Yukari Quest!

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"Yuyuko!" (in a relieved and happy voice)
>She's really still 'alive'!
>"Yes, it does. I'm so glad you're still there. How have you been? I was so worried about you."

>"Hello, Yukari. It's been a while."
>You thank god that Yuyuko is still alive, in a sense.
>"There is no need to worry about me, I have been fine."

>_

[Omba]

I think we should soon either go for a hug, bring Youmu over or do both.
Both have a chance of heavily backfiring on us, though.
I wonder whether we should mention the state of the border and that we've been trapped inside it for a while.
Hm... should we ask her whether she feels any connection to her old self, now that she's fused with the tree?

>"I'm really glad to hear that. It seems a lot has happened in Gensokyo these past two years. I'm so relieved I can talk to you now."
>"By the way, how did this happen?" (in a curious voice; don't let any shock we may feel at the sight show)
>Do we have any mental problems caused by the aura?

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"I'm really glad to hear that. It seems a lot has happened in Gensokyo these past two years. I'm so relieved I can talk to you now."
>"By the way, how did this happen?" (in a curious voice; don't let any shock we may feel at the sight show)
>Do we have any mental problems caused by the aura?

>"Has it been that long already?"
>Yuyuko frowns. "Why do you want to know?"
>You are largely unaffected by the aura. For you, it's simply a thing that's there.

>_

[Omba]

>"Yes, it has."
>"I'm your friend, I'm interested in what you do and why you do it. It's only natural."
>"I'm sorry I never visited you these past two years. I was trapped inside Gensokyo's border."
>Do we know how dependant Hakugyokurou is on the existence of Gensokyo's border?
>If we're not rather sure it would survive the destruction of the border, say (in a worried voice):
>"I think there's still something wrong with the border. If it gets worse, I don't know what might happen
>to you or the Saigyou Ayakashi."

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"Yes, it has."
>"I'm your friend, I'm interested in what you do and why you do it. It's only natural."
>"I'm sorry I never visited you these past two years. I was trapped inside Gensokyo's border."
>Do we know how dependant Hakugyokurou is on the existence of Gensokyo's border?
>If we're not rather sure it would survive the destruction of the border, say (in a worried voice):
>"I think there's still something wrong with the border. If it gets worse, I don't know what might happen
>to you or the Saigyou Ayakashi."

>"Do you mind telling me how Youmu is? I have not seen her for a while."
>"I guess so."
>"The Saigyou Ayakashi and I, we have become one. Isn't that right?"
>A few branches move down next to Yuyuko, who reaches out to and touches them. As Yuyuko moves, you can see the vines shifting to accommodate for her.
>"Trapped?"
>The entirety of Gensokyo relies on the border to maintain its existence.
>"There's a problem that you can't fix?"

>_

[Omba]

Well, I guess honesty it is...

>"Oh, Youmu and I have been here earlier; we tried to talk to you then."
>"Youmu is missing you very much and... well, she's terrified and blaming herself for what happened to you."
>"She thinks she's somehow responsible for you fusing with the Saigyou Ayakashi."
>"And she's very afraid of it."
>"Yes. The border started to crack two years ago and I went into it to halt the destruction."
>"Since then, I had been trapped inside until today. I was completely unable to open any gaps to get out of it."
>"It seems while I was gone the fairies have disappeared and the Moriya shrine is now gone. I've heard Reimu is trying to take
>care of the border, but apparently she can't restore it to it's former state. I still have
>no idea what caused this and how I could fix it. That's part of the reason I came here, actually."

Cut out a part asking her if she could temporarily get out of the tree to talk to Youmu since Youmu can't
handle coming near the tree again. Let's see how Yuyuko reacts to this here first.

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"Oh, Youmu and I have been here earlier; we tried to talk to you then."
>"Youmu is missing you very much and... well, she's terrified and blaming herself for what happened to you."
>"She thinks she's somehow responsible for you fusing with the Saigyou Ayakashi."
>"And she's very afraid of it."
>"Yes. The border started to crack two years ago and I went into it to halt the destruction."
>"Since then, I had been trapped inside until today. I was completely unable to open any gaps to get out of it."
>"It seems while I was gone the fairies have disappeared and the Moriya shrine is now gone. I've heard Reimu is trying to take
>care of the border, but apparently she can't restore it to it's former state. I still have
>no idea what caused this and how I could fix it. That's part of the reason I came here, actually."

>"Oh? Were you?"
>"What does she have to blame herself for?"
>"She is... afraid of me?"
>"I suppose that is why this place changed, too?"
>"How did you manage to get out?"
>"Oh, is there anything that I can do to help?"

