Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Hello Purvis on September 29, 2010, 08:45:18 AM
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>You are Iku Nagae, Gensokyo's premier messenger and dancer!
>You are an oarfish youkai in service to the Dragon Palace. As a resident of Bhava-Agra, you bear a status similar to that of a Celestial, and are considered a minor functionary in the Celestial Bureaucracy that makes certain the known universe runs as it should, with all the rights privileges, and duties that come with this position. You are in the service of The Dragon, who reigns quietly as the highest god of this realm, and is among the highest beings in the universe. It regards you well, and you think of it as a guardian.
>While your duties and position suggest your place is in Bhava-Agra, you have a tendency to roam to other places. You somewhat blame this on Tenshi Hinanai, whom you have unfortunately been charged with keeping out of significant trouble, and her tendency to visit Gensokyo whenever possible. You are well-know for your love of dance, and excellence in performing it; oftentimes you've been asked to star in performances given at the Dragon Palace. Others have styled you the Dance Empress, particularly those who would try to claim that title for themselves. You are, as far as you know, well regarded by everyone you know, and are welcome practically anywhere in Gensokyo, save perhaps for Higan. The only real black spot in your days is periodically having to deal with Tenshi's chicanery.
>You are standing in the main hall of the Dragon Palace. The ceiling soars hundreds of feet into the air, with fluffy white clouds obscuring it. The stone walls are lacquered every color of the rainbow, arranged brightly and tastefully. The music of stringed instruments wafts throughout the hall while Celestials move to and fro among its rainbow-colored finery, going about their daily business. The center of the hall is reserved for The Dragon's august personage alone, while the sides are for the various people of the palace. Numerous doors line the hall, leading to various wings of the palace. At the far end are a pair of immense doors made of jade, leading to The Dragon's chamber. Thankfully there is a smaller door off to the side, for the rare times that The Dragon chooses to entertain a guest. Obvious exits are East 1, East 2, North 1, North 2, North 3, North 4, North 5, South 1, South 2, South 3, South 4, South 5, and West.
>You have duties to attend to! You must make certain that the peach orchard is in good condition, and that the next shipment will be ready soon. And you must make sure that Tenshi, whose current punishment is harvesting peaches, is behaving herself.
>_
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> Saturday night FEVER.
> Resolve to moonwalk everywhere we go, as long as we're reasonably sure no one is watching. And maybe sometimes when someone is.
> Assuming no one is watching right now, check chest for usual growths.
> Inventory
> Skills
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> That status doesn't uphold itself, you know. Plus, we need a good warmup for the day's activities. Bust a shuffle, then break out into some good ol' street dance.
> Only for a bit, though, we're not here to dance-off.
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> Saturday night FEVER.
> Resolve to moonwalk everywhere we go, as long as we're reasonably sure no one is watching. And maybe sometimes when someone is.
> Assuming no one is watching right now, check chest for usual growths.
> Inventory
> Skills
>You cannot keep a thermometer on your person, due to all this fever.
>You have done this in the past. It is fun.
>No one is watching; you check. They're right there where they should be. Your tallness makes them seem a bit smaller than they are, though.
>Your inventory contains
>Wide-brimmed hat (worn as hat)
>Exceedingly Stylish!
>Flamenco Dress (worn as dress)
>Allows both modesty and freedom of movement
>Pink Shawl
>A shawl that represents your status as a part of Bhava-Arga and allows you to defend yourself with devastating techniques.
>Your skills are:
>Shawl-Fu
>When equipped with a shawl, you can be a terror in battle!
>Dancinating
>When equipped with a beat, you can be a terror on the dancefloor!
>Celestial Bureaucratizing
>You are familiar with the ways that the Celestial Bureaucracy works, and know the proper channels to get minor things done or arrange for meetings with august personages.
>Moderate Danmakutimes
>You know a little bit about this thing they call Danmaku.
>Basic Songsmithing
>No one seems to notice you're a decent singer, too.
>Astronomics
>You are well versed in the various aspects and objects of the night sky.
>Basic Leadershipping
>You can competently direct small groups of willing people and get excellent results.
>Landscaping
>You can design beautiful landscapes of all kinds, and implement them.
>Major Domoship
>You can run a household without difficulty.
>Ink Paintilizing
>You are a decent artist with an ink brush!
> That status doesn't uphold itself, you know. Plus, we need a good warmup for the day's activities. Bust a shuffle, then break out into some good ol' street dance.
> Only for a bit, though, we're not here to dance-off.
>Oh why not?
>You break out a shuffle, then follow up with a little popping and locking. A few celestials stop to watch your display, and applaud as you finish.
>_
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>Where is the peach orchard located?
>Head in that direction
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>It is to the west of the Dragon Palace.
>You make your way toward the west, leaving the Dragon Palace.
>You stand upon the road leading from the palace and toward the fields. The edge of the island is not far away; you can see the orchard isle in the distance to the northwest. To the west, you can see well maintained fields of your own design, with celestial homes among them. The sun shines brightly overhead, you'd like to think if you squinted hard enough, you could see its island. The clouds flow around your feet, glancing into the sky you can see some rather puffy ones floating between the islands. To the south you can see another isle, currently not in use and allowed to grow wild and beautiful.Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
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>Continue to the orchard
>How does one get to Gensokyo and back from here?
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> Sense for potential earthquakes
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>Continue to the orchard
>How does one get to Gensokyo and back from here?
>You take to the air and head northwest.
>One simply flies up. The trick is much of Bhava-Agra is empty sky. Simply flying upward doesn't mean you will necessarily find anything, especially since many of the islands move. This is why people approaching from the surface, and Celestials unfamiliar with relation between the two, use Youkai mountain as a navigation point; it leads to an island that is stable.
>Looking below you, you can see Gensokyo through the clouds. You aren't sure what is below, as these isles do drift.
>Ahead, you can see the orchard isle. It is full of peach trees in orderly rows, and attractively disorderly clumps here and again. Celestials flit among them, as do some faeries in similar raiments.
> Sense for potential earthquakes
>You sense no earthquakes at this time. But you know the second some chucklehead pulls out that keystone below the Hakurei Shrine, there's going to be a big one and there's nothing you'll be able to do.
>_
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>Begin to inspect the orchard and make sure that things are in order
>While we do our rounds, keep an eye out for Tenshi
>What was she being punished for this time, anyway?
>Does Tenshi at least accomplish more than the amount she disrupts, when assigned tasks like this to do?
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>Begin to inspect the orchard and make sure that things are in order
>While we do our rounds, keep an eye out for Tenshi
>What was she being punished for this time, anyway?
>Does Tenshi at least accomplish more than the amount she disrupts, when assigned tasks like this to do?
>You look around, and don't seem any obvious signs of disorder or disarray. It would be a good idea to talk with the forewoman, though.
>You keep an eye out for Tenshi, but don't see her. This is not distressing, there's a lot of places she could reasonably be.
>Really it's just an extension of her original punishment; toil for forsaking enlightened behavior, stealing the Sword of Hisou, and general havoc-causing. Unfortunately, she managed to convince her judges that sending her to the earth to experience their toil would be a good idea. This really just gives her opportunities to make things worse for herself.
>She can be a great worker when she puts her mind to it. Really, if she weren't such a little shit she'd be a credit to Bhava-Agra.
>_
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>Go seek out this forewoman
>What is the hierarchical nature of our involvement with overseeing the orchard?
>What became of the Sword of Hisou afterwards?
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>Go seek out this forewoman
>What is the hierarchical nature of our involvement with overseeing the orchard?
>What became of the Sword of Hisou afterwards?
>You start to look for her.
>You are to make sure the peaches are harvested and brought to the orchard on time, you are more or less in charge of the whole operation. But long ago you've learned that in any language that has a word meaning delegation, that word is the sweetest sounding word. You've only had to make periodic inspections, the forewoman has taken care of the rest.
>It has been returned to the shrine from which it was taken.
>Looking around, you find the forewoman picking peaches from one of the more heavily laden trees, hovering around it looking for good places to each in through the thick boughs. She is a brown-haired celestial by the name of Lorelei.
>_
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>Approach her
>"Good day, Lorelei. How are things?"
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>Approach her
>"Good day, Lorelei. How are things?"
>You approach her and call out.
>She pauses, glances toward you, then does half a curtsy in midair while balancing her basket against her hit with the other hand. In theory, you're suppose to land before you do those, but there's no need to stand on formalities.
>"It's going well, Lady Nagae," she says. "The north trees are a bit more bare than I'd like, but we'll come through nonetheless. Faeries have been something of a distraction, but they're minding their manners well enough."
>_
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>Nod
>"That's good to hear. Fairies are as they are, of course. I'm glad things are going smoothly. "
>"I hope Tenshi has been well-behaved, as well?"
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>Nod
>"That's good to hear. Fairies are as they are, of course. I'm glad things are going smoothly. "
>"I hope Tenshi has been well-behaved, as well?"
>"Not caused a bit of trouble," says Lorelei. "She's been handling the North End. I checked up an hour ago, she was doing a good job. She even had a few faeries doing a sing along with her."
>_
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>"That's rather quaint. I'm glad she's been doing well, in any event."
>Does Tenshi sing much that we know of? Can she even sing?
>"Are there any other matters around here that you think could use my attention?"
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>"That's rather quaint. I'm glad she's been doing well, in any event."
>Does Tenshi sing much that we know of? Can she even sing?
>"Are there any other matters around here that you think could use my attention?"
>Lorelei nods. "You and me both."
>Song is quite common in Bhava-Agra. Tenshi isn't exactly top class, but she can carry a tune. Her time in the lower realms, though, has made her less prone to song than many celestials.
>"Not that I can think of," says Lorelei. "The pits on some of these might be a pain, but it's always that way."
>_
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> "I suppose I'll check in on Tenshi then, if you have nothing you need my help with."
> Do we know what some things Tenshi finds interesting are?
> Ponder using things like that to bait her to behaving a bit more, or at least causing less trouble.
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>Nod
>"Thank you again for keeping things running so smoothly. I think I'll pay a visit to Tenshi myself, now. Good wishes to you and have a pleasant day."
>Head to the north end
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> "I suppose I'll check in on Tenshi then, if you have nothing you need my help with."
> Do we know what some things Tenshi finds interesting are?
> Ponder using things like that to bait her to behaving a bit more, or at least causing less trouble.
>Nod
>"Thank you again for keeping things running so smoothly. I think I'll pay a visit to Tenshi myself, now. Good wishes to you and have a pleasant day."
>Head to the north end
>"No troubles, Lady Nagae," says Lorelei. "I'll keep it all together."
>You make your way toward the northern part of the forest. Along the way, you consider things that she enjoys. You know Tenshi has a strong love for surface world junk foods, things like beer nuts, jerky, cookies, and the like. You really can't blame her; peaches make up much of the diet here. In theory, it's a huge distraction from attaining the next step of enlightenment to have such a focus on taste, but sometimes one craves variety. That would be the point, though. You're fairly certain she's started a black market for such things, but you've never been able to find evidence of it.
>Approaching the Northern part of the orchards, you find that Lorelei's report is accurate; there are not quite so many peaches here as elsewhere. Looking around, you can see Tenshi's distinctive skirt and boots dangling underneath the boughs of a particularly large tree; she much be hovering rather deeply into it.
>_
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>Move closer and see if we can see what she's doing, before we announce our presence.
>Assuming she appears to simply be doing her job: "Good morning, Tenshi."
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>Move closer and see if we can see what she's doing, before we announce our presence.
>Assuming she appears to simply be doing her job: "Good morning, Tenshi."
>You approach. She seems to be just hovering there, you really can't see what she's doing in the trees due to the obscuring foliage.
>You call out to her. Tenshi does not respond.
>_
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>Can we move up the tree in such a way that we could take a better look, without as much intervening foliage?
>If possible, do so.
>Otherwise, call out again, but louder
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>Can we move up the tree in such a way that we could take a better look, without as much intervening foliage?
>If possible, do so.
>Otherwise, call out again, but louder
>You move closer to to the tree and get a better look.
>Wait, why doesn't Tenshi have an upper body?
>...Oh for the love of...
>_
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>Is it just her skirt and boots hanging in the tree, then? And nothing else?
>Frown in dismay and sigh
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> Has Tenshi picked up pranking habits that we know of?
> Either way, those do not belong there. Retrieve skirt and boots.
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> Give a little laugh, at least she is being clever... even if it is in order to slack off or pull a prank.
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> Wow, we're pretty fucking awesome.
> And Lady Nagae, huh? We have it made but good.
> Small fist pump in celebration of how great we are.
> Since titles are being thrown around, recall how we normally address Tenshi.
> Recall knowledge of Gensokyo geography and demographic; places and people we know of and know how to get to/visit, etc.
> Recall any known curiosities surrounding Gensokyo since Tenshi first fucked with them.
> Is anyone else around?
> If not...have a peek under that skirt from below. It isn't actually Tenshi, so who cares? Let's see how attentive to detail she was.
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> Quests.
> Remind self to check on the Sword of Hisou later.
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Wait, what. I was planning to do an Iku Quest after Eiki Quest.
>Remember lightning powers.
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>Is it just her skirt and boots hanging in the tree, then? And nothing else?
>Frown in dismay and sigh
>It seems to be.
>You frown and sigh. She'd practically be a model celestial if not for being a little shit...
> Has Tenshi picked up pranking habits that we know of?
> Either way, those do not belong there. Retrieve skirt and boots.
>She's been a prankster for a long time, but you are pretty sure this is more of an escape plan.
>You retrieve retrieve the dress and boots. You see that Tenshi placed a pillow inside the skirt to make keep it from being flat, and dangled the boots by their laces.
>You obtain: Tenshi's Dress
>You obtain: Tenshi's Boots
>You obtain: Fluffy Pillow
>You hands are now full.
> Give a little laugh, at least she is being clever... even if it is in order to slack off or pull a prank.
>Look on the bright side, Iku! Ha. Ha. Haaaa....
> Wow, we're pretty fucking awesome.
> And Lady Nagae, huh? We have it made but good.
> Small fist pump in celebration of how great we are.
> Since titles are being thrown around, recall how we normally address Tenshi.
> Recall knowledge of Gensokyo geography and demographic; places and people we know of and know how to get to/visit, etc.
> Recall any known curiosities surrounding Gensokyo since Tenshi first fucked with them.
> Is anyone else around?
> If not...have a peek under that skirt from below. It isn't actually Tenshi, so who cares? Let's see how attentive to detail she was.
>You try not to ruminate too much on your position and skills, however awesome they may be. Too much pride would be unbecoming.
>Politely you address her as Eldest Daughter. In more relaxed situations, she vastly prefers to be called by her first name.
>You know Gensokyo decently well. You've been to Scarlet Devil Mansion and the Hakurei Shrine. You've spent a fair amount of time in the human town. You've spent some of your off time Underground, particularly at a certain dance club. You know how to get to Hakugyokurou. You are familiar with Youkai mountain. You're familiar with the residents of these places, though you've not personally met all of them (particularly in the towns).
>It's been awhile since you visited Gensokyo, and you have a tendency to be behind in the news.
>You are alone. And there's no need to peek, you've already dismantled the dummy. But really, should yo be doing that?
> Quests.
> Remind self to check on the Sword of Hisou later.
>Your Quests are:
>Babysitting
>You were to make sure that Tenshi was behaving herself. Unfortunately she has run off from her tasks, which leads you to believe she is not.
>You make a mental note to check on the Sword of Hisou later.
>Remember lightning powers.
>Your electrical abilities fall under your danmaku skills. The Dragon has forbidden you to toss real lightning around.
>_
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> Well then. Better break the news to Lorelei.
> Head back to Lorelei.
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> Recall any knowledge of what Gensokyo calls "the outside world", and, if applicable, Bhava-Agra's stance on same.
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> Well then. Better break the news to Lorelei.
> Head back to Lorelei.
>You make your way back to Lorelei, deciding it's best she know about this. She is still working the same tree as before, unaware of your presence.
> Recall any knowledge of what Gensokyo calls "the outside world", and, if applicable, Bhava-Agra's stance on same.
>You know very little about it. You are quite certain many of the celestials here hail from it, but given that ascension to this place involves yielding up all attachments to the mortal realm, you are fairly sure that they wouldn't know much more than you anymore.
>_
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> "Lorelei? I'm afraid we have... a bit of a problem. It seems that the Eldest Daughter has run off again."
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> "Lorelei? I'm afraid we have... a bit of a problem. It seems that the Eldest Daughter has run off again."
>"Hmm?" says Lorelei, looking toward you. Then she frowns at the clothes and such you are holding. "I'm sorry, Lady Nagae, I should have kept a better eye on her. Do you know where she went?"
>_
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>"Not that I've seen. I was perhaps wondering if you might have picked up any hint from the last time you spoke with her, in retrospect?"
>Where does Tenshi like to go, when she sneaks off, anyway?
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>"Not that I've seen. I was perhaps wondering if you might have picked up any hint from the last time you spoke with her, in retrospect?"
>Where does Tenshi like to go, when she sneaks off, anyway?
>"Not really," says Lorelei, "She was complaining that they were renovating the Hinanai family shrine."
>She has a few places she goes. Most typically she'll dive off the edge and go play in Gensokyo. Other times, she'll visit Suika, when the oni comes up here to relax. She's also made a few attempts to take the Sword of Hisou again.
>_
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>"I see. I suppose I'll have to search for her, then."
>And this was turning into a such a hopeful day, too.
>"Is there someplace around here I could leave this? Rather than carry it around with me until I find her?"
>Where is the Sword of Hisou located? How does it tend to be guarded? Do we know how Tenshi got it out the first time?
>Do we know where Suika stays, when she's up here?
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>Is the Sword of Hisou at the Hinanai shrine?
Oh dear.
>Do we own any carrying containers, in case we have to carry around a few things today?
>What's the Dragon like?
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> What's our level of alcohol tolerance?
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>Is the Sword of Hisou at the Hinanai shrine?
>Do we own any carrying containers, in case we have to carry around a few things today?
>What's the Dragon like?
>Yes.
>You have a large purse, but you left it behind.
>The Dragon is inscrutable. But overall, it is a caring, if distant being. It seems to have a curious sense of humor.
> What's our level of alcohol tolerance?
>You can drink fairly well.
>_
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>"I see. I suppose I'll have to search for her, then."
>And this was turning into a such a hopeful day, too.
>"Is there someplace around here I could leave this? Rather than carry it around with me until I find her?"
>Where is the Sword of Hisou located? How does it tend to be guarded? Do we know how Tenshi got it out the first time?
>Do we know where Suika stays, when she's up here?
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>"I see. I suppose I'll have to search for her, then."
>And this was turning into a such a hopeful day, too.
>"Is there someplace around here I could leave this? Rather than carry it around with me until I find her?"
>Where is the Sword of Hisou located? How does it tend to be guarded? Do we know how Tenshi got it out the first time?
>Do we know where Suika stays, when she's up here?
>Lorelei nods. "Please accept my apologies once again, Lady Nagae."
>It was...
>"Just leave them by the tree," says Lorelei, "I'll make sure they're alright."
>It is at the Hinanai Shrine. You hope. Typically it tends to be watched over by whomever is tending to the shrine. Tenshi stole it the first time by getting appointed to tend to the shrine.
>Suika stays on what has become colloquially know as Guest Island, as when outsiders show up, that is where it tends to be, due to being accessible from Youkai Mountain.
>_
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>"No need to apologize. You have far more to attend to than keeping a perpetual watch on her. I'll simply have to find her again. Don't let it trouble you too much."
>It'll just trouble us, instead...
>Leave Tenshi's stuff by the tree
>Pay a visit to the Hinanai Shrine
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>Before leaving, ask Lorelei if she's a sparrow
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>"No need to apologize. You have far more to attend to than keeping a perpetual watch on her. I'll simply have to find her again. Don't let it trouble you too much."
>It'll just trouble us, instead...
>Leave Tenshi's stuff by the tree
>Pay a visit to the Hinanai Shrine
>She nods. "Very well, Lady Nagae. I'll just try to keep everything else running smoothly, then."
>Quite.
>You leave Tenshi's stuff by the tree, and set out for the Hinanai Shrine. Thankfully, it is not too far away from the Dragon Palace, a particular sign of The Dragon's favor for that bloodline. It resides on a mountainous island that floats freely around the general vicinity of the Palace. You can see it off to the Southwest of the Palace, wreathed in numerous fluffy clouds. The Shrine is some distance within, nestled between two sizable mountains. You can see it from here.
>_
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>What do we know of, and what is our relationship with Tenshi's relatives? Or do those bonds not have the same meaning after ascension?
>What do we know of the Gensokyo Isle incident?
>Continue on towards the shrine
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>What do we know of, and what is our relationship with Tenshi's relatives? Or do those bonds not have the same meaning after ascension?
>What do we know of the Gensokyo Isle incident?
>Continue on towards the shrine
>You do not know the rest of the Hinanai clan very well outside of reputation. Despite your involvement with Tenshi, you seldom deal with them. They tend to be either reclusive or unobtrusive enough to avoid notice. Tenshi aside. In theory, the bonds of family are no longer as important, but the Hinanai clan is a special case.
>You know very little about this incident; only that for a time, Gensokyo vanished. The Dragon simply stated it will be resolved, and left it at that. There was some consternation, particularly since Tenshi was gone. Although to be honest, you enjoyed that part of it, it was a good vacation. Even if you peered worriedly at the sea often.
>You approach the shrine. It seems to be very quiet at the moment. You land outside the shrine's torii, and don't see any activity at all. Parts of the shrine are draped with cloth, and you can see piles of cut lumber near it. As you recall, the members of the family that stay here have gone elsewhere for the time.
>_
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>If the people that stay here are gone, does that mean the sword was left unattended?
>If the sword was left here, go check on it
>Also, how did we end up being in charge of Tenshi, rather than her own family, if they are indeed a special case where those bonds are still relevant?
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>If the people that stay here are gone, does that mean the sword was left unattended?
>If the sword was left here, go check on it
>Also, how did we end up being in charge of Tenshi, rather than her own family, if they are indeed a special case where those bonds are still relevant?
>There should be someone here...At least workers. But you're certain that at least one clan member would have remained behind.
>You believe the sword would be left here. It's not really meant to be carried around.
>You don't know exactly why The Dragon assigned you to have to watch over her. Perhaps she just responds better to you?
>Approaching the shrine, you notice an unconscious Celestial behind one of the wood piles.
>_
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>Oh wonderful...
>Does she seem to be injured? Could she just be asleep?
>Quickly scan around for other people, or signs of any conflict.
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>Oh wonderful...
>Does she seem to be injured? Could she just be asleep?
>Quickly scan around for other people, or signs of any conflict.
>Today gets better and better.
>The damage to her clothing suggests she got hit with some danmaku.
>You look around, and don't see much of anything else in the way of conflicts, but drawing closer, you think you can hear some danmaku inside.
>_
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>Hurry towards the sounds of fighting, while keeping our guard up
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>Hurry towards the sounds of fighting, while keeping our guard up
>You rush into the shrine.
>You head through the main hall, where many things have been coated by drop cloths, and head further in.
>Up ahead, you see Tenshi, hovering in the air over some stairs in the hall and dodging around around some danmaku. Following the shots to the source, you see two celestials hiding behind statues at either end of the hall, trying to snipe at Tenshi. Judging from the look on her face, the Eldest Daughter is having a great time.
>_
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>How strong are our own danmaku abilities compared to Tenshi?
>Can she see us at the moment?
>Do we have a clear line of fire to her?
>Presumably it's not considered out of line for us to forcibly intervene against her, despite, or perhaps because of our guardianship?
>Does she tend to actually listen to us when we tell her to stop something? If we're actually there to witness her doing it?
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>How strong are our own danmaku abilities compared to Tenshi?
>Can she see us at the moment?
>Do we have a clear line of fire to her?
>Presumably it's not considered out of line for us to forcibly intervene against her, despite, or perhaps because of our guardianship?
>Does she tend to actually listen to us when we tell her to stop something? If we're actually there to witness her doing it?
>Without the sword, you could probably take her without too much trouble. With it, she's pretty hard for you to handle.
>She could, and will probably notice you very soon
>You do have a clear line of fire.
>It's understood that if Tenshi gets too rambunctious, you might have to calm her down via unconsciousness.
>Tenshi...sometimes listens, sometimes not. It's really hard to tell when she would or would not, normally.
>_
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>She doesn't appear to be armed with the sword at the moment, does she?
>How far away is the sword normally located?
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>She doesn't appear to be armed with the sword at the moment, does she?
>How far away is the sword normally located?
>She doesn't.
>It's some yards down this hallway.
>_
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>Are the celestials between Tenshi and the sword?
>How far away is Tenshi from us? And compared to the distance required to reach the sword?
>Is there some procedure required to release the sword, or is it simply stored here, and could be picked up if anyone choose to do so?
>How does our speed compare to Tenshi's?
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>Are the celestials between Tenshi and the sword?
>How far away is Tenshi from us? And compared to the distance required to reach the sword?
>Is there some procedure required to release the sword, or is it simply stored here, and could be picked up if anyone choose to do so?
>How does our speed compare to Tenshi's?
>No. They seem to be between you and her. Otherwise she wouldn't notice you're around at all.
>You think she's a bit closer to the sword than she is to you.
>No, it can be picked up.
>She's a little slower than you, but she's a good spriter.
>Tenshi looks over while you are considering all this, and says, "Whups, time to go!" With that, she turns and starts down the hallway.
>_
-
>Are we permitted to curse? Because this is such a "damnit" moment.
>Pursue!
>Is there any way the other celestials could go a different way to help cut her off?
-
>Hurry after her at top speed
>"Eldest Daughter! Stop this at once!" Make it our most displeased and stern tone of voice
>If she ignores us and continues towards the sword, try to snag her with our 6C a swift bolt of frontal lightning in the hopes of disrupting her momentum, as long as it would not also cost us too much of ours
-
>Are we permitted to curse? Because this is such a "damnit" moment.
>Pursue!
>Is there any way the other celestials could go a different way to help cut her off?
>You are technically permitted, but you really shouldn't. But you certainly feel like it.
>You chase after her!
>Maybe if you could distract her a bit? It would certainly involve them taking the long way around.
>Tenshi speeds toward the chamber where the sword is enshrined, you in hot pursuit.
>Hurry after her at top speed
>"Eldest Daughter! Stop this at once!" Make it our most displeased and stern tone of voice
>If she ignores us and continues towards the sword, try to snag her with our 6C a swift bolt of frontal lightning in the hopes of disrupting her momentum, as long as it would not also cost us too much of ours
>You pursue at top speed.
>"Sure thing," says Tenshi, "Just give me a little longer!"
>You send a bolt of danmaku lightning at her. She seems to have been watching you from the corner of her eye, and banks to the side. Still, the grazes be her side pretty solidly and causes her to cry out. "Cut that out!" she shouts.
>_
>_
-
>"I will cease when you do."
>Fire another bolt of danmaku lightning, while continuing pursuit
>"You know you are not permitted to take up this sword like before. If your objective is otherwise, please declare it. The circumstances do not reflect well upon you."
-
>"I will cease when you do."
>Fire another bolt of danmaku lightning, while continuing pursuit
>"You know you are not permitted to take up this sword like before. If your objective is otherwise, please declare it. The circumstances do not reflect well upon you."
>"Just a little longer!" Tenshi says.
>You send out another bolt of lighting. She tries to dodge again, but ends up moving into it and taking the strike right to the back. She shrieks, and deploys a small keystone behind her. This would not typically be a problem, save that it is flying directly at you, while you are flying close to top speed in the opposite direction!
>_
-
>Swerve around it. Over it if possible, but laterally if this is more feasible. Cut our speed as needed to avoid ramming it, but try not to slow too much if we can help it
>Continue pursuit
-
>Swerve around it. Over it if possible, but laterally if this is more feasible. Cut our speed as needed to avoid ramming it, but try not to slow too much if we can help it
>Continue pursuit
>You slow down and gracefully swerve around it, twisting in the air to minimize your time in less than optimal position.
>Tenshi has gained a little ground on you, but not more than a yard. You can see the sword chamber a couple seconds ahead of her.
>_
-
>Did Tenshi seem to lose any speed at all when we hit her?
>If so, fire another bolt, preemptively shifting to the side a little as we fire, in case she tries that again.
>About how far away from us is she?
-
>Did Tenshi seem to lose any speed at all when we hit her?
>If so, fire another bolt, preemptively shifting to the side a little as we fire, in case she tries that again.
>About how far away from us is she?
>For a moment, which is why you haven't lost more distance than you already have.
>You fire another bolt, but Tenshi seems to have expected this and banks out of the way before you've finished creating it; it misses her entirely.
>She's about six yards away now. You have been gaining, just not fast enough.
>Tenshi enters the sword chamber, you can see it resting on its dais near the back of the room!
>_
-
>Would it be possible to knock the sword away from easy access to buy a little time, perhaps enough to start shawl-strangling our charge?
-
>What's the maximum effective range of our scarf grab?
>"Eldest Daughter, you know that the judges will look harshly upon you if you take up that sword, no matter what you intend to do with it afterward."
-
>Would it be possible to knock the sword away from easy access to buy a little time, perhaps enough to start shawl-strangling our charge?
>If you could hit it with something with enough force to knock it free of the holder it is kept in.
>What's the maximum effective range of our scarf grab?
>"Eldest Daughter, you know that the judges will look harshly upon you if you take up that sword, no matter what you intend to do with it afterward."
>About two and a half yards.
>"They don't like me anyways, so it doesn't matter what I do!" she calls back as she closes in on the weapon.
>_
-
>There's a reason they mightn't like you, you know...
>"It matters, because I'm certain they will be far less lenient with you a second time."
>Assuming the sword has no real chance of being damaged by such a thing, invoke a timed bolt of lightning to strike upon the dais at approximately the moment when we expect Tenshi to reach it
-
>There's a reason they mightn't like you, you know...
>"It matters, because I'm certain they will be far less lenient with you a second time."
>Assuming the sword has no real chance of being damaged by such a thing, invoke a timed bolt of lightning to strike upon the dais at approximately the moment when we expect Tenshi to reach it
>Yeah really...
>"Might as well make the most of it, then!"
>You aren't sure if this would harm the sword or not. You are think an artifact such as it could take the abuse, but you aren't certain.
>_
-
>"Or you could simply act within the bound of the law here and avoid the punishment altogether."
>Aim the lightning a little bit in front of it, then, towards where Tenshi would stand to retrieve it, while not directly hitting the sword itself. Use similar timing for this position.
-
> Hit Tenshi with a normal shot and hope Light Star "Dragon God?s Sigh (http://forum.touhouhisouten.com/index.php?topic=31.0)" procs a chain lightning pull effect
:V
-
>"Or you could simply act within the bound of the law here and avoid the punishment altogether."
>Aim the lightning a little bit in front of it, then, towards where Tenshi would stand to retrieve it, while not directly hitting the sword itself. Use similar timing for this position.
>She doesn't reply. Nor does she seem to be landing to retrieve the sword judging from her speed, but rather to grab it out of the air.
> Hit Tenshi with a normal shot and hope Light Star "Dragon God?s Sigh (http://forum.touhouhisouten.com/index.php?topic=31.0)" procs a chain lightning pull effect
:V
>You have no spell cards at the moment.
>_
-
>You have no spell cards at the moment.
But you don't need spellcards for orb effects :x
> Are we in scarf grab range yet? If not, are we in scarf drill range? If yes to either, do it.
-
>Fire lightning bolts along the sides of where the sword stands, such that Tenshi will essentially be forced to move into them to grab the sword
-
> Are we in scarf grab range yet? If not, are we in scarf drill range? If yes to either, do it.
>Not yet, but she's either going to have to change directions shortly or slam into the wall, and you'll be in range for either then.
>Fire lightning bolts along the sides of where the sword stands, such that Tenshi will essentially be forced to move into them to grab the sword
>You fire lightning along the edges of the stand as Tenshi is about to reach for it. She notices the oncoming attack, cries out, and falls back a bit from the lightning, then dives after the sword as it passes and you close the distance between you.
-
> Scarf grab pull her back into a mini drill formed with the other end of the scarf.
-
>If we have liberty to aim at a target for the scarf without making it too much harder to pull off, try to bind her hands with it
-
>If we have liberty to aim at a target for the scarf without making it too much harder to pull off, try to bind her hands with it
I'm of the belief that Tenshi is physically stronger than Iku.
-
Yes, but it's hard to grab a sword when you can't move your hands. Even if only for a second or two.
-
> Scarf grab pull her back into a mini drill formed with the other end of the scarf.
>If we have liberty to aim at a target for the scarf without making it too much harder to pull off, try to bind her hands with it
>Conflict!
>Going for her arms would be a smaller target and thus harder, but you can't accurately assess how hard without missing the opportunity.
>_
-
I'm concerned with Tenshi pulling us off balance. That'd give her enough time to grab sword and pwn us close range.
-
Remember, the scarf bind can also shock. I don't think she can pull us off balance that quickly. And really, if we just ground her and she reaches the sword anyway, this is probably over. The only question is whether it's worth the risk of aiming at the smaller target. I'm inclined to say yes, personally.
-
How about a scarf grab at her neck? I'm off after this, all yours.
I was mostly going by DotS playstyle logic :3. Iku opens with her drill and then uses a 3/4 sec disable lock to kill. Tenshi will always win out if the fight drags any longer.
-
Neck is an even narrower profile than the arms. As satisfying as it might be, nonetheless...
>Aim a scarf grab towards her arms
>If we land it (or at least make contact) shock her through it
>Try to make sure she can't maneuver her hands too close to the sword
>Try to interpose ourselves between her and the sword
-
> Really? Just scarfgrab her legs. Yank her out of the air, and possibly get a comedy pratfall out of it.
-
She's virtually on top of the sword at the moment, and her momentum is carrying her towards it. If we bind her legs and she falls, she'll almost certainly fall within arms' reach of it.
-
>Aim a scarf grab towards her arms
>If we land it (or at least make contact) shock her through it
>Try to make sure she can't maneuver her hands too close to the sword
>Try to interpose ourselves between her and the sword
>You lash out at her outreaching arms!
>The shawl connects but not well enough to entwine her. You send some electricity through it. Tenshi cries out and jerks violently. Her hand smacks into the sword, sending it clattering to the ground behind the dais.
>"S-stop hurting me, damn it!" she cries.
> Really? Just scarfgrab her legs. Yank her out of the air, and possibly get a comedy pratfall out of it.
>Wouldn't have made any difference in this position. But it might be a good idea for later.
>_
-
>"I'll stop once you desist in this."
>Quickly try to put ourself between her and the sword
>Be ready to lash and try to grab her again if she tries to duck around us
>Is the sword attuned to Tenshi's bloodline in any way? What would happen if we picked it up?
-
>"I'll stop once you desist in this."
>Quickly try to put ourself between her and the sword
>Be ready to lash and try to grab her again if she tries to duck around us
>Is the sword attuned to Tenshi's bloodline in any way? What would happen if we picked it up?
>"I didn't even do anything to you!" she cries, as she dives for the weapon.
>There is a dais between yourself and the sword.
>It is attuned to her bloodline, but it shouldn't be harmful for you to hold it. If you tried to use it it may be a problem.
>_
-
>"It's my duty to keep you from doing things like this. You're fully aware of that."
>Try a scarf grab on Tenshi again
>Don't shock her immediately if we actually get a hold of her and she's not in arms' reach of the sword
>If we don't get a solid purchase, but only a little contact, shock again
>Try to pick up the sword ourself if we can maneuver over that way.
-
>"It's my duty to keep you from doing things like this. You're fully aware of that."
>Try a scarf grab on Tenshi again
>Don't shock her immediately if we actually get a hold of her and she's not in arms' reach of the sword
>If we don't get a solid purchase, but only a little contact, shock again
>Try to pick up the sword ourself if we can maneuver over that way.
>She doesn't reply, being too busy diving for the weapon.
>You lash out at her, but due to her moving away, you do not get solid purchase, and only graze her hip a little bit. You content yourself with electrocuting her again.
>As she was closer and you were busy attacking her, beating her to the sword is out of the question. Perhaps when it was still on the dais...
>Tenshi practically lands on the weapon, which is sheathed, and rolls into the wall, clutching it protectively. She glares at you as she takes it properly in hand, and starts to stand. "You'd be almost pleasant, you know, if you weren't such a giant hypocrite!"
>_
-
>Do we estimate our ability to stop her now that she actually has the sword at practically nil?
>"And in what way am I a hypocrite? I do my best to uphold my role in the order we have here. And I would be far happier if you did, as well. I gave you plenty of opportunities to desist, but I cannot in good conscious let you take that."
-
>Do we estimate our ability to stop her now that she actually has the sword at practically nil?
>"And in what way am I a hypocrite? I do my best to uphold my role in the order we have here. And I would be far happier if you did, as well. I gave you plenty of opportunities to desist, but I cannot in good conscious let you take that."
>You could take her, but it's going to be a lot more even now.
>"Oh you're trying to take back something that yours anyways," she says in a mocking approximation of your voice "So I'll hurt you a bunch of times and it's totally okay and not going overboard or anything like that and I'll even shoot first too!"
>She gets back up to her feet.
>_
-
>"And would you have stopped if I hadn't fired at you?"
>"I'll note that, before I fired, I asked you to stop and you refused. I asked, despite having already seen you incapacitate another celestial outside here. Did you have any qualms with firing upon her? She was simply working here, was she not?"
-
>"And would you have stopped if I hadn't fired at you?"
>"I'll note that, before I fired, I asked you to stop and you refused. I asked, despite having already seen you incapacitate another celestial outside here. Did you have any qualms with firing upon her? She was simply working here, was she not?"
>"Only because she caught me," says Tenshi, watching to carefully. "And oh look, you didn't stop me either, so I guess you just went around hurting people for nothing. Not that you care."
>_
-
>"So, you attacked her simply because she saw you about to do something that you aren't supposed to be doing? Her only action was to be observant while doing her job, and for this she is now unconscious? You think that is a proper way to conduct yourself?"
>"And you are correct. I failed to stop you. But no matter what you think, I did not hurt you out of indifference or a disregard for your well-being. I would have much preferred if it had not seemed necessary in order to prevent you from reaching this. Do not forget that you will likely suffer far greater trouble than what I provided should you cause problems with that. I would have let the matter slide if you had relented."
>Probably.
-
>"Only because she caught me," says Tenshi, watching to carefully. "And oh look, you didn't stop me either, so I guess you just went around hurting people for nothing. Not that you care."
>_
>"So, you attacked her simply because she saw you about to do something that you aren't supposed to be doing? Her only action was to be observant while doing her job, and for this she is now unconscious? You think that is a proper way to conduct yourself?"
>"And you are correct. I failed to stop you. But no matter what you think, I did not hurt you out of indifference or a disregard for your well-being. I would have much preferred if it had not seemed necessary in order to prevent you from reaching this. Do not forget that you will likely suffer far greater trouble than what I provided should you cause problems with that. I would have let the matter slide if you had relented."
>Probably.
> All right, let's all calm the hell down. Withdraw scarf, ground any lightning we had going.
> "Eldest Daughter, please, let's calm down and talk about this. I admit, I reacted harshly, and I apologize. Now come, tell me - why do you want the sword so badly?"
-
I'm pretty sure there's no lightning going on, and we're not grappling her. What was uncalm about what I said? There wasn't even anything particularly threatening or aggressive in it.
-
I'm pretty sure there's no lightning going on, and we're not grappling her. What was uncalm about what I said? There wasn't even anything particularly threatening or aggressive in it.
You're trying to reason from a moral high ground. Ain't going to work on a tantrum. We have to even the field - if she sees herself as an equal, she's more likely to be reasonable.
Also I didn't see any commands to disengage the scarf, but I could have missed that.
-
We flicked the scarf at her, and only brushed her. Then she moved away. We never landed a proper grab on either attempt.
Also, I realize it's probably not going to work on her, but I guess I feel from Iku's position, that's what she should be doing anyway, regardless of whether Tenshi cares. It seems a responsibility. She's simply pointing out the likely consequences of her actions.
-
The joys of parenthood.
-
>"So, you attacked her simply because she saw you about to do something that you aren't supposed to be doing? Her only action was to be observant while doing her job, and for this she is now unconscious? You think that is a proper way to conduct yourself?"
>"And you are correct. I failed to stop you. But no matter what you think, I did not hurt you out of indifference or a disregard for your well-being. I would have much preferred if it had not seemed necessary in order to prevent you from reaching this. Do not forget that you will likely suffer far greater trouble than what I provided should you cause problems with that. I would have let the matter slide if you had relented."
>Probably.
> All right, let's all calm the hell down. Withdraw scarf, ground any lightning we had going.
> "Eldest Daughter, please, let's calm down and talk about this. I admit, I reacted harshly, and I apologize. Now come, tell me - why do you want the sword so badly?"
>You take a more relaxed pose, hoping to dispel hostilities a bit. Tenshi does not, but she also doesn't lash out at you. That's probably a good sign.
>"That and she was gonna rat me out. And who cares about the judges or whatever, they all hate me anyways, I'm just doing them a favor by not making them have to hunt up an excuse to do whatever they please anyways, so they should be thanking me."
>You apologize. "...Wait, really?" she says, frowning a bit. "You mean that?"
>_
-
>Can she honestly think the judges only complain about her behavior because they have it out for her...?
>"I'm sorry you think I enjoy watching you suffer. I don't. But I have bad memories about what happened the last time you took up that sword in earnest."
-
Also, I realize it's probably not going to work on her, but I guess I feel from Iku's position, that's what she should be doing anyway, regardless of whether Tenshi cares. It seems a responsibility. She's simply pointing out the likely consequences of her actions.
Well, that's the point. This approach doesn't really help anyone, and only serves to make the speaker feel good about themselves at the expense of the person being chastised. It will most likely not turn Tenshi to the right path.
>You apologize. "...Wait, really?" she says, frowning a bit. "You mean that?"
>_
> "Of course I do. I would be a terrible guardian if I didn't realise my own mistakes. Now come on, please, tell me why you want the sword. I'm sure you have a good reason."
-
Frankly, I have to say that it really irks me to say that trying to stop her is a mistake, and to claim that we think she probably has a good reason to want the sword, when she almost certainly does not. And if she did, she had plenty of chance to say so.
-
>Can she honestly think the judges only complain about her behavior because they have it out for her...?
>"I'm sorry you think I enjoy watching you suffer. I don't. But I have bad memories about what happened the last time you took up that sword in earnest."
