Remilia Quest Tr?

[Oldmansour]

>"On the matter of the potential Vampire Version, I stopped that bubble in a way that was rather thorough. I don't think we'll have anything to fear from that one, as that fate likely became a 'Dead End' afterwards. To borrow a term from something I've heard is rather popular in the outside. Something about a book you can watch I think? Either way, that Sakuya's journey has likely ended. Unless, perhaps, that was merely an avatar of some kind. But regardless of that fact, I think it's best that there isn't a Vampire Sakuya of that sort. Too cold and dark for even my tastes. And you know how wildly I tend to oscillate between the various alignments. Even I have standards after all."
>Didn't Patchouli have some sort of means to contact Yukari from back during the Geyser Incident though?

>"It may be that this other Sakuya is simply continuing on in her own timeline as well." Patchy says, examining the big bug's stinger. "Regardless, so long as she isn't about to explode into this timeline, that's all that really matters to us. It's been noisy enough around here as it is for one night."
>Patchouli had a means of contacting Marisa during that event- and was quietly annoyed at having to split her air time with the dollmaker and the kappa, as you recall, mukyuu- but Yukari was Reimu's problem at the time. Patchy didn't see a need to bother contacting Yukari. She's frequently more trouble than she's worth. That said, however, Patchy can be quite resourceful when she puts her mind to it. She may well be able to figure a way to contact the so-called Protector of Gensokyo- among other titles and descriptions- if you really felt it was necessary.

>Look back to Haridoku. "I can assure you that it didn't involve you in any way, you would've heard your name if we were. Japanese names don't exactly translate easily into German. We'd be here for a bit longer than planned if I tried."

>"There's more'n one language?" Haridoku replies, bluntly but curiously. "Thought every two-footer had just the one language."
>"That's mostly true in Gensokyo, but the outside world is quite different." Patchouli informs the insect. "The number of spoken languages numbers in the hundreds, increasingly exponentially as you go back in time."
>"You can keep 'em." the bug snorts. "I like my talk nice and plain."
>"This is obvious."

>Look back to Patchouli. "You know, I initially saw the Cobalt Countess as a possible foe, but now I think I might have found another possible associate. Or even friend. Eriza's her name you know, and she's quite unlike a vampire, despite being one. No taste for the 'ham', as it were. Favors the simpler things as well it seems. But then again, considering how her sire was, that's rather understandable. Sort of fellow I would likely take the time to ruin on both principle and whim."
>Smile enigmatically. "But I've yet to meet a girl who doesn't love sweets, all we need is for things to calm down enough so that Sakuya can produce some. After all, what sort of House Master -or friend- would I be if I didn't have pride in the abilities of those around me? A poor one, which I am most certainly not."

>"Eriza...." Patchy mutters thoughtfully, placing Haridoku's stinger carefully on the table. "That name sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't put my finger on it. I'll give it some thought."
>Sei, who had been scanning the surrounding bookshelves, nods in your direction. "The Countess has been like that for as long as I've known her. Understated, modest, humble, but genuine as well. She doesn't put on a show for the benefit of others, or for the sake of her own ego." Proudly, she adds, "If I were here, I would consider that a victory, a source of pride, that she can be that genuine a person, considering the man who turned her, and what he put her through. And she may, but it can be hard to tell, even for someone who's known her as long as I. Celes is about the only one of us who can read those sorts of emotions in her."
>"She sounds nice." Mystia chimes. Sei gives the night sparrow another nod.

>Fistpalm. "By the way, do you remember where the texts on the Germanic Operas are? I had a brilliant idea, and one that will put that old theater room to use as well. it might need a little reconstruction to achieve proper acoustics though, but we'll cross that river when we come to it."

>"One level down, fifty two shelves south, two rows east." Patchy replies easily. "No wait, four rows." she corrects herself, and you catch her stifling a small scowl. "I had Koa do some reshelving after Marisa's last visit."

