Remilia Quest

[Oldmansour]

>Let's have another laugh, good and hammy. "The group just grows by the minute! At this rate, we may well have a small army by the time Sakuya is recovered!"

>"Then I definitely know what I must do." Envy intones, drawing herself to her full height. The effect of this is somewhat diminished by the fact that Byakuren has her magically caged, but she doesn't seem to care. "Much as I've enjoyed my vacation, I'm Envy, but not disloyal. I must warn the masters of the keep."
>Her green eyes flash with power, and she places her hand over her breast. The area shimmers with green light and her hand passes through her flesh into her body.
>"She seeks to flee!" Minako cries.
>"Fear not, Minako." Byakuren calms her follower. "No magic can escape that barrier, and neither can she."
>Envy does not seem as convinced. "I'll pit your magic against that of my Keeper any day, witch." An aura of green energy surrounds her, and she throws her head back, and cries into the sky, "Recall Envy!" Her aura ripples outward, stopping at the barrier of light and bouncing back in on itself, filling the woman's cage with emerald light. Sparks of white energy fly from the star-shaped barrier under the force of Envy's spell, but Byakuren's spell holds strong.

>Or seems to, at least. When the green light fades from within the seal after several long seconds, the woman called Envy is gone. What remains in her place is a heptagonal jewel, a deep green emerald.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Byakuren, can you track that magic?"
>If not: "What about that gem she left behind?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Byakuren, can you track that magic?"
>If not: "What about that gem she left behind?"

>"I might be able to, but, in this case, that won't be necessary." The tall woman points to the emerald sitting in the middle of the star-shaped barrier. "I believe that IS Envy. She seems to have sealed herself, somehow. That spell was also supposed to teleport her somewhere, but that part of her spell was blocked by my flow break."
>"Then she is well and truly our prisoner now." Minako gloats. "Is she has sealed herself, then we can ensure she STAYS sealed."
>"Good!" the kappa called Kikomi declares.
>Byakuren gestures calmingly with her free hand. "Let us not all get carried away. I'm willing to let Envy remain this way for now, but not indefinitely."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well then, we can alter your spell to contain her for now, no?"
>Smirk. "If the others do such things as well, then our problem is solved for us."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well then, we can alter your spell to contain her for now, no?"
>Smirk. "If the others do such things as well, then our problem is solved for us."

>"I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. Flow Break is a fixed spell, and it's duration is not endless."
>"That said, however, I do know several spells to maintain a seal of this nature. I'd simply have to dispel this one first."
>"You sure that's a good idea?" Wriggle asks her. "It'd be trouble if she got up and tried to get away."
>"Don't worry, Wriggle. Her spell took all her power and turned it inward. She's not even aware of her surroundings at the moment. For all intents and purposes, she's indistinguishable from an ordinary jewel."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Until she's freed, correct?"
>Chuckle a little. "Poor fool, thinking she could escape so easily. Ah well, at least this makes it easier for us to keep her under control for now."
>"At any rate, we should make haste with the seal, and find Sakuya."

[Oldmansour]

>"Until she's freed, correct?"
>Chuckle a little. "Poor fool, thinking she could escape so easily. Ah well, at least this makes it easier for us to keep her under control for now."

>"Until she is freed. Or, until her power restores on its own. A self-imposed seal of this kind does not last forever. Although I am loathe to do so, I do have the ability to force a continuation of this seal. What I would prefer to do, however, is allow to her return to her humanoid form on her own, and help her see that taking control of other people bodies against their will is wrong. And perhaps she could carry that lesson back to those like her, as well."

>"At any rate, we should make haste with the seal, and find Sakuya."

>The tall woman waves her hand, and the star of light fades out of existance, the energy walls disappearing along with it. The woman who had been standing next to Mystia on the boat takes to the air, landing next to the jewel and scooping it off the ground, before turning her gaze upon Byakuren and flying over to stand in front of her. "Hijiri, I know how you feel, but how do we know this one won't try to possess YOU if her seal breaks on its own? That's may be a risk you're prepared to take, but we're not prepared to let you take it."
>Byakuren smiles a gentle, kindly smile, and takes her follower in a hug, pressing the woman's head to her bosom. "You're all so thoughtful of me, Ichirin. Thank you." The tall woman releases the woman called Ichirin, and takes the emerald-form of Envy from her. "However, we should discuss that later, as we have the luxury of time." Byakuren then turns her attention upon you. "Will you be leaving now to try and find the Cobalt Countess?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Once Reisen arrives, we can set off. Your abilities may also be needed, should others be possessed as well."
>Smirk. "Besides, a lady always keeps her word after all."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Once Reisen arrives, we can set off. Your abilities may also be needed, should others be possessed as well."
>Smirk. "Besides, a lady always keeps her word after all."