>_

[E-Nazrin]

I can see Yukari being ruthless enough to consider using someone - even Youmu with no alternative - as a sacrifice to reseal the tree, but it sure as fuck wouldn't be the first option considered.

Jumping to conclusions is bad m'kay

>What problems did the Saigyou Ayakashi cause that led to the need to seal it?
>"I am not entirely certain why Youmu was initially frightened, though she certainly seems to be ashamed at staying away from you for so long."
>Though most likely it's due to being absorbed by the tree like this... or at least, not understanding it. Never seemed to be mentioned to her...
>"As for what can be done to help, at the moment I am most interested in finding out more about what happened in Gensokyo and, given how unpleasant things seem to have become in my absence, perhaps bringing my friends together to make sure we have the strength to get things back to normal."
>Glance up at the sky. "Though, things seem to have changed  a bit in Hakugyokurou as well... what's been happening here while I was trapped in the border?"

[Omba]

I think we know full well what Youmu is afraid of. The tree eats ghosts and she is one half ghost, so...
I assume the evil aura affects ghosts much more than us.
Well, we can't say that to Yuyuko directly. Not right away, at least. She seems rather fond of the tree.

>"Yes, we were. You kind of reacted when I talked to you back then, but... Don't you remember?"
>"Youmu told me that when she saw you being enveloped by the Saigyou Ayakashi, she ran away.
>Because of this, she thinks of herself as a coward now, though I told her otherwise."
>"I'm not certain what exactly made Hakugyokurou change like this."
>Considering the aura we're feeling from that tree, it's more likely because of the tree rather than the border...
>"I... don't really know myself. Today was the first time in two years I was able to open a gap and I used that
>to get out of the border. But I still don't know what changed to give me that ability back."

[BT]

Don't say that line about the corrupted Hakugyokurou being the tree's fault. We don't want to make the tree angry. -_-'

E: My bad.

[Omba]

Notice the lack of "" for that line. :V

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>What problems did the Saigyou Ayakashi cause that led to the need to seal it?
>"I am not entirely certain why Youmu was initially frightened, though she certainly seems to be ashamed at staying away from you for so long."
>Though most likely it's due to being absorbed by the tree like this... or at least, not understanding it. Never seemed to be mentioned to her...
>"As for what can be done to help, at the moment I am most interested in finding out more about what happened in Gensokyo and, given how unpleasant things seem to have become in my absence, perhaps bringing my friends together to make sure we have the strength to get things back to normal."
>Glance up at the sky. "Though, things seem to have changed  a bit in Hakugyokurou as well... what's been happening here while I was trapped in the border?"

>The Saigyou Ayakashi had begun to draw in anyone that approached it in order to consume their spirits.
>"There is nothing to be afraid of, though. Could you tell her that for me?"
>Anyone would be surprised, at the very least, at the sight of... that.
>"Well, if there's anything I can do, feel free to ask.
>You take another look at the sky as you ask Yuyuko about what has happened in Hakugyokurou.
>Yuyuko tilts her head to take a look at the sky as well.
>"Aside from the obvious changes, I don't think that much has happened."
>"The Saigyou Ayakashi has finally bloomed though."
>Yuyuko floats further away from the tree before turning around to look at the Saigyou Ayakashi.
>"Isn't it beautiful?"

>"Yes, we were. You kind of reacted when I talked to you back then, but... Don't you remember?"
>"Youmu told me that when she saw you being enveloped by the Saigyou Ayakashi, she ran away.
>Because of this, she thinks of herself as a coward now, though I told her otherwise."
>"I'm not certain what exactly made Hakugyokurou change like this."
>Considering the aura we're feeling from that tree, it's more likely because of the tree rather than the border...
>"I... don't really know myself. Today was the first time in two years I was able to open a gap and I used that
>to get out of the border. But I still don't know what changed to give me that ability back."

>Yuyuko goes back to her original position when you begin talking to her again.
>"Really? I must have been asleep."
>"She's always been too harsh on herself."
>"Do you have any leads?"
>You get the feeling that the tree is to blame for Hakugyokurou's state.
>"That's rather strange."

>_

[Omba]

Ahhh, idea: We just need to get Yuyuko to move away from the tree. Say, to where we're standing right now.
Youmu should be able to get that close to it. And then she just cuts the veins that bind Yuyuko to the tree,
we grab her and make a run for it. That just might work.

>Do we know if we can grab or otherwise restrain Yuyuko, assuming we get close enough and leaving
>aside whatever the tree might be capable of? Do we know if Youmu could do that?

