Elly Quest - Reaper in Red

[Raikaria]

>Sigh amusedly, and pick up the pagoda.
>"Well, you remember how to fly? Otherwise I'll have to fly you up until you remember."

> You pick up the Pagoda.

> "Uhhh..." Yoshika says, before she starts flying.

> "Yep!"

[Hanzo K.]

>"Arrite, let's head back to the others, and hope you didn't forget how to stop. Sometimes that happens to some folks."
>Let's head back to the others with Yoshika.
>"Found this pagoda-thing down there."

[Raikaria]

>"Arrite, let's head back to the others, and hope you didn't forget how to stop. Sometimes that happens to some folks."
>Let's head back to the others with Yoshika.
>"Found this pagoda-thing down there."

> You and Yoshika fly up to the others.

> When you show Nue the Pagoda, she looks confused.

> "How did that get here... honestly, we've taken and hidden that thing so many times, but this time, honestly not us. Look at it, there's dust on it this time. Too long a time passed for it to be us putting it here, and even then, Shou wouldn't be able to find it here, so it defeats the point of hiding it." Nue says, pointing to some dusty patches on the pagoda.

> "Either Shou's been here herself and dropped it, or someone else took the pagoda and hid it here." Mamizou comments.

[Hanzo K.]

>Raise an eyebrow. "So, anyone know what this thing does then?"
Beat.
>Smirk. "I think I got an idea, but it hinges on how she'll react to finding out this thing's being held for ransom. Even though it actually isn't."
>Chuckle a bit. "Pranks can be fun after all, you two oughta know that quite well."

[Raikaria]

>Raise an eyebrow. "So, anyone know what this thing does then?"
Beat.
>Smirk. "I think I got an idea, but it hinges on how she'll react to finding out this thing's being held for ransom. Even though it actually isn't."
>Chuckle a bit. "Pranks can be fun after all, you two oughta know that quite well."

> "It's a holy artifact of Bishamoten. As an Avatar of Bishamoten, Shou's power is greatly increased when she has it in her possession." Nue says. "She's actually pretty weak without it, but with it the only one in the temple stronger than her is Hijiri."

> "She'll probably react violently. Although, as Nue mentioned, she's not that strong without it. She can weild her spear pretty well, but she's magnitudes stronger with it." Mamizou explains.

> "It's one thing making Shou think she lost it, no-one for her to get mad at. Holding it ransom is sure to result in mad-Shou. As in, she'll probobly use the pagoda to incinerate you if you hold it ransom. Indeed, I don't know if she has to touch it to use it or just be near it." Nue says.

> "Shou's scary when she's mad." Kogasa mentions.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "I think I've got this figured out then. The old Hiding In Plain Sight trick should work."
>"Basically, stick it where she's sure to notice it, and wait until she doesn't. Then when she realizes that it was in plain sight, move it somewhere else in plain sight. Keep repeating until either she gets flustered, or we get tired of it."
>"Failing that, we might even be able to rope her into the fun somehow."
>Grin. "Nothing wrong with getting a little light pranking in before we let off the big stuff, eh?"

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "I think I've got this figured out then. The old Hiding In Plain Sight trick should work."
>"Basically, stick it where she's sure to notice it, and wait until she doesn't. Then when she realizes that it was in plain sight, move it somewhere else in plain sight. Keep repeating until either she gets flustered, or we get tired of it."
>"Failing that, we might even be able to rope her into the fun somehow."
>Grin. "Nothing wrong with getting a little light pranking in before we let off the big stuff, eh?"

> "That sounds better, less chance of vaporization by laser beams." Nue says.

> Seiga looks half asleep, and bored.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Alright then, let's get going for now. We can do a little pranking once we've got everything else hammered out and such."
>Grin. "Now then, let's make for that mansion by the Misty Lake, that's the gathering place for everyone involved in all this."
>Let's roll for Remi's Place with everyone when we get the chance!

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Alright then, let's get going for now. We can do a little pranking once we've got everything else hammered out and such."
>Grin. "Now then, let's make for that mansion by the Misty Lake, that's the gathering place for everyone involved in all this."
>Let's roll for Remi's Place with everyone when we get the chance!

