Elly Quest - Reaper in Red

[Raikaria]

>Look towards the footsteps. "No it ain't. They generally come in two or three kinds. The Reapers, who go out and find the souls of the dead. The Ferry Guides, who carry them across Higan. But then there's all the bureaucracy, red tape, and paperwork both have to deal with...."
>Sigh in a disgusted way. "I don't like dancing around things, give me a nice and straightforward job like gatekeeping anytime."
>Who's walking towards us anyhow?

> The plant Youkai nods, she looks worried about the footsteps.

> Out of the bamboo comes a silver-haired girl dressed in red and white. Her attire gives off a distinct tomboy impression.


Fujiwara no Mokou
Immortal Embers of Hatred

> "Well well, what have we here? A couple of youkai. Are they lost souls, or are they assassins on a 'trial of guts?'" the girl says to herself.

[Hanzo K.]

>Quirk an eyebrow. "A guts-trial...I should remember that idea for the boss, she does love a good challenge. Not too many can provide though."
>Chuckle a bit. "Anyhow, I'm actually tryin' to find someone in here. Wouldn't know anyone by the name of Yagokoro would ye?"
>Fistpalm. "Oh, the the girl here's some kinda tree youkai, but apparently she ain't from Gensokyo. I'm guessin' she's one of the rare ones from outside Gensokyo or something.

[Raikaria]

>Quirk an eyebrow. "A guts-trial...I should remember that idea for the boss, she does love a good challenge. Not too many can provide though."
>Chuckle a bit. "Anyhow, I'm actually tryin' to find someone in here. Wouldn't know anyone by the name of Yagokoro would ye?"
>Fistpalm. "Oh, the the girl here's some kinda tree youkai, but apparently she ain't from Gensokyo. I'm guessin' she's one of the rare ones from outside Gensokyo or something.

> "I guess you're not sent by her..." the stranger says.

> Upon hearing Yagokoro, you see the girl twitch, her face seeming exceptionally angry for a moment.

> "Well then... she has no way of knowing of the story of the inhabitants of this forest. The immortals of Eientei are my arch-enemies. Kaguya Houraisan, the immortal who shamed my father so much he committed suicide, and Eirin Yagokoro, the pharmacist who made her an immoral so I cannot take vengeance for my father... I hate them both, and kill them on a daily basis."

> "Now then, why are you attempting to find my second most hated being in existence?" the stranger says. You note small flames coming off her body. The tree youkai backs away, looking terrified of the fire.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "I was looking to enlist her in some shenanigans. I was considering offering you the same thing too actually, but your response pretty much means a one or the other kinda deal."
>Then sigh again, and facepalm too. "Don't suppose you could tone back the flames? You're scarin' the kid half to death here."
>Beat, then Foreheadpalm.
>"Wait, if they live here, and you probably live in here too, doesn't that make you guys neighbors?"

[Raikaria]

>Sigh. "I was looking to enlist her in some shenanigans. I was considering offering you the same thing too actually, but your response pretty much means a one or the other kinda deal."
>Then sigh again, and facepalm too. "Don't suppose you could tone back the flames? You're scarin' the kid half to death here."
>Beat, then Foreheadpalm.
>"Wait, if they live here, and you probably live in here too, doesn't that make you guys neighbors?"

> "I'm not one for shenanigans."

> "Sorry, when I'm angry there's fire. Just thinking about those two... it makes my blood boil, and boiling blood leads to fire in my case."

> "Keep your allies close, and your enemies closer. Besides, I need to live somewhere were our fights won't kill everyone nearby. If no-one's nearby... no-one else dies."

> There is something off about this girl. She seems very powerful, yet, she is clearly giving off human vibes. Humans are not usually this strong seeming. Or live alone in a forest in Gensokyo. Or talk about killing and murder so blatantly, especially about immortals.

> The girl looks uneasy. "Well, I guess I should at least introduce myself before I decide if I let you live or burn you for wanting to visit her. Fujiwara no Mokou."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Name's Elly, I work as a gatekeeper usually, but right now boss told me to go on holiday, so I figure I'd use my holiday to have a little fun like most folks in Gensokyo do. Kick off a little Incident of my own. The kid here doesn't really have a name though. I figure boss can come up with something though, she's good with plants. Ever hear about the 'Flower Master of Four Seasons'? That's boss."

[Raikaria]

>"Name's Elly, I work as a gatekeeper usually, but right now boss told me to go on holiday, so I figure I'd use my holiday to have a little fun like most folks in Gensokyo do. Kick off a little Incident of my own. The kid here doesn't really have a name though. I figure boss can come up with something though, she's good with plants. Ever hear about the 'Flower Master of Four Seasons'? That's boss."

> "Interesting. However, attempting to your your boss against me is foolish. You see..." Mokou says, raising a hand with a fireball in.

> "I am also an immortal, made by stealing the elixir Yagokoro made. Now then, how about I test something, to see if that feared one draws good help." Mokou says, throwing the fireball.