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>Do we know if we can grab or otherwise restrain Yuyuko, assuming we get close enough and leaving
>aside whatever the tree might be capable of? Do we know if Youmu could do that?

>Can you? You do have some physical strength, as you're a youkai.
>Youmu has more strength than you, and is faster. Would she be up to the task?

>_

[Omba]

>That was meant as "are we physically able to grab her, or could she just slip through our fingers, since she's a ghost?"

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>That was meant as "are we physically able to grab her, or could she just slip through our fingers, since she's a ghost?"

>You should be able to touch her.

>_

[Omba]

It's tree slashing time!

>"I don't have any leads regarding the border yet, sadly. If I manage to find some, I'll come to you again."
>"Yes, the Saigyou Ayakashi really looks beatiful. It's great that at least this tree has managed to withstand
>whatever has happened to Hakugyokurou. I'm happy for you, Yuyuko."
>That's kind of backwards, but we can tell her that later.
>"Yes, Youmu really isn't taking this well. I can try telling her it's ok, but I doubt I'll be able to make her understand."

(don't do the stuff below for now)
>"I... well, I don't think I would be able to convince Youmu that everything's alright, but..."
>"Honestly, I think what she really needs is a good hug from you. How far away from the stem can you move?
>Do you think you would be able to come to where I'm standing right now? I think I could convince
>Youmu to at least come this far again. Then you two could clear up this terrible misunderstanding." (give her a hopeful smile)
>If she agrees: "Then I'll go get Youmu right now. I'll be back soon, Yuyuko." Then go back to Hakugyokurou and find Youmu.

[E-Nazrin]

>Wait, let's not jump on that yet. There's still a few good questions to ask.
>"Pardon my ignorance, but it's been rather a while, Yuyuko. What obvious differences, the color of the sky here? What else has changed, and do you know why it all happened?"
>What is Hakugyokurou normally like? What usually happens there, and how does it compare to the way things seem to be now?

It would still be good to hear about whether she can get back to Gensokyo and how long it's been since she could, and how she started meeting with/talking with the tree (understanding its sway over her and mentally freeing her from whatever spell it might have her under would be about as effective, and maybe safer for Yuyuko's well-being).

[Omba]

I really don't think probing deeper into her connection with the tree is a good idea as long as she's directly connected to it.
Not only do we not know how great the tree's influence over her is, we don't know how it would react if she tried to
break free from it. She's a ghost and that tree normally eats ghosts. Let's postpone the "what happen" questions.
There's a good chance she'll get wary of us if we ask too much about how she fused with the tree.
But yeah:

>Ask about the changes in Hakugyokurou, then talk about Youmu.

[E-Nazrin]

Asking if she could show us around Hakugyokurou for a while would be a good way to experiment with how controlling the tree is without being too suspicious about it.

And really, we have every reason to be curious about Yuyuko's new lover! What sort of friend would we be if we didn't want to ask about how the two lovebirds got together~

It's all a matter of subtlety.

[Omba]

Well, we already asked about how she got fused with the tree and her reaction was rather obvious.
And I'm pretty certain she won't be able to / want to move all that far away from the tree, but I guess we can ask.
Then we'll postpone the Youmu stuff until we see how she reacts to this.

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"I don't have any leads regarding the border yet, sadly. If I manage to find some, I'll come to you again."
>"Yes, the Saigyou Ayakashi really looks beatiful. It's great that at least this tree has managed to withstand
>whatever has happened to Hakugyokurou. I'm happy for you, Yuyuko."
>That's kind of backwards, but we can tell her that later.
>"Yes, Youmu really isn't taking this well. I can try telling her it's ok, but I doubt I'll be able to make her understand."

>"I wish I could do something to help, but borders are your specialty, not mine."
>"Thank you."
>You keep other comments to yourself, for now.
>"Hmm..."
>Yuyuko places her hand on her head as she tilts her head.
>"Perhaps if I were to talk to her?"

>Wait, let's not jump on that yet. There's still a few good questions to ask.
>"Pardon my ignorance, but it's been rather a while, Yuyuko. What obvious differences, the color of the sky here? What else has changed, and do you know why it all happened?"
>What is Hakugyokurou normally like? What usually happens there, and how does it compare to the way things seem to be now?

>You still have some things to figure out, here.
>"The sky, the gardens, the ghosts. They all seem to have changed."
>"As for why, I don't know."
>Hakugyokurou is a rather peaceful place, the final resting place for many. Not much happens in Hakugyokurou, Youmu could be seen tending to the gardens most of the time.
>It seems like a rather drastic change from its current state.