> Seiga opens the two walls she needs to open, and then... vanishes.

> Yoshika stays at the graveyard, saying it's not a good idea for her to leave, unless Seiga tells her to and re-writes the orders on her talisman.

> Kogasa, Nue, and Mamizou go along with you to the Scarlet Mansion, taking the Pagoda with you. When Kogasa figures out where you are going, she zooms ahead, stating she wants to surprise China. Seeing the lok on the karakasa's face when you get there, you guess she succeeded.

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a bit. "Well, at least more people are on board. this makes at least five, countin' meself."
>Let's make for the gate if we aren't there already, then head on in and find Tenshi.

[Raikaria]

>Chuckle a bit. "Well, at least more people are on board. this makes at least five, countin' meself."
>Let's make for the gate if we aren't there already, then head on in and find Tenshi.

> You head to the gate, and ask Meiling where Tenshi is.

> "... I'm afraid for your own safety, I can't take you to Tenshi. You're not immortal to anything but a reaper's scythe. Going there is hazardous to your health." Meiling says. "Tenshi is playing with the younger sister, who suffers from insanity, and has the power to destroy anything. She is prone to... killing anyone who sees her unpredictably, except the Mistress herself, and me."

> "Hmm? Is that who I think it is, standing there in red?" a voice that sends a shiver up your spine says. This was the second to last voice you wanted to hear.

[Hanzo K.]

>Uh-oh, who does this voice belong to?

[Raikaria]

>Uh-oh, who does this voice belong to?

> Komachi Onozuka. The right hand of Shikieiki Yamaxanadu, and your teacher in the ways of the reaper.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "This is just wonderful...Come to drag me back, eh teach? Bein' a gatekeeper's a lot less stressful y'know, I actually get vacations."

[Raikaria]

>Sigh. "This is just wonderful...Come to drag me back, eh teach? Bein' a gatekeeper's a lot less stressful y'know, I actually get vacations."

> You turn around to speak to Komachi, and notice there are many spirits around her.

> "Nah, still on this job, look at all these spirits I have to ferry. However, if I could find you, that means the Yamas are aware you are no longer in a realm outside normal life and death. It is very likly that after I'm done with this ferrying, Shiki will make me drag you to Higan." Komachi says. "Such a drag... I'd rather sleep."

> She looks serious for a moment. "Take it as a warning. Go back to wherever you were hiding. Because you know full well that it is impossible to escape me if I am serious about bringing someone to Higan, and when it comes to a traitorous student, that is one of the few things that will make me serious."

> "Well, I better be off. Bye Elly~" Komachi says, turning to leave.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "Well, this sure puts a crimp in my vacation plans..."
>We'll have to go get boss here in a bit then. S'the only way we can keep from getting dragged back.

[Raikaria]

>Sigh. "Well, this sure puts a crimp in my vacation plans..."
>We'll have to go get boss here in a bit then. S'the only way we can keep from getting dragged back.

> Actually, you are aware that not even Yuuka could stop Komachi if she was serious about taking you to Higan, due to Komachi's ability to manipulate distance. As far as you know, the only way to escape from Komachi when she is serious is to defeat her without moving an inch, as even single step will land you in her boat, crossing the Sanzu River. Since it is impossible to cross the Sanzu River in anything than a Shinigami's boat, once you are in the boat, there is no escape. Komachi usually doesn't use her ability like this unless she is annoyed, or sees the fight as part of her pride, since it takes all fun out of the fight for her.

> Not to mention Komachi could make the distance between herself and Yuuka an absolute, so no matter how Yuuka tries to approach, the distance between her and Komachi stays the same.

> Combined with the reach of her scythe, Komachi is pretty much impossible to defeat without moving.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Then how is it that Yuuka protects us?

[Raikaria]

>Then how is it that Yuuka protects us?

> Yuuka herself does not protect you. It is the Dream World that does. The Dream World is a world beyond the reach of life and death. Dreams do not live or die. Shinigami and Yama cannot enter or approach. The Maisma of the Dream World is as toxic to them as the Forest of Magic is to normal humans. Yuuka protects you by giving you a place to stay, at the border of her Dream World dimension, at the cost of being the gatekeeper... and occasional plaything.

