we think your friend is involved in a rather dire incident. Do you understand, so far?"
>The woman nods slowly, although the expression on her face suggests she's not entirely convinced she isn't just hallucinating.
-
>Sigh.
>"Ran, I know it's a rather rude to ask this, but would you let her feel them to convince herself they're real. That this woman can see them at all means she's important."
-
>Sigh.
>"Ran, I know it's a rather rude to ask this, but would you let her feel them to convince herself they're real. That this woman can see them at all means she's important."
>"Under the circumstances," Ran says, "I don't feel it's inappropriate." She moves towards the woman, who takes a tentative step backwards, but does not retreat any further.
>"W- what are you talking about?" she says. "Why wouldn't I see them? ...how'd you even get in here?"
>"I'm not going to hurt you," Ran says in a gentle voice, turning around so that her back is facing the woman. "Feel free to touch them, if you want to."
>The woman hesitates, then takes a step forward and timidly reaches out for a tail. Then she grasps it a little tighter, feeling the flesh and muscle beneath the fur.
>"Can... you move them?" she asks. In response, Ran swishes her tails about, including the one the woman is holding. She yelps and lets go of it.
-
>Envy Renko.
-
>"We're not from this world, you see? Well, Marisa and Reimu have lived here for some time, but they too are not from here. You want to know why we are here, so I will try to tell you. Something terrible has happened in our own world, something that I am afraid your friend may be at the epicenter of. We are here to investigate that. And, really, your timing is quite fortunate. Can you tell us what happened to her?"
-
>Envy Renko.
>Those tails always look so soft. How come YOU never get to do that....
>"We're not from this world, you see? Well, Marisa and Reimu have lived here for some time, but they too are not from here. You want to know why we are here, so I will try to tell you. Something terrible has happened in our own world, something that I am afraid your friend may be at the epicenter of. We are here to investigate that. And, really, your timing is quite fortunate. Can you tell us what happened to her?"
>"An... epicenter? What does that even mean...?" The woman pauses. "This is unreal," she says, shaking her head. "I don't think I can deal with this right now." She looks like she might be about to start crying again.
-
>"Come in, sit down. It's a whole lot to take in, I know. Just have a seat, and we'll talk when you're ready. I'm hoping there may be something we can do for her."
-
>"Come in, sit down. It's a whole lot to take in, I know. Just have a seat, and we'll talk when you're ready. I'm hoping there may be something we can do for her."
>The woman nods tentatively and steps into the room, grabbing a chair from the side of the room and sitting down on it. You see her brush a tear out of her eye. She takes a deep, shaky breath.
>"The- the doctors can't find anything wrong with her," she says, unsteadily. "She just won't wake up."
-
>Nod.
>"Did something happen to her, that you know of?"
-
>Nod.
>"Did something happen to her, that you know of?"
>"She just took a nap," the woman says. "And she never woke up. I- I thought she was just really tired when she slept all the way into the next morning, but... she still wouldn't wake when I called her, wouldn't wake when I shook her, wouldn't wake when I-" She starts to choke up.
-
>"Molested her?"
-
>Sit beside her. Hold her hand.
>When she's ready to speak again. "Did she do anything unusual before that? Anything at all?"
-
>"Molested her?"
>"You're a horrible insensitive monster!" she yells and bursts into tears.
>Sit beside her. Hold her hand.
>When she's ready to speak again. "Did she do anything unusual before that? Anything at all?"
>You pull up a chair beside her and hold her hand. She makes little effort to protest this, and simply sits there limply, breathing raggedly for a while while she tries to calm herself.
>"No," she says, choking back a sob. "Nothing at all. She just went to take a nap. It doesn't make sense; the doctors say she's fine."
-
>"I'm right, aren't I?"
-
>"What was she doing before the nap? Anything noteworthy at all that day?"
>Look to Ran and Marisa. "I'm not sure if you can detect these sorts of things or not, but if you can, can you try to find any hint of a lingering enchantment on her?"
-
>"I'm right, aren't I?"
>"That's besides the point!"
>"What was she doing before the nap? Anything noteworthy at all that day?"
>Look to Ran and Marisa. "I'm not sure if you can detect these sorts of things or not, but if you can, can you try to find any hint of a lingering enchantment on her?"
>The woman shakes her head. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
>Marisa frowns. "I didn't notice anything, but I'll take a closer look." Ran seems lost in thought.
>Marisa holds her hands in the air just about Maribel, and small spell circle flashes briefly between her palms. There is a flicker of soft blue light. Marisa shakes her head. "I don't see anything like that."
-
>"I'm not from here. What is the ordinary?"
-
>"I'm not from here. What is the ordinary?"
>"Oh, just psych classes, some reading. Went out to the mall. Boring, normal stuff."
-
>"Do you know what she was reading?"
>Psych? Mall?
-
>"Do you know what she was reading?"
>Psych? Mall?
>"Don't really remember," the woman says. "Why would it matter?"
>So many unfamiliar words since you've been here...
-
>"Well, was it a normal book? An unusual one might have properties to it that could have caused this."
-
>"Well, was it a normal book? An unusual one might have properties to it that could have caused this."
>"What do you mean 'unusual'?" The woman gives you a strange look. "You mean like magic or something? I- I think it was just a novel. I didn't really pay attention." She takes another unsteady breath. "If Mary'd found anything like that, I'm sure she'd have told me."
-
>Nod and sigh.
>"Has she told you about things like that in the past?"
-
>Nod and sigh.
>"Has she told you about things like that in the past?"
>Renko shakes her head. "Nothing like that. But, well...." She pauses and frowns. "The two of us, we... we look for stuff that's out of place in the world, you know? Spirits, things like that." She shakes her head. "Never really found much. Until today, I suppose." She is silent for a while.
>"Mary... had these dreams, sometimes," she says, her voice tired sounding, "where she was in another world. Only she was convinced that they weren't really dreams and that this world was actually out there, somewhere. I... think she was starting to be uncertain which was dream, and which was reality."
-
I'm considering that Gengetsu is involved.
>"Did she tell you anything about this world?"
-
>"Did she tell you anything about this world?"
>"Only a little," she replies. "A lot of it was just forests and such. But... she sometimes saw people, or... other creatures. She told me about being chased by youkai a few times." She turns to Ran, frowning. "You're a youkai, aren't you?"
>Ran nods. "I am. But I promise you I have no desire to harm anyone here."
-
>"It might well be that she was seeing into our world. Did she ever describe anything specific to you?"
-
>"It might well be that she was seeing into our world. Did she ever describe anything specific to you?"
>"Um... I remember her mentioning a big red mansion she saw by the shore of a lake. And there was... Uh..." She shakes her head, and gives you an apologetic looking frown. "Sorry, my... I feel like I can barely think straight."
-
> "That was most likely the Scarlet Devil Mansion."
-
> "That was most likely the Scarlet Devil Mansion."
>"You... know it?" the woman asks.
>"Sounds about right," Marisa says. "She say anything about a red-hair guard who always hangs out by the front gates? Green dress, kinda annoying?"
>The woman shakes her head. "I... I don't think so."
>Ran's brow furrows and she walks over to Maribel again.
-
>Pat her hand. "We're onto something, I'm certain. And, I've not introduced myself. I'm Keine Kamishirasawa."
-
>Pat her hand. "We're onto something, I'm certain. And, I've not introduced myself. I'm Keine Kamishirasawa."
>The woman musters as much of a smile as she can as you try to comfort her. "Sorry... I'm Renko. Renko Usami. Do you..." She hesitates, and you can see her grasping nervously at the fragment of hope you present. "...do you think you know what's wrong with her?"
-
>"Not yet. But we're following threads that the doctors here cannot. I am hoping Ran has an idea."
-
>"Not yet. But we're following threads that the doctors here cannot. I am hoping Ran has an idea."
>Ran continues to stare at Maribel. "I don't know what connection there is between her and Yukari, but each piece of information adds more parallels. Do you recall what I said Yukari's last words were? She said that she hadn't woken up. That she would never wake up. Keep in mind, Yukari was awake while she said this. I never knew what she meant."
>"Who... who's Yukari?" Renko asks.
>"She is..." Ran hesitates. "I'm not sure how I should put it."
-
>"She is one of the oldest and most powerful youkai in Gensokyo; that is, our world. Maribel bears a very strong resemblance to Yukari. Quite frankly, it's a shock to us, too."
-
>"She is one of the oldest and most powerful youkai in Gensokyo; that is, our world. Maribel bears a very strong resemblance to Yukari. Quite frankly, it's a shock to us, too."
>"You're saying Mary looks like someone important from your world? And, uh, not even a human at that?" She frowns. "...you said something about her 'last words'?"
-
> "Not really her 'Last Words' as in she died after... More like her 'Last Words' until she went into a coma... If you can even call it that."
-
> "Not really her 'Last Words' as in she died after... More like her 'Last Words' until she went into a coma... If you can even call it that."
>"It... may not be an entirely inaccurate description of her present condition," Ran says. "Certainly she has closed her eyes and not reopened them, despite being alive."
>Renko's brow furrows. "So you're saying there's someone in your world who looks like Mary who's also in a coma now?"
-
>"It's more complicated than that. Complicated enough that it doesn't really make sense to any of us yet."
-
>"It's more complicated than that. Complicated enough that it doesn't really make sense to any of us yet."
>"If it makes you feel any better," Marisa says, "I feel about as clueless as you probably do right now."
>Reimu rolls her eyes. "Oh yeah, that's sure to make her feel better."
>"Tell me," Renko says, looking at you earnestly. "I can handle complicated. Even in the state I'm in now, I'll make myself understand it."
-
> "Its rather hard to describe, but I'll try."
> Attempt to describe Yukari's current state.
-
>"Before I begin, do you understand what a hakutaku is, and what role they play?"
-
>"Before I begin, do you understand what a hakutaku is, and what role they play?"
>"Uh, not really," Renko says. "I think they were some sort of wise legendary beast that advised rulers in ancient times. Why?"
> "Its rather hard to describe, but I'll try."
> Attempt to describe Yukari's current state.
>You do your best to describe Yukari's current condition, suspended in the web of borders and cut off from the rest of the world by a splice in time. Renko listens attentively, and nods as you speak, but it's clear she doesn't really understand it very well. You can hardly blame her; you barely understand it yourself.
>"That's all... a bit much for me," she says. "How's this related? Why do you think this has anything to do with Mary, other than the fact that they look alike? Why'd you even come here in the first place?"
-
>"More than that. Hakutaku are, essentially, youkai of history. I am one, though it's not very apparent at the moment. That event happened 18 years in the past from your perspective. But, from that of the present, it happened seven years ago. And this is where it begins to get painfully complicated."
-
>"More than that. Hakutaku are, essentially, youkai of history. I am one, though it's not very apparent at the moment. That event happened 18 years in the past from your perspective. But, from that of the present, it happened seven years ago. And this is where it begins to get painfully complicated."
>"Oh, so that's not complicated enough already?" Renko frowns. "Go on."
-
>"This event is reaching through time, Renko, into the past and into the future. Whatever happened to Maribel..."
>...Oh damn it, that frightened person...
>"It began, a few days ago, but it's reached into the past and future, and it's all became a giant mess from there."
-
>"This event is reaching through time, Renko, into the past and into the future. Whatever happened to Maribel..."
>...Oh damn it, that frightened person...
>"It began, a few days ago, but it's reached into the past and future, and it's all became a giant mess from there."
>Oh boy... Could it be? Seems so long ago, now...
>"So..." Renko begins slowly. "You're saying this happened 18 years, seven years, and a few days ago? All at the same time?"
>"And that's why I'm not bothering to figure any of this out," Reimu says.
-
>"Precisely. And, as a result, history was changed radically in Gensokyo. We've been trying to trace the source of it the rifts between here and there, hoping to find some answers. And, we ended up here. But...I think I've put something together. I might know what happened to her. You said that she dreamed of exploring our world, right? Well, if her dreams actually took her there, perhaps she was attacked?"
-
>"Precisely. And, as a result, history was changed radically in Gensokyo. We've been trying to trace the source of it the rifts between here and there, hoping to find some answers. And, we ended up here. But...I think I've put something together. I might know what happened to her. You said that she dreamed of exploring our world, right? Well, if her dreams actually took her there, perhaps she was attacked?"
>Renko frowns deeply. "She... she did say that she often woke up being chased by youkai. Do you... think it's possible something happened to her there? Could... something have caught her? How does that even work?"
-
>"I think something put her to sleep. I've encountered a youkai whose abilities seem to involve that... But, I am not sure how it would be involved with all the rest of this, aside from a loss of control."
-
>"I think something put her to sleep. I've encountered a youkai whose abilities seem to involve that... But, I am not sure how it would be involved with all the rest of this, aside from a loss of control."
>"Put her to sleep... while she was already asleep?" Renko shakes her head. "I suppose that doesn't make any less sense than anything else you've said."
>"What'd this youkai look like," Reimu asks, peering at you.
-
>"This youkai had white wings."
>Recall any other details about this youkai.
>If so, continue describing the youkai.
>If not, say "I can't recall any other details. I know, it's very vague."
-
>"This youkai had white wings."
>Recall any other details about this youkai.
>If so, continue describing the youkai.
>If not, say "I can't recall any other details. I know, it's very vague."
>You only saw the youkai in glimpses between the trees inside a forested area at night. There were patches of light, but she was moving quickly, and the only distinctive feature you could notice were a pair of white wings. You mention as much, noting how poor your visibility was at the time.
>Marisa frowns at your description and turns to Reimu, who sighs. "That sounds a little like Gengetsu," Reimu says. "Although I can't imagine what she would have been doing there. Would have been nice if you'd gotten a better look."
-
>"I...wonder."
>Consider the dispelling charm. "Ran, if that is the cause, do you think we could dispel it from here?"
-
>"I...wonder."
>Consider the dispelling charm. "Ran, if that is the cause, do you think we could dispel it from here?"
>"I... I don't know," Ran replies. "I don't feel any obvious enchantment on her, and neither did Marisa. Perhaps, if she did indeed encounter this creature in her dreams, it's affected her on some level too deep to sense?"
-
>"Hell."
>"I suppose we have to go back to that grove."
-
>"Hell."
>"I suppose we have to go back to that grove."
>Judging from the scowl on Reimu's face, she shares your sentiments.
>"Are you hoping we can find her," Ran says, "and force her to release her hold on this one?"
-
>"Something like that. I'll be just as happy to find whatever aspect of Maribel is there and just dispel it."
-
>"Something like that. I'll be just as happy to find whatever aspect of Maribel is there and just dispel it."
>"I suppose that's also a possibility," Ran says. "Although... even if that would explain why she remains asleep, how does it account for her role in creating those fissures?"
-
>"If she's related to Yukari, I think losing control explains it in and of itself."
-
>"If she's related to Yukari, I think losing control explains it in and of itself."
>"I don't know that even Yukari would have the strength to do that under her own power," Ran says. "And Maribel is human. I wish I knew what her presence here meant. Or her existence itself, for that matter."
>"I.. not sure I know how to take that," Renko says.
>Ran shakes her head. "I mean no disrespect, least of all at a time like this. But their resemblance is more than uncanny. They could pass as identical twins, were it possible for one to be older than the other."
-
>"Still, it's the only lead we have at the moment."
-
>"Still, it's the only lead we have at the moment."
>"That... may be true," Ran says. "But I still feel there's some important element we're missing, here. Something in what Yukari said. Something in their connection." She shakes her head. "I don't know what it is. But I agree that returning to that grove may be our best option. If we can awaken Maribel, she may be able to tell us more."
>"I don't know what she could," Renko said. "I can't imagine she'd be keeping a secret that big from me. We were in this together; searching for traces of other worlds. But if there's anything you can do to help her..." She bows her head towards you. "Please."
-
>"There may be something in Yukari's words. But, frankly, I need her to be wrong or misunderstood right now, if only for this girl's sake. The question is, how can someone who doesn't even exist yet come into Gensokyo via dreams? The only thing that would make sense is that something was calling her there. This may have been Yukari, simply by existing, or it may not be... And if it's not, I have no idea what it would be."
>"The grove, I think, is our next goal. The question is, how do we get back, and can we bring anyone with us."
-
>"There may be something in Yukari's words. But, frankly, I need her to be wrong or misunderstood right now, if only for this girl's sake. The question is, how can someone who doesn't even exist yet come into Gensokyo via dreams? The only thing that would make sense is that something was calling her there. This may have been Yukari, simply by existing, or it may not be... And if it's not, I have no idea what it would be."
>"The grove, I think, is our next goal. The question is, how do we get back, and can we bring anyone with us."
>"Such a pain in the ass," Reimu says, frowning.
>Ran nods. "It does seem like the most obvious course of action, speculation aside. As for returning, the spot at which either of us entered through should hopefully suffice. The terminus this is anchored to on Gensokyo's side can only accommodate two people, however. If more were to enter at once, I couldn't guarantee where they would end up. Or if they would end up anywhere at all."
-
>"Let's go, then. Hopefully we'll be able to catch whomever it is."
>"Tell me about Gengetsu, Reimu?"
-
>"Let's go, then. Hopefully we'll be able to catch whomever it is."
>"Tell me about Gengetsu, Reimu?"
>"So... you're going back to Gensokyo, then?" Renko asks. "I guess I'll know if you succeed when Mary wakes up?"
>"I, uh, don't really know that much about her, to be honest," Reimu says. "Would probably be around nine or ten years ago now, I met her. I stumbled into this sort of dream realm that her and her sister made. It was a little like Mugenkan, if you've heard of it? Smaller, though. Better hidden. But there was this strange energy emanating from there, and I'd assumed she was up to something, so..."
>"So she beat her up," Marisa adds cheerfully.
>"Hey, she shot first!" Reimu replies.
>Marisa nods. "Yup. 'cause you'd just finished beating her sister up."
>Reimu scowls at her. Renko looks a little nonplussed.
-
>"I don't suppose you can describe that strange energy in a way that makes sense?"
-
>"I don't suppose you can describe that strange energy in a way that makes sense?"
>Reimu shrugs. "Probably not. It's mostly an intuition thing. It was kinda fuzzy and vague, almost like something on the edge of your consciousness. Pretty powerful, just the same."
-
>"Did she use anything that caused sleep?
-
>"Did she use anything that caused sleep?
>"Sorta," Reimu said. "I think dreams were her domain, really. But that feels pretty much the same when you're on the receiving end of it."
-
>"Hmmm. How did you resist it?"
-
>"Hmmm. How did you resist it?"
>"By shooting her in the face," Marisa says, grinning widely.
>Reimu throws her an irritated glance. "Yeah, pretty much that."
-
>"...That sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea. What else can you tell me? And, let's be on our way before something else happens."
>Consider Renko.
>"Did you bring your own car here?"
-
>"...That sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea. What else can you tell me? And, let's be on our way before something else happens."
>Consider Renko.
>"Did you bring your own car here?"
>"Not much, I don't think," Reimu says. "She has a sister. Same deal, but a little weaker, I think. No wings, either. I hadn't actually seen them around Gensokyo after I fought with them. I didn't think they left their own realm."
>You take another look at Renko. She seems a little less emotional than she did earlier, although quite preoccupied. She's currently scrutinizing the wall in great detail.
>Renko looks at you and shakes her head. "I don't have a car. I took the bus here. I've... kinda been here all day."
-
>Nod to Renko. "Well, I feel bad about telling you some of this, and just leaving you here to be confused and left further in the dark. Would you like to come along with us, and be just confused until we get back to the gate? That wouldn't be a problem, would it Reimu?"
-
>Nod to Renko. "Well, I feel bad about telling you some of this, and just leaving you here to be confused and left further in the dark. Would you like to come along with us, and be just confused until we get back to the gate? That wouldn't be a problem, would it Reimu?"
>Reimu shrugs. "Eh, if she doesn't mind squeezing in around all the junk the back, sure why not?"
>"I've got room in my car if you guys don't," Marisa offers.
>Renko looks back to Maribel. "Well... I can't come through anyway, can I?"
-
>"It...wouldn't be wise, unless Ran can whip out a miracle."
-
>"It...wouldn't be wise, unless Ran can whip out a miracle."
>Ran shakes her head. "Unless one of us remains, no one else can travel through the rift safely."
>"Well, if there's nothing I can do to help," Renko says. "I think I should stay here with Mary. Until visiting hours are over and they kick me out, anyway."
-
>"Very well. Oh! Do you have one of those phone things with you?"
-
>"Very well. Oh! Do you have one of those phone things with you?"
>"Yeah," she says. "Want the number?"
>"Yeah, give it to me," Reimu says, pulling out her own phone. Renko relays a number and you see Reimu press a few buttons on her own phone. "Got it," she says.
-
>"Right, let's go. Ran, isn't where you appeared closer?"
>Pause.
>"Oh, does anyone have a phone book? Patchouli wants one."
-
>"Right, let's go. Ran, isn't where you appeared closer?"
>Pause.
>"Oh, does anyone have a phone book? Patchouli wants one."
>"I think it might be, yes."
>Marisa bursts into laughter when you mention Patchouli's interest in a phone book. "Yeah, I've got one at home," she says. "I figure all of us do. They just hand you out a new one each year, and you can pick them up from the phone company for almost nothing. You think you'll be back this way again? I could go fetch mine." She laughs again. "I'm sure it bug the hell out of Patchy to get a book from me of all people. You make sure to tell her who it's from, got it?"
-
>"I don't know if we will. And, I'll be sure to tell her."
-
>"I don't know if we will. And, I'll be sure to tell her."
>"Well, if you're not sure you're coming back," Marisa says, "you want to wait for me to fetch one? Actually... there's probably one around here somewhere that we can grab."
-
>"Is there? I wouldn't know where to look."
-
>"Is there? I wouldn't know where to look."
>"You're not supposed to take those, you know," Reimu says, frowning at Marisa.
>Marisa just shrugs. "Or you can wait for me to swing by my place. Your call."
-
>"If phone books are so easy to come by, I think it won't be a problem to save time and get one here."
-
>"If phone books are so easy to come by, I think it won't be a problem to save time and get one here."
>"See?" Marisa turns to Reimu and grins. Reimu scowls at her.
>"Let's just get going, ok?" she says. "The sooner you're shipped off, the sooner I can go home."
-
>"Which home?"
>Make to leave.
>"Hope our next meeting is under happier circumstances, Renko."
-
>"Which home?"
>Make to leave.
>"Hope our next meeting is under happier circumstances, Renko."
>"I meant the one here," Reimu says. "You know, go flop on the couch and forget about all this? ...I don't know what I want to do about the other one."
>You start to head out of the room.
>"Me too," Renko replies. "And... whether you succeed or not... thank you very much for trying. I'd... like to see this Gensokyo of yours sometime, if I could. Together with Mary."
-
>"Once all is said and done, someone is going to owe me some favors. We'll see if they can be parleyed into getting you over there afterward."
-
>"Once all is said and done, someone is going to owe me some favors. We'll see if they can be parleyed into getting you over there afterward."
>Renko nods. "Good luck. With everything."
-
>Wave and depart.
-
>Wave and depart.
>You wave to Renko and leave the room, heading back the way you came in. Along the way, you pass a counter of some sort, with a bell and a phone, as well as several papers and files spread out behind it. It is currently unoccupied, although you see someone in a small room behind the counter leafing through some papers, their back to you. Marisa glances surreptitiously around the counter as she walks past, then reaches behind it and grabs a large book, barely breaking her stride. You can see her grinning the moment she's out of sight of it. She turns to you and whispers. "Got it!" Reimu sighs.
>The rest of the trip is uneventful. You take the elevator down, this time better prepared for it, and exit the hospital. You reach Reimu's car shortly thereafter.
>"Here you go," Marisa says, and hands you the phone book. It's a little worn looking; the cover is bent and creased and some of the pages are warped.
>"So," Reimu asks, "You go back there, wake Maribel's other self up ....however that's supposed to work.... and then what? Come back here, talk to her, hope you can figure out what to do next?"