>Apparently she does.
>"Well you sure acted like it," she says, frowning. "But okay, and no, I'm not gonna do that again! I have a better idea this time."
> "Of course I do. I would be a terrible guardian if I didn't realise my own mistakes. Now come on, please, tell me why you want the sword. I'm sure you have a good reason."
>"Okay, I believe you..." she says. "And it's a surprise, but let's just say I'm gonna remind everyone here that they aren't nearly as great as they think they are..."
>_
-
Frankly, I have to say that it really irks me to say that trying to stop her is a mistake, and to claim that we think she probably has a good reason to want the sword, when she almost certainly does not. And if she did, she had plenty of chance to say so.
The joys of parenthood.
Alternatively, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Alternatively alternatively, look at how well Yorihime, Kanako, Suwako, Koishi and Alice responded to being called out from a moral high ground standpoint. Do you want to win a moral victory, or do you want to calm Tenshi down and more easily prevent whatever disaster she has planned?
Also, just as a side note, remember that we have a powerful conversational tool in switching up between "Eldest Daughter" and "Tenshi" to denote mood.
-
Frankly, I have to say that it really irks me to say that trying to stop her is a mistake, and to claim that we think she probably has a good reason to want the sword, when she almost certainly does not. And if she did, she had plenty of chance to say so.
Make like the whale and Jonah and swallow that pride, otherwise we won't get anywhere with Tenshi. And no, of course we don't think she has a good reason, but it now puts the ball in her court, and gets her to open up further.
>"Okay, I believe you..." she says. "And it's a surprise, but let's just say I'm gonna remind everyone here that they aren't nearly as great as they think they are..."
>_
> Morbid fascination!
> "You really won't tell me?"
> This voice votes we join her. Not only will it be a good bonding exercise, but there will also be a high probability of shenanigans. Also dance-fighting, and we always need more of that. Sure, we might seem to be enabling her, but she'll be more responsive to influence if we're closer to her. Unless, of course, she's actually planning something genuinely destructive or hurtful.
-
Just because someone doesn't listen to you doesn't mean that you should switch to being nice to them, instead, in the hopes they'll like you enough to stop what they're doing. That gives justification to actions that should have no justification. It's different than being understanding. It's enabling.
Frankly, I don't care about calming someone down if the cost is lying about our approval of their actions, plain and simple.
-
Out of curiosity, Fightest, do you teach and/or have kids?
I could be up with going along with her, depending on what it is she wants to do, though her forewarning doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence. Also do keep in mind we have our own image to maintain, to a degree. (Seriously, though, who refuses to privately fist pump at their own awesomeness?) At the very least, pissing the Dragon off is Not A Good Idea.
-
Make like the whale and Jonah and swallow that pride, otherwise we won't get anywhere with Tenshi. And no, of course we don't think she has a good reason, but it now puts the ball in her court, and gets her to open up further.
> Morbid fascination!
> "You really won't tell me?"
> This voice votes we join her. Not only will it be a good bonding exercise, but there will also be a high probability of shenanigans. Also dance-fighting, and we always need more of that. Sure, we might seem to be enabling her, but she'll be more responsive to influence if we're closer to her. Unless, of course, she's actually planning something genuinely destructive or hurtful.
>It is morbidly interesting, though you really don't think you're going to like it.
>"You wouldn't be surprised if I did," she says.
>You ...could join up with her. But chances are you'd end up into some kind of conflict further down the road. And likely get into some kind of trouble yourself in the process. On the other hand, it means you'd be there if she really is up to no good.
>_
-
Out of curiosity, Fightest, do you teach and/or have kids?
Neither, actually. That said, dealing with adults is much the same thing :V
I could be up with going along with her, depending on what it is she wants to do, though her forewarning doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence. Also do keep in mind we have our own image to maintain, to a degree. (Seriously, though, who refuses to privately fist pump at their own awesomeness?) At the very least, pissing the Dragon off is Not A Good Idea.
Yeah - it all depends on scale. If it's the kind of thing that will genuinely disrupt the workings of the Celestial court and piss off the Dragon, then it's a Bad Plan. If, on the other hand, it just messes up everything but has the Dragon chuckling at the shenanigans on display (and we have been informed that he's got a sense of humour), then we've got a Green Light.
>It is morbidly interesting, though you really don't think you're going to like it.
>"You wouldn't be surprised if I did," she says.
>You ...could join up with her. But chances are you'd end up into some kind of conflict further down the road. And likely get into some kind of trouble yourself in the process. On the other hand, it means you'd be there if she really is up to no good.
>_
> "Can I get a hint? If it sounds fun, I could maybe join you!"
> We're going to need to start considering damage control. Can we covertly inform the Dragon or someone else high-up who is likely to be tolerant? We don't mind getting into trouble, as long as it's Community-Service sort of trouble, not Dishonorable-Discharge trouble. And we'll be getting into conflict, anyway, so might as well let it be one we can expect.
-
I'll just say I'm unequivocally opposed to aiding or abetting her in any way, no matter the scale of what she's planning (unless it is totally inconsequential, which seems entirely unlikely). Call me a stick in the mud if you will, but there it is.
-
We could wait for Maus before we officially take things to the next level, I guess. He has a knack for thinking of things no one else does.
-
> "Can I get a hint? If it sounds fun, I could maybe join you!"
> We're going to need to start considering damage control. Can we covertly inform the Dragon or someone else high-up who is likely to be tolerant? We don't mind getting into trouble, as long as it's Community-Service sort of trouble, not Dishonorable-Discharge trouble. And we'll be getting into conflict, anyway, so might as well let it be one we can expect.
>"...You wouldn't join me," she says, frowning. "You're Iku! And you were just trying to stop me and stuff..."
>You might be able to slip away, or possibly get someone to deliver a message, but it might be a problem. And you do care about getting into trouble, as you are a representative of The Dragon. But maybe you could quietly get a waiver for certain things? But even then, official trouble is only part of it. You are supposed to be an enlightened being...
>_
-
>"...You wouldn't join me," she says, frowning. "You're Iku! And you were just trying to stop me and stuff..."
>You might be able to slip away, or possibly get someone to deliver a message, but it might be a problem. And you do care about getting into trouble, as you are a representative of The Dragon. But maybe you could quietly get a waiver for certain things? But even then, official trouble is only part of it. You are supposed to be an enlightened being...
>_
> "If you can't beat them, and all that, you know? Plus, I'm certain we can have some fun together." Wink at her and smile.
> Indeed, if we can inform some folks in charge that Trouble is about to be Caused, we should be able to covertly control any of Tenshi's destructive urges with her none the wiser. As for being an enlightened being - sure, we may have ascended to the highest reaches of Nirvana, but it doesn't mean we have to be solemn about it.
-
> "If you can't beat them, and all that, you know? Plus, I'm certain we can have some fun together." Wink at her and smile.
> Indeed, if we can inform some folks in charge that Trouble is about to be Caused, we should be able to covertly control any of Tenshi's destructive urges with her none the wiser. As for being an enlightened being - sure, we may have ascended to the highest reaches of Nirvana, but it doesn't mean we have to be solemn about it.
>"Okay, now you're definitely up to something," she frowns at you. "Are you Nue?"
>You've not hit the highest reaches. One of the major points of Bhava-Agra is for one to resist the enticements and such. Not that everyone does, at least not initially. But you are supposed to set an example by virtue of your position, which must be kept in mind. There is also the issue that Tenshi is most certainly not supposed to have that thing.
>_
-
> Do we know a Nue?
>If so: "I am not her, eldest daughter, I am just trying to make sure you do not cause to much damage in this endeavor of yours and if I must be your accomplice, then I shall be so" Wait for another voices opinion though as I'm not sure about my choice of words.
-
> Do we know a Nue?
>If so: "I am not her, eldest daughter, I am just trying to make sure you do not cause to much damage in this endeavor of yours and if I must be your accomplice, then I shall be so" Wait for another voices opinion though as I'm not sure about my choice of words.
> Shh! Ixnay on the anplay! We're lying here!
>You've not hit the highest reaches. One of the major points of Bhava-Agra is for one to resist the enticements and such. Not that everyone does, at least not initially. But you are supposed to set an example by virtue of your position, which must be kept in mind. There is also the issue that Tenshi is most certainly not supposed to have that thing.
>_
> We are setting an example by assuming responsibility in the face of complicated circumstances. This, of course, only works if everyone else knows this as well. And, well, if Tenshi really wants that sword, she's going to get it. The objective is to make her want not to have it.
-
Do you seriously think that making Tenshi not want to have the sword is realistic?
Moreover, why do you assume that we have no chance of stopping her, if she chooses to keep it?
-
> Do we know a Nue?
>You've heard of her. She is a shapeshifter, you think. And a troublemaker.
> Shh! Ixnay on the anplay! We're lying here!
> We are setting an example by assuming responsibility in the face of complicated circumstances. This, of course, only works if everyone else knows this as well. And, well, if Tenshi really wants that sword, she's going to get it. The objective is to make her want not to have it.
>Lying is rather unbecoming of the Messenger of the Dragon Palace.
>You don't know about making her not want it, but she certainly is showing some open suspicion on her face.
>_
-
> "Well Tenshi, I thought you'd be up to no good when you were going for the Sword, but I'm having second thoughts."
> Laid back pose.
> "Think about it this way Tenshi... why did you take the Sword the first time? You were bored of the same everyday thing, you wanted something different for once. Think about long I've done the same thing, son't you think I might get bored eventually?"
> Give her a smile.
Some of us are willing to side with her, some not. I'm trying to get her to be more trusting of Iku, get her to think a bit better about us, even if only a little bit.
-
I'd say it's actually very realistic. Fightest's approach has all been fairly basic child behavioral psychology so far, and there are various ways it can be furthered in order to get her attention away from that sword.
I can say for certain that, at the very least, resisting her is going to make her want it more. Forbidden fruit and all that. Going along with her (again depending on what she wants to do), however, has several ways it can end up making her want it less:
- Given the number of times she's harped on how the higher authorities hate her, there's a sizable chance she's rebelling for the sake of rebelling instead of any real reason. Going along with her will completely defeat that purpose and could make the sword lose all of its immediate value.
- If she does tell us what her plan is, then we may be able to show her - not tell her, show her - why whatever she has planned is a dumb idea, most likely by extending her train of thought to its logical conclusion and getting her to realize all the negative repercussions of what she's about to do.
- If both of those fall through, then there's still a good chance we'll do whatever she wants to do, but she'll get tired of it and give it up after a time because boring ol' Iku finds it interesting and that kinda dampens the fun.
> Recall any intimate information we may know about Tenshi. Something only Bhava-Agra residents would know.
Fake Edit: I admit I balk at the direction the proposed conversational line takes, as it suggests we're up for anything. I'd rather find out what it is first before making that commitment.
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> "Well Tenshi, I thought you'd be up to no good when you were going for the Sword, but I'm having second thoughts."
> Laid back pose.
> "Think about it this way Tenshi... why did you take the Sword the first time? You were bored of the same everyday thing, you wanted something different for once. Think about long I've done the same thing, son't you think I might get bored eventually?"
> Give her a smile.
>She frowns. "You're acting really really weird...are you possessed or something?"
> Recall any intimate information we may know about Tenshi. Something only Bhava-Agra residents would know.
>You don't know many of Tenshi's secrets. Or rather, you're not sure if she has many. She tends to be pretty vocal about...well...everything. Although you're reasonably sure she doesn't tell people in Gensokyo too much about Bhava-Agra, save for generalized grumblings.
>_
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In general, I think you're giving Tenshi too much credit here. It's possible I'm wrong.
I agree she may be rebelling just for the sake of doing it. But she's rebelling less against us, directly, than against other authorities, either above or outside of us. Us going along with it (even if we can convince her it's not an elaborate deception) doesn't in any way take that away from her. If she was willing to have us along for the ride, I think that would make it even sweeter for her.
I think convincing her that what she's planning is dumb will be extremely hard. And how do you intend to show her, anyway? Without letting her actually do it, and stand by as an accessory to it?
Plus, I tend to think she would like to have the sword regardless, since she views it as hers.
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We should really tone the OOCness down a bit, otherwise she'll know it's a lie.
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I think convincing her that what she's planning is dumb will be extremely hard.
I disagree. And we won't know until we try, anyway.
And how do you intend to show her, anyway? Without letting her actually do it, and stand by as an accessory to it?
I gave you an example of how it would be done. I don't know what else you want.
I guess I'll put this out there myself, since you've already done so. I'm pretty prepared to object to any plan that's contingent on "well, if we can't punch her in the ethics until she submits, we can just punch her in the face until she submits instead". This approach, quite frankly, sucks. We did it with Yorihime, we did it with Kanako and Suwako, and we would have done it with Koishi if she wasn't so good at running away. Yorihime we got away with it because she clearly wasn't all into it herself, and taking that approach to the other three meant we spent one-third of Maribel Quest cleaning up the mess Utsuho Quest left. I'm bloody tired of using it. We need something that works better.
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Frankly, I have to say that, even after all that followed, I still don't think that Utsuho did anything wrong with opposing Kanako and Suwako like she did. Sure, it's nice to mend bridges, but I still stand behind her actions.
For that matter, we talked ourselves blue in the face before that fight. We didn't 'punch them into the face until they submit' until they started punching us in the face. At that point, are we supposed to just sit there and take it?
Moreover, Tenshi is, by nature, far less reasonable than many of these other people. She'll do crap to annoy people simply because it annoys people. If anyone deserves to be punched in the face a few times... But that aside, what would you plan on doing if you can't convince her in some fashion?
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Of course that position would be defended, as it ended up being right. The kicker is that it was right for the wrong reasons. There were right reasons to want to change things back (surge of Keter-class objects, surge of soul flowers), but we completely missed them because we were so obsessed with our wrong reasons. And really, for all that we spouted about how "you didn't ask consent!", we didn't ask consent to change things back from people that very well would have been happier the way things were, like Reimu and Yukari, so we were hypocrites on top of everything else. I raise this question: if we're right for the wrong reasons, does that really count? My math background submits that the answer is no.
We approached the conversation with the goddesses the wrong way. It wasn't "let's talk this out", it was "we're right, you're wrong, this is why, fuck you for daring to think otherwise". This is what I meant by "punch her in the ethics"; we go into confrontation conversations with the mindset that we couldn't possibly be wrong and they couldn't possibly be right and we let our speech reflect that. Notice how drastically Suwako's tack changed when we started to consider that there may have been more than just our side to the issue? That was a Good Thing. Ultimately it probably wouldn't have helped even if we kept going in that direction, but that's our fault for being so blinded to the real issues pre-fight, so.
If Tenshi has something nasty planned and refuses to back down, then I would suggest getting in her way and forcing her to be the aggressor, just as I had planned for us to do to Renko should she have refused to listen to us. Post-conflict forgiveness means heaps more coming from the defendant than it does coming from the instigator. It is possible (hell, it is likely) that Tenshi will get mad at our interference, given her "she would have gotten in my way anyway" line about the knocked-out guard, but if she, not us, initiates the conflict, she won't be able to deny that she wouldn't have gotten her ass kicked if she had behaved properly.
-
> "You really think someone like me could get possessed? Even if it were something I couldn't stave off, the Dragon wouldn't have any of that."
> "If you really don't think I'm me, though..."
> Bust a move like only we can. Be sure to keep an eye on Tenshi to make sure she doesn't sneak away while we're dancing, though.
-
>Lying is rather unbecoming of the Messenger of the Dragon Palace.
>You don't know about making her not want it, but she certainly is showing some open suspicion on her face.
>_
> Only if someone else finds out. I'm certain we're well-aware that absolute truth is a terrible policy, and are entirely able to enhance the truth every once in a while.
> Re: making her not want it - that's a long-term goal. Isn't going to happen any time soon.
Frankly, I have to say that, even after all that followed, I still don't think that Utsuho did anything wrong with opposing Kanako and Suwako like she did. Sure, it's nice to mend bridges, but I still stand behind her actions.
For that matter, we talked ourselves blue in the face before that fight. We didn't 'punch them into the face until they submit' until they started punching us in the face. At that point, are we supposed to just sit there and take it?
It looks like I really shouldn't have abandoned Utsuho quest. Looks like you jokesters need a voice of reason! :V
Moreover, Tenshi is, by nature, far less reasonable than many of these other people. She'll do crap to annoy people simply because it annoys people. If anyone deserves to be punched in the face a few times...
And that's the sort of assumed knee-jerk that leads to all sorts of misunderstandings.
> Anyway.
>She frowns. "You're acting really really weird...are you possessed or something?"
>_
> She's off-balance now, apply counter-pressure:
> Sigh, look fatigued.
> "I'm tired, Tenshi. It's like the whole court is riding on my back, running me ragged, whilst they sit on their high heavens, contemplating their navels."
> Look away, mutter just loud enough for Tenshi to hear, "Wish I could take them down a peg or two."
[edit] Apply the above after finishing busting moves.
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I guess I feel that those initial reasons were still right. They just weren't reasons Kanako or Suwako cared about. Just because someone disagrees doesn't mean they're necessarily more likely to be correct than you are. Sure, there were additional reasons that we later found out about, but I don't feel the original reasons were wrong in any way.
Tenshi is already the aggressor and has already done something wrong, regardless of what else she plans to do. Ultimately, it doesn't even matter if she has anything else planned. She's not allowed to have that sword. End of story.
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She's been the aggressor to others, but not to us. It's not our place to forgive her for her misdeeds to others, it's their place.
And really, our reasons were no different from theirs, save that we used Satori as our excuse while they used Sanae for theirs.
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It's not about forgiveness. She's our charge and she's done something in serious violation of what she's allowed to be doing. That makes it our responsibility.
And no, I think there's a fundamentally important difference. We never caused the original situation. That's just how Gensokyo was, and they changed it. We only set things back the way they'd always been. How were we using Satori as an excuse, anyway? She probably was better off in their world, so it's not analogous to Sanae's situation at all. Satori was willing to let things be set back at expense to herself. We weren't doing it as a benefit to her, like the goddesses had done for Sanae. It was a cost for something we thought was necessary.
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Damnit you people pulling plot threads from the other games. Hows anyone else supposed to jump in when y'alls metagaming.
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I assumed we were still operating under the reasoning being "We're doing this for Satori". If we're operating under the reasoning being "this is how things were", then that's even weaker, because there we had no proof on-hand that things were worse, and plenty of evidence that things were better.
So why did we do it, if not for Satori? o_O
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Wow, got to hand it to Purvis, he sure can get a moral discussion going on.
Also for Kanako and Suwako, Sanae is there reason for doing what they did, helping others was just a side effect of there action. This is why I kinda hate them, they weren't doing it to help others, they were just doing it to help Sanae. Of course we were doing it for ourselves and such and was just trying to scrounge up excuses so we wouldn't seem like the villain, so were kinda worse. If we had investigated the flowers we could have done much better with that but oh well.
Anyway, for this situation, try not to lie too much and try and see what it is Tenshi's trying to do, don't assume the worst, it could lead to further conflict.
-
Damnit you people pulling plot threads from the other games. Hows anyone else supposed to jump in when y'alls metagaming.
Amen. Slow down on the metagaming, folks! This is a brand new bag we've got here.
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I assumed we were still operating under the reasoning being "We're doing this for Satori". If we're operating under the reasoning being "this is how things were", then that's even weaker, because there we had no proof on-hand that things were worse, and plenty of evidence that things were better.
So why did we do it, if not for Satori? o_O
I'm curious how you thought we were doing it for Satori? Of anyone we personally knew, she stood the most to lose.
During the debate with the goddesses, my main issue was that they had imposed their will on everyone else and taken away their entire old lives, just because they felt they could judge what was best for them. I wanted to be able to talk to more than just one or two people about it, or at least hear something from the rest of Gensokyo. I was willing to entertain the idea that their world was indeed better, but that they did not have the right to take away people's memories and a great part of the essence of who they were. That was the issue, in my mind, the whole time.
Amen. Slow down on the metagaming, folks! This is a brand new bag we've got here.
Although I agree that this is a side-point, I feel I should point out in case you're unaware that all of these quests are in continuity. The results of our actions in one quest have had major effects on multiple characters and even events in subsequent quests.
Anyway, for this situation, try not to lie too much and try and see what it is Tenshi's trying to do, don't assume the worst, it could lead to further conflict.
Finding out what she's up to would be good, yes. But, as I said before, it doesn't even really matter what else she's planning, because she's already made a major violation simply by having that sword right now. And Tenshi's well aware of that.
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Although I agree that this is a side-point, I feel I should point out in case you're unaware that all of these quests are in continuity. The results of our actions in one quest have had major effects on multiple characters and even events in subsequent quests.
These are different characters, in a different location, with different issues. Any metagame connections brought up now are factless speculation.
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These are different characters, in a different location, with different issues. Any metagame connections brought up now are factless speculation.
Hey, I didn't bring it up in the first place, and my opinion about our actions and this situation is based on things that have no direct connection to Okuu Quest whatsoever.
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> "You really think someone like me could get possessed? Even if it were something I couldn't stave off, the Dragon wouldn't have any of that."
> "If you really don't think I'm me, though..."
> Bust a move like only we can. Be sure to keep an eye on Tenshi to make sure she doesn't sneak away while we're dancing, though.
>You try to prove your identity through a
>She frowns more deeply. "You're creeping me out, Iku..."
> Only if someone else finds out. I'm certain we're well-aware that absolute truth is a terrible policy, and are entirely able to enhance the truth every once in a while.
> Re: making her not want it - that's a long-term goal. Isn't going to happen any time soon.
> Anyway.
> She's off-balance now, apply counter-pressure:
> Sigh, look fatigued.
> "I'm tired, Tenshi. It's like the whole court is riding on my back, running me ragged, whilst they sit on their high heavens, contemplating their navels."
> Look away, mutter just loud enough for Tenshi to hear, "Wish I could take them down a peg or two."
>You would know. And likely so would The Dragon. But that's immaterial to you knowing.
>Longterm indeed.
>She is certainly off balance.
>You sigh and look away, then mutter.
>"Okay you're definitely being weird," Tenshi says, screwing up her eyebrows. "and I'm not falling for it."
>_
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I brought up actions taken in previous quests for playstyle discussion purposes, not in-game information discussion purposes. I believe playstyle pattern recognition is a legitimate reason to bring up old quests.
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> "But you don't want me to go back to hurting you, do you, Tenshi? I know I don't want that. I think this way would be much better."
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>"Okay you're definitely being weird," Tenshi says, screwing up her eyebrows. "and I'm not falling for it."
>_
> Hm. Still in control, so that's fine.
> "Not falling for what?"
> Fly Act casual.
[edit]
> "But you don't want me to go back to hurting you, do you, Tenshi? I know I don't want that. I think this way would be much better."
> Whoa! Are you sure about that? That puts her on the defensive again, and I'd say we should make her think she's in control of the situation, instead.
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double post double post
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I had a hard time thinking of anything else. (Really, I should have spent the last hour and a half in some location other than this topic.) Yours works better, though, yeah.
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> "But you don't want me to go back to hurting you, do you, Tenshi? I know I don't want that. I think this way would be much better."
> Redact this.
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We could wait for Maus before we officially take things to the next level, I guess. He has a knack for thinking of things no one else does.
Kilga, this statement makes me very happy. Thank you.
Also Nthing that Draco really, really needs to get it through his head that being confrontational is not always, and likely rarely, the best approach to these sort of situations.
As for Utsuho Quest: Even if I haven't read up all of it, actually asking about why else the goddesses did it and allowing, like, an extra day for Sanae to experience that jet piloting just once would have done a lot. And, y'know, allowing at least a skeptical understanding for why they did something so ridiculous. Removing the Sanae excuse would remove their only legitimate reason for their actions. Much like swaying Renko away from looting the house removed the only really illegitimate reason for hers. And then we fought Koishi Alice instead of Suwako and Kanako Renko.
Also, discussing previous games is valid for understanding the parser's trends for the consequences of player behavior and storyline trends. You want meta? I'll give you meta, fucker.
---
Fightest has a good idea in making use of child psychology for this - Tenshi is clearly lacking in empathy for what her actions do to others, which is a childish symptom - but it's important to remember that she's not actually a child. She isn't stupid about being misdirected, as this conversation is showing, and would probably find being treated as a kid... I don't know the best word for it (patronizing? Demeaning? Insulting?), but she wouldn't like it. So we need to be more subtle about it than blatantly pandering to her own beliefs. We also need an appropriate approach to explaining empathy and its importance, so that she understands why what she's done in the past was upsetting. I think what we lost somewhere in the pandering is giving her respect. She's not buying the innocent act, and maintaining it despite that insults her intelligence.
"Why" tends to be an exceptionally important question. So uh. Let's focus on it before assuming things?
I do want to follow along with Tenshi, if only to be available to backstab her as soon as she starts objectively being a jerk. Again, at least. But she won't buy being a conspirator, and we really shouldn't anyway. But she might buy reluctantly giving her the benefit of the doubt and asking about what she really wants, why, and what else might work to address that without putting her through the hassles of getting in trouble.
Tenshi has some semi-legitimate reasons for being allowed to take, or at least touch, the sword (if only family heritage), but context also makes the violence on her and our parts in (response to) the attempt understandable; it is possible to say that we wanted to talk with her, but given her history with the sword, we would have preferred to do so without her having it - and knowing her history, attacking to prevent that is understandable. While unlikely, there is a slim chance that Tenshi has a legitimate reason for wanting the sword (and it's likely that she believes she does). And if she does have a legitimate reason, then it is understandable for the caretakers to assume that she was going to do something untowards with it, and that Tenshi would prefer to prevent that issue before (or while) trying to take the sword. So I'm willing to call a no-fault on that encounter, barring more information. Now that we're on even ground, we do not have that preventive reason to attack her, which explains that part. But we WILL talk.
We want to know what Tenshi is planning to do, and why. It would also be important to try and understand that reason, figure out what she's thinking, and how to approach it to influence it properly. Framing it as wanting to understand what she wants to do, rather than what or why explicitly to persuade her otherwise, is also more likely to convince her that we aren't necessarily opposing her, while actually being somewhat believable. That's the best next step, I believe.
After that, a reasonable compromise might be to allow her to go out with the sword, but only on the condition that we follow along to chaperone and make sure that she doesn't misuse it like last time. If she is responsible with it, then we can put in a good word with the judges and see about whether they actually hate her - or if they can be swayed from it, as a better way to word it since she seems convinced that they do already. (And to be fair, it might be true for at least a few of them.) Unfortunately, it's unlikely that she'll buy that.
Fortunately, we have a whole litany of threats and difficulties to throw at her to make it clear that it may be a more reasonable compromise than trying to fight her way out.
- She has to get through Iku, first of all, and while she's strong enough to be a true challenge, it would be a pain in the ass for both of us and she might still lose anyway.
- In a loud voice, we could note that the shrine caretakers could go alert the rest of Heaven about what just happened, to get more support and cause her more trouble.
- Even if she does make it past Iku and out of Heaven (assuming that's a goal, which admittedly may not be the case), not many in Gensokyo are fond of her, or outright dislike her. And this time, we know who to talk to to get help in stopping any stupid schemes of hers, and what places/people she might go to to hide. And what sorts of stupid schemes to expect and predict from her.
Ultimately, we want to understand what she wants, see whether we can trust her, and find a good way to solve the problems she's having without causing more for others.
(Personally, I think just kicking Tenshi down to Gensokyo would solve plenty of problems; Tenshi herself would be happier there since she doesn't like Heaven, I'm not sure much of Heaven would miss her and her antics, her shenanigans do not necessarily have to be dangerous or particularly troublesome, especially without the sword, and Gensokyo has many more people willing, suited to, and used to dealing with antics like hers, making for better damage control. But there's probably some political, logistic, or practical reason she can't get booted, or she would have been a while ago. That, or I wouldn't be surprised if the Dragon specifically keeps her in Heaven to keep the place interesting. Like Yukari, the most understandable motive for any powerful immortal is entertainment...)
---
That in mind, here's my suggestions:
Sigh.
"Perhaps I should be more direct."
"Eldest Daughter, I was trying to stop you from taking the Sword of Hisou because of your previous actions with it. I wished to talk with you without having to fear for a repeat of that. But that is no longer an option, so I have less reason to fight you now."
"... but as I said, I am willing to believe that you have a good reason for it. I will admit I am doubtful, again due to what happened last time, but... I would like to understand why you want the sword, or at least try to."
"You said you wanted to show the Celestials that they were... what was it, not as great as they think they are? (We are?) I know you've probably said it before, but please remind me, Tenshi. Why do you want to do this?"
And one thing to set up the future, if appropriate:
>Is there anything Tenshi owns that she finds precious or important?
>Why is Tenshi in Heaven, again?
EDIT: If anyone pulls out those threat suggestions before Tenshi is substantially aggressive I swear to god I will hit you
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tl;dr, way ahead of you :V. No, I kid, I agree with your points, and it was my intention to slowly keep backing away until I had a good read on what Tenshi wanted and how she was planning on putting it into effect. I still think we can child-psychology her - we've been pretty transparent with having ulterior motives, but we can use her suspicion to lull her into a sense of security and superiority, from where she can be more comfortable divulging her plans.
All that said, I personally wish to give Tenshi a vastly tolerant benefit of the doubt, and use arguments and encouragement to get her to back down. Any physical conflict we get into against her directly is a personal loss condition for me. For now that means explicitly expressing a large amount of trust in her, which will most certainly affect her self-evaluation at points in the future, having her subconsciously considering whether she is deserving of the trust. Unless she's a psychopath, and I trust the parser that she is not.
Also, let her take the sword, I say, as it is essentially a representation of her rebellion. It gives us a good visual cue of what she's thinking. As soon as that sword voluntarily leaves her hand, we've won.
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>Is there anything Tenshi owns that she finds precious or important?
>Why is Tenshi in Heaven, again?
>Curiously enough, you don't think she does. The sword aside, she's actually rather good about the virtue of not valuing possessions so much.
>She came here because her entire clan ascended. Why she is still here, you are less certain about. Partially, perhaps, it is because the idea of ejecting a Celestial is unthinkable. But that can't be all of it, can it?
> Hm. Still in control, so that's fine.
> "Not falling for what?"
> Fly Act casual.
>Things are still good...
>Tenshi's frown turns into a confused grimace. "Uh...bye!"
>And in the blink of an eye, she is flying toward a side hallway.
>_
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I'm a bit hesitant on just blithely letting her take the sword without at least coaxing more information out of her regarding what she plans on doing.
The chaperone idea is one I can get behind, though. I was, uh, thinking about this last night/this morning, and we have already been presented with a surprisingly gray area issue. We have been charged with "keeping Tenshi out of trouble" in general. It is important to note that we're pretty clearly tired of the job, and the rest of Bhava-Agra is pretty clearly tired of her shit in general as well. I thus submit what I believe Fightest has been getting at the entire time, but I don't think he ever explicitly stated; the optimal outcome of this encounter is not stopping Tenshi's current antics, but stopping Tenshi's antics on the whole. Stopping Tenshi now is not as good as stopping Tenshi from doing it ever again. This may require bending the rules at present a little bit to accommodate her whims! I'm willing to bet the entirety of Bhava-Agra will gladly make that sacrifice if it means Tenshi will stop being a little shit in general.
tl;dr this is like the one cookie now or two cookies later problem, except it's one cookie now vs. a lifetime supply of cookies later.
Fake Edit: Oh. Well then.
-
I'm afraid I think you tread the far side of the line between trust and naivete, Fightest. I find it reasonable to believe that Tenshi is also intelligent enough to recognize when she's being unrealistically manipulated - and would be angry about the attempt. She has a track record of being a dick regardless of psychopathy, and while I agree that showing her respect and, well, love would go a long way towards getting her to mellow out enough to keep her pranks reasonable in scope, it's also important to show that this is not unconditional; that if she wants to be cared for, she has to show the ability to care for others. It's not good to punish her harshly, but I think rewarding bad behavior is a bad idea. And breaking into the shrine IS bad behavior, at least on the surface. Giving her the benefit of the doubt is fair, but handing her the sword with a pat and a smile is... unwise.
... thinking about it, though, I could see ultimately sighing and letting her go with the sword, without trying to stop her but giving her warning that - even if she doesn't let us come along - Celestia will know about what she's done, and we'll be keeping an eye on things as best we can. 'Not mad, just disappointed.' We'll be watching to see what she's doing, but we won't act until we're sure she's being unreasonable. And when we do, we will be careful to explain what upset us and why that is important - important to her, that is.
Also
(7:08:27 PM) (Purvis): *Congrats! You remembered Iku wasn't alone*
(7:08:36 PM) E mouse2000: Hah
makes me realize that the caretakers are watching this entire act, aren't they?
EDUT:
>How did Tenshi's entire clan ascend?
-
>How did Tenshi's entire clan ascend?
>It was due to exceptional service of a particular deity. On the whole, most of them seem to have done well here. Just...Tenshi is a problem. And even she was pretty well behaved, at least until the whole Scarlet Weather incident.
>_
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Also Nthing that Draco really, really needs to get it through his head that being confrontational is not always, and likely rarely, the best approach to these sort of situations.
It is very frustrating to repeatedly feel as though no one has any real understanding of your point of view. Nearly every time it has been pointed out that it is unlikely to succeed, I have agreed. But that, to me, is not even the point.
First of all, I hardly think the last words I said to Tenshi were very confrontational. In fact, they were intentionally as unconfrontational as I believe our position reasonably allowed at the time. I merely pointed out her actions, and the likely consequences of said actions, and even tossed in the fact that we, ourselves, were inclined towards leniency. I see no way to be less confrontational than that outside of lying or feigning indifference/approval towards her actions which Iku (or at least I) distinctly do not have.
Moreover, I am not so naive to expect Tenshi would necessarily respond favorably to them, given her history. But I feel that it is our duty, due to our character and position, to say so anyway. Ultimately, I would rather stick to matters of duty and abjectly lose, than to win by playing games with her. Nor do I think it is ok in any way to allow her to keep the sword, no matter what tensions it may dissolve, simply because she is explicitly not allowed to possess it.
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So you'd really rather have one cookie now over a lifetime supply of cookies later?
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So you'd really rather have one cookie now over a lifetime supply of cookies later?
That's a false dilemma, and it's irritating to see what I'm saying framed that way. Obviously I'd like the latter, if it were possible. But I don't approve of some of the tactics implied in obtaining this. Such as letting her keep the sword for one, given our explicit duty in that regard. But clearly what I say is entirely irrelevant in any case.
For what little it's worth, I will note that I have found this entire exchange has bothered me considerably more than anything which happened in Maribel Quest and leave it at that.
-
Then what do you propose we do instead, keeping in mind that both Fightest and myself are on record as being 100% adverse to using combat to exert our authority (and thus 100% adverse to any plan that uses combat as a fallback)? How would you discuss Tenshi into submission?
-
I'm afraid I have nothing useful to purpose on an argumentation front, or I would already have done so.
-
Well, given the circumstances, I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it.
> Pursue!
> "Eldest daughter! Wait!"
-
Wait.
> Did Tenshi take the sword with her?
-
> Pursue!
> "Eldest daughter! Wait!"
>You follow! She managed to gain a couple yards on you, but you're not out of the running by any means yet.
>"Go see a doctor! You have brain fever or something!" she cries back. She doesn't sound like she means this as a insult either.
>The two of you enter a side hallway. You're not particularly familiar with this shrine, but the look of those doors in the distance suggest that they open outside.
> Did Tenshi take the sword with her?
>She did.
>_
-
> "What?! How can you say such a thing?"
-
> "What?! How can you say such a thing?"
>"You're being really weird and it's creepy!" she calls back. "Go to a doctor!"
>You imagine you have about 20 seconds until she reaches those doors.
>_
-
> "Do you really think so little of me?"
-
> "Do you really think so little of me?"
>"I think you're being creepy!" she shouts back.
>...What was that? You most definitely felt...something in the air. Some kind of force? Like how an earthquake feels, but in the air.
>_
-
> Did it feel like it came from the sword?
> "Creepy? I spent all my time caring about you, and you call me creepy? That really hurts, Tenshi!"
-
>She's making the Heavens fall, isn't she?
-
> Did it feel like it came from the sword?
> "Creepy? I spent all my time caring about you, and you call me creepy? That really hurts, Tenshi!"
>You can't tell.
>"It can be two things," she cries back, now ten seconds from the door, "and stop doing that!"
>The feeling is definitely persisting.
>She's making the Heavens fall, isn't she?
>Could she even do tha-
>Oh crap that was the roof hitting you! Oh god are you falling!?
>You hurt pretty much everywhere along your back.
>You hear Tenshi scream.
>_
-
> Cry out in pain ourselves.
> Can we see anything?
> Can we see why Tenshi might have screamed? She was in our line of vision...
> If we still feel like we're falling, try to right ourselves.
-
>"Te... Tenshi?!"
>Concern. Even if she's a little shit, she'd better be okay.
-
Hey, I was getting to her. :(
-
> Cry out in pain ourselves.
> Can we see anything?
> Can we see why Tenshi might have screamed? She was in our line of vision...
> If we still feel like we're falling, try to right ourselves.
>It would have taken some herculean willpower not to, honestly.
>You can, but it's...distorted?
>You see Tenshi appears to be squashed up against the ceiling. You're reasonably sure you are as well.
>You make some effort to right yourself, and find that the ceiling is in the way.
>"Te... Tenshi?!"
>Concern. Even if she's a little shit, she'd better be okay.
>You try to call out to Tenshi. Then the floor hurtles toward you and you are too busy trying to guard your face.
>Most people would hate to admit such concern. But you consider it a mark of good character. Unfortunately the floor is too busy hitting you to really reflect upon this feeling.
>Now your nearly everything hurts. But at least you managed to guard your face with your arms, and avoid breaking your nose.
>You're going to need a time out for a moment.
>_
-
> Get a massage from Helepolis
> Lie on the floor for however long we need before we can pick ourselves back up.
> Who the hell is playing with the gravity switch?
-
>Accept timeout. Try to keep an eye on Tenshi or anyone else caught up in this mess, or squirm towards her if we can manage it.
-
> Get a massage from Helepolis
> Lie on the floor for however long we need before we can pick ourselves back up.
> Who the hell is playing with the gravity switch?
>As you are laying on the floor and thus have limited chest access, Helepolis is not interested in massaging you right now.
>You lay on the floor for a few moments. You hear the doors open ahead.
>You don't know. But you would like to have some words with her...
>Accept timeout. Try to keep an eye on Tenshi or anyone else caught up in this mess, or squirm towards her if we can manage it.
>You look up to see her flying out the door. Huh, looks like she managed to avoid smacking into the floor.
>_
-
> Has that sort of thing ever happened before?
> Pick ourselves up and continue the chase.
-
>Is Tenshi capable of this sort of thing?
>If we don't know, "Eldest daughter... did you...?"
-
> Has that sort of thing ever happened before?
> Pick ourselves up and continue the chase.
>You've never had the ceiling attack you, no.
>You pick yourself up, which is a slower process than you'd like, and start to chase again. In the meantime, Tenshi gets out of sight.
>You exit the shrine. You can see Tenshi flying ahead, rounding one of the mountains that the Hinanai Shrine is nestled between.
>Is Tenshi capable of this sort of thing?
>If we don't know, "Eldest daughter... did you...?"
>If she is, she's certainly not told you or anyone else about it.
>You call out, but she doesn't seem to be listening.
>_
-
> Doubt it was Tenshi anyway. Why would she mash herself against the ceiling?
> Continue pursuit.
> Recall known locations in the direction Tenshi is headed.
-
>Unless this is something new that she's experimenting with and couldn't practice without the Sword... this could be troublesome.
>Spare a quick glance for the shrine caretakers, if they're still around.
-
> Doubt it was Tenshi anyway. Why would she mash herself against the ceiling?
> Continue pursuit.
> Recall known locations in the direction Tenshi is headed.
>This is an excellent point.
>You continue pursuit! Tenshi has a pretty sizable lead on you now.
>You know the edge of the island is in that direction, as are all of them...and you've somewhat lost your sense of direction.
>Unless this is something new that she's experimenting with and couldn't practice without the Sword... this could be troublesome.
>Spare a quick glance for the shrine caretakers, if they're still around.
>That is also possible, no one accuses her of having foresight.
>You look around, and see no sign of them. You probably left them behind.
>_
-
>They'll understand our haste. Hopefully.
>Continue following Eldest Daughter, if only to get an idea of what she's up to.
>How are we feeling?
-
>They'll understand our haste. Hopefully.
>Continue following Eldest Daughter, if only to get an idea of what she's up to.
>How are we feeling?
>You imagine so.
>You keep following her. The two of you round the base of the mountain, and you can see the edge of the island up ahead.
>You feel pretty lousy. It's most bruises and sore muscles, so it should take care of itself with some time. But it's not been some time.
>_
-
> "Tenshi! Wait! It's okay! It stopped!"
> Can we fire behind us to give ourselves a speed boost?
-
>Information first. Let's do our best to pursue until she gives some tangible hint about what she's up to.
>Do we feel up to shouting, or at least speaking loudly enough to be heard by Tenshi?
>How skilled are we at stealth, if talking with her is not an option?
-
> "Tenshi! Wait! It's okay! It stopped!"
> Can we fire behind us to give ourselves a speed boost?
>You shout, but she doesn't seem interesting in obeying.
>No.
>Information first. Let's do our best to pursue until she gives some tangible hint about what she's up to.
>Do we feel up to shouting, or at least speaking loudly enough to be heard by Tenshi?
>How skilled are we at stealth, if talking with her is not an option?
>You continue to pursue. It seems all of her interests are in getting away right now. You can imagine why for a variety of reasons.
>You have been shouting, but you might feel better if you didn't.
>You are not especially skilled at stealth.
>_
-
>Surely ditching the flamenco suit will improve our stealth quotient by 300%! Strip!
>Continue following. Is there anything that would be in the direction Tenshi is heading?
-
>Surely ditching the flamenco suit will improve our stealth quotient by 300%! Strip!
>Continue following. Is there anything that would be in the direction Tenshi is heading?
>Nice job losing Tenshi while you pulled a Koakuma there, asshole.
>You continue to follow, not really having gotten your sense of direction back yet in your haste not to lose Tenshi.
>She reaches the edge and disappears over it.
>_
-
>Entering open air while dazed wouldn't be too dangerous... would it?
>Follow. Focus on tracing where she goes, if following closely would be too difficult.