> That and Komachi can't manipulate dimensions. There is an infinite distance between dimensions. In the Dream World, Komachi would be beatable easily by Yuuka, especially since she is in command of her personal dimension in the Dream World.

> That and Komachi would be choking with the Maisma of the land beyond death.

> Despite her occasional use of you as a plaything, Yuuka is a lot better that what other Dream World dimensions would have been like. Indeed, sometimes, a gatekeeper doesn't solely keep things from coming in, but going out.

[Note: The aformentioned continuation to Rumia Quest will begin Monday or Tuesday [I'm moving to my new Uni home Sunday, so I won't have the time to start up this week]. I will confirm at this point; it will be Rumia Quest V]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>How did we escape from Higan in the first place?
>"Well, damn. Sorry, guys, but it looks like I'm going to have to call this off. I've gotta get back out of Gensokyo."
>"Meiling, could you let Tenshi know I had to leave, please?"

[Raikaria]

>How did we escape from Higan in the first place?
>"Well, damn. Sorry, guys, but it looks like I'm going to have to call this off. I've gotta get back out of Gensokyo."
>"Meiling, could you let Tenshi know I had to leave, please?"

> You escaped from Higan in the most simple way, you got on Komachi's boat and rowed across the Sanzu. It was a nightmare for Komachi to get her boat back to her side of the shore, apparently. The thing that stops most people using the Sanzu river boats to try and escape is the fact that they only have one oar, yet refuse to move with just one. The reaper's scythe doubles as a second oar. The river will only let the boat move when a scythe and the oar are used in unison.

> "I'm not sure if you realize this." Meiling says, "But Komachi had a LOT of spirits with her. Now, Sakuya says when she met her before, that she has to take spirits across the river, one by one, and the length of the river is different according to the soul. She's also a slacker. I think you have quite a bit of time."

> "Besides." Kogasa chimes up, "Surely everyone you've gathered so far can fight her off."

> "Yeah. Tenshi's a Celestial, right? That means she's beaten up Shinigami before." Meiling responds.

[Note: Komachi will only show up once you guys are done with your stuff. As Meiling said, it'll take her a while. Komachi just happened to spot you and wanted to warn you. You can continue going about the incident you're causing. The main point of this quest is the objective you want to complete. While that being done isn't the end of the quest[ I have something planned for the end of Elly's 'vacation'.], don't let the plot being dropped for that pur you off what you are doing now!

The last thing I wanted this plot point to do is encourage you to ruin your fun!]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"It's not beating her I'm worried about. If she starts messing around with distance, the smallest movement on my part will be enough to put me in her boat."
>"Hmm... well, I was meaning to go talk to the boss anyways, so I'll just go there next and ask her what she thinks. Meiling, please... well, do whatever it is you'll be doing to accomodate all the guests. I'll be back as soon as I can."
>Head for the Garden of the Sun.

[Raikaria]

>"It's not beating her I'm worried about. If she starts messing around with distance, the smallest movement on my part will be enough to put me in her boat."
>"Hmm... well, I was meaning to go talk to the boss anyways, so I'll just go there next and ask her what she thinks. Meiling, please... well, do whatever it is you'll be doing to accomodate all the guests. I'll be back as soon as I can."
>Head for the Garden of the Sun.

> Meiling nods. "I understand, but you're a gatekeeper. I'm sure you're tough enough to withstand her, hold your ground, until we can help!"

> You fly to the Garden of the Sun, and, when you reach it, head for the mansion. You notice the 'other' Yuuka sitting on a chair, at the front, overlooking the sunflowers, sipping tea.

> You note this Yuuka looks a little different to the true Yuuka. In addition, she seems to prefer a skirt to trousers. You guess, despite her being a slightly weaker clone of the real Yuuka, over time, she became slightly different.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Announce ourselves in the appropriate manner.

[Raikaria]

>Announce ourselves in the appropriate manner.

> "Mistress Yuuka... kinda?" you say.

> "I thought you were on holiday. Coming to visit your boss doesn't seem like something you'd do on holiday."