-
>"That seems to be the plan. If this Gengetsu person is involved, possibly take your methodology to heart and to her face."
>"In fact, tell me about that little Mugenkan she made? Where was the entrance?"
-
>"That seems to be the plan. If this Gengetsu person is involved, possibly take your methodology to heart and to her face."
>"In fact, tell me about that little Mugenkan she made? Where was the entrance?"
>Marisa laughs. Reimu shrugs. "Hey, it works most of the time," she says.
>"Oh no," Reimu says, "Mugenkan was Yuka's place. Or at least it was. I don't think she spends much time in there anymore after we woke her up. There's a border between waking and dream past the hills in the southwest. I'm not sure how much of that Yuka did, and how much was there already. As for Gengetsu's, it's kind of in the general area. I, uh, don't think I could say exactly where unless I was walking around there myself."
-
>Does that general area coincide with where we saw Maribel that night, at all?
-
>Does that general area coincide with where we saw Maribel that night, at all?
>Not even close. The area Reimu mentions is, as best you can tell from the description, fairly close to the Garden of the Sun. Perhaps a little further southeast. The grove near the village is significantly north of there, and further east.
-
>"Nowhere near where I saw Maribel. Oh well, that just means she probably doesn't have a home advantage."
-
>"Nowhere near where I saw Maribel. Oh well, that just means she probably doesn't have a home advantage."
>Marisa grins. "You guys make sure you blast her once for me, ok?"
-
>"If it comes to that, I'll have a whole lot to give to her."
-
>"If it comes to that, I'll have a whole lot to give to her."
>Marisa chuckles. "Even better. Anyhow, if you folks are done here, I'm heading home. Been a long day today even before all this. Still kinda sorry I never got to break out the old tricks again, but what can you do." She shrugs.
-
>"Until next time."
>Follow Reimu to the car.
-
>"Until next time."
>Follow Reimu to the car.
>"Yup!" Marisa says, giving you a little wave and heading off towards her car.
>You follow Reimu towards hers and get inside.
>"So, where am I dropping you two off at?" she asks.
-
>Glance at Ran.
>"About where did you arrive, Ran?"
-
>Glance at Ran.
>"About where did you arrive, Ran?"
>"Between two very tall buildings," Ran says. "I don't know the precise address by the conventions used here, but I can direct us towards it if you head back to where you found me."
>"It'll do, I guess," Reimu says, pulling the car out of the lot.
-
>Examine the inside of the car more carefully! What sort of junk does Reimu have in here, anyway?
-
>Examine the inside of the car more carefully! What sort of junk does Reimu have in here, anyway?
>You take a closer look around the inside of the car. It's less that there's a great quantity of things, so much as the fact that they're scattered about haphazardly makes it look messy. You see a pair of pens, a couple of old fliers, a blanket, a partially opened box of cookies, a somewhat dog-eared novel, a large translucent blue cup, a roll of grey tape, a bag containing some scented candles in their original packaging, several small pieces of technology you can't identify, and few other random things.
>Reimu begins to retrace your route to where you picked up Ran. Ran points out corrections every now and again, seeming to have remembered the path better than Reimu. Or yourself, for that matter.
-
> "Ran, when we met, you mentioned that before all this started, Yukari had woken up, yet said something about being unable to wake up, correct?"
-
> "Ran, when we met, you mentioned that before all this started, Yukari had woken up, yet said something about being unable to wake up, correct?"
>"That is correct, yes," Ran replies. "She is... not always the most clear with her explanations."
-
> "Maybe I'm not thinking clearly, but..."
> Facepalm
> "Could Yukari mentioning being unable to wake be referring to Maribel."
-
> "Maybe I'm not thinking clearly, but..."
> Facepalm
> "Could Yukari mentioning being unable to wake be referring to Maribel."
>"There do seem to be a number of curious co-incidences," Ran agrees. "But I don't know what connection they could share. Remember that, from a objective view of time, Yukari said this 18 years ago. Maribel would have been only a young child at the time. Still, this event has reached through time more than once already."
-
> "Well, we have traveled through time, 11 years, so I wouldn't rule it out by time alone."
-
>"... how old is Maribel? If she was born that day, there would be more of a connection..."
-
> "Well, we have traveled through time, 11 years, so I wouldn't rule it out by time alone."
>Ran nods. "As I said, time have proven less linear in this situation than I'm accustomed to. Who knows how much further into the past the event may have reached if Yukari had not stopped it where she did?"
>"... how old is Maribel? If she was born that day, there would be more of a connection..."
>"She kinda looked around 20 to me," Reimu says, "but you can't always tell with some people. I suppose Renko might know."
-
>"We call her. Hmm.. You didn't have to feed Yukari or anything, right?"
-
>"We call her. Hmm.. You didn't have to feed Yukari or anything, right?"
>"Ok, fine," Reimu says.
>"Fortunately no," Ran says. "I'm not even certain I could safely disturb her. I haven't wanted to attempt it."
>The next time the car pauses in traffic, Reimu reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone. She pushes a couple buttons, then holds it to her ear.
>"Hey, Renko," she says, a moment later. "This is Reimu. Strange question, but humor me. How old is Maribel?" There is a pause. "20," she says, calling out to you.
-
>"Right. Ask her if the doctors have to feed Maribel and stuff, or if she seems to be doing okay?"
-
>"Right. Ask her if the doctors have to feed Maribel and stuff, or if she seems to be doing okay?"
>Reimu relays your question to Renko. "She's on IV nutrition for the moment," Reimu says to you. "Uh, that thing in her arm. So yeah, she still seems to need food. She's doing normal on pretty much every front except not waking up."
-
>"Sound different then Yukari's situation, at least."
-
>"Sound different then Yukari's situation, at least."
>Ran nods. "She seems like she's simply asleep. Yukari is... suspended somehow. Perhaps in time. Perhaps between times."
-
>"Indeed. But it's good to know there isn't that strong of a connection between them."
-
>"Indeed. But it's good to know there isn't that strong of a connection between them."
>"Yes, I suppose," Ran says.
>"Anything else while I have her on the line?" Reimu asks.
-
>"Ask if Maribel ever mentioned something happening to her of note about 11 years ago?"
-
>"Ask if Maribel ever mentioned something happening to her of note about 11 years ago?"
>Reimu relays your question. After a few moments she shakes her head. "She says nothing comes to mind."
-
>"That's about all I can think of right now."
-
>"That's about all I can think of right now."
>Reimu nods. "Ok, yeah that's it," she says into the phone. "Hang in there, ok? Right. See ya." She puts her phone away. "So, we getting close?"
>"Fairly close, yes," Ran says. "Ah, that way." She points at a street to your left, and Reimu turns down it.
>After a little more driving, Ran indicates two large buildings. "It was between those," she says. Reimu pulls the car up to the side of the street next to them and stops.
>"So... I guess this is it," she says. "If Maribel's falling asleep is connected to all this... what do you think is going to happen if you wake her up?"
-
>"No idea at this point. I am not sure if she's really even the most central cause. But there's no doubt she's connected to something important, at least."
-
>"No idea at this point. I am not sure if she's really even the most central cause. But there's no doubt she's connected to something important, at least."
>"Well, good luck with all this," Reimu says. "Don't let Gengetsu off any lighter than I would, if you find her."
-
>Nod.
>Approach gate location.
>"Are we likely to be separated again, Ran?"
-
>Nod.
>Approach gate location.
>"Are we likely to be separated again, Ran?"
>You nod to Reimu and follow Ran down an alley between the two buildings. After a moment she stops. "Here is it."
>"I don't think so," Ran says. "The terminus on Gensokyo's end is more tightly fixed. At worst, we'll end up on different sides of the same pit."
-
>"Oh, good."
>Let Foxy do that thing.
-
>"Oh, good."
>Let Foxy do that thing.
>Ran glances around to see if anyone else is nearby, and, satisfied that no one can see her, quickly pulls out the portal key and activates it. A thin purple seam appears in the air beside her and widens. You can see Reimu frowning at it.
>"After you," Ran says.
-
>"Why the frown, Ran?"
>Presuming her answer isn't worrisome, head through.
-
>"Why the frown, Ran?"
>Presuming her answer isn't worrisome, head through.
>Ran frowns. "I wasn't frowning..."
>You step into the gap and take another entirely unpleasant trip back to Gensokyo on the space contortion express. Your exit flings you face-first into the lumpy, rocky, and very hard ground with a jaw-protesting clunk. On the bright side, at least you know which way is up this time. You hear Ran groan somewhere to your left.
-
>Massage jaw.
>Groan.
-
>Massage jaw.
>Groan.
>You massage your jaw. Oww... it's tender.
>You suspect there is little you could do to prevent yourself from groaning now in any event, so you decide to indulge yourself fully. That is the worst transportation mechanism there has even been conceived. ...and you're probably going to have to go through it again, aren't you? You groan again.
>"Are... you ok?" Ran's voice sounds rather pained as well, although you hear her walking.
-
>"I'm alright. Just irritated. Reimu must be rubbing off on me."
>Get up and look around.
-
>"I'm alright. Just irritated. Reimu must be rubbing off on me."
>Get up and look around.
>"Well," Ran says, her tone light, "let's hope some of her efficiency at resolving incidents rubbed off as well, shall we?"
>You pull yourself to your feet and look around. You are in the same fissure you departed from, although perhaps a few dozen feet away from where you left. You see Ran reseat her hat properly on her head, and brush some dirt off her robe, but otherwise she looks fine. There is nothing else remarkable around you.
-
>Stand up and dust self off.
>"Let's go get Mokou, then we'll check that grove once more."
-
>Stand up and dust self off.
>"Let's go get Mokou, then we'll check that grove once more."
>You're already standing, but you dust yourself off a little.
>"Yes, let's," Ran says, heading off towards the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
-
>Follow along.
-
>Follow along.
>You follow after Ran and soon arrive back at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. As you approach, you catch sight of Mokou sitting with her back against the outer wall, facing in your direction. She waves as you approach and stands up.
>"Still in one piece," she nods. "What'd you find?"
-
>"Reimu, Marisa, a stolen phone book, and Yukari's comatose human twin."
-
>"Reimu and Marisa are alive and well there, and there is a girl who looks just like Yukari, has been put into a coma, and may be the key to this whole mess. So in short, things got even more complicated. But we think we know who that winged youkai was with the sleep attacks. Reimu thinks she is Gengetsu."
-
>"Reimu, Marisa, a stolen phone book, and Yukari's comatose human twin."
>Mokou stares at you blankly for a moment. "Her what!?"
>"Reimu and Marisa are alive and well there, and there is a girl who looks just like Yukari, has been put into a coma, and may be the key to this whole mess. So in short, things got even more complicated. But we think we know who that winged youkai was with the sleep attacks. Reimu thinks she is Gengetsu."
>"More complicated." She rubs her head. "Great. Sure, why not. It's good those two are ok, but... what's that girl have to do with this? Or this Gengetsu person for that matter."
-
>"This person, Maribel, seems to have some connection to Yukari. And when she dreams, she comes here from the outside. And, we think, Gengetsu put her to sleep while she was dreaming here, which is...a problem. This said, we're going try to find Gengetsu and fix things. Or beat her up, then fix things."
>Did Patchouli make any mentions of knowing about dream magic back when we theorized on what that youkai was doing.
-
>"This person, Maribel, seems to have some connection to Yukari. And when she dreams, she comes here from the outside. And, we think, Gengetsu put her to sleep while she was dreaming here, which is...a problem. This said, we're going try to find Gengetsu and fix things. Or beat her up, then fix things."
>Did Patchouli make any mentions of knowing about dream magic back when we theorized on what that youkai was doing.
>"She comes here in her dreams?" Mokou screws up her face. "Well, not gonna argue. Doesn't make any less sense than half the rest of this. But if we can find her, I'm more than willing to show her just how many bad days she's caused."
>She simply made a comment that sleep-inducing magic was difficult and uncommon, as well as outside her specialty.
-
>We've bothered Patchouli enough.
>"Let's go find her then."
-
>We've bothered Patchouli enough.
>"Let's go find her then."
>She would certain tell you as much. At length, no doubt.
>Mokou nods. "Great. Back to that grove, then?"
-
>"Yep."
>Do so!
>Once nearby; "Let me know if you sense anything, Ran."
>_
-
>"Yep."
>Do so!
>Once nearby; "Let me know if you sense anything, Ran."
>Mokou stretches. "Well, let's get to it."
>You take off and fly back to the grove where this all began, landing on the outskirts.
>Ran pauses and concentrates, then shakes her head. "Nothing at the moment, sorry."
-
>"Let me know if you do, I don't have anything to assist me this time."
>Enter.
-
>"Let me know if you do, I don't have anything to assist me this time."
>Enter.
>"I'll be as attentive as I can," Ran says.
>The group of you step into the grove, weaving between the trees and around the underbrush. As you proceed, you keep your eyes alert for any physical sign of Gengetsu's or anyone else's presence; you see Mokou and Ran glancing around similarly. Sadly, the grove seems quiet and unoccupied. Although visibility is poor, you see no signs of motion, nor traces of anyone's presence. Moreover, you feel as wide awake as when you entered, with no signs of this changing anytime soon. You walk for a few more minutes, when Ran tilts her head to the side.
>"I... think I felt something," she says. "I can't be sure. It was very brief."
-
>"Alright. Keep mentioning it when you do feel something."
>Head further in, toward where we first saw Maribel.
-
>"Alright. Keep mentioning it when you do feel something."
>Head further in, toward where we first saw Maribel.
>"I will," Ran says, still peering off in the distance.
>You continue deeper into the trees. It's difficult to tell where you first saw Maribel. The grove is relatively featureless, and you weren't paying very much attention to the configuration of the trees around you at the time. Still, you think you've arrived in the general area. You walk a few loops around the vicinity, but see no signs of her or anything else.
>"I think something's following us," Ran says. "Like last time, but... more distant. It's very faint. I'd not even be certain it was anything at all if not for past experience here."
-
>Nod to Ran, then say to both of them: "I'll call out, be ready if she tries something."
>Loudly: "Gengetsu, is that you?"
-
>Nod to Ran, then say to both of them: "I'll call out, be ready if she tries something."
>Loudly: "Gengetsu, is that you?"
>"Got it," Mokou says, tensing herself and glancing defensively at her surroundings. Ran nods.
>You call out to Gengetsu. There is no reply.
>"I think it reacted to that," Ran says. "It flickered, almost. But nothing more than that."
-
>Louder. "Gengetsu, we just want to talk!"
>Okay, that's a lie. But we'll at least start that way.
-
>Louder. "Gengetsu, we just want to talk!"
>Okay, that's a lie. But we'll at least start that way.
>You call out even louder. You still receive no response.
>Aren't lies by omission great?
>"I'm almost certain it's reacting to your words," Ran says. "But it's still not approaching. I couldn't even tell you exactly where it is."
-
>"Gengetsu, we know what you did to Maribel, please come out here so we can talk about things."
-
>"Gengetsu, we know what you did to Maribel, please come out here so we can talk about things."
>Again, silence greets your remark.
>"...I think it's doing something," Ran says, although this time you need no informing of that activity, as you very suddenly feel a peaceful weariness brush against your consciousness.
-
>"Mokou, get the fires ready..."
>Shout, "Gengetsu cut that out right now, I am getting sick and tired of it!"
-
>"Mokou, get the fires ready..."
>Shout, "Gengetsu cut that out right now, I am getting sick and tired of it!"
>"Dammit," Mokou says, "if she makes me do that to you again, I'm gonna show her what it feels like."
>You shout, and feel the weariness suddenly withdraw from you in reaction.
>Ran shakes her head. "I've mostly lost her again."
-
> Ponder if Gengetsu can only talk to us in the dream world.
-
> Ponder if Gengetsu can only talk to us in the dream world.
>While that might make a certain degree of sense, you did physically see her in the forest that night and heard her speak, although you could only catch fragments of her conversation from the distance you were at.
-
>"She stopped, Mokou."
>"Thank you, Gengetsu. Please, come out here and speak with us."
-
>"She stopped, Mokou."
>"Thank you, Gengetsu. Please, come out here and speak with us."
>"Huh," Mokou says. "Something, anyway."
>"She seems to be hesitating again," Ran says. You feel the faintest edge of slumber gently brush against you.
-
>"Gengetsu, I know you can speak normally, I saw you do, remember?"
-
>"Gengetsu, I know you can speak normally, I saw you do, remember?"
>There is again no response, although the sense of slumber does not intensify.
>"I swear," Mokou mutters, "if she's screwing around..."
-
>"I need some sign of trust, Gengetsu."
-
>"I need some sign of trust, Gengetsu."
>You feel the twinge of slumber caress you gently, though it still does not intensify appreciably.
-
>"Why can you come out and talk to us? You've done it before."
-
>"Why can you come out and talk to us? You've done it before."
>You get no response.
-
>"How about this. Appear here, for a few minutes. Then, we'll join you, okay?"
-
>"How about this. Appear here, for a few minutes. Then, we'll join you, okay?"
>The forest remains silent.
-
>"Anything, Ran?"
-
>"Anything, Ran?"
>"She is still there," Ran says. "On the edge of awareness. She has moved little since her last action, and not ventured closer nor strengthened her presence."
>"What's she playing at?" Mokou says.
-
>"She's trying to put me to sleep, presumably so I can meet her alone in her world. I'd very much prefer not to do that."
>"Gengetsu, you've attacked me twice. I need something from you before I can even begin to consider that kind of thing a good idea."
-
>"She's trying to put me to sleep, presumably so I can meet her alone in her world. I'd very much prefer not to do that."
>"Gengetsu, you've attacked me twice. I need something from you before I can even begin to consider that kind of thing a good idea."
>"Can't say I blame you after the number she pulled earlier," Mokou says.
>You attempt to speak to Gengetsu again. The forest remains still.
>"She does seem to be less aggressive in her approach than the last time," Ran says. "I wonder why?"
-
>"I'll go further on alone. If I don't come back in half an hour, come after me."
-
>"I'll go further on alone. If I don't come back in half an hour, come after me."
>Mokou frowns. "You sure about this?"
>"Rest assured," Ran says, "If she attempts to do to you what she may have done to Maribel, we will correct it. We still have the dispelling incantation Patchouli scribed, and further resources at our disposal if that fails."
-
>Nod.
>"I should be able to last half an hour."
>Head further in.
-
>Nod.
>"I should be able to last half an hour."
>Head further in.
>Mokou takes a deep breath. "Be safe out there, ok?"
>"I wish you well," Ran says.
>You leave you companions behind and head further in. After they are well out of sight, and quite possibly out of hearing, you feel the sensation of gentle lulling on you slowly intensify. Despite knowing the potential hostility of its source, you can't help but find it relaxing. It's been such a tiring and stressful few days. Would it really be so bad to indulge yourself a little, now?
-
>"I'm alone. You can show up now. You've done it before, Gengetsu. Don't worry, I just want to talk. Are you really that afraid?"
-
>"I'm alone. You can show up now. You've done it before, Gengetsu. Don't worry, I just want to talk. Are you really that afraid?"
>Yet again, you get no response. But the silence is nice, really. Peaceful. It could be such a soothing place to rest. And look, there's a bed of moss over there large enough to lie on, even.
>As these thought swirl through your clouding head, you hear a single word in the distance. "Please." The voice is gentle, but timid.
-
>"Fine..."
>Give in, find a nice place to collapse. Reassure self with thoughts of Mokou burning Gengetsu's house down in retaliation if she tries something untoward.
-
>"Fine..."
>Give in, find a nice place to collapse. Reassure self with thoughts of Mokou burning Gengetsu's house down in retaliation if she tries something untoward.
>You hear a distant "Thank you."
>You find a suitable spot of ground and lie down. It feels fairly comfortable, even, although you suspect the magic upon you is contributing to that. Your head is barely upon the ground before gentle sleep rushes up and swallows you.
>You are in a great featureless sea, lacking form or definition. You can see no ground below you, although your feet tell you you're standing on something solid. You see nothing in the distance. It's hard to even understand the concept of distance here. Everything around you is black, with hints of mauve and other shades woven through it. Despite being mostly dark, there seems to be no shortage of light. You can see yourself more clearly than you could in the grove. As well as the person standing before you. She is a short blond-haired woman, wearing what looks like a blue and white maid uniform with a bright red ribbon upon her chest. She bows to you.
>"I am... sorry," she says. "I meant no harm. But I feel safer here."
-
>"Exactly. You're already attac-Bah, no point in that."
>Frown.
>"You're not Gengetsu, are you?"
-
>"Exactly. You're already attac-Bah, no point in that."
>Frown.
>"You're not Gengetsu, are you?"
>She shakes her head. "I am not. I'm her sister, Mugetsu. You... came here looking for her, didn't you? Why?"
-
>"Yes. Because she's attacked a person named Maribel, and it's caused a great deal of trouble for everyone."
-
>"Yes. Because she's attacked a person named Maribel, and it's caused a great deal of trouble for everyone."
>"I cannot imagine she would attack someone without cause," Mugetsu says. "She is no more hostile than I am." She frowns. "If you were looking for her here, I guess you don't know what happened to her, either?"
-
>"No."
>Hold back the urge to strangle her.
-
>"No."
>Hold back the urge to strangle her.
>Mugetsu falls into a lonely looking frown. "I'm not sure what happened to her. You had traces of her presence on you when you came here last night. That was why I tried to reach out to speak with you. I... didn't understand your resistance. I only wanted to talk with you."
>You resist the urge to work off some muscle tension on Mugetsu's neck. Oh, you could fill a book with the things that haven't gone right since this all started.
-
>"She attacked me that way beforehand. You'll understand my reluctance. Especially given it's not the only time I've been attacked that way that night. Now, explain. Please."
-
>"She attacked me that way beforehand. You'll understand my reluctance. Especially given it's not the only time I've been attacked that way that night. Now, explain. Please."
>"She's vanished," Mugetsu says. "Without any trace I can find. I know she came here two nights ago now, following something that struck her curiosity. And then she was gone. I knew you'd been there. I was hoping you knew what had happened to her."
-
>"Gengetsu has a victim that night. A blonde girl, human, about 20 or so. Where is she? This is important beyond my ability to express."
-
>"Gengetsu has a victim that night. A blonde girl, human, about 20 or so. Where is she? This is important beyond my ability to express."
>"Victim?" Mugetsu shakes her head. "There is no girl here. There is no one else here but you and your friends. There must have been some sort of misunderstanding. My sister didn't come here to hurt anyone."
-
>"Then, you get to hear a long story, Mugetsu. Make yourself comfortable. First. do you understand what a hakutaku is, and what we do?"
-
>"Then, you get to hear a long story, Mugetsu. Make yourself comfortable. First. do you understand what a hakutaku is, and what we do?"
>"So, you do know something?" she says. "And no, I don't, sorry."
-
>"I think I know something. And hakutaku serves as a guardian of history, we are sensitive as to when it's been tampered with. And, your Gengetsu seems to have done just that. You say that she disappeared two days ago, yes? Have you paid much attention to the events outside of this place?"
-
>"I think I know something. And hakutaku serves as a guardian of history, we are sensitive as to when it's been tampered with. And, your Gengetsu seems to have done just that. You say that she disappeared two days ago, yes? Have you paid much attention to the events outside of this place?"
>"This space is just a construct," she says. "A fragment of a dream undrempt. To those outside, you will simply appear to be asleep. Or did you mean the forest you were in? In either case, what events are you talking about?"
-
>"Alright. So, you know about the long winter, the human village being abandoned, the moon being sealed away, and so on?"
-
>"Alright. So, you know about the long winter, the human village being abandoned, the moon being sealed away, and so on?"
>"I... don't leave my home very often. I see little of the outside world. I'm sorry."
-
>Spare a moment for arcane profanity.
>Deep breath.
>... wait, didn't we fall asleep in that grove? Did Gengetsu use our powers, too? Further mental arcane profanity.
-
>"That's what I thought."