-
>Entering open air while dazed wouldn't be too dangerous... would it?
>Follow. Focus on tracing where she goes, if following closely would be too difficult.
>You should be alright, as long as you don't forget to fly.
>You follow.
>As you draw closer to the edge, you notice that there are mountains and trees on the horizon, where there should be open sky. As you reach the edge itself, you look down and see...A field of flowers? You aren't sure, it's about two to three hundred feet below. You also aren't quite certain where Tenshi is.
>You feel a warm sensation in the heart of your being, you recognize this instantly as the presence of The Dragon reaching to you. You feel a desire that it wants to see you, a strong and very tersely expressed need for you to be in its chamber right now. If you had to put this feeling into words, it would simply be: "Iku, get in here."
>_
-
>... that's not the normal distance, is it?
>Dragon before Tenshi. Get in there.
-
GG kids, GG.
-
>... that's not the normal distance, is it?
>Dragon before Tenshi. Get in there.
>That is nearly a couple of orders of magnitude less than the proper distance.
>The Dragon most certainly wins out. You fly back to the Dragon Palace. As you do, you see that it is now hovering over what seems to be a huge field of grass. You are reasonably sure that is the human town to the northeast of it. There's something else that bothers you, but...you aren't certain what.
>You return to the Dragon Palace, and find it looks very much like it's been hit with an earthquake. Artworks and small structures have toppled, as well as some walls. There are celestials laying on the ground everywhere, some even on the middle of the main corridor that is reserved for The Dragon, and thankfully many celestials tending to those people.
>_
-
>Approach the usual meeting location with all due dignity and respect. Panic is unbecoming. Open panic, at least.
>The Dragon wouldn't mind the other people being present, would he/she/it?
-
>Approach the usual meeting location with all due dignity and respect. Panic is unbecoming. Open panic, at least.
>The Dragon wouldn't mind the other people being present, would he/she/it?
>You fly along the main hall with proper haste, trying not to look undignified in your hurry.
>If the Dragon wants others to be there, they shall be summoned.
>You approach the white door that rests a comfortable distance from the immense jade doors of The Dragon's chamber. Despite whatever has happened, the both seem to be fine, unlike the other sets of doors that you had passed which are hanging open, if not off their hinges. You can feel The Dragon within.
>_
-
>Burst through wall like kool-aid man, punch dragon into next week
>Enter.
-
>Burst through wall like kool-aid man, punch dragon into next week
>Enter.
>Lord English already knew this was coming, and deleted your existence. Whups
>You walk through the door, and into a vast, grassy field ringed with trees. It is immense, wider than than the island that the palace rests upon and in full bloom despite the autumn outside. You are aware of the door behind you, but you also know it is no longer there. You could step back, and only traverse this field.
>You kneel, then cross your hands over each other and kowtow. The air is empty, bearing no hint of the coiling, immense being that most people think of when they think of The Dragon. The uninformed would think you are alone here. You know better. The Dragon is not a being confined to flesh and bone. It is an existence greater than that. It is the air. It is the water and the soil. It is the flight of a lone butterfly and the lazy drift of mushroom spores caught in the wind. It is everywhere. But this place is where its will resides, where, should it choose to take a shape of flesh and bone it would manifest. But for now, it seems to be content not to bother with such things.
>You feel The Dragon is satisfied that you are here, and satisfied with your genuflection. You may sit up, and be at ease.
>It wishes to know if you are aware of what happened?
>_
-
> Do we communicate with The Dragon mentally or orally?
-
> Do we communicate with The Dragon mentally or orally?
>You are certain it could read your mind if it chose to, but it vastly prefers to be spoken to.
>_
-
>It wishes to know if you are aware of what happened?
>_
> We are well-aware of what has happened, and have a few ideas as to the why. Not the what or the how, though.
[edit: oh, right]
> "I'm well-aware of what has happened, and have a few ideas as to the why. Not the what or the how, though."
-
>You are certain it could read your mind if it chose to, but it vastly prefers to be spoken to.
Well, given this....
> We are well-aware of what has happened, and have a few ideas as to the why. Not the what or the how, though.
> Redact.
> "I am aware of what happened. My back especially."
> Wince.
> "I might have a few ideas why, too. The what or the how, though, escape me."
-
> "I am aware of what happened. My back especially."
> Wince.
> "I might have a few ideas why, too. The what or the how, though, escape me."
>You express your own difficulties with what happen, and feel that it is slightly amused, but also pleased you've weathered things well.
>It is curious about your ideas of why.
>_
-
>Does the Dragon prefer we refer to Tenshi as Tenshi, or Eldest Daughter...? Well, rather doubtful it matters too much.
>"Tenshi... I'm afraid Tenshi took the Sword of Hisou again. I tried to speak with her about what she intended to use it for - she promised that it... wasn't the same as last time, but she did say that she intended to show that the Celestials 'aren't as great as you think you are.' If I recall correctly."
>"... and while I would like to be able to give her the benefit of the doubt..."
-
>You express your own difficulties with what happen, and feel that it is slightly amused, but also pleased you've weathered things well.
>It is curious about your ideas of why.
>_
> "I've been around long enough to know that there's no such thing as coincidence. The Eldest Daughter has taken the Sword of Hisou for a plan of rebellion, and suddenly the sky is falling, literally. I am not saying that she is doing this - intentionally or not, but there must be a connection. Perhaps we are facing an attack that somehow includes the Eldest Daughter as a target or a tool?"
> "That said, I now do not know where the Eldest Daughter is, and that worries me. I will require manpower and resources to seek her out."
-
>Does the Dragon prefer we refer to Tenshi as Tenshi, or Eldest Daughter...? Well, rather doubtful it matters too much.
>"Tenshi... I'm afraid Tenshi took the Sword of Hisou again. I tried to speak with her about what she intended to use it for - she promised that it... wasn't the same as last time, but she did say that she intended to show that the Celestials 'aren't as great as you think you are.' If I recall correctly."
>"... and while I would like to be able to give her the benefit of the doubt..."
> "I've been around long enough to know that there's no such thing as coincidence. The Eldest Daughter has taken the Sword of Hisou for a plan of rebellion, and suddenly the sky is falling, literally. I am not saying that she is doing this - intentionally or not, but there must be a connection. Perhaps we are facing an attack that somehow includes the Eldest Daughter as a target or a tool?"
> "That said, I now do not know where the Eldest Daughter is, and that worries me. I will require manpower and resources to seek her out."
>The Dragon doesn't seem to be surprised by this revelation, but it does not believe the sword would be able to do such a thing.
>It is pleased that you have anticipated what it wants, but there will be little to be given to assist. People are going to be busy tending to the wounded, repairing damage, and making sure that people from Gensokyo don't cause problems.
>_
-
> "Then I will need allies."
> Are there any Gensokyans that we are on good terms with?
-
oh god don't tell me this is Nue's favor
>"I should probably stop back and get my purse before I head down. I have a feeling I may need it..."
>"I will probably have to speak with the residents of Gensokyo about this, to some degree. Is there any advice I should take on what to say?"
-
oh god don't tell me this is Nue's favor
It was her all along.
-
I rather doubt she could roleplay Tenshi THAT convincingly. :V But if she's in on it, I wouldn't be surprised.
>"... and this may be a more controversial idea, but would it be unthinkable to ask trustworthy residents of Gensokyo to help with tending the wounded and cleaning up the worst of the damage here?"
-
> "Then I will need allies."
> Are there any Gensokyans that we are on good terms with?
>You feel it will have no difficulty with you recruiting help, so long as it goes interfere with the recovery and defense measures.
>You think you're on good terms with most people. But...you don't know if you're on good enough terms with any of them to actually get them to help with this. You're well regarded, you think, but also somewhat distant.
>"I should probably stop back and get my purse before I head down. I have a feeling I may need it..."
>"I will probably have to speak with the residents of Gensokyo about this, to some degree. Is there any advice I should take on what to say?"
>It agrees with this.
>It would like you try try not to undermine the faith and respect that people of Gensokyo hold for celestials and Bhava-Agra, if at all possible. Though it is aware Tenshi has already done a fair amount in this regard.
>"... and this may be a more controversial idea, but would it be unthinkable to ask trustworthy residents of Gensokyo to help with tending the wounded and cleaning up the worst of the damage here?"
>That is fine. It is more concerned with troublemakers and thieves, of which Gensokyo has many. But it would like you to be careful with that.
>_
-
>"I will take care to present myself as I should, regardless of the emergency."
>"To be honest, the speed of response in tending to the wounded here is heart-warming... but it's a pity that it had to become necessary."
>Sigh.
>"I wish I knew what would satisfy that girl..."
>"Sexually, of course"
>"If there are no more concerns to address, then I should be on my way."
-
>"I will take care to present myself as I should, regardless of the emergency."
>"To be honest, the speed of response in tending to the wounded here is heart-warming... but it's a pity that it had to become necessary."
>Sigh.
>"I wish I knew what would satisfy that girl..."
>"Sexually, of course"
>"If there are no more concerns to address, then I should be on my way."
>It has every confidence in you, and in the people here. It too is please, though, that confusion is not worse than it is.
>You sigh and wonder about Tenshi. You feel a hint of amusement from The Dragon. It's pleased with your concern, and feels things will sort themselves out with time.
>It suggests you just give her some tongue. Not like she's ever had it.
>The Dragon feels if you are content, you may go.
>_
-
>Tenshi was not allowed to take up the Sword of Hisou, even before the issues she caused with it the first time, correct?
>Were there circumstances under which use of the sword was officially permissible?
-
>Tenshi was not allowed to take up the Sword of Hisou, even before the issues she caused with it the first time, correct?
>Were there circumstances under which use of the sword was officially permissible?
>Not officially so, to your understanding, but it was understood she wasn't supposed to take it.
>As of right now, no. An official decree would needed to resend it.
>_
-
>Do official decrees only come ultimately from The Dragon? Or can they mostly come from lower levels of authority?
>In rough terms, what is the general hierarchy here? The Dragon is on top, but are there other authorities above you, but below it? What about day to day administration and basic laws?
-
>Do official decrees only come ultimately from The Dragon? Or can they mostly come from lower levels of authority?
>In rough terms, what is the general hierarchy here? The Dragon is on top, but are there other authorities above you, but below it? What about day to day administration and basic laws?
>They can come from lower levels of authority than The Dragon itself. The Dragon is seldom involved in daily affairs.
>The heirarchy is actually rather vague. Generally, there isn't a need for it, Celestials tend to take care of things on their own without an excess of trouble. The judges, at least until Tenshi began to act up, most sorted out little civil disputes. Leaders and functionaries tend to be selected by whomever feels they are necessary at the time. By far the most complex administration would be at the Dragon Palace, which takes a great deal of coordination to keep it running properly. In theory, you're in charge of all of this. In reality, you learned long ago that delegation is a word that takes worries off your shoulders. There's numerous people working under you to keep the Palace clean, fed, and in working order. As far as laws go, there really aren't many, aside from don't bother The Dragon. Typically, Celestials behave well enough; thankfully Suika has played along when she visits.
>_
-
>"Do you have any idea what would be capable of causing our sudden descent?"
-
>"Do you have any idea what would be capable of causing our sudden descent?"
>You feel that it is considering a few ideas, but doesn't seem to have settled upon any as likely, yet.
>_
-
>"Well, I'll do my best to see if I can find out anything related to it."
>"I pray that people remain safe and this place aloft. I will do the best I can."
>Return to our quarters
-
>"Well, I'll do my best to see if I can find out anything related to it."
>"I pray that people remain safe and this place aloft. I will do the best I can."
>Return to our quarters
>You feel The Dragon is very confident in you. It's honestly reassuring. Even if you are nervous enough to repeat yourself a little.
>You stand and take a step backwards, walking through the doorway you entered. It's honestly easier when you can't see it.
>Stepping out, you see the devastation is about as you left it. You can only wonder how much damage has been done, and how long it will take to help the wounded, then clean the Palace up. You head toward your chambers, taking the northern doorway closest to The Dragon's chamber; frowning that the lacquered mahogany doors are hanging from their hinges. You follow the corridor a short ways, until your reach your personal quarters.
>You enter, and find they are in a frighten state. Pictures have fallen from the walls. Tables have overturned. You bed has fallen all to pieces. Shards of broken pottery are everywhere, often obscured by the contents of your wardrobe, which have been disgorged onto the floor. Originally, you had a lovely suite, with a sitting room off to the side, a sizable bed room, and a small dance floor for practicing your steps. Now it is a mess.
>_
-
>Give ourselves a little time to be dismayed at the state of our room...
>Take a few moments to clean up some of the easiest and most obvious things, such a righting tables, and getting our clothes up off the floor
>What possessions do we have that we think could be useful on such an expedition? Money, spellcards, etc.
-
>Give ourselves a little time to be dismayed at the state of our room...
>Take a few moments to clean up some of the easiest and most obvious things, such a righting tables, and getting our clothes up off the floor
>What possessions do we have that we think could be useful on such an expedition? Money, spellcards, etc.
>You were prepared for this, but it's still a blow.
>You set yourself to righting tables and cleaning up some of the clothes, while trying to figure out where everything is now.
>You do not have much money; it simply isn't used in Bhava-agra. You do keep a little for your occasional venture down to Gensokyo, but you doubt there is more than 40☼ to your name. You see the coins scattered about; you kept them in a little dish. There are your spellcards, of course. You have four of them. Your purse would be very helpful if you intend to lug anything around. You also kept a small folding knife that was gifted to you some time ago, you don't know where it is.
>_
-
>Get spellcards, purse, and collect the coins
>Have a little look around for the knife
-
>Get spellcards, purse, and collect the coins
>Have a little look around for the knife
>You purse isn't too hard to find, thankfully. It's fairly sizable, so it stands out pretty well. You do have to clean off some soil from a fallen potted plant, but otherwise it is fine.
>You obtain: Large Black Purse
>It takes longer to find your spell cards. You kept them in a little box, whose latch popped when it hit the floor. Two of them you find near the box. A third you find half-wedged under the fallen wardrobe. The fourth seems to have found its way into the sitting room.
>You obtain: Spine Sign: "Acanthodii of the Thunder Clouds"
>You obtain: Light Orb: "Dragon's Gleaming Eyes"
>You obtain: Cloud Realm: "The Thunder Court in the Sea of Abstruse Clouds"
>You obtain: Dragonfish: "Dragon Palace's Messenger Swimming Shot"
>While hunting for these things, you grab coins when you see them.
>You obtain: 26☼
>_
-
>No sign of the knife?
>Assuming not, head out of the palace and down over the edge we last saw Tenshi at
-
>No sign of the knife?
>Assuming not, head out of the palace and down over the edge we last saw Tenshi at
>You're certain it's in here somewhere, just there are a lot of places it could be hiding...
>You start to leave the palace, returning to the main hall, when you notice a tall, red-haired Celestial approach you. You recognize her as Yuki, one of your underlings. In particular, she's in charge of the kitchen. She curtsies toward you, and says, "Lady Nagae, have you any orders for us? Or words from the August One?" Her eyes flick briefly toward the great jade doors at the end of the hall.
>_
-
> Console ourselves weakly that these are merely material possession, trifles which must be ultimately discarded to truly reach the upper reaches.
> ...
> Our stuff :(
>You start to leave the palace, returning to the main hall, when you notice a tall, red-haired Celestial approach you. You recognize her as Yuki, one of your underlings. In particular, she's in charge of the kitchen. She curtsies toward you, and says, "Lady Nagae, have you any orders for us? Or words from the August One?" Her eyes flick briefly toward the great jade doors at the end of the hall.
>_
> "Start preparing meals for any wounded. Keep the kitchen staffed at all times, but feel free to divert some workers to the damage control effort. Break out the high-quality ingredients, we need to keep morale high."
-
> Console ourselves weakly that these are merely material possession, trifles which must be ultimately discarded to truly reach the upper reaches.
> ...
> Our stuff :(
> "Start preparing meals for any wounded. Keep the kitchen staffed at all times, but feel free to divert some workers to the damage control effort. Break out the high-quality ingredients, we need to keep morale high."
>You'd like to think you're not particularly attached to these things, but it's still saddening to see them ruined and cast about amidst all the other problems.
>Yuki nods. "It shall be done, Lady Nagae."
>She flies away. Alas, there's only so much she can really do. Meals in Bhava-Agra have always been a bit limited. But you have faith she'll be able to do something.
>_
-
>Continue back to that edge
-
>Continue back to that edge
>You depart the Dragon Palace, and return to Shrine Island, nearing the edge where Tenshi vanished.
>_
-
>Fly over the edge and descend
>What seems to be directly below?
-
>Fly over the edge and descend
>What seems to be directly below?
>It isn't necessary to do this in order to see what is below. It is a hill, covered in what looks like old flowers. You can't tell what they are from here.
>You see motion to the north; glancing over, you notice it is a smallish person flying around; you aren't sure who she is.
>_
-
>Fly towards this person
>See if we can see who they are
-
>Fly towards this person
>See if we can see who they are
>You fly toward her, noting her short blond hair and frilly red dress.
>She notices your approach, and shouts, "What the hell is this thing!?"
>_
-
>You fly toward her, noting her short blond hair and frilly red dress.
>She notices your approach, and shouts, "What the hell is this thing!?"
>_
> Shout back, "I beg your pardon?"
-
>Are we familiar with the identity of the person in front of us? Or at least enough to recognize who they probably are?
-
> Shout back, "I beg your pardon?"
>She draws closer, enough that you see she looks rather irked. "I said, what the hell is this thing?" She gestures toward the Hinanai Shrine Isle.
>Are we familiar with the identity of the person in front of us? Or at least enough to recognize who they probably are?
>No.
>_
-
>"It is an island. It is part of Bhava-Agra. I apologize for its sudden appearance. I assure you there is no harm intended by it."
-
>"It is an island. It is part of Bhava-Agra. I apologize for its sudden appearance. I assure you there is no harm intended by it."
>"Huh?" she says. "What's that? Why's it floating over my hill?"
-
>Bow a little
>"I apologize if we intruded. It was unintentional, and we're attempting to investigate how to move it back to its normal location. It will be gone as soon as we are able to do so, I assure you."
>"On that note, I don't suppose you saw a blue-haired woman pass by this way a short while ago?"
-
>Bow a little
>"I apologize if we intruded. It was unintentional, and we're attempting to investigate how to move it back to its normal location. It will be gone as soon as we are able to do so, I assure you."
>"On that note, I don't suppose you saw a blue-haired woman pass by this way a short while ago?"
>You bow and apologize. The woman frowns, "Well, okay, thanks. But why is it even here?"
>"I don't think so. But I was too busy staring at the huge floating island that just fell out of the sky."
>_
-
>"Why it's here is a good question. I wish that I had a suitable answer to give you. We're still investigating."
>Do we know the way to the village from here?
>If not: "Can you tell me how to get to the human village from here?"
-
>"Why it's here is a good question. I wish that I had a suitable answer to give you. We're still investigating."
>Do we know the way to the village from here?
>If not: "Can you tell me how to get to the human village from here?"
>"That's not much of an answer," says the woman, crossing her arms and frowning at the island. "It's not going to fall any more, is it?"
>You saw it to the south.
>_
-
>"I very much hope not. A great many people I care about live there. I truly wish I knew more, for their sake as well as yours."
-
>"I very much hope not. A great many people I care about live there. I truly wish I knew more, for their sake as well as yours."
>"Wait, people live on these things?" she asks.
>_
-
>"Yes. I just came from there myself. They're usually... much higher in the sky."
-
> Because it hasn't been explicitly mentioned otherwise, I imagined this whole conversation being shouted between us them them. That was amusing.
> "Say, might I ask you to do me a favour?"
-
>"Yes. I just came from there myself. They're usually... much higher in the sky."
>"Oh. Um. You're not going to mess with my hill, right?"
> Because it hasn't been explicitly mentioned otherwise, I imagined this whole conversation being shouted between us them them. That was amusing.
> "Say, might I ask you to do me a favour?"
>Well, talking loudly.
>"What?" she asks.
-
>"I assure you that neither I nor they have any intention of affecting your hill in any manner. I'm simply looking for someone and this was the nearest place to the island's current location."
-
>"I assure you that neither I nor they have any intention of affecting your hill in any manner. I'm simply looking for someone and this was the nearest place to the island's current location."
>She frowns, clearly not very convinced. "I didn't see anyone."
>_
-
>She frowns, clearly not very convinced. "I didn't see anyone."
>_
> "And that's the favour I wish to ask you. Keep a lookout for a girl with blue hair, a cap with peaches on it and a brightly-coloured dress, and please record when and if you see her. Also, tell anyone you know whom you might talk to to do this. I hope it's not too much of an issue?"
-
>Approach a little to make talking a little easier.
>We'd best be fairly honest about this.
>"I'm not entirely sure how, but she's probably related to these islands 'falling' as low as they have. Finding her will probably be important to returning things to normal, one way or another."
>Particularly that part, to motivate people to help...
>"Her name's Tenshi. People might know her... she spends some time in Gensokyo."
>"Be warned that she has the Sword of Hisou again, so she's armed with more strength than might normally be expected of her. Be careful if you do encounter her."
>What do we know about Yukari Yakumo? And her relations to the Dragon?
-
> "And that's the favour I wish to ask you. Keep a lookout for a girl with blue hair, a cap with peaches on it and a brightly-coloured dress, and please record when and if you see her. Also, tell anyone you know whom you might talk to to do this. I hope it's not too much of an issue?"
>"I don't see too many people out here," says the blonde woman, "But I'll try to keep that in mind, I guess."
>Approach a little to make talking a little easier.
>We'd best be fairly honest about this.
>"I'm not entirely sure how, but she's probably related to these islands 'falling' as low as they have. Finding her will probably be important to returning things to normal, one way or another."
>Particularly that part, to motivate people to help...
>"Her name's Tenshi. People might know her... she spends some time in Gensokyo."
>"Be warned that she has the Sword of Hisou again, so she's armed with more strength than might normally be expected of her. Be careful if you do encounter her."
>What do we know about Yukari Yakumo? And her relations to the Dragon?
>You approach a bit more, and decide to be forthright.
>"Is she now?" says the woman, "I think I might have heard that name somewhere. I'll definitely keep an eye out for her."
>You have met Yukari once. She was rather unpleasant. As far as you know, she doesn't really have any relation to The Dragon, save that they were both involved with the creation of the Great Hakurei Border.
>_
-
>"Thank you."
>Do we have any idea where we are in Gensokyo, relative to known locations?
-
>"Thank you."
>Do we have any idea where we are in Gensokyo, relative to known locations?
>She nods. "Yeah, yeah, no problem."
>You're pretty sure you've seen the human village in the distance to the south, so it shouldn't be hard to orient yourself.
>_
-
> Recall known information about Reimu, both from general word-of-mouth and personal interaction.
-
> Bid the woman farewell and head for the Hakurei Shrine. We at least owe it to Reimu to tell her what happened.
-
Anyone inclined to ask
Medicine her name out of politeness, or am I worrying too much?
-
Wouldn't hurt.
-
> Recall known information about Reimu, both from general word-of-mouth and personal interaction.
>You don't know her very well, but they one encounter you've had with her demonstrated she is not to be messed with. She is known for being lazy punctuated with bouts of being absolutely driven. Apparently she is nice enough in the former state.
> Bid the woman farewell and head for the Hakurei Shrine. We at least owe it to Reimu to tell her what happened.
>"Leaving, huh?" she says. She points at the Hinanai Shrine Island over her shoulder with her thumb. "Should I do anything about this big stupid thing?"
>_
-
> "I'm afraid there isn't much you can do except wait this out. I'm truly sorry about this Miss...?"
-
> "I'm afraid there isn't much you can do except wait this out. I'm truly sorry about this Miss...?"
>"Medicine," she says. "And okay. Well, thanks for telling me."
>_
-
>"And my name is Iku, should you wish to seek me out. Thank you again."
>Would there be any way to track where Tenshi might have gone? Something she'd leave behind, a fashion of magic...?
>If nothing realistic immediately comes to mind, head for the village for now, and get our bearings. Especially if we're still sore.
>Where has Tenshi gone in Gensokyo, usually?
-
>"And my name is Iku, should you wish to seek me out. Thank you again."
>Would there be any way to track where Tenshi might have gone? Something she'd leave behind, a fashion of magic...?
>If nothing realistic immediately comes to mind, head for the village for now, and get our bearings. Especially if we're still sore.
>Where has Tenshi gone in Gensokyo, usually?
>She nods. "I'll keep it in mind."
>Unfortunately no. You'd need some specialized magic for that.
>You fly toward the village, as Medicine returns to circling around the shrine island. A road below serves as a useful guide toward it.
>Typically, she can be found at the human town, working at the tavern. It is supposed to be a punishment, but she honestly seems to enjoy the job. Other times, she wanders about as she will and often being an pain.
>Up ahead, you can see human town. As well, you can see the the orchard island floating above it. There seems to be a fair amount of danmaku fire around the island, and you can see several people flying it chaotically.
>_
-
> Get a closer look at the combatants.
-
>Get closer
>Can we tell who's shooting at who?
-
> Get a closer look at the combatants.
>Get closer
>Can we tell who's shooting at who?
>You get closer. You can tell at least some of the combatants are celestials, whom seem to be defending the orchard. The others seem to be faeries and youkai. You recognize Cirno among their number as well as Rumia; both being common sights around town.
>_
-
>The orchards are our responsibility, right? So we'd better help take care of this.
>Head toward the fray and examine how the fight's proceeding.
>Are we feeling a bit better than we were earlier? This may warrant a spellcard to end things quickly, if we aren't at our best...
-
>Are we feeling a bit better than we were earlier? This may warrant a spellcard to end things quickly, if we aren't at our best...
> Assuming the Gensokyo natives are here trying to invade the orchard, and not just fighting out of anger and/or perceived self-defense.
> How do the Gensokyo natives appear to be moving?
-
> Assuming the Gensokyo natives are here trying to invade the orchard, and not just fighting out of anger and/or perceived self-defense.
>These are fairies we're talking about. If anything, it's likely both.
>Any hint of Keine anywhere?
-
>The orchards are our responsibility, right? So we'd better help take care of this.
>Head toward the fray and examine how the fight's proceeding.
>Are we feeling a bit better than we were earlier? This may warrant a spellcard to end things quickly, if we aren't at our best...
>Technically, your responsibility is making sure the harvest gets to the Dragon Palace. But those are about the same thing.
>You head toward the fray, picking out a few more of the attackers. There seems to be an insect youkai with a cape among them. You also see a nekomata and a rabbit youkai.
>You do feel a bit better now. The time in The Dragon's presence, and in searching through your room, has given you time to recover a bit.
> Assuming the Gensokyo natives are here trying to invade the orchard, and not just fighting out of anger and/or perceived self-defense.
> How do the Gensokyo natives appear to be moving?
>You can't be certain about that, though you have your suspicions
>There doesn't seem to be any organization among them. Rather, they mostly appear to be in it for themselves.
>These are fairies we're talking about. If anything, it's likely both.
>Any hint of Keine anywhere?
>There are certainly some faeries among their number.
>You do not see her around the island.
>_
-
>What are the relative locations of skirmishes here, and where can we enter? Are the Celestials organized at all? They may have a central leader at the moment worth speaking to before striking out too hard.
>Alternatively, do we know any of the attackers well enough to have any chance of getting an explanation through to them?
-
Or, for that matter, yelling for people to stop may get at least some attention. We apparently are moderately recognizable and moderately well-respected. It may give at least some of them pause.
-
Or, for that matter, yelling for people to stop may get at least some attention. We apparently are moderately recognizable and moderately well-respected. It may give at least some of them pause.
>And is the battlefield quiet enough for shouting to accomplish much of anything?
-
>What are the relative locations of skirmishes here, and where can we enter? Are the Celestials organized at all? They may have a central leader at the moment worth speaking to before striking out too hard.
>Alternatively, do we know any of the attackers well enough to have any chance of getting an explanation through to them?
>They seem to be mostly to the eastern side of the island, but every so often someone will slip around to the north or south.
>The Celestials don't seem to be very well organized.
>You might be able to get something from that rabbit youkai, if she is indeed the rabbit that Tenshi has spoken well about in the past.
>And is the battlefield quiet enough for shouting to accomplish much of anything?
>You don't think you could yell loud enough for that.
>_
-
If we're going to diplomancy our way through this, it'd have to be with specific groups or individuals in the fight.
>What has Tenshi said about that rabbit, exactly?
>What non-fairy attacker group/skirmish is closest to us?
-
> What does the rabbit youkai look like?
> Does her outfit match Tenshi's description of her, if Tenshi ever provided one?
-
>What has Tenshi said about that rabbit, exactly?
>What non-fairy attacker group/skirmish is closest to us?
>She's said that the rabbit was "pretty awesome", and very intelligent.
>Rumia is currently closest.
> What does the rabbit youkai look like?
> Does her outfit match Tenshi's description of her, if Tenshi ever provided one?
>On the short side, with dark hair and wearing a pink dress. She also seems less aggressive than the others.
>You think so.
>_
-
>Fly over to Rumia. Attempt to avoid crossfire.
>"Rumia, what's going on? Why's everyone fighting?"
-
>Fly over to Rumia. Attempt to avoid crossfire.
>"Rumia, what's going on? Why's everyone fighting?"
>You fly toward Rumia, having to dodge around some scattered fire.
>"Oh hi Miss Scarf!" Rumia says, turning toward you and grinning, seeming unconcerned about the fire around her. "I've seen your before! Those jerks are trying to hog up all the peaches! You should help me show 'em a thing or two!"
>_
-
>"What jerks? The people guarding the orchard?"
>"Why would everyone care so much to take the peaches in the first place?"
>The fairies make sense, but some of the other youkai's involvement seems... a little more unusual.
-
>Aside from the hungry homeless ones, at least.
>There aren't too many peaches to spare, are there? We can't 'bribe' them off by offering to share some for the scare and inconvenience... can we?
-
>"What jerks? The people guarding the orchard?"
>"Why would everyone care so much to take the peaches in the first place?"
>The fairies make sense, but some of the other youkai's involvement seems... a little more unusual.
>Aside from the hungry homeless ones, at least.
>There aren't too many peaches to spare, are there? We can't 'bribe' them off by offering to share some for the scare and inconvenience... can we?
>"Yeah! Those jerks shooting at us because they wanna hog all the peaches!"
>"'Cause they're yummy!"
>You don't even have to question why the faeries are involved. As for the Youkai, Rumia may well have just summed it up.
>It's hard to estimate. The harvest is supposed to take care of the Dragon Palace for the next several months. You might be able to bribe them off with a few. The problem would be if it became too widespread, the harvest may well come up very short.
>_
-
>"Well, the peaches do technically belong to us. Sharing a few might not be out of the question, but fighting them like this is only going to make things worse for everyone."
-
>"Maybe I can talk them into letting you have a few if you be nice to them?"
-
>"Well, the peaches do technically belong to us. Sharing a few might not be out of the question, but fighting them like this is only going to make things worse for everyone."
>"Naw, this is fun, too," says Rumia, as she turns and throws a few shots in the direction of a couple celestials trying to move to a better position. The celestials, frankly, have nothing to worry about from the attack.
>"Maybe I can talk them into letting you have a few if you be nice to them?"
>"...Maybe," says Rumia. "But what if they trick us?"
>_
-
>"It is a long story, but these people are technically my subordinates. If you can trust my word, you can trust theirs."
-
>"Trick you?"
>What are the odds of that?
-
> Are we forbidden from using non-danmaku lightning period, or only in a combat setting?
> Are we capable of thunderclaps?
-
>"It is a long story, but these people are technically my subordinates. If you can trust my word, you can trust theirs."
>"What?"
>"Trick you?"
>What are the odds of that?
>"Yeah-huh! They're sneaky!"
>You'd like to think it's is expressedly nil. Deception is not an act of the enlightened.
> Are we forbidden from using non-danmaku lightning period, or only in a combat setting?
> Are we capable of thunderclaps?
>You are not to use it ever in combat. you are to be exceedingly careful, and only use it as a lack resort outside of such.
>If you made enough lightning you could make thunderclaps.
>_
-
>"What I meant to say is that I promise they won't trick you. I know them. Why they've ended up here is a long story."
-
>"What I meant to say is that I promise they won't trick you. I know them. Why they've ended up here is a long story."
>"Why would you know a bunch of greedy weirdos like that, Miss Scarf?" Rumia asks.
>_
-
>"They live near where I do, and sometimes I tell them what to do. The island came down because... of something extraordinary. But it wasn't any of them - I'm quite certain they don't mean to cause any trouble here."
>"How are they being greedy?"
-
>Greedy weirdos...?
>"It's their job to grow the peaches and defend them. I think there's just been a misunderstanding."
>Of sorts...
>"I could go speak with them if people would stop fighting."
-
>"They live near where I do, and sometimes I tell them what to do. The island came down because... of something extraordinary. But it wasn't any of them - I'm quite certain they don't mean to cause any trouble here."
>"How are they being greedy?"
>"Oh. Why do you live near a bunch of weirdos Miss Scarf? You should tell them to cut that out!"
>"They're trying to keep all the peaches!"
>Greedy weirdos...?
>"It's their job to grow the peaches and defend them. I think there's just been a misunderstanding."
>Of sorts...
>"I could go speak with them if people would stop fighting."
>It is a bit of the a stretch.
>"Well they don't have to be so mean about it!" Rumia says. "They should get better jobs!"
>"But what if they don't stop? I don't want them to win! They're jerks!"
>_
-
>Perhaps we should expend our breath on someone more reasonable.
>Do the celestials seem to be largely holding their own?
>Are any particular patches of combat notably more active or serious than others?
>"They'll stop if I ask them to stop, and you do as well."
>"How did this start, anyway?"
-
>Perhaps we should expend our breath on someone more reasonable.
>Do the celestials seem to be largely holding their own?
>Are any particular patches of combat notably more active or serious than others?
>"They'll stop if I ask them to stop, and you do as well."
>"How did this start, anyway?"
>For the most part the Celestials seem to be doing well. But it looks like Cirno is giving them difficulty. Really, it's a little telling how hard the fall was on them, given that most of them have faced and defeated a shikigami at least once.
>"Okay but they have to go first," says Rumia.
>"Oh! This thing came out of the sky! And then we went up to look, and there were peaches and them these jerks came!"
>_
-
>"Do you know who shot first?"
-
I don't think that matters to her. She doesn't seem to recognize theft as an act of aggression. You'd have to make her understand that first to get through to her that way.
-
I'm not expecting her to care. I'm curious for our own sake.
-
>"Do you know who shot first?"
>"Umm...someone. Oh, thanks for reminding me!"
>She turns and fires on the celestials again. While not really accurate enough to put them in any direct danger, it does make things that much more confused for the defenders.
>_
-
>Go fly over to that rabbit
-
>Sigh first.
>"Well, try not to hurt anyone."
-
>Sigh first.
>"Well, try not to hurt anyone."
>You sigh.
>"Okay!" says Rumia.
>Go fly over to that rabbit
>You make your way over to the rabbit. Thankfully, this is not difficult as she is hanging back from most of the fray.
>However, as you approach, you notice she produces a spellcard and eyes you warily.
>_
-
>Raise our hands up in a non-threatening gesture
>"Wait, I'm not here to attack you. I just want to speak with you."
-
>Raise our hands up in a non-threatening gesture
>"Wait, I'm not here to attack you. I just want to speak with you."
>"Keep those hands up," she says, twirling the spellcard between her fingers. "You can speak just find without getting them anywhere near where you keep your cards. So what're trying to pull?"
>_
-
>"I want to explain what happened, primarily."
-
> "I'm not trying to pull anything. Aside from the these land masses, which I'd like to pull back up to where they belong."
-
>"I want to explain what happened, primarily."
>"I'm listening," says Tewi.
> "I'm not trying to pull anything. Aside from the these land masses, which I'd like to pull back up to where they belong."
>"I was kind of wondering what you guys were thinking about that," she says. "This is really going to be a problem."
>_
-
>"Well, at least you seem to understand what they are and where they came from. Unlike some... other people."
>"And yes, this currently does seem to be a problem. We'll be leaving as soon as we can figure out how, but in the meantime, we can't have everyone fighting each other over this."
-
Mental note: Ask what this looked like from the ground.
In before people pointing out how obvious the answer will be, pre-emptive response is that it doesn't hurt to ask, and it make not be an answer we expect.
-
>"Well, at least you seem to understand what they are and where they came from. Unlike some... other people."
>"And yes, this currently does seem to be a problem. We'll be leaving as soon as we can figure out how, but in the meantime, we can't have everyone fighting each other over this."
>"I hear things," says the rabbit. "And yeah, it'll be a problem. Oh, you might want to move to the side a bit."
>She conjures a wave of danmaku and sends it flying; some of it coming toward you!
>_
-
>Dodge aside!
>When safely out of the way, look at who/what she was aiming for.
>Pray not to get pickpocketed
-
>Dodge aside!
>When safely out of the way, look at who/what she was aiming for.
>Pray not to get pickpocketed
>You dodge out of the way. Thankfully you're at the edge of the barrage, so it's not too difficult.
>You watch the shots rain down on a group of celestials who were trying to stop Cirno and the nekomata.
>Several posts too late for that.
>_
-
>Stern frown
>"I hope you understand that those are my own people you're firing on. I've approached you in good faith. The least you can do is reciprocate. This needs to end before it gets any more tangled than it already is."
-
>Stern frown
>"I hope you understand that those are my own people you're firing on. I've approached you in good faith. The least you can do is reciprocate. This needs to end before it gets any more tangled than it already is."
>"You've got your expectations mixed up," she says. "See, they've shot at me. So I'm simply reciprocating. You haven't, and I kindly warned you to get out of the way. See?"
>_
-
>"Well, maybe you can tell me how this all started, then?"
-
>"Well, maybe you can tell me how this all started, then?"
>"This island drops into the town's airspace," says the rabbit, as she observes the fight. "People go up to see what is happening, see there are peaches everywhere, help themselves, and things progress from there."
>_
-
>"Did no one ever think that the peaches may have been someone else's property? I understand the fairies aren't likely to care, but surely someone here has a little more forethought than that."
>"I can call them off if the others can be convinced to stop as well. I'm sure there are some peaches to be spared, in the interest of co-operation, as long as people stop fighting with each other."
-
>"Did no one ever think that the peaches may have been someone else's property? I understand the fairies aren't likely to care, but surely someone here has a little more forethought than that."
>"I can call them off if the others can be convinced to stop as well. I'm sure there are some peaches to be spared, in the interest of co-operation, as long as people stop fighting with each other."
>"Why would peaches in the sky belong to anyone?" asks the rabbit. "Anyways, it sure would be nice if they calmed down. Move again, please?"
>_
-
>Move out of the way. As bad as this feels, there no point in being a human shield for something more easily dodged by the intended target. Especially if it's only stray fire coming our way in the first place.
>"Well, because there were people on that island, maybe? Did no one notice this fact?"
>"And will you stop shooting them! I'm hardly going to get them to stand down if everyone else keeps attacking them."
-
>Move out of the way. As bad as this feels, there no point in being a human shield for something more easily dodged by the intended target. Especially if it's only stray fire coming our way in the first place.
>"Well, because there were people on that island, maybe? Did no one notice this fact?"
>"And will you stop shooting them! I'm hardly going to get them to stand down if everyone else keeps attacking them."
>You move out of the way as Tewi unleashes another volley on a group of celestials trying to get into position to deal with the insect youkai
>"Why would we know that?" asks Tewi."Anyways, given they're the aggressors, maybe you ought to talk with them first? Rather than blaming us since we're not from up above?"
>_
-
>Sigh
>"It has nothing to do with the fact that you live down here, but the fact that these people are trying to steal things that don't belong to them. It doesn't matter whose property it is."
>"But are you saying that the celestials fired first, without trying to explain the situation?"
-
>Sigh
>"It has nothing to do with the fact that you live down here, but the fact that these people are trying to steal things that don't belong to them. It doesn't matter whose property it is."
>"But are you saying that the celestials fired first, without trying to explain the situation?"
>You sigh.
>"Yeah, pretty much," says Tewi. "Also, last time I checked, trees don't belong to anyone."
>_
-
>Oh, so the farmers around here don't own the food they grow, either, now? This is a cultivated orchard."
-
>Oh, so the farmers around here don't own the food they grow, either, now? This is a cultivated orchard."
>"Oh I'm sure they think they do," says Tewi. "Weren't you going to go tell them to stop shooting at us?"
>_
-
>"Make certain you stop as well."
>Fly towards the nearest group of celestials engaged in battle
-
>"Make certain you stop as well."
>Fly towards the nearest group of celestials engaged in battle
>"I told you the conditions for that," says Tewi, as you fly off.
>You circle around the bulk of the fighting, and land close to a couple of celestials taking shots at the insect youkai. One of them looks back toward you for a second, then cries, "Thank Heaven, Lady Nagae!"
>_
-
>"We need to stop this. The island is going to be in their space until we can return it to its proper place, and we have to be able to co-exist with the surface until then."
-
>"We need to stop this. The island is going to be in their space until we can return it to its proper place, and we have to be able to co-exist with the surface until then."
>"As you wish, Lady Nagae," says the other celestial, "But is it alright for the island to be overrun and the peaches taken?"
>_
-
>"I'd like to think we can work out a compromise, without depleting our own food supply too significantly. At worst, we can supplement our reserves with supplies from the surface if it becomes an issue. Most of the fairies will likely depart harmlessly of their own accord once they grab a snack for themselves."
-
>"I'd like to think we can work out a compromise, without depleting our own food supply too significantly. At worst, we can supplement our reserves with supplies from the surface if it becomes an issue. Most of the fairies will likely depart harmlessly of their own accord once they grab a snack for themselves."
>They seem satisfied with this, having stopped their fire.
>_
-
>Is this group still being fired upon?
>If not, and the celestials are away from the island: "Return to the island for now. I'll attempt to disarm the rest of this conflict."
>If they're not being fired upon, and there is no further issue here, move on to the next group of celestials.
-
>We should speak with the insect youkai before moving on, so that she understands as well.
EDIT: Uh, Draco, you're a good guy, but there were parts of that conversation with Tewi that I did not... understand. Should I be frank?
-
>Is this group still being fired upon?
>If not, and the celestials are away from the island: "Return to the island for now. I'll attempt to disarm the rest of this conflict."
>If they're not being fired upon, and there is no further issue here, move on to the next group of celestials.
>You are on the island, and yes, they are still being fired upon somewhat, though it seems the insect youkai is turning her attention elsewhere.
