Remilia Quest

[Hanzo K.]

>Alright, let's keep in check, and stick to the task at hand by trying the last question, but pushing further along.

[Oldmansour]

>Alright, let's keep in check, and stick to the task at hand by trying the last question, but pushing further along.

>Not letting on how delicious Reisen smells, you wipe the blood smear onto your own finger and focus upon it. With the stronger reagent, the mists of the future do roll back easily, although the scene you're targeting is still not completely clear.
>Although Pride and Lust are arguing amongst themselves over Reisen, the rabbit is standing passively by. If anything, she seems... embarrassed, by the debate going on around her. There doesn't seem to be any hostility that you can detect, either from the Sins towards Reisen, or from Reisen towards the Sins. The Sins don't seem to be hostile towards each other, merely debating strongly, although you can't make out the words.
>After nearly a minute, Lust reaches out and grabs Reisen by the right hand. Pride follows suit and grabs her left. Before they start tugging however, as they seem to be about to, you clearly detect the voice of Youmu Konpaku yell, "Unhand her immediately!" and a spread of bullets fly out from just beyond your field of vision. Pride and Lust fly up in reaction, whereas Reisen simple stands impassive, as the blue and red spheres of bullets fly to either side of her. She sighs again as Youmu and the two Sins start exchanging fire.

>This then is Reisen's fate tonight, as it stands right now: To be fought over by Pride and Lust, and to be defended by Youmu Konpaku.

>As for who will win between the two, if either of them, do, that's a bit unclear. You see Youmu pull out one of her spellcards, and turn her face to address Reisen, but her words are obscured, staticy. Whatever she says, you see Reisen nod, and you think you see another figure start to enter your field of vision from the opposite side of Youmu, before the mists of time roll back in, concealing the scene from your mind's eye.

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk just a bit. "Well, seems that little half-ghost will play the hero tonight. They'll both try to take you at the same time, but she'll show up and act rather valiantly. But someone else will also show up shortly after, I couldn't discern who though, which is rather bothersome."
>"The sins themselves didn't feel hostile though, towards you, or themselves, and you were rather passive, embarrassed by them fighting over you it seems."

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk just a bit. "Well, seems that little half-ghost will play the hero tonight. They'll both try to take you at the same time, but she'll show up and act rather valiantly. But someone else will also show up shortly after, I couldn't discern who though, which is rather bothersome."
>"The sins themselves didn't feel hostile though, towards you, or themselves, and you were rather passive, embarrassed by them fighting over you it seems."

>"Youmu? Even better, that means she'll be there when we confront those sins. Between you, me and Youmu, that's enough power to handle anything."
>"Don't forget me!" Kikomi declares.
>"Of course not. Still, I have to wonder why they'd be fighting with each other over me." The rabbit shakes her head. "I shouldn't complain, though. Any confusion among enemy forces only serves our side."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Envy had said that she didn't get along with Pride at all. The fact that this latest reading shows pride arguing with Lust seems to imply that Pride gets on everyone's nerves."
>Smirk. "Which may indeed work to our advantage, as you commented earlier."
>"That being said, I shall have to do a reading for Youmu as well if she joins prior to everything. And I'm rather interested to see what gems the other sin spirits are tied to. Envy was a brilliantly green Emerald. And according to you, Gluttony was a Fire Opal. Rather curious choice for the latter really."

[Oldmansour]

>"Envy had said that she didn't get along with Pride at all. The fact that this latest reading shows pride arguing with Lust seems to imply that Pride gets on everyone's nerves."
>Smirk. "Which may indeed work to our advantage, as you commented earlier."
>"That being said, I shall have to do a reading for Youmu as well if she joins prior to everything. And I'm rather interested to see what gems the other sin spirits are tied to. Envy was a brilliantly green Emerald. And according to you, Gluttony was a Fire Opal. Rather curious choice for the latter really."

>"I'm not sure what Gluttony could represent, myself. Although, I wouldn't expect to see Youmu any time soon. I know her. Once she reports in to her lady Yuyuko, she'll start scouring Gensokyo for whoever turned Rei on her own. If either one of us sees her before this affair is over, it'll be a stroke of luck."
>The rabbit then casts her gaze around the yard. "Speaking of Rei, where is she?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "Just a moment, I'll check the area."
>Time for the batcloud scan again.

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "Just a moment, I'll check the area."
>Time for the batcloud scan again.