>"Well, Gengetsu met an unusual person, a person from outside who enters Gensokyo via her dreams. She is also has a connection to Yukari that we don't fully understand. Gengetsu put this dreamer to sleep, and...things got very messed as a result."
-
>Spare a moment for arcane profanity.
>Deep breath.
>... wait, didn't we fall asleep in that grove? Did Gengetsu use our powers, too? Further mental arcane profanity.
>You grimace and spit out a few choice yet unrecognizable words. Mugetsu looks confused. "Are you ok?" she asks.
>You take a deep breath and try to collect yourself.
>You did lose consciousness, although it felt less like falling asleep and more like the word was shattering around you. It was... decidedly unpleasant, and quite different than the other brushes with sleep you've had.
>"That's what I thought."
>"Well, Gengetsu met an unusual person, a person from outside who enters Gensokyo via her dreams. She is also has a connection to Yukari that we don't fully understand. Gengetsu put this dreamer to sleep, and...things got very messed as a result."
>"I'm sorry," Mugetsu repeats, frowning.
>"She was what my sister came her to find. ....I think. A walking dream. She wanted to know what it was."
-
>"That girl's in a coma now, outside. And, since that event, history has been changed drastically."
-
>"Do you have any idea how Gengetsu might have caused this, intentionally or otherwise?"
-
>"That girl's in a coma now, outside. And, since that event, history has been changed drastically."
>"Outside? There is no girl outside of here. I have spent the last day in these woods; I am sure of it."
>"Do you have any idea how Gengetsu might have caused this, intentionally or otherwise?"
>"We can... touch the dreams of others. But dreams do not walk unbidden in the waking world. She wanted to understand this. I'm sure she tried to touch it, herself."
-
>"Do you mean inappropriate touching, if you know what I mean?"
>"I'm pretty sure that the dreamer girl was here two days ago, when Gengetsu found her. And probably touched her, somehow leading to all of this."
>"What would Gengetsu be able to do with her dreams, after touching upon them?"
>... what did that thing we encountered before getting Patchouli that sample of the anomaly look like, again?
-
>"Do you mean inappropriate touching, if you know what I mean?"
>"I'm pretty sure that the dreamer girl was here two days ago, when Gengetsu found her. And probably touched her, somehow leading to all of this."
>"What would Gengetsu be able to do with her dreams, after touching upon them?"
>... what did that thing we encountered before getting Patchouli that sample of the anomaly look like, again?
Mugetsu smiles faintly. "There are all kinds of dreams."
>Mugetsu nods. "I believe she was here, yes. Or that something was here. If you say it was her, I'll believe you."
>"We can enter a person's dreams," Mugetsu says. "Observe them. Interact with them. Sometimes shape them, if we choose to. Upon waking, the dreamer may remember us, or they may not. It does no harm, I promise you. We are not beings of nightmare."
>It was essentially a featureless three-dimensional silhouette. But it did appear to be shaped like a medium sized humanoid with large wings.
-
>"I can't be entirely sure, but it's the most sensible explanation for all of this, so far."
>"... what would those abilities imply being able to do if she were to find a dream in the waking world?"
-
>"I can't be entirely sure, but it's the most sensible explanation for all of this, so far."
>"... what would those abilities imply being able to do if she were to find a dream in the waking world?"
>"I understand."
>Mugetsu frowns. "I don't know. Neither did she. It isn't something we had seen before. This is why she wanted to touch it. To understand and learn about it."
-
> "If you left this dream world, would you be able to sense Gensetsu if she was nearby?"
> "If you wish to help this situation at all, you could come with us Mugetsu. You mentioned that you didn't mean harm, so if you wish, you could come with me.
-
> "If you left this dream world, would you be able to sense Gensetsu if she was nearby?"
> "If you wish to help this situation at all, you could come with us Mugetsu. You mentioned that you didn't mean harm, so if you wish, you could come with me.
>"Gengetsu is not here," she says. "I came and waited for her, but she hasn't returned."
>Mugetsu shifts uncomfortably. "I... do not feel safe in the waking world. And one of the others is angry with me."
-
> "One of the people I came to the forest with? She is assuming that it's Gengetsu here, not you. Plus, I can calm her down if it helps. Would you be willing to join me, if I calmed her?"
-
>"If you're sincerely willing to help us find Gengetsu and sort this mess out, then I believe they may understand."
-
> "One of the people I came to the forest with? She is assuming that it's Gengetsu here, not you. Plus, I can calm her down if it helps. Would you be willing to join me, if I calmed her?"
>"So she's angry because she thinks I'm her?" She frowns. "Why is she angry with my sister? Your friend is scary. The waking world is scary."
>"If you're sincerely willing to help us find Gengetsu and sort this mess out, then I believe they may understand."
>"I want to find my sister. But I don't want to let you hurt her." She tilts her head. "You're angry at her, too, aren't you?"
-
Suggest: "... I am, but if your sister is really as timid as you seem to be, then I'd be willing to believe that this isn't intentional."
-
Suggestion: "If this is really a misunderstanding, we won't hurt her if she doesn't try to hurt us. You have my word."
Darnit, E-mouse! And I mean that in the most affectionate way possible.
-
>"... I am angry, but if your sister is much like you, I would be willing to believe that this wasn't intentional. Unless she tries to be actively hostile, I'd rather not attack her if there's a good way to avoid it."
>"Perhaps I should try and explain why we're upset?"
-
>"... I am angry, but if your sister is much like you, I would be willing to believe that this wasn't intentional. Unless she tries to be actively hostile, I'd rather not attack her if there's a good way to avoid it."
>"Perhaps I should try and explain why we're upset?"
>"My sister didn't mean to hurt anyone. I'm sure of it." She shakes her head. "I won't let you hurt her, either, though."
>"Please," she says. "I want to understand."
-
>"Maybe she did make a mistake. I suppose we'll have to see. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but when she went after that dreamer, Maribel, something happened as a result. That sounds has reached into the past, and changed history rather dramatically. Yukari had to sacrifice herself to hold...whatever happened at bay before it could do more damage. As a result, the world has become a radically different place. The only reason I know, I think, is due to what I am."
-
>"Maybe she did make a mistake. I suppose we'll have to see. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but when she went after that dreamer, Maribel, something happened as a result. That sounds has reached into the past, and changed history rather dramatically. Yukari had to sacrifice herself to hold...whatever happened at bay before it could do more damage. As a result, the world has become a radically different place. The only reason I know, I think, is due to what I am."
>Mugetsu frowns. "How could touching someone's dream, not matter how unusual its form, change the past?"
-
>"Because she is connected to Yukari, and putting her dream self to sleep put her proper self into a coma. Whatever latent power she had, which is quite a lot, appears to have run wild."
-
>"Because she is connected to Yukari, and putting her dream self to sleep put her proper self into a coma. Whatever latent power she had, which is quite a lot, appears to have run wild."
>"I... still don't think I really understand. But if her dream is gone, how can it be asleep? Not even Gengetsu can leave a person to sleep forever without her presence. Perhaps Maribel's dream and my sister have gone to the same place?" She looks down and shakes her head. "I don't know what it means to touch a walking dream. Dreams don't exist in the waking world."
-
>"Her's did."
>Helpless shrug.
>"From what I can gather, the end result was shutting down Maribel's consciousness. So I suppose whatever part of herself that is sent out when she is asleep is unable to return. As for going to the same place, it's...possible. There was...another thing we met yesterday. A...think that used a sleeping-inducing power similar to your own. It most certainly did not resemble your sister or Maribel, but it emerged from the energy left over after a large piece of land was...sucked out of Gensokyo, for lack of a better description."
-
>"Her's did."
>Helpless shrug.
>"From what I can gather, the end result was shutting down Maribel's consciousness. So I suppose whatever part of herself that is sent out when she is asleep is unable to return. As for going to the same place, it's...possible. There was...another thing we met yesterday. A...think that used a sleeping-inducing power similar to your own. It most certainly did not resemble your sister or Maribel, but it emerged from the energy left over after a large piece of land was...sucked out of Gensokyo, for lack of a better description."
>"I know," Mugetsu says. "I don't understand it."
>"...sucked out of Gensokyo? What do you mean? And what did it look like?"
-
>"That would be the major problem we've been having. Bits and pieces of the world have been sucked out, and we don't know where they've gone. Visiting outside of Gensokyo, we've found people who have been caught in this, but no sign of the actual land that's been taken. The real problem is, this is reaching into the past, and causing time to change by causing significant places and people to vanish."
>"As for the thing from the gap, it was only barely like a person..."
>Describe it as best we recall, and summarize the fight.
-
>"That would be the major problem we've been having. Bits and pieces of the world have been sucked out, and we don't know where they've gone. Visiting outside of Gensokyo, we've found people who have been caught in this, but no sign of the actual land that's been taken. The real problem is, this is reaching into the past, and causing time to change by causing significant places and people to vanish."
>"As for the thing from the gap, it was only barely like a person..."
>Describe it as best we recall, and summarize the fight.
>"And you think that Maribel is doing this... because she's asleep?"
>You describe the shadow creature to Mugetsu, and explain how the fight unfolded. She frowns increasingly as you describe some of the exchanges in the battle and asks for more specifics about the silhouette's form, and some of the danmaku it used. She is silent for a moment afterwards.
>"That sounds... disturbingly similar to my sister in several ways, although I'm not sure how that's possible. You say you tried to speak with it, but it didn't reply?"
-
>"It did not. It...make some sort of efforts at...something like communication through impressing thoughts into my mind, but what it did and what it projected were very much at odds with each other."
-
>"It did not. It...make some sort of efforts at...something like communication through impressing thoughts into my mind, but what it did and what it projected were very much at odds with each other."
>"Do... you have any idea what it was trying to communicate?"
-
>"Do... you have any idea what it was trying to communicate?"
>"It seemed confused and lost. Which was very much at odds with attacking people through gaps, then lashing out with lots of danmaku."
-
>"It seemed confused and lost. Which was very much at odds with attacking people through gaps, then lashing out with lots of danmaku."
>"So a lost and confused shadow of something that looked a little like my sister emerged from a gap that you think that person whose dream she touched created?"
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
>She frowns fretfully. "This is all so confusing... I don't know where she's gone. I don't know what's happened. I can barely even guess at how any of this is supposed to work. I'd hope if I waited here long enough, she'd return." She pauses and sighs. "But now I'm not so certain. We've seen the dreams of many people, and no harm has ever come to them or us because of it. But dreams are not supposed to walk separate from their dreamers. What happens when you enter such a dream? Gengetsu might be the only one who knows this, and I can't even ask her."
-
>"I think the problem is she made the mistake of trying, rather than just approaching Maribel like a normal person."
>Sigh.
>"Sorry. That was meaner than necessary. Regardless, I can show you where that thing appeared. Shall we? Mokou's going to be very upset if I'm gone too long as it is."
-
>"I think the problem is she made the mistake of trying, rather than just approaching Maribel like a normal person."
>Sigh.
>"Sorry. That was meaner than necessary. Regardless, I can show you where that thing appeared. Shall we? Mokou's going to be very upset if I'm gone too long as it is."
>Mugetsu frowns. "But we don't usually speak with the waking...."
>You sigh. Mugetsu looks more confused and uncertain than offended, however.
>She tenses again as you mention Mokou's likely irritation. "....do- do you think she'll be angry with me if I come along?"
-
>"Not as angry as she'll be if you don't come along."
-
>"Not as angry as she'll be if you don't come along."
>You think you almost catch her jump a little. Then she shakes her head. "She can't hurt me here."
-
>"Or you could try to help and perhaps dispel that anger, you did bring it upon yourself. I won't let her do anything to you unless you do something to have it coming. Alright?"
-
>"Or you could try to help and perhaps dispel that anger, you did bring it upon yourself. I won't let her do anything to you unless you do something to have it coming. Alright?"
>"I brought it upon myself?" She tilts her head to the side. "How?"
-
>"It's just like I said, you tried to put me to sleep, rather than talking like a normal person, after I had already been attacked that way twice. Do you have any idea how much trouble we might have been saved if you didn't do that? Or if Gengetsu didn't do that? You can't expect to go around doing this to people and expect them to just be okay with it. Would you be okay with it if someone drug you out of her whether you liked it or not? No matter how you look at it, it's a problem."
-
>"It's just like I said, you tried to put me to sleep, rather than talking like a normal person, after I had already been attacked that way twice. Do you have any idea how much trouble we might have been saved if you didn't do that? Or if Gengetsu didn't do that? You can't expect to go around doing this to people and expect them to just be okay with it. Would you be okay with it if someone drug you out of her whether you liked it or not? No matter how you look at it, it's a problem."
>"I just wanted to speak with you," she replies, frowning. "My sister was just curious. I never attacked you. Dreams are a safe place; you needn't be afraid of them."
-
>"Then following that kind of logic, it wouldn't be a problem if someone dragged you out of here against your will into the waking world, would it? Because that is how it feels to us."
-
>"Then following that kind of logic, it wouldn't be a problem if someone dragged you out of here against your will into the waking world, would it? Because that is how it feels to us."
>"But people dream all the time. It's a natural thing. Even you felt comforted by the slumber as it embraced you. I could feel it. For me... the waking world is far more unnatural than the dream is for you."
-
>"Doesn't matter. You're still more or less assaulting people, rather than greeting them politely like anyone with manners would do. Whether this place is unnatural or not, you still go around more or less knocking people out just to say hello. But really, that doesn't matter. If you don't come with is, you're probably not going to be able to do anything about Gengetsu while just hiding in here. "
-
>"Doesn't matter. You're still more or less assaulting people, rather than greeting them politely like anyone with manners would do. Whether this place is unnatural or not, you still go around more or less knocking people out just to say hello. But really, that doesn't matter. If you don't come with is, you're probably not going to be able to do anything about Gengetsu while just hiding in here. "
>"I still don't really understand why this bothers you so much," she says. "But... I'm sorry. I mean no harm. ...you promise that none of you will try to hurt me?"
-
>"I don't think they will. And if one of them tries, I'll do what I can to stop them."
-
>"I don't think they will. And if one of them tries, I'll do what I can to stop them."
>"I'll..." she pauses and hesitates. "I just... well..." She is silent for another few moments, then nods slowly. "I'll try. For her sake."
>As she says this, the world around you grows blurry and vague. You see Mugetsu's form dissolving. Then everything goes black. It takes you a moment to realize this is because your eyes are closed. You open then, blinking a few times as you orient yourself again. The ground is much colder and lumpier than it felt like when you fell asleep here. You shift and try to stretch. As you do, your eye catches Mugetsu's form partially hidden behind a nearby tree.
>"H- hello," she says.
-
>Blink.
>"'Lo."
>Sit up. Stretch.
-
>Blink.
>"'Lo."
>Sit up. Stretch.
>You blink your eyes. Thankfully, once the mild sense of spatial disorientation passes, you realize that you're no groggier than you were before you came here.
>You return Mugetsu's greeting, and she takes a tentative step around the tree. The look on her face makes you wonder if she's expecting you to attack her at any moment.
>You sit up and stretch. As forced naps on the forest floor go, you suppose that wasn't all that bad.
-
>Stand up.
>"See, nothing bad happened."
-
>Stand up.
>"See, nothing bad happened."
>You stand up and try to reassure Mugetsu.
>"Yet," she says.
-
>"Still a good start. Come, the others are this way."
>Depart. Make sure Mugetsu is following along.
-
>"Still a good start. Come, the others are this way."
>Depart. Make sure Mugetsu is following along.
>Mugetsu nods slowly.
>You head back to where you left the others. Mugetsu follows at a substantial distance, enough such that there's always a few trees or bushes between you and her. It feels a little strange, but she keeps pace with you nonetheless. After a little while you see Mokou and Ran again.
>"Was starting to get worried," Mokou says, moving towards you as you come into sight. "Find anything? Or are we gonna have to spend all bloody night crawling this place?"
-
>"I found Gengetsu's sister. It seems Gengetsu herself has also vanished. We suspect that thing from the gap Rumia and I fought might be related. I'm taking her, Mugetsu, to see. She's a bit shy, though. Convinced everything out here is going to hurt her. So act like she's a scared kid or something."
>Motion for Mugetsu to join us.
-
>"I found Gengetsu's sister. It seems Gengetsu herself has also vanished. We suspect that thing from the gap Rumia and I fought might be related. I'm taking her, Mugetsu, to see. She's a bit shy, though. Convinced everything out here is going to hurt her. So act like she's a scared kid or something."
>Motion for Mugetsu to join us.
>Ran's brow furrows as you explain Gengetsu's disappearance and possible relation to the shadow creature. You can practically see her theorizing.
>You motion for Mugetsu to join you... and realize you've lost sight of her. Oh, wait, there she is. You see a tiny flash of color a few dozen feet away, mostly obscured by plant life.
>Mokou frowns as she follows your gaze. "I'm not gonna hurt ya, kid," she calls out. "As long as you don't pull something first." Mugetsu doesn't move.
>"Look, I promise," Mokou says after a few more moments, raising her hands in a disarming gesture. "No more sleepy business and we'll get along just fine."
>There is a small rustling of leaves and another part of Mugetsu's face pokes into view. She still doesn't come much closer, though. "...promise?"
>"Promise," Mokou replies. Mugetsu starts to move, then hesitates. Mokou sighs and shakes her head. "Look, I don't know what more I can say, kid. Just gotta trust. You trust her, she trusts me. 'sides," she adds, grinning. "I'm not brave enough to try pulling anything that'd put me in her bad books. I've seen what happens to those people."
>Mugetsu ducks back behind the leaves.
>"...dammit."
-
>"If you're not in them yet, you're probably not going to be. I would have done something already."
-
>"If you're not in them yet, you're probably not going to be. I would have done something already."
>"...maybe," comes the eventual reply. Mugetsu takes a few steps towards you, come out from behind the trees.
>"See?" Mokou says. "Not so bad, is it?"
>"...maybe."
-
>"Don't worry, you'll like it out here. This is where all the interesting things happen."
>Offer a hand to her.
-
>"Don't worry, you'll like it out here. This is where all the interesting things happen."
>Offer a hand to her.
>"I don't think so," she says, shaking her head. It's not entirely clear which statement she's disagreeing with.
>You offer a hand to her. She eyes it with some trepidation, then steps forward and accepts it, looking at you with an expression of mustered determination. "Show me where she was. Please."
-
>"It's this way, we have a little travelling to do."
>Toward the crater!
-
>"It's this way, we have a little travelling to do."
>Toward the crater!
>"I understand," she says.
>The group of you exit the forest and head back towards the crater. Every now and then you catch Mugetsu nervously glancing around her, as if she expected some new threat to fly up out of the trees at any moment. She stays close to you, however. In fact, you start to wonder if she's making a point to keep you interposed between herself and Mokou. Nonetheless, you arrive at the crater without incident.
>Mugetsu frowns when she sees it. "This... is the place you were talking about, isn't it?"
-
>"It is. Rather nasty looking, isn't it?"
-
>"It is. Rather nasty looking, isn't it?"
>"It... is," she says as she lands, and has a slow look around the crater, still twinkling with tiny slivers of energy. "And you think what my sister did caused this somehow?"
>She reaches a hand out towards one of the slivers, but it winks out of existence before she can touch it. "I can just barely sense the echoes of the creature you fought here," she says. "That I can sense it all suggests something unusual about it. I think... it was a fragment of a dream, itself. "
-
>Nod.
>"So, we can safely conclude it was at least related to her in some way."
-
>Nod.
>"So, we can safely conclude it was at least related to her in some way."
>"We can't manifest ourselves like that. We either inhabit a world of dream or this one. Dreams do not walk among the waking."
-
>"Except for that girl Gengetsu was investigating?"
>Consider the wisdom of bringing up Reimu and Marisa.
-
>"Except for that girl Gengetsu was investigating?"
>Consider the wisdom of bringing up Reimu and Marisa.
>Mugetsu frowns. "Maybe I should say that they're not supposed to. I don't know how or why the girl did. But Gengetsu herself could not have created this shadow through her own power."
>You really have no idea whether there's still any bad blood between them. It has been a very long time, however. More that matter, how many people have resented Reimu for beating them up? Must be some mighty good tea she serves...
-
>Out of idle curiosity, see what the lodestone has to say about Gensokyo.
>"I wonder if we could chase another one out?"
-
>Out of idle curiosity, see what the lodestone has to say about Gensokyo.
>"I wonder if we could chase another one out?"
>You take the attuned lodestone out of your pocket. It is glowing quite a bit more brightly than it was in Kyoto, and appears to be pointing at the very fissure you're standing in.
>"Do you know what caused it to emerge originally?" Ran asks.
-
>Not unexpected. Is it pointing toward any place in particular.
>"I took a sample of the energy from one of the rifting using a crystal Patchouli had given me that was enchanted for that purpose."
>_
-
>Not unexpected. Is it pointing toward any place in particular.
>"I took a sample of the energy from one of the rifting using a crystal Patchouli had given me that was enchanted for that purpose."
>It seems to be pointed a little to your left, at an area roughly off-center. You don't notice anything especially significant about it.
>"I wonder if that attracted its attention somehow?" Ran says.
>Mugetsu tries to touch another one of the slivers, but it too dissipates before she reaches it.
-
> Head for the specific location the lodestone is pointing to.
-
> Head for the specific location the lodestone is pointing to.
>You move towards the location, about a dozen feet or so away. Nothing feels especially different about this place, either.
>"So, let's enumerate what we know," Ran says. "Maribel dreamed that she was in Gensokyo, 11 years in her own past and this dream took on physical form here. Yet, some element remained about her that identified her as part of a dream in a way that Mugetsu and her sister could detect. This is something they had never witnessed, and something they are incapable of performing. After meeting each other, both vanished without a trace. Later, another fragment of dream manifested here, being some resemblances to Gengetsu, despite Gengetsu not having the ability to do this herself, as best we know. The location where it manifested is connected to the place and time where Maribel lives, and traces of the energy between here and there can be found on Maribel herself."
-
>"As well, it shouldn't be possible for Maribel to manifest herself here. She simply hasn't happened yet. Which means, something from the present had to be drawing her here, or something created the world she lives in and set it apart..."
>Walk around the bit where the lodestone is pointing, try to get an idea how large it is.
>Is this where the thing first attacked us?
-
>"As well, it shouldn't be possible for Maribel to manifest herself here. She simply hasn't happened yet. Which means, something from the present had to be drawing her here, or something created the world she lives in and set it apart..."
>Walk around the bit where the lodestone is pointing, try to get an idea how large it is.
>Is this where the thing first attacked us?
>"Well, whatever power she's connected to seem to be able to transcend time," Ran says. "Not just for herself, but for others. Something, at least, has opened up a connection though time." She pauses and frowns. "What do you mean about creating a world and setting it apart?"
>You walk around a little, observing the lodestone. It seems to be pointing at a specific spot, rather than a larger area
>You don't believe this is exactly where the creature attacked you.
-
>Is the dirt loose enough that we could mark that point with a circle dug our with our toe.
>"It's the only other workable explanation I have. It's not the future, but rather another world in the same point in time that we are in, but based off of what the future was most likely to be like from a certain point in time. Which is...pretty far fetched, to be honest. But it's a possibility."
>_
-
>Is the dirt loose enough that we could mark that point with a circle dug our with our toe.
>"It's the only other workable explanation I have. It's not the future, but rather another world in the same point in time that we are in, but based off of what the future was most likely to be like from a certain point in time. Which is...pretty far fetched, to be honest. But it's a possibility."
>The ground beneath you is quite solid rock. Your reentry would not have been nearly as uncomfortable if it were not.
>"...who could have created such a world?" Ran says. "The scale of it is beyond vast and to be able to replicate the outside in such an accurate manner.... At least from Sanae's reaction to the events in the paper, at any rate."
-
>"Quite. But still more plausible then someone who doesn't even exist yet coming into this world. ...well, doesn't exist as an adult. So it has to be either something is reaching into a potential future to drag her here, or there's a fake future coexisting with us."