>_
-
EDIT: Uh, Draco, you're a good guy, but there were parts of that conversation with Tewi that I did not... understand. Should I be frank?
Didn't understand? I'm, uh, honestly not sure what you'd be referring to. But please go ahead.
-
Popping in real quick to say that no one wants to see this get chippy. There has been enough inter-user tension in the past couple of games, and I don't think anyone wants any more. Let's consider our words carefully before we say anything to each other, okay?
This isn't directed at anyone in particular; rather, it's a general advisement to all who play here.
-
I'm, uh, honestly not sure what you'd be referring to.
Yeah, I was gonna ask if you could guess at it, so I guess that's part of the issue.
... damnit, why do I always start on things right when I should be getting ready for bed and am tired enough to do so?
Yell at me in the morning. The long and short of it is, I don't understand why you used the tone of voice you did with Tewi. I'm not sure I understand what the purpose of several word and emphasis choices were.
I'm sorry for constantly being an ass about this, and I've fucked up sometimes as well, but it gets to me.
Let's consider our words carefully before we say anything to each other, okay?
I'm trying, I'm trying...
>What is the insect youkai doing now? What are the chances that she overheard our conversation?
Suggest: If she seems to be planning to continue the fight or swipe some peaches, approach her without looking too threatening and call out a polite greeting. (I can't stay for this, so I won't push that method on you guys.)
-
>What is the insect youkai doing now? What are the chances that she overheard our conversation?
>She seems to be moving on toward another group of celestials. You are fairly sure she couldn't have overheard you.
>_
-
I'm afraid that's vague enough that it's essentially guesswork to figure out what you're bothered by.
I'll assume it's because I sounded somewhat annoyed with Tewi, on the whole, in asking why no one else seemed to think this was someone else's property? And in fairly bluntly asking her to stop shooting? I think, when you see someone you don't know shooting at people who are, essentially, your own subordinates while you're asking for a cease-fire, getting a bit annoyed with them continuing to so casually take potshots is pretty reasonable. The same with the issue of everyone else assuming that everything up there is theirs to take.
It never seemed to bother Tewi significantly, and I tried to make it as non-hostile as seemed reasonable. But I can't imagine Iku being totally ok with either of those things.
How do you think the situation might have been improved by acting differently? I think Tewi is relatively neutral in either case, and I'm not sure there would be anything more she'd be able to do, no matter how nice we were to her. I don't even think what I did counts as un-nice, for that matter, but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts of it. Or have I missed the mark entirely?
>Move towards the group of celestials she's approaching
-
>Move towards the group of celestials she's approaching
>You move toward the group you think she's about to open fire. This collection of five celestials, spread widely, is already under pressure from Cirno.
>_
-
>Move close enough that we think the whole group on both sides could hear us
>Shout: "Everyone! Please stop shooting at each other! There's been a misunderstanding!"
-
>Move close enough that we think the whole group on both sides could hear us
>Shout: "Everyone! Please stop shooting at each other! There's been a misunderstanding!"
>You move in and shout as loud as you can.
>"As you wish, Lady Nagae!" says one of the celestials.
>"Only misunderstanding is how real I am, bitches!" Cirno says. "I'll freeze youso bad you'll think you hung your laundry out in a snowstorm!"
>The celestial cease fire and take cover, Cirno seems to have no interest in letting up.
>_
-
>Call out to Cirno: "You can have some peaches, if that's what you care about. No need to exchange blows over it."
>If she continues to fire, or ignores us: "But if you refuse to stop, I will stop you myself."
>Give her another moment or two, but if she continues to fire, throw a bolt of danmaku lightning at her.
>If the insect youkai, or anyone else from Gensokyo, is still around, call out to them: "We mean you no harm. I'll do my best to explain once everyone stops fighting."
-
>Call out to Cirno: "You can have some peaches, if that's what you care about. No need to exchange blows over it."
>If she continues to fire, or ignores us: "But if you refuse to stop, I will stop you myself."
>Give her another moment or two, but if she continues to fire, throw a bolt of danmaku lightning at her.
>If the insect youkai, or anyone else from Gensokyo, is still around, call out to them: "We mean you no harm. I'll do my best to explain once everyone stops fighting."
>"Oh I'm gonna get all the peaches," Cirno says, "I'm unstoppable!"
>She doesn't stop, and you point out you will stop. "Is that a challenge!?" Cirno cries.
>The insect youkai approaches, but seems to be more intrigued by what's going on than interested in fighting.
>_
-
>"If you insist upon it."
>How many other battles still seem to be happening, elsewhere?
-
>"If you insist upon it."
>How many other battles still seem to be happening, elsewhere?
>"I'm real as they get, I'll insist upon anything! I'll insist upon everything!
>It seems the nekomata is still at it, with Rumia trying to assist from time to time.
>_
-
>Call out to the celestials near us, and point towards the group fighting the nekomata: "Can one of you please go tell them I asked them to stand down, and give the nekomata time to follow suit."
>Assuming an acknowledgment and departure:
>To Cirno: "Then you can have your challenge."
>If Cirno is still firing on the other celestials, throw a bolt of lightning at her. Otherwise, give her a moment to stop and engage us, and then fire said bolt of lightning.
-
>Call out to the celestials near us, and point towards the group fighting the nekomata: "Can one of you please go tell them I asked them to stand down, and give the nekomata time to follow suit."
>Assuming an acknowledgment and departure:
>To Cirno: "Then you can have your challenge."
>If Cirno is still firing on the other celestials, throw a bolt of lightning at her. Otherwise, give her a moment to stop and engage us, and then fire said bolt of lightning.
>"As you wish, Lady Nagae!" says one of the celestials.
>Cirno has stop firing, while she regards you with a cocky grin, arms crossed. "Bring it, Dance Empress, I'm Cirno, the faerie who freezes beats before they can drop!"
>Then cries out, and wavers in the air.
>_
-
>What happened? We didn't actually fire yet, did we?
-
>What happened? We didn't actually fire yet, did we?
>No you didn't. You've not even taken to the air yet.
>Cirno sways in the air, then begins to spiral gently toward the ground.
>"Run!" Rumia shouts.
>Looking beyond Cirno, you see an unfortunately familiar Red and White form approaching the island at high speed. As she does, more of the attacking faeries are shot from the air by flying needles.
>_
-
>At what point did we actually land?
>Well, she wastes no time...
>Hope that she'll be least be a little reasonable about all this
>Move a little ways out from the island towards her, but slowly and in as non-threatening a way as we can
-
>At what point did we actually land?
>Well, she wastes no time...
>Hope that she'll be least be a little reasonable about all this
>Move a little ways out from the island towards her, but slowly and in as non-threatening a way as we can
>When you addressed the first group of celestials, which were on the island.
>No she doesn't.
>You really hope she's feeling reasonable.
>You approach, trying to seem nonthreatening as possible. Reimu slows down as she draws near. You notice, curiously enough, there seems to be a small faerie following her.
>"Iku," Reimu says, "The sky fell."
>_
-
>"Yes, it did. I wish I could tell you why. We're not sure what's wrong or how to fix it, although we're doing our best to figure this out."
>"We're not trying to cause any trouble with the surface, I assure you."
-
>"Yes, it did. I wish I could tell you why. We're not sure what's wrong or how to fix it, although we're doing our best to figure this out."
>"We're not trying to cause any trouble with the surface, I assure you."
>"So it wasn't you?" Reimu asks.
>"She's lying!" the faerie cries.
>"Maybe," Reimu says to her, "Just maybe."
>_
-
>"No, it wasn't me. In fact, the first sign anything was wrong was me nearly breaking my back being thrown into the ceiling. Followed shortly thereafter by the floor."
>"And before you ask, I don't think Tenshi could have done this, either. Or at least I pray she hasn't or I'll likely be even more upset with her than you will."
-
>"No, it wasn't me. In fact, the first sign anything was wrong was me nearly breaking my back being thrown into the ceiling. Followed shortly thereafter by the floor."
>"And before you ask, I don't think Tenshi could have done this, either. Or at least I pray she hasn't or I'll likely be even more upset with her than you will."
>Reimu frowns, and gives you a look. "So, why are you mentioning Tenshi out of nowhere?"
>"She's really suspicious!" the faerie says.
>_
-
>"Because the last time a major incident brought you to us, she was at fault. I'd assumed the thought must have occurred to you."
-
>"Because the last time a major incident brought you to us, she was at fault. I'd assumed the thought must have occurred to you."
>"Perhaps you could tell me where she is, and I'll ask her about it myself," Reimu asks.
>_
-
>"I'd be happy to do so. If I knew where she was."
In case anyone's wondering why I brought the subject up rather than hoping Reimu wouldn't think of it, I figure that she's very likely to learn about it on her own sooner or later, and it makes us look a lot worse if it looks like we were hiding something from her. And if Reimu then jumps to the conclusion that we knew what was up all along and never told her, well....
-
>"I'd be happy to do so. If I knew where she was."
>"I suppose that would be true," says Reimu. "But there's also the possibility you're on her side, and trying to play innocent."
>"She totally is!" the faerie says, pointing at you, "I can see it in her eyes! Right beside the color things!"
>_
-
> Were we 'on Tenshi's side' last time?
-
> Were we 'on Tenshi's side' last time?
>Not really. You were concerned about her. And you did try to keep people from getting into Bhava-Agra; and had to deal with a few more excitable people.
>_
-
>"I actually came here searching for her when I saw this battle in progress and tried to put a stop to it. If there's anything you can suggest I do as a gesture of good faith, I'd be open to it. I would very much like to find Tenshi myself, right now."
-
>"I actually came here searching for her when I saw this battle in progress and tried to put a stop to it. If there's anything you can suggest I do as a gesture of good faith, I'd be open to it. I would very much like to find Tenshi myself, right now."
>"Sounds pretty convenient," says Reimu.
>She has a handful of needles; where did those come from?
>"I'm think I better make sure."
>_
-
>"I assure you, it's not very convenient for me."
>"And might I ask what you plan to do to make sure?"
>Be ready to dodge, if necessary
-
>"I assure you, it's not very convenient for me."
>"And might I ask what you plan to do to make sure?"
>Be ready to dodge, if necessary
>Reimu's face is carefully neutral as she says, "It's about to get a lot more inconvenient!"
>"Kick her ass!" the faerie cries.
>It suddenly becomes very necessary to dodge as many needles and talismans fly in your direction in a tight spread!
>_
-
>Move out of the way!
>"How will attacking me tell you whether or not I'm telling you the truth?!"
>"I don't know what else I can say to you. Tenshi is missing, and the islands have fallen, and we don't know why. I honestly wish there was more to tell!"
>Be ready to dodge further projectiles
-
>Move out of the way!
>"How will attacking me tell you whether or not I'm telling you the truth?!"
>"I don't know what else I can say to you. Tenshi is missing, and the islands have fallen, and we don't know why. I honestly wish there was more to tell!"
>Be ready to dodge further projectiles
>You move aside, but the attack comes so fast that a few of the needles cut into your arm.
>"Just making sure if you are causing trouble after all, you won't be able to keep it up!" Reimu cries as she sends another barrage your way!
>_
-
>Keep moving!
>Put some more distance between us
>"If I was causing trouble, why would I just have ordered all of the celestials here to stop firing back?"
-
>Keep moving!
>Put some more distance between us
>"If I was causing trouble, why would I just have ordered all of the celestials here to stop firing back?"
>You keep moving, and thankfully manage to keep clear of the current barrage.
>You try to put some distance between yourself and Reimu, and find she is keeping pace with you. You also notice that the skies are much clearer; the attackers all seem to have cleared away.
>"Could be a feint!" she says as she pursues; her faerie following and no doubt shouting encouragement you can't hear.
>_
-
>"To what end? If I had any hostile intent, wouldn't I be firing back at you?"
>"The truth is that even if you incapacitate me, our islands will not ascend any quicker than they already are. In fact, it will almost certainly take longer as I will be unable to assist them!"
>"Surely there must be something I can do to convince you we have the same goals here? We both want these islands gone and things back to normal down here."
-
>"To what end? If I had any hostile intent, wouldn't I be firing back at you?"
>"The truth is that even if you incapacitate me, our islands will not ascend any quicker than they already are. In fact, it will almost certainly take longer as I will be unable to assist them!"
>"Surely there must be something I can do to convince you we have the same goals here? We both want these islands gone and things back to normal down here."
>"I'll take care of it!" she says.
>Oh god there's a barrage of needles in front of you!
>_
-
> Are we currently flying? If so, fly up to avoid the barrage; otherwise, leap aside.
> Do we know if Reimu knows anything about The Dragon?
-
>Can we see any path to shift among it?
>If it looks safer to avoid it entirely, just get out of its way! If we think we don't have the time or speed to do this, try to shift inbetween any gaps
>"It's still my duty!"
-
> Are we currently flying? If so, fly up to avoid the barrage; otherwise, leap aside.
> Do we know if Reimu knows anything about The Dragon?
>You try to fly over the barrage. As you do, it shifts upwards, and catches you in the torso. Oh gosh it hurts!
>As a shrine maiden, she ought to know about it. But given her legendary laziness, she might not.
>_
-
I try to help, and already I screw it up
Suggestion: Mention where our orders came from. It's likely that Reimu won't care, but there's a possibility it might get her to relent. ...I think.
-
>Can we see any path to shift among it?
>If it looks safer to avoid it entirely, just get out of its way! If we think we don't have the time or speed to do this, try to shift inbetween any gaps
>"It's still my duty!"
>No. You don't think anything larger than a small faerie could get through that.
>How do you intend to get out of its way?
>"Consider yourself relieved!" she shouts back as she moves the barrage toward you. "Tell me where Tenshi is!"
>_
-
>"I don't know! I swear I'm telling the truth! I'll even help you look for her, if it pleases you."
>Keep backing away from the barrage if we can keep up with its speed
>Otherwise, try to move around the side of it, while still keeping up significant momentum away from it
-
>"I don't know! I swear I'm telling the truth! I'll even help you look for her, if it pleases you."
>Keep backing away from the barrage if we can keep up with its speed
>Otherwise, try to move around the side of it, while still keeping up significant momentum away from it
>"Then where did you last see her!" Reimu shouts.
>You back away, and the barrage comes after you. For now you can back away from it and keep pace.
>_
-
>Keep pace with the barrage
>"Just after the islands fell. She was thrown to the ceiling with me, and then exited her family shrine and dived over the edge. I was moving to pursue, but The Dragon summoned me away. I returned as soon as it was finished speaking with me."
-
>Keep pace with the barrage
>"Just after the islands fell. She was thrown to the ceiling with me, and then exited her family shrine and dived over the edge. I was moving to pursue, but The Dragon summoned me away. I returned as soon as it was finished speaking with me."
>"Where's your proof?" Reimu cries.
>The barrage is definitely catching up to you...
>_
-
>Would it be totally against the rules to offer to take her to the shrine to speak with the people who witnessed Tenshi's escape?
-
>Would it be totally against the rules to offer to take her to the shrine to speak with the people who witnessed Tenshi's escape?
>It shouldn't be, especially given the circumstances.
>_
-
>"I can take you to her family shrine! There are others there who saw her leave."
>Keep away from that barrage...
-
>"I can take you to her family shrine! There are others there who saw her leave."
>Keep away from that barrage...
>"Where is it?" Reimu says.
>_
-
>Can the island with the shrine be seen from where we are now?
>If so, point to it. Otherwise, at least gesture in the right direction.
>"Among the mountain on that island. I can show you the way."
-
>Can the island with the shrine be seen from where we are now?
>If so, point to it. Otherwise, at least gesture in the right direction.
>"Among the mountain on that island. I can show you the way."
>It's a bit in the distant, but you gesture toward it.
>"You better hope I don't find you being suspicious again!" Reimu shouts, as she drops the barrage and flies off toward the north.
>"That was so totally hot!" cries the faerie, "Let's make out right now!"
>You can barely hear Reimu reply, "Let go of my hair."
>_
-
>Breathe a sigh of relief
>Does it look like she wanted us to follow her? Or has she already gained too much ground for that to be easily feasible?
>Not that we wouldn't mind putting some distance between us...
-
>Breathe a sigh of relief
>Does it look like she wanted us to follow her? Or has she already gained too much ground for that to be easily feasible?
>Not that we wouldn't mind putting some distance between us...
>You break a sigh of relief, and wince from the pain.
>Reimu mentioned nothing about you following her. And frankly you're happy to let her go right now.
>_
-
>Can we see anyone else milling about the area?
>If not, return to the orchard and find a celestial
-
>Can we see anyone else milling about the area?
>If not, return to the orchard and find a celestial
>You notice the nekomata poking her head up from one of the trees. "Is it safe yet?" she asks.
>_
-
> "It should be, unless someone else is going to cause trouble, and I hope no one causes any more."
-
> "It should be, unless someone else is going to cause trouble, and I hope no one causes any more."
>"Did we win?" she asks, "Can we have some peaches now?"
>_
-
>"I'm afraid Reimu defeated everybody, so I'm sorry to say you don't get any."
-
>"I'm afraid Reimu defeated everybody, so I'm sorry to say you don't get any."
>Her ears droop.
>"But, didn't she only just beat you?"
>_
-
>"The Ice Fairy was beaten as well, I believe."
>"Also, I did not see you, or the other youkai attempt to fight The Shrine Maiden."
>"Regardless, by all means the Peaches now belong to her. If you want to take some, you must go and Challenge Reimu for the right to take them."
>"In the meantime, Since she is a busy shrine maiden, I will have the inhabitants of the island harvest the Peachs, and deliver them to the Hakurei Shrine in due time."
>Remember for later that we own a spare Basket of Peaches to Reimu for thanks, should this convince the surrounding Youkai to stop attacking the Orchard.
>Keyword: Spare
-
>Stop lying.
Both blatant lies and openly expressing anger when we know better are, to me, uncharacteristic of... well, Celestials in general, and especially such a trusted, 'high-ranking' one as Iku. Yes, even if no one else finds out. Because the Dragon would know. And so would the parser.
-
>"The Ice Fairy was beaten as well, I believe."
>"Also, I did not see you, or the other youkai attempt to fight The Shrine Maiden."
>"Regardless, by all means the Peaches now belong to her. If you want to take some, you must go and Challenge Reimu for the right to take them."
>"In the meantime, Since she is a busy shrine maiden, I will have the inhabitants of the island harvest the Peachs, and deliver them to the Hakurei Shrine in due time."
>Remember for later that we own a spare Basket of Peaches to Reimu for thanks, should this convince the surrounding Youkai to stop attacking the Orchard.
>Keyword: Spare
>Stop lying.
>You start to speak, then feel ashamed of your base behavior.
>_
-
It's not lying. We are going to have the Island inhabitants harvest them, aren't we? And as long as we give some to Reimu, that counts as harvesting them for her. :3
So, what other plans do we have for getting the Youkai to not take all of our food?
-
It's not lying. We are going to have the Island inhabitants harvest them, aren't we? And as long as we give some to Reimu, that counts as harvesting them for her. :3
So, what other plans do we have for getting the Youkai to not take all of our food?
Right now, this seems like the way to go(partially due to no other plans being mentioned), as it should work and isn't that much of a lie, if at all. We would be getting the peaches harvested, Reimu did beat Cirno and was about to beat us into submission, and we would bring some to Reimu when available which would keep her happy/not all that angry.
> Roughly how many peach tree's are in the orchard?
> "If anyone wants a peach, it shouldn't be an issue, but please don't take more then that. Please."
-
Suggest:
"We stopped fighting, but I'm not sure that was really a win or loss on either end. I told her what happened, and she's checking my story now. If all goes well, we won't have to finish the fight at all - I'd rather help her get things back to normal, anyway."
"These islands fell from the sky, though I'm not entirely sure why yet. I'm, uh, friends with the people that live there. We don't mean to hurt anyone or get in the way. Though I guess we can't entirely help the last part..."
"I don't think any of us really want to fight right now. And since the people there take care of the peach trees while the peaches grow, it's fairest for them to keep the peaches. But since the island's getting in the way right now, it'd probably be fair to give people a few to make up for that, as long as they're friendly."
"So if you don't fight with the people from the island, I'll see if I can ask them for a few peaches for you. Is that okay?"
-
Um, I have to admit I just plain don't understand the whole angle about Reimu being in charge of the peaches because she attacked us. She was mistaken, she flew off, and we're still in charge of the grove in any event. We already said everyone could have a couple if they really wanted, and I don't think there needs to be any more complications to the situation than that. In fact, that's what I was planning to land and tell the celestials in the grove: If anyone else shows up and asks, politely offer them a couple and avoid causing issues unless they do something more drastic.
Edit: Also, all of that seems essentially fine to me
>"We stopped fighting, but I'm not sure that was really a win or loss on either end. I told her what happened, and she's checking my story now. If all goes well, we won't have to finish the fight at all - I'd rather help her get things back to normal, anyway."
>"These islands fell from the sky, though I'm not entirely sure why yet. I'm, uh, friends with the people that live there. We don't mean to hurt anyone or get in the way. Though I guess we can't entirely help the last part..."
>"I don't think any of us really want to fight right now. And since the people there take care of the peach trees while the peaches grow, it's fairest for them to keep the peaches. But since the island's getting in the way right now, it'd probably be fair to give people a few to make up for that, as long as they're friendly."
>"So if you don't fight with the people from the island, I'll see if I can ask them for a few peaches for you. Is that okay?"
-
> Roughly how many peach tree's are in the orchard?
> "If anyone wants a peach, it shouldn't be an issue, but please don't take more then that. Please."
>There are close to fifteen thousand on the island, according the estimates Lorelei gave you. You were expecting enough peaches to take care of the Dragon Palace's needs for a few months.
>"But..." says the nekomata, "I wanted to get some for Ran and Yukari-sama..."
>"We stopped fighting, but I'm not sure that was really a win or loss on either end. I told her what happened, and she's checking my story now. If all goes well, we won't have to finish the fight at all - I'd rather help her get things back to normal, anyway."
>"These islands fell from the sky, though I'm not entirely sure why yet. I'm, uh, friends with the people that live there. We don't mean to hurt anyone or get in the way. Though I guess we can't entirely help the last part..."
>"I don't think any of us really want to fight right now. And since the people there take care of the peach trees while the peaches grow, it's fairest for them to keep the peaches. But since the island's getting in the way right now, it'd probably be fair to give people a few to make up for that, as long as they're friendly."
>"So if you don't fight with the people from the island, I'll see if I can ask them for a few peaches for you. Is that okay?"
>"Um, okay," says the nekomata. "But they have to be good ones!"
>_
-
>"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find them to your liking."
>Go land and look for the nearest celestial
-
>Who else is still fighting at the moment?
-
Welcome to "Gensokyo", Land of Misconceptions. "Illusion" is practically in the title.
I still don't see what we get by explaining to a cat word for word exactly what the truth of the matter is, when what I said summed it up pretty nicely. Also, no one had to tell Reimu that all of the Peaches belonged to her.
The main problem with the way things have been going is that everyone's too interested in talking and laying down the truth so that we all come to a perfect 100% agreement and compromise between all parties. While normally this is ideal, we're trying to impliment this in a setting where people shoot millions of bullets at each other on a daily basis, and whoever isn't knocked over takes all of the spoils.
Reimu did step into a fight over the Peaches, and ultimately ended the combat by herself, in better shape than anyone else did. Those peaches really do belong to Reimu by the rites of Gensokyo's dueling rules, yet at the same time, we're given an opportunity to pick up what she didn't claim, while at the same time convincing others she has already staked claim. This would ultimately end all fighting over the peaches in our favor, and we would only have to have lost one bucket.
But I guess Chen is cute.
-
>"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find them to your liking."
>Go land and look for the nearest celestial
>"Okay, I'll go get some."
>You land, while Chen descends into the orchard. You find a brown-haired Celestial tending to her short dark-haired companion. She nods toward you, "Lady Nagae."
>Who else is still fighting at the moment?
>The fighting came to an end when Reimu showed up. It seems most of the combatants disappeared.
>_
-
Reimu's fighting had nothing to do with the peaches one way or the other. She was convinced that the island's appearance was part of some scheme by us or Tenshi (or someone else, maybe) to causing some sort of trouble for Gensokyo. And she was going to beat us up just to make sure we couldn't cause trouble. I don't even know that she bothered to notice there were peaches on the island and she certainly didn't claim any of them. To be honest, I'm not really sure where you got the impression that the battle was over peaches in the first place >.>
>"I'd like you to spread that word that I'm permitting any visitors from Gensokyo to take a few peaches for themselves, if they choose, provided they remain polite. I don't expect enough people will take advantage of this to cause a problem, but we need to be able to peacefully co-exist with the surface until we're able to ascend once more. Please treat them with respect."
-
>"It seems the fighting has ended now."
>"We will have to make a few sacrifices for the sake of keeping the peace around here. should any of the youkai or humans from the surface land come to ask for some fruit, You will have to oblige them in a polite manor."
>"In the meantime, I will continue the search for Tenshi, and hopefully for the reason why these lands fell."
Cut: We were there to stop the youkai from taking the Peaches when Reimu cut in. She may never have realized it (and my intention was that she never would) but the fact is, there was a fight over the peaches, and Reimu is the only one that entered the fight that could be called the winner. The alternatives were to lose a ton of peaches (which we're going with now) or starting the fight back up again, which is a much worse option.
But forget it. I know we had this argument earlier in the thread, and I just wanted to give my piece now to vent from getting peachblocked.
-
Well, ownership of the peaches would depend on who technically owned them before the fight. If it was us, or some other higher Bhava-Agra figure, then they're still under their original ownership, as Reimu didn't technically beat any of those parties. If it was the celestial people in general, it's pretty arguable that she beat them.
-
>"I'd like you to spread that word that I'm permitting any visitors from Gensokyo to take a few peaches for themselves, if they choose, provided they remain polite. I don't expect enough people will take advantage of this to cause a problem, but we need to be able to peacefully co-exist with the surface until we're able to ascend once more. Please treat them with respect."
>"It seems the fighting has ended now."
>"We will have to make a few sacrifices for the sake of keeping the peace around here. should any of the youkai or humans from the surface land come to ask for some fruit, You will have to oblige them in a polite manor."
>"In the meantime, I will continue the search for Tenshi, and hopefully for the reason why these lands fell."
>The Celestial frowns, then nods. "Does this mean we should ignore faeries, then? And...what will we do if we begin to run low?"
>_
-
>"I suspect that not nearly enough will be taken to cause such an issue. I think Reimu has effectively scared most of them away, as-is. But, in the worst case, I will make sure our food supplies are supplemented with provisions from the surface so that there isn't a significant shortfall. Times such as these sometimes require unusual measures."
-
>"I suspect that not nearly enough will be taken to cause such an issue. I think Reimu has effectively scared most of them away, as-is. But, in the worst case, I will make sure our food supplies are supplemented with provisions from the surface so that there isn't a significant shortfall. Times such as these sometimes require unusual measures."
>She nods again. "And the faeries, Lady Nagae?"
-
>"I think it's alright to let them have a couple. Within reason. I'm hoping we can make our stay brief enough that it won't matter. If some of them start to get too rambunctious, you can act accordingly, but try to give them the benefit of the doubt."
>"If our stay becomes prolonged, I'll re-evaluate the situation as need be."
-
>"I think it's alright to let them have a couple. Within reason. I'm hoping we can make our stay brief enough that it won't matter. If some of them start to get too rambunctious, you can act accordingly, but try to give them the benefit of the doubt."
>"If our stay becomes prolonged, I'll re-evaluate the situation as need be."
>The Celestial nods. "I'll make this known as soon as I am done here."
>_
-
>Nod
>"Thank you. I pray everything remains well here until I return."
>Descend to the human village
-
Honesty is usually a good policy, especially if you want people to trust you. Which would be important if you're one of the head representatives of a group that tries to be known for being honest, especially when that group has inadvertently pissed off a lot of people that are only familiar with that reputation in passing, if at all. Especially with Tenshi's persistent tarnishing of it. The honesty isn't only for our own sake.
Gensokyo generally doesn't seem very ruthless about the consequences of winning/losing a danmaku match. 'All the spoils' is definite hyperbole, otherwise Alice would have lost her Grimoire and dolls long ago. There's a strange undercurrent of reasonableness to the whole arrangement, generally based on what the winner decides to claim. And Reimu didn't claim anything aside from apparently wanting things back to normal, with Iku held accountable for it.
Also? Showing some kindness and generosity to the people of Gensokyo instead of greeting them by force is going to be better for Celestia's reputation than scaring off the intruders. In a roundabout way this is also an opportunity to show Gensokyo that the place is really as nice as 'we' try to claim. I would be willing to add some caveats to the offer to prevent abuse (only people that are near or beneath the islands for the alarm and intrusion, but not faraway people, if possible), but I think apology food/bribes will help more in the long run.
>Wait, should we go without leaving a message for where Reimu could find us if she arrives? If she doesn't like what she finds out and comes to find us again...
-
A message seems like a nice idea, but I don't know that we could give an accurate one. We're going to be running all over Gensokyo, most likely. We could tell the celestials to tell Reimu we went to the village, but then what? Leave messages with everyone else we pass? What if they're also on the move? I'm not sure it's logistically feasible.
-
Yeah, that's the main hole in that plan, unless we have a specific plan of what path to take for a while... which I don't think we do. And I might be worrying a little too much, if Reimu's going to be somewhat reasonable about this. But...
>Is there any way we could be contacted long-distance with relative ease and without causing much of a stir?
-
>Nod
>"Thank you. I pray everything remains well here until I return."
>Descend to the human village
>Wait, should we go without leaving a message for where Reimu could find us if she arrives? If she doesn't like what she finds out and comes to find us again...
>"We'll do our best, Lady Nagae," says the celestial.
>You prepare to leave, then decide there is more to be done.
>Is there any way we could be contacted long-distance with relative ease and without causing much of a stir?
>Not that you know of.
>_
-
>"One last thing, actually. If Reimu returns here soon asking for me, tell her that I went to the human village to begin investigating. I'm not sure where I'll go after that, so if it's a while before she returns, I'm not sure where I'll end up."
>Barring anything more of interest, head down to the village and look around. Take note of the tavern, in case Tenshi decided to be painfully uncreative about her hiding place.
-
>"One last thing, actually. If Reimu returns here soon asking for me, tell her that I went to the human village to begin investigating. I'm not sure where I'll go after that, so if it's a while before she returns, I'm not sure where I'll end up."
>Barring anything more of interest, head down to the village and look around. Take note of the tavern, in case Tenshi decided to be painfully uncreative about her hiding place.
>"As you wish," says the celestial, "I'll make sure this is known too."
>Satisfied with this, you leave the island and descend down into the human town. The streets are full of people gawking at the island floating above them, with small groups of neighbors gathered together and gossiping, lending a constant soft murmur of crowd to the town. Some of them look at you curiously. You notice Rumia poking her head out of an alley across from the school, and a couple of people from the Myouren Temple near the main intersection, not far from the tavern.
>_
-
>Head over towards the people from the temple, on our way to the tavern
>Which of them do we recognize?
>Which of them have we interacted personally with to any degree?
-
>Head over towards the people from the temple, on our way to the tavern
>Which of them do we recognize?
>Which of them have we interacted personally with to any degree?
>You make your way toward the Myouren people. You've never really interacted with them beyond polite greetings, but you recognize them. One is Nazrin, the other is Murasa. Both seem to be in fine health. Nazrin glances toward you.
>_
-
>It would probably help to make a public announcement about what happened, right? We don't have much reason to be secretive, especially when the results are so obvious to everyone...
>Greet the rodent and her cadre the Myouren group.
-
>It would probably help to make a public announcement about what happened, right? We don't have much reason to be secretive, especially when the results are so obvious to everyone...
>Greet the rodent and her cadre the Myouren group.
>It might not hurt. But you would have to keep The Dragon's wishes in mind.
>Nazrin nods toward you. "So, what happened?" Murasa asks.
>_
-
>"I'm afraid we're not yet sure. As you can see, the islands have descended. Hopefully, we'll soon know how to put them back in their proper places. I realize it must be unsettling to have them suddenly floating above the village, but I assure you that no hostility or otherwise is intended."
-
>"I'm afraid we're not yet sure. As you can see, the islands have descended. Hopefully, we'll soon know how to put them back in their proper places. I realize it must be unsettling to have them suddenly floating above the village, but I assure you that no hostility or otherwise is intended."
>"Told ya," says Nazrin to her companion.
>Bah," Murasa says.
>_
-
>"I take it there was some debate as to what they were doing there?"
-
>"I take it there was some debate as to what they were doing there?"
>"Obviously," says Nazrin. "You think people aren't talking about this?"
>_
-
>"Well, yes, I'm certain they are. I meant between the two of you, just then."
-
>"Well, yes, I'm certain they are. I meant between the two of you, just then."
>"Yeah, we're just as confused as anyone else," says Murasa. "Been trying to figure things out since it happened."
>"No luck, though," Nazrin adds.
>_
-
>"I'd like to avoid any unfortunate incidents involving its presence, if at all possible. There was already one battle I tried to disarm, and Reimu... nearly decided everything would be fixed more easily if I were unconscious. Fortunately, I managed to convince her to look elsewhere for the moment."
>"On that topic, I don't suppose either of you have seen Tenshi since this started?"
-
>"I'd like to avoid any unfortunate incidents involving its presence, if at all possible. There was already one battle I tried to disarm, and Reimu... nearly decided everything would be fixed more easily if I were unconscious. Fortunately, I managed to convince her to look elsewhere for the moment."
>"On that topic, I don't suppose either of you have seen Tenshi since this started?"
>"Sounds like the Red White," says Nazrin. Murasa nods in agreement. "I thought you came out of that looking alright. Maybe you should go have a sitdown in the pub?"
>"I might have seen her fly out," says Murasa, "Right after this mess started."
>_
-
>"I'll be ok, and frankly I think I'd rather find her at this point. There'll be time to rest once some of the more obvious loose ends are dealt with."
>"Did you catch which direction she went, Murasa?"
-
>It might not hurt. But you would have to keep The Dragon's wishes in mind.
For the record, a reminder of what those were:
>It would like you try try not to undermine the faith and respect that people of Gensokyo hold for celestials and Bhava-Agra, if at all possible. Though it is aware Tenshi has already done a fair amount in this regard.
>(Asking for aid volunteers) is fine. It is more concerned with troublemakers and thieves, of which Gensokyo has many. But it would like you to be careful with that.
Of note: There is no mention of secrecy.
-
>"I'll be ok, and frankly I think I'd rather find her at this point. There'll be time to rest once some of the more obvious loose ends are dealt with."
>"Did you catch which direction she went, Murasa?"
>Nazrin nods. "Alright, if you want."
>"I think she went south-ish,"says Murasa, frowning and furrowing her brow toward the heavens. "I was kind of watching the show unfold, so I didn't pay that much attention. Pretty sure she went south-ish. Dunno if it was due east or west, or staying on the proper south."
>"Hey, did the local youkai win?" asks Nazrin. "Looks like Tewi's heading back up there, and she's not getting shot at."
>_
-
Moreover, I think that honesty and kindness does more to justify the respect people might have towards the celestials than simply trying to save face about potential mistakes we've made. It's better to look genuine than infallible. Or at least that's my view on the issue.
>"Neither side 'won', as such. I asked them to stop fighting with each other, since it was essentially over a misunderstanding in the first place."
>Look up at the island
-
>"Or at least, a rather alarming surprise the fault of none involved. For the most part, the fight broke up as soon as Reimu arrived."
>Actually, what happened to Cirno after that, anyway...?
>What's to the southern 180 degrees?
>Mental note: Are all the islands still in their same relative positions? If one's still up there, or otherwise missing...
-
>"Neither side 'won', as such. I asked them to stop fighting with each other, since it was essentially over a misunderstanding in the first place."
>Look up at the island
>"Huh, kind of boring," says Nazrin, frowning.
>"Eh," says Murasa. "Think I'll get a look at what's so special up there myself, now that the hubbub's died off."
>You look up toward the island just in time to see that rabbit youkai vanish over the edge.
>"Or at least, a rather alarming surprise the fault of none involved. For the most part, the fight broke up as soon as Reimu arrived."
>What's to the northern 180 degrees?
>Mental note: Are all the islands still in their same relative positions? If one's still up there, or otherwise missing...
>"Not that I blame anyone for that," says Nazrin, "Still, would have been nice to see who would have won.
>To the South are open plains and the Forest of Magic. To the Southeast is Youkai mountain, and the Yakumo household. To the Southwest, more plains you think. You've never been that way before.
>So far, it seems so. You have a pretty good idea of where all the major islands are supposed to be right now, relative to one another.
>_
-
>What do we know about Tenshi's opinion of Yukari, and vice versa?
>What islands are/would be above those southern locations?
>How unbecoming would 'play' danmaku duels be for Celesials?
-
>What do we know about Tenshi's opinion of Yukari, and vice versa?
>What islands are/would be above those northern locations?
>How unbecoming would 'play' danmaku duels be for Celesials?
>You're pretty sure Tenshi and Yukari know each other, but you don't think they are friends. Acquaintances, maybe?
>There should be several. Guest Island would be around Youkai mountain. You could think of several islands that would be over the Forest of Magic. There ought to be a major town drifting over the southwest plains at the moment.
>It isn't forbidden, but an excessive interest in overly violent play may be cause for concern.
>_
-
>What dealings have we had with Yukari? Do we have any sort of rapport with her?
-
>What dealings have we had with Yukari? Do we have any sort of rapport with her?
>The main dealing you remember was when she was being, for lack of better terms, completely insufferable about your message of the coming earthquake a couple years ago, while hinting that Tenshi had placed a keystone at the Hakurei Shrine. You've not seen her since.
>_
-
>"Well, I think I should begin searching for her, then."
>"If you can, try to let people know that there's no cause for concern from us. I don't want this to inspire panic or any more confusion than it has to."
>Head southward
-
>Uh, would the one above Youkai Mountain have crashed into Youkai Mountain if it fell as much as the others?
-
>"Well, I think I should begin searching for her, then."
>"If you can, try to let people know that there's no cause for concern from us. I don't want this to inspire panic or any more confusion than it has to."
>Head southward
>"Sure," says Nazrin. "I'll tell people what you said, for what it's worth."
>You head southward, quickly leaving the village behind. You walk along a well-worn dirt road as it crosses grassy fields. Up ahead, you see an intersection. Further south, you can see the outer reaches of the Forest of Magic. A road leading east branches from this one, heading toward Youkai mountain in the distance. To the west, there is a pond. Obvious exits are East, West, North, and South.
>_
-
>Uh, would the one above Youkai Mountain have crashed into Youkai Mountain if it fell as much as the others?
>Do we see any signs of people, within sight?
-
>Uh, would the one above Youkai Mountain have crashed into Youkai Mountain if it fell as much as the others?
>This might well have happened. But you cannot tell from here.
>Do we see any signs of people, within sight?
>Looking down the eastern path, you think you can see some motion in front of a house you know to be the Yakumo home.
>_
-
>Well, that's probably as good as anything, at this point.
>Head towards it
-
>How was Yukari insufferable, exactly? Aggressive, indifferent, interfering, annoying, etc? Based on last time, what would her likely response to an explanation be?
-
>Well, that's probably as good as anything, at this point.
>Head towards it
>You head eastward.
>As you get closer to the house, you notice there is a small island floating in the plains to the north of it, a small one only a few yards across. Drawing closer to the house, you see it is a small, rectangular home, really quite humble for the magnitude of the residents. There is a sizable garden outside, apparently harvest not too long ago.
>Laying in the tall grass on the northern side of the house is Yukari, wearing a simple purple dress. She doesn't seem to have noticed, or at least acknowledged, you yet.
>How was Yukari insufferable, exactly? Aggressive, indifferent, interfering, annoying, etc? Based on last time, what would her likely response to an explanation be?
>Annoying and aggressive. You do not know how she likely to react, though you anticipate some rather acidic sarcasm.
>_
-
>Are islands of this size not unusual?
>Can we see anything on the island itself from this angle?
>Continue towards Yukari, bracing ourselves for said acidic sarcasm
-
>Are islands of this size not unusual?
>Can we see anything on the island itself from this angle?
>Continue towards Yukari, bracing ourselves for said acidic sarcasm
>They are not. Just that they are rarely paid much attention by the residents of Bhava-Agra as they are too small to do much more than serve as places for small gatherings or homes for those of a hermetic mindset. There is certainly a record of all the known ones at the Dragon Palace, but you've never bothered with it.
>You cannot.
>You continue toward Yukari. "What am expected guest," she says, not looking toward you, instead watching the island.
>_
-
>"Yes, I imagine that's not quite the view you would have expected to find outside your house this morning."
-
Suggest:
"Yes. Should I assume that you already know what happened, for the most part?"
"May I ask if you know whether Tenshi came this way?"
-
>"Yes, I imagine that's not quite the view you would have expected to find outside your house this morning."
>"Well, I was planning to bask in the sun today," says Yukari, "But these weren't the heavens I was expecting to contemplate. Your dear charge's work?"
>_
-
>"As much as I'd like to believe it isn't, and how much I doubt she could do this even with the Sword of Hisou, she is indeed a prime suspect. Have you seen her?"
-
>"As much as I'd like to believe it isn't, and how much I doubt she could do this even with the Sword of Hisou, she is indeed a prime suspect. Have you seen her?"
>"I'm afraid I've only come outside a few minutes ago," she says. "Hmmm, perhaps Tenshi is trying to make a name for herself? That seems to be popular these days."
>_
-
>"I believe Tenshi's already made quite a name for herself, to be perfectly honest. Her reputation in Bhava-Agra is rather singular, I think."
>"That being said, she seemed just as caught off-guard by the islands falling as I was. She was no more than a few yards from me when it happened, and hadn't appeared to have done anything that could have caused it. I lost sight of her shortly thereafter, and I have been trying to find her since."
-
>"I believe Tenshi's already made quite a name for herself, to be perfectly honest. Her reputation in Bhava-Agra is rather singular, I think."
>"That being said, she seemed just as caught off-guard by the islands falling as I was. She was no more than a few yards from me when it happened, and hadn't appeared to have done anything that could have caused it. I lost sight of her shortly thereafter, and I have been trying to find her since."
>Yukari nods. "Well, I'm sure someone will turn her up. I can't imagine our resident problem solvers aren't on the case. Speaking of such, where do you intend to look for her now?"