>"That reminds me, Patchouli-san." Mystia says, floating in the mage's direction. "I looked at those books you told me about, the ones you said were music, but it was all lines and symbols. It looked really weird."
>"That's sheet music." the mage says absently.
>"What's sheet music?"
>Patchy gives the sparrow a look. "I was under the impression that you were a musician yourself."
>"I am!" Mystia says firmly.
>Patchouli sighs again, and looks at you out of the corner of her purple eye, and look that reads plainly, 'Want to help me out here?'

[Hanzo K.]

>"I suppose she'd be more suited to a songbook instead. Seeing as she seems incapable of reading sheet music at the time."
>Look to Mystia. "As Patchouli said, what you attempted to read was sheet music, primarily used in tandem with an instrument. Though if one's voice is flexible enough, it can be applied to singers as well I suppose."
>Look back to patchouli. "Oh, something else interesting just came back to mind. Have you ever heard of a phenomena where a Vampire's presence still lingers strongly in a location even long after their demise? Because it just so happens that the Cobalt Keep has a case of that. Even Reimu's power couldn't drive it away. And what's more, when we used a teleporter meant for getting around faster, I actually saw one of that vampire's lingering memories. He was rather displeased about either not being paid tribute, or not being paid enough tribute. If I recall correctly. I felt rather angry myself after experiencing that memory, but I was able to keep it in check until it subsided. But that was nothing compared to the anger the rageblooms inspired."
>What else do we recall from that stray memory, a name, or perhaps a date?
>And for that matter, do we know any quick ways to contact Reimu? Well, we can always follow through with that after a good night's sleep.

[Branneg Xy]

>"Regarding that phenomena at the Cobalt Keep,I just recalled a detail that might prove useful in determining it: both Shou, a buddhist youkai and avatar of Bishamonten , and Reimu,a shinto priestess, could sense the lingering unholy presence but they couldn't focus on it and they sensed it as somehow farther away from them like it was harder for the Eastern Gods to affect it,like it needed some sort of Western influence first  to be truly affected".
>"To be more specific,the strongest presence was precisely felt at an unhallowed chapel".
>"This hypothesis was first suggested by a denizen of the Keep who had spent,alongside  several of the other residents, much time and effort to purge the taint placed on that section of the place so I think it's worth considering it being pointed out by a trained eye of sort   ".

[Oldmansour]

>"I suppose she'd be more suited to a songbook instead. Seeing as she seems incapable of reading sheet music at the time."
>Look to Mystia. "As Patchouli said, what you attempted to read was sheet music, primarily used in tandem with an instrument. Though if one's voice is flexible enough, it can be applied to singers as well I suppose."

>"Is that something that happens on the outside?" Mystia asks.
>"Frequently." Sei informs her.
>"And here in Gensokyo, as well." Amitsu adds. "It's how humans write their music down." She gives the sparrow a small shrug and a matching smile. "It doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, but, I'm not a musician."
>Mystia doesn't seem to care for the idea, if the expression on her face is any indication, but she seems to mull it over.

>Look back to patchouli. "Oh, something else interesting just came back to mind. Have you ever heard of a phenomena where a Vampire's presence still lingers strongly in a location even long after their demise? Because it just so happens that the Cobalt Keep has a case of that. Even Reimu's power couldn't drive it away. And what's more, when we used a teleporter meant for getting around faster, I actually saw one of that vampire's lingering memories. He was rather displeased about either not being paid tribute, or not being paid enough tribute. If I recall correctly. I felt rather angry myself after experiencing that memory, but I was able to keep it in check until it subsided. But that was nothing compared to the anger the rageblooms inspired."
>What else do we recall from that stray memory, a name, or perhaps a date?
>And for that matter, do we know any quick ways to contact Reimu? Well, we can always follow through with that after a good night's sleep.

>"Certainly it happens." Patchouli replies. "Lingering traces of good and evil have been noted all over the world. It's hardly a phenomenon restricted to vampires. I rather expect you yourself have left traces of yourself in this Mansion. But that's a topic that almost always requires a long conversation. Which is fine, but, you DID want me to work on that antidote at some point tonight, yes?"