-
>"Quite. But still more plausible then someone who doesn't even exist yet coming into this world. ...well, doesn't exist as an adult. So it has to be either something is reaching into a potential future to drag her here, or there's a fake future coexisting with us."
>"I suppose, in a sense, it doesn't matter which of these is true," Ran says. "In either case, Maribel exists 'elsewhere', and somehow, most likely unconsciously, she projected a dream of herself into this world. She's the only being Mugetsu's ever known to do this. Then a second walking dream, or something like one, appears here, along a path between Gensokyo and 'elsewhere'. A path that is already connected to Maribel in some way. Could Maribel herself have been responsible for this shadow in some manner?"
-
>"I'd been pondering if it were both of them together in some way or not."
-
>"I'd been pondering if it were both of them together in some way or not."
>"What? They they got lost between here and there, perhaps?" Ran frowns. "Maribel at least has a physical body we can find... I wonder where Gengetsu's is."
>"She is not in Gensokyo," Mugetsu says. "I am sure I could feel her if she were."
-
>Suppress smile at the thought of Mugetsu running in terror from the cars of the outside world if brought to see if Gengetsu is in the same place.
>"Do you know where she might be, then? Inside someone's dreams? And how would we reach her, in that case?"
-
>Suppress smile at the thought of Mugetsu running in terror from the cars of the outside world if brought to see if Gengetsu is in the same place.
>"Do you know where she might be, then? Inside someone's dreams? And how would we reach her, in that case?"
>Oh dear... given as disconcerting as you found them, you wonder if Mugetsu would just find a bush to hide in and refuse to move from it, or fly madly off into the distance. That... might be problematic.
>"I don't know where she is," Mugetsu says. "That's why I was waiting. If she were in someone's dream, I could enter them and speak to her. But I don't know why she would be away for so long."
-
>"Have you ever had difficulty finding her before?"
-
>"Have you ever had difficulty finding her before?"
>Mugetsu shakes her head. "Not like this."
-
> "Oh... Well, I have an idea, and you may not like it..."
> "Ran, since we have been Outside once already, if we went back, would we wind up in the same places, or would our resulting location still be as random? What if someone else went in place of you or me?"
-
>"Though I really, really would prefer some other way to see if Gengetsu's in Maribel's dreams or not..."
>"The thing is, if Gengetsu can manipulate the contents of dreams, and Maribel's 'dream' was basically of Gensokyo....."
-
> "Oh... Well, I have an idea, and you may not like it..."
> "Ran, since we have been Outside once already, if we went back, would we wind up in the same places, or would our resulting location still be as random? What if someone else went in place of you or me?"
>"Oh boy, here we go..." Mokou says
>"I couldn't guarantee that we'd exit from the same location, no," Ran says. "The contours between here and there may favor those exit points, but as you saw first-hand the path is... far from smooth. But it is certainly possible for any of us to travel through it. Are you think of bringing Mugetsu to meet Maribel?"
>Mugetsu frowns meekly. "...bringing me where?"
>"Though I really, really would prefer some other way to see if Gengetsu's in Maribel's dreams or not..."
>"The thing is, if Gengetsu can manipulate the contents of dreams, and Maribel's 'dream' was basically of Gensokyo....."
>Ran glances at Mugetsu. "Yes, I can see... certain logistical problems with bringing Mugetsu there. But there may be other ways."
>"...I'm not sure I like the implications of that," Ran says. "Are you suggesting all this could be her doing, somehow?"
>"I hope you're not suggesting we're all in some sorta dream, too, are you?" Mokou says.
-
>"That would be stupid, Gensokyo was a part of the outside world until the barrier came up. And, I suppose I'm being hasty about Maribel. But I do wonder if all her dreams take place here?"
-
>"That would be stupid, Gensokyo was a part of the outside world until the barrier came up. And, I suppose I'm being hasty about Maribel. But I do wonder if all her dreams take place here?"
>"I wouldn't know about all of them," Ran says, "but Renko did mention that it happens often. Or at least Maribel believed it did. She certainly did not appear anywhere near the Scarlet Devil Mansion on this occasion."
-
>Nod. "I wonder if her mind just falls short of the dream world, then?"
>Glance to Mugetsu. "Actually, perhaps you can tell me a bit about the dream world?"
-
Written up for about five replies ago --
>To Mugetsu, "The world outside Gensokyo, apparently eleven years in the future, where we found the real body of the waking dream that Gengetsu encountered. Presumably. Another ally, Patchouli, attuned this lodestone to the energy causing all these rifts and fissures. Ran figured out a... rather uncomfortable way to travel to that place and time, and when we explored, the lodestone led us straight to Maribel as she slept."
>To Mokou, "We already appear to be in an alternate timeline. I don't think it's much more implausible, unfortunately. Or it might be that Maribel dreams 'into' other real locations, or other real times, which... well, makes the other side of the explanation more alarming."
>"And it strikes me as a possibility, Ran. I don't know how or why, but given the connection between Gengetsu's powers and what she was looking for, the implications of finding a waking dreamer might have been greater than anticipated... especially if there's some other unknown power of Maribel's that threw things further into chaos. I doubt her resemblance to Yukari is a coincidence..."
>"Though it sounds like you might have an idea how to check whether Gengetsu is in Maribel's dreams?"
EDIT: Also, Yukari's dreams.
-
>Nod. "I wonder if her mind just falls short of the dream world, then?"
>Glance to Mugetsu. "Actually, perhaps you can tell me a bit about the dream world?"
>Ran frowns. "I'm not sure what you mean."
>"There isn't a singular dream world," Mugetsu responds. "Every dream is a new creation made from a person's mind. Normally, they do not touch each other. But Gengetsu and I can slip inside these. Can sometimes move from one to the next without touching the waking world. You could think of the realm where we normally live as a pocket of perpetual dream. It is not ours. We cannot dream as you do. Perhaps it is a dream of Gensokyo itself?"
>To Mugetsu, "The world outside Gensokyo, apparently eleven years in the future, where we found the real body of the waking dream that Gengetsu encountered. Presumably. Another ally, Patchouli, attuned this lodestone to the energy causing all these rifts and fissures. Ran figured out a... rather uncomfortable way to travel to that place and time, and when we explored, the lodestone led us straight to Maribel as she slept."
>To Mokou, "We already appear to be in an alternate timeline. I don't think it's much more implausible, unfortunately. Or it might be that Maribel dreams 'into' other real locations, or other real times, which... well, makes the other side of the explanation more alarming."
>"And it strikes me as a possibility, Ran. I don't know how or why, but given the connection between Gengetsu's powers and what she was looking for, the implications of finding a waking dreamer might have been greater than anticipated... especially if there's some other unknown power of Maribel's that threw things further into chaos. I doubt her resemblance to Yukari is a coincidence..."
>"Though it sounds like you might have an idea how to check whether Gengetsu is in Maribel's dreams?"
>"Oh," Mugetsu says. "I'd like to see her. ...but I don't think I'd like to travel there that way."
>Mokou grimaces. "It's one thing to think your past is different from someone else's. It's another to think you're a figment of someone else's imagination. No offense, but I'm hoping this is just a stupid idea. But, uh... what're you think would be more alarming than being part of a dream of someone you've never met?"
>"No, I don't like to dismiss the resemblance, either. But Yukari herself is certainly not capable of this dream projection." She pauses and frowns. "But why would Gengetsu wish to attack you through this connection."
>"She wouldn't," Mugetsu says. "It isn't her. She wouldn't do that."
>Ran shakes her head "Not directly. Magic that touches on dream and sleep is outside of what I'm capable of. But there are those who are not themselves beings of dream, yet have used at least a little. As Reimu mentioned, Yuka's former realm lies across a border between waking and sleep. What role she had in its creation, I don't know. But she may have a better understanding of its principles than I do."
-
>"Y'know that reminds me of the time I had to fix history after ending up Yuuka's lover when Kaguya achieved enlightenment before the full moon incident"
>To Mokou, "Being the plaything of someone who can shape reality as their dreams."
>"As Mugetsu says, I'm somewhat inclined to believe that it might not have been an intentional attack, and more lashing out in fear or confusion - I believe I 'felt' those from whatever attacked me, through what seemed like its attempts at communication. But figuring out some more about it is unlikely to hurt..."
-
>"Y'know that reminds me of the time I had to fix history after ending up Yuuka's lover when Kaguya achieved enlightenment before the full moon incident"
>To Mokou, "Being the plaything of someone who can shape reality as their dreams."
>"As Mugetsu says, I'm somewhat inclined to believe that it might not have been an intentional attack, and more lashing out in fear or confusion - I believe I 'felt' those from whatever attacked me, through what seemed like its attempts at communication. But figuring out some more about it is unlikely to hurt..."
>"She did what!?" Mokou cries. "Oh of all the-" she trails off incoherently.
>"Yeah, but if this is her dream," Mokou says, "wouldn't that leave us the same thing?"
>"No," Ran agrees, "more information on any facet of this situation may help shed light on it as a whole."
-
>"Which is why we can discard that theory, Mokou. We know that Gensokyo used to be part of the outside, and many of us predate her."
>Look around at the slivers. How do they compare from the ones last night?
-
>"Which is why we can discard that theory, Mokou. We know that Gensokyo used to be part of the outside, and many of us predate her."
>Look around at the slivers. How do they compare from the ones last night?
>"Better be," Mokou says.
>They seem to be a little smaller and less active than they were then, but still more active than at any other fissure you've seen.
-
>Try to get a closer look at one.
-
>Try to get a closer look at one.
>You take a closer look at one that flashes near you. Through it, you can see twists of space and energy that remind you a little of what you could see when you traveled along the passage to Kyoto ...when you could perceive anything sane there at all, that is. They may be more fractured looking. Nothing reaches out to grab you. You aren't entirely certain if that's a good or bad thing at the moment.
-
>"Ran, do you think those fissures lead...anywhere?"
-
>"Ran, do you think those fissures lead...anywhere?"
>"As best as I can tell," she says, "they're fragments of the original path this land was ripped out along. The brute force with which it was done left space a bit torn here. You can think of them as very, very small versions of the path we traveled along, twisting around it. Their size here is indicative of how fresh the damage is. At the other sites, space has been essentially 'healing' for years, now."
-
>"So, if we pushed, say, a coin through there, it would end up somewhere in Kyoto?"
-
>"So, if we pushed, say, a coin through there, it would end up somewhere in Kyoto?"
>"It... might," Ran says, frowning. "But the path I opened is more firmly anchored to the median of all the paths through this. Without that, the coin might just as easily end up further away, or nowhere at all. Think of it as punching a hole through glass. Fractures spread out from the point of impact. By looking at them, you may be able to trace where the original impact was, but the fractures aren't in the same location themselves. These slivers here are a crude approximation of that, with space being the medium that was broken in this case."
-
>"Given what summoned that thing was pushing something through without trying to go all the way though, perhaps something put into one of those fissures would reach them? Or it? Or whatever the right pronoun is?"
-
>"Given what summoned that thing was pushing something through without trying to go all the way though, perhaps something put into one of those fissures would reach them? Or it? Or whatever the right pronoun is?"
>"Feel free to try it, if you wish," Ran says. "I doubt it would cause harm in any event."
>"And if you and Rumia took out one of them," Mokou says. "I can't imagine it'd last too long with all of us here. You hoping Mugetsu can identify it, if one pops out?"
-
>"Quite so, Mokou."
>Produce a one yen coin, wait for an opportunity, and shove it into a fissure. Worse comes to worst, at least we'll get to boast we've littered between the dimensions.
-
>"Quite so, Mokou."
>Produce a one yen coin, wait for an opportunity, and shove it into a fissure. Worse comes to worst, at least we'll get to boast we've littered between the dimensions.
>Mokou takes a deep breath and stretches. "Well, let's see what this thing looks like in person."
>You take out a one yen coin and wait for a sliver to appear within arm's reach. This takes a little time and a few failed attempts, but you eventually manage to reach one before it closes. Being considerably shorter than the crystalline lattice you used the first time, you can only penetrate a couple millimeters without putting your fingers inside as well. You get no immediate reaction that you can tell.
-
>Push it most of the way through, and just hold onto the edge.
>Does it feel stuck at all, or just like we were holding it in thin air?
-
>Push it most of the way through, and just hold onto the edge.
>Does it feel stuck at all, or just like we were holding it in thin air?
>You push as much through as you possibly can without getting part of your hand inside. This really isn't a great deal more, however.
>It feels similar to open air.
-
>Hold it for a bit, until the fissure is about to close and snap our fingers off.
-
>Hold it for a bit, until the fissure is about to close and snap our fingers off.
>As you've been careful to keep your fingers out of the gap, you don't think they're at any immediate risk. You hold the coin inside it for a while, but get no reaction.
-
>"Guess it takes something magically active..."
-
>"Guess it takes something magically active..."
>"Perhaps," Ran says. "Or perhaps it just happened to be passing by this space at the time? It would be difficult to speculate without knowing what it is, or how it came this way."
-
>Push the coin on through. Don't want it in our pocket after it's got dimensional backstage gunk all over it.
>"Are there even places there that it can pass through?"
-
>Push the coin on through. Don't want it in our pocket after it's got dimensional backstage gunk all over it.
>"Are there even places there that it can pass through?"
>You decide to dispense with the coin, making good on your threat to litter between dimensions. Who knows, maybe you'll make some Kyoto coin collector's lucky day?
>"I'm not sure what you mean," Ran says.
-
>"Does the concept of space even really exist there? Are there places for it to actually go, and places to leave in there? Would traveling even be possible within something that's essentially just a corridor between two places?"
-
>"Does the concept of space even really exist there? Are there places for it to actually go, and places to leave in there? Would traveling even be possible within something that's essentially just a corridor between two places?"
>"Well," Ran says, "our own transit took some time, as you no doubt noticed. And though we entered together, we exited separately. Space is tangled along this route. Perhaps you snagged it while it was in transit? I really wish I could say more."
-
>Nod.
>"It was juts a thing I was pondering. But that's about all I can think of, unless Mokou wants to jam her hand in there."
-
>Nod.
>"It was juts a thing I was pondering. But that's about all I can think of, unless Mokou wants to jam her hand in there."
>"Hell no!" Mokou says. "...well." She frowns. "You really want me to?"
-
>"No, I don't want have to deal with you having a severed arm for awhile. it would make me feel like I kicked a puppy."
>"You feel some aspects of dream here, right Mugetsu? Do you feel anything near those fissures?"
-
>"No, I don't want have to deal with you having a severed arm for awhile. it would make me feel like I kicked a puppy."
>"You feel some aspects of dream here, right Mugetsu? Do you feel anything near those fissures?"
>Mokou laughs. "Well, aren't you sweet tonight."
>"Not like this," Mugetsu responds. "You destroyed that dream here. Or... dispersed it, perhaps. And the remnants of it haven't entirely faded. I don't feel anything more tangible than that through these gaps."
-
>"Shame. I was hoping you might be able to use that to reach into there."
>"...What can you do, exactly, aside from put people to sleep?"
-
>"Shame. I was hoping you might be able to use that to reach into there."
>"...What can you do, exactly, aside from put people to sleep?"
>Mugetsu frowns. "I'm sorry."
>"I can enter the dreams of those already sleeping," she says. "Sometimes these are lucid. Other times not. I can shape them. ...well, a little. My sister is much stronger than I am. The place I contacted you was neither your dream nor mine, but one constructed for that purpose. I can hide in these, sometimes. Why?"
-
>"Can you move from one person's dream to another, without having to step out into reality?"
>"If so...could you enter the dream of someone from this world, and go into the dreams of someone outside?"
-
>"Can you move from one person's dream to another, without having to step out into reality?"
>"If so...could you enter the dream of someone from this world, and go into the dreams of someone outside?"
>"I can, yes. Sometimes."
>She shakes her head. "Unless I could enter the second person's dream from here, as well, I couldn't use the first's as a conduit to it. Dreams don't transcend the boundaries between worlds like that."
-
>"Shame. Then we'll just need to find a way to lure them here."
-
>"Shame. Then we'll just need to find a way to lure them here."
>"Are you still referring to that shadow creature?" Ran asks.
-
>"The shadow creature, Gengetsu, whatever happens to be in there."
-
>"The shadow creature, Gengetsu, whatever happens to be in there."
>Ran nods. "Do you have any other ideas to try, then?"
-
>"A couple. But they are both related to Patchouli. The first is we just try to use that crystal again, and hope that the draining effect is enough to attract some attention. Otherwise, we fill up something with Mugetsu's dream magic, or something else very recognizable, and then release it inside"
-
>"A couple. But they are both related to Patchouli. The first is we just try to use that crystal again, and hope that the draining effect is enough to attract some attention. Otherwise, we fill up something with Mugetsu's dream magic, or something else very recognizable, and then release it inside"
>"Well," Ran says, "the first method did work once, for whatever reason. As for the second, are you hoping that if that being is related to Gengetsu, she'll sense her sister's magic and respond to it?"
>Mugetsu frowns. "I'm not sure my power is the sort of thing I can fill anything up with."
-
>Nod to Ran. "Correct in both cases."
>Look to Mugetsu. "I'm certain Patchouli can find a way."
-
>Nod to Ran. "Correct in both cases."
>Look to Mugetsu. "I'm certain Patchouli can find a way."
>"Well, I'm ready for the inevitable protests, if you are," Ran says.
>"I don't know," Mugetsu says. "...do I need to go speak with more people?"
>"Don't worry, she not gonna hurt ya," Mokou says. "Be annoyed that you're bothering to interrupt her, maybe...."
-
>"Let's get to it, then."
>SDMwards.
-
> Ponder, what did the gap-creature-thing look like again?
> "Five bucks says that gap thing was Anti-Gengetsu. Anyone got a key the size and shape of a sword?"
-
> Ponder, what did the gap-creature-thing look like again?
> "Five bucks says that gap thing was Anti-Gengetsu. Anyone got a key the size and shape of a sword?"
>It was a pure black silhouette-like shape in the form of a winged humanoid.
>"Well, you have some keys, and we know someone with a sword. How hard can that last bit be?"
>"Let's get to it, then."
>SDMwards.
>Ran nods. "Let's."
>You return to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Meiling notes Mugetsu with a shrug and an idle wave. Or at least what she can see of Mugetsu with her hiding behind you.
>"Hey, new person," she says as she opens the gate.
>"....hello," Mugetsu replies. Meiling raises an eyebrow, then shrugs again.
>You enter the mansion itself and head towards the library. At least Mugetsu doesn't seem as concerned about the fairies as she's seemed about nearly everything else, although she still glances somewhat warily at them.
>You reach the library. You think you could probably find Patchouli blindfolded by this point.
>"What is it now?" she breathes.
-
>"First, here is your phone book."
>Hand it over.
>"Marisa obtained it for us; we met her and Reimu outside. She wishes you the best."
>"That said, this is Mugetsu."
>Sidestep so that Mugetsu can be seen.
>"She is a use of dream magic, and the one who tried to put me to sleep in the grove last night."
-
> "And is nice, timid, but nice. She was trying to put me to sleep so she could speak with me and not feel threatened."
> "Mugetsu, this woman here is Patchouli. She's a bit quiet compared to some, but she is still nice."
-
>"First, here is your phone book."
>Hand it over.
>"Marisa obtained it for us; we met her and Reimu outside. She wishes you the best."
>"That said, this is Mugetsu."
>Sidestep so that Mugetsu can be seen.
>"She is a use of dream magic, and the one who tried to put me to sleep in the grove last night."
>Patchouli looks up from her reading as you hand the phonebook towards her. She takes it with a raised eyebrow and flicks through it.
>Patchouli grumbles as you mention Marisa. "Oh, she does, does she? I wonder what poor sap she pilfered this from, then. Still," she says, paging slowly through the book, "it is an impressively long list of names. It must have taken a great deal of time and effort to compile them all."
>You introduce Mugetsu, and try to move aside so that Patchouli can see her. Mugetsu half-follows you, but seems to get the impression that she should at least make some effort to remain visible. Patchouli spares her a rather indifferent glance.
>Patchouli's expression becomes rather more focused when you mention Mugetsu's powers, and she examines her closely for a moment. Mugetsu shrinks back behind you a little under her stare
>"I thought you said that this youkai had wings," Patchouli says. "In fact, I remember that as the only distinctive element of your description."
> "And is nice, timid, but nice. She was trying to put me to sleep so she could speak with me and not feel threatened."
> "Mugetsu, this woman here is Patchouli. She's a bit quiet compared to some, but she is still nice."
>Patchouli frowns. "I believe her timidity is already clearly attested." She sighs. "I'm not going to hurt you," she says, sounding rather more exasperated than reassuring. "You can stop hiding behind her. I'm equally aware of your presence whether you're fully or partially visible. I can ill understand the line of reason whereby such a obstacle serves any greater purpose than to make you look foolish." Mugetsu gives her a rather uncertain frown.
>"And were that I could remain quiet more often since your arrival. These impositions are becoming routine rather than exceptional. Still," she says, putting her book aside. "I'm curious to know more about this. I don't believe I have ever encountered a youkai of her nature before."
-
> "Well, it turns out the Youkai I encountered was Mugetsu's sister, Gengetsu. One of the worst cases, Gengetsu caused all this by accident, when she encountered a 'waking dream,' which was essentially Maribel Han visiting Gensokyo in her dreams.
-
> "Well, it turns out the Youkai I encountered was Mugetsu's sister, Gengetsu. One of the worst cases, Gengetsu caused all this by accident, when she encountered a 'waking dream,' which was essentially Maribel Han visiting Gensokyo in her dreams.
>"Sister?" Patchouli raises an eyebrow, still looking at Mugetsu. "I'll assume this is figurative, given the obvious differences in physiology."
>"She's my sister," Mugetsu says.
>Patchouli pauses, then sighs. "Yes, yes, very well. And I have no idea who this Maribel Han is, or why Gengetsu encountering her should have any profound consequences. Where is this Gengetsu now, in any event?"
>"She's gone," Mugetsu replies.
>"That's rather non-specific," Patchouli says. "Gone where?"
>"She's just gone."
>Patchouli breathes an exasperated sigh and turns to you. "Perhaps you should explain."
-
>"Maribel is...as far as we can tell, someone from outside Gensokyo intimately connected with Yukari. They look very much the same, and is very much a source of the energy that you placed into this lodestone. I should return that, I think."
>Hand it over.
>"She also has a curious ability to visit Gensokyo in her dreams. That is, she falls asleep, and comes here. She ran afoul of Gengetsu, who tried to put her dreaming self to sleep. This put her into a coma in the outside world, and both have since disappeared. This was the event I witnessed, I am certain, when all this begain."
-
>"Maribel is...as far as we can tell, someone from outside Gensokyo intimately connected with Yukari. They look very much the same, and is very much a source of the energy that you placed into this lodestone. I should return that, I think."
>Hand it over.
>"She also has a curious ability to visit Gensokyo in her dreams. That is, she falls asleep, and comes here. She ran afoul of Gengetsu, who tried to put her dreaming self to sleep. This put her into a coma in the outside world, and both have since disappeared. This was the event I witnessed, I am certain, when all this begain."
>You take out the lodestone and hand it to Patchouli.
>"You needn't give this back yet, if you feel you have any further use for it," she says. "Although I'll take it if you're satisfied that you don't."
>Patchouli listens attentively as you relate your story to her.
>"Ok," she says, once you're finished, "let's set aside the issue of this 'waking dream' for the moment. Assuming your theory of events is correct, and that you did witness Gengetsu and this Maribel meet and their meeting was the trigger point that altered history around you. How? Why? Even if their interaction somehow resulted in Maribel falling into a coma and Gengetsu disappearing, why should this change the past?"
>"Well," Ran says, "if the path we followed through the fissures indeed leads to the future, then the process that created them has already demonstrated its ability to reach into the past, from Maribel's frame of reference."
>Patchouli sighs. "Ok, for the time being let's also assume that whatever created those fissures can indeed reach through time. Why must they have been created by reaching from Kyoto into the past, rather than reaching from Gensokyo into the future?"
