The Legend of Hieda: Daughter Zero - Completed

[Fightest]

>"I don't expect an apology, but what are you going to do now? Drink tea and exchange pleasantries?"

> Alice and Gathering Fragrance exchange looks.

> A few minutes later you are drinking tea and exchanging pleasantries.
> "I would not have believed demons knew so much about tea," says Alice, clearly impressed.
> "My name is Gathering Fragrance. I'd be embarassed to show my face if I couldn't brew a good tea."
> The demon wafts some more of the tea's aroma around the room, controlling little currents of air like they were parts of her body.
> "I also make a mean curry."

>"That would be most beneficial, Alice. I am glad to have your assistance."

> "Just tell me what you need and I'll send word, so they can have things ready for us when we get there."

[Hanzo K.]

>What's our opinion of Curry?

[Darkoda]

>Well now, that's an odd conclusion to a fight. Pleasant though.

[Mr_Bob]

>What do we know of the Empyrian Library?  History, structure organization, traditions, security, anything that would help.
>"Us? I'm delighted you're joining me."

[Fightest]

>What's our opinion of Curry?

> You do not need to eat, but you can always appreciate good food. Whether curry counts is up to you.

>Well now, that's an odd conclusion to a fight. Pleasant though.

> If only all of your conflicts ended thus.

>What do we know of the Empyrian Library?  History, structure organization, traditions, security, anything that would help.

> As one of the greatest concentrations of research and development since Creation has come into existence, it is jealously guarded by Empyrian.
> In addition to holding vast sums of knowledge, it also serves as a central hub for all sorts of academic research, as well as being a state-funded institution for education for all ages.
> The Library, although state-funded, enjoys a large amount of freedom to pursue whatever objectives it feels necessary to maintain its status and prestige.
> As such, there is often talk of clashes between the education body, the research and development board and the State Oversight Committee. Often they are caused due to issues of seniority and precedence.

>"Us? I'm delighted you're joining me."

> "Believe me, Are, without me you would spend the rest of your lifetime in the bureaucratic mire of that place, and I doubt you have much time to waste."

[Mr_Bob]

>"I am grateful. What would ye of the Outbound Road suggest?"
>What should we do with our tea brewing adversary? Surely she can't be trusted.
>"What do you know of the Great Library, Gathering Fragrance?"

[Fightest]

>"I am grateful. What would ye of the Outbound Road suggest?"
>What should we do with our tea brewing adversary? Surely she can't be trusted.
>"What do you know of the Great Library, Gathering Fragrance?"

> "Tell me what sections you would like to access, and I can ensure that we'll have our privacy. I doubt I'll be able to reserve a large section for a day, but if you know exactly what you're looking for, we'll be able to get more time."
> Gathering Fragrance does seem to have an agenda of her own. Whether it clashes with yours is up to you to decide.
> "I live there. Don't look so shocked, I enjoy having a roof over my head. It's a mess of people, spirits, gods and what-have-you all preening themselves, trying to show to each other how clever they all are to try to accumulate favour with one another. The only reason the place hasn't collapsed in on itself through infighting is that the tangled web of alliances means everyone is indebted to someone else."

[Mr_Bob]

Oops, didn't mean to wait six days before coming up with something.

>To Gathering Fragrance: "I don't suppose asking you not to follow us would do any good?"
>What are Alice's thoughts/feelings about this "guest"?

[Fightest]

>To Gathering Fragrance: "I don't suppose asking you not to follow us would do any good?"
>What are Alice's thoughts/feelings about this "guest"?

> "I'll consider it because you asked so nicely, there's so little of that around. How about this: I'll leave you alone unless whatever it is you're looking at is really interesting to me, and that'd be if it concerns me personally as an individual or as a - as you so flatteringly put it - Demon."
> Alice looks entirely unsure as to what to make of her new visitor. Fragrance looks to be friendly, and Alice's belief was always to repay things in kind. On the other hand, Alice is understandably wary of the Demon's ulterior motives, whatever those may be.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Our fates remained linked for quite some time. She won''t be leaving us alone anytime soon.
>"Actually, I would ask you to show me around the library. If you live there, I would assume you're quite familiar with its layout."

[Mr_Bob]

> "I'll consider it because you asked so nicely, there's so little of that around. How about this: I'll leave you alone unless whatever it is you're looking at is really interesting to me, and that'd be if it concerns me personally as an individual or as a - as you so flatteringly put it - Demon."