> Yuuka takes another sip. "Even if it's not quite your boss."

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh in a somewhat dejected way. "That's the problem. While I was gathering folks to help out in a little Incident I was gonna kick off, I ran into Komachi."
>Sigh again. "I was lucky she was busy with all those souls for now...But it totally wrecks the good mood a holiday's supposed to have, y'know? Those Yamas are definitely gonna send someone to drag me back, but it's a lot easier just being a gatekeeper. I get vacations too this way, unlike those reapers."

[Raikaria]

>Sigh in a somewhat dejected way. "That's the problem. While I was gathering folks to help out in a little Incident I was gonna kick off, I ran into Komachi."
>Sigh again. "I was lucky she was busy with all those souls for now...But it totally wrecks the good mood a holiday's supposed to have, y'know? Those Yamas are definitely gonna send someone to drag me back, but it's a lot easier just being a gatekeeper. I get vacations too this way, unlike those reapers."

> Yuuka raises an eyebrow, and puts down her tea.

> "I knew the Yamas would find you quickly. Yet I gave you a holiday anyway. You cannot run from your past forever. Besides, if you ever get into trouble, remember this." Yuuka says, before she points to somewhere in the garden of the sun, and a flower flies towards her.

> "This is the Higanbana. Remember, I am the flower master of the four seasons, and there are flowers even within Higan. As long as there are flowers, I am there, and I am not one to..." Yuuka begins

> "Allow someone to mess with my employee." Yuuka finishes. You note this voice is from behind you, and you turn around to see the Dream World Yuuka.

> "Although, I guess if I am to confront the Yama, I can't do so without being at my full power. I wonder how strong the 'whole' me is now. Part of the reason why I split my power 48:52 is so that there were two mes to get stronger at once instead of one, yet both were still powerful enough to defeat almost anyone. Now, if the true me is stronger than I was when I split... and this one is the same... I'll be over twice as strong as I was pre-split when I re-merge. Maybe even three times stronger."

> That thought is possibly the scariest thing you've heard. Ever. A spike of three times in Yuuka's already immense power is beyond comprehension.

[Hanzo K.]

>Jawdrop. Then recover and smile a bit. "Well, I guess we can kill time with some shenanigans then, eh? Right now I've got a pretty nice little group of people gathered that are pretty notorious for causing trouble."
>Chuckle. "A right 'Rogue's Gallery' it is. Though I'm still not 100% sure on what the incident should be, but that's why I've got all those people together, so we can toss around ideas until we hit on one that'll work. I know you well enough that I'm pretty sure you'd be able to contribute quite a few good ones yourself. Er...selves? This whole cuttings of yourself business always was kinda confusing."
>Beat.
>"I wonder if the merged you would wear a skirt or trousers? Probably a riddle for the ages anyhow."

[Raikaria]

>Jawdrop. Then recover and smile a bit. "Well, I guess we can kill time with some shenanigans then, eh? Right now I've got a pretty nice little group of people gathered that are pretty notorious for causing trouble."
>Chuckle. "A right 'Rogue's Gallery' it is. Though I'm still not 100% sure on what the incident should be, but that's why I've got all those people together, so we can toss around ideas until we hit on one that'll work. I know you well enough that I'm pretty sure you'd be able to contribute quite a few good ones yourself. Er...selves? This whole cuttings of yourself business always was kinda confusing."
>Beat.
>"I wonder if the merged you would wear a skirt or trousers? Probably a riddle for the ages anyhow."

> "Your holiday. I'm not gonna tell you what to do. Although, I can suggest someone you might want to see if you want ideas. Eirin Yagokoro." The cutting Yuuka says.

> "Oh, it's simple. Some plants can have something cut off them that will sprout into a clone of them. I'm a flower Youkai, so I'm able to do that." Real Yuuka explains.

> The real Yuuka chuckles. "The stronger one, me, would be in control. Including fashion sense."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "I get it. It's just kinda brain-twisting to have to deal with two of you boss. Especially when both of you are still pretty much your own person and all. Even if they're also the same...Eh, best not to think too much on it anyhow, I might overload or something."