-
> "Flow of time perhaps. Time does not flow into the past, but into the future. Reaching from Gensokyo to Kyoto 11 years from now seems more plausible, more natural I suppose, it would only take accelerated movement through time, the opposite though needs the reverse as well, going backwards in time, swimming upstream in a powerful current not meant to be swam against, only with."
> "To put it simply, no one F***s with Time, and someone did F*** with Time, willingly or not."
-
> "Flow of time perhaps. Time does not flow into the past, but into the future. Reaching from Gensokyo to Kyoto 11 years from now seems more plausible, more natural I suppose, it would only take accelerated movement through time, the opposite though needs the reverse as well, going backwards in time, swimming upstream in a powerful current not meant to be swam against, only with."
> "To put it simply, no one F***s with Time, and someone did F*** with Time, willingly or not."
>"But if it can only go forward," Mokou says, "How'd you two get back again? And besides, how'd it change anything in your own past?"
>"What Yukari did," Ran says, "I'm fairly certain was to prevent things from being affected even further in the past than they already have been."
>Patchouli raises an eyebrow. "And what was it she did?"
>"Froze the border between past and present."
>"That.... what?" Patchouli puts a hand to her forehead. "As far as I understand the concept of time, such a thing does not even seem conceivable, let alone possible."
>"Nevertheless, I believe that is what was done."
-
>"But more to the point, it doesn't really matter which it is, right now. What matters is that we bring it to a close. Which means we need to find them. And that thing that attacked Rumia and I yesterday is the key, I think."
-
>"But more to the point, it doesn't really matter which it is, right now. What matters is that we bring it to a close. Which means we need to find them. And that thing that attacked Rumia and I yesterday is the key, I think."
>"Oh?" Patchouli says, raising an eyebrow. "How so? And more to the point, what are you hoping I can do about it? I doubt you returned here to debate theories on the nature of time."
-
> "Well, remember how the gap creature came out? When I was gathering a sample of the energy? What if it detected what I was doing and decided to check it out?"
> "Well, if it's as connected to Mugetsu's sister, Gengetsu, as much as it seems to be, then if it notices Mugetsu's magic and such, it would come running, so to speak. If you were trapped in a strange world, alone and you detected magical energy you know is related or from Sakuya or Remilia, you would check it out, correct?"
-
>"I have two ideas. The first is that I borrow that lattice again, and try to drain power from the fissure, like that last time. The other is we find a way to siphon some of Mugetsu's power into a gem, then release it into the fissure. She claims to be able to sense her sister's presence, and the hope is the opposite will be true. There's almost certainly a connection between her and the thing that attacked us."
>_
-
> "Well, remember how the gap creature came out? When I was gathering a sample of the energy? What if it detected what I was doing and decided to check it out?"
> "Well, if it's as connected to Mugetsu's sister, Gengetsu, as much as it seems to be, then if it notices Mugetsu's magic and such, it would come running, so to speak. If you were trapped in a strange world, alone and you detected magical energy you know is related or from Sakuya or Remilia, you would check it out, correct?"
>Patchouli nods. "I suppose it's possible, certainly. What of it?"
>"I would imagine, were I trapped in some strange world, I would investigate any sort of anomaly, theirs no moreso than most. In any event, Sakuya's abilities, by their very nature, operate outside of my ability to detect. But... I suspect that is beside the point, in this case. Carry on."
>"I have two ideas. The first is that I borrow that lattice again, and try to drain power from the fissure, like that last time. The other is we find a way to siphon some of Mugetsu's power into a gem, then release it into the fissure. She claims to be able to sense her sister's presence, and the hope is the opposite will be true. There's almost certainly a connection between her and the thing that attacked us."
>"Well, I suppose that did work the last time," she says, "although I should warn you that you may be seeing causation where none exists. The lattice's effect is passive. In and of itself it should not be noticeable, any more than you would note the absence of water in a pond after someone filled a glass from it. It may simply have been co-incidence. As for the second suggestion..." She turns to Mugetsu. "On what principle do your abilities operate? Could you channel them into a focus? Can you ensorcel an inanimate receptor, at least in a temporary manner, regardless of the efficacy of your magic upon it?"
>"I can touch dreams," Mugetsu replies. Patchouli lets out an exasperated sigh.
-
>"There has to be something tangible she has, if the two of them can find each other."
-
>"There has to be something tangible she has, if the two of them can find each other."
>"We just know where the other is," Mugetsu says.
>"Yes, but how?" Patchouli asks. "There must be something from her you're using as a distinctive element to track. Something about her presence that is unique or distinctive? Passive magical resonance?"
>"Yes," Mugetsu nods. "She feels like my sister."
>Patchouli grimaces and turns to you. "Could you just stick her through one of the slivers?"
-
> Hold back the laughs, barely, but hold them back.
> "Mokou would be more... suitable... for that, and even then, not wise, and can't simply tell that Gengetsu is their."
> "Mugetsu, you said that you can tell where Gengetsu is because you notice something that reminds you of her, correct? Aside from whatever it being familiar, what else makes you think "that's Gengetsu, not someone else?" Certainly their is something?"
-
> Hold back the laughs, barely, but hold them back.
> "Mokou would be more... suitable... for that, and even then, not wise, and can't simply tell that Gengetsu is their."
> "Mugetsu, you said that you can tell where Gengetsu is because you notice something that reminds you of her, correct? Aside from whatever it being familiar, what else makes you think "that's Gengetsu, not someone else?" Certainly their is something?"
>You try to restrain your laughter. Fortunately, Mugetsu seems quite oblivious to Patchouli's indignation.
>You hear Mokou mutter something under her breath.
>"What makes you think someone's voice is theirs?" Mugetsu replies. "Could you put it into words that someone else could use to find it?"
-
>"Yes. I could describe the pitch and the tone. I could describe their accent, or words and constructs they favor. It wouldn't be exact by any means, but I can describe someone's voice."
>Ponder.
>"If we were to show you a strand of your sister's hair, or a fingernail clipping, would you recognize it as distinctly hers?"
-
>"Yes. I could describe the pitch and the tone. I could describe their accent, or words and constructs they favor. It wouldn't be exact by any means, but I can describe someone's voice."
>Ponder.
>"If we were to show you a strand of your sister's hair, or a fingernail clipping, would you recognize it as distinctly hers?"
>"But could you describe it well enough for someone else to find in a crowd?"
>"Perhaps it has some elements in common with a shikigami bond," Ran offers. "No matter how instinctive the connection is to yourself, it's not something someone else can feel. How would you explain how you know where I am, Keine?"
>You ask Mugetsu whether she could identify her sister's hair of fingernail cuttings. She shakes her head. "No. It's... probably close her presence that I feel. Those things are not her when away from her."
-
> "So, then we either need to encounter that being again, or one of us needs to go Outside along with Mugetsu and hope for the best... I do not like the way the latter will likely turn out and the former is a shot in the dark."
> "Mokou, sorry if I sounded mean when I said that about you."
-
> "So, then we either need to encounter that being again, or one of us needs to go Outside along with Mugetsu and hope for the best... I do not like the way the latter will likely turn out and the former is a shot in the dark."
> "Mokou, sorry if I sounded mean when I said that about you."
>"A great deal of this has been hopeful guesswork from the beginning," Ran says.
>"No, no worries," Mokou replies. "I'd do it if I had to. Better than any of you doing it."
-
>"I think I could describe it, Ran. But that's beside the point...hmmm."
>Look to Ran. "Tell me, is there a way to detect if someone is a person's shikigami? Could someone detect the bond you and Yukari and Chen have?"
-
>"I think I could describe it, Ran. But that's beside the point...hmmm."
>Look to Ran. "Tell me, is there a way to detect if someone is a person's shikigami? Could someone detect the bond you and Yukari and Chen have?"
>"You... probably could, with the right method," Ran says. "But I only suggested the sensation might be analogous. I don't know that you could trace a connection between Mugetsu and her sister that way, if that's what you're thinking about."
-
>"I suppose. I just would really rather prefer not to have to take her to the outside world, but I suppose it's going to be either that, or shoving her through a fissure, isn't it?"
-
>"I suppose. I just would really rather prefer not to have to take her to the outside world, but I suppose it's going to be either that, or shoving her through a fissure, isn't it?"
>"What's the outside world like?" Mugetsu asks. "...is it scarier than here?"
>Ran gives you a sympathetic look.
-
>"...In some ways. It's much busier, but there's no youkai. Hmm, Mugetsu. Has there ever been anything that has kept you from sensing your sister's presence before, aside from this?"
-
>"...In some ways. It's much busier, but there's no youkai. Hmm, Mugetsu. Has there ever been anything that has kept you from sensing your sister's presence before, aside from this?"
>"Not like this," she says. "I can sense her while she's in someone else's dreams. I could sense her while I'm in someone else's dreams. If I tried hard enough. A little, anyway. Now there's nothing but an echo."
-
>"So, you've never been in a situation where she simply could not be sensed? And, an echo? Tell me more about that."
-
>"So, you've never been in a situation where she simply could not be sensed? And, an echo? Tell me more about that."
>"I'm not always aware of where she is or what she's doing," Mugetsu says. "But I've never been unable to find her if I tried to look for her. And... I can sense that she was in that grove. And then she was not. That's all."
-
>"So, she was there, and now she's not. What is this echo, exactly?"
-
>"So, she was there, and now she's not. What is this echo, exactly?"
>Mugetsu frowns. "Perhaps I used the wrong word. Just that I can feel the lingering pretense of her having been there earlier, faint and dissipating. Maybe a little like looking at someone's footprint?"
-
>"Okay, I see. And this feeling, has it changed at all? I remember you saying there was something of her around the crater."
-
>"Okay, I see. And this feeling, has it changed at all? I remember you saying there was something of her around the crater."
>"It grows fainter," she says. "Nothing else changes. And yes, there was something that reminded me of her there. It's not quite the same. It resembles her a little, though. I can't say exactly how or why."
-
>"So nothing at all has made your sense of her grow less faint?"
-
>"So nothing at all has made your sense of her grow less faint?"
>"The sense of her is strongest there," she says. "Nowhere else is it as strong." She frowns. "Unless you meant something else?"
-
>"Would this imply, then that her sense of you would be strongest there?"
>Resist the urge to shove her arm into a fissure.
-
>"Would this imply, then that her sense of you would be strongest there?"
>Resist the urge to shove her arm into a fissure.
>She shakes her head. "Her sense of me would be strongest here. Because that's where I am."
>Assuming it didn't do horrible thing to her when it closed, that might be the thing most likely to get a reaction. Judging by Patchouli's expression, she might almost be willing to do it for you if that didn't require her to leave the room.
-
>"Ran, what's the likelihood that putting her hand in one of those fissures would wound her for life?"
>Patchy is the genius here...
-
>"Ran, what's the likelihood that putting her hand in one of those fissures would wound her for life?"
>Patchy is the genius here...
>Mugetsu all but jumps when you say this. You see her shrink away, looking at both you and the rest of the room fretfully. Ran glances at her, then frowns. "The gaps that Yukari makes won't close on their own in a way that severs anything in them. But these are... much less cleanly made, to say the least. I'd imagine the presence of material in them would at least delay their closure. Probably. I wish I could say for certain."
>You're rather certain she would say so, if asked. Or even if not asked.
-
>"I was thinking more of being exposed to whatever is beyond them."
-
>"I was thinking more of being exposed to whatever is beyond them."
>"I don't think it should be any more harmful than it was to us when we passed through it," Ran replies. "The route we took to Kyoto and what lies beyond those fragments is essentially similar."
>"The lattice itself sustained no physical damage," Patchouli adds. "It is not biological, of course, so there might be additional risks than just those from spatial contortion."
-
>Look to Mugetsu. "Can your sister read?"
-
>Look to Mugetsu. "Can your sister read?"
>"Read?" Mugetsu tilts her head to the side. "You mean, like books? Of course."
-
>Nod.
>"Then perhaps we can try to get her attention. If you cannot feel her very strongly, and really do not know where she is, I think that it may be the same for her. So, if you were to place a part of yourself through there, she may feel it, at least enough to try and investigate. Obviously, it would be impractical and dangerous to do this for long. But if you put a message through, it would hopefully remain there long enough for her to find it."
>"Before you ask, if something goes wrong, I will take you to the best doctor I know. She owes us some favors."
>Leave whether she likes it or not unspoken.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Then perhaps we can try to get her attention. If you cannot feel her very strongly, and really do not know where she is, I think that it may be the same for her. So, if you were to place a part of yourself through there, she may feel it, at least enough to try and investigate. Obviously, it would be impractical and dangerous to do this for long. But if you put a message through, it would hopefully remain there long enough for her to find it."
>"Before you ask, if something goes wrong, I will take you to the best doctor I know. She owes us some favors."
>Leave whether she likes it or not unspoken.
>Mugetsu nods nervously as you explain your plan. Her attempts to keep a brave face are... less successful than endearing. "...what sort of message?" she asks.
>Well, you've already proven rather successful at getting people to do things they don't like, these last couple days.
-
>"Let her know where you are, and that things have gone horribly wrong. That we're out here, trying to help. All that sister stuff you'd probably want to include."
-
>"Let her know where you are, and that things have gone horribly wrong. That we're out here, trying to help. All that sister stuff you'd probably want to include."
>Mugetsu nods along. "She'll know what I feel. I won't need to tell her." She pauses. "...thank you."
>"Are you planning to write a message on paper and have her leave it inside?" Ran asks.
-
>"Very well. But you may still add what you like."
>Nod to Ran.
-
>"Very well. But you may still add what you like."
>Nod to Ran.
>"That's ok," Mugetsu says. "You can write what you want. When she seems me, she'll know and it won't matter."
>"I should say that I don't know whether the message will remain readable once released inside there," Ran says. "It may simply end up passing through to... wherever. But it can't hurt to try, I suppose."
>"I'll fetch pen and paper," Patchouli says, standing up and walking off. A few moments later she returns with a small sheet of parchment and a black pen and lays it on the table next to you.
-
>Gesture for Mugetsu to approach it and do her thing.
-
>Gesture for Mugetsu to approach it and do her thing.
>Mugetsu looks curiously at you, then at the pen and paper on the desk. "You want me to?"
>With a hint of a frown, she walks over to it, picks the pen up rather uncertainly and starts to scribble on the paper. Her handwriting is rather awkward from what you can see, and every now and again she tilts her head as if she isn't quite sure how to go about what she's doing. After a short while, she hands it to you.
>"Will that do?" she asks.
-
>"It would mean more coming from you, I think."
>Once it is done, read!
-
>"It would mean more coming from you, I think."
>Once it is done, read!
>"I don't think so," Mugetsu says. "But I don't want to disappoint you."
>You read the note Mugetsu handed you. The handwriting is something of an uneven scrawl. It looks like it was written by someone with very, very little practice. Still, it's legible with some effort and there is a surprising lack of misspellings despite the penmanship. It reads:
>Sis, it's me. Where are you? Some strange people wanted me to write this note to you. They say things are all messed up. I don't really understand, but I hope you can find it and come home. I'm really worried about you. Please come home. Mugetsu.
-
>"That works."
-
>A small smile. That concern is really cute.
-
>"That works."
>"Ok," Mugetsu says. "I'm glad it's good enough."
>A small smile. That concern is really cute.
>You smile at her. She's trying to be helpful, even if she doesn't seem to entirely understand.
-
>"I don't suppose there's any way we can make this be any less likely to be ravaged by whatever's on the other side?"
>_
-
>"I don't suppose there's any way we can make this be any less likely to be ravaged by whatever's on the other side?"
>"I suppose I could give it some temporary physical reinforcement," Patchouli says. "Although without knowing for certain what forces apply inside the slivers, I can't guarantee how effective if would be."
>"A more likely outcome is that it would simply be lost," Ran says. "To be honest, I think the odds of her finding it may be rather slim, no matter what we do. Unless these projections are actually something that live in the space between worlds. I've never known there to be such a thing, though."
-
>Nod to Patchy. "Something is better than nothing."
-
>Nod to Patchy. "Something is better than nothing."
>"Very well," she says. "Hand me the paper."
-
>Do so.
-
>Do so.
>You had the paper back to Patchouli and she sets it on the table in front of her. With a focused expression, she places her hands in the air above it and starts to gesture with them. Several concentric circles of glyphs appear atop the paper, first yellow, then red, then blue. The paper glows softly for a moment and takes on a metallic sheen, then returns to normal. Patchouli hands it back to you.
>"Here you are," she says. "I applied a standard conservation spell that I use for the rest of the books in the library. Fireproofing, waterproofing, and wards against a variety of other things. I also tossed in amplified structural stability, although this will be more temporary. That shouldn't be an issue in this case."
-
>"Thank you, Patchouli."
>Gather the letter, and head out.
-
>"Thank you, Patchouli."
>Gather the letter, and head out.
>Patchouli nods curtly and returns to her book.
>You take the letter with you, and exit the mansion. Meiling nods to you as you pass by her again. A few minutes later, you arrive at the fissure.
>"Well, let's hope this works," Mokou says.
>Ran nods. "For more than one definition of 'work'."
>Mugetsu eyes the slivers with some trepidation.
-
>"Indeed."
>"Alright Mugetsu, I'm going to stay with you. Just push the letter in, and put your hand into it, so Gengetsu can feel with. I'll be right beside you if things go wrong. I'll yank you away, don't worry. And I'll keep an eye on things too. If it doesn't hurt, leave your hand in there, so she can have more to go with. Are you ready?"
>_
-
>"Indeed."
>"Alright Mugetsu, I'm going to stay with you. Just push the letter in, and put your hand into it, so Gengetsu can feel with. I'll be right beside you if things go wrong. I'll yank you away, don't worry. And I'll keep an eye on things too. If it doesn't hurt, leave your hand in there, so she can have more to go with. Are you ready?"
>You attempt to comfort Mugetsu while explaining what you want her to do. She is quite visibly nervous, but steels herself with a determined expression. "I'm ready," she says.
-
> "I can tell your trying hard at this, and that tells me this will work out in the end."
> "Whenever your ready Mugetsu."
-
>When she moves, be ready to make good on all those threats. Hold her by the shoulders and watch the fissure carefully. It it looks like it's doing something, yank her back.
-
> "I can tell your trying hard at this, and that tells me this will work out in the end."
> "Whenever your ready Mugetsu."
>When she moves, be ready to make good on all those threats. Hold her by the shoulders and watch the fissure carefully. It it looks like it's doing something, yank her back.
>"I hope so..." Mugetsu says.
>Mugetsu nods. "I'm ready."
>You hand Mugetsu back the note you wanted her to deliver, and place your hand reassuringly on her shoulder. She barely seem to notice your presence as she scans around for slivers near her. One winks into existence to her left and she reaches out tentatively towards it. It vanishes before she can touch it. She takes a few steps to the north, and a couple moments later narrowly misses a second. She shakes her head and takes in a deep breath. The next time one appears near her, she thrusts her arm towards it without stopping to think. You hear her let out a small gasp as her hand passes into it. Looking closely at her arm, you think she's... trembling.
>"It- it feels strange," she says, breathing a little unsteadily. The sliver doesn't seem to be doing anything untoward.
-
> "I know, but you'll be fine Mugetsu. We are all here, and were not going to let anything bad happen to you."
> Kind, but timid. Curious, but not to much so. <3 It's seeming like she would be even better to adopt then Rumia, if we had to pick :3
-
> "I know, but you'll be fine Mugetsu. We are all here, and were not going to let anything bad happen to you."
> Kind, but timid. Curious, but not to much so. <3 It's seeming like she would be even better to adopt then Rumia, if we had to pick :3
>Mugetsu nods her head ever so slightly. "I hope you're right," she says.
>You smile to yourself, despite the circumstances. This adventure seems to be bringing out your maternal instinct. And just think, you'd never have trouble falling asleep again!
>The sliver starts to move slowly closed. Mugetsu frowns nervously as she looks it, but there otherwise seems to be no change in her condition.
-
>"You're doing great."
>Take hold of her wrist. If it seems to speed up its closing, yank her hand out.
-
> "Don't keep your hand it their to long, it may try to close soon."
> If all this is making us feel motherly... would Mokou be the "father" in ths case? Give a quiet little laugh at that thought.
-
>"You're doing great."
>Take hold of her wrist. If it seems to speed up its closing, yank her hand out.
>You try to reassure Mugetsu. She just stares at her hand and tries to keep breathing evenly.
>You take hold of her wrist, and prepare to pull her out of there if it looks like the gap will slam closed on it. Mugetsu jumps a little when you do so.
> "Don't keep your hand it their to long, it may try to close soon."
> If all this is making us feel motherly... would Mokou be the "father" in ths case? Give a quiet little laugh at that thought.
>You feel Mugetsu shiver beneath you. "I know, I know. It just feels weird. It's-" She takes a great gasp of air and her eyes widen.
>You have a little chuckle to yourself, imaging Mokou taking up fatherhood. You can just picture the look on her face if you told her that.
-
>"What, is something wrong?"
-
>"What, is something wrong?"
>Mugetsu's breathing grows shallower. "There's... there's.... I...." Her eyes stare straight into the void, and fear and confusion etch her face. It's almost like she's seeing something you can't. And it's traumatizing her.
-
> "Mugetsu! Come on, snap out of it! What's the matter! Is it Gengetsu?"
-
>"It'll be okay. Just keep talking."
>Tense to yank her hand out.
-
> "Mugetsu! Come on, snap out of it! What's the matter! Is it Gengetsu?"
>"It's... I don't know, it's-" She staggers.
>"It'll be okay. Just keep talking."
>Tense to yank her hand out.
>"Why..." she breathes weakly. "....don't...."
>You get ready to pull her out.
-
> "Mugetsu, I'm pulling you out!"
> Count to 3, then pull Mugetsu's hand out.
-
>Don't even count, just do it!
-
> "Mugetsu, I'm pulling you out!"
> Count to 3, then pull Mugetsu's hand out.
>Don't even count, just do it!
>You consider giving Mugetsu another moment, but then decide that whatever she's sensing needs to stop now. You pull hard on her hand and yank it out of the gap; it seals itself behind her. Mugetsu continues to stare vacantly forward, her breathing unsteady.
-
>Check her hand. Does it look okay.
>"Talk to me, Mugetsu. What's wrong? What happened?"
-
>Check her hand. Does it look okay.
>"Talk to me, Mugetsu. What's wrong? What happened?"
>You look at her hand. It appears to be perfectly normal and unharmed.
>Mugetsu continues to breath raggedly. She does not acknowledge you.
-
> Give the poor girl a hug.
> In a warm, motherly-sort of tone "It's ok Mugetsu, it's all ok. What happened?"
-
> Give the poor girl a hug.
> In a warm, motherly-sort of tone "It's ok Mugetsu, it's all ok. What happened?"
>You give Mutgetsu a hug, and try to say something comforting to her.
>"I..." she breathes, gasping between every other word. "She... I don't... I didn't..." Mugetsu lets out a pained cry, and you feel sleep lash out at you.
>"Wha... the hell..." you hear Mokou say distantly, as she staggers on her feet. You think you see Ran stumble. It's hard to see things when your eyes are almost shut...
-
> "Mugetsu... it's ok... calm down... your safe..."
> "I think you guys are feeling the sleepy feeling I mentioned."
> Try to soothe Mugetsu, to calm her as best we can.
> If she doesn't show any signs of letting up, consider letting sleep take us.
-
>More importantly, force eyes open to look around and make sure it was actually Mugetsu who did this.
-
> "Mugetsu... it's ok... calm down... your safe..."
> "I think you guys are feeling the sleepy feeling I mentioned."
> Try to soothe Mugetsu, to calm her as best we can.
> If she doesn't show any signs of letting up, consider letting sleep take us.
>You try to mumble reassurances to Mutgetsu and an explanation to your companions, but you feel your words slurring. What was it you were trying to say, again? You think you hear Mugetsu crying. It feels very far away.