>_
-
>"Oh, Reimu has already had a... word with me about this. Although it would have been far more amiable if there'd been more words and fewer needles."
>"As for searching, Tenshi was last seen heading south-ish of the village. Murasa wasn't clear on how far east or west she was angling. Since I have no more leads than this, I'm just planning to ask people in this area if they might have seen her. I know you tend to be a well-informed sort, so I was hopeful she might have caught your attention."
-
>"Oh, Reimu has already had a... word with me about this. Although it would have been far more amiable if there'd been more words and fewer needles."
>"As for searching, Tenshi was last seen heading south-ish of the village. Murasa wasn't clear on how far east or west she was angling. Since I have no more leads than this, I'm just planning to ask people in this area if they might have seen her. I know you tend to be a well-informed sort, so I was hopeful she might have caught your attention."
>"Not terribly surprising," says Yukari. "I'd recommend staying out of her way for the duration of this event."
>"Would you happen to be heading toward the Forest of Magic?"
>_
-
>"I'll be only too happy if I don't see her again for a while."
>"And yes, that is on the list. I don't really know what there is down here that she would have been heading towards. Or perhaps she was just trying to get away. I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
-
>"I'll be only too happy if I don't see her again for a while."
>"And yes, that is on the list. I don't really know what there is down here that she would have been heading towards. Or perhaps she was just trying to get away. I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
>"If you were making your way toward the Forest of Magic, I would have a task for you," says Yukari.
>_
-
>"Very well. What is it?"
-
>"Very well. What is it?"
>"Should you follow the road into the forest, and look to the west, you'll see a house. it's two stories, with a turtle painted on the side. You can't miss it. I would like you to bring something there for me."
>_
-
>"I can do this. What am I to bring them?"
-
>"I can do this. What am I to bring them?"
>A small gap opens beside Yukari. She reaches in, and produces a flat white box, which she offers to you. It should just fit into your purse. "I would be obliged if you didn't dawdle on it," says Yukari.
>_
-
>"Of course not. I will deliver it with due haste."
>Accept the box
>"Before I go... I realize you don't know her very well, but you do know the surface better than I. Do you think there's anything in the southern reaches of Gensokyo that might draw her specifically?"
-
>"Of course not. I will deliver it with due haste."
>Accept the box
>"Before I go... I realize you don't know her very well, but you do know the surface better than I. Do you think there's anything in the southern reaches of Gensokyo that might draw her specifically?"
>"Very good," says Yukari.
>You obtain: White Box.
>"Mmmm," says Yukari. "Well, she may take an interest in the turtle house, but it's unlikely. She might go flee to Marisa, or possibly Alice. They both live there. Eientei is possible. There's also Scarlet Devil Mansion, but I don't know that they would welcome her. And, of course, there is the Underground. This presumes she isn't just hiding under some log, or in a faerie's house.
>_
-
>"This is true. I had a suspicion she was seeking some goal on the surface rather than just running away from me, but I could be wrong."
>"In any event, I will leave you to your sky gazing. A pleasant day to you."
>Head along the road into the forest, per the directions we were given
-
>"This is true. I had a suspicion she was seeking some goal on the surface rather than just running away from me, but I could be wrong."
>"In any event, I will leave you to your sky gazing. A pleasant day to you."
>Head along the road into the forest, per the directions we were given
>Yukari nods. "You as well. Thank you for your help."
>You retrace your steps back to the interscetion, leaving Yukari to languish in the grass.
>You continue to head south, approaching the edge of the forest. The trees are a riot of reds and yellows and browns, while numerous fallen leaves litter the ground. A few leaves waft lazily to the ground as you watch. You can see a few assorted islands floating over the forest. To the west, there is a house of respectable size. It seems decently maintained, save for the front lawn, which seems to have been set on fire at some point. You notice a few faeries up ahead in the forest., flying around with obvious agitation.
>_
-
>Head towards the house
-
>Head towards the house
>You go west.
>You find yourself in front of a two-story house. You notice it has been freshly painted, while a large picture of a cartoonish tortoise dominates one side of it. The lawn has definitely been set on fire at some point. You can see the front door ahead of you. To the northwest a bit, you can see a small floating island, about thirty yards across, mostly dominated by a mountain and covered in trees. Obvious exits are west, east, and south.
>_
-
>Knock on the door
-
> Can we tell which island it is?
-
> Can we tell which island it is?
>Not off the top of your head, so you do not think it is a major one.
>Knock on the door
>You knock on the door. After a moment, it opens, and Yukari looks around the door at you. "Oh, hello," she says. "May I help you, miss...?"
>...No, she's not Yukari. She's too short and slim to be Yukari, and bears a more youthful complexion.
>Still, though...
>_
-
>"Iku. I have something Yukari asked me to deliver to you, I believe."
>Present the white box
-
>"Iku. I have something Yukari asked me to deliver to you, I believe."
>Present the white box
>"Oh." says Maribel, frowning just a little before you present the box. "Thank you. I'm Maribel, by the way."
>"Who's at the door?" calls a voice inside.
>"It's someone named Iku," Maribel answers, glancing back inside.
>"She here for tea, love?"
>Maribel looks to you and raises an eyebrow.
>_
-
>"I very much appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm in something of a hurry. However, perhaps you might be able to answer a quick question or two for me?"
>Hand over the box if all we did was show it to her
>"Do you know who Tenshi is?"
-
>"I very much appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm in something of a hurry. However, perhaps you might be able to answer a quick question or two for me?"
>Hand over the box if all we did was show it to her
>"Do you know who Tenshi is?"
>"No, she just brought a present from Yukari," Maribel calls back in, as you hand her the box.
>"Oh god," says the voice.
>"Hey, what is it buddy?" calls another voice within, one you are somewhat familiar with and recognize as Yamame Kurodani.
>"Tenshi," says Maribel, frowning toward the ground as she grasps the box with both hands. "She is...the excitable one, who runs the bar, right?"
>_
-
>"I take it a present from Yukari is a somewhat... dubious thing?"
>"I have no idea what it is, and in fact have only really spoken with Yukari once before this morning. But when she learned I would be passing this way..."
>"And I suppose that would be an apt enough description of Tenshi. I suppose none of you have seen her pass by this way within the last little while, then? Not that I would necessarily expect such, but I'm asking more or less everyone I meet, at the moment."
-
>"I take it a present from Yukari is a somewhat... dubious thing?"
>"I have no idea what it is, and in fact have only really spoken with Yukari once before this morning. But when she learned I would be passing this way..."
>"And I suppose that would be an apt enough description of Tenshi. I suppose none of you have seen her pass by this way within the last little while, then? Not that I would necessarily expect such, but I'm asking more or less everyone I meet, at the moment."
>"Yeah, they can be..." says Maribel.
>"Well, it's pretty light," Maribel says, looking at the box. "Doesn't rattle... And don't worry, it's fine."
>Another person appears at the door, a taller brown-haired young woman wearing a fedora and a dress that is a riot of colors. "Who'd we see, now?"
>"Tenshi, the girl at the bar," says Maribel.
>"Oh, the one who wanted me to help her sneak into Marisa's house."
>"That's her," Maribel says.
>"I think I saw her when I was on my way home a little bit ago," says the brown-haired woman.
>_
-
>Frown
>"Wanted you to help her sneak into Marisa's house? Do you have any idea why?"
>"And where did you see her? Do you know where she was headed?"
-
>Frown
>"Wanted you to help her sneak into Marisa's house? Do you have any idea why?"
>"And where did you see her? Do you know where she was headed?"
>You frown. Tenshi...
>"I think she wanted to rummage through Marisa's stuff," says the brown-haired woman. "Or maybe make it look like someone else did it? I just quickly figured out it was a bad idea."
>"I was leaving the forest," she says, "It was just after all those flying islands showed up. I was running past Kourindou, I think, and I saw someone fly past really fast, heading south-ward. She had blue hair and a dress, at least.
>Maribel peeks into the box, and blushes a little.
>_
-
>Do we know where Kourindou is?
>Do we know what would be south of it?
>"That might be her. The timeframe fits, at any rate."
-
>Do we know where Kourindou is?
>Do we know what would be south of it?
>"That might be her. The timeframe fits, at any rate."
>You do, it's not very far from here. Most of the major sites in the forest that you know of should be south of it.
>The brown-haired woman nods, then looks in the box. She cackles. "So, are you gonna wear that for me, love?" she asks.
>"I'm pretty sure it's too small for me," says Maribel. "But, it looks like it's the perfect size for you."
>"...Wait, what?"
>_
-
>Oh dear...
>"Due south, do you think? Or did you not really catch her direction any more specifically than that?"
-
>Oh dear...
>"Due south, do you think? Or did you not really catch her direction any more specifically than that?"
>Oh dear, indeed...
>"So, Renko, what about you?" Maribel asks. "You going to wear them for me?"
>"...Maybe," says Renko. "But how the hell does she know my size?!"
>Renko looks up at you and grimaces. "Oh, sorry. Ummm. I think it was? But maybe it wasn't because there's that bend in the road I was following? I wasn't paying that much attention, I was running home and gawking at all of the islands and stuff."
>_
-
>"Yes, that's understandable. I was thinking you actually seemed rather less fazed about this whole incident than... some people I've met so far today."
-
>"Yes, that's understandable. I was thinking you actually seemed rather less fazed about this whole incident than... some people I've met so far today."
>"Hell, I'm excited," says Renko. "Soon as we're done with tea, it's time to go explore those things! Puts that whole Brocken Spectre thing to shame!"
>_
-
>Hopefully these people won't want to run about stealing things, anyway...
>What is the usual policy regarding visitors in Bhava-Agra, anyway?
-
>Hopefully these people won't want to run about stealing things, anyway...
>What is the usual policy regarding visitors in Bhava-Agra, anyway?
>You hope that they wouldn't loot too badly...
>There's no official policy, but the saying involving "two's company, three's a crowd..." generally applies. Having one or two visitors is alright, but more than that and it starts to be uncomfortable. Especially if they don't have a good reason to be there.
>_
-
>"Are you aware of what those islands are?"
-
>"Are you aware of what those islands are?"
>"Not really," says Renko. "Part of what we're hoping to figure out by exploring them."
>_
-
>"Well, I can clarify that much."
>And perhaps stem another unfortunate incident, if they have some idea what they are and who they belong to.
>"These islands are part of Bhava-Agra. Are you familiar with what that is?"
-
>"Well, I can clarify that much."
>And perhaps stem another unfortunate incident, if they have some idea what they are and who they belong to.
>"These islands are part of Bhava-Agra. Are you familiar with what that is?"
>"Somewhat," says Maribel, while Renko nods.
>_
-
>"If you... must explore them, please be respectful. A great many people live there and we are not used to... such attention from the surface world. I've already had to put one altercation to rest."
-
>"If you... must explore them, please be respectful. A great many people live there and we are not used to... such attention from the surface world. I've already had to put one altercation to rest."
>"Hmm, thank you for the warning," says Maribel. "We'll try not to cause problems."
>"So there's not going to be any treasure, is there?" asks Renko.
>_
-
>"Part of attaining enlightenment is renouncing attachment to worldly goods. Moreover, what ones exist there would likely be someone else's property. I hope you can respect this."
-
>"Part of attaining enlightenment is renouncing attachment to worldly goods. Moreover, what ones exist there would likely be someone else's property. I hope you can respect this."
>Renko frowns and looks away. "Well crap, there goes part of the fun..."
>"It'll be okay," says Maribel, tucking the box under her arm and squeezing Renko's shoulder. "If they don't care about worldly goods, maybe we'll find something nice they don't want?"
>_
-
>Well, at least that seems to be a better attitude regarding property than this morning
>"I'm sorry to disappoint you. I should mention that the islands' decent has been a startling experience for many celestials. However, if you're polite, I hope there should be no trouble for you."
>"In any event, I think I should continue searching for Tenshi. It was nice meeting you, and I bid you a good day."
-
>Go to Kourindou
>Scout the south.
-
>Well, at least that seems to be a better attitude regarding property than this morning
>"I'm sorry to disappoint you. I should mention that the islands' decent has been a startling experience for many celestials. However, if you're polite, I hope there should be no trouble for you."
>"In any event, I think I should continue searching for Tenshi. It was nice meeting you, and I bid you a good day."
>It seems that way, though you wonder if they were hoping for some actual plunder, as opposed to simply raiding an orchard...
>They both nod. "We didn't intend to be rude," Maribel says, "So no worries on that account."
>"Good luck," says Renko.
>Go to Kourindou
>Scout the south.
>You begin toward the road to the east again, then follow it south toward Kourindou.
>You see that the agitated faeries are still on the road. They don't seem to have noticed you, yet.
>_
-
>What exactly are they doing? Just looking nervous, or acting up?
>Do they seem to be taking any interest in the island?
>... are there any signs of fairies already on that island?
-
>What exactly are they doing? Just looking nervous, or acting up?
>Do they seem to be taking any interest in the island?
>... are there any signs of fairies already on that island?
>They are flying around erratically, and seem to be having an argument. When they aren't all talking at once, at least.
>You can't be sure. There aren't any Island in the immediate vicinity, but there are certainly several of them over the forest.
>You didn't see any near the one by Maribel and Renko's home. Others are too distant to be sure, faeries are hard to see from a distance due to being tiny.
>_
-
>Might as well act casual about this, at least...
>Approach quietly.
-
>Might as well act casual about this, at least...
>Approach quietly.
>You decide to approach the faeries causally.
>"It's fall!" you hear one of them shout. "Things are supposed to fall when it's fall!"
>"Nu-uh!" says another faerie, "It's Pazhitnov's revenge!"
>"That's silly!" cries a third faerie, waving her arms. "Pazhitnov already got revenge!"
>"Well maybe he wants more!" the second faerie says.
>"Maybe they just really need to go on a diet?" asks another faerie.
>"Rocks aren't that vain!" the first faerie says.
>"What about floating rocks?!" says the fourth faerie, "You didn't think about that, did you!?"
>"Okay, maybe not..."
>"Hey I got it!" a fifth faerie cries, "Time's moving backwards! Oh crap, all the sake's going to unferment! Quick, to the tavern!"
>"That doesn't make any sense!" the third faerie cries.
>"Your face doesn't make any sense!"
>"More than hers!" The third faerie points at you.
>_
-
1. How the fuck do fairies know about Pazhitnov (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Pajitnov) and why did I crack up after looking him up
2. Where's Kilga?
-
2. Where's Kilga?
I make no pretense at having the same ability to converse with the spastic, but I'd rather keep things moving forward. ^^; Feel free to stop me if you like.
>"Maybe they're just tired? They've been floating way up in the air for ages now, and everyone knows how exhausted you get doing that after a while. The air gets thinner the higher you go, so you get tired quicker. Maybe they just came down here to take a break?"
-
>Consider whether being mischievous with these fairies is appropriate, between playing along with their nature and style and the misdirection required to do so.
-
I>"Maybe they're just tired? They've been floating way up in the air for ages now, and everyone knows how exhausted you get doing that after a while. The air gets thinner the higher you go, so you get tired quicker. Maybe they just came down here to take a break?"
>There is a pause.
>"Holy crap!" says one of the faeries.
>"Genius!"
>"That's stupid! Rocks don't get tired!"
>"Are they eating properly?"
>"Maybe your rocks don't!"
>"You're stupid!"
>"But how did Pazhitnov do that!?"
>Some of the faeries, there seem to be nine of them, gather around you.
>Consider whether being mischievous with these fairies is appropriate, between playing along with their nature and style and the misdirection required to do so.
>In general, it's accepted that faeries are fairly nonsensical outside of one on one conversations. It's usually accepted that when dealing with a group, it's alright to play along. You won't deceive them any worse than they deceive themselves, as long as one isn't trying to encourage them to do bad things.
>_
>_
-
>"Nine, eh? Well, make a circle and let's do the Cirno Summoning Dance!"
>bust a move
-
>"Normal rocks don't get tired but how do you know about floating rocks? Have you ever asked one?"
>"Either way, It's my job to get to the bottom of this. I'm the official falling floating rock investigator, and I'm chasing after an important clue that I saw passing through this forest. Have you seen a blue-haired woman fly through here recently? I think she has more answers."
-
>"Nine, eh? Well, make a circle and let's do the Cirno Summoning Dance!
>bust a move
>You try to lead the faeries in a circle dance! Faeries are terrible followers! You have cursed yourself and now think in base nine. Unfortunately this requires the loss of a finger and toe to biologically compensate.
>"Normal rocks don't get tired but how do you know about floating rocks? Have you ever asked one?"
>"Either way, It's my job to get to the bottom of this. I'm the official falling floating rock investigator, and I'm chasing after an important clue that I saw passing through this forest. Have you seen a blue-haired woman fly through here recently? I think she has more answers."
>"...Maybe I have!" cries one of the faeries. "Have you?!"
>"There's lots of people with blue hair!" says another of the faeries gathered near you, frowning.
>_
-
>Describe Tenshi's appearance in more detail
>"It would have been right after the islands fell down here."
-
>"I dunno what language rocks speak! Do you?"
-
>Describe Tenshi's appearance in more detail
>"It would have been right after the islands fell down here."
>You try to describe her in more detail, and get a chorus of headshakes in return.
>"There's more important things than Tenshis!" one of the faeries cries. "What will this mean for the mushrooms?!"
>"I dunno what language rocks speak! Do you?"
>"Maybe I do!"
>_
-
Sorry, but this weekend has left me too exhausted to faelosophize tonight. If it's still relevant tomorrow morning, I'll take a look.
-
>"The mushrooms will be fine. They're not afraid of falling rocks."
-
>"Tenshi's really good at making rocks go places. If we find her, she might be able to convince them to go back home, or at least help find out how to do that."
>"Hey, maybe she knows how to speak flying rock? I never asked her!"
-
>"The mushrooms will be fine. They're not afraid of falling rocks."
>"How courageous!"
>"Tenshi's really good at making rocks go places. If we find her, she might be able to convince them to go back home, or at least help find out how to do that."
>"Hey, maybe she knows how to speak flying rock? I never asked her!"
>"That sound silly," says one of the faeries. "But okay."
>One of the faeries jumps as though shocked. "Maybe it was because of magnets!"
>_
-
Heading off to bed now, but while I'm thinking about it, something that's bothered me a bit over the past couple of quests has been a bit of a lack of information gathering. I look back at the last two postgames and the number of important accomplishable things that we didn't do prefaced by "if you had talked to _____ more/thought about ______ more" irks me. I get the feeling time is not going to be as big a deal in this quest because we're Iku, so I'd like to put out there that we may want to start talking to people more, if there are unusual circumstances surrounding them. For example, I'm willing to bet Yamame was at Renko and Mari's for a non-trivial reason. Even disregarding the fact that Utsuho wasn't there, Iku knows approximately who Yamame is, and to see her above ground in the house of two people we've never met surely should have piqued curiosity to a degree.
Of course, this completely skips over the fact that we'd never seen Renko and Mari before, and probably could have stood to ask them about themselves, even if only for a bit.
Now obviously this shouldn't come at the expense of gathering information for readily identifiable quests, but more often than not we have the time to stop and ask, and we're the best character we've been since Reisen in terms of mobility, power and societal knowledge. Try to keep this in mind as we meander our way through Gensokyo. Make sure we've thoroughly exhausted directly important avenues of conversation, and at least touched on idler curiosities. We never know what we'll need down the road.
-
Time does matter to a fair extent. Tracking down Tenshi while the trail is hot would be good. But yeah, talking with people a little more thoroughly might be good.
>What do we know about magnets?
-
>What do we know about magnets?
>They attract certain kinds of metals.
>_
-
>"But why would the magnets do that?"
-
Honestly, I have to disagree with a lack of information gathering in previous quests. In fact, I would argue that we spent far more time than necessary doing that in Maribel Quest. Yes, perhaps we missed a couple important bits, but we spent a huge amount of time talking to people in general. Even if you spend a protracted time talking to someone, it's easy to overlook that one question/topic that would have been relevant to something, and I don't think that's the kind of thing you can reliably hope to avoid simply by talking a great deal (or we would have already done so, then)
And yes, in Maribel/Renko's case, it was mostly a time concern. I admit I very much would have liked to have just stepped in for tea with them, but it's hard to conscience, given the circumstances.
-
>"But why would the magnets do that?"
>"Because... uh...they could! They do weird things to things!"
>_
-
You can never have too much information, Draco. More than is strictly necessary does not mean more than is worthwhile. You're right about missing important topics, but I think more time on it helps more than hurts.
Actually, what's stopped me more often was the current conversation drifting away from one or two points of interest that I noticed but wanted to be polite about bringing up. Or just not being on at the right time. Ah well...
>"Weird. I'll have to keep an eye out for them, little sneaks."
>"But hey, if you do see Tenshi, could you try and let me know? Or at least, tell a few people I could ask."
>Where could this info rule out for Tenshi's path through the forest?
-
Probably the only real 'harm' is the real-life time that it delays interesting things while you're busy learning nothing of consequence or even interest. I'll just say that a number of sections of Maribel Quest felt like they dragged because of spending way too much time (in my opinion) talking to people who had nothing to add. I'm hardly saying that every non-critical conversation is like that, but it happened enough times that I feel a bit iffy about anyone saying it didn't happen enough.
-
>"Weird. I'll have to keep an eye out for them, little sneaks."
>"But hey, if you do see Tenshi, could you try and let me know? Or at least, tell a few people I could ask."
>Where could this info rule out for Tenshi's path through the forest?
>The faerie nods grimly. "I think we're getting to the heart of the matter."
>"Sure!" says one faerie.
>"Unless we get her first!" says declares another, clenching her fists.
>If you recall correctly, Renko said she saw Tenshi at the bend of the road, which is up ahead. So...
>_
-
>"Well, I should go try to get to the bottom of this. Wish me luck solving the great mystery!"
>Continue southwards
-
>"She's pretty strong right now, so be careful about confronting her personally. But thanks, guys!"
>"Well, I should go try to get to the bottom of this. Wish me luck solving the great mystery!"
>Wave goodbye
>Continue southwards
-
>"Well, I should go try to get to the bottom of this. Wish me luck solving the great mystery!"
>Continue southwards
>"She's pretty strong right now, so be careful about confronting her personally. But thanks, guys!"
>Wave goodbye
>"We can take her!" says the boastful faerie. "But maybe tomorrow."
>"Watch out for the Brocken Spectre!" says one of the faeries, amidst a chorus of goodbyes as you pass by them.
>You wave and continue southward.
>Up ahead, you see Kourindou, nestled between into the forest. Fallen leaves cover its roof, as well as the junk around shop. It is an old-looking wooden home, hardly looking like a store. The road curves around it, and toward the east. Obvious exits are North, South, and East
>_
-
>Continue south
-
>Are there fallen leaves on the road that could leave a trail....? No, Tenshi was in the air.
>What do we know about the proprietor of Korindou?
-
>Continue south
>You continue southward and enter the store.
>You see Rinnosuke inside, dusting some of the shelves. He glances over at you. "Ah, I should have expect your, Miss Nagae," he says.
>Are there fallen leaves on the road that could leave a trail....? No, Tenshi was in the air.
>What do we know about the proprietor of Korindou?
>Leaves are not very helpful for tracking flight, no.
>He is a mysterious person, little is known of him. It's uncertain where he gets many of his goods, or what abilities he might possess. No one tries to challenge him, and he minds his own business. He certainly knows of you.
>_
-
>Kick Rinnosuke's ass just to find out how he terrorizes people
>"Should I assume you can also guess why I'm here?"
>Check out the store's current merchandise.
-
>Kick Rinnosuke's ass just to find out how he terrorizes people
>"Should I assume you can also guess why I'm here?"
>Check out the store's current merchandise.
>Oh shit he still has the chain gun. You die...
>"I could come up with a few reasons," he says, as he returns his attention to dusting.
>The store contains
>Broken Sword Handle
>Iron Key
>Introductory Nuclear Physics by Kenneth S. Krane.
>Nightlife (Extended)
>Lacquered Chopsticks
>Heal(tm) Potion
>Loaf of Wheat Bread
>3 Caramels
>Turtle Statue
>Jar of Sauce
>Lamp
>Vial of Sand Grains
>Large Ball of Yarn
>Stethoscope
>Pocket Clay Sculpting Set
>Stuffed Platypus
>Can of Alphabet Soup
>Butterfly Hairclip
>Bag of Glittering Powder
>Jar of Jerky
>Masterful Iron Statue
>Spool of Twine
>_
-
>Examine Heal(tm) Potion, Butterfly Hairclip, Masterful Iron Statue, Lamp
-
>Examine Heal(tm) Potion, Butterfly Hairclip, Masterful Iron Statue, Lamp
>You examine some of the goods.
>Heal(tm) Potion
>This is a potion to restore wounds created by Eientei; at least according to the label.
>Butterfly Hairclip
>A hair clip that features a silken butterfly with metallic green wings.
>Masterful Iron Statue
>This is a life-sized statue of a western-style knight in fully armor. It is extremely well made.
>Lamp
>This is a metallic oil lamp, featuring a long spout and a handle. It is of simple design, likely meant for day to day use.
>_
-
>Life sized? One has to wonder how he got something so heavy into here in the first place...
>"Do you know how effective this potion is supposed to be?"
>"Also, do any of the rest of these items have enchantments or properties that would be non-obvious?"
-
>"I should probably specify my main reason, then. I heard that Tenshi was headed in this direction, and I'm looking for her after events earlier today. Did you see her?"
>examine can of alphabet soup, ball of twine, stethoscope, turtle statue, and Nightlife
-
>Life sized? One has to wonder how he got something so heavy into here in the first place...
>"Do you know how effective this potion is supposed to be?"
>"Also, do any of the rest of these items have enchantments or properties that would be non-obvious?"
>You can only imagine how he got it in here. It must weigh several hundred points.
>"What do you mean by effective?" asks Rinnosuke.
>"The Bag of Glittering Powder, the 3 Caramels, and the Butterfly Hairclip are all enchanted. The Vial of Sand Grains may have a property I don't quite understand myself, I couldn't tell you."
>_
-
>"Well, it says that it restores wounds. Do you know how serious wounds it can effect, or how quickly it acts?"
>"And what does the enchantment on the caramels and the hairclip do?"
>"I should probably specify my main reason, then. I heard that Tenshi was headed in this direction, and I'm looking for her after events earlier today. Did you see her?"
>examine can of alphabet soup, ball of twine, stethoscope, turtle statue, and Nightlife
-
>"Well, it says that it restores wounds. Do you know how serious wounds it can effect, or how quickly it acts?"
>"And what does the enchantment on the caramels and the hairclip do?"
>"It should be heal within seconds," says Rinnosuke. "As for its potency, I cannot say in direct terms. Though I would imagine it wouldn't heal out something life threatening, but it may simply downgrade it to serious."
>"The caramels are completely random. Eat one and its effect shall take place. It may be beneficial, it may be harmful. it may be dramatic, or so subtle you would never notice it. I cannot promise anything, save that the focus of the effect will be you.
>"I should probably specify my main reason, then. I heard that Tenshi was headed in this direction, and I'm looking for her after events earlier today. Did you see her?"
>examine can of alphabet soup, ball of twine, stethoscope, turtle statue, and Nightlife
>"I have not," says Rinnosuke. "But I have also yet to leave the store today."
>Can of Alphabet Soup
>This is a sealed can of soup featuring the letters of the western alphabet as pasta, with meat balls. The can is very colorful.
>Spool of Twine
>This is a length of twine on a spool. It seems sturdy.
>Stethoscope
>A tool used by doctors to gauge one's heartbeat and breathing.
>Turtle Statue
>This is a stone stature of a content-looking turtle. It bears some moss, making you think it came from a stone that was underwater for a length of time.
>Nightlife (Extended)
>This song brings to mind speakeasies, organized crime, and class.
>_
-
>"And the hairclip?"
-
>"Hm... I shouldn't spend too long, then. She's being troublesome again, and I should find her before she gets in any more trouble."
>"May I ask what the story is behind the knight and turtle statues?"
-
>"And the hairclip?"
>"My apologies," he says. "It allows you to see things that are rendered invisible. That said, things which are naturally invisible, such as the air, will be hidden still. So there is a little wiggle room for some things to sneak past it."
>"Hm... I shouldn't spend too long, then. She's being troublesome again, and I should find her before she gets in any more trouble."
>"May I ask what the story is behind the knight and turtle statues?"
>He nods. "Allow me to offer you some free advice in that regard. I am uncertain if you're been around during this kind of incident, so perhaps I am repeating myself. Do all that you can to avoid the main incident-solvers. They will not have your best interests at heart."
>"I've had the turtle statue for awhile, it is a bit of Kappa art. As for the Knight, it is from elsewhere. I obtained it as part of a lot.
>_
-
>"I'm afraid I've already run into Reimu. Your assessment is... painfully accurate, I think."
-
>"I'm afraid I've already run into Reimu. Your assessment is... painfully accurate, I think."
>He nods. "Do watch out for Marisa, Sanae, and perhaps Sakuya as well."
>_
-
>"Surely they would not all be so closed-minded and quick to judge... would they?"
-
Ah hell. Alice's dolls still managed to swipe a few things during the fight, didn't they?
>On the upside, they might stop Tenshi if she runs into them... hopefully without too much damage.
>"Part of a lot?"
>Consider who might have something to gain from bringing the Heavens down - by all appearances, it's unlikely that Tenshi acted on her own, whether this was her idea or not...
EDUT: Also the "Sanae" warning means that everyone on Visitor Island has probably been pummeled into the ground by this point
-
>"Surely they would not all be so closed-minded and quick to judge... would they?"
>"Marisa tends to shoot first and ask questions later," says Rinnosuke. "She may banter a bit, but she tends to assume if you're not where you're supposed to be, you are involved. Sakuya, if she breaks retirement, is much the same. Sanae, well, she's still new. She may get a bit too much into things. They are best avoided."
>On the upside, they might stop Tenshi if she runs into them... hopefully without too much damage.
>"Part of a lot?"
>Consider who might have something to gain from bringing the Heavens down - by all appearances, it's unlikely that Tenshi acted on her own, whether this was her idea or not...
>That would be nice. Though if she is innocent...
>"There were a few other items sold with it," he says.
>You...honestly don't know who'd benefit. Or what they would stand to gain. Maybe someone wishes to try to take it over? Or loot it?
>_
>_
-
>Damnit Alice
>Is there anyone who's expressed disapproval of Heaven or the Dragon, aside from Tenshi? ... Yukari? Or is that just personal...?
>"What other items, and from where? I'm curious."
-
>Would there be much there of value to people on the surface? Given the whole idea of renouncing material wealth and all that.
>And wouldn't The Dragon's presence make actually taking it over rather impossible?
>"Well, I hope to avoid them as well, but if I'm out searching for Tenshi, and they're searching for people as well, I suspect an encounter may be likely nonetheless."
-
(Just as an aside re: information gathering, I am very much an objective-based player - I strive to achieve what needs to be achieved, at the expense of interaction with the rest of the world. This usually means that excessive talking to people actually turns me off a game, unless they're objective-critical people. I do realise this is a very personal preference, and I would not presume to demand this, but I can certainly ask that we do not tarry longer than we have to at any given person.)
-
>Damnit Alice
>Is there anyone who's expressed disapproval of Heaven or the Dragon, aside from Tenshi? ... Yukari? Or is that just personal...?
>"What other items, and from where? I'm curious."
>This is all Patchy's fault.
>You don't think so. Maybe Shinki? But she tends to keep to herself as far as you know...
>"They were a random lot of things, no real relation to each other," says Rinnosuke. "They've mostly been sold, the Butterfly Hairclip is what remains."
>Would there be much there of value to people on the surface? Given the whole idea of renouncing material wealth and all that.
>And wouldn't The Dragon's presence make actually taking it over rather impossible?
>"Well, I hope to avoid them as well, but if I'm out searching for Tenshi, and they're searching for people as well, I suspect an encounter may be likely nonetheless."
>You don't think so.
>It may choose not to interfere, but...even then, that ought to deter most anyone.
>"Do be wary," he says.
>_
-
>"I'll be as cautious as I reasonably can. Thank you for the warning, and good day to you."
>Exit the shop
>Head east
-
>"I'll be as cautious as I reasonably can. Thank you for the warning, and good day to you."
>Exit the shop
>Head east
>"Good day, Miss Nagae," says Rinnosuke, "Perhaps I'll have something more to your liking later today."
>You leave the shop and head east.
>You follow the bend in the well-worn road. It bends toward the south again after some yards of twisting around Rinnosuke's property, and continues on toward the Misty Lake. To southeast, you see a fairly sizable floating island. It has a few small peaks, and is heavily forested. You believe there is a small Celestial community there, as well as many faeries. Looking at, there seem to be some faeries flying around it; and a few flashes of danmaku. Obvious exists are west and south.
>_
-
>So, a significant number of fairies live on this island, even at its normal height?
>Are the fairies around it firing towards the island?
>Does it seem any worse than the random fairy skirmishes that sometimes break out from time to time?
-
>Are random fairy skirmishes common in Heaven as well?
-
>So, a significant number of fairies live on this island, even at its normal height?
>Are the fairies around it firing towards the island?
>Does it seem any worse than the random fairy skirmishes that sometimes break out from time to time?
>They do. Faeries are, at heart, aspects of nature. They can be found just about anywhere.
>You aren't sure if they're firing toward the island, but there is definitely fire between the faeries.
>In Gensokyo terms, it doesn't seem so. Among Bhava-Agra's faeries, such things tend not to happen.
>Are random fairy skirmishes common in Heaven as well?
>No.
>_
-
>Try to get a little closer look without getting so close as to involve ourselves.
-
>Try to get a little closer look without getting so close as to involve ourselves.
>You fly a bit toward the island.
>From what you can see, there are quite a few faeries in the air. You can tell the two types apart mostly by their choice of fashion, Bhava-Argan faeries dress more like Celestials. Some of them are fighting, others appear to be whizzing around in various patterns. It doesn't seem that the whole cloud is fighting, though.
>_
-
>Do there appear to be any non-fairies involved in the fighting?
-
>Do there appear to be any non-fairies involved in the fighting?
>There doesn't seem to be.
>_
-
>Well, if there doesn't seem to be genuine harm being done that we can see, it may be best to leave things be.
>Continue south
-
>Well, if there doesn't seem to be genuine harm being done that we can see, it may be best to leave things be.
>Continue south
>You decide to leave that situation alone.
>You continue southward. Up ahead you can see the banks of the Misty Lake. A sizable mountain Island hovers not too far to the southeast of it, visible primarily due to its size.
>In the meantime, there is a fair amount to travel through to get to it. Nothing really seems to stand out to you, though you definitely can hear some faeries here and again, going about their business.
>_
-
>What other locations are further south of us now, that we know of?
>What amount of contact have we had with the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion?
-
>What other locations are further south of us now, that we know of?
>What amount of contact have we had with the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion?
>You know Scarlet Devil Mansion is in that direction. Past it, you're not sure.
>You've met Remilia; she was one of the first people you delivered your message to during the Scarlet Weather incident. There was a fight, of course. But you think that you must have caught at a poor time, as she did not give you that much trouble. The gate guard let you right in that day. You've also met Sakuya; she was one of the people to chase after Tenshi during that time. She was very driven, by her own admission.
>_
-
>Move towards the mansion
>Hope that, in light of Rinnosuke's warning, Sakuya has not decided to come out of 'retirement'.
-
>Move towards the mansion
>Hope that, in light of Rinnosuke's warning, Sakuya has not decided to come out of 'retirement'.
>You continue to move toward the mansion.
You reach the shores of the lake. Typically you would expect to see some faeries around it, but it seems deserted right now. Looking toward the mountainous island, you see that it is not too far from Scarlet Devil Mansion. You also notice something black, or rather someone clad in black, is flying away from and in your general direction at top speed.
>_
-
>Oh boy...
>Does it seem clear that we've already been spotted?
>If not, if there anything nearby we can discretely use for cover?
-
>Oh boy...
>Does it seem clear that we've already been spotted?
>If not, if there anything nearby we can discretely use for cover?
>You thought that she lived around here...
>You don't know if you have or not.
>You are at the edge of the forest. While it has lost a lot of its leaves to Autumn, there ought to be enough foliage cover for you to hide under. But you do not know if it would suffice.
>_
-
>Casually step inside the forest and walk a bit deeper. Don't let our pace make it obvious that we're trying to avoid being noticed, in case she's already seen us.
>Try to keep an eye on her out the corner of our eye
-
>Casually step inside the forest and walk a bit deeper. Don't let our pace make it obvious that we're trying to avoid being noticed, in case she's already seen us.
>Try to keep an eye on her out the corner of our eye
>You causally walk into the forest, stepping through a mostly leafless bush, and hide under a tree that still has most of its canopy.
>You keep a nervous eye on the oncoming magician. She continues to fly in your direction. Perhaps she's missed you? Perhaps she'll dip down at the last moment to catch you off guard? Maybe she'll look down and see you as she passes overhead? What if she just decides to bombard you from on high, in blatant disregard of all tact and decency?
>Marisa flies past you and continues northward. You resume breathing.
>_
-
>Wait another minute or two, just to be sure. Let her be basically out of sight
>Resume travel towards the SDM
-
>Wait another minute or two, just to be sure. Let her be basically out of sight
>Resume travel towards the SDM
>You wait another minute or two, then resume your trip toward the mansion.
>The Misty lake is presently in your path. Its waters are still and placid, mirroring the sky above perfectly. to the east, you can see a comfortable-looking cabin near the banks, while the west seems to be devoid of anything but plains and more forest. Which direction will you take?
>_
-
>Take the east path
-
>Take the east path
>You walk along the eastern path. As you, it takes you past the cabin. You see Alice Margatroid sitting on a comfortable-looking chair on the porch, fiddling with something. while looking toward the island floating by Scarlet Devil Mansion. She glances toward you.
>Having a closer look at the island now, you think you can see something faintly red atop the central peak.
>_
-
>Something faintly red? Can we tell what it is?
>"Good morning, Alice. I don't suppose you've been standing outside for any length of time now?"
-
>Something faintly red? Can we tell what it is?
>"Good morning, Alice. I don't suppose you've been standing outside for any length of time now?"
>You cannot tell what it is, but you think it is moving in place.
>"I've been out since that bit of Bhava-Agra descended," says Alice. "Am I right in thinking that is a sufficient length of time for you?"
>_
-
>"Yes, I imagine it would. Have you seen Tenshi fly past here at any point?"
>"And do you know what that red thing on top of the mountain over there is?"
-
>"Yes, I imagine it would. Have you seen Tenshi fly past here at any point?"
>"And do you know what that red thing on top of the mountain over there is?"
>"I've not seen Tenshi, no," says Alice.
>"That? I am pretty sure it is a flag that Remilia planted there."
>_
-
>"A... flag? Seriously?"
>If we squint at it, does that seem a plausible explanation for its form?
-
>"A... flag? Seriously?"
>If we squint at it, does that seem a plausible explanation for its form?
>"It would be a fun joke, in retrospect, but no. I am quite serious."
>You squint, and see it could be waving in a manner similar to a flag.
>_
-
>"I suppose of all the ways Remilia could react to it, that's more harmless than most."
>"And I guess if you've been out here since the island fell, and I didn't see Tenshi, I guess she probably didn't come this far. She was sighted traveling south-ish past Kourindou, but I have no idea where she was headed."
-
>"It would be a fun joke, in retrospect, but no. I am quite serious."
>_
> I see what you did there.
>"I suppose of all the ways Remilia could react to it, that's more harmless than most."
> That's actually going to be very tough to get around. As far as Remilia is concerned, the place is now her property. Arguing property rights with her is going to end in violence.
> "It's the Rebels, sir. They've brought a flag."
-
> That's actually going to be very tough to get around. As far as Remilia is concerned, the place is now her property. Arguing property rights with her is going to end in violence.
>And also likely irrelevant once it ascends to the heavens again and she can no longer find it as it floats around
-
>And also likely irrelevant once it ascends to the heavens again and she can no longer find it as it floats around
> Ha, you're assuming she's going to be reasonable about this.
-
>"I suppose of all the ways Remilia could react to it, that's more harmless than most."
>"And I guess if you've been out here since the island fell, and I didn't see Tenshi, I guess she probably didn't come this far. She was sighted traveling south-ish past Kourindou, but I have no idea where she was headed."
>Alice nods. "We'll see."
>"That might be a problem," says alice. "There's a whole lot of forest to hide in. Or Bamboo forest to hide in. Or she could have go into the mountains or Underground."
> I see what you did there.
> That's actually going to be very tough to get around. As far as Remilia is concerned, the place is now her property. Arguing property rights with her is going to end in violence.
> "It's the Rebels, sir. They've brought a flag."
>Or did you?
>It does seem to be staking a claim...
>And they'll probably want tea.
>And also likely irrelevant once it ascends to the heavens again and she can no longer find it as it floats around
>This is also true. Unless she tries to hunt it down...
> Ha, you're assuming she's going to be reasonable about this.
>Well, she wasn't that bad when you met her... Kind of.
>_
-
>"Yes, that is something of a problem. I was going to ask if Meiling had seen her, but I doubt she would have had a view of much that you hadn't. Beyond that, I had no particular idea where she might have been trying to get to."
-
>"Yes, that is something of a problem. I was going to ask if Meiling had seen her, but I doubt she would have had a view of much that you hadn't. Beyond that, I had no particular idea where she might have been trying to get to."
>"If it's Tenshi," says Alice, "I imagine she'll turn up before long. She's likely the most wanted person in Gensokyo right now."
>_
-
>"She probably is. But this is also why I'd like to get to her first. Despite the obvious suspicion that falls on her, I don't think she was directly responsible for this. I was with her when it happened, and she didn't appear to be doing anything untoward. I suspect there are several others who won't be as inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt"
-
>"She probably is. But this is also why I'd like to get to her first. Despite the obvious suspicion that falls on her, I don't think she was directly responsible for this. I was with her when it happened, and she didn't appear to be doing anything untoward. I suspect there are several others who won't be as inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt"
>Alice nods. "Well, I don't think she's come this way."
>_
-
>How much do we know about magical means to locate someone?
-
>How much do we know about magical means to locate someone?
>Not much. But you imagine it would probably take something like a lock of hair or a very close personal item for it to work.
>_
-
>Mightn't Tenshi's typical clothing qualify? Given that she seems to hold few attachments to things, that ought to be something more connected to her than most, and we do know where her skirt and boots are at the moment.