>Despite saying that, she'd probably still follow us.  If she later plans to interfere, she better use a trump card.
>"I came to Empryian following rumors of a scroll depicting a story thought to be mere folklore, but recent events have led me to believe it may be a forewarning.  I would like to examine the piece first-hand in hopes of avoiding catastrophe."

[Fightest]

>Our fates remained linked for quite some time. She won''t be leaving us alone anytime soon.
>"Actually, I would ask you to show me around the library. If you live there, I would assume you're quite familiar with its layout."

>Despite saying that, she'd probably still follow us.  If she later plans to interfere, she better use a trump card.
>"I came to Empryian following rumors of a scroll depicting a story thought to be mere folklore, but recent events have led me to believe it may be a forewarning.  I would like to examine the piece first-hand in hopes of avoiding catastrophe."

> "Wow, that's juicy. You really are of a different cut. I'll show you around, help you find that thing no problem."
> With a wink, she disintegrates. You can feel she hasn't gone anywhere, though.
> "I don't want to draw any attention just yet, mind."
> In the meantime, Alice has been wiggling her fingers in front of an ornate doll that she picked up off a nearby table. With a snap, the doll seems to come to life and flies off out of the window.
> "They will be informed of our arrival," Alice says to you. "Let's go."

> ...

> An incident involving a street urchin, a dropped note and a mysterious package follows, but you know it bears no relevance to the salvation of Gensokyo. You search ahead in your memories to find out where Are's investigation resumed.

> In the meantime, you are Marisa.

> The gleaming golden vessel, its shimmering wings expanding out into the sky for miles, has not moved since its appearance over the lake.
> It has taken a few hours for everyone to gather, and you are in the first entry team to investigate and inspect this strange craft.
> Beside you are Satori, wearing a determined expression, and Reimu, who is trying unusually hard to keep an inscrutable poker face.
> The polished surface of the hull reflects the sun, nearly blinding you on your approach, and you only get a sense of the craft's size as you draw up close - it absolutely dwarfs you, being far larger than anything human- or youkai-made you have ever seen.
> There is not a single seam, no crack in the surface that might suggest a point of entry. Yet when Satori carefully brushes her hand across the hull, a square-shaped section ripples like water and disappears, revealing a passageway beyond.
> A voice booms out of the passageway, deafening in its enthusiasm.
> "PRAISE BE THE SAVIOURS AND THE SAVED, PRAISE THE FORGE AND FIRE, PRAISE THE DAUGHTER ZERO AND PRAISE THE UNCONQUERED SUN!"
> A much smaller voice rings out afterwards. You recognize it as Utsuho's. Satori tenses up.
> "Um. Hello? I'm sorry, the... system? Is that what it is called? Gets a bi-"
> "PASSIONATE THE HEART AND INVINCIBLE THE BODY, LET SING STARSHIP GENSOKYO!"
> "Yes, like that. Oh goodness, this is embarrassing."

[Mr_Bob]

>"Okuu? That you? How'd ya get in? You can hear us, right?"

[Fightest]

>"Okuu? That you? How'd ya get in? You can hear us, right?"

> "Marisa? Is that you? I'm sorry, I can't quite figure out how to see you. Um. Maybe-"
> "BEHOLD WITH THE SUN'S GAZE, HEAR WITH THE TOUCH OF THE WIND AND FEEL WITH THE NAKED HEART, CARESS THE BODY AND WHISPER TO THE MIND!"
> You hear a slight cough and feel a mild heat emanating from the hull of the ship.
> "Okay, Okuu, you can do this," the small voice from inside says, "nobody will make fun of you, this is a very big responsibility."
> Satori, having finally found her voice, resonates in your head.
> Utsuho?
> "Mom? Mom! I did it! I found the ship! And...oh, mom, don't look!"
> Responsibility and accomplishment go hand in hand, Utsuho, and pride should follow them in step, pride that you have earned to keep and show, and not hide in embarassment that is as incomprehensible as it is out of place.
> "Mom. I've become the ship. It's like my body! And that means-"
> Reimu lets out a loud snort, and starts chuckling. Before long, she's laughing heartily.
> "Augh!" says Utsuho.

[Mr_Bob]

>To Reimu: "What's that mean?"