>"Da... mmit," Mokou says, raising a hand and stumbling towards you. You see a flame ignite unsteadily in it. "Cut it... out. I... mean it."
>"Don't," Ran says, reaching an arm towards her. "I... don't think... she means harm."
>More importantly, force eyes open to look around and make sure it was actually Mugetsu who did this.
>You muster as much effort as you can and force your eyes open a little bit more. Scanning around the crater, you see no shadow creatures or anything else unusual.
-
>"Let her."
>Fall asleep.
-
>"Let her."
>Fall asleep.
>As your eyes drift closed, you try to tell Mokou to let things be. You don't get much chance to process her reaction.
>You give up the last shred of resistance and try to lower yourself gently onto the ground before you fall. A deep restless sleep swallows you. It feels thick and smothering upon you, like tar. You hear crying, sense things moving beyond the clinging darkness; fragments of images more felt than seen. You can't make sense of them.
>Gradually, you become aware of Mugetsu's face hovering above yours. She's wearing a concerned frown, and you can see tears on her cheeks.
>"...I'm sorry," she says. "I know I promised I wouldn't do that that...."
-
>"We'll forgive it this time, due to the circumstances. Are you alright?"
-
>"We'll forgive it this time, due to the circumstances. Are you alright?"
>"Yes. No. I mean-" she pauses. "Something horrible's happened to my sister! I felt it! I-" she shakes her head, fear and desperation on her face again. "She's... She felt... I don't know."
-
>"Take a moment, and collect your thoughts."
>Look around. Do we see the others.
>What is this place like, anyways?
-
>"Take a moment, and collect your thoughts."
>Look around. Do we see the others.
>What is this place like, anyways?
>Mugetsu nods weakly as she tries to steady herself.
>You look around, and see Mokou and Ran a few feet from you. They seem to be stirring a little.
>You appear to be in the fissure where you fell asleep. You think you may simply have woken up again.
-
>Sit up.
>Take Mugetsu's hand and give it a squeeze. "Don't worry, we're here. You'll be alright."
-
>Sit up.
>Take Mugetsu's hand and give it a squeeze. "Don't worry, we're here. You'll be alright."
>You sit up, and take Mugetsu's hand in yours.
>"I- I think I know what the shadow was," she says. "I mean, I don't, but I- Well, she's... It was part of her, or some part of it was part of her. I felt it, twisted and shattered. Something's broken. It's all broken. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do."
>Mokou pulls herself up and stumbles over to you, an irritated frown on her face. "What was that all about?"
-
>Hold up a hand toward Mokou, then gesture for us to sit with us.
>"What's all broken? Do you mean Gengetsu?"
-
>Hold up a hand toward Mokou, then gesture for us to sit with us.
>"What's all broken? Do you mean Gengetsu?"
>You gesture to Mokou. She frowns, but takes a seat on the ground next to you.
>"I... I don't know. Maybe. I mean-" She pauses, and tries to steady herself. "What reached out to you was a fragment. Some part of her that was grasping desperately at whatever passed by. Maybe she sensed some of herself on you? I don't know. I don't even know how that's her, but there was a part of her in it. When my hand was in there, I felt something reach out to me. There are fragments and voices in there that feel like hers, but twisted, scattered, confused. Trapped. It hurt."
-
>Shake head. "Poor thing. How did it hurt?"
-
>Shake head. "Poor thing. How did it hurt?"
>"She's lost. In pain. She pulled at me. I'm sure she didn't mean it. But I can't pull her back. I don't know how... I don't think she could even understand me. If it was anyone else, they would never know it was her. But I'm sure. Somewhere inside there is a part of my sister."
-
>"Did you feel anything else?"
-
>"Did you feel anything else?"
>Mugetsu shakes her head. "It's confusing in there. Everything feels strange. I don't think I would be able to recognize anything else."
-
>Nod.
>"Did you feel only one part of Gengetsu, or did you feel several?"
-
>Nod.
>"Did you feel only one part of Gengetsu, or did you feel several?"
>"It... seemed to come from more than one direction, I think," Mugetsu says. "But there was such a tangle of thoughts and feelings and echoes I... don't really know."
>"What're you getting at?" Mokou asks you.
-
>"I don't know yet, Mokou. But if we're going to get an eyewitness account of the incident, I guess we're going to have to find some way to put her back together."
-
>"I don't know yet, Mokou. But if we're going to get an eyewitness account of the incident, I guess we're going to have to find some way to put her back together."
>Mokou frowns. "You have any idea how to do that?"
-
>"Not a one. Hopefully just getting all together would do that."
-
>"Not a one. Hopefully just getting all together would do that."
>"Well, this is your show," Mokou says. "What do we do now?"
>"I don't really understand," Mugetsu says, "but I don't think we can put it back together like that. I think these are fragments of her casting out through dream in all directions. I don't know how they've been given form. But I don't think any of them are the real her."
-
>Nod.
>"Would that suggest she's still out there? Whole?"
-
>Nod.
>"Would that suggest she's still out there? Whole?"
>"I don't know," Mugetsu says. "Maybe. Some part of her is trapped. Maybe they all are."
>"I still have a hard time believing that whatever these things are dwell in that space," Ran says. "It seems more likely that they're drawn through it, attracted to something on the other side. Maybe that first shadow was just trying to escape. I'm not sure from where. Or even how they're being projected across it."
-
>"If they're attracted to something on the other side, what would stop them from reaching it?"
-
>"If they're attracted to something on the other side, what would stop them from reaching it?"
>"That's a good question," Ran says.
>"I don't think they can reach that far on their own," Mugetsu adds. "I think that's why it tried to use you to get out. I think she would have done the same to me. I... don't think she recognized me. Well, she recognized something familiar, but... she wasn't coherent enough to know who I was."
-
>"So I guess we're just going to have to drag her out of there."
-
>"So I guess we're just going to have to drag her out of there."
>Mokou frowns. "That... didn't go so well last time."
>"And what would we do, even if that succeeded?" Ran asks. "From what you said, she was barely able to communicate or understand you, and was instinctively hostile."
>"I... don't think that will help her," Mugetsu says.
-
>"Then what? We just leave her in there?"
-
>"Then what? We just leave her in there?"
>Mugetsu shakes her head. "I think Ran's right. I think she's reaching out through something. What is that connected to?"
>"Kyoto," Ran says.
>Mugetsu shakes her head again. "No. That's not it. It's connected to something else. I could feel it on the edge of awareness."
-
>"I knew it, Kyoto wasn't it! That's why the land never showed up there. Then, where?"
-
>"I knew it, Kyoto wasn't it! That's why the land never showed up there. Then, where?"
>"No, I'm still quite certain that is where this physically leads," Ran says. "What do you mean, Mugetsu?"
>"Besides," Mokou says, "wasn't that Maribel person connected to the same energy as these fissures?"
>Ran nods. "Indeed she was. ...unless that's what you're referring to?"
>"...I don't know," Mugetsu says. "Maybe."
-
>"Referring to what? Maribel?"
-
>"Referring to what? Maribel?"
>Ran frowns thoughtfully. "Think of it this way for a moment. Maribel's dreams projected a reality into this world, correct? Something else at least connected to her has projected a physical path between them as well. What if those are not... entirely separate? Mugetsu and Gengetsu can enter someone's dreams. What if Gengetsu entered Maribel's... and something happened along that path?"
-
>Nod. "I suppose, then, it's back to the outside."
-
>Nod. "I suppose, then, it's back to the outside."
>Mokou sighs, then shrugs. "Suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
>"What do you intend to do there then?" Ran asks. "Well, I suppose I can infer the intended goals, but in terms of how we go about achieving them?"
-
>"Unless you can develop a way for us to get into and navigate within that,"
>Gesture toward a fissure.
>"All we can really do is take Mugetsu to Maribel and hope she can do something from there."
-
>"Although... hmmm. It might be a bit of a long shot, but Ran, how difficult do you think it would be to visit Yukari again? If she's dreaming in the state she's in now... then Mugetsu might be able to talk to her. Whether there's anything directly useful to hear from her, I'm not sure, but..."
-
>"Unless you can develop a way for us to get into and navigate within that,"
>Gesture toward a fissure.
>"All we can really do is take Mugetsu to Maribel and hope she can do something from there."
>Ran shakes her head. "No better than I already have, I don't believe."
>"If my sister is still with her," Mugetsu says. "I'll know. But I don't know that I could help her. She would have already left if she could. Something else is wrong. I'm sure of it."
>"Although... hmmm. It might be a bit of a long shot, but Ran, how difficult do you think it would be to visit Yukari again? If she's dreaming in the state she's in now... then Mugetsu might be able to talk to her. Whether there's anything directly useful to hear from her, I'm not sure, but..."
>Ran frowns. "Judging by what you did, I imagine it would be simple enough for you to leave and re-enter. But it took a great deal more effort and circumstance for you to enable myself to cross the barrier. Are you even capable of this in your current form? Anchor or no?"
-
>"It's worth a try, at least."
-
> "One way to find out, and that's to try."
> Give Mugetsu another little hug. "Every thing is going to be fine. We're going to find a way to get your Sister back."
-
>What was it about Ran that had to be done to get her out, again?
-
>What was it about Ran that had to be done to get her out, again?
We brought Chen to near that barrier-thing, stepped through, called Ran over, had a part of ourself on each side and pulled Ran through.
-
Beyond the purely physical aspects, at least.
-
>"It's worth a try, at least."
> "One way to find out, and that's to try."
>"I suppose there's nothing to be lost by the attempt," Ran says.
> Give Mugetsu another little hug. "Every thing is going to be fine. We're going to find a way to get your Sister back."
>You give Mugetsu a hug. She seems a little startled by it, and doesn't really return it, but doesn't try to break away, either. "...I hope so," she says. "And thank you. I... didn't really expect this from others."
>What was it about Ran that had to be done to get her out, again?
>Something about your nature, or how history has changed around you allowed you to walk between the two histories that were spliced at the barrier around Yukari's home. Ran, however, was firmly anchored to the one inside. You used her bond with Chen, anchored to the outside history, to weave their histories together again. Ran is now firmly anchored outside, and cannot return until whatever effect that created the barrier in the first place is removed. Without being in hakutaku form, and having something to anchor Mugetsu to the inside reality, it is unlikely she could pass through.
-
>Well, it might be possible to bring something of Mugetsu inside to use AS that link...
-
>Well, it might be possible to bring something of Mugetsu inside to use AS that link...
>It would need to be something strongly affixed to that timeline. The trick being that such a thing would likely be difficult to get inside, as well. It may not be impossible, however.
-
>"Mugetsu, you don't happen to have something that you treasure greatly with you, do you? A gift from your sister maybe, or a memento of some kind?"
-
>"Mugetsu, you don't happen to have something that you treasure greatly with you, do you? A gift from your sister maybe, or a memento of some kind?"
>She shakes her head. "Nothing physical like that. We live in a place where such things are meaningless."
-
>"What about that hairband you're wearing?"
-
>"What about that hairband you're wearing?"
>"Oh, this? It's nothing special really. It's just what I wear. I don't really have many things."
-
>"What things you do you have?"
-
>"What things you do you have?"
>"In our home, we have what we need," she says. "But they cannot be taken into the waking world. I rarely visit it at all."
-
>"Then we'll just have to hope for the best. Let's go."
-
>"Then we'll just have to hope for the best. Let's go."
>"Well, lead on," Mokou says.
-
>Lead on toward Yukariheim.
-
>Lead on toward Yukariheim.
>You leave the crater and head southwest to the even larger one containing Yukari's home. The pillar of energy is again visible as soon as you skirt the hills that surround it. Mugetsu frowns uncertainly as you approach. Ran's expression is hard to read. You move to within a few feet of the barrier and then stop.
-
>"Can you sense Gengetsu at all from this pillar?"
-
>"Can you sense Gengetsu at all from this pillar?"
>"There's nothing inside there," Mugetsu says. "No people, no dreams, no world. I don't understand it. ...it frightens me, a little."
>Ran stares at the pillar in silence.
-
>"There's a small world inside. The one that existed before Gengetsu and Maribel met."
>Touch the column.
>"Feel it, tell me you can sense anything."
-
>"There's a small world inside. The one that existed before Gengetsu and Maribel met."
>Touch the column.
>"Feel it, tell me you can sense anything."
>"How strange," Mugetsu says. "I feel nothing at all from it."
>You touch the column. It feels... more solid than it did the last time you did that. You might still be able to push yourself through, but it would take more effort to do so.
>Mugetsu puts her hand on it. "I still feel nothing. Just cold and void."
-
>"Does it feel solid? Push a little bit."
-
>"Does it feel solid? Push a little bit."
>You see Mugetsu push against the barrier. Her hand flattens against it. "It's solid, yes," she says.
-
>Nod.
>Consider. Do we have enough power that we could, for a short time, acclimate Mugetsu to the time stream inside this pillar, as we could have done for Ran in the short term while the moon was full?
-
>Nod.
>Consider. Do we have enough power that we could, for a short time, acclimate Mugetsu to the time stream inside this pillar, as we could have done for Ran in the short term while the moon was full?
>Unfortunately, you do not think so. You don't know that it would be possible without some sort of more tangible connection, even if the moon were full. You are fairly certain it will be impossible without it.
-
>Couldn't we have acclimated Ran while the moon were full without any such thing, just that it would be temporary?
>"Let me have a look. There's got to be something..."
>Enter.
-
>Couldn't we have acclimated Ran while the moon were full without any such thing, just that it would be temporary?
>"Let me have a look. There's got to be something..."
>Enter.
>You considered hiding her history to bring her across. You aren't certain it would have worked, and the consequences of failure, if the outside world rejected that effect, might have been extremely unpleasant.
>"Sure," Mokou says.
>You move to enter the barrier. It takes more effort this time, feeling rather like pushing your way into sand. Partway through you feel solid resistance against parts of your body. You eventually realize that some of your possessions are failing to pass through the barrier at all.
-
>"Now you start being a pain in the ass about them..."
>Remove our items from this timestream and leave them on the ground.
-
>"Now you start being a pain in the ass about them..."
>Remove our items from this timestream and leave them on the ground.
>You grumble at the barrier. It remains indifferent to the inconvenience it's causing you.
>You take out all the items you're carrying from this timestream and leave them on the ground. In truth, that is... nearly everything you have. Hopefully the barrier will be more compliant now.
-
>Step through.
-
>Step through.
>You again attempt to pass through the barrier. After a little struggle, you emerge on the other side. Yukari's house looks just as you left it, peaceful and bucolic, trapped in a world the size of a postage stamp.
-
>Go find Yukari.
-
>Go find Yukari.
>You enter the house, noting the slight shakiness of one of the hinges on the front door. You pass through the entryway and down the hall into Yukari's room. She is also exactly as you left her, eyes closed amid that bizarre web of borders and gaps. It is still a little unsettling to look upon.
-
>"Hello again. I don't know if you can hear me, or care, but I've found Maribel and I think I know what happened to her. The problem is getting it undone. Ran and chen are doing fine. Oh, you'll probably be happy to know that Marisa and Reimu are alive and well. Well...assuming you know who they are. I guess you would know of the Hakurei Maiden."
>Of course, all this talking is just gathering up our courage to try to examine those borders and barriers in detail. Just look for now.
-
>"Hello again. I don't know if you can hear me, or care, but I've found Maribel and I think I know what happened to her. The problem is getting it undone. Ran and chen are doing fine. Oh, you'll probably be happy to know that Marisa and Reimu are alive and well. Well...assuming you know who they are. I guess you would know of the Hakurei Maiden."
>Of course, all this talking is just gathering up our courage to try to examine those borders and barriers in detail. Just look for now.
>You give Yukari a status update. She remains silent and still throughout. You really have no way of knowing if she is aware of you.
>You take a closer look at the borders and barriers that envelop Yukari. They form a complex angular mesh that dominates the room, sufficing it with a harsh purple glow. It is at once both chaotic and orderly, precise geometries inside other geometries, at odd or impossible angles. You really have no idea of how to better interpret it, or what the significance of any individual element is. In fact, were it not for Ran, you would have no idea what the entire contrivance is achieving at all.
-
>Do we see anything in them that seems like motion. In particular, the kind that people would make?
-
>Do we see anything in them that seems like motion. In particular, the kind that people would make?
>There doesn't appear to be visible forms in them that you can identify.
-
>Sigh. "I suppose it was too much to hope I could see something from here."
>Look around the room itself. Anything noteworthy.
-
>Sigh. "I suppose it was too much to hope I could see something from here."
>Look around the room itself. Anything noteworthy.
>You voice your disappointment. Yukari seems to be a quiet listener, at the least.
>You take a look around the room. It is fairly small and sparsely furnished, but aside from the monstrosity in its center, looks like a regular bedroom. You see a simple wooden bed, mostly obscured beneath the mesh. The sheets are unmade, and look hastily tossed aside. You have a funny feeling it distressed Ran greatly to leave them in that state for seven years, but it looks quite impossible to reach at the moment. There is also a small nightstand to the side, and a wooden wardrobe against the far wall. Aside from the mesh itself, nothing appears especially magical or even unusual.
-
>Any sign of anything that might have tumbled from the gaps?
>If not, exit the house and the pillar.
-
>Any sign of anything that might have tumbled from the gaps?
>If not, exit the house and the pillar.
>You see nothing like that on the floor or elsewhere. Essentially, everything which is accessible in the room is quite neat and tidy.
>You decide to cut your losses and exit the pillar once more. Mokou is slumped over a nearby rock, while Ran is standing a short distance away, talking quietly with Mugetsu.
-
>"Nothing's changed inside. I looked around those gaps, hoping to find some sign of Gengetsu or Maribel, but nothing..."
-
>"Nothing's changed inside. I looked around those gaps, hoping to find some sign of Gengetsu or Maribel, but nothing..."
>"I don't think they're connected to a physical space," Ran says, "so much as the world itself. What Yukari has frozen is... monumental in its scope, even for her."
>"However," she says, "I've been doing some thinking, and speaking with Mugetsu. When either of them enters a person's dreams, they decorporealize in the waking world. In a very real sense, they move inside the dream the person is dreaming. Of course, dreams usually have no form among the waking; they're a construct of the mind while we sleep, and thus to inhabit a dream is to inhabit that part of a dreamer's mind. If the Maribel you saw in the grove here was a physical projection of a dream, she would likely still have been tethered to the mind of the Maribel sleeping in the outside world. If Gengetsu tried to pass into this dream, she could have found herself unexpectedly pulled across time and world."
>"People can't wake up while we're inside their dreams," Mugetsu says. "But we don't want to harm anyone. We visit to observe, and to explore. We feel the natural end of the dream approaching, and leave to let it pass. But if she couldn't get out..."
>Ran nods. "That alone could keep Maribel asleep. Why she couldn't leave, I don't know. Maybe it was a matter of distance? Maybe something happened along the way? Maybe Maribel's mind is simply that different, somehow. That a dream of hers could pass across worlds is suggestive enough of that."
-
>"So, wouldn't that suggest Maribel is still in Gensokyo?"
-
>"So, wouldn't that suggest Maribel is still in Gensokyo?"
>"The dream is not here," Mugetsu says, shaking her head. "Maybe she's dreaming something else. Maybe she's dreaming somewhere else."
>Ran frowns. "Or perhaps the reason Gengetsu can't seem to leave is connected with the reason Maribel isn't here anymore? I'm... really out of my depth, I'm afraid."
-
>"Where else is there, though, aside from here and outside?
-
>"Where else is there, though, aside from here and outside?
>"I wouldn't be able to say," Ran says. "Perhaps nowhere. But at any rate, it seems likely that whatever Maribel is dreaming is still tied to her physical body somehow. Marisa and myself detected no enchantments on her, but this... would be somewhat different. "
-
>Nod. "I suppose, then, Mugetsu and I will have to go to her after all."
-
>Nod. "I suppose, then, Mugetsu and I will have to go to her after all."
>"It may be the best way to deal with this at its source," Ran says. "Or at least give us a better idea of what we're dealing with."
>"If my sister's in there," Mugetsu says. "I'll know. I don't know what I can do for her if she can't leave on her own. But I'd like to know for sure."
-
>"I suppose there's no choice. Now we just have to figure out how to keep Mugetsu and I from being separated."
-
>"And try and warn her about the difficulties that might come up in the outer world... or at least the frightening parts."
-
>"I suppose there's no choice. Now we just have to figure out how to keep Mugetsu and I from being separated."
>"Indeed," Ran says. "I'm afraid that the technique I used to bond us isn't possible in this case. Neither of you, I believe, have the aptitude to invoke the rite, and I cannot bind two separate people to each other. However...." She pauses and looks at Mugetsu. "We may be able to 'cheat' the spatial limitations of these corridors."
>"And try and warn her about the difficulties that might come up in the outer world... or at least the frightening parts."
>Mugetsu frowns. "...I asked if it was scary out there. You said that-" She takes a deep breath, then shakes her head. "No. It doesn't matter. If my sister is out there, I have to see her. I'm going."
-
>"Well, I guess frightening isn't the best word for it... there are some parts of it that are alarming when you first encounter them. Those 'car' things, in particular, are noisy and really fast-moving... but it seems like the people controlling them from inside have some complex set of rules to avoid running into each other. They seem to mostly stay on paved black roads, if I recall correctly..."
>"What did you have in mind, Ran?"
-
>"Also, there are no youkai outside. Just humans. Rather mild humans at that. I don't think you'd get more than weird stares. Just, the machines and buildings are overwhelming, at first. I wonder if you've seen them in someone's dream, now that I think about it?"
>_
-
>"Well, I guess frightening isn't the best word for it... there are some parts of it that are alarming when you first encounter them. Those 'car' things, in particular, are noisy and really fast-moving... but it seems like the people controlling them from inside have some complex set of rules to avoid running into each other. They seem to mostly stay on paved black roads, if I recall correctly..."
>"What did you have in mind, Ran?"
>Mugetsu nods, a look of diligent concentration on her face, as you attempt to explain the concept of cars. "I don't really understand," she says, when you finish. "But... that's ok."
>"As I said earlier," Ran replies, "when Mugetsu or Gengetsu enter someone's dreams, they decorporealize in the waking world. I think you might be able to bring her along with you, as a passenger of sorts."
>"Also, there are no youkai outside. Just humans. Rather mild humans at that. I don't think you'd get more than weird stares. Just, the machines and buildings are overwhelming, at first. I wonder if you've seen them in someone's dream, now that I think about it?"
>"I've seen lots of things in people's dreams," she says. "Many of them exist in the waking world, and many don't. It's hard to tell the difference, sometimes."
-
>"Wait... what? Passenger? But if she'd have to enter my dream, then I'd have to be asleep..."
>"... and she can come out again as soon as we arrive. That's the trick, isn't it?"
-
>"Wait... what? Passenger? But if she'd have to enter my dream, then I'd have to be asleep..."
>"... and she can come out again as soon as we arrive. That's the trick, isn't it?"
>Ran nods, a hint of a smile on her face. "Yes, that's essentially it."
-
>"Clever. Mugetsu, do you think it would work that way? If you entered someone's dream, and their 'real' body moved, would you be able to leave the dreamworld at their new location?"
>"And does that mean that you might still be able to come along, Ran, or should we not risk that?"
-
>"And I wouldn't wake up if you tossed me into a rift while asleep."
>"...This means I could bring one of them back, couldn't I?"
-
>"If not both..."
-
>"Clever. Mugetsu, do you think it would work that way? If you entered someone's dream, and their 'real' body moved, would you be able to leave the dreamworld at their new location?"
>"And does that mean that you might still be able to come along, Ran, or should we not risk that?"
>Mugetsu nods, then frowns. "Well, it works that way most of the time. I've never had someone cross into another world while they were asleep, though."
>"I would imagine it would work the same as last time, were I to accompany you," Ran says. "It's up to you."
>"And I wouldn't wake up if you tossed me into a rift while asleep."
>"...This means I could bring one of them back, couldn't I?"
>"If I step out," Mugetsu says. "You should wake up. Don't worry."