-
>Mightn't Tenshi's typical clothing qualify? Given that she seems to hold few attachments to things, that ought to be something more connected to her than most, and we do know where her skirt and boots are at the moment.
>You wouldn't know. You're not a magician.
>_
-
>Well, we do happen to be standing in front of one
>"I'm curious about magical means of finding someone. I understand that it requires an item closely connected to the person you're looking for, correct? Would clothing suffice for this, if it were commonly enough worn by them?"
-
>Well, we do happen to be standing in front of one
>"I'm curious about magical means of finding someone. I understand that it requires an item closely connected to the person you're looking for, correct? Would clothing suffice for this, if it were commonly enough worn by them?"
>"It might," says Alice. "It depends on the person and the spell. Personally, I'd try for a lock of hair at least."
>_
-
>"Well, I have her clothing and no hair, so... I figured it might be a more efficient way to find her, if she really is trying to hide."
-
>"Well, I have her clothing and no hair, so... I figured it might be a more efficient way to find her, if she really is trying to hide."
>"It would be a thing to ask Patchouli," she says. "Preferably accompanied by a good bribe."
>_
-
>"I'm not sure what I can do about the bribe, but I will attempt to ask her anyway. Thank you, Alice and have a pleasant day."
>Continue towards the SDM
-
>"I'm not sure what I can do about the bribe, but I will attempt to ask her anyway. Thank you, Alice and have a pleasant day."
>Continue towards the SDM
>"You too," says Alice, as she returns to fooling with whatever she has in her hands. You think you see a knife.
>You make you way onward toward Scarlet Devil mansion. Soon you find yourself walking along the stone walls of the mansion. Up ahead, you see the wrought iron gates. A squadron of six faeries stands in front of the gate, all dressed in maid uniforms and looking rather imperious despite their short stature, with their arms crossed and in wide-legged stances. There is a guard house off to the side. Obvious exits are East, West, West 2, and South.
>_
-
>Peek towards the guard house. Can we see any sign of Meiling? Otherwise, address the fairies.
>"Excuse me, but I was looking to speak with Patchouli. It is a matter of some urgency."
-
Honestly, I have to disagree with a lack of information gathering in previous quests. In fact, I would argue that we spent far more time than necessary doing that in Maribel Quest. Yes, perhaps we missed a couple important bits, but we spent a huge amount of time talking to people in general. Even if you spend a protracted time talking to someone, it's easy to overlook that one question/topic that would have been relevant to something, and I don't think that's the kind of thing you can reliably hope to avoid simply by talking a great deal (or we would have already done so, then)
(Just as an aside re: information gathering, I am very much an objective-based player - I strive to achieve what needs to be achieved, at the expense of interaction with the rest of the world. This usually means that excessive talking to people actually turns me off a game, unless they're objective-critical people. I do realise this is a very personal preference, and I would not presume to demand this, but I can certainly ask that we do not tarry longer than we have to at any given person.)
Well, I was trying to be more simply suggestive about it, but if this is the kind of response my statement is going to get I'll just come out and say that Purvis pretty much told me "you should be doing this more". >_> We spent a while talking about things a few nights ago and this was one of the more notable subjects of discussion.
-
>Peek towards the guard house. Can we see any sign of Meiling? Otherwise, address the fairies.
>"Excuse me, but I was looking to speak with Patchouli. It is a matter of some urgency."
>You see no signs of Meiling about.
>"Tough beans!" cries the maid in front, a stout and pale blonde. "We're wise to your wily ways, Dance Empress!"
>"Juniper, my legs hurt..." says another faerie.
>"No weakness in front of the invaders!" cries the blonde faerie, presumably Juniper.
>_
-
>"I'm not an invader, I'm a visitor. Surely you're not supposed to turn away every visitor who shows up?"
-
>"I'm not an invader, I'm a visitor. Surely you're not supposed to turn away every visitor who shows up?"
>"It's what gate guards do!" says Juniper, straighting her back even more and scowling at you as though you just strangled a puppy.
>_
-
>"I am quite certain that Meiling does not turn every visitor away, and I believe she has far more experience at being a gate guard than you do."
-
>"I am quite certain that Meiling does not turn every visitor away, and I believe she has far more experience at being a gate guard than you do."
>"And I got more than you, Miss Smartie Butt!" Says Juniper, trying and failing to stand even straighter. "You wouldn't know gate guarding if it was last Tuesday!"
>"Ooooh!" says the other, seemingly less devoted guards.
>_
-
>"And if she were to find out that you were turning everyone away without caring why they were here, and conducting yourself in a way she disapproved of?"
-
Well, I was trying to be more simply suggestive about it, but if this is the kind of response my statement is going to get I'll just come out and say that Purvis pretty much told me "you should be doing this more". >_> We spent a while talking about things a few nights ago and this was one of the more notable subjects of discussion.
(That's fine, I have no qualms about the style of play the game requires. I was just expressing a personal preference for action.)
> That said, fairies are easy pickings, and don't need any sort of talking-at at all.
> "All right, which one of you is representing? Then again, I can take you all on."
> Lower brim of hat over our eyes, other hand at waist.
> "Dance-off."
-
>"And if she were to find out that you were turning everyone away without caring why they were here, and conducting yourself in a way she disapproved of?"
>"Then she'd tell me I'm the best damn Gate Guard since...um...that once guard. The really good one, you know the one? Guarded the thing with the gate?"
(That's fine, I have no qualms about the style of play the game requires. I was just expressing a personal preference for action.)
> That said, fairies are easy pickings, and don't need any sort of talking-at at all.
> "All right, which one of you is representing? Then again, I can take you all on."
> Lower brim of hat over our eyes, other hand at waist.
> "Dance-off."
>You issue your challenge.
>"OOOOOOOH!" says the guards.
>"You...you bastard!" cries Juniper. "F-fine! I'll do it! Even in impossible circlestances, I'll defend this gate!"
>_
>_
-
>You issue your challenge.
>"OOOOOOOH!" says the guards.
>"You...you bastard!" cries Juniper. "F-fine! I'll do it! Even in impossible circlestances, I'll defend this gate!"
>_
>_
> Low, cool voice:
> "Unlike that of a slow-footed fairy, my parentage was never in question."
> Finger to sky, one heel stomping out a beat, hum a tune to ourselves.
> Napoleon Dynamite dance. Stop at fifteen seconds, spin and point at Juniper, wink from under brim of hat.
-
> Low, cool voice:
> "Unlike that of a slow-footed fairy, my parentage was never in question."
> Finger to sky, one heel stomping out a beat, hum a tune to ourselves.
> Napoleon Dynamite dance. Stop at fifteen seconds, spin and point at Juniper, wink from under brim of hat.
>You counter the faerie's invective, though you feel a little guilty for allowing yourself to sink down to such a level.
>You provide a basic tune for yourself, then go into action. It isn't difficult for you, though without having proper music, it feels a little bit forced. Still, you are satisfied with your performance.
>The faeries give various oohs and aahs. As you indicate to your opponent that it is her turn, she fumes at you for a moment. Then she begins something that can only loosely be called a dance. Lots of stomping and arm-waving and no grace at all. The kind of music this would fit would be very chaotic indeed. Objectively speaking, though, it does seem to be genuinely from her heart, you don't seem any hesitation or attempts to correct a motion. It also looks really silly. And tiring, to be honest. You imagine it would give you a headache.
>After about half a minute she stops to catch her breath, glowering at you.
>_
-
>Go for a second round: something flashy and graceful from our repertoire; a crowd pleaser
-
>Go for a second round: something flashy and graceful from our repertoire; a crowd pleaser
>You try something a little more graceful and flashy this time. A bit of popping and locking, which always pleasing the onlookers. And indeed it does, as the faeries cheer, and your opponent is quivering with rage.
>_
-
>Bow our head respectfully towards Juniper. Try to avoid any hint of smugness.
-
>Bow our head respectfully towards Juniper. Try to avoid any hint of smugness.
>You bow your head toward Juniper. She practically vibrates for a moment, then falls to her knees. "I was the best, damn it!" she cries. "For that brief, shining moment, I was the best guard the world had ever known! And you'll never ever take that from me, you monster!"
>Then she breaks into tears.
>_
-
>"You defended the gate with all of your heart and I respect your dedication. You have nothing to feel bad about, and I swear not to violate the intent behind your devotion."
-
>"You defended the gate with all of your heart and I respect your dedication. You have nothing to feel bad about, and I swear not to violate the intent behind your devotion."
>"Th-then you're going to go away?" asks the faerie, looking up at you hopefully and choking back another sob.
>_
-
>"I came here as a peaceful visitor, to speak with Patchouli on a matter I suspect she has some interest in as well. But, as your job is to prevent harm to the inhabitants of this mansion, I swear utterly that I intend no harm to any of them. You have my word."
-
>"I came here as a peaceful visitor, to speak with Patchouli on a matter I suspect she has some interest in as well. But, as your job is to prevent harm to the inhabitants of this mansion, I swear utterly that I intend no harm to any of them. You have my word."
>"You're a monster!" cries Juniper as she bursts into fresh tears. Another faerie pats her on the shoulder.
>_
-
>Kneel down to her level
>"I'm very sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you. You tried very, very hard and no one can take that away from you."
-
>Kneel down to her level
>"I'm very sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you. You tried very, very hard and no one can take that away from you."
>"I was the best, damnit..." she mutters between sobs.
>_
-
>To one of the other fairies: "Um, can either of you signal for someone from the mansion? I don't want to just walk in without talking to one of them first."
-
>To one of the other fairies: "Um, can either of you signal for someone from the mansion? I don't want to just walk in without talking to one of them first."
>"It should be okay," says a small faerie maid with short blue hair, "Pretty much everybody it up on the mountain anyways."
>_
-
>"What, that mountain?"
>Point to the island with the flag
>"I assume Patchouli is not, however?"
>Assuming the affirmative: "Thank you very much."
>Enter the mansion
-
>"What, that mountain?"
>Point to the island with the flag
>"I assume Patchouli is not, however?"
>Assuming the affirmative: "Thank you very much."
>Enter the mansion
>"Yeah, that one," says the small blue faerie with a nod. "But no, Miss Knowledge is in charge of the house right now. Um, I guess you can see her?"
>Juniper sobs more loudly.
>You pass through the gates and make your way down the cobble path. To the east, you notice a lovely statue garden, while the west features a large and currently inactive fountain.
>Passing through the front doors, you find yourself in the foyer. The walls are decorated with tapestries featuring intricate arabesques and portrayals of fantastic beasts and oddly clothed people you do not recognize. Two statues of horses rearing on their hind legs dominate the chamber. Two stairways extend from a second floor balcony, leading to the clock tower, while a set of double doors leads to the what you are certain is the library. To the west and east are similiar sets of doors leading to other wings of the mansion. Off near the south-western corner is a heavy-looking single door bearing a number of sigils on it. Obvious exits are North, South 1, South 2, East, West 1, and West 2
>_
>_
-
>Head into the library
-
>Head into the library
>You enter the library.
>Shelves upon shelves of books fill the floors of the library, arranged in neat and labyrinthine rows. More shelves line the walls, reaching up to the ceiling. As you pass through, you see books move themselves from one shelf to another. The air here is extremely dry, and a dusty odor seems to pervade everything. Here and there, you can see tables and chairs set around in clearings between the shelves. It would be very easy to get lost here, if not for a path leading down the middle of the immense room. There you can see several tables and chair, with Patchouli brooding in the middle of it over a book, rather like a spider in its web.
>_
-
>"Excuse me, Patchouli. May I speak with you for a moment?"
-
>"Excuse me, Patchouli. May I speak with you for a moment?"
>She glances up at you. "I knew this would happen. What?"
>_
-
>"Obviously, you are aware that Bhava-Agra has descended. I have very little idea why or how, or how to reverse it for that matter. I don't expect that you would necessarily have any better ideas on that front, although I'd be very glad to hear them if you do."
>"But more pertinently, I was wondering if it's possible for you to locate someone using some articles of their clothing? If they were among a person's few possessions, would they bear enough connection to them to make that sort of spell work?"
-
>"Obviously, you are aware that Bhava-Agra has descended. I have very little idea why or how, or how to reverse it for that matter. I don't expect that you would necessarily have any better ideas on that front, although I'd be very glad to hear them if you do."
>"But more pertinently, I was wondering if it's possible for you to locate someone using some articles of their clothing? If they were among a person's few possessions, would they bear enough connection to them to make that sort of spell work?"
>"I'd like to think it got weighed down under self-righteousness, myself," says Patchouli, "But I doubt this is the case. As such, I have little more idea what has happened or why than you do."
>"When did you take an interest in sorcery?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "In any event. There is no definitive way to say so. It depends on who it is, how important the clothes are to her, and the nature of the spell."
>_
-
>"I'd like to think it got weighed down under self-righteousness, myself," says Patchouli, "But I doubt this is the case. As such, I have little more idea what has happened or why than you do."
> Don't rise to this bait.
-
Obviously not.
>"Well, I ask less out of an academic interest than a practical one. Tenshi has gone missing, and in the context of the current situation I'd like to be able to find her as quickly as possible. I don't believe she was directly responsible for this, given that she was no more than a couple yards from me when it happened, but I'd still like to be sure. Moreover, I suspect several other people will get it into their head that she's responsible, and I'd rather find her before they do."
>"If I could bring you those articles of clothing, would you be willing to attempt to locate her? More mundane means have already hit a dead-end, and as I said, I think time is of the essence. I'd be willing to do something by way of compensation for this, of course."
-
> Don't rise to this bait.
>It would be rather low of you to do so, although she's clearly laboring under some misunderstandings.
>"Well, I ask less out of an academic interest than a practical one. Tenshi has gone missing, and in the context of the current situation I'd like to be able to find her as quickly as possible. I don't believe she was directly responsible for this, given that she was no more than a couple yards from me when it happened, but I'd still like to be sure. Moreover, I suspect several other people will get it into their head that she's responsible, and I'd rather find her before they do."
>"If I could bring you those articles of clothing, would you be willing to attempt to locate her? More mundane means have already hit a dead-end, and as I said, I think time is of the essence. I'd be willing to do something by way of compensation for this, of course."
>"It won't be Tenshi," says Patchouli. "I've dealt with her. She doesn't think big enough to do something like that."
>Patchouli shakes her head. "I'd rather not. There are other things to do, and I am charged with watching over the manor while Mistress runs her conquests."
>_
-
>It would be rather low of you to do so, although she's clearly laboring under some misunderstandings.
>"It won't be Tenshi," says Patchouli. "I've dealt with her. She doesn't think big enough to do something like that."
>_
> "Oh, good. Could you elaborate on how you dealt with her, and where she is now that she is dealt with."
-
I'm pretty sure she means 'in the past', and not 'today'
-
I'm pretty sure she means 'in the past', and not 'today'
Good point. The past perfect makes for possible misinterpretations.
-
> "Oh, good. Could you elaborate on how you dealt with her, and where she is now that she is dealt with."
>"Excuse me?" Patchouli asks, a slight frown creasing her previously neutral expression.
>_
-
>"Excuse me?" Patchouli asks, a slight frown creasing her previously neutral expression.
>_
See above comments. If I misinterpreted, then redact previous input.
-
>"And is there nothing I could do to convince you otherwise? I am rather concerned for her, given the circumstances."
>"Also, about that conquest business, is Remiilia seriously attempting to assert ownership over parts of Bhava-Agra?"
-
>"And is there nothing I could do to convince you otherwise? I am rather concerned for her, given the circumstances."
>"Also, about that conquest business, is Remiilia seriously attempting to assert ownership over parts of Bhava-Agra?"
>"Perhaps," says Patchouli. "What would you offer me?"
>"Given parts of Bhava-Agra have decided to intrude upon her airspace," says Patchouli. "I would say she is merely reacting to an invasion, wouldn't you? You would do much the same if we decided to move the manor into Bhava-Agra."
>_
-
>"I don't know off-hand what you would you would like. I could perhaps perform some task for you, or attempt to acquire something you'd be interested in, if you could tell me what it is."
>"As for how I would react to your manor's presence in Bhava-Agra, I certainly would ask you why and how you had come there. And perhaps ask you to leave, depending on the circumstances. I would make no effort to claim it as our own."
>"We do intend to return it to its proper place, once we learn how."
-
>"I don't know off-hand what you would you would like. I could perhaps perform some task for you, or attempt to acquire something you'd be interested in, if you could tell me what it is."
>"As for how I would react to your manor's presence in Bhava-Agra, I certainly would ask you why and how you had come there. And perhaps ask you to leave, depending on the circumstances. I would make no effort to claim it as our own."
>"We do intend to return it to its proper place, once we learn how."
>"Hmmm," says Patchouli. She grins just a little."Yes. I think there just might be. But you wouldn't be satisfied with the task, I think."
>"So you say," says Patchouli, "But I wonder if the reality would be a little different? Regardless, Mistress may be unhappy with you deciding to take her mountain."
>_
-
>"I'm afraid we may be in disagreement over whose mountain it is. But that's a debate for another day."
>"And what is this task?"
>Pray that it's not as objectionable as her wording seems to imply
-
>"I'm afraid we may be in disagreement over whose mountain it is. But that's a debate for another day."
>"And what is this task?"
>Pray that it's not as objectionable as her wording seems to imply
>"That it is," says Patchouli.
>"There's been a couple of new magicians coming to Gensokyo over the past couple years," says Patchouli. "With this in mind, it seems like there may be some benefit in establishing a proper circle for us to meet and share information. Of course, busy as I am, I cannot just go and ask them all personally without any semblance of haste. As such, I would like you to do so for me.
>_
-
>"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Why would you think I would be dissatisfied to do this?"
-
>"That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Why would you think I would be dissatisfied to do this?"
>"So you'll do it?" asks Patchouli, paying no mind your question.
>_
-
>"If you can provide me with a list of the people you wish me to speak with, and a few more details about the organization you're proposing so that I can relay it to them, I would be willing to do this."
-
>"If you can provide me with a list of the people you wish me to speak with, and a few more details about the organization you're proposing so that I can relay it to them, I would be willing to do this."
>Patchouli chuckles.
>"Very well. The people I wish you to deliver this message to are: Alice Margatroid, Marisa Kirisame, Byakuren Hijiri, Eirin Yagokoro, Maribel Hearn and Renko Usami. I would like to us to gather and discuss the various aspects of the craft, and perhaps arrange to help each other as necessary. For the first date, hmm... The Hunter's Moon is coming up, that should serve nicely."
>_
-
>"And, in return, you will attempt to locate Tenshi once I can provide you with the items?"
>"Where would the meeting place for this be? Here?"
-
>"And, in return, you will attempt to locate Tenshi once I can provide you with the items?"
>"Where would the meeting place for this be? Here?"
>She nods. "Provided that Mistress doesn't give me orders to the contrary. Not that I expect her to take such an interest, but it is best kept in mind. And yes, here would be the best place."
>_
-
>"Very well then. I will be as swift about both matters as I can. Thank you."
>Exit the mansion and return to Alice's house
-
>"Very well then. I will be as swift about both matters as I can. Thank you."
>Exit the mansion and return to Alice's house
>"If there is nothing else," says Patchouli, returning to her book.
>You make your way out of the mansion, passing by the still weeping Juniper and her associates. The other faeries seem to have decided this is break time.
>Approaching Alice's cabin again, you find she hasn't moved. "That was quick," she says. "I assume Patchouli showed you the door?"
>_
-
>"No, not as such. She's agreed to try, in fact. In exchange for me delivering some messages for her. I rather think she finds this arrangement amusing, to be honest. Nevertheless..."
>"She has expressed interest in forming a proper circle of the magicians in Gensokyo, for the purposes of exchanging information, topical discussion, and potential sharing of resources. She proposes a first meeting at the mansion at Hunter's Moon. Would you be interested in this?"
-
[...]Would you be interested in this?"
Whilst politeness is a virtue, we are, first and foremost, a messenger, and must deliver the message in its entirety regardless of conditionals imposed by the addressee. In this case, it probably won't be an issue, but certain other magicians have the attention span of a three-year-old in a candy store.
In short - we will have to just shout all the information without asking if she's interested at Marisa whilst she shoots at us.
-
>"No, not as such. She's agreed to try, in fact. In exchange for me delivering some messages for her. I rather think she finds this arrangement amusing, to be honest. Nevertheless..."
>"She has expressed interest in forming a proper circle of the magicians in Gensokyo, for the purposes of exchanging information, topical discussion, and potential sharing of resources. She proposes a first meeting at the mansion at Hunter's Moon. Would you be interested in this?"
>"Oh, has she?" says Alice, chuckling. "Well then, let's hear it?"
>"Sound interesting," Alice says. "Who else is being invited?"
>_
-
>"She asked me to deliver this message to you, Marisa Kirisame, Byakuren Hijiri, Eirin Yagokoro, Maribel Hearn and Renko Usami."
Whilst politeness is a virtue, we are, first and foremost, a messenger, and must deliver the message in its entirety regardless of conditionals imposed by the addressee. In this case, it probably won't be an issue, but certain other magicians have the attention span of a three-year-old in a candy store.
In short - we will have to just shout all the information without asking if she's interested at Marisa whilst she shoots at us.
Well, I figure getting a response from them to return to Patchouli would be appreciated, above and beyond simply delivering the message (which is already done)
For that matter, I'd like to hope that the fact that we have a message for her from Patchouli will be enough to convince Marisa not to shoot at us, at least for as long as it takes us to say it. Frankly, I'm surprised Patchouli hadn't mentioned it to her already, considering it looked like Marisa just came from there.
In any event, I'm planning to return to the island and get Tenshi's clothes to bring to Patchouli before we track down the harder to reach targets (ie: Marisa / Eirin) unless an obvious opportunity presents itself. Finding Tenshi is more time-sensitive than this meeting of hers.
-
>"She asked me to deliver this message to you, Marisa Kirisame, Byakuren Hijiri, Eirin Yagokoro, Maribel Hearn and Renko Usami."
>Alice frowns a little. "I'll think about it," she says.
>_
-
>"If I might ask, does someone's presence on that list bother you?"
-
>"If I might ask, does someone's presence on that list bother you?"
>"A bit," says Alice, looking back to her work. "It is personal business."
>_
-
>"My apologies; I didn't mean to intrude. I was just curious about how your tone seemed to change after I listed them, that's all. I'll let Patchouli know your response."
>"Have a pleasant day."
>Head to Renko and Maribel's
>Keep an eye out for potentially trigger-happy flying magicians and try to stay close to cover in case we may need to use it again
-
>"My apologies; I didn't mean to intrude. I was just curious about how your tone seemed to change after I listed them, that's all. I'll let Patchouli know your response."
>"Have a pleasant day."
>Head to Renko and Maribel's
>Keep an eye out for potentially trigger-happy flying magicians and try to stay close to cover in case we may need to use it again
>She nods. "Thank you."
>You make your way back through the forest, keeping a careful eye on the the skies and staying close to the edge of the forest in case Marisa shows up.
>You aerial vigilance is rewarded as make your way down the road, and see a red figure flying in your general direction from the north, periodically flinging danmaku at what you imagine to be faeries too distant to be seen.
>_
-
>As much as we might like to hope our story has been verified, and Reimu will be satisfied we're not up to no good, it may be better to avoid testing that hope for the time-being
>If it doesn't look like Reimu has seen us yet, attempt to slip into the trees and take cover
-
>As much as we might like to hope our story has been verified, and Reimu will be satisfied we're not up to no good, it may be better to avoid testing that hope for the time-being
>If it doesn't look like Reimu has seen us yet, attempt to slip into the trees and take cover
>You decide that discretion is the better part of faith in others on the warpath, and duck into the forest.
>You push through the foliage, and find yourself face to face with a five faeries, sitting in a circle. "Vweep, vweep! Intruder alert!" cries one of them, thankfully nowhere near loud enough that Reimu would hear.
>_
-
>Do we think we're far enough into the trees that Reimu wouldn't spot us from outside? Or would we need to move past the fairies?
-
>Do we think we're far enough into the trees that Reimu wouldn't spot us from outside? Or would we need to move past the fairies?
>You ought to be alright. Assuming these faeries don't give you away...
>_
-
>Frown
>"Am I not allowed in here?"
-
>"And where'd that intruder go?"
-
> Do we happen to know anyone in Gensokyo with a less-than-favorable reputation? Aside from Yukari.
-
>Do we, or Heaven, have a reason not to endorse a magician's convent, aside from the part about having to figure out why Alice is reluctant and getting beaten up by Marisa?
-
>Frown
>"Am I not allowed in here?"
>You frown and inquire.
>"Enemy unit is attempting to make contact!" cries the talking faerie, a green-haired one barely knee-high to you.
>"Don't fall for that swindler!" says brown-skinned, brown-haired faerie.
>"And where'd that intruder go?"
>"Enemy unit is attempting misdirection!" says the tiny green-haired faerie, as the rest take to the air. "Recommending pattern lambda!"
>"Which one's lambda?" asks one.
>"What's a lambda?!" cries the brown-skinned faerie.
> Do we happen to know anyone in Gensokyo with a less-than-favorable reputation? Aside from Yukari.
>Tenshi and Yuka come to mind. Kisume, too. In fact, most of the people Underground.
>Do we, or Heaven, have a reason not to endorse a magician's convent, aside from the part about having to figure out why Alice is reluctant and getting beaten up by Marisa?
>In theory, Magicians tend not to have a great deal of interest in following the basic ways of enlightenment. Obviously, this varies from individual to individual. But when one of the features of a craft is the ability to meddle with darker powers... Of course, the wise remember to that there is a forest and there are trees.
>_
-
>"Aren't they cute little fluffy animals?"
-
> "Oh, a lambda? That's the child of a sheepda. But why would you name a pattern after that? Are you using its woolda to create some clothing?"
-
>"Aren't they cute little fluffy animals?"
> "Oh, a lambda? That's the child of a sheepda. But why would you name a pattern after that? Are you using its woolda to create some clothing?"
>You try to distract them a bit.
>"Do you have any?" asks another of the faeries, this one fairly tall. Two of the others look suspiciously toward her, then toward you.
>_
-
> "I thought you did. Isn't that why you were calling for that pattern?"
-
> "I thought you did. Isn't that why you were calling for that pattern?"
>"What, no!" says the tall faerie, "This is some kind of trick!"
>_
-
>"A trick? I thought you wanted to go look for lambas? They're really fluffy, you know."
-
>"A trick? I thought you wanted to go look for lambas? They're really fluffy, you know."
>"See! A trick!" says the tall faerie.
>"Or a stroke of genius!" says the green-haired faerie. "Where are are they!?"
>"Maybe we should still get her, just in case..." says the brown-skinned faerie.
>"That sounds like a good idea!"
>"Which?"
>_
-
Suggest: "Witch? Where? Did you see Marisa?"
-
>Frown
>"But if you stay here much longer, the lambdas will get away..."
-
>Frown
>"But if you stay here much longer, the lambdas will get away..."
>"Damn you, woman!" cries the green-haired faerie. "Where are they!?"
>The others look somewhat bewildered, frowning between themselves, some giving suspicious looks.
>_
-
>Are there domesticated sheep in Gensokyo?
>No matter: "I think the best place to look for them is over that way."
>Point in the general direction of a farm. Preferably not in a direction that will cause the fairies to immediately exit the forest into Reimu's path, if they all go that way.
-
>Are there domesticated sheep in Gensokyo?
>No matter: "I think the best place to look for them is over that way."
>Point in the general direction of a farm. Preferably not in a direction that will cause the fairies to immediately exit the forest into Reimu's path, if they all go that way.
>You don't know for sure. If there are, they would be highly uncommon.
>The farms are northward, close to the village, which is the direction that Reimu is coming from.
>_
-
>You don't know for sure. If there are, they would be highly uncommon.
>The farms are northward, close to the village, which is the direction that Reimu is coming from.
>_
> Point to the south instead.
-
> Point to the south instead.
>You point them South.
>"AAaaaaah!" cries the green faerie, who dashes off in that direction, before the tall one grabs her by the arm.
>"Wait!" she says, looking at you, "That's where the lake is! Are you trying to make fun of us because we're faeries?"
>_
-
>Briefly ponder why we decided to lie so blantantly.
>gauge Reimu's reaction. Has she seen us yet? Is she still heading this way?
-
>Briefly ponder why we decided to lie so blantantly.
>gauge Reimu's reaction. Has she seen us yet? Is she still heading this way?
>Perhaps you panicked?
>Glancing up, you see she is passing overhead. You don't think she is descending.
>_
-
>"Oops! You're right. I must have gotten the directions mixed up!"
>Point north.
>"It's actually that way."
-
>"Oops! You're right. I must have gotten the directions mixed up!"
>Point north.
>"It's actually that way."
>You are met with a bunch of suspicious looks.
>"This smells like another one of your tricks!" says the brown-skinned faerie.
-
>"If I was just trying to trick you, don't you think I could do a better job than pointing at the lake? I just got turned around inside the trees here. If there's any still around to be found, I'm certain this is the most likely direction to find them."
-
>"If I was just trying to trick you, don't you think I could do a better job than pointing at the lake? I just got turned around inside the trees here. If there's any still around to be found, I'm certain this is the most likely direction to find them."
>"What if it's a double blind reacharound trick, huh!?" asks the brown-skinned faerie, putting her hands on her hips and giving you a glare.
>_
-
>Frown
>"Well, that would be a problem, wouldn't it?"
>"But if you already know they're not there..."
>Point to where we pointed the first time
>"That means there's only one other place to check, doesn't it? That makes it easy."
-
>Frown
>"Well, that would be a problem, wouldn't it?"
>"But if you already know they're not there..."
>Point to where we pointed the first time
>"That means there's only one other place to check, doesn't it? That makes it easy."
>You make your case, with proper gestures.
>"I suppose that makes sense..." says the brown-skinned faerie, frowning. "But-"
>"Come on!" shouts the little green-haired faerie.
>The rest seem to be conflicted.
>_
-
>"Well, if they're not there when you go looking, you can always come back. So what's there to lose?"
>Can we discretely see if Reimu has passed by, yet?
-
>"Well, if they're not there when you go looking, you can always come back. So what's there to lose?"
>Can we discretely see if Reimu has passed by, yet?
>"But what if we can't!" says the tall faerie. "The sky could fall on us!"
>You can see she has passed by.
>_
-
>"Well, I guess you just have to decide what's more important to you."
>"In any event, I should probably continue on my way. Have a nice day!"
>Continue to Maribel and Renko's
>Double-check that Reimu is safely past once we exit
-
>"Well, I guess you just have to decide what's more important to you."
>"In any event, I should probably continue on my way. Have a nice day!"
>Continue to Maribel and Renko's
>Double-check that Reimu is safely past once we exit
>"Hey!" says the tall faerie.
>"Wait! That was an intruder!" shouts the brown-skinned faerie.
>"Get her!"
>You hear danmaku behind you as you turn to leave.
>_
-
>Sigh
>Turn around
>Move to dodge anything currently coming our way
>"How am I an intruder if I'm leaving? Besides, do you really have time to waste on me?"
-
>Sigh
>Turn around
>Move to dodge anything currently coming our way
>"How am I an intruder if I'm leaving? Besides, do you really have time to waste on me?"
>You turn around just in time to see a fairly large cloud of bullets coming at you. It may be better to slip between them than around them.
>_
-
>Slip in-between the bullets
>Find the most aggressive fairy and tag it with a bolt of danmaku lightning
-
>Slip in-between the bullets
>Find the most aggressive fairy and tag it with a bolt of danmaku lightning
>You slip between the bullets, and peg the brown-skinned faerie with some lightning; dropping her to the ground, twitching.
>The others start to surround you, throwing out curving lines of bullets.
>_
-
>Back up a little and try to shift so that we're not entirely surrounded, while moving out of the path of these new bullets
>Send out a cluster of seeking lightning sparks ahead of us, towards the group of fairies closest to each other
-
> Why do we always respond with violence?
> Why?
> Dodge, twirl.
> "All this shooting is sure likely to attract that shrine maiden coming in this direction. How about we swing a little dance, instead?"
> Break out the robot, timing movements to avoid projectiles.
-
>Back up a little and try to shift so that we're not entirely surrounded, while moving out of the path of these new bullets
>Send out a cluster of seeking lightning sparks ahead of us, towards the group of fairies closest to each other
>You try to back away and shift as the bullets arc around you. Some come uncomfortably close as the various curves weave together, but you manage to get away from them.
>It would take a moment for you to prepare that. This carries quite a likelihood of being hit.
> Why do we always respond with violence?
> Why?
> Dodge, twirl.
> "All this shooting is sure likely to attract that shrine maiden coming in this direction. How about we swing a little dance, instead?"
> Break out the robot, timing movements to avoid projectiles.
>Probably because you were shot at first in this case.
>You continue to back away from the shots, find yourself backed against the foliage lining the road.
>"What shrine maiden!" cries the green-haired one as the faeries surround you and continue to fire.
>You have several arcs of bullets coming toward you from a couple directions. You are reasonably certain most dances are not going to get you around them.
>_
-
>Focus on dodging, for the moment. Try to shift around so that the outside of the forest is not immediately behind us. Use trees for cover against some of the streams if this can help our positioning.
>"The one that was just overhead, taking out any fairies who caught her attention. I saw her flying in this way."
-
>Focus on dodging, for the moment. Try to shift around so that the outside of the forest is not immediately behind us. Use trees for cover against some of the streams if this can help our positioning.
>"The one that was just overhead, taking out any fairies who caught her attention. I saw her flying in this way."
>You shift away from the foliage and try weave around the oncoming bullets.
>"Oh yeah! Well!" says one of the faeries, "Maybe you should surrender then!"
>_
-
>"Surrender? To you? What would that even involve?"
-
>"Surrender? To you? What would that even involve?"
>"Obviously!" says the faerie, a mid-sized one with black hair that practically reaches her ankles.
>A few more arcs come at you, you think you should be able to slide between them without too much problem, but you are certain there is one behind you as well.
>_
-
>Slide between the arcs, moving forward
>Launch a fragmenting lightning orb before us as we do so
>Then duck down and spin around
>See if we can snag the one behind us with a lightning bolt
-
>Slide between the arcs, moving forward
>Launch a fragmenting lightning orb before us as we do so
>Then duck down and spin around
>See if we can snag the one behind us with a lightning bolt
>You move between the arcs and send out a fragmenting sphere, then duck down and turn, aiming a lighting bolt at the one behind you. That faerie, the green-haired on, goes down without a word, while you hear another cry out behind you.
>The arc that the green-haired faerie launched at you is approaching quickly.
>_
-
>Quickly shift sideways, away from this arc. Take care not to also crash into the arcs we slipped past
>Spin back so that we're facing the remaining fairies and their fire
>If we're in a bad position, focus on dodging for a moment
>Otherwise, fire a lightning bolt at the clearest target
-
>Quickly shift sideways, away from this arc. Take care not to also crash into the arcs we slipped past
>Spin back so that we're facing the remaining fairies and their fire
>If we're in a bad position, focus on dodging for a moment
>Otherwise, fire a lightning bolt at the clearest target
>You shift sideways, practically rolling away from the attack, then come back up to your feet facing the two remaining faeries.
>Finding yourself in a decent position and seeing your sphere attack took one of them down, you strike the tall one with lighting. She tumbles.
>This leaves the black-haired one who shrieks and flees.
>_
-
>Sigh
>Poke our head cautiously out of the trees. Can we see any sign of Reimu?
-
>Sigh
>Poke our head cautiously out of the trees. Can we see any sign of Reimu?
>You look around, and see Reimu is some distance to the south.
>_
-
>If we feel the coast is clear on her noticing us, continue on to Renko and Maribel's house.
>May as well stay discretely close to the trees while doing so
-
>If we feel the coast is clear on her noticing us, continue on to Renko and Maribel's house.
>May as well stay discretely close to the trees while doing so
>You continue on toward your original goal, keeping close to the trees lest someone else show up.
>Thankfully, you see no one else nor encounter any more faeries; passing by Kourindou and leave the forest without problems. You approach Maribel and Renko's home.
>_
-
>Knock on the door
-
>Knock on the door
>You knock on the door!
>There is no answer.
>_
-
>Knock again
>Assuming no response, head to Byakuren's temple.
-
> Why do we always respond with violence?
> Why?
Lieing is an art, and it must be crafted carefully, and with a goal in mind in order to be done properly. You do not start with the lie. You must end by putting the lie into words.
Oh well, the scenario fits Iku's character under the explanation on panicking.
-
>Knock again
>Assuming no response, head to Byakuren's temple.
>There is no response. Apparently they have made good on their threat to go exploring.
>You depart, and head back toward the village. You feel a bit uncomfortable out in the open, after depending on the forest's cover so much. Heading Northward, you can see a couple of floating islands you missed last time to the west of the village, A couple of them fairly large. You think one of them is pretty special to the Bhava-Argan faeries, if you recall properly.
>Regardless, you reach the outskirts of the human village without incident. There aren't quite so many people milling about now, but you notice there are a lot of faeries, and seemingly several other youkai, flying around the orchard isle.
>_
-
>Well, at least no one's shooting at each other this time
>Around how many qualifies as 'a lot'? Estimate.
>Continue to the temple
-
>Well, at least no one's shooting at each other this time
>Around how many qualifies as 'a lot'? Estimate.
>Continue to the temple
>They don't seem to be.
>You suspect there are between thirty to fifty faeries, and a half dozen youkai.
>You continue down the street, past houses, storefronts (such as Shou's Clothes), and a well, until you reach the Myouren Temple.
>The temple is a curious building with a very ship-like design, which is fitting given that used to be a ship. A simple set of covered step lead to an open set of double doors. The upper parts of the shrine are covered with dropcloths, leading you to wonder what they are doing there. Obvious exits are North, South, and West.
>_
-
>Enter the temple
>Look around for Byakuren
-
>Enter the temple
>Look around for Byakuren
>You enter the temple, coming into a lovely wooden hallway leading further in. A couple of doors dot the sides of the hall of it. It is all freshing painted white, you would think that you were in a proper temple rather than a converted ship.
>Heading further inside, you come to an open and spacious room whose decor is mostly subtle scroll-work along the edges of the walls. A small clay statue of the Buddha rests on a small altar, flanked by small censors. The scent of incense is in the air. Sitting near the edge of the room is Byakuren, whom you've never really met before today, due seldom leaving this place. She is as large as the rumors say, one of the very few people who dwarfs you, and does so by quite a bit. You wonder if the ceiling here is even high enough for her?
>Byakuren was in the process of reading something, which she sets aside as you come in. She inclines her head in your direction.
>_
-
>"Good morning, Byakuren. I hope things are well with you, despite all the excitement of the day so far."
-
>"Good morning, Byakuren. I hope things are well with you, despite all the excitement of the day so far."
>"I am well," she says. "So far, the events of the day haven't affected me much. Though I imagine Reimu and the others are quite on the warpath. Is there something I can help you with, Miss...?"
>_
-
>"Iku, sorry. I oversee the administration of the Dragon Palace. And warpath would be quite an accurate word for it, I think. I narrowly escaped a direct battle with Reimu earlier this morning. She seemed to think it would be simpler to incapacitate me than try to understand what happened. I am... not looking forward to seeing her again before I have some answers to give her."
>"On a tangentially related note, I'm here to deliver a message for you from Patchouli Knowledge. She has expressed interest in creating a formal circle for magicians in Gensokyo, and wished to know if you would be interested."
-
>"Iku, sorry. I oversee the administration of the Dragon Palace. And warpath would be quite an accurate word for it, I think. I narrowly escaped a direct battle with Reimu earlier this morning. She seemed to think it would be simpler to incapacitate me than try to understand what happened. I am... not looking forward to seeing her again before I have some answers to give her."
>"On a tangentially related note, I'm here to deliver a message for you from Patchouli Knowledge. She has expressed interest in creating a formal circle for magicians in Gensokyo, and wished to know if you would be interested."
>"To my understanding," says Byakuren, "Answers won't dissuade her too much. And, tell me more about this circle? What would be expected of its members? And who else has she asked, for this matter?"
>_
-
>"She said the purpose of it would be to to share information, hold discussion on the art, and possibly to pool resources. Anything more specific she would probably raise herself at the first meeting. She was hoping people would be able to gather at the mansion this coming Hunter's Moon. The other people she has asked me to invite are Alice Margatroid, Marisa Kirisame, Eirin Yagokoro, Renko Usami, and Maribel Hearn."
-
>"She said the purpose of it would be to to share information, hold discussion on the art, and possibly to pool resources. Anything more specific she would probably raise herself at the first meeting. She was hoping people would be able to gather at the mansion this coming Hunter's Moon. The other people she has asked me to invite are Alice Margatroid, Marisa Kirisame, Eirin Yagokoro, Renko Usami, and Maribel Hearn."
>"That sounds interesting," says Byakuren. "I'll be certain to attend."
>_
-
>"Thank you. I'll be sure to let her know."
>Nod
>"I'm afraid I'm still in something of a hurry with the current situation, so I should continue on my way. It was nice to meet you, and I hope you have a pleasant day."
>Return to the orchard
-
>"Thank you. I'll be sure to let her know."
>Nod
>"I'm afraid I'm still in something of a hurry with the current situation, so I should continue on my way. It was nice to meet you, and I hope you have a pleasant day."
>Return to the orchard
>"I would appreciate that," says Byakuren. "And, I understand, Miss Iku. Please have a good day."
>You make your way from the Myouren Temple and take to the air, returning to the Orchard Isle. You can see the faeries and youkai are gathered rather thickly around it. You can discern Nitori, Hatate, and Yamame among the gathered Youkai, another you are quite certain is Mystia from the stories you've heard. You can see some celestials near the edge of the island, dealing with the visitors.
>_
>_
-
>Make our way through and find a celestial not currently occupied dealing with someone. All the better if they're a decent distance away from most of the visitors so that we could speak discretely.
-
>Make our way through and find a celestial not currently occupied dealing with someone. All the better if they're a decent distance away from most of the visitors so that we could speak discretely.
>Thankfully, most of the crowd is off toward the side of the island, making it easy to approach from above.
>You find one Celestial, a tall platinum-haired woman standing near the edge looking out toward the north. She notices your coming, and curtsies as you land. "Lady Nagae."
>_
-
>Nod respectfully
>"Good morning. How have things been here since the fighting stopped?"
-
> Do we recall her name?
> Is she taller than us?
-
>Nod respectfully
>"Good morning. How have things been here since the fighting stopped?"
>You nod back to her.