>You recall nothing specific that could be used to narrow things down... No wait, that's not entirely true. The two young men the vampire felt such disdain for seemed to be wearing armor that was eastern european in styling, possibly Romanian or Turkish, but you can't remember enough to be definite.
>The fastest means at your disposal is usually to send a messenger. Neither Patchy's magic nor your own power is of the same sort as Reimu's, and as such, neither of you have developed a reliable method of long range communication with the Hakurei miko. Of course, since she and Kogasa are still off hunting down Greed and Wrath, they're likely to be away from the shrine for a day or two yet.

>"Regarding that phenomena at the Cobalt Keep,I just recalled a detail that might prove useful in determining it: both Shou, a buddhist youkai and avatar of Bishamonten , and Reimu,a shinto priestess, could sense the lingering unholy presence but they couldn't focus on it and they sensed it as somehow farther away from them like it was harder for the Eastern Gods to affect it,like it needed some sort of Western influence first  to be truly affected".
>"To be more specific,the strongest presence was precisely felt at an unhallowed chapel".
>"This hypothesis was first suggested by a denizen of the Keep who had spent,alongside  several of the other residents, much time and effort to purge the taint placed on that section of the place so I think it's worth considering it being pointed out by a trained eye of sort   ".

>That catches Patchouli's ear. She looks at Sei and asks the samurai and asks, "Do you know what caused this phenomenon?"
>Sei nods, her expression dark. "I was there. I was with Eriza when we fought that vampire. I have challenged oni, youkai, mononoke and evil souls, but that man had a blacker heart than any I had ever encountered before, or have encountered since."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "I do recall that the armor worn by two young men I saw in the memory was of a unique design only found in one of two places in the outside. It was either Romanian or Turkish in origin. That would place the location around the old Wallachia area wouldn't it? But yes, do handle the antidote, we'll discuss this more afterwards. If need be, I can send a summons bat to fetch Koa."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "I do recall that the armor worn by two young men I saw in the memory was of a unique design only found in one of two places in the outside. It was either Romanian or Turkish in origin. That would place the location around the old Wallachia area wouldn't it? But yes, do handle the antidote, we'll discuss this more afterwards. If need be, I can send a summons bat to fetch Koa."

>"Bulgarian, actually." Sei informs you as Patchouli flies off to the east. "There's a number of similarities in the armoring of that region. Or at least there were, at the time." Bulgarian... That sounds significant, for some reason.
>"You came from outside, too?" Amitsu asks the samurai.
>"Long ago. But we were sealed for many years; over a century, it seems. We have only recently awakened."

>Mystia seems to have settled her musing, and asks you at last, "Is that how everyone on the outside records their music?"

[Branneg Xy]

>To Mystia,said nonchalantly:"Instrumentally speaking,it is an established fact for all but a few extremely talented few."Cast your gaze downards. After half a minute"Worry not.On the side of  songs for gifted folks, notes on a pentagram,those are their names,  are but an option ".Add a smile to the line.
>After a bit,mull on our own. "Bulgarian,Bulgarian,this country nudges my memory...."
>Focus.Are there any details or peculiarities resurfacing in regaards to that?

[Oldmansour]

>To Mystia,said nonchalantly:"Instrumentally speaking,it is an established fact for all but a few extremely talented few."Cast your gaze downards. After half a minute"Worry not.On the side of  songs for gifted folks, notes on a pentagram,those are their names,  are but an option ".Add a smile to the line.
>After a bit,mull on our own. "Bulgarian,Bulgarian,this country nudges my memory...."
>Focus.Are there any details or peculiarities resurfacing in regaards to that?

>"What does that mean?" Mystia asks you.