>"Are you referring to Reimu and Marisa?" Ran asks. "I would imagine yes, assuming they wish it at this point. I'd been left with the distinct impression that Reimu, at least, was unsure."
>"If not both..."
>Ran nods. "There's nothing stopping you from making more than one trip. Aside from the unpleasantness of the transit, of course."
-
>"I think I'll go alone. I want to at least give them the chance to come back..."
-
>"I think I'll go alone. I want to at least give them the chance to come back..."
>Ran nods. "Fair enough. I guess we should head back, then."
-
>"Alright."
>Look to Mokou. "Can I count on you to kick me through the gate once Mugetsu had put me to sleep?"
-
>"Alright."
>Look to Mokou. "Can I count on you to kick me through the gate once Mugetsu had put me to sleep?"
>"Well, it'd be the first useful thing I've done in a while," Mokou says, looking mildly annoyed. "But don't worry, you can count on it."
-
>"I wouldn't trust anyone else with the task of flying my unconscious self through a gate to another world."
>Make way back toward the fissure.
-
>"But if you're gonna be that way, then I guess we could take a break so you can be 'useful' in a more... personal fashion"
-
>"I wouldn't trust anyone else with the task of flying my unconscious self through a gate to another world."
>Make way back toward the fissure.
>Mokou laughs. "Suppose no one's ever entrusted me with something quite like that before. Just wish there was something more I could be doing. I feel a little useless after all this sitting around. But you go do what you have to. I'll make sure you get there."
>The group of you depart and return to the fissure where you encountered the shadow of Gengetsu.
>Ran takes the portal key out and holds it up. It glows soft purple for a moment, and the gap reopens. Then she takes the key and hands it to you.
>"Good luck to you," she says. "To both of you. I hope that you find you sister, and we find some answers."
>"But if you're gonna be that way, then I guess we could take a break so you can be 'useful' in a more... personal fashion"
>She glances furtively at your other companions, then leans towards you and whispers: "...just hurry up and get back here, ok?"
-
>inventory
-
>inventory
>Oops, you left all your possessions on the ground outside Yukari's
>Blue dress (currently worn)
>Origin Sign "Ephemerality 137"
>Land Sign "Three Sacred Treasures - Mirror" (expended)
>Spiritual Birth "First Pyramid"
>Ending Sign "Phantasmal Emperor"
>Future "The Next History of Phantasm"
>Scroll case (containing a message from yourself)
>Purse (containing 2149 yen)
>Diary (locked)
>Set of keys
>Blue Crystalline Fragment
>Fissure Map
>Enchantment-Dispelling Invocation
>Portal Key
-
>"I suppose it is time for you to do your thing, Mugetsu."
>"Hold me, Mokou?"
-
>"I suppose it is time for you to do your thing, Mugetsu."
>"Hold me, Mokou?"
>Mugetsu nods, and you feel yourself quickly start to grow weary. "Dream peacefully. When you awake, we will be outside."
>With a fading voice, you call out to Mokou. You feel her arms hold you gently. "I've got ya," she says. "No worries." Her voice is already growing distant.
-
>Hold out just long enough to make sure Mokou has us. Then give in.
-
>Hold out just long enough to make sure Mokou has us. Then give in.
>You feel secure in Mokou's grasp. In fact, you feel a sense of peace and warmth there. On the boundary between sleep and waking, you can almost forget for a moment where you are. You think you see her smiling at you, as your vision fades. Like the world you used to live in. Like the world you've missed so much. You let yourself fall.
>An indeterminate length of time later, you awaken again. You remember little of your dream, save that it was peaceful. You feel a vague sense of melancholy as your awareness seeps back to you. You think... you were dreaming of home. Your real home. Sometimes if feels like you may almost have forgotten it, amid all the chaos and searching of the last few days.
>As you tentatively open your eyes, you see Mugetsu's face hovering over yours. She looks distinctly uncomfortable, and you can see her eyes darting to the side, every now and again.
>"We're here," she says.
-
>Sit up and look around.
>"Are you okay?"
-
>Sit up and look around.
>"Are you okay?"
>You sit up and look around. If you're not mistaken, this is the same alleyway that Ran arrived at last time, and where the two of you re-entered Gensokyo.
>"Uh, yes. I'm ok. I mean-" You see her glance to her side again. Following her gaze, you see the road at the end of the alley, where cars are whizzing quickly and noisily past. There are fewer than last time you were here, though.
>"This place is strange," she says. "But I'm ok."
-
>"Don't worry about those things. They're scary, but people ride in them. We'll just call up Marisa, and...ah crap, we need money for the phone."
>Get up, look around for the presence of phones.
>_
-
>"Don't worry about those things. They're scary, but people ride in them. We'll just call up Marisa, and...ah crap, we need money for the phone."
>Get up, look around for the presence of phones.
>Mugetsu nods uncertainly as you explain, then frowns. "Did you forget something?"
>You get up and look around for a phone. There's certainly none within sight in the alleyway. Or much of anything else, for that matter. You walk towards the street and have a look along it. None seem immediately visible here, either.
-
>"We need some money to get a ride to where we need to go. It shouldn't be hard to get, though."
>Start down the street, looking for a phone. Or someone to bum change off of.
-
>"Say, Mugetsu, any reason you didn't molest me in my sleep"
-
>"We need some money to get a ride to where we need to go. It shouldn't be hard to get, though."
>Start down the street, looking for a phone. Or someone to bum change off of.
>"Oh, I see," Mugetsu responds, her expression making you wonder whether she really does.
>You head down the road, keeping your eyes peeled for a phone, or someone who can give you a little money. Mugetsu frowns somewhat uncertainly at the cars as they pass by. The buildings in this area are substantially larger, and somewhat less hospitable looking than the areas you walked the last times you came here. There are also fewer pedestrians. Still, you do spot a few. There is appears to be a well dressed, somewhat older man walking a little further down the road from you, as well as a younger couple some distance beyond that. There are scattered people even further along, but you can't make them out at this distance. You don't see any phones yet.
>"Say, Mugetsu, any reason you didn't molest me in my sleep"
>"Oh good, you don't remember. Uh, I mean, of course I wouldn't do such a thing."
-
>Approach the older gentleman, if we can catch up with him.
-
>Approach the older gentleman, if we can catch up with him.
>You attempt to catch up to the older gentleman. He is walking at a much slower pace than you and it doesn't take long before you reach him. He studiously takes no notice of you.
-
>"Pardon me, sir, may I ask for a small favor?"
-
>"Pardon me, sir, may I ask for a small favor?"
>The man turns to you, a practiced uninquisitive expression on his face. "Yes, what is it?"
-
>The man turns to you, a practiced uninquisitive expression on his face. "Yes, what is it?"
>Winning smile time. Produce a low denomination Gensokyoan coin.
>"We need money for the phone. Would you be willing to trade us fifty yen for this antique coin? It's all we have, after grandmama passed away."
>_
-
>Winning smile time. Produce a low denomination Gensokyoan coin.
>"We need money for the phone. Would you be willing to trade us fifty yen for this antique coin? It's all we have, after grandmama passed away."
>You put on your friendliest face, produce a coin, and offer this exchange for a third time. You're beginning to feel like a veritable salesman. You wonder if the fact that no one's ever accepted it makes you a bad salesman, or if the fact that they've all paid you anyway makes you a really good one.
>The man briefly examines the coin, then you and Mugetsu in turn. She looks distinctly uncomfortable, and averts her face under his gaze. At least she doesn't try to hide behind you this time.
>"I fail to see the humor in this," the man eventually replies.
-
>Frown just a little, then resume the smile.
>"I'm glad, sir, because we are completely serious. We just need money for the phone, but it would be just too much to ask for it for free, don't you think? So hopefully, this little trade would work out?"
-
>Frown just a little, then resume the smile.
>"I'm glad, sir, because we are completely serious. We just need money for the phone, but it would be just too much to ask for it for free, don't you think? So hopefully, this little trade would work out?"
>You frown briefly, then try to smile again.
>The man looks at you impassively for a few moments, then reaches into his pocket and produces a 50 yen coin.
>"Very well," he says, handing it towards you.
-
>Make the trade!
>"Thank you very much, sir."
>Depart, head in a safe-looking direction that isn't the one this guy was going.
-
>Make the trade!
>"Thank you very much, sir."
>Depart, head in a safe-looking direction that isn't the one this guy was going.
>You exchange your coin for his, and pocket it.
>The man nods curtly, then gives another glance to yourself and Mugetsu before continuing wordlessly along his way.
>The road you are on is fairly long, and without side streets that you've seen, so the only path not following the main is back the way you came. However, there is still a fair bit of road left that way, so you decide to examine the other end of the street.
>You pass by more large, tired-looking buildings, many with dull grey or brown facades. As near as you can tell, this seems to be an industrial area of sorts. Long past business hours, and without much nearby habitation, it has a dreary, inhospitable air. You continue on for several more minutes, crossing the alleyway that you arrived in. There is still no sign of a public phone.
-
>"See, it's not that bad, Mugetsu. Weird, but not that bad. Ever see anything like this in your dreams?"
>Keep going past the alleyway.
-
>"See, it's not that bad, Mugetsu. Weird, but not that bad. Ever see anything like this in your dreams?"
>Keep going past the alleyway.
>"Well...." She frowns. "I suppose nothing has tried to harm us. And people dream of many things that do not exist in the waking world. I've seen tall impossible buildings, and amazing mechanical creations. None were exactly like this, though. Some were grander and more beautiful, but the scale here... There are more people dreaming at this moment in this city than I have ever known to live. That alone is both wondrous and frightening. This place... is not like home."
>You continue walking along the road, passing more dull buildings. After a while, you reach an intersection with another, smaller road. Glacing along it, you think you see another phone both a small distance away.
-
>Make way for that booth! Cross the street safely, though. Are there any of those lights at the intersection? Let those be our guide.
-
>Make way for that booth! Cross the street safely, though. Are there any of those lights at the intersection? Let those be our guide.
>You head in the direction of the phone. Fortunately, reaching the booth does not require you to cross the road.
>You arrive at the booth without incident and look around inside. While the style of this phone is somewhat different than the one you used previously, it is clearly recognizable as a variant on the same design. You see the numbered buttons and the part you are supposed to hold to your head, as well as the slot for your coin.
-
>Look around for a Phone Grimoire.
-
>Look around for a Phone Grimoire.
>Little looking is required. The large book is clearly visible, attached to the phone in a similar fashion to the previous one.
-
>Little looking is required. The large book is clearly visible, attached to the phone in a similar fashion to the previous one.
>Take the phone grimoire in hand, look up Marisa's number.
>Once we are satisfied with it, smile to Mugetsu. "You'll like this part."
>Dial up Marisa.
>_
-
>Take the phone grimoire in hand, look up Marisa's number.
>Once we are satisfied with it, smile to Mugetsu. "You'll like this part."
>Dial up Marisa.
>You open the book and find Marisa's number in it.
>Satisfied that you remember it, you turn to Mugetsu and smile. She frowns quizzically. "Why?"
>You pick up the handheld part of the phone and put it to your ear, then input the number and listen to the ringing noises the phone makes. They sound exactly the same as the first time. Perhaps its part of the incantation that makes this operate? After the noise repeats four times, you hear Marisa's voice in your ear.
>"Yo."
-
>Motion for Mugetsu to come closer so she can hear.
>"Hi, Marisa. It's Keine again. I think we've found something we might be able to do for that girl in the coma. Can you come with your vehicle and take us to the hospital again?"
-
>Motion for Mugetsu to come closer so she can hear.
>"Hi, Marisa. It's Keine again. I think we've found something we might be able to do for that girl in the coma. Can you come with your vehicle and take us to the hospital again?"
>You motion to Mugetsu. She approaches uncertainly and leans her ear towards it as directed
>"Oh, hey there!" Marisa responds. Mugetsu draws back quickly, and gives you a funny look. You try not to laugh at her. "And yeah, suppose I could," Marisa continues. "Where are ya?"
-
>"Um...I'm at..."
>Look around for addresses. Read them off.
>Oh, could you tell Renko we're coming? And maybe Reimu, in case she's interested?"
-
>"Um...I'm at..."
>Look around for addresses. Read them off.
>Oh, could you tell Renko we're coming? And maybe Reimu, in case she's interested?"
>You scout around for appropriate signs of address, and relay them to Marisa.
>"Ok, got it," she responds.
>"Yeah, sure, I'll let 'em know. Anything else before I head out?"
-
>You scout around for appropriate signs of address, and relay them to Marisa.
>"Ok, got it," she responds.
>"Yeah, sure, I'll let 'em know. Anything else before I head out?"
>"I don't think so. But try not to make too much of a surprising entrance? My companion's a bit skittish."
-
>"I don't think so. But try not to make too much of a surprising entrance? My companion's a bit skittish."
>"Huh, she is? Didn't seem so skittish to me. ...or is this someone new?"
-
>"Someone new. She uses dream magic, and isn't too used to reality."
-
>"Someone new. She uses dream magic, and isn't too used to reality."
>"I... see," Marisa says. "Well, I'm not gonna hurt her or anything. You just sit tight until I get there, ok? Won't be long."
-
>"Alright. We'll be here."
>Wait until Marisa hangs up and that weird sound comes, so we know we're done.
>"Marisa should be here in a little bit, and she'll take us to Maribel."
>Wait!
-
>"Alright. We'll be here."
>Wait until Marisa hangs up and that weird sound comes, so we know we're done.
>"Marisa should be here in a little bit, and she'll take us to Maribel."
>Wait!
>"Good enough," she replies. "Later!"
>You hear a clicking noise, and the phone goes silent. Still, you decide to wait for it to make noise again, just in case. A few moments later, it buzzes at you, and you return it to its resting place.
>"Ok," Mugetsu nods.
>You wait around for Marisa's arrival. Time passes slowly; there is little activity in your surroundings, and few points of interest to look at from where you're standing. Mugetsu glances around at all the little details in the phone booth and outside, but doesn't stray far from you. You think you can feel a chill creeping into the air. It's a cold night for summer.
>Eventually, you see a silver car turn the corner and drive down the street towards you. This would not be especially notable in and of itself; you've seen several silver cars drive past you in the last few minutes. What makes this one catch your eye is the speed. Why is it moving that much faster than everyone else? Surely that must be unsafe? Well, more unsafe than usual, anyway. You have only a moment or two to contemplate this before it pulls up along the side of the road a few yards past you with a loud screeching noise. Mugetsu shifts nervously behind you.
-
>"That would be Marisa. Don't worry, it's safe."
>Probably.
>Approach the autodyne.
-
>"That would be Marisa. Don't worry, it's safe."
>Probably.
>Approach the autodyne.
>Mugetsu nods tentatively as you try to reassure her.
>And possibly yourself as well.
>You start to walk towards the car, Mugetsu tailing close behind you, when Marisa sticks her head out the window and waves.
>"Hey!" she calls back to you. "Get in."
-
>Are there rear doors? If so, open one for Mugetsu. Poor thing would probably faint trying to sit in the back.
>Afterwards take the front passenger seat.
>"I hope this isn't a problem."
-
>Are there rear doors? If so, open one for Mugetsu. Poor thing would probably faint trying to sit in the back.
>Afterwards take the front passenger seat.
>"I hope this isn't a problem."
>There are rear doors. You open the one nearest you and gesture for Mugetsu to sit down. She surveys the interior uncertainly.
>Marisa turns her head back towards her. "I'm not gonna bite, you know," she says. "C'mon, sit down."
>"Uh, ok... I guess," Mugetsu replies, taking a seat in the back.
>You take a seat in front. It's rather cushier than Reimu's was. You don't really have a good frame of reference for car interiors, but you get the distinct impression Marisa's is more upscale.
>"Nah, not really," Marisa replies. "Sure, I got other stuff I could be doing, but you're the first people from home I've seen in seven years. 'sides, I'm not just gonna leave that girl suffering there if there's something you can do about it."
-
>"Well, that's good."
>Seatbelts go on oh god!
>"There's a sort of belt thing back there, Mugetsu. Find it and place it over your waist and chest. There's a little slot thing to put it in. That will help hold you in place."
>"As for back home, I could take you back this time, if you wanted. The gate should be stable for it; Mugetsu sort of piggybacks along."
-
>"Well, that's good."
>Seatbelts go on oh god!
>"There's a sort of belt thing back there, Mugetsu. Find it and place it over your waist and chest. There's a little slot thing to put it in. That will help hold you in place."
>"As for back home, I could take you back this time, if you wanted. The gate should be stable for it; Mugetsu sort of piggybacks along."
>"Dunno what you've heard about me that'd make you think otherwise," Marisa says. "I don't like leaving people in a lurch, ya know?"
>You fasten yourself in and brace for impact. ...what is she keeps moving at the same speed she arrived at? Oh god...
>Mugetsu attempts to follow your instructions, and after a small moment of uncertainty, fastens her own seat belt.
>"Mugetsu?" Marisa takes another look back at her. "Huh. Suppose that sorta makes sense. Surprised to see her here, though. Didn't think she went out much."
>"...I don't," Mugetsu replies. "But my sister's trapped here, and I have to help her. Somehow."
>Marisa turns back to you, eyebrow raised. "Long story, right?"
-
>"It is. But, if you wanted to come back, it's possible."
-
>"It is. But, if you wanted to come back, it's possible."
>"Man..." Marisa shakes her head. "Don't know I ever expected to hear that one anymore. I... I dunno. If you asked that a few years back, I'd have been there in a second. Spent damn near a couple years looking for a way myself. But... I got a good thing going here now, too." She sighs. "I'll... have to think about it."
-
>"I figured you would, having been here so long."
-
>"I figured you would, having been here so long."
>"Yeah, well, you know... It's just kinda..." Marisa lets out a deep breath. "Anyhow, let's get this show on the road, eh? Shouldn't keep the poor girls waiting."
>And with that, the car surges into motion. You hear a stifled yelp from Mugetsu as you lurch backwards into your seat. Driving with Reimu may have been distinctly unsettling, but you like to think you'd gotten at least a little used to it. Certainly, it was less unpleasant on the way back. This... feels a bit like that all over again. Only with blurrier buildings.
-
>Brace self! Close eyes.
>"Is Reimu going to be joining us, or has she had her fill for the evening?"
-
>Brace self! Close eyes.
>"Is Reimu going to be joining us, or has she had her fill for the evening?"
>You hold onto the sides of your seat and close your eyes. Unfortunately, that only makes the sense of motion sickness worse. You may not be able to see how fast you're moving, but you can certainly still feel it.
>"Nah," Marisa replies. "Said to call her if anything important happens. I get the feeling you know how she is."
>You feel yourself suddenly lurch to the side. Mugetsu whimpers slightly.
-
> "M-must this be so... unpleasent, Marisa? I can't even fly nearly this fast, and it doesn't help that this is still pretty new to me."
> "It's ok Mugetsu... I'm not used to this either, but you'll be ok."
-
> "M-must this be so... unpleasent, Marisa? I can't even fly nearly this fast, and it doesn't help that this is still pretty new to me."
> "It's ok Mugetsu... I'm not used to this either, but you'll be ok."
>Marisa laughs. "Aw, I'm not going that fast. 'sides, we're in a hurry, aren't we?" You feel yourself pushed back into the other side of the seat. "C'mon, not going to get any better with your eyes closed. What's the big deal, anyway? Not like I'm gonna hit anything."
>You attempt to reassure Mugetsu. "Y- you sure? This thing is... scary."
>Marisa laughs again. "Don't tempt me to go faster, now, you two."
-
>"It goes faster!?"
>Force eyes open.
-
>"It goes faster!?"
>Force eyes open.
>Marisa grins. "Wanna see?"
>You force yourself to open your eyes. At least this time you can get a brief warning of the incoming turns before you feel them. Buildings and roads zoom past you as Marisa weaves in and around other cars that are not obliging enough to already be moving this quickly. You think you're getting close to the hospital, but you find it difficult to recall the precise details of the route you took last time while you're... preoccupied.
-
>"Is it safe? I mean, if you're having to dodge around other people, doesn't that already mean you're going too fast?"
-
>"Is it safe? I mean, if you're having to dodge around other people, doesn't that already mean you're going too fast?"
>"Nah," she replies. "They're just going too slow. No worries."
-
>"Why would they do that?"
>We know why, of course, but best to let her try to explain it and perhaps figure it out herself...
-
>"Why would they do that?"
>We know why, of course, but best to let her try to explain it and perhaps figure it out herself...
>Marisa shrugs. "Eh, some people got no sense of adventure."
>You think the point may be lost on her.
-
>Just try not to die along the way.
-
>Just try not to die along the way.
>You do your utmost to cling to life as you barrel towards the hospital. On the plus side, it really doesn't take long to get there. On the other hand, you would have much rathered take a little more time, and not risk requiring their services upon arrival.
>Marisa pulls the car into the lot and brings it to a much appreciate stop. She looks over at you and laughs again.
>"You ought to see yourself in a mirror right now," she says.
>You hear Mugetsu's voice issue meekly from the back. "W- we can get out now, right?" Marisa just snickers.
-
> "Ah... Yeah. Its over, we can get out."
> Get out of the car and try not to stumble over our own legs considering they're probably like jelly right now.
-
> "Ah... Yeah. Its over, we can get out."
> Get out of the car and try not to stumble over our own legs considering they're probably like jelly right now.
>"....good." Mugetsu undoes her seatbelt and quickly exits the vehicle.
>You also disembark, trying not to be too unsteady on your feet. Oh, how nice it is to be moving slowly again. Next time you need a ride, you're calling Reimu instead.
>"You guys are a riot," Marisa says, grinning. "Seriously."
-
> "Sure... But now that we're here we should probably head up to Maribel's room."
> If there're no objections, head into the hospital.
-
> "Sure... But now that we're here we should probably head up to Maribel's room."
> If there're no objections, head into the hospital.
>"Right you are," Marisa says, nodding. "Let's get to it."
>The group of you head into the hospital, Marisa sauntering ahead and Mugetsu trailing nervously behind, carefully scanning every element of the scenery as if she fully expected something leap out from behind it at any moment. With a few pauses and hesitations, you retrace your route from the first time you were here and make your way back to Maribel's room.
>Maribel looks just as you left her. You see Renko is slumped in a chair by her bed, head to the side. You think she might be asleep.
>"Aw, poor girl," Marisa says quietly.
-
>"Yeah."
>Look to Mugetsu. "Well, can you sense anything?"
-
>"Yeah."
>Look to Mugetsu. "Well, can you sense anything?"
>Mugetsu frowns and steps forward. "I... should have been able to from far away. Is her, then? The person who you say sent her dream into Gensokyo?"
-
>Mugetsu frowns and steps forward. "I... should have been able to from far away. Is her, then? The person who you say sent her dream into Gensokyo?"
>Nod.
>"This is her."
-
>Nod.
>"This is her."
>Mugetsu walks towards her. "She is certainly still dreaming. A vast and deep dream; almost bottomless. It is... odd. I should know my sister's presence like my own, yet I cannot feel it here. Still, this is..." She closes her eyes and is silent for a moment. "It is like her dream has folded in on itself. There is... something there. I almost cannot sense it. Like my sister, yet not. I wonder if she might be too deep within for me to feel her from outside."
-
>"Do you think it would be safe to enter?"
-
>"Do you think it would be safe to enter?"
>"I... don't know," she replies. "It is not hostile. But it is deep, and it is distant. Still, I won't leave without searching it, if there is even a chance my sister is inside there. I've come all this way just for this."
-
>"Is there anything we'd be able to do to help out?"
-
>"Is there anything we'd be able to do to help out?"
>"I don't know what," she says. "Dreams are my domain. If I... get lost in there, I don't think there's any way for you to find me again."
-
>"Maybe something we could do to help keep you from getting lost?"
-
>"Maybe something we could do to help keep you from getting lost?"
>Mugetsu shakes her head. "I don't know that you can, but thank you. I'll do my best to stay safe."
-
>"Good luck, then."
-
>"Good luck, then."