> "Fire!" the tree youkai shouts, before her arm... grows, and expands, before swatting the fireball away like it was nothing, only a small black mark being left.. You see wooden textures on her massive palm when she does so, before the arm bends in impossible ways, and the hand grips Mokou.

> "Fire... fire... fire... I hate fire... burning, death, destruction..." the youkai says. She sounds terrified still.

> "Don't make me actually fight." Mokou warns. "I just wanted to test the reactions of the gatekeeper, see how she would react to that threat." Despite the tree youkai's grip, she sounds fine.

[Hanzo K.]

>Pat the kid's shoulder gently. "Uh...Kid? You can let go of her now y'know. Ain't her fault fire's her ability. Just look at me, I can create tiles and a little dimension all my own to use them in, which my opponent gets sucked into as well. And then there's this nifty little thing you just did. Flash Overgrowth, not a bad draw there kid, boss will definitely wanna see you later."

[Raikaria]

>Pat the kid's shoulder gently. "Uh...Kid? You can let go of her now y'know. Ain't her fault fire's her ability. Just look at me, I can create tiles and a little dimension all my own to use them in, which my opponent gets sucked into as well. And then there's this nifty little thing you just did. Flash Overgrowth, not a bad draw there kid, boss will definitely wanna see you later."

> "Fire is death... fire is death... the wildfire... so many dead trees... brothers, sisters..." she says, letting go slowly, before her arm and hand return to normal.

> Mokou just looks... impressed if anything.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Maybe so, but boss did teach me this about nature. Fire also paves the way for new life. It clears out the old and dead brush that suppresses the seeds that sleep in the soil, allowing those seeds to take root and grow. For every tree that fire claims, another will eventually grow to be even grander. S'been like that since the dawn of time according to boss. Says that's why fire's a thing to begin with she does."
>Chuckle. "Besides, you're a Youkai now, fire won't do quite as much to ya anymore. Youkai are pretty durable after all. Hell, I don't think boss is even damaged by fire anymore. Hell, she's a Magician too, in addition to bein' a Plant Youkai. Betcha she could probably teach you lots of neat stuff you haven't even imagined."
>Beat.
>"...Normally I'm not that poetic. Boss must be rubbin' off on me."

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Maybe so, but boss did teach me this about nature. Fire also paves the way for new life. It clears out the old and dead brush that suppresses the seeds that sleep in the soil, allowing those seeds to take root and grow. For every tree that fire claims, another will eventually grow to be even grander. S'been like that since the dawn of time according to boss. Says that's why fire's a thing to begin with she does."
>Chuckle. "Besides, you're a Youkai now, fire won't do quite as much to ya anymore. Youkai are pretty durable after all. Hell, I don't think boss is even damaged by fire anymore. Hell, she's a Magician too, in addition to bein' a Plant Youkai. Betcha she could probably teach you lots of neat stuff you haven't even imagined."
>Beat.
>"...Normally I'm not that poetic. Boss must be rubbin' off on me."

> "I watched my brothers and sisters burn... they couldn't move like me. They couldn't run. I couldn't save them. I couldn't do anything." the tree youkai says, "A replacement will never make up for them."

> "I'm not too sure if that's a good idea... making me stronger."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Bein' stronger's just a side effect though, if boss thinks you've got potential, she's gonna make sure it's realized. 'specially since you and her are the same kinda thing, a Plant Youkai. Plus, goin' by that flower in your hair, I'd say you were one of those flowering trees, like apple, peach, or cherry. That'll make it even more likely she'll wanna help ya grow. It's just how boss is. She's a good person really, if you look past the fact that she's a bit of a battle maniac, and likes causing pain a bit more than most. But hey, she usually treats me right, so she's good in my books."
>Grin. "Plus, boss's home is filled with all sorts of plants, regular and maneating variety alike. I wonder if there's a few Demon Trees in the mix somewhere, I hear those are right deadly beauty, like boss."

[Raikaria]

>"Bein' stronger's just a side effect though, if boss thinks you've got potential, she's gonna make sure it's realized. 'specially since you and her are the same kinda thing, a Plant Youkai. Plus, goin' by that flower in your hair, I'd say you were one of those flowering trees, like apple, peach, or cherry. That'll make it even more likely she'll wanna help ya grow. It's just how boss is. She's a good person really, if you look past the fact that she's a bit of a battle maniac, and likes causing pain a bit more than most. But hey, she usually treats me right, so she's good in my books."
>Grin. "Plus, boss's home is filled with all sorts of plants, regular and maneating variety alike. I wonder if there's a few Demon Trees in the mix somewhere, I hear those are right deadly beauty, like boss."

> "Fine... take me to her later if you're so convinced." the tree youkai says.

> "You two gonna chat in my camp all day?" Mokou says, sounding annoyed.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Just point the way and we'll be off."
>Let's go where Mokou points!