>Dispersing into your swarm form again, you spread out over the area around and over the Myoren temple. It's a bit embarassing to think that Rei could have escaped while you were dueling with Envy without you noticing. But that seems to have been the case here.
>Knowing she can become a rat, you send some of your bats lower to the ground to scan any areas of concealment she could be using, some more to scan more human-sized areas of the surrounding woodland, and yet more to sweep the skies for signs of her flying away.
>Several minutes to searching yields no result, at least not of Rei. You do see a pair of figures flying towards the temple from the west, but neither one of them are Rei. If the fledgling has tried to escape, she seems to have done a good job at it.

[Hanzo K.]

>Reform, and sigh. "Seems she's given us the slip, aggravatingly enough. But if this Cobalt Countess is the one who turned her, then we'll find her again soon."
>Come to think of it, most fledgelings tend to not stray too far from where they were turned, as well as who sired them, correct?
>"There's also a pair approaching from the west, I'll go find out who they are myself."
>And batcloud on over to where those folks are, we'll meet 'em halfway.

[Oldmansour]

>Reform, and sigh. "Seems she's given us the slip, aggravatingly enough. But if this Cobalt Countess is the one who turned her, then we'll find her again soon."
>Come to think of it, most fledgelings tend to not stray too far from where they were turned, as well as who sired them, correct?

>"She must have got away during the fight." Kikomi offers. To her credit, she seems just fine conversing with a swarm of bats.
>Yes and no. You've known some fledglings who were practically glued to their sires' sides for several months, even years, after being turned. And some who, immediately upon rising, flew off into the sky to see the world through their new eyes. And some of those got a fair distance under their belts; you recall one several week old Indian vampire who arrived at your door one day on one of these 'walkabouts'. Rei would appear to be among the latter group. Since you don't know where Cobalt's home is, you can't be certain how far Rei flew from home. However, it's almost a guarantee that's where she's gone.

>"There's also a pair approaching from the west, I'll go find out who they are myself."
>And batcloud on over to where those folks are, we'll meet 'em halfway.

>You gather in your bats and fly in a westerly direction, intending to intercept the incoming pair.
>The two women are obviously youkai. The shorter of the pair has short, wavy green hair, and wears a purplish-brown dress with a rather short skirt, trimmed with green and grey. A pair of floppy brown ears are on her head, an indication of her youkai nature.
>The taller of the two is obviously a youkai as well, as the big bushy raccoon tail and matching ears show. The top part of her dress is a shade of green and her skirt is a brownish color, with green accents upon it. She sports a pair of cloth accents on her shoulders, and wears glasses. She carries a clay sake bottle, and a notepad.
>Neither one seem to react to a swarm of bats flying towards them.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's keep an eye on then, and make the bats act natural as we keep nearby.

[Oldmansour]

>Let's keep an eye on then, and make the bats act natural as we keep nearby.

>Opting not to reveal yourself to the pair of youkai, you continue to gather your bats together, but ensure they fly over and around the flying pair as any proper swarm of bats would.
>"Don't see too many bats around here." the shorter youkai comments to her companion.
>"Indeed. I would have expected any bats in the area not to become active until sometime later in the evening. Still, it is possible they were disturbed by the festivities of young Lorelai's performance."
>The shorter youkai frowns. "I'm still a little sad we didn't make it back in time."
>"Try not to let it bother you, dearie." the 'coon tailed youkai says with a comforting smile. "You couldn't have known about that mining operation."
>The youkai called 'dearie' pouts. "'Mining operation'. Fairys have lousy timing, that's what it is."
>Her companion chuckles. "So I've been learning."

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, let's make back for the temple, but keep most of the bats acting natural as we have been. This 'Mining Operation' they refer to seems mildly amusing.
>We ourselves in one of the bats will fly a little closer, and play the role of Cute Talking Critter for the time.
>"...Mining Operation...? What could those fairies have been after...?"

[Oldmansour]

>Well, let's make back for the temple, but keep most of the bats acting natural as we have been. This 'Mining Operation' they refer to seems mildly amusing.
>We ourselves in one of the bats will fly a little closer, and play the role of Cute Talking Critter for the time.
>"...Mining Operation...? What could those fairies have been after...?"

>A little humor seems welcome, and so you have one of the bats detach from the main group and fly in closer to the two youkai.
>At the sound of a talking bat, the shorter youkai yelps in surprise. Unfortunately for your ears, her yelp is a lot louder than you'd expect. And we mean a LOT louder than you'd expect. You swear you can almost SEE the soundwaves. Moments like this make you regret having several dozen sets of ears.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Ow-ow-ow-ow! Too loud! Too loud!"

[Oldmansour]

>"Ow-ow-ow-ow! Too loud! Too loud!"