>"Hectic," she says. "Word that we're giving away peaches has spread like wildfire. There's all kinds of youkai and faeries here. And to make matters worse, I am reasonably sure the townspeople want some, too."
> Do we recall her name?
> Is she taller than us?
>You do not know her name, and she is not.
>_
-
>"Perhaps it was a naive hope that the enthusiasm would be momentary and local. I hope it doesn't threaten to make too large a dent in our supplies. I'll make sure we can compensate in either case, but it would be nice not to have to."
>"Do you know where Lorelei is at the moment?"
-
>"Perhaps it was a naive hope that the enthusiasm would be momentary and local. I hope it doesn't threaten to make too large a dent in our supplies. I'll make sure we can compensate in either case, but it would be nice not to have to."
>"Do you know where Lorelei is at the moment?"
>She nods. "I cannot say, Lady Nagae, I am merely trying to catch people attempting to sneak in."
>"I believe she is with the rest of the wounded, near the middle of the island."
>_
-
>"Thank you for your efforts. We'll pull through this. I wish you well."
>Head to the center of the island.
-
>"Thank you for your efforts. We'll pull through this. I wish you well."
>Head to the center of the island.
>"We do our best," says the Celestial, as you depart.
>You fly toward the center of the island. There is a small house and a sizable barn there, set in a clearing between the rows of trees. The barn doors are open; you can see a couple of Celestials standing near them.
>_
-
>Can we see Lorelei?
>If not, take a look inside.
-
>Can we see Lorelei?
>If not, take a look inside.
>You do not see her, so you look inside the barn.
>About two dozen celestials are in here, a very sizable part of the harvesting group. Most of them are laying on the ground on top of tarps, or sat against the walls; all wearing bandages somewhere. Despite this, no one seems to be especially badly hurt; the worst seems to be some broken limbs. The aura inside is quiet, but not quite somber. Several Celestials tend to the wounded, offering water and checking bandages. You see Lorelei laying on the floor not far from the doors.
>_
-
>Concerned frown
>Walk over to her
>Is she injured, herself?
-
>Concerned frown
>Walk over to her
>Is she injured, herself?
>It's hard not to be concerned, this is hardly a typical scene in Bhava-Agra.
>You walk over to Lorelei, and find she is injured. Her left arm in in a splint, as is her foot. Her head is also bandaged. She is awake, though, and looks at you through pained eyes. "Lady Nagae," she says softly, "Forgive me for not greeting you properly."
>_
-
>Shake our head
>"Please don't worry about such trivialities. You're injured. Taking care of yourself is all that you should be concerned with at the moment. How do you feel?"
>"I... didn't realize it was this bad. I guess I was more fortunate to avoid serious injury myself than I realized."
-
>Shake our head
>"Please don't worry about such trivialities. You're injured. Taking care of yourself is all that you should be concerned with at the moment. How do you feel?"
>"I... didn't realize it was this bad. I guess I was more fortunate to avoid serious injury myself than I realized."
>"Perhaps so," she says. "And, to be honest, rather awful. But I'll get better with time. And, I'd like to think we got the worst of it. Most Celestials ought not to have been hip-deep in peach tree when the crash happened. What news have you for us?"
>_
-
>"Not a great deal, I'm afraid. Some of the immediate tensions with the surface seem to be allayed for the moment, at least. I actually came to ask where you put the clothing Tenshi used as a decoy earlier. I'm going try to use it to help locate her."
-
>"Not a great deal, I'm afraid. Some of the immediate tensions with the surface seem to be allayed for the moment, at least. I actually came to ask where you put the clothing Tenshi used as a decoy earlier. I'm going try to use it to help locate her."
>"I imagine the dress is probably caught up in the tree where I left them," says Lorelei. "As for the boots, good luck finding them."
>_
-
>"Ah, I didn't know if you'd stowed them somewhere else after we last met. Would this be the same tree I'd left them by earlier this morning?"
-
>"Ah, I didn't know if you'd stowed them somewhere else after we last met. Would this be the same tree I'd left them by earlier this morning?"
>"The same one," says Lorelei. "So it was Tenshi, wasn't it?"
>_
-
>"I very much hope not. If she played a role in this, she has a great deal to answer for. I'm still hopeful that this was as much a surprise to her as it was to us. She was with me when the islands fell. I didn't see her do anything to cause it, and she was about as injured by their sudden descent as I. But she fled to southern Gensokyo immediately afterwards, and I haven't been able to find her. I'm hoping a magician I'm working with will be able to help in this. The sooner I can see her, the sooner I can get a definitive answer."
-
>"I very much hope not. If she played a role in this, she has a great deal to answer for. I'm still hopeful that this was as much a surprise to her as it was to us. She was with me when the islands fell. I didn't see her do anything to cause it, and she was about as injured by their sudden descent as I. But she fled to southern Gensokyo immediately afterwards, and I haven't been able to find her. I'm hoping a magician I'm working with will be able to help in this. The sooner I can see her, the sooner I can get a definitive answer."
>Lorelei nods. "Maybe not, then. Good...I was afraid this was half my fault for letting her slip out from under me."
>_
-
>"It is absolutely not your fault, no matter what Tenshi has or hasn't done. She is my charge, and any blame that isn't hers is mine alone. Please don't dwell on guilt amid all the other sufferings here. I will put things to right."
-
Lieing is an art, and it must be crafted carefully, and with a goal in mind in order to be done properly. You do not start with the lie. You must end by putting the lie into words.
Oh well, the scenario fits Iku's character under the explanation on panicking.
Yeah the problem there is that we aren't supposed to be lying at all.
Also I rather suspect Tenshi is partially responsible for this (too many coincidences) but someone else probably put her up to it :V
-
I wouldn't be surprised if she were involved. I'd like to hope she isn't, but it wouldn't surprise me. However, I strongly suspect that she didn't realize the extent of the harm her actions would end up causing to the people around her. Or at least I sincerely hope not. This is simply beyond the pale.
-
To be completely honest, I would be surprised if she were involved. One can speculate that her running away from us is a sign of guilt, but given we had previously expressed some displeasure with her taking the sword to the point of being willing to beat her up, it's a good bet she figured we'd conclude it was her fault and ran away out of fear. (Also she thought we were nuts, which could have any number of implications.)
My guess is that the collapse of the Kingdom of Zeal was merely an unhappy coincidence with Tenshi lifting the sword.
Who do I think did it instead? ...That's a damn good question. Not many people could pull something like that off. Doubt it was Yuuka, it doesn't benefit her any. Doubt it was Yukari, she has an existing amusement outlet and Ran would surely bitch about it. Doubt it was the Kogoddesses, I don't see a motive for either and I can think of motives for both to NOT want to do it, largely centered in enjoying people having faith in them. Doubt it was Siki, it doesn't fit her personality at all and if she needed to talk to the Heavens that badly she surely has the connections to do so. Doubt it was Yuugi or Utsuho, they're both kinda busy. Doubt it was Suika, she'd never hear the end of it from Reimu. Doubt it was Byakuren, if only because I don't think she'd lie to our faces like that.
Flandre is a possibility, though I'd believe she did it at Remilia's coaxing before I'd believe she did it of her own volition. I can see the SDM doing this after getting humiliated in their own home, both as a display of power and in an effort to gather supplies. Would they have been so brazen as to plant that flag? I can see Remi doing that, actually, yeah. Not as sure about letting the gate guard fairies tell any random stranger about it, though.
Yuyuko is also a possibility, simply because she's such a huge enigma that it's impossible to say she definitely wouldn't do something outwardly crazy. She very well could have a motive that's impossible to figure out at this juncture and may make no sense to us even when we learn it.
-
Actually, hrm. Ideas came to me while out getting lunch. Some internal investigation may prove useful.
> How do the Bhava-Agra land masses normally stay suspended so high?
-
Still not buying that Tenshi isn't involved. Like I said, too many coincidences, and it lines up too well with what she was saying. I'm more saying that she had help/had it suggested by someone else.
Another possible hint is the mention of Shinki not being fond of the Heavens, though I didn't really follow Ran Quest so I don't know the likelihood of that. The main people connected to Makai now are Alice and the Myouren crew... that makes me think Nue, but Tenshi was confused when mentioning that earlier... unless she was disguised as someone else when she made the suggestion?
And as any modern culture of fear can attest, a disaster can be readily used to bolster faith; I wouldn't put the Moriyas out of the running yet, though admittedly I'm doubtful. It's also possible one of the less scrupulous Myouren people arranged it for Byakuren's sake without informing her of it since she'd hate it... but that doesn't seem their style, either - even Nazrin acting on her own.
Not seeing Yuyuko. She has enough to goof off with without bringing the heavens down, and no clear motive for anything past amusement and being inscrutable. Unless Yukari put her up to it, which sounds more likely. (But she didn't respond earlier! - she can be subtle and deceptive when she wants to, I assure you.)
Though, I have another class of suspects as well - The Moon. They'd even share the "bringing heaven down (figuratively)" motive Tenshi has! Just, it'd be more "bringing down those upstarts that think they can be pure while still on Earth, HAH" instead of "bringing down the hypocrites that won't let me have fun in Gensokyo." And one way or another, they'd have the power to do so. As for why now, or why bother, I don't know. Maybe Rise is getting overzealous about her master's intents and beliefs and doing insane things without getting orders first? Though, that wouldn't be possible unless she stole the Gems. And why leave it hovering just over Gensokyo, instead of destroying both outright? That doesn't make sense, either...
-
At most, I see Tenshi's involvement as getting someone else to do some distraction work for her and them not telling her what they have planned, which is only tangentially related to her lifting the sword. Direct responsibility? I will buy a hat and eat it.
Doubt it's the mooninites, Yorihime only bothered with Gensokyo again because of ancient horror silliness. Odds are, if she could be arsed, she would have done so before now. Doubt it was a Palanquin Shipper, they don't have the might, and they'd have to answer to Byakuren eventually because she WILL find out if it was one of them.
Shinki I suppose is possible; not having payed enough attention to Ran Quest myself, I similarly don't know what Shinki is like here. Also suddenly anxious that it might have been Komachi due to the nature of the collapse, even if I can't readily produce a motive. (Thinking about it also made me start to shy away from my Flandre theory.)
I will want to see some results from the internal investigation before planting a solid dart somewhere, though. I think the "how" of this incident will be just as important as the "why" in figuring out who did it.
-
Anyone could have done anything for any reason at this point to bring the islands down. We don't even know what the MO is, with the exceptionally useful hint of "Probably not something Tenshi can do." We shouldn't be throwing darts. We should be using this brainstorming session to think of information that we need to get.
We need to know the Who and Why, The How, and the What and When.
We've got the What and When down pat. It's fairly obvious to everyone, considering we have the Incident Squad on the loose.
In order to find the How, we will need to figure out certain useful bits of information like "How do they stay afloat?" "When where the islands created?" and of course "What sorts of magic (besides the obvious gappings and such) would counteract that magic?"
Edit: In that regards, it's important to note that the Islands did not crash into Gensokyo. We can rule out that the magic was dispelled completely, likely to prevent any serious damage to Gensokyo.
A good place to start with for the who would be to look for the Who nots. Of course, no one knows that better than the Incident Squad. This means we should stop trying to avoid them at some point, if not now. Yes, even if it means burning a few spellcards. We need to start talking to people who know things before we can proceed, and we can't do that while at the same time keeping our little tippy-toes out of the water.
-
Edit: In that regards, it's important to note that the Islands did not crash into Gensokyo. We can rule out that the magic was dispelled completely, likely to prevent any serious damage to Gensokyo.
Realizing this is what made me balk and start thinking about the "how", yes. If something was simply cut (like what Flandre would likely do) then the islands would probably have just smashed down into the ground, but they only fell so far before coming back to rest. I'm positive there's a non-trivial reason for this.
-
Considering that we're playing as Iku, and that Tenshi is an important figure in this story, I'd consider going over some of the plotlines in SWR to get an idea of what those characters think of Bhava-Agra in canon. It's likely that at least a few of those views made the jump into the Z-Machine plotline, though this is entirely speculation on my part.
UNRELATED: I'm kind of late with this submission to the Maribel Quest Q&A session, but I recently had a thought about Alice. Would the plot of Maribel Quest have been different if, during Reisen Quest, we had succeeded in finding her a partner?
-
but the incident squad is only going to talk to/beat up like eight people max
Kilga: If Reisen being ambassador to the moon is any indication, they're taking more of an interest now, and may have heard about Heaven when they didn't know as much before (if Rise having to ask Yuuka where Eintei was is any indication). A pity we didn't find out what sort of drugs they wanted from Eirin.
And it's also possible that someone actively prevented the islands from falling further... somehow, and for more predictable reasons. Unlikely (unless the Dragon was withholding that detail from us), but possible. Unless the islands are connected on a universal altitude by a different enchantment, and further falling was stopped by Guest Island crashing into Youkai Mountain? I dunno, throwing out ideas here.
EDIT since I didn't read the last page: Probably, rdj. Poor girl.
-
but the incident squad is only going to talk to/beat up like eight people max
We already broken that theory when we denied Marisa Her Stage One Midboss fight
Unless the islands are connected on a universal altitude by a different enchantment, and further falling was stopped by Guest Island crashing into Youkai Mountain? I dunno, throwing out ideas here.
This could be a real possibility. If what we know about the Islands is inconclusive, we may have to make a stop there to double check. Sanae wouldn't be happy.
-
I'd like to offer the possibility that the culprit is an original character and/or caused the islands to drop by accident. Although neither have been the case so far in a text adventure parsed by Purvis, as far as I know.
-
We already broken that theory when we denied Marisa Her Stage One Midboss fight
alternate routes, saucecracker
I'd like to offer the possibility that the culprit is an original character and/or caused the islands to drop by accident. Although neither have been the case so far in a text adventure parsed by Purvis, as far as I know.
Original character ain't Purvis' style, by and large. Accident doesn't sound likely, unless... unless the sword was being used to support the Heavens staying up? Except it didn't happen last time, and more warning would have been provided if it'd been instated since then, right? And Tenshi didn't stop to ask/wonder what the hell was going on. Hmm... interesting thought all the same.
-
A point is that, aside from injuries and possible peach-theft, Bhava-Agra was largely unaffected by the fall. As silly as this might sound we could just... wait it out. Meet a few people, help them with their business, and, eventually, the instigator(s) will show her/themselves out of boredom - patience is not something Gensokyans are well-known for.
-
Unless they're planning a second stage of the coup that would be better to cut off, or if part of the point was to corrupt/mellow out Bhava-Agra by dumping it in the middle of Gensokyo. Likewise, I doubt there's enough peaches to keep people pacified for very long, and the Incident Solvers are going to end up pummeling SOMEONE for this, and Iku's on the list.
However, I think that if we can't get a good track on Tenshi in short order, it would be better to take our time a little, since the trail would have grown too cold to gain much from confronting her as quickly as possible. That point may have passed already after doubling back to speak with the outworlders again - I made the 'tracking' suggestion more out of pedantry and pondering loopholes than as a serious idea. At this point it might be a better idea to at least spend time working out some of the problems on the islands while working on finding where the hell Tenshi got off to and what to do about whoever's responsible for this, which I'm guessing was your point anyway.
-
>"It is absolutely not your fault, no matter what Tenshi has or hasn't done. She is my charge, and any blame that isn't hers is mine alone. Please don't dwell on guilt amid all the other sufferings here. I will put things to right."
>Lorelei nods weakly
> How do the Bhava-Agra land masses normally stay suspended so high?
.
>You honestly don't know. You've never really had a reason to look into it before now. You presumption is that it was due to an act of The Dragon, but that doesn't seem to be the case. You would presume that The Dragon is intimately involved with it, at least.
>_
-
Whee~
>What's the Dragon's Stance on random interrogation?
>Should we find more information, or at least find Tenshi before returning to the Dragon to ask? Or does he not mind as long as we've been trying to think about why it happened?
-
>What's the Dragon's Stance on random interrogation?
>Should we find more information, or at least find Tenshi before returning to the Dragon to ask? Or does he not mind as long as we've been trying to think about why it happened?
>No one likes random interrogation.
>You would suspect that the more you find on your own before trying to ask The Dragon, the happier it would be. After all, it did entrust this task to you. At the same time, if you have questions no one but it can answer, it probably wouldn't mind if you inquire. But, it would be a good idea to ask all of these questions at once. Multiple sessions would probably annoy it.
>_
-
While a good idea, I think we should get a little more information and relevant questions first. Like accosting Remilia's squad and at least figuring out what they're doing with that island. And seeing if that fairy-precious island is doing okay. And find a Tenshi trail hotter than where we missed after Renko's report.
>Where was Tenshi heading by Renko's report? At least, what direction, and what major landmarks are in that direction?
-
>Where was Tenshi heading by Renko's report? At least, what direction, and what major landmarks are in that direction?
>She was going southward, according to Renko. This would give her most of the Forest of Magic to hide in, as well as the access to the Underground and the Bamboo Forest. You know that Marisa lives somewhere in all that, as well as some youkai and many faeries, but you've never explored the forest itself; you tend to just fly over it.
>_
-
>Is there anyone at The Felt that might be willing to help us out in any significant capacity?
>What little do we know of the Bamboo Forest?
-
>"Try to rest, now, and don't let this trouble you. I'll get to the bottom of things."
>Return to the tree we left Tenshi's clothing by earlier today
-
>Is there anyone at The Felt that might be willing to help us out in any significant capacity?
>What little do we know of the Bamboo Forest?
>You suspect you could ask Yuugi for help. But she would probably put a price on it. You can't imagine too many people underground would be worried about it, to be honest.
>Not very much. You've never been there. Even when you were bringing message of the earthquake, you didn't bother with it; you knew it's eternal nature would keep it safe.
>"Try to rest, now, and don't let this trouble you. I'll get to the bottom of things."
>Return to the tree we left Tenshi's clothing by earlier today
>She gives another weak nod. "Thank you, Lady Nagae."
>You leave the barn-turned-infirmary, and head back into he orchard. It's not too difficult to remember where you found Lorelei, thankfully. As you make your way there, you notice that a lot of the harvesting has been done for you by the fall. Unfortunately, you also see that not a whole lot of the peaches have survived the drop. Here and there, you see celestials looking for good ones among the mess. What a waste...
>You are able to find the exact tree pretty easily; Tenshi's dress is dangling from the branches.
>_
-
>So our stores were diminished, even before we started handing them out...
>Collect the dress
>Search around the nearby area for her boots
>If we can see no sign of them, ask some of the nearby celestials if they saw them around here
-
>So our stores were diminished, even before we started handing them out...
>Collect the dress
>Search around the nearby area for her boots
>If we can see no sign of them, ask some of the nearby celestials if they saw them around here
>So it seems.
>You obtain: Tenshi's Dress.
>You look around and see no sign of the boots. You ask one of the celestials looking for unharmed peaches, and after her curtsy you get a shrug.
>_
-
>Range around a somewhat wider area for the boots
>Ask at least one more celestial
>If we still find no sign of them, leave the island and head back towards the SDM
-
>Range around a somewhat wider area for the boots
>Ask at least one more celestial
>If we still find no sign of them, leave the island and head back towards the SDM
>You range out a little more, and quickly conclude that you are wasting your time. Asking another celestial, she tells you that she hasn't even been looking for such a thing, but doesn't remember seeing them anywhere.
>Having no more signs, you make your way back toward Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>How will you be making this trip?
>_
-
>Take the most direct route. By air is fine.
-
>Take the most direct route. By air is fine.
>You fly directly toward Scarlet Devil Mansion, forsaking all cover and the like.
>Thankfully, you don't seem to run into anyone dangerous along the way. As you pass over the forest, you notice the faerie cloud around the island near Kourindou, the forested one that is home to a small celestial community, no longer seems to have clouds of faeries around it. Instead, you see to see a number of them around the edge of it. From this altitude, you can also see the scattered houses of the celestial village.
>_
-
>Around the edge of it? As in actually on the surface of the island?
>Are these Gensokyo or Bhava-Agran fairies?
-
>Around the edge of it? As in actually on the surface of the island?
>Are these Gensokyo or Bhava-Agran fairies?
>Yes.
>You can't tell without getting closer, but you suspect it is both.
>_
-
>Provided things look fairly peaceable, continue onward to the mansion.
-
>Provided things look fairly peaceable, continue onward to the mansion.
>Things do look peaceable, but you also notice that there don't seem to be nearly as many as there were last time.
>You continue on toward the mansion. You see the maids are still at the gates, some of them standing on top of the wall. Having a better view of the island over Scarlet Devil Mansion, you can see some activity near its edges.
>_
-
>Can we tell what this activity is?
-
>Can we tell what this activity is?
>Taking time to get a closer look, you think that you see some celestials standing in a line near the edge of one of forests on the isle. Someone whose clothing lacks the distinctive shawls of a celestial seems to be addressing them. You also note a few faeries flying around.
>_
-
>Can we tell who this figure is? Does it seem to be one of the mansion residents? Perhaps Reimu?
-
>Can we tell who this figure is? Does it seem to be one of the mansion residents? Perhaps Reimu?
>You can't tell for certain at this distance. But the cool colors and short skirt the figure is wearing, combined with adult human height, could certainly aid in deducing who she is.
>_
-
>Approach a little.
>Do they appear to be speaking calmly, or is there some hostility/wariness in their stances that we can detect?
-
>Approach a little.
>Do they appear to be speaking calmly, or is there some hostility/wariness in their stances that we can detect?
>You draw a little closer, confirming that it is indeed the head maid addressing them. She seems to be pacing a bit in front of them, making the occasional gesture. It doesn't seem hostile, but you can't say they are exactly friendly, either. There seem to be eight celestials. If anything, they seem to be standing in attention.
>_
-
>Descend towards them, doing our best not to appear hostile
-
>Descend towards them, doing our best not to appear hostile
>You descend toward the group.
>As you do, Sakuya seems to pay you no mind, continuing to address the Celestials. "How many of you can dust, show of hands pleases?"
>Most of the celestials raise their hands, some rather hesitantly. Others watch you approach.
>"So not a one of you," she says. "Oh, I'm certain a few of you think waving a feather duster around counts, but we shall cure you of these delusions quickly."
>Sakuya then turns toward you as you land, and bows her head slightly. "Welcome to Mount Scarlet, Miss...Naga, was it?"
>"You forgot something," comes a voice from the trees. Glancing over, you see Remilia reclining on a couch under the shade of a tree, parasol in one hand and tea cup in the other.
>"You're quite right," says Sakuya to her. "Please forgive me." She then looks back to you and says, "Welcome to the Volatilis Scarlet Regnum."
>_
-
>"Nagae. And I don't suppose you could tell me what happened here? After the island's descent, of course."
-
>"Nagae. And I don't suppose you could tell me what happened here? After the island's descent, of course."
>"We counterattacked, of course," says Sakuya.
>"Fool us once," says Remilia as she sips her tea.
>_
-
>"So you honestly believe we came here to attack you? Didn't it seem like we were woefully unprepared, if that was truly our intention?"
-
>"So you honestly believe we came here to attack you? Didn't it seem like we were woefully unprepared, if that was truly our intention?"
>"Well we never accused you of being very smart at it," says Remilia. "But if you are saying that dropping an island into our part of the sky doesn't count as an invasion, well...we must suggest that you fire your math instructor at once."
>_
-
>"The fact that it landed in your part of the sky is an unfortunate co-incidence. It simply happened to be drifting above it when the whole of Bhava-Agra fell. We don't know why it happened, but it was certainly not intentional on our part, and in fact caused a great deal of damage and injury to its inhabitants."
-
>"The fact that it landed in your part of the sky is an unfortunate co-incidence. It simply happened to be drifting above it when the whole of Bhava-Agra fell. We don't know why it happened, but it was certainly not intentional on our part, and in fact caused a great deal of damage and injury to its inhabitants."
>"Likely story," says Remilia, glancing her teacup. In an eyeblink, Sakuya is there to refill it. "Regardless, it belongs to us now, and you would do well to keep this in mind."
>_
-
>"There seems to be a distressingly widespread lack of trust in my words this morning. I have no proof to offer you, I'm afraid, although I have set out to find the true cause of these events and don't intend to stop until I do."
>"Nevertheless, at the moment I am concerned for the well-being of the inhabitants of this island. They are innocent parties in all this."
-
>"There seems to be a distressingly widespread lack of trust in my words this morning. I have no proof to offer you, I'm afraid, although I have set out to find the true cause of these events and don't intend to stop until I do."
>"Nevertheless, at the moment I am concerned for the well-being of the inhabitants of this island. They are innocent parties in all this."
>"As you have no evidence, we'll presume the greater likelihood, that they are invaders" says Remilia. She sips her tea again. "But as a gesture of our magnanimity, you may freely view our new maids, provided you mind your manners."
>_
-
>Nod
>"Thank you."
>Try not to display our upset with how casually she has assumed a right to indenture innocent parties
>How do the celestials look? In terms of both emotional tone and potential injuries?
>Approximately how many are there?
>Do any of them appear far enough away from Sakuya and Remilia to converse with discretely without also looking suspicious?
-
>Nod
>"Thank you."
>Try not to display our upset with how casually she has assumed a right to indenture innocent parties
>How do the celestials look? In terms of both emotional tone and potential injuries?
>Approximately how many are there?
>Do any of them appear far enough away from Sakuya and Remilia to converse with discretely without also looking suspicious?
>You nod, thank Remilia, and expertly hide your upsetness.
>There are about twenty celestials here. They all bear danmaku wounds and damaged clothing, but they don't seem to have any serious injuries. You are aren't sure if there was a community here, or if these are celestials who had secluded themselves to try to attain greater enlightenment. Emotionally, they seem to be trying to take this rather stoically.
>You could try to speak with them, but you notice that Sakuya is watching you. You think if she felt something was awry, she'd be at your side in an eyeblink.
>_
-
>If she felt we were simply expressing concern for them and nothing untoward, do you think she could hear their reply from where she is currently standing?
>Either way, walk casually along them, towards one that is somewhat more distant, but in a way that doesn't look suspicious.
>Quietly, but not suspiciously so, and addressed more generally than just the one next to us: "Are you alright? At least, given the circumstances?"
-
>If she felt we were simply expressing concern for them and nothing untoward, do you think she could hear their reply from where she is currently standing?
>Either way, walk casually along them, towards one that is somewhat more distant, but in a way that doesn't look suspicious.
>Quietly, but not suspiciously so, and addressed more generally than just the one next to us: "Are you alright? At least, given the circumstances?"
>You don't know. You imagine Sakuya wouldn't, but Remilia might be another case.
>You walk among them, looking them over. They look back to you; some curious, some hopeful, some aloof from the situation.
>"Aside from the shock," answers a silver-haired celestial.
>"And the green monster..." mutters a tall, particularly beaten-up celestial with long purple hair.
>_
-
>"Green monster?"
-
>"Green monster?"
>"A tall, red-haired youkai clad in green," says another celestial. "She took it upon herself to deal with many of us, after the vampire made her presence known."
>"She relentless..." mutters the beaten-up Celestial.
>_
-
>"How have they treated you since the battle?"
-
>"How have they treated you since the battle?"
>"Not too badly," says the silver-haired celestial, "Other than insisting we are now maids for the vampire. The human has spent the last half hour lecturing us."
>"I think they took our food, though," says a short, dark-haired celestial. "I am certain I saw some of their faeries looting my pantry."
>_
-
>"I'm very sorry for all of this. I promise I'll find out why our islands fell and resolve this. Please try to manage until then. I wish there was more in my power I could do for you at the moment."
-
>"I'm very sorry for all of this. I promise I'll find out why our islands fell and resolve this. Please try to manage until then. I wish there was more in my power I could do for you at the moment."
>"And what will you be resolving, exactly?" Remilia asks.
>_
-
>"Lady Remilia, I respect your right to defend yourself against invasion. But if I can present sufficient proof that this descent was the action of someone other than ourselves?"
-
> "For that matter, I wish to negotiate terms of your takeover, specifically conditions on the treatment of these celestials."
-
>"Lady Remilia, I respect your right to defend yourself against invasion. But if I can present sufficient proof that this descent was the action of someone other than ourselves?"
>"We would be interested to see this proof," says Remilia.
> "For that matter, I wish to negotiate terms of your takeover, specifically conditions on the treatment of these celestials."
>"What is there to negotiate?" asks Remilia, raising an eyebrow. "You invaded us, and lost. Be happy we have not chosen to retaliate further."
>_
-
>"Putting aside the issue of our culpability for the moment, I would simply ask that they be treated well and not harmed further."
>"As for proof, I will return as soon as I have obtained it."
-
>"Putting aside the issue of our culpability for the moment, I would simply ask that they be treated well and not harmed further."
>"As for proof, I will return as soon as I have obtained it."
>"Please do not insinuate that Remilia Scarlet is anything other than a gracious captor," says Remilia, after sipping her tea again. "They shall be treated as well as all my other maids. What good would they be, otherwise?"
>"As for this proof, we do not believe it exists."
>_
-
>"You may not, but I will not rest until I find it. You have my sworn word as a servant of The Dragon that this was not a premeditated invasion. Finding the truth here is a matter of honor for me. I trust you can respect that much."
>"In any event, I should take my leave now and continue my search. Good day to you."
>Nod respectfully
>Leave for the SDM. If the SDM itself can't be seen from here, try to loop around in a way that doesn't make it obvious that's where we're headed until we're obscured from their sight.
-
>"You may not, but I will not rest until I find it. You have my sworn word as a servant of The Dragon that this was not a premeditated invasion. Finding the truth here is a matter of honor for me. I trust you can respect that much."
>"In any event, I should take my leave now and continue my search. Good day to you."
>Nod respectfully
>Leave for the SDM. If the SDM itself can't be seen from here, try to loop around in a way that doesn't make it obvious that's where we're headed until we're obscured from their sight.
> Belay that, verbal agreement is insufficient.
>"Please do not insinuate that Remilia Scarlet is anything other than a gracious captor," says Remilia, after sipping her tea again. "They shall be treated as well as all my other maids. What good would they be, otherwise?"
>_
> "I would have you sign a contract of good-will, with all due respect. These are my people, and I wish them treated with the respect they deserve."
> Lower voice.
> "Or do you want to dance on it?"
-
> Belay that, verbal agreement is insufficient.
> "I would have you sign a contract of good-will, with all due respect. These are my people, and I wish them treated with the respect they deserve."
> Lower voice.
> "Or do you want to dance on it?"
>Hang on a moment
Do you honestly think any of that will go over with Remilia at all? I can only see this making things more unpleasant between her than they already are.
-
>Hang on a moment
Do you honestly think any of that will go over with Remilia at all? I can only see this making things more unpleasant between her than they already are.
You seem to pick the oddest times when to hit and when to fold, I feel. For example, we did not need to aggress those fairies at all, earlier, and yet they got zapped. On the other hand, we need to establish a firm stance here, or Remilia will just think she'll be able to walk all over us in the future.
-
You seem to pick the oddest times when to hit and when to fold, I feel. For example, we did not need to aggress those fairies at all, earlier, and yet they got zapped. On the other hand, we need to establish a firm stance here, or Remilia will just think she'll be able to walk all over us in the future.
We started off the encounter with the fairies as friendly and un-hostile as possible, and spent like 15 posts talking to them until they opened fire on us of their own accord, while we were trying to leave, which is about as un-hostile an action as you can take after all that. And once they'd started shooting, they didn't seem too inclined to listen to anything else we had to say. We did try again afterwards, if you note. I hardly think you can count what we did as 'aggress' them, given how it played out.
And frankly, Remilia feels she has the right to walk over pretty much anyone in her home territory. She's a queen in her own mind. We asked they be treated fairly, and she took offense to the implication that she would even consider not doing it. She feels she's being more than gracious as it is. Making demands of her on top of that, no matter how reasonable they seem to us, are likely not only to be denied, but to offend her for the pretension that we were in a position to make them. And, we'd be denying the value of her word again, which is a big no-no when we're in such a poor bargaining position.
Additionally, I tend to think the dance contest idea would seriously rub her the wrong way. If we're lucky.
For what it's worth, I actually believe Remilia at her word in this instance. She does have a certain reputation she likes to preserve about being gracious and all. I don't think they'll come to harm beyond indentured servitude, which she's certain not to relent on at this point, in either case.
-
And frankly, Remilia feels she has the right to walk over pretty much anyone in her home territory. She's a queen in her own mind. We asked they be treated fairly, and she took offense to the implication that she would even consider not doing it. She feels she's being more than gracious as it is. Making demands of her on top of that, no matter how reasonable they seem to us, are likely not only to be denied, but to offend her for the pretension that we were in a position to make them. And, we'd be denying the value of her word again, which is a big no-no when we're in such a poor bargaining position.
Remilia is 75% posturing. That is what she does, and I would imagine she's well-aware of this. When it comes down to the chase, I am quite confident that she is able to adopt a more pragmatic attitude. This "Remilia Scarlet is anything other than a gracious captor" and her word and everything are only as good as we make them be.
For that matter, we have an amazing bargaining position - we can have the Celestials leave. We are enough of a challenge to keep Remilia and Sakuya off them for as long as it takes the Celestials to scatter, leaving Remilia with nothing. Remilia no doubt knows this as well.
Additionally, I tend to think the dance contest idea would seriously rub her the wrong way. If we're lucky.
I disagree. Remilia is vain, and will most certainly jump at challenges. Dance, being a common aristocratic pastime, is certainly something she could get behind.
For what it's worth, I actually believe Remilia at her word in this instance. She does have a certain reputation she likes to preserve about being gracious and all. I don't think they'll come to harm beyond indentured servitude, which she's certain not to relent on at this point, in either case.
Sure, but we need to establish a firm stance so people don't walk all over us. If word gets around that we surrendered there and backed down here, nobody will take us seriously.
-
For that matter, we have an amazing bargaining position - we can have the Celestials leave. We are enough of a challenge to keep Remilia and Sakuya off them for as long as it takes the Celestials to scatter, leaving Remilia with nothing. Remilia no doubt knows this as well.
I admit I hadn't thought of this particular angle. I had assessed our ability to beat both Remilia and Sakuya together, which I considered quite low (despite it being daylight). I'm still uncertain whether we'd be a sufficient challenge to allow the celestials to escape, however. They're all quite injured, and it mightn't take too much more damage to simply knock them out. With two people opposing us, one can waylay us while the other takes out escapees. But let's assume for the moment that we could allow every single celestial to escape. What then? We're clearly not going to win a fight against Remilia and Sakuya, and we'd be giving them more evidence to support her view that we're an invader. We might not even be able to escape without being fully incapacitated, and we'd likely also lose the ability to use Patchy as an ally. It is certain to make an enemy out of Remilia, and we don't need any more of those at the moment.
Thus, helping a small group of celestials escape temporary (and relatively harmless) servitude would significantly impede the chances of a more positive longer-term resolution to this.
I disagree. Remilia is vain, and will most certainly jump at challenges. Dance, being a common aristocratic pastime, is certainly something she could get behind.
I disagree. Remilia is vain, and will resent our presumption that she need win a challenge from us to keep what she believes is rightfully hers.
Let's even entertain the scenario where she actually accepts. What then? You think she'll just rescind all claim to her territory because we can dance better than she can?
Sure, but we need to establish a firm stance so people don't walk all over us. If word gets around that we surrendered there and backed down here, nobody will take us seriously.
I hardly think Remilia being her selfish vainglorious self is going to turn any heads around Gensokyo. I can think of tangible things we risk losing by antagonizing her, and I can't see what is to be gained by forcing the issue with her at this early juncture. The main reason we're having a hard time getting people to take us at our word is because of how suspicious this situation looks, when viewed from a certain angle. On that front, I think finding actual evidence of what happened will do far, far more than any 'reputation for being firm' we could establish. Most people are not going to especially care about whatever silly idea Remilia's gotten into her head this time.
-
I honestly don't think it's worth bothering with Remi in the first place. We'll just have to personally look at this as an exercise for the Celestials of the Island to learn how to work hard. As for negotiating proof that we're the victims here, this is another case where we're trying to feed the chickens before the egg has hatched. We had no proof of anything, and until we can get a solid testimony, there's nothing for us to Ace Attorney our way through. Remilia is one of the last places we should look for this because of how hopelessly confused she is about the whole thing (even though she'd never admit it).
-
I only landed in the first place to make sure they weren't being directly harmed. I didn't expect any concessions from Remilia. Once I was satisfied that the celestials would be ok, I was content to leave and resume other tasks, which is what I attempted to do. I agree that convincing her will require a very incontrovertible and obvious demonstration that we're not at fault (by producing the actual culprit, for example_, and even then I wouldn't be surprised if Remilia tried to rationalize her way out of it.
-
But let's assume for the moment that we could allow every single celestial to escape. What then?
We leave as well. They get nothing.
I disagree. Remilia is vain, and will resent our presumption that she need win a challenge from us to keep what she believes is rightfully hers.
Let's even entertain the scenario where she actually accepts. What then? You think she'll just rescind all claim to her territory because we can dance better than she can?
You misunderstand my intention. We use the dance-off to negotiate a contract of good-will. As I, you know, said in that post.
I only landed in the first place to make sure they weren't being directly harmed. I didn't expect any concessions from Remilia. Once I was satisfied that the celestials would be ok, I was content to leave and resume other tasks, which is what I attempted to do. I agree that convincing her will require a very incontrovertible and obvious demonstration that we're not at fault (by producing the actual culprit, for example_, and even then I wouldn't be surprised if Remilia tried to rationalize her way out of it.
And that's ultimately my problem. Look how many times you have used "I." This isn't a singleplayer game. Let others have a turn with the toys.
-
We leave as well. They get nothing.
Are you ignoring all of the fallout this course will almost certainly cause? Which I outlined in the previous post, but which you have omitted mention of here?
You misunderstand my intention. We use the dance-off to negotiate a contract of good-will. As I, you know, said in that post.
You did? Even on re-reading I see no obvious mention of this.
And that's ultimately my problem. Look how many times you have used "I." This isn't a singleplayer game. Let others have a turn with the toys.
I used 'I' so much in that paragraph because I was the person who posted the specific actions I referred to, and because those were my personal thoughts on the matter. There's nothing more to read into it than that. It's hardly that I resent other people taking actions they are personally interested in pursuing, in the general case. I questioned in this case because I feared potential harm that would be done to our position by insisting on some of these things.
-
Are you ignoring all of the fallout this course will almost certainly cause? Which I outlined in the previous post, but which you have omitted mention of here?
more evidence to support her view that we're an invader. We might not even be able to escape without being fully incapacitated, and we'd likely also lose the ability to use Patchy as an ally. It is certain to make an enemy out of Remilia
First point is not really applicable, as Remilia chooses to interpret anything as evidence or lack thereof. She is not likely to listen to fact in this case. Second point is temporary, as we can eventually recover and are on no time limit. Third point is possibly valid, but can be gotten around in numerous ways.
You did? Even on re-reading I see no obvious mention of this.
> "I would have you sign a contract of good-will, with all due respect. These are my people, and I wish them treated with the respect they deserve."
> Lower voice.
> "Or do you want to dance on it?"
In hindsight I can see the thinking that might lead to this being misinterpreted. Still seems mostly obvious.
I feared potential harm that would be done to our position by insisting on some of these things.
I should point out that having enemies can be as useful as having allies. In this case, our position cannot sink any lower, either. At least we would gain a modicum of respect as a worthy adversary.
-
tbh I'm wondering why Remilia is worth a damn, as theoretically we'll have this fixed in a day or two and the island will go back up floating high in the sky where she can't reach it anyway. >_>
-
tbh I'm wondering why Remilia is worth a damn, as theoretically we'll have this fixed in a day or two and the island will go back up floating high in the sky where she can't reach it anyway. >_>
Let me have my dance-off, dammit! :(
-
tbh I'm wondering why Remilia is worth a damn, as theoretically we'll have this fixed in a day or two and the island will go back up floating high in the sky where she can't reach it anyway. >_>
Someone's on the same page as me at least.
Besides, We've already invaded Remilia's Airspace. Further Aggression is only going to complicate things - especially if Patches caught wind, which she's likely to.
-
Let me have my dance-off, dammit! :(
Out of curiosity, what makes you think Remilia is going to accept? She's prideful, but she's not stupid, and we're renowned for our dancing ability. I doubt Remilia will accept a challenge that puts her at a clear disadvantage, pride or no pride.
-
Out of curiosity, what makes you think Remilia is going to accept? She's prideful, but she's not stupid, and we're renowned for our dancing ability. I doubt Remilia will accept a challenge that puts her at a clear disadvantage, pride or no pride.
Not only is she prideful, but she's also vain - both factors tend to override non-stupidity and go straight for the derp glands.
Also, I'm not assuming she is going to accept. If she says no then we just leave.
-
So at it stands, we have one person who wants to try and challenge Remilia, one who just wants to leave, and two wondering why we bothered with her in the first place.
I'm gonna say those last two are de facto votes toward the second one, and proceed likewise at the top of the hour if nothing new is offered.
-
I'm gonna say those last two are de facto votes toward the first one,
Wait what.
I think we should just leave and prove that the Celestials were not invaders as we go along. I don't think we're going to be able to negotiate with Remilia at this point in time.
-
I'm fuck dyslexic you.
-
Majority vote.
>"I'm sorry that we couldn't bring about an understanding."
>Leave it at that.
>Quests
>Where do we recall Marisa going?
>Proceed to the Bamboo forest.
-
Majority vote.
>"I'm sorry that we couldn't bring about an understanding."
>Leave it at that.
>Quests
>Where do we recall Marisa going?
>Proceed to the Bamboo forest.
>Wait, wait, why are we going to the Bamboo Forest? We came here specifically to go the SDM to speak with Patchy
-
I'm lost now. What did we need to talk to patchy about that she wouldn't force us to wait until after we talk to Eirin, Mary, and Marisa for?
-
Well, I'd thought as long as we were in the process of fulfilling her request, she'd work on ours, whether we'd completed the whole thing or not. I suppose it's always possible she won't, but we also don't know how much time the spell will take her, so it doesn't hurt to drop off the dress so she can work, while we're right here.
Additionally, we're very unlikely to be able to find Eientei by just going to the forest. We're going to need someone to guide us. Admittedly, we may be able to get there by becoming hopelessly lost and hoping Mokou finds us and bails us out, but it would probably be nicer to find a guide first, if that's possible.
-
Hmm, Alright then. That works out. We can ask Patch how to get to Eientei as well.
>Head to Patches' Library.
-
If we're in agreement then, I may as well repost my original commands so that we don't just leave Remi abruptly.