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Just point the way and we'll be off."
>Let's go where Mokou points!

> Mokou doesn't point.

> "Just look for rabbit youkai." she grunts.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Arrite. Thanks."
>Let's head out and keep an eye peeled for rabbits.

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Arrite. Thanks."
>Let's head out and keep an eye peeled for rabbits.

> You and the tree youkai leave Mokou's camp, heading in the direction Mokou approached from.

> It doesn't take long for you to see a shadow running in the direction you are heading. A shadow with large ears.

[Hanzo K.]

>Follow that shadow!

[Raikaria]

>Follow that shadow!

> You follow the rabbit shadow, and after a short period, you come across what seems to be a palace of sorts.

> You guess Mokou came from this direction because she just tried to kill her enemies or something.

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle, and look back at the treekid while pointing a thumb over our shoulder at the palace.
>"Swanky place, ain't it? Here's what I was lookin' for I guess. That person the book mentioned, and Boss told me to try to get in on the fun, lives in there I guess."
>Let's head up to the door!

[Raikaria]

>Chuckle, and look back at the treekid while pointing a thumb over our shoulder at the palace.
>"Swanky place, ain't it? Here's what I was lookin' for I guess. That person the book mentioned, and Boss told me to try to get in on the fun, lives in there I guess."
>Let's head up to the door!

> The tree youkai shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know what's going on, I'm just tagging along because I have no clue where I'm going."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well y'see, here in Gensokyo, Youkai like you and me tend to express their boredom, or distaste for tedium, or just because they want to, with what's commonly called an 'Incident'. The book that keeps tabs of all the incidents implied they were pretty simple things. Like demon tourists, some ghost wanting the power of the Hakurei Clan, typical fare really. Since I'm on vacation, boss said I could do whatever I wanted. So I figured that since she also said I should flex my skills and keep my fighting ability sharp, causing an Incident of my own was just the ticket. Basically, I figured that since Hakurei already busted me up when she went after boss that one time, I'd return the favor, and keep her on her toes while I'm here. But kicking off an incident ain't easy, that takes preparation."
>Let's go knock on the door!

[Raikaria]

>"Well y'see, here in Gensokyo, Youkai like you and me tend to express their boredom, or distaste for tedium, or just because they want to, with what's commonly called an 'Incident'. The book that keeps tabs of all the incidents implied they were pretty simple things. Like demon tourists, some ghost wanting the power of the Hakurei Clan, typical fare really. Since I'm on vacation, boss said I could do whatever I wanted. So I figured that since she also said I should flex my skills and keep my fighting ability sharp, causing an Incident of my own was just the ticket. Basically, I figured that since Hakurei already busted me up when she went after boss that one time, I'd return the favor, and keep her on her toes while I'm here. But kicking off an incident ain't easy, that takes preparation."
>Let's go knock on the door!

> The tree youkai looks a little confused, but shrugs. "Gensokyo has a weird culture."

> You go and knock on the door, and a rabbit youkai opens it, popping her head out from behind it. Rabbit youkai are not large, fairies are about half the size of most youkai's human forms, rabbit youkai are hardly larger than fairies.

> "Yes?" she squeaks.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Yeah, looking for a person by the name of Yagokoro, got some stuff to talk to her about."

[Raikaria]

>Nod. "Yeah, looking for a person by the name of Yagokoro, got some stuff to talk to her about."

> "She's not in." the rabbit says.

> "EIIIIIRRRRIIIIIINNNNN!" a voice screams.

> "I'll get her..." the rabbit says, sounding annoyed.

[Hanzo K.]

>Make sure our ears are okay. (This is gonna be a running gag in your quests, isn't it man?)
>Nod. "Arrite. Take your time though, I'm not in that big of a rush."

[Raikaria]

>Make sure our ears are okay. (This is gonna be a running gag in your quests, isn't it man?)
>Nod. "Arrite. Take your time though, I'm not in that big of a rush."

> You ears are alright. You're not sure where you got the idea that the scream damaged them. (Nah, it was just the rabbit lied. 'She's not in' 'Proven wrong' '-_- face on rabbit')

> The rabbit leads you through the mansion, which seems mostly populated by rabbits, to a room which is labeled 'Eirin's Lab'.

> "I don't like going in here, so I'm off." the liar rabbit says.

[Hanzo K.]

(True, but the whole 'Kaguya Being Loud' thing. It happened at least once or twice in RumiaQuest, and will probably happen here too.)

>Well, nothing for it, may as well knock.

[Raikaria]

(True, but the whole 'Kaguya Being Loud' thing. It happened at least once or twice in RumiaQuest, and will probably happen here too.)

>Well, nothing for it, may as well knock.

(Loud NEET is loud, she forgets to turn off CAPSLOCK)

> You knock.

> "Yes?" you hear from within.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Mind if I come in? I was told you were pretty smart, so I figured I'd come see you about something."