>"In the meantime," Minako interjects, addressing Byakuren, "We should consider the possibility that these other six are at large in Gensokyo. That represents a threat to this temple."
>"I'd call it a bona fide incident." Wriggle adds. "Which means we should start watching for Reimu and Marisa, they're bound to be trigger happy when there's an incident."
>"One problem at a time." Minako responds, before returning her attention to the temple head. "If you intend to keep that possessor in the temple, m'lady, I shall modify a room to act as a cell to serve that purpose."
>Byakuren frowns, but Ichirin answers, "That's not how we operate, Mina. If Envy unseals herself, then she'll be a guest, not a prisoner. Byakuren's made up her mind on that, I assure you."
>The winged youkai is obviously displeased by this, but seems quite unwilling to go against Byakuren's will. So, she holds her peace. At least on this matter, so she turns to you and asks, "And you, Remilia. What would you do with the other 'Seven Sins', were you to find them?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Smile somewhat ominously. "Simple, the same thing we did here with Envy. Discipline them, and drive them out of anyone they may be possessing. And if they happen to self-seal in the doing, then that's just as well, as it means one less obstacle to deal with for the time being."
>Smirk. "And for driving them out of those they may be possessing, we'll need your skill, Byakuren."

[Oldmansour]

>Smile somewhat ominously. "Simple, the same thing we did here with Envy. Discipline them, and drive them out of anyone they may be possessing. And if they happen to self-seal in the doing, then that's just as well, as it means one less obstacle to deal with for the time being."
>Smirk. "And for driving them out of those they may be possessing, we'll need your skill, Byakuren."

>"I do not travel with the intention of fighting others, nor sealing or trapping them, Remilia." Byakuren replies in her quiet voice. "It is not my nature. I help those who need it." She looks down at the emerald in her hand. "It saddens me that this encounter ended the way it did."

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a bit. "It was her own fault that she sealed herself, and you know it."
>"Either way, what if others have been possessed as the kappa was? Surely you can feel that it would be a crime to leave them like that? Would you not desire to free one of your own allies if they had suffered such a terrible fate?"

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle a bit. "It was her own fault that she sealed herself, and you know it."
>"Either way, what if others have been possessed as the kappa was? Surely you can feel that it would be a crime to leave them like that? Would you not desire to free one of your own allies if they had suffered such a terrible fate?"

>"You misunderstand me, Remilia." Byakuren replies. "I do not relish confrontation, nor do I wish for it, no matter the circumstances. But do not mistake my reluctance for weakness. If the other Sins are a genuine threat to peace and life of Gensokyo, be it human or youkai or anything else, then it is a threat that should not be ignored. And if my power can be used to alleviate that threat, with minimum harm done to either the Sins or the ones they've attached themselves to, then I will do so."
>"However, there are still questions that need to be answered about these Sins. And their 'keeper', for that matter. Despite what's happened here tonight, I'm not prepared to label these beings as evil yet. It is possible that we may be able to handle the other Sins without a confrontation, danmaku or otherwise. That would be ideal."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "You have a point, but some people listen to nothing but strength of arm. That's the nature of many Youkai, like it or not."
>"And besides, we'll end up confronting them regardless when we encounter them. Maybe not with force, but they'll likely start the fight to begin with."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "You have a point, but some people listen to nothing but strength of arm. That's the nature of many Youkai, like it or not."
>"And besides, we'll end up confronting them regardless when we encounter them. Maybe not with force, but they'll likely start the fight to begin with."

>"Time will tell, Remilia."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "True, but who knows?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah, while we're waiting for Reisen, I believe I can perform that Fate Reading now."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "True, but who knows?"
>Fistpalm. "Ah, while we're waiting for Reisen, I believe I can perform that Fate Reading now."

>"I'd almost forgot about that." Wriggle says, her smile coming back.
>"What's this fate reading?" you hear Mystia's voice from behind as she flies overhead, and lands next to Wriggle.
>"Apparantly, Lady Scarlet here can tell you your future."

>"Ichirin, would you mind preparing some tea while we wait for Reisen and the others to return?"
>"Of course, Hijiri." the woman in the habit replies, and walks off towards the temple.

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "And far more accurately than any old crone with a deck of tarot cards."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh. "Gather 'round, for this shall be something to engrave into your memories!"
>Then look to Wriggle with a slight grin. "Now, three questions, but one at a time if you please, it makes it more efficient."

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk. "And far more accurately than any old crone with a deck of tarot cards."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh. "Gather 'round, for this shall be something to engrave into your memories!"
>Then look to Wriggle with a slight grin. "Now, three questions, but one at a time if you please, it makes it more efficient."