>Wincing, the tailed youkai nods in agreement.
>Her companion looks between you and the taller youkai. "I've never seen a talking bat before." Fortunately, her voice has returned to normal volumes.

[Hanzo K.]

>"What, never seen a Youkai Bat before? Must be new to the Youkai business, huh?"
>It might be a little lie, but it's also somewhat the truth after all. We are a Youkai, but we're also a Bat right now.
>At any rate, let's keep flying with 'em as they go. We'll keep the rest of the swarm near, but at a natural-seeming distance.

[Oldmansour]

>"What, never seen a Youkai Bat before? Must be new to the Youkai business, huh?"
>It might be a little lie, but it's also somewhat the truth after all. We are a Youkai, but we're also a Bat right now.
>At any rate, let's keep flying with 'em as they go. We'll keep the rest of the swarm near, but at a natural-seeming distance.

>The pair of youkai resume their path towards the temple.
>"I didn't think bat youkai were all that common." the loud one replies.
>"Well, they're not, dearie. At least, no more common than other youkai of a bestial nature. And, if you'll note, that's not quite what she said, either. She said 'youkai bat', not 'bat youkai'. There's a difference." She gives you an appraising look. You get the feeling she sees through even that little lie of yours.

[Hanzo K.]

>Wink a little. "See? She knows what I'm talking about. Two completely different things."
>Let's keep going with 'em until we're all back at the temple.
>Once we're there, we'll pull back together to our usual self with a playful smirk. "I couldn't help but have a little fun, tonight's been a rather eventful and trying one after all."

[Oldmansour]

>Wink a little. "See? She knows what I'm talking about. Two completely different things."
>Let's keep going with 'em until we're all back at the temple.
>Once we're there, we'll pull back together to our usual self with a playful smirk. "I couldn't help but have a little fun, tonight's been a rather eventful and trying one after all."

>The three of you make your way towards the Myoren temple without furthur incident, which your aching heads are quite grateful for. It's been a long time since you've had a headache in this many heads at once, but that should pass once you return to your humanoid form. Hopefully.
>You note that Ichirin has rejoined Byakuren and the others, and that Reisen and Kikomi have gathered around the group as well, as you approach the grounds.
>As your two companions come in for a landing, you resume your glorious natural form. And note, before you joke with the two youkai, that your mutiple headaches have indeed receeded. Into a minor dull ache at the temples.
>The raccoon tailed youkai squints her eyes at you momentarily. "Am I mistaken, or, would you happen to be a vampire?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a little. "Right in one dear. I am Remilia Scarlet, one of Gensokyo's more notable Vampires."
>"Recently, there's been a bit of trouble that I didn't foresee getting involved in, but since my head maid, Sakuya, has gone missing, and has been revealed to be in a spot of trouble related to this little problem, I've been forced to involve myself."

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle a little. "Right in one dear. I am Remilia Scarlet, one of Gensokyo's more notable Vampires."

>"My word, but it's been some years since last I laid my eyes upon a vampire."
>"What's a vampire, Mamizou?" the loud one asks.
>"A vampire is a type of youkai, and a particularly strong one, at that. In the same league as oni, even. But, if you'll pardon me saying, Remilia, they are quite uncommon in this part of the world."
>"Ah, please excuse me. I am Futatsuiwa from Sado. Mamizou Futatsuiwa." She gestures to her companion. "And this young lady is Kyouko Kasodani."

>"Recently, there's been a bit of trouble that I didn't foresee getting involved in, but since my head maid, Sakuya, has gone missing, and has been revealed to be in a spot of trouble related to this little problem, I've been forced to involve myself."

>"If you need assistance with this problem, or any problem, the Myoren temple is here to assist all youkai." Mamizou says with a gentle little smile.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Byakuren herself has already helped a bit. And we've gathered quite the ragtag band to deal with this irritating matter."
>Sigh. "In fact, this bothersome matter involves another Vampire who seems to think she's better. She forgets her place in the hierarchy if you ask me. Scarlet will forever be superior to Cobalt."
>"Look at the past, have people ever killed excessively for sapphires? No, it has always been for Diamonds or Rubies."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Byakuren herself has already helped a bit. And we've gathered quite the ragtag band to deal with this irritating matter."
>Sigh. "In fact, this bothersome matter involves another Vampire who seems to think she's better. She forgets her place in the hierarchy if you ask me. Scarlet will forever be superior to Cobalt."
>"Look at the past, have people ever killed excessively for sapphires? No, it has always been for Diamonds or Rubies."