>"You may not, but I will not rest until I find it. You have my sworn word as a servant of The Dragon that this was not a premeditated invasion. Finding the truth here is a matter of honor for me. I trust you can respect that much."
>"In any event, I should take my leave now and continue my search. Good day to you."
>Nod respectfully
>Leave for the SDM. If the SDM itself can't be seen from here, try to loop around in a way that doesn't make it obvious that's where we're headed until we're obscured from their sight.
-
>"You may not, but I will not rest until I find it. You have my sworn word as a servant of The Dragon that this was not a premeditated invasion. Finding the truth here is a matter of honor for me. I trust you can respect that much."
>"In any event, I should take my leave now and continue my search. Good day to you."
>Nod respectfully
>Leave for the SDM. If the SDM itself can't be seen from here, try to loop around in a way that doesn't make it obvious that's where we're headed until we're obscured from their sight.
>"I'm sorry that we couldn't bring about an understanding."
>Leave it at that.
>Quests
>Where do we recall Marisa going?
>Proceed to the Bamboo forest.
>Remilia nods back. "Go, then. We shall leave you in peace."
>You turn to leave, as Sakuya begins to address the Celestials again. "As I was saying, you think that you know how to dust. I assure you, you dust only slightly better than the worms in the dirt! You will be taught proper techniques. And you will use them..."
>You fly off the side of the island, doing your best to disguise your true course. Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do about that; there isn't much further south of here that you know of, and they would likely see you flying away in any other direction. Still, no danmaku or knives or green monsters descend upon you as leave. You land near the gates of the mansion, and quickly notice the faeries at the gate have some fresh faces, and Juniper isn't among them.
>You last saw Marisa heading northward from the general direction of the mansion and the isle over it.
>You quests are:
>The Sky Has Fallen
>Bhava Agra has descended into Gensokyo. The Dragon has tasked you with finding out why and fixing it.
>Celestial on the Run
>Tenshi has run away with the Sword of Hisou! Was she responsible for Bhava-Agra falling? Regardless, she needs to be found.
>Magician's Invitational
>Patchouli has asked you to deliver invitations to various magicians in order to form a circle. You have Marisa, Renko, Mary, and Eirin left to invite.
>_
-
>"Good morning. I'd like to speak with Patchouli again. I have something to deliver to her."
-
>"Good morning. I'd like to speak with Patchouli again. I have something to deliver to her."
>"Oh, what?" asks a faerie maid with her brown hair styled into ringlets. "Can I see? Hey, you don't have a package or anything, are you really making a delivery?"
>_
-
>"Well, it was mostly a message, actually. I'm running an errand for her, and was reporting back on part of it. But I also have something that's a needed component of a spell she was going to perform for me. Despite how unlikely that might seem from the look of it."
>Show the dress, if asked.
-
>Present Tenshi's Clothing
>Truth: "I am delivering these as spell components for Patchouli."
>Tuck clothing away before Fairies touch it. "Also, Patchouli has asked me another favor, and I wish to console her on how to complete it. I will likely have to return after completing that favor as well."
...
>Change "Magician's Invitational" Quest name to "Harbor Witches Coven." :D
-
> Ponder why we do not simply find a portion of the Scarlet Devil Mansion outer wall that is not in the line of sight of the gate and fly over that next time we need to enter the place. These fairies are going to kill us via migraine at this rate.
-
>That would be breaking and entering.
-
>"Well, it was mostly a message, actually. I'm running an errand for her, and was reporting back on part of it. But I also have something that's a needed component of a spell she was going to perform for me. Despite how unlikely that might seem from the look of it."
>Show the dress, if asked.
>Present Tenshi's Clothing
>Truth: "I am delivering these as spell components for Patchouli."
>Tuck clothing away before Fairies touch it. "Also, Patchouli has asked me another favor, and I wish to console her on how to complete it. I will likely have to return after completing that favor as well."
>Change "Magician's Invitational" Quest name to "Harbor Witches Coven." :D
>"Awwwww," says several of the faeries as you explain it was mostly a message. But when you mention the spell component, you are met with a chorus of "I wanna see!"
>You display Tenshi's Dress. The faeries swarm around it, oohing and aahing, feeling the fabric and appreciating the colors before you can pull it away. After a moment, one of them says, "Okay, you can show it to Patchy."
>"But don't go anywhere else!" another adds
>"Or we'll pitch you a beatin'!"
>What! Why should I change that name. Explain yourself at once!
> Ponder why we do not simply find a portion of the Scarlet Devil Mansion outer wall that is not in the line of sight of the gate and fly over that next time we need to enter the place. These fairies are going to kill us via migraine at this rate.
>That's a good question. There has to be some reason why people don't just skip over the wall.
>That would be breaking and entering.
>This too, unless you got a standing invitation.
>_
-
>"Don't worry. I promise I will go directly there, and nowhere else. Thank you."
>Proceed to the library.
-
>"Don't worry. I promise I will go directly there, and nowhere else. Thank you."
>Proceed to the library.
>"Okay good!" says the brown-haired faerie, as two others open the gates for you.
>You proceed to the library. You find Patchouli is where you left her. You notice she has a guest, a young girl in red with crystalline wings. She is sitting at one of the chairs and staring at a book with intensity, while a basset hound is stretched across her lap and serves as a table. The dog looks in your direction and gives a "wuff", wagging its tail lazily.
>Patchouli seems to be studiously ignoring all this.
>_
-
>Do we have any idea who this guest might be?
>"Hello."
-
>Do we have any idea who this guest might be?
>"Hello."
>You do not know. A visitor?
>Patchouli faintly nods in your direction, not looking up. "Well?"
>_
-
Suggest:
"I've only spoken with Alice so far, but I do intend to look into the rest of your request. I'm here to drop off those clothes of Tenshi's, should you become curious or have a way of telling whether the attempt would be futile."
(Why did we go back to get the clothes so promptly anyway when convincing Patchouli was a precondition for them to be useful?)
"May I ask who your guest is?"
-
We also nabbed Byakuren, and it's probably worth noting that we might need some time tracking down the new fellows, as they appear to have left their home.
-
(Why did we go back to get the clothes so promptly anyway when convincing Patchouli was a precondition for them to be useful?)
We went to everyone who can easily be found at this moment, and I'm hoping us having done part of it will be enough for her to do her bit, as well. She was willing to fulfill her end of a bargain to Maribel before Maribel had even started on her errand. I realize she's less kindly disposed to us, but still. Also, if the spell takes time, she may as well have the dress in advance. We have no easy way to find any of the other four people, yet, keep in mind. We lose nothing by asking, at this point, even if she says no.
Feel free to ask about Flandre, if you wish.
>"I've delivered your message to Alice and Byakuren. Renko and Maribel were away when I went to their home. I suspect they're exploring Bhava-Agra, but have no idea where to find them. I'll return again later. Marisa is likewise out and about somewhere."
>"Byakuren said she'd definitely be at the proposed meeting. Alice seemed interested, but grew more reluctant once she learned the other people who would be invited. Still, she said she'd consider it."
>"Also, I have retrieved the dress I mentioned."
>Produce it
-
>"And may I ask who your guest is?"
-
>"I've delivered your message to Alice and Byakuren. Renko and Maribel were away when I went to their home. I suspect they're exploring Bhava-Agra, but have no idea where to find them. I'll return again later. Marisa is likewise out and about somewhere."
>"Byakuren said she'd definitely be at the proposed meeting. Alice seemed interested, but grew more reluctant once she learned the other people who would be invited. Still, she said she'd consider it."
>"Also, I have retrieved the dress I mentioned."
>Produce it
>Patchouli nods. "Hmm. I'm not terribly surprised Alice is reluctant. As for Maribel and Renko, knowing them they'll be getting into some kind of trouble together."
>"They're so cute!" the blonde girl adds.
>"Byakuren, I am a little surprised. I suspected that she would be more reluctant. Perhaps she does actually think well of me?" The magician shrugs. "No matter. I'm sure you will find the rest with time."
>She glances up as you mention the dress. "Hm. So you have. Might I ask what you wish to be found?"
>"And may I ask who your guest is?"
>"That would be young Lady Scarlet," says Patchouli.
>"Hi, I'm Flandre!" she says, beaming at you.
>"Who is supposed to be in bed right now," Patchouli continues, giving Flandre a look.
>"I can't sleep, it's too quiet with all the maids outside," says Flandre. "And It's getting close to time to wake up anyways, so nyah!"
>"Hours from now is not close at all," says Patchouli.
>_
-
>Smile
>"It's nice to meet you, Flandre."
>Does the name ring a bell at all, now that we've heard it?
>"And I'd like to find Tenshi herself, of course."
-
> Bow in Flandre's direction as appropriate.
> "I am Iku Nagae, of Bhava-Agra. To put it simply, I live in the sky."
-
>Smile
>"It's nice to meet you, Flandre."
>Does the name ring a bell at all, now that we've heard it?
>"And I'd like to find Tenshi herself, of course."
> Bow in Flandre's direction as appropriate.
> "I am Iku Nagae, of Bhava-Agra. To put it simply, I live in the sky."
>You bow and introduce yourself to Flandre, and say it is goof to meet her. "Hi!" says Flandre. She gestures toward the basset on her lap. "This is Elise! She's my doggy! And what's it like in the Sky? Patch-patch says it fell. I wanna go see, but she says I can't until the sun goes down." Flandre wrinkles her nose at this.
>"Yes, what exactly are you looking for?" asks Patchouli, frowning. "General direction, altitude? Which she is right now, where she was? Precisely where she is in relation to some other point? Are you looking for some other sort of information on top of this?"
>_
-
>"Where she was might be useful, but where she is and where she's going seem most important. Even a direction is better than nothing, certainly. I have no idea the comparative difficulty of obtaining these different pieces of information. My knowledge of how this works is extremely peripheral. Perhaps you could give me a better idea?"
-
>What IS it like in the sky? Quiet and peaceful, Tenshi aside?
-
>"Where she was might be useful, but where she is and where she's going seem most important. Even a direction is better than nothing, certainly. I have no idea the comparative difficulty of obtaining these different pieces of information. My knowledge of how this works is extremely peripheral. Perhaps you could give me a better idea?"
>"What you asked for will be fine," says Patchouli. "I'd prefer not to give you ideas and let greed cause me more difficulty. I assume you want this now?"
>What IS it like in the sky? Quiet and peaceful, Tenshi aside?
>Generally. Quite a bit of song, too.
>_
-
>"The sooner, the better, yes."
-
> To the dog: "Hello, Elise. You are looking quite cute today."
> Head nod at the dog.
> To Flandre: "The sky is very tranquil...outside of one particular individual who has been known to cause trouble occasionally, of course. And yes, it did fall. I hope to find a way to fix that, so we may intrude on Gensokyo's good graces no longer."
-
>"The sooner, the better, yes."
> To the dog: "Hello, Elise. You are looking quite cute today."
> Head nod at the dog.
> To Flandre: "The sky is very tranquil...outside of one particular individual who has been known to cause trouble occasionally, of course. And yes, it did fall. I hope to find a way to fix that, so we may intrude on Gensokyo's good graces no longer."
>"Fine," says Patchouli. "Petite!"
>You see the bat-winged Makaian you noted from your first visit poke her head up over the top of a bookcase.
>"Bring me the copper brazier, some moxa incense, and the herbs in the green and gray pouch, please. Don't give me any lip, and I'll take a day off your punishment."
>"Deal!" says Petite, as she zooms off.
>As they have this exchange, you introduce yourself to the Basset Hound. Flandre giggles.
>The girl nods as you explain things in simple terms. "Is it really a problem?" she asks.
>"Now," says Patchouli, looking back at you, "what useful things can you tell me about Tenshi to make this less irritating?"
>_
-
>"What sorts of information about her would be helpful? You've already met her, you say, so you know what she looks like. What else would assist?"
-
>"What sorts of information about her would be helpful? You've already met her, you say, so you know what she looks like. What else would assist?"
>Patchouli closes her eyes and sighs. "Does she have any spiritual or mystical oddities I should be considering while directing this to search for her?"
>_
-
>Does she, that we know of?
>"She is currently in possession of the Sword of Hisou. Or she was last we met, at any rate. Would this affect things?"
-
>Does she, that we know of?
>"She is currently in possession of the Sword of Hisou. Or she was last we met, at any rate. Would this affect things?"
>Not that you know of. Then again, it is a rather vague question.
>"I presumed, but thank you for confirming," says Patchouli. "It might help."
>The bat-winged youkai returns with an armload of stuff. "May I have the dress, please?" Patchouli says.
>_
-
>Give her the dress
-
>Give her the dress
>You hand the dress to Patchouli. She takes it and lays it across the table, and begins to fill the brazier with herbs from the pouch. "Go have a seat," says Patchouli, "This will take a few minutes."
>_
-
>"Thank you very much."
>Have a seat
>Wait patiently
-
> To Flandre: "There are many of Bhava-Agra that are not quite as familiar with Gensokyo as I. Gensokyo's residents themselves also seem to feel threatened to a degree. I imagine I would feel the same way should some unfamiliar land masses descend upon me from above. As a result, there have been quite a few misunderstandings so far, and that has led to some needless fighting."
-
> To Flandre: "There are many of Bhava-Agra that are not quite as familiar with Gensokyo as I. Gensokyo's residents themselves also seem to feel threatened to a degree. I imagine I would feel the same way should some unfamiliar land masses descend upon me from above. As a result, there have been quite a few misunderstandings so far, and that has led to some needless fighting."
>Perhaps it would be best to wait until Patchouli is finished what she's doing before saying this. She might need the concentration.
-
> To Flandre: "There are many of Bhava-Agra that are not quite as familiar with Gensokyo as I. Gensokyo's residents themselves also seem to feel threatened to a degree. I imagine I would feel the same way should some unfamiliar land masses descend upon me from above. As a result, there have been quite a few misunderstandings so far, and that has led to some needless fighting."
>Perhaps it would be best to wait until Patchouli is finished what she's doing before saying this. She might need the concentration.
>It doesn't look like Patchouli's doing anything other than preparations right now, so it should be fine to talk.
>"Oh..." she says. She wrinkles her nose again. "Well, I guess that's a problem..."
>"Thank you very much."
>Have a seat
>Wait patiently
>Patchouli nods absently, as she waves a hand over a stick of incense and lights it.
>You go sit down at one of the empty seats. The Makaian, Petite if you recall correctly, has a seat next to you.
>"Patchouli's going to take awhile," she says, grinning. "Wanna get to know each other a little better?"
>_
-
> What is our sexual orientation?
> ...Do we even think about that sort of thing in Bhava-Agra?
-
> What is our sexual orientation?
> ...Do we even think about that sort of thing in Bhava-Agra?
>About the same as everyone else's.
>Not really. Though you're fairly aware of how come ons and the like work due to your time in Gensokyo.
>_
-
>Are such relations frowned upon? Or is it that enlightened beings simply tend not to be especially interested in them?
>"I don't see why not. It's always good to know new people. I'm Iku Nagae."
-
>Are such relations frowned upon? Or is it that enlightened beings simply tend not to be especially interested in them?
>"I don't see why not. It's always good to know new people. I'm Iku Nagae."
>Not exactly frowned upon or forbidden, but it's understood that such things really aren't what enlightened beings do outside the domain of romance, if then. But there isn't really much interest in such anyways.
>"I'm Petite," says the little devil, smiling. "Want me to show you around?"
>_
-
>Does this mean that romantic relationships still happen in Bhava-Agra?
>"I did promise the guards at the gate that I would go nowhere else but the library. However, I suppose if I were escorted by someone, it wouldn't violate the spirit of that promise."
-
>Does this mean that romantic relationships still happen in Bhava-Agra?
>"I did promise the guards at the gate that I would go nowhere else but the library. However, I suppose if I were escorted by someone, it wouldn't violate the spirit of that promise."
>They can, but they're rare. Close friendships are much more common.
>"Yep!" says Petite, "They won't mind if I'm with you."
>_
-
>"Then sure, if you'd like. Though you needn't trouble yourself."
-
>"Then sure, if you'd like. Though you needn't trouble yourself."
>"No trouble at all," she says, smiling as the wings on her head twitch, "come on!"
>She springs from her seat and offers you a hand.
>_
-
>Stand up and take her hand
>Follow along
-
>Stand up and take her hand
>Follow along
>You stand up and take her hand. Petite quickly twines her fingers around yours, and leads you away, pulling you close and putting her other hand on your arm.
>She leads you to the foyer again. "You've seen all this, I'm pretty sure," she says. "But this is some of Lady Scarlet's artworks. They, um...Mideastern? I don't know. From someplace in the outside world. But there sure are a lot of weird people on them. Well, the ones that have people according to Patchy, they had a thing about drawing stuff that really existed, so they made these patterns and stuff."
>_
-
>That's a rather... intimate embrace for someone you've just met...
>Admire the artwork
>"She does seem to have quite a substantial collection."
-
>That's a rather... intimate embrace for someone you've just met...
>Admire the artwork
>"She does seem to have quite a substantial collection."
>It certainly is!
>You admire an arabesque tapestry. It really is quite an intricate design. You know it tessellates somewhere, you keep seeing bits of it, but you just can't pick up the whole pattern.
>"Yeah, she's been getting this junk for centuries," she says. "Making it, too"
>_
-
>Do we know if Makaians in general have different standards of propriety?
>"Oh, she has some artistic ability herself? What sorts of things does she make?"
-
>Do we know if Makaians in general have different standards of propriety?
>"Oh, she has some artistic ability herself? What sorts of things does she make?"
>You don't know Makai that well at all, but you're fairly sure if their standards were this different, you'd know about it.
>"She does a lot of sculpting," says Petite. "All those statues outside? They're hers. She paints, too. But it's not as good. I think she weaves a bit, but I wouldn't know if any of these are her work or not."
>_
-
>Do we recall those statues?
>How well-executed were they?
>"That's quite impressive, really."
-
>Do we recall those statues?
>How well-executed were they?
>"That's quite impressive, really."
>You didn't stop to look at them either time.
>"Well, she needs to do something with her time," says Petite, as she reads her head on your shoulder.
>_
-
>"Yes, perhaps."
>"Was there someplace else you wished to show me?"
-
>"Yes, perhaps."
>"Was there someplace else you wished to show me?"
>"Oh, sure," says Petite. "I'll show you the east wing, where the maids and guests stay." She starts toward the eastern doors.
>_
-
>"Very well."
>Follow along
-
>"Very well."
>Follow along
>You follow her into the east wing.
>You come to a long hallway, lined with doors. It is rather sparse decorated, just a few pictures of simply things like flowers here and there. "This is where the maids stay," says Petite. "Most people thing this is pretty boring, but they're wrong. See, this is where they spend much of their spare time, right? So usually there's something fun going on somewhere. The trick is just to figure out which room it's in. But right now most of the maids are up helping Lady Scarlet take over that island. Let me show you the second floor, though."
>She leads you toward a set of stairs.
>_
-
>"Yes, I did see her up there earlier. Apparently she's named the island after herself."
>Continue along
-
>"Yes, I did see her up there earlier. Apparently she's named the island after herself."
>Continue along
>"Yeah, that sounds like something she'd do," says Petite as walks with you up the stairs.
>The second floor, you see, looks much like the first. There are fewer doors, though, and more pictures on the walls. As well, you can see a stand every so often with a stone bust of vase on it.
>"These are the guest rooms," says Petite. "It's also where Patchy and I live. We're technically guests, although Patchy's been here for decades nows. It really used to get under the Head Maid's skin."
>You feel something wrap around your waist. Looking down, you see Petite's tail has wrapped around you and rests on your hip, rather like someone's arm.
>_
-
>"I can't imagine it could be anything other than a technicality after that many years."
>Shift a little uncomfortably
>"Are, uh, are you... always this... forward?"
-
>"I can't imagine it could be anything other than a technicality after that many years."
>Shift a little uncomfortably
>"Are, uh, are you... always this... forward?"
>"Oh it is," says Petite. "But there used to be quite the tension between them.
>You shift a bit. Even if you didn't know how non-Celestials worked at all, you imagine you would have taken the hint.
>"I try to be!" says Petite, ans she leads you down the hall. "Here, I'll show you one of the rooms. They're very nice."
>_
-
>"Yes, I'm sure they are. Uh, how long have you been Patchouli's assistant yourself?"
>Try to assume a little more distance between us, without actually bodily removing her hands/tail
-
>"Yes, I'm sure they are. Uh, how long have you been Patchouli's assistant yourself?"
>Try to assume a little more distance between us, without actually bodily removing her hands/tail
>"Awhile now," says Petite. "I never really bothered to keep track."
>You try to put a little more distance between you and her, and she simply follows along.
>_
-
>"What is she like to work for, anyway?"
-
>"What is she like to work for, anyway?"
>"A huge pain," says Petite, "But let's not worry about the likes of her, shall we?"
>She opens one of the doors, smiling at you.
>_
-
>Peek inside, without actually stepping inside
>"Petite, I appreciate your showing me around, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the... undertone. No offense intended."
-
>Peek inside, without actually stepping inside
>"Petite, I appreciate your showing me around, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the... undertone. No offense intended."
>You peek inside. It does seem to be a bedroom. It also seems to be lived in, if the stuff on the walls suggests anything.
>"What's wrong?" she asks. "I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I mean, I know we're different and stuff, but not that different."
>_
-
>"It's nothing personal, I promise you. In fact, you seems like a honest and cheerful woman, and I do appreciate your interest. But where I come from... such activities are generally not considered proper to engage in, like this. Society in Bhava-Agra is different from Gensokyo in many ways."
-
>"It's nothing personal, I promise you. In fact, you seems like a honest and cheerful woman, and I do appreciate your interest. But where I come from... such activities are generally not considered proper to engage in, like this. Society in Bhava-Agra is different from Gensokyo in many ways."
>She frowns for a moment, then says, "But, when you think about it for a moment, don't you agree that's not a good way of looking at things at all?"
>_
-
>"I... admit I don't have a great deal of experience on the subject. But what issue do you have with that particular view?"
-
>"I... admit I don't have a great deal of experience on the subject. But what issue do you have with that particular view?"
>"Don't you think it's completely wrong to deny love of any kind?" She asks. "Isn't that supposed to be the greatest thing? And wouldn't things be better if everyone were like that? I would have thought that someone like you would feel this way too!"
>_
-
>Not being a celestial ourselves, have we lived in Bhava-Agra our whole life?
>This technically makes us unascended, correct? Is this mostly a technicality, though?
>Is romance rare among celestials largely because they tend to be subdued and dispassionate in most things in their lives?
-
>Not being a celestial ourselves, have we lived in Bhava-Agra our whole life?
>This technically makes us unascended, correct? Is this mostly a technicality, though?
>Is romance rare among celestials largely because they tend to be subdued and dispassionate in most things in their lives?
>You have.
>If anything, you're more like the Hinanai Clan, in that you were uplifted. But as far as you know, no one seems to think of you as anything else.
>Largely so, mostly don't feel the desire to express fondness in romantic terms. It's also difficult to approach such a thing without being drawn away from enlightenment. Close friendships are much more common and more in line with their way of thinking.
>_
-
>"Love is certainly a great and important thing. And I think you're right that the world would be a better place if more people had an honest and abiding care for their fellows. But... such things as this are often not about love, as much as they're about desire, and desire itself is something one must strive to cast off to attain enlightenment."
-
>"Love is certainly a great and important thing. And I think you're right that the world would be a better place if more people had an honest and abiding care for their fellows. But... such things as this are often not about love, as much as they're about desire, and desire itself is something one must strive to cast off to attain enlightenment."
>"But that's okay, too," says Petite, frowning. "Isn't everything you talked about also a desire? Is it wrong to desire more love in the world?"
-
>Is a desire not to desire also a desire?
>Does our head hurt?
>"In those very terms, I don't think I could disagree..."
-
>Is a desire not to desire also a desire?
>Does our head hurt?
>"In those very terms, I don't think I could disagree..."
>It is. But one embraces it for the sake of getting rid of it. It could also be argued one does not desire not to desire, but rather in following that path because it is a need rather than a want.
>It could be worse, you think.
>"Exactly!" she says, "Now come on, it'll be great!"
>_
-
>Frown
>Burrow eyes
>Be possesed by the fury, as if another voice has taken charge of your mind
>"It is true that love is encouraged, and that love permeates the airs of Bhava-Agra, but what you are speaking of is nothing more than pure desire. A Desire that could not have been harbored for more than a few hours non-the-less."
>"I am sorry, but I must refuse."
-
>Frown
>Burrow eyes
>Be possesed by the fury, as if another voice has taken charge of your mind
>"It is true that love is encouraged, and that love permeates the airs of Bhava-Agra, but what you are speaking of is nothing more than pure desire. A Desire that could not have been harbored for more than a few hours non-the-less."
>"I am sorry, but I must refuse."
>Tone down the fury a little bit. May as well not come off as hostile, at the least.
-
>Frown
>Burrow eyes
>Be possesed by the fury, as if another voice has taken charge of your mind
>"It is true that love is encouraged, and that love permeates the airs of Bhava-Agra, but what you are speaking of is nothing more than pure desire. A Desire that could not have been harbored for more than a few hours non-the-less."
>"I am sorry, but I must refuse."
>Tone down the fury a little bit. May as well not come off as hostile, at the least.
>She frowns deeply. "No it isn't! I mean...after we're done, wouldn't you like me more? I know I would in your place. It's how people are. It's not just desire..."
>_
-
>Is curiosity about the unknown also considered an objectionable desire?
>"I... don't mean to hurt you. But deep and loving bonds are possible in the absence of such physical intimacy. Celestials very rarely engage in it, but still can have true and abiding closeness with each other. I don't mean it to be a rejection of you yourself."
>"I do wonder at your haste, though. I'm admittedly not too familiar with these sorts of relationships, but as best I understand it, even most people from the surface would find this... extremely sudden."
-
>Is curiosity about the unknown also considered an objectionable desire?
>"I... don't mean to hurt you. But deep and loving bonds are possible in the absence of such physical intimacy. Celestials very rarely engage in it, but still can have true and abiding closeness with each other. I don't mean it to be a rejection of you yourself."
>"I do wonder at your haste, though. I'm admittedly not too familiar with these sorts of relationships, but as best I understand it, even most people from the surface would find this... extremely sudden."
>Not really. But like all of them, there's a point of going too far.
>She frowns. "Don't you think that's kind of silly? Isn't that like raising a garden and just leaving the crop to rot?"
>She shakes her head. "I'm not hasty, other people are just too pent up or too busy being hateful or snide or detached or whatever. And it'd be better if they weren't, but they won't even let themselves have fun. Isn't it stupid that a bow is more common than a kiss?"
>_
-
>"I do think that more gentle openness and honesty between people would only be a good thing. In fact, the qualities of hate and pride and such you describe are among the things we strive most to do away with."
>"But... I can only imagine that most people would not interpret these advances in... quite that way."
>"If I may ask without sounding rude... why me?"
-
>"I do think that more gentle openness and honesty between people would only be a good thing. In fact, the qualities of hate and pride and such you describe are among the things we strive most to do away with."
>"But... I can only imagine that most people would not interpret these advances in... quite that way."
>"If I may ask without sounding rude... why me?"
>"See, we're in agreement?" says Petite. "And maybe most people won't, but we have to start somewhere, don't we?"
>"Because I thought you'd understand," she says, "And I've never been with a Bhava-Agran before! I bet you've never been with a devil, either."
>_
-
>Have we been with anyone? Sure, it's not something that generally comes up where we live, but we're also been alive a long time.
-
>Have we been with anyone? Sure, it's not something that generally comes up where we live, but we're also been alive a long time.
>You have not. You've never especially felt the desire or been that close to someone.
>_
-
>If her desire that this be a means towards fostering love and understanding for widely is genuine, would it still be considered unbecoming to consider accepting?
-
>If her desire that this be a means towards fostering love and understanding for widely is genuine, would it still be considered unbecoming to consider accepting?
>It's an extremely gray area, but you are moderately sure you're not. There's really just not that much of a connection between the two of you.
>_
-
>"Petite... while it's true that physical intimacy can foster love, and I admire you for caring about this, it... also tends to require there be a close connection between both people beforehand. Not just to feel comfortable and safe being that open with each other, but to drive the act itself. I've barely met you... and, having lived in Bhava-Agra my whole life, don't feel physical desire like you do. Even for the sake of noble intentions."
-
>"Petite... while it's true that physical intimacy can foster love, and I admire you for caring about this, it... also tends to require there be a close connection between both people beforehand. Not just to feel comfortable and safe being that open with each other, but to drive the act itself. I've barely met you... and, having lived in Bhava-Agra my whole life, don't feel physical desire like you do. Even for the sake of noble intentions."
>"Yeah, but..." she frowns, as hee headwngs droop. "...It doesn't have to be like that..." she finishes softly.
>_
-
>Take her other hand in ours and give her a caring expression.
>"I wish I knew what to say. I truly don't wish to hurt you. But I don't think I can give you what you ask of me."
>"For what it's worth, I think I'd still like to get to know you. If that means anything to you at this point."
-
>Take her other hand in ours and give her a caring expression.
>"I wish I knew what to say. I truly don't wish to hurt you. But I don't think I can give you what you ask of me."
>"For what it's worth, I think I'd still like to get to know you. If that means anything to you at this point."
>You take her by the hand, and give her your best caring expression. She, on the other hand, moves in for a kiss. And sighs when one doesn't come.
>"Maybe you should try?" she suggests, "If you don't think you can, that means you could surprise yourself...right?"
>"I guess," she says, disappointment still evident in her tone.
>_
-
>"You still feel that this is a rejection of you, don't you?"
-
>"You still feel that this is a rejection of you, don't you?"
>She grimaces a little, then nods, looking toward the floor.
>_
-
>"I swear that it isn't. Honesty is a virtue we we hold in the highest regard, and I hope you can believe me. I think you are a sincere and earnest woman, and I have great respect for the attitudes you've put forth. I wouldn't still be having this conversation if I didn't care."
-
>"I swear that it isn't. Honesty is a virtue we we hold in the highest regard, and I hope you can believe me. I think you are a sincere and earnest woman, and I have great respect for the attitudes you've put forth. I wouldn't still be having this conversation if I didn't care."
>She nods, but doesn't seem to be especially comforted by this. "Let go back and see if Patchouli has found you thing, alright?"
>_
-
>"Ok. And I'm sorry for hurting you."
>Head back to the library
-
>"Ok. And I'm sorry for hurting you."
>Head back to the library
>She just gives a sort of wordless noise that signifies she heard you, and returns to the library behind you. Afterward, she vanishes back into the bookshelves.
>In the center of the library, you can see a lot of smoke.
>_
-
>Can we see anything through the smoke?
>If not, and it seems possible that it was just coming from the incense and herbs that Patchouli was preparing, wait a moment for it to clear
>Perhaps best not to call out of she's really in the middle of focusing on something
-
>Can we see anything through the smoke?
>If not, and it seems possible that it was just coming from the incense and herbs that Patchouli was preparing, wait a moment for it to clear
>Perhaps best not to call out of she's really in the middle of focusing on something
>You cannot. But it seems to be billowing oddly. It seems to be an awful lot for the small amount of herbs and incense she was preparing, though.
>You cannot see what Patchouli is doing from here.
>_
-
>Investigate a little more closely
-
>Investigate a little more closely
>You draw closer to the center of the room.
>Patchouli is there, staring intently into the cloud of smoke. You notice the brazier on the ground in front of her, and the burnt remains of Tenshi's dress on top of it.
>_
-
>She burnt the dress!?
>Couldn't she have said something about that? She knew we didn't know.
>...although perhaps she got some small satisfaction out of it, given her views...
>In any event, don't interrupt her and watch unobtrusively for the moment.
-
>She burnt the dress!?
>Couldn't she have said something about that? She knew we didn't know.
>...although perhaps she got some small satisfaction out of it, given her views...
>In any event, don't interrupt her and watch unobtrusively for the moment.
>She burnt the dress.
>You'd think she'd mention something like that.
>...It's certain plausible she'd enjoy it.
>You watch, while Patchouli frowns at the smoke.
>"Northeast," she says. "Most definitely Northeast."
>_
-
>Nod
>Give her a few moments to say something else
>If she doesn't: "Can you be any more specific than that?"
-
>Nod
>Give her a few moments to say something else
>If she doesn't: "Can you be any more specific than that?"
>You nod and give her a few moments, then ask for more details.
>"I'm working on it," says Patchouli. "You're lucky she has that sword, or I'd never find her at all. I think she's under the ground. Not sure if it's the Underground, or just some burrow."
>_
-
>Nod
>What direction is the Underground entrance from here?
>And assuming it's not directly northeast, can we deduce what would be to the northeast of here in the Underground?
>Wait until she seems to be finished.
-
>Nod
>What direction is the Underground entrance from here?
>And assuming it's not directly northeast, can we deduce what would be to the northeast of here in the Underground?
>Wait until she seems to be finished.
>That entrance would be to the Northeast of here.
>"Hmmm. She's not moving much at the moment, I don't think." says Patchouli. "I can't tell you anything else."
>_
-
>"Thank you for your efforts. I'll make sure to deliver your message to the remainder of the people on the list as soon as I can get the opportunity."
>If Patchouli doesn't seem to have anything else to add, exit the mansion and head towards the entrance to the Underground.
-
>"Thank you for your efforts. I'll make sure to deliver your message to the remainder of the people on the list as soon as I can get the opportunity."
>If Patchouli doesn't seem to have anything else to add, exit the mansion and head towards the entrance to the Underground.
>"I expect speedy results," says Patchouli. "As well as your discretion."
>You leave the mansion, and make your way toward the Underground entrance. How will you be travelling there?
>_
-
>At this point, speed is a priority or we risk wasting the directions we just got to Tenshi. Flight is fine.
>Hope we don't get waylayed.
-
> Facepalm at forgetting to ask Patchouli to tell the fairies to stop accosting us every time we wanted to return to her to update her on our errand.
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>Add forgetting to ask Directions to Eientei to our list of facepalming.
>Continue flying towards the underground anyway.
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>Add forgetting to ask Directions to Eientei to our list of facepalming.
Just as a note, it's been firmly established in prior quests that getting textual directions to Eientei is pretty much useless, even from people that have been there before more than once. It's been tried with more than one npc. You basically need to find someone to take you there, if you don't know the way yourself.
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>At this point, speed is a priority or we risk wasting the directions we just got to Tenshi. Flight is fine.
>Hope we don't get waylayed.
>You take flight and make your way toward that entrance with all speed.
> Facepalm at forgetting to ask Patchouli to tell the fairies to stop accosting us every time we wanted to return to her to update her on our errand.
>You facepalm at forgetting to ask to get yourself better access to the manor. At the same time, you wonder if it would have made any difference to the faeries?
>Add forgetting to ask Directions to Eientei to our list of facepalming.
>Continue flying towards the underground anyway.
>This may be worthy of such.
>You continue to fly toward the Underground. Along the way, you notice several more floating islands. Some are rather tiny ones, though you notice that one holds a cabin that takes up over half its space. You also see a couple more sizable ones. One has a lake on it, making it a popular destination.
>As you draw close to the mountains, you see someone else flying in your general direction. You note that she has green hair.
>_
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> How is it styled?
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>Flying in our general direction, and not directly towards us?
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> How is it styled?
>Hard to tell at this distance. It doesn't seem extremely long.
>Flying in our general direction, and not directly towards us?
>You aren't sure yet, but you think she is probably angling toward you now.
>_
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>How close are we to the underground entrance?
>And about how close is she to us?
>What direction is she coming from?
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>How close are we to the underground entrance?
>And about how close is she to us?
>What direction is she coming from?
>You're not very far away.
>She's a few hundred feet away, and closing in from the west.
>_
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>Continue on towards our destination, without increasing our speed in response, or anything else that might be viewed as suspicious
>If she's indeed chasing us, she can catch up when we're closer to Tenshi
>Try to keep an eye on her progress out of the corner of our eye
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oshit sanae
And verbal/textual directions to Eintei can be useful, if only for the phrase "the rocks don't move."
>Is there any cover nearby, just in case?
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>Continue on towards our destination, without increasing our speed in response, or anything else that might be viewed as suspicious
>If she's indeed chasing us, she can catch up when we're closer to Tenshi
>Try to keep an eye on her progress out of the corner of our eye
>You continue on, trying not to go any faster than top speed.
>"Hold it!" the figure to the west shouts, in a voice that is unmistakably Sanae's.
>Is there any cover nearby, just in case?
>You could duck into the forest beneath you, but you don't know if that would help.
>_
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>Stop
>Turn to face her
>Hope that she'll be more reasonable than Reimu was earlier this morning.
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>Stop
>Turn to face her
>Hope that she'll be more reasonable than Reimu was earlier this morning.
>You stop and turn to face her as she closes the last of the distance between you.
>"Alright, what are you up to?" says Sanae, looking at you with narrowed eyes and a frown. "You're not with the that island in town and you're not dealing with the damage."
>_
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>Don't stop, keep going. Maybe slow down. We can Danmaku and walk at the same time, right?
>Proceed with the other two things Draco said.
Well crap.
>"I'm searching for a certain Blue haired woman. Yours appears to be green instead."
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>"I'm searching for the true cause of the island's descent. And for Tenshi. Which I hope are not the same thing."
>"In fact, Patchouli has just given me directions to where she's gone and if I delay much longer, I risk losing her again. You're welcome to come along, if you're suspicious of my behavior. I assure you I have no nefarious or harmful intentions towards Gensokyo or its inhabitants, and wish this peaceably resolved as much as you do."
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...and wish this peaceably resolved as much as you do."
You're implying she wants to solve this peaceably.
Edit: It's also probably a bad idea to tell her we're related to the incident, even if we are playing the victim.
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>Add a mental "hopefully" to that last statement.
>Inexplicable bad end from Parsee shanking Tenshi.
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>Inexplicable bad end from Parsee shanking Tenshi.
> Not if we shank Parsee first!
> What do we know about Sanae, with regards to her style of danmaku? In case she attacks, it would be good to have an idea of what she can do.
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> Not if we shank Parsee first!
>We aren't there. Hence the inexplicable.
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I'm not concerned with Sanae given Youkai Mountain is the usual launching point for Gensokyo-Bhava-Agra interaction. If nothing else, we can appeal to higher authority by telling her Kanako and Suwako should be able to vouch for us not being directly responsible, as it's very likely they trust us to be truthful.
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On the other hand I am sticking by the theory of Guest Island crashing into the mountain until proven otherwise and I doubt they'd tolerate that, intentionally or otherwise.
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>"I'm searching for a certain Blue haired woman. Yours appears to be green instead."
>"Well excuse me," she says. "Maybe you should make with the explaining?"
>"I'm searching for the true cause of the island's descent. And for Tenshi. Which I hope are not the same thing."
>"In fact, Patchouli has just given me directions to where she's gone and if I delay much longer, I risk losing her again. You're welcome to come along, if you're suspicious of my behavior. I assure you I have no nefarious or harmful intentions towards Gensokyo or its inhabitants, and wish this peaceably resolved as much as you do."
>"That's pretty convenient," she says, "given you aren't even near any islands!"
>You continue to explain. "Oh," says Sanae, "I don't know if I should let you find her. Because if you're actually behind this it might just be part of your plan."
>Add a mental "hopefully" to that last statement.
>Inexplicable bad end from Parsee shanking Tenshi.
>Your hopes are wavering.
>Her hands are probably too full at the moment.
> Not if we shank Parsee first!
> What do we know about Sanae, with regards to her style of danmaku? In case she attacks, it would be good to have an idea of what she can do.
>We aren't there. Hence the inexplicable.
>Teleporting stabbists are a problem.
>You've never fought with Sanae, but you know she has the support of her deities. So while she is probably less skilled than the likes of Reimu, she's also probably a lot more powerful.
>_
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> "I can assure you I'm as unhappy about these developments as anyone here in Gensokyo, for as much as my word is worth to anyone at this point."
>" If you really think this we intended to do this, however, I will gladly point you toward the large group of celestials that were injured in the fall."
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> "I can assure you I'm as unhappy about these developments as anyone here in Gensokyo, for as much as my word is worth to anyone at this point."
>" If you really think this we intended to do this, however, I will gladly point you toward the large group of celestials that were injured in the fall."
>"I'm going to need a bit more than your word on this," Sanae says, shaking her head.
>"I don't know," she says, "If I've learned anything about incidents, it's that they have unintended consequences like that."
>_
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>"And what would the intended consequences be? I'm not entirely sure why someone would want this to happen in the first place - or how it would happen accidentally, from what I did see. Still..."
>Though Remilia seems to be enjoying it, and with what Tenshi said...
>"I don't suppose there's anything I could do to prove my intentions to you without having to fight?"
Not really a suggestion but: "...preferably while remaining conscious? I can't help figure this out if I get knocked out."
(Also: Note that it is an option to not fight back to prove our submission and likely innocence)
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I fully plan on not fighting back, I think Sanae is swayable, or at least deterrable.
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I fully plan on not fighting back, I think Sanae is swayable, or at least deterrable.
Well, if nothing else, we might be able to confuse her.
>"Hey Parsee! She's using your color for her hair!"
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>"It's unfortunate, but I have no proof other than my word on this."
>Be ready to dodge anything Sanae might decide to throw at us. Danmaku is now an inevitability at this point.
>"I do have one thing I know for certain."
"Oh? And what is that?"
>"You have nothing to do with this Incident."
Not fighting back.
Umm ... guys! If we don't fight back, we automatically lose. If we Win however, Sanae effectively becomes our Sanae is a Good Girl for the rest of the incident. We should at least try and interrogate her for anything she's found out, and we can't do that if we lose the fight, or if we decide not to fight in the first place.
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If we Win however,
If we Win however,
If we
If
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If she doesn't attack first, we won't need to fight back. >_>
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Better if we win than when we lose.
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>"And what would the intended consequences be? I'm not entirely sure why someone would want this to happen in the first place - or how it would happen accidentally, from what I did see. Still..."
>Though Remilia seems to be enjoying it, and with what Tenshi said...
>"I don't suppose there's anything I could do to prove my intentions to you without having to fight?"
Not really a suggestion but: "...preferably while remaining conscious? I can't help figure this out if I get knocked out."
Well, if nothing else, we might be able to confuse her.
>"Hey Parsee! She's using your color for her hair!"
>You try to say this. But you are too busy being shanked.
>"Wow, this really is fun!" Maribel say from behind you.
>"Told ya," comes Renko's voice.