[Darkoda]

>Wonder if Utsuho's that corny or the ship is taking over

[Fightest]

>To Reimu: "What's that mean?"

> Reimu stifles her laughter and wipes her eyes. She is wearing the cruel smile that you know well.
> "It means it's naked, and has only realised just now that it's showing its body to the entirety of Gensokyo. That heat you're feeling off the hull? It's blushing."
> Reimu snorts again, before putting on a serious expression.
> "Let's go inside. I need to see this vessel for myself. I need to know."

>Wonder if Utsuho's that corny or the ship is taking over

> You spent the better part of a day with Utsuho a while back at Satori's request.
> The entire time she was very enthusiastic, curious and extremely emotional. She saw everything as new to her, and did her best to experience everything to the fullest. Despite being upset with Reimu's attitude towards her, she had nothing but the highest praise for the rice cakes Reimu had made for her. Her favourite colour turned out to be the yellow-white of the sun.
> She seems much the same now. The other voice is a bit of a mystery.

[Mr_Bob]

>"Nekid? Err... calm down Okuu. This is just like a check-up. Open your mouth and say 'Ahh'."

[Fightest]

> ...
> A few moments pass.
> You shake your head, trying to get the ringing out of your ears, and the light-spots out of your vision.
> Off in the distance, a plume of dust and debris in the side of the mountain marks the spot where the superlaser struck it. There is far less mountain now than there was before.
> "Oh my goodness," says Utsuho, "I'm so sorry."
> "Huh," says Reimu.

[Mr_Bob]

>Looks like this starship is loaded with all the good stuff.
>"Mebbe we shouldn't try that again. Any ideas, Red?"

[Fightest]

>Looks like this starship is loaded with all the good stuff.
>"Mebbe we shouldn't try that again. Any ideas, Red?"

> "Let's get inside before we blow up what's left."
> Reimu flies inside the dark passageway past Satori.

[Mr_Bob]

>After her!
>Passing Satori: "Need a lift?"
>Snatch her up if yes.

[Fightest]

11.16 And did She Who Devours Fate raise the tome of leather and bone to Her Exalted eyes and beheld it with Her Exalted gaze.
11.17 And Gathering Fragrance, bound to She Who Devours Fate through threads thinner than a spider's web, was filled with such fear as cannot be felt by mortal heart.
11.18 For the tome of leather and bone was of no common matter made, but from the skin and bone of dead gods and demons, whose stars Gathering Fragrance could not recognize.
11.19 But Gathering Fragrance did have the knowledge of the name of every star in the night sky, both shining and snuffed.
11.20 She Who Devours Fate did open the tome of leather and bone on the middle page and started to read the words contained therein.
11.21 And

> Gathering Fragrance materializes and hastily snaps the book shut.
> "DON'T READ THAT!"
> Gathering Fragrance's uncharacteristically panicked voice echoes through the otherwise unoccupied reading hall.
> "Whatever you do, do not read that book."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Why should I not?"

[Fightest]

>"Why should I not?"

> "It's not natural. It should not even exist - it is made of things that don't, certainly."
> Gathering Fragrance shivers.
> "The thing creeps me out."

[Darkoda]

>"That explains it having information about the chaos that no one knows about. However, I do need to read it before everything gets devoured."
>Make sure our mind is steeled for potential mind-screw or any other shenanigans, then read it.

[Fightest]

> If Are reads the tome of leather and bone, her nature will be drastically, irretrievably and inevitably changed. This may affect the pacing of this chapter, and your expected experience of the story.
> Proceed?

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's not proceed for now. We need to gather information.
>"Although...Are there any other tomes that could hold the stories I seek?"

[Mr_Bob]

>Examine the book. What type of leather, what type of bone?

[Fightest]

>Let's not proceed for now. We need to gather information.
>"Although...Are there any other tomes that could hold the stories I seek?"

> Alice frowns.
> "Other fictional reports whose contents are uncannily similar to events that had occurred in recent history? I very much doubt so."

>Examine the book. What type of leather, what type of bone?

> You have never seen the skin of a dead god or demon, but the book cover seems to be made from - albeit very high-quality - brown leather of an animal you cannot identify and is decorated with finely-crafted ivory. There are no indications that they are anything other than what they appear to be.
> Yet the distress in Gathering Fragrance's voice was genuine enough.