>"Remilia's right, Mamizou." the mouse youkai called Nazrin calls to the youkai. "Come here, we'll bring you two up to speed as soon as Minako and Master come out."
>Kyouko flits over to join the crew, while you and Mamizou take a more leisurely pace. "I wouldn't say 'always' so automatically, dearie. People can do many things in the name of wealth and power. Although, that discussion might best be served another day. Do you happen to know aught of this other vampire?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, we know she's been turning people every so often, I've actually encountered one such individual, and that girl implied that there were many others. Also, she's referred to as the Cobalt Countess. What her actual name is, I know not."
>Fistpalm. "Ah, and she also has seven underlings that are embodiments of the Seven Deadly Sins of Western Religion. Two of which, Envy and Gluttony, have already been faced and dealt with for the time being."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, we know she's been turning people every so often, I've actually encountered one such individual, and that girl implied that there were many others. Also, she's referred to as the Cobalt Countess. What her actual name is, I know not."

>"I'm afraid I've not heard of the title, either. It is possible she is not native to this part of the world. As, I would venture to guess, is the case for you as well?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"I have actually been here for a while now, rather nice place all things considered. But you are correct, I was not brought into being in Japan at all. I brought my mansion with me when I entered Gensokyo."
>"But yes, I had never heard of her until tonight either. I must say though, she has rather poor tact for a Vampire, letting her progeny run rampant as she has. For shame."

[Oldmansour]

>"I have actually been here for a while now, rather nice place all things considered. But you are correct, I was not brought into being in Japan at all. I brought my mansion with me when I entered Gensokyo."
>"But yes, I had never heard of her until tonight either. I must say though, she has rather poor tact for a Vampire, letting her progeny run rampant as she has. For shame."

>Mamizou chuckles quietly. "Mayhap the Countess of Cobalt merely lets her children roam free? Has this young one caused any trouble in her roamings, that you are aware of?"

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "Unfortunately, one of her progeny nearly made a meal of that Firefly Youkai there. She even dared to bare her fangs at one such as I when I revealed myself to her. Such a troublesome little girl, but I'd like to think I got through to her somewhat, she was adapting rather quickly to being a Vampire after all."
>"But it is proper Vampire Ethics to keep one's progeny locked in the castle or mansion until they have full control of themselves. This girl, while she was adapting rather quickly, still had much to learn."
>Smirk a little. "Though I must admit, she has quite a bit of potential. I shall have to see about taking her for myself, as such potential is wasted on a fool as the Countess. She was actually able to replicate one of my Techniques, Servant Flier, after seeing it in action. A flawed copy, but still a feat worth praise.""

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "Unfortunately, one of her progeny nearly made a meal of that Firefly Youkai there. She even dared to bare her fangs at one such as I when I revealed myself to her. Such a troublesome little girl, but I'd like to think I got through to her somewhat, she was adapting rather quickly to being a Vampire after all."
>"But it is proper Vampire Ethics to keep one's progeny locked in the castle or mansion until they have full control of themselves. This girl, while she was adapting rather quickly, still had much to learn."
>Smirk a little. "Though I must admit, she has quite a bit of potential. I shall have to see about taking her for myself, as such potential is wasted on a fool as the Countess. She was actually able to replicate one of my Techniques, Servant Flier, after seeing it in action. A flawed copy, but still a feat worth praise.""

>The bespectacled youkai smiles again as you bemoan Rei's state under her current mistress. She'd be far better under your wing than the scrawny wing of this new arrival. After you lecture this Countess on proper etiquette among the children of the night, of course.
>"The emulation of another's skills and techniques is quite an admirable feat. Although, as you say, it does require a bit of polishing, however much raw talent one possesses." She chuckles her quiet chuckle. "I believe I'd like to meet this fledgling vampire myself."
>As you and Mamizou join the gathering of youkai, Minako reemerges from the temple, now carrying a ranseur. And she is followed by a tall woman with black and blonde striped hair, clad in a multicolored dress, with a large cloth circle tied at the back defying gravity and standing over her head, somehow. She carries a spear, which she uses as a walking stick.

>"Now we are gathered." Byakuren declares.
>"'cept Nue." Murasa grumbles. "When's that ever different?"
>Mamizou gestures with her hands. "Now, now. You know she'd be around if the need arose."
>"We can make do without her, anyway." Nazrin says simply.
>The woman with the striped hair and the tiger patterned belt turns her attention to you as Nazrin and Byakuren bring Mamizou and Kyouko up to speed on what's been going on. "You're the vampire who defeated Envy before?"