>"Minako, would you take Suirei inside? She'll be fine, but she should have a comfortable place to rest until she comes around." Byakuren asks her minion.
>"At once, m'lady." The winged youkai scoops up the still out of it kappa, and flies after Ichirin towards the temple.
>Seeing her friend looked after, Kikomi seems to debate for a moment between following Suirei, and staying to watch you do your thing. She opts for the latter. As does Mystia. And Wriggle, of course.

>The insect youkai furrows her brow in thought for several moments, before an idea strikes her, "How many more spellcards will I write, and how strong will they be?"
>"I think that's two questions, Wriggle." Mystia advises her.
>Wriggle blinks. "Oh." She pauses, considering. "Is it?"

[Vyrien]

latelatelate entry.

>Sigh

>"Yes it's two questions, no matter, I can do one at a time."

>Let's do this thing, look at Wriggle's fate with regards to spellcards, how many more will she write?

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh

>"Yes it's two questions, no matter, I can do one at a time."

>Let's do this thing, look at Wriggle's fate with regards to spellcards, how many more will she write?

>Handling the first half of Wriggle's question first, you focus your will and power upon one of the strands of green hair in your hand.
>The mists of the future roll away from your mind's eye, as you direct the curiousity of the youkai into the yet to come. The answer is quicker, and easier, in coming, than some, which is not surprising, as it is a simple question, asked with the full consent of the woman the answer pertains to.

>The number '2' appears in your minds' eye, in plain white. And then, it shimmers and fades, and is replaced by a '7', bordered by a yellow-ish energy.
>This sort of phenomenon usually indicates the answer depends on a choice the person will make later than she is not aware of yet. At least, when it pertains to a varying answer. The yellow bit, that's different.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Tell me, do you have only 7 spellcards right now?"
>Perhaps that glow is related to her nature as a firefly.

[Oldmansour]

>"Tell me, do you have only 7 spellcards right now?"
>Perhaps that glow is related to her nature as a firefly.

>"On me? I'm only carrying three at the moment."
>It's possible. You've never divined into a insect youkai of any sort before.

[Hanzo K.]

>"In total. Also, does the color yellow mean anything to you?"

[Oldmansour]

>"In total. Also, does the color yellow mean anything to you?"

>"In total, no, I've got 11 total."
>Wriggle blinks. "Yellow? Well, it's not one of my favourite colors, though some of my danmaku are yellow. Mixes well with green, if I do say so myself."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm...Well, you'll have a choice in the future, you might make two, or you might make seven. It all depends on the outcome of that one choice. It might pertain to something yellow. Perhaps running away when you're needed most, or perhaps choosing to eat lemon sorbet, or some other yellow food."
>"Now for the second question."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Focus on the second question now. How strong will her cards be?

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm...Well, you'll have a choice in the future, you might make two, or you might make seven. It all depends on the outcome of that one choice. It might pertain to something yellow. Perhaps running away when you're needed most, or perhaps choosing to eat lemon sorbet, or some other yellow food."
>"Now for the second question."

>"Lemon sorbet?" Wriggle and Mystia exchange a look.
>"Can you even make food-themed danmaku?"
>"I don't think anyone's ever tried."
>"I think I wanna try... Although, I've never had a lemon sorbet before."
>"Neither have I. I'll ask Reisen next time I see her if she knows how to make one."
>You have the impression you've inspired these two.

>Focus on the second question now. How strong will her cards be?

>The answer to this question is hazy, somewhat obscured by the mists of time. This is due to the fact that the answer to it is dependant on an answer to a question Wriggle has not answered for herself yet. A question that depends on on the answer to a question you don't know the answer to is difficult to answer.
>You would guess, from the impressions you're getting, that the spellcards will either be not much stronger than the ones she has currently, or be spiked in power beyond what you know her to possess, though how this could be, you cannot sense.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Alright, and an answer to the second question has come. This too depends on another question, one that only you hold the answer to. The cards may well be no stronger than what you have already shown. But, they may also be far stronger than anything you've yet demonstrated. This all depends on what answer you have to that question. What that question is, I know not."

>"Now...Ask your final question."

[Oldmansour]

>"Alright, and an answer to the second question has come. This too depends on another question, one that only you hold the answer to. The cards may well be no stronger than what you have already shown. But, they may also be far stronger than anything you've yet demonstrated. This all depends on what answer you have to that question. What that question is, I know not."

>"Must be a big question." Wriggle muses.

>"Now...Ask your final question."

>"All right." The insect youkai spares a look over at Byakuren, or rather, the emerald in her hand, and asks you, "Will I be possessed by one of these 'Sins', like that kappa was?"
>"That kappa's name is Suirei." Kikomi snarls at Wriggle.