>She nods. "Thank you." And with that, she closes her eyes and fades out of sight.
>"So, uh, you think Gengetsu's stuck in there or something?" Marisa asks.
-
>"She's stuck somewhere. This is about the only place we have left to look."
-
>"She's stuck somewhere. This is about the only place we have left to look."
>Marisa nods. "Well, I suppose she ought to be able to find her if anyone can. I guess we just wait, then?"
-
>"It seems that way."
-
>"It seems that way."
>"Man," she says, shaking her head, "I hate sitting by doing nothin' when there's problems to be solved, you know? Kinda out of my element, though."
-
>"Man," she says, shaking her head, "I hate sitting by doing nothin' when there's problems to be solved, you know? Kinda out of my element, though."
>"Personally, I have the suspicion things won't go so easily, but she is in her element there. I wouldn't worry too much about her."
-
>"Personally, I have the suspicion things won't go so easily, but she is in her element there. I wouldn't worry too much about her."
>"Yeah... you're probably right." Marisa looks over at Maribel and slowly shakes her head. "Hope she can do some good in there."
-
>Nod.
>Make self comfortable and wait.
-
>Nod.
>Make self comfortable and wait.
>You find another chair by the side of the room and sit down. Time... really doesn't want to pass quickly when you're waiting for something important. Your eyes roam idly around the room while the minutes pass slowly by. The decor is sterile and uninviting looking, and there are few things which catch your attention. Were it not for the tension of anticipation, it would it would be an extremely dull place to pass the time, with the majority of your companions being either asleep or very asleep. In the stillness, you hear Renko snoring quietly.
>Minutes drift by. Was that five or twenty? You're not even sure, anymore. Eventually, Marisa starts to fidget and then stands up. "I'll be back in a bit," she says, leaving the room before you roust yourself from your reverie to reply. More time passes. A few minutes later, she returns with a metal can in her hand.
>"Still nothing, I guess," she says, as she takes a drink from it. "Man, wish I knew if it was supposed to take this long."
-
>"Indeed. Hey, why don't you tell me about your experiences here to pass the time?"
-
>"Indeed. Hey, why don't you tell me about your experiences here to pass the time?"
>Marisa scratches her head. "Uh, well, where to begin? To be honest, it was pretty rough here at first. Back in Gensokyo, I never paid much attention to stuff about the outside world, you know? Always seemed so far away. Lots more important things to deal with right in front of you, you know? I mean, Kourin could talk your ear off about whatever new thing he'd found, but they were always just toys or curiousites. Or junk, I figured." She laughs. "Oh boy, he was more wrong then he knew, half the time. Me too, for the matter."
>"Anyway, I nearly got in a lot of trouble after I got here. Magic... doesn't go over so well, here. At least if you do it where anyone else can see. Didn't take me long to learn that lesson." She pauses and raises an eyebrow at you. "I get the feeling you already knew that before you got here, somehow."
-
>Nod.
>"There's a reason why the barrier was put up to begin with."
-
>Nod.
>"There's a reason why the barrier was put up to begin with."
>Marisa laughs. "Yeah, well, discretion and me never got along all that well. But I've learned not to get caught doing it now, at least. Between you and me, I think Reimu's a little jealous that I still get to cast in public and get away with it."
-
>"Well, I suppose so. Doesn't she know any handy tricks?"
-
>"Well, I suppose so. Doesn't she know any handy tricks?"
>Marisa grins. "Yeah, I guess, but I get to be flashy! I do pyrotechnics. For stage acts, fireworks displays, you name it. When you're already doing lights and explosions, no one notices if you toss in a little bit extra. Modern fireworks are pretty impressive, really, but there's a lot of stuff they still can't do. I give 'em a better show than anyone else here can." Her smile practically drips with pride. "Most people don't know what you can and can't pull off without magic. Anyone else asks, I just tell them it's a trade secret."
-
>"That's pretty impressive. Actually, I'm kind of astounded there's anything you can do that they can't."
-
>"That's pretty impressive. Actually, I'm kind of astounded there's anything you can do that they can't."
>Marisa laughs and shakes her head. "Yeah, I suppose I can't blame ya, after seeing half the stuff you have since you got here. It's pretty incredible, I'll give them that. But there's still lot of stuff magic can do that science can't. People here can't fly, for one thing. Now that is something I miss doing, I'll be honest."
-
>Nod.
>"Well, they seem to have pulled off a lot of things magic can't do, too."
>Worried glance toward Maribel.
-
>Nod.
>"Well, they seem to have pulled off a lot of things magic can't do, too."
>Worried glance toward Maribel.
>"Oh, for sure," Marisa says. "Would be nice to see the best of both worlds get together somehow, you know? Not sure how that'd work, though."
>You spare a worried glance towards Maribel. Maribel herself looks exactly as she has since the first time you saw her. However, that may also be the worrisome part...
-
>"We really should have asked if there was some way to find her, when she's in a dream."
-
>"We really should have asked if there was some way to find her, when she's in a dream."
>"Yeah..." Marisa says, frowning. "You'd think she'd be back by now, one way or the other."
-
>"I hope you're wrong about that. Because I have no idea how we're going to lure her out"
-
>"I hope you're wrong about that. Because I have no idea how we're going to lure her out"
>"I don't know that we can," Marisa says, shaking her head. "Or at least I can't. Don't know what other tricks you have up your sleeve."
-
>"Outside of hoping this dispelling charm will do anything, I have nothing."
-
>"Outside of hoping this dispelling charm will do anything, I have nothing."
>"I don't think that's going to do much. It's not an enchantment, really. Not at this point."
>Marisa sighs. "If she doesn't come back, we're pretty much out of dream youkai to throw at her, aren't we?"
-
>"As far as I know."
-
>"As far as I know."
>"Yeah, that makes two of us," Marisa says. "Not exactly a common thing."
-
>"Well, there might be one thing I could do. How long until the next full moon?"
-
>"Well, there might be one thing I could do. How long until the next full moon?"
>"Eh, I don't really pay much attention to that, sorry. I think it was mostly full tonight."
-
>"Worse comes to worst, I may be able to do something about it when the moon is full."
-
>"Worse comes to worst, I may be able to do something about it when the moon is full."
>Marisa nods. "Yeah, I figured that's what you were implying. What did you have in mind? I, uh, don't know exactly what you can do, when push comes to shove."
-
>"Manipulate history, to some degree. If needs be, I can try to arrange for a variety of things that could give us more information. Nothing permanent, of course, but enough to hopefully learn some things."
>_
-
>"Manipulate history, to some degree. If needs be, I can try to arrange for a variety of things that could give us more information. Nothing permanent, of course, but enough to hopefully learn some things."
>"Sounds handy," Marisa says, though she frowns at you. "Strikes me as a little unnerving, though. Wouldn't want my-" Her sentence is interrupted by the sudden corporealization of a figure beside you. She looks somewhat battered, and possibly in pain.
>"I... I couldn't do it," Mugetsu says, breathing heavily. "I don't know how."
-
>"What happened? Are you okay?"
-
>"What happened? Are you okay?"
>"I... I'm ok," Mugetsu replies, then shakes her head. "No. I'm not okay. I'm not... that injured, but... I'm not ok. She's not ok. I don't... even know if I can... do anything."
>"Hey..." Marisa says, getting out of her chair. "Here, have a seat or something. You don't look so good."
>"No... " Mugetsu shakes her head again, still breathing heavily. "I've got to- I've got to- What am I suppose to do?"
-
>"What happened, Mugetsu? Start from the beginning."
-
>"What happened, Mugetsu? Start from the beginning."
>Mugetsu just keeps shaking her head slowly back and forth, not even looking at you. You can hear her breathing tremble, ever so slightly.
>"C'mon now..." Marisa says softly. "Y'know we'll help if we can. Just... sit down. Talk when you're ready."
>It seems to take a few moments for her words to register with Mugetsu. "I... I'll try," she says eventually, and eases herself into Marisa's seat. She takes several deep, unsteady breaths.
>"I found her," she says at length. "Or pieces of her. I don't even know how much of her is left. But I know it's her."
>She turns to you, a desperate pleading in her eyes. "You could tell, too, couldn't you? If they were family? Even if they didn't know you?"
-
>What.
>"If who were family?"
-
>What.
>"If who were family?"
>Straight answers do seem to be in short supply these days.
>"I mean if they were your family," she replies. "She's mine. My sister's all of mine. And she's not..." She seems to sense the rising agitation in her voice and pauses.
>"There are... beings, inside there," she continues. "They feel of her. Sometimes even look like her. What you saw was probably one of them. They... didn't recognize me. Or if they did, they couldn't speak. I know she's a part of them," she says emphatically. "I know. I don't know why, or how, but I'm sure of it. Even if they tried to drive me away."
-
>Nod.
>"How many were there? What else did you see in there?"
-
>Nod.
>"How many were there? What else did you see in there?"
>"I saw 4 or 5, anyway. Not all at once. There's probably more, if I could find them. It's a maze in there. Even for me; I don't know why. She's dreaming of Gensokyo, still. Or parts of it. But it's twisted in upon itself."
-
>"And you couldn't untwist it with your abilities?"
-
>"And you couldn't untwist it with your abilities?"
>Mugetsu shakes her head. "I can touch dreams and guide them, weave with them, but I am still not the dreamer. And this is a strange dream. The texture is different; firmer, less malleable."
-
>"You said they tried to drive you away. Howso?"
-
>"You said they tried to drive you away. Howso?"
>"They... attacked me," she says. "Some of them, anyway. I didn't want to leave until I was sure she wasn't down there, somewhere, but...."
-
>"Then you'll need some back-up if you want to get back into there. Can you take us with you?"
-
>"Then you'll need some back-up if you want to get back into there. Can you take us with you?"
>"I..." Mugetsu frowns. "I've never tried. Not directly, but... dreams sometimes touch on one another. I might be able to bridge the gap and guide you from yours into hers. Maybe. But... that might make it hard for you to leave again."
-
>"How would that make it hard?"
>_
-
>"How would that make it hard?"
>"I can leave the dream when I choose to. Mostly. But you would likely have to return to your own before you could wake. In a dream like Maribel's, it might take time to find the way back. I don't know what would happen were she to wake up while you were still inside her."
-
>"I can leave the dream when I choose to. Mostly. But you would likely have to return to your own before you could wake. In a dream like Maribel's, it might take time to find the way back. I don't know what would happen were she to wake up while you were still inside her."
>"But she won't wake up as long as you are there, right?"
-
>"But she won't wake up as long as you are there, right?"
>"She shouldn't," Mugetsu agrees. "Although I have less ability to influence this dream than most. Still, it might just mean that retreating quickly will be impossible. I felt I should warn you."
-
>"So, about like how things normally are."
>Glance to Marisa. "Well?"
-
>"So, about like how things normally are."
>Glance to Marisa. "Well?"
>"I don't think it would seem normal to you," Mugetsu says. "What you see will... depend on Maribel, and myself. And even yourself, a little."
>Marisa shrugs. "Kinda feel a little on edge wandering around in there, you know? Something about it just feels unnatural. But if that's all there is to be done, I guess I'm game."
-
>"Think Reimu would want to help?"
-
>"Think Reimu would want to help?"
>"Eh, she might," Marisa says. "If she felt she had to."
>"Every person I try to guide in will be an extra burden," Mugetsu says. "I'm not sure how many I can manage."
-
> "So even just me and Marisa is going to be difficult."
> Solo, not counting Mugetsu, yet again, we are going Lone Wolf far to often.
> "All Skulls On, Iron On."
-
> "So even just me and Marisa is going to be difficult."
> Solo, not counting Mugetsu, yet again, we are going Lone Wolf far to often.
> "All Skulls On, Iron On."
>"It... might be," Mugetsu says. "I can't guarantee how well this will work. I wish I could promise more."
>It has been a wearing few days. Hopefully you can end it soon. There are places and people you want nothing more but to return to.
>What in the what now?
-
>"We should at least try with the both of us. One of those things was bad enough"
>"...Unless...Mugetsu, do you think you could arrange it so that her dreams contain a full moon, or is that too much for you?"
-
>"We should at least try with the both of us. One of those things was bad enough"
>"...Unless...Mugetsu, do you think you could arrange it so that her dreams contain a full moon, or is that too much for you?"
>Mugetsu nods. "I'll do my best."
>"And I can try. I... think it should be possible. The dream is strange, but not immutable."
>"Would that even do anything, though?" Marisa asks, frowning. "I mean, that moon wouldn't be real."
>Mugetsu frowns. "Reality in dreams is... subjective. Belief in the power of the moon might be enough. Or it might not. Things work differently there than they do in the waking world."
-
> "Well, if you can manage it with me believing in it, then that is good enough. The power boost is quite notable, so if I can tap into it in the dream, then all the better."
> "If it's too difficult for Mugetsu to bring you along, can I count on you to keep watch Marisa?"
-
> "Well, if you can manage it with me believing in it, then that is good enough. The power boost is quite notable, so if I can tap into it in the dream, then all the better."
> "If it's too difficult for Mugetsu to bring you along, can I count on you to keep watch Marisa?"
>"I'll do what I can," Mugetsu says.
>Marisa nods. "Sure thing. Although, uh, I'm not sure what good I could do out here. Suppose I could keep Renko from panicking if she wakes up to a roomful of sleeping people."
-
> "I know you can handle it Marisa, you've done some crazy things before, so this shouldn't be hard.
Unless another poster/voice had anything to say/do...
> "I think I'm ready whenever you are Mugetsu."
-
>"Let's leave Renko a note just in case, then... Reimu might be able to do something, even if something goes wrong."
>Do so. Make sure to explain finding Mugetsu, what she can do, what she saw in Maribel's dreams, and what we're about to do.
-
> "I know you can handle it Marisa, you've done some crazy things before, so this shouldn't be hard.
>Marisa chuckles. "Still, there's more than one kind of crazy, ya know?"
>"Let's leave Renko a note just in case, then... Reimu might be able to do something, even if something goes wrong."
>Do so. Make sure to explain finding Mugetsu, what she can do, what she saw in Maribel's dreams, and what we're about to do.
>"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Marisa says. "I'm sure she'll get off her butt if any of us go missing, too."
>You prepare to leave a detailed note to Renko, but realize you lack any writing implements. There's a few potentially important pieces of paper around you might be able to cannibalize, but you see no sign of a pen or brush, or anything else of that nature.
-
>"Er... where could we get the materials for that, Marisa?"
-
>"Er... where could we get the materials for that, Marisa?"
>"Eh, I'm sure I could go grab a pen from one of the receptionists or something. Gimme a sec," she says, as she ducks out of the room.
>A quick moment later, she returns and hands you one, along with a piece of note paper. "Here ya go."
-
>"Thanks."
>Do so. Make sure to explain finding Mugetsu, what she can do, what she saw in Maribel's dreams, and what we're about to do.
-
>"Thanks."
>Do so. Make sure to explain finding Mugetsu, what she can do, what she saw in Maribel's dreams, and what we're about to do.
>Marisa tips her head towards you. "No problem."
>You set to writing a detailed note for Renko, mentioning as many relevant details about what you're attempting as you can think of. You find the process helps you gather your own thoughts for what lies ahead. ...whatever it might be. Soon, you feel you've covered as many bases as necessary, and put the pen aside.
-
>Crack knuckles.
>"All right, let's do this!"
>Charge at Maribel!
>"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINS!!!"
>Headbutt at full power.
>Deep breath.
>"Ready when you are, Mugetsu."
-
>Crack knuckles.
>"All right, let's do this!"
>Charge at Maribel!
>"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINS!!!"
>Headbutt at full power.
>With a cracking of knuckles and nonsensical battle cry, you charge at your stationary and quite helpless target and unleash the full force of your cranium! The impact resonates with a satisfying thunk.
>"Uh," Mugetsu says, "you do realize we only need to get inside her head in a metaphoric sense... right?"
>Deep breath.
>"Ready when you are, Mugetsu."
>You take deep breath to steady yourself and let Mugetsu know you're ready.
>"Make yourself comfortable," she says. "Somewhere that you're unlikely to fall off of when you drift to sleep. It might interrupt the process."
>"Hey, I'm going too, right?" Marisa says. "You seemed to be in two minds about it there for a bit."
-
>Get comfortable in one of those chairs.
-
>"If both of you are willing, I think I'd appreciate the help. But I won't force it."
-
>Get comfortable in one of those chairs.
>You sit down, and try to make sure you're in a position where you won't slide out of it. After a little experimental fidgeting, you think you're good to go.
>"If both of you are willing, I think I'd appreciate the help. But I won't force it."
>"I said I'd do it, and I will," Marisa replies, settling into a chair herself. "Just making sure."
>"I'll do my best to guide both of you in," Mugetsu says. "I pray we'll be able to find my sister, somewhere inside. Just relax..." You feel a sudden lethargy pull at you.
>"Man, that's not..." Marisa stifles a yawn. "That's not so bad. Been a... long day... anyway."
>You find yourself mirroring her sentiments exactly as your eyes start to close and your head falls forward.
-
>Fall asleep. Don't fall.
-
>Fall asleep. Don't fall.
>You let yourself fall asleep. Your last thought as consciousness slips for you is how much time you've spent falling asleep since this started, and how little actual rest you've had, despite that. You manage to articulate very little else
>You are in class. It is early morning, and you are doing review for a quiz on the Warning States period scheduled for tomorrow. Some students are relatively attentive. Many others are abjectly not. This is not unusual, unfortunately. There is only so far that a love for one's subject can go to instill that love in others. You do treasure every eager face, however. They're the ones that make it all worthwhile.
>You spare a glance out the window. It looks like it will be a remarkably bright and pleasant afternoon. You idly entertain the idea of proposing a picnic to Mokou when class is over, and have a quiet chuckle about her likely reaction.
-
>Are the students being decently attentive, or does one of them seem to need to chalk?
-
>Are the students being decently attentive, or does one of them seem to need to chalk?
>Most are at least feigning interest. They are being tested on this tomorrow, after all. Still, it's clearly just a pretense for a couple of them. You'd think they'd learn by now that they're not fooling anyone. Still, their heads would be a waste of perfectly good chalk. ...is that a little mean-spirited of you?
-
>Yeah, a little bit.
>"This next part is really important. I'll be expecting a five page essay on it by next friday."
-
>Yeah, a little bit.
>"This next part is really important. I'll be expecting a five page essay on it by next friday."
>You admonish yourself a little for being uncharitable.
>There is a predictable chorus of suppressed groans and distressed expressions at this announcement.
>One of the students in the front seems to be trying to get your attention. Doesn't she know well enough to raise her hand? Actually, isn't she a little old to still be in school?
-
>"Well, that got your attention, didn't it? If the average score is above 75, perhaps we can waive that necessity."
>Look at the one trying to get our attention, then back to the rest of the class. She knows what she needs to do.
-
>"Well, that got your attention, didn't it? If the average score is above 75, perhaps we can waive that necessity."
>Look at the one trying to get our attention, then back to the rest of the class. She knows what she needs to do.
>"Hey!" one of the students cries, pointing a finger accusingly at another part of the class. "It's not fair that we have to do more work just because they're lazy."
>You give a pointed glance to the student in the front row. But rather than raise her hand or stop being disruptive, she gets out of her seat and approaches you in the middle of your lecture. Does she have no idea how to conduct herself in a classroom?
-
>"We survive as a community. Perhaps this would impel you to help your classmates do well on their test, if you're so confident in your own abilities."
>Glance as miss disruptive. "And as for you, detention. Sit back down."
-
>"We survive as a community. Perhaps this would impel you to help your classmates do well on their test, if you're so confident in your own abilities."
>Glance as miss disruptive. "And as for you, detention. Sit back down."
>"Oh, like that'll work," he replies. You hear some snickering in the back.
>Miss disruptive frowns uncertainly at you, then takes hold of your arm. You think she's trying to speak to you, but you can't quite make out what she's saying.
-
>"You should have more confidence in your classmates."
>Frown.
>"Enunciate, dear. Is something the matter?"
-
>"You should have more confidence in your classmates."
>Frown.
>"Enunciate, dear. Is something the matter?"
>Your encouragement brings on another round of snickering.
>You frown at the student holding your arm and ask her to speak more clearly.
>"...remember why you're here," you hear her say.
-
>"...What?"
-
>"...What?"
>"You're dreaming," she says. "Remember why. Remember who I am."
-
>This is a creative way to get out of detention...wait a minute.
>Blink.
>Try to remember.
-
>This is a creative way to get out of detention...wait a minute.
>Blink.
>Try to remember.
>You've been teaching for a long time, but you've never heard anyone try that one, before. Yet... something about it rings vaguely true for some reason
>You pause, and try to focus on this hint of recollection. It takes a moment, but you become vaguely aware that you were somewhere else a moment ago. A dull room. There were others. Someone was asleep. ...you were asleep? Wait, is that Mugetsu holding your arm? What's she doing here? What are you doing here, for that matter? Wait a second...
-
>"Why am I here?"
-
>"Why am I here?"
>"You're dreaming," she says. "Don't you remember why?"
-
>"You're dreaming," she says. "Don't you remember why?"
>Think. We know this Mugetsu. We know she's here for a reason. There's gotta be a reason, we just need to remember what.
>...
>Oh shit. Someone broke time. And we gotta fix it.
>"I think so..."
-
>Think. We know this Mugetsu. We know she's here for a reason. There's gotta be a reason, we just need to remember what.
>...
>Oh shit. Someone broke time. And we gotta fix it.
>"I think so..."
>You continue to wrack your brain and feel more pieces fall back into place. Why you're here. What you came here to do. Why it matters.
>"Good," Mugetsu nods, then frowns again. "...are you sure you're lucid? You were... hard to reach."
-
>"...I don't know. Am I?"
-
>"...I don't know. Am I?"
>"I... think you may be," she says, peering at you. "Are you ready to leave?"
-
>Nod. "Please, lead the way."
-
>Nod. "Please, lead the way."
>Mugetsu takes your hand in hers and closes her eyes tightly. You feel... something. You can't really tell what.
>"This way," she says, opening her eyes and leading you through the classroom door.
>You are outside. Which is a neat trick considering that the door opens onto a hallway. In fact, you don't really recognize where you are. There are a number of mature trees, clustered densely together near you, although the area you stand on is relatively clear and open, covered only in short grasses and a few wildflowers. It's dark out, but the moon is bright.
-
>Look around.
>"Where are we?"
>Look at the moon.
-
>Look around.
>"Where are we?"
>Look at the moon.
>You survey your surroundings. It looks like a perfectly nondescript field with scattered stands of trees. Rather picturesque, though. The vegetation matches the Gensokyo clime, although it doesn't specifically correspond to any location you're familiar with. Nothing about it really catches your eye.
>"We are somewhere with Maribel's dreamscape," Mugetsu says. "There are many places here. They are not all connected in a way that would make sense to a waking mind. It is... unpredictable, to a degree."
>You look at the moon. It is a cloudless sky, and the moon gleams brightly. It is a sliver away from full, similar to the night you encountered Maribel originally.
-
>"I see. Were you able to find Marisa, too?"
>Look around for winged thingums.
>Steal Mugetsu's kidney, so that we may say we went down swinging.
-
>Steal Mugetsu's kidney, so that we may say we went down swinging.
>You're determined not to come away entirely empty-handed this round. If you're going down, you're going down fighting. Figuring that Mugetsu is as good a target as any, and is moreover the only target in sight, you attempt to steal her kidney. Thanks to the startling lack of logic present in most dreams, you actually succeed with this action.
>You're not quite sure how, but you have obtained: one kidney, slightly used. Mugetsu regards you quizzically.
>Then with a similarly arbitrary lack of logic, Parsee steals both your kidneys. ...wait, what? How does that even-
>You awake with a gasp, bolting upright in your seat. Oh, it was just a dream... just a dream... Well, it really was a dream, wasn't it?
>"Morning, sunshine," comes Parsee's voice. She leers at you, a few inches from your face. "Why don't you just go back to sleep, now?"
>She shanks you, and you oblige.