>_

[Omba]

>"I'll try to find out what happened to Hakugyokurou. If it's related to the border, maybe I can fix it."
>It's probably not, but hopefully I can still fix it.
>"That would be the ideal solution, yes. I think what Youmu really needs right now is a good hug from you." (give her a hopeful smile here)
>"Do you think you could come with me to Youmu? That would make it so much easier for her."
>And me.
>Have we seen anything like a rope since we came to Hakugyokurou? Something we could use to tie Yuyuko in place once we get her away from the tree?
>Inventory

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"I'll try to find out what happened to Hakugyokurou. If it's related to the border, maybe I can fix it."
>It's probably not, but hopefully I can still fix it.
>"That would be the ideal solution, yes. I think what Youmu really needs right now is a good hug from you." (give her a hopeful smile here)
>"Do you think you could come with me to Youmu? That would make it so much easier for her."
>And me.
>Have we seen anything like a rope since we came to Hakugyokurou? Something we could use to tie Yuyuko in place once we get her away from the tree?
>Inventory

>"Good luck, I hope that you can find the answers quickly."
>You need to do something about the border sometime or another.
>"... Has she been completely alone without me?"
>Yuyuko shakes her head.
>"I cannot leave the Saigyou Ayakashi. Could you bring Youmu here?"
>You have not, though there probably is something you could use inside Hakugyokurou.
>You currently have the dress you're wearing and a small paper fan.

>_

[Omba]

>"Yes, I'm afraid she has been all alone since you united with the Saigyou Ayakashi. She'll be so glad to see you again."
>"I see. How far can you move around? I think it would be easier for her if she didn't have to get too close
>to the Saigyou Ayakashi right away. Would you be able to move to about where I'm standing right now?"
>"Either way, I'm sure she'll come if she hears she can see you again."
>If Yuyuko doesn't bring up anything else beside the answer to how far she can move:
>"Ok, then I'll go get Youmu now. I'll be back soon, Yuyuko."
>Go back to Youmu.

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"Yes, I'm afraid she has been all alone since you united with the Saigyou Ayakashi. She'll be so glad to see you again."
>"I see. How far can you move around? I think it would be easier for her if she didn't have to get too close
>to the Saigyou Ayakashi right away. Would you be able to move to about where I'm standing right now?"
>"Either way, I'm sure she'll come if she hears she can see you again."
>If Yuyuko doesn't bring up anything else beside the answer to how far she can move:
>"Ok, then I'll go get Youmu now. I'll be back soon, Yuyuko."
>Go back to Youmu.

>"I see..."
>"Not very. It's rather taxing on both myself and the tree to move around too much."
>"I wonder how long it's been since I last saw Youmu..."
>You tell Yuyuko that you're going to get Youmu.
>"How long will you be gone for?"

>_

[yuyukos]

>"Not very long. I shall go for Youmu and return. I believe that she would very much like to see you."
>Pick up our bag on our way back.
>Go back to Youmu.
>Leave the knife back at Hakugyokurou. Note that it might be useful to take with us after we're done and we leave Hakugyokurou.
>How confident are we that we could defend Youmu from Yuyuko if things go badly?
>Gapcheck. Still busted?

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"Not very long. I shall go for Youmu and return. I believe that she would very much like to see you."
>Pick up our bag on our way back.
>Go back to Youmu.
>Leave the knife back at Hakugyokurou. Note that it might be useful to take with us after we're done and we leave Hakugyokurou.
>How confident are we that we could defend Youmu from Yuyuko if things go badly?
>Gapcheck. Still busted?

>"I suppose I shall wait for you, then."
>You leave Yuyuko and start heading back to Hakugyokurou, picking up your bag along the way.
>Youmu greets you as you return to Hakugyokurou. You take the knife out of your bag and place it in the main room.
>"Welcome back, did things go okay? Did you find anything...?"
>How confident are you that you could defend Youmu from Yuyuko if things were to go badly?
>You are still unable to open a gap within this area.

>_

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>"I did indeed. In fact... You may want to see this for yourself..."

>Leave our bag behind and motion for Youmu to follow us.

>"Trust me, Youmu."

[Dormio Ergo Sum]

>"I did indeed. In fact... You may want to see this for yourself..."

>Leave our bag behind and motion for Youmu to follow us.

>"Trust me, Youmu."

>"Really?"
>You place your bag near the entrance to Hakugyokurou and motion for Youmu to follow you.
>"Okay..."
>Youmu begins to follow you, looking slightly worried.

>_