>A Bulgarian vampire... One who was so powerful and so evil as to leave his taint lingering long after his Keep was taken by new people, kind and strong people.... One who carried himself with a supreme arrogance, you saw....
>The one name that comes to your mind, after several moments of thought, is the Ebon Regal. But it couldn't have been that monster of a vampire. His reputation was such that the Countess would never have been able to beat him, even with all the friends and servants you saw.

[Hanzo K.]

>Look to Sei. "It couldn't possibly have been the Ebon Regal could it? As far as my knowledge goes, he's the only one I could think of. But if that's the case, I'm left wondering how he was defeated, given his fearsome reputation."
>He was the sort of fellow even we gave a wide berth to, yes?

[Oldmansour]

>He was the sort of fellow even we gave a wide berth to, yes?

>A very wide berth. On the one hand, he had the reputation of not being the sort of person you would ever choose to involve yourself with anyway. On the other hand, in your less arrogant moments, you wondered if even your own vast power would have been enough to best him, and you were rather sure you would have had to try.

>The Ebon Regal was a vampire who laired in Bulgaria for at least seven centuries. Stories of him go back to the 11th century, although some claim he was even older, possibly as old as the sack of Rome by the ancient Celts. His power was such that when the Byzantine Empire overran Bulgaria in the early ten hundreds, some say they did so because he allowed it to happen, for the tribute they paid him. The Regal believed that the world was created solely to entertain him. Minds were his to break, lives were his to play with, souls were his to buy and sell at his pleasure, bodies awaited his touch to be molded. Entire villages were depopulated by him, and the continent of Europe and the near east whispered his name fearfully. He was without sympathy, without remorse, without any hint of compassion.
>His Keep was a bastion of darkness sitting on the eastern slope of a Balkan Mountain, looming over the world while they trembled in his shadow. He was said to be one of the most powerful vampires in the first half of the millennium. All sorts of stories were told of what went on inside that terrible castle, but not one soul ever left the place with their mind intact to tell the tales. You recall hearing of a famous vampire hunter who was brave, or foolish, enough to enter the Keep around 1325 on a mission to destroy him. She was found wandering the Gobi Desert in 1556, unable to speak coherently, muttering only about eternity and impermanence, her hands and feet transformed to living stone and her eyes replaced with black onyx that somehow still functioned.

>And then, one day, he simply wasn't there. Everyone that knew his name marked the night of April 16, 1792, when his castle, and him along with it, simply disappeared. Eyewitness accounts, such as they were, reported that on that night, the keep glowed with harsh purple and brilliant golden light, and then simply faded out of existence. Neither it, nor the Regal himself, were ever seen again.

>Look to Sei. "It couldn't possibly have been the Ebon Regal could it? As far as my knowledge goes, he's the only one I could think of. But if that's the case, I'm left wondering how he was defeated, given his fearsome reputation."

>The dour faced samurai nods grimly. "Yes, Scarlet Devil. The Cobalt Keep was once the home of the Ebon Regal."
>The paralyzed hunter makes a grunting noise at the mention of the name. She seems to have heard it before. Not a great surprise that he would have made a name for himself in that timeline as well.

[Hanzo K.]

>"I might have guessed. There was a little legend involving his disappearance. Apparently one night, April 16th, I believe it was back in the 1700's? That night, the keep he held, which I know know to have been renamed as the Cobalt Keep, -a much better moniker if you ask me, sets a nice contrast with my own domain- vanished in a blast of purple and gold light, never to be seen again. I can only assume that the lights were the demise of the Regal, and the keep's subsequent entry into Gensokyo."
>Nod. "That said, it certainly explains the feelings and such I felt from the memory."
>Make an expression of disgust. "The thought that I interfaced with a remnant of his presence isn't particularly pleasing. Though I did once feel that I could have beaten him if I'd put my full strength to it. I do wonder what his fate was in the timeline Dio hails from. I remember a tale of a hunter that went after him in this one. Apparently she had went after him back in the 1300's, and resurfaced somewhere in the Gobi Desert in the 1500's. Poor thing kept muttering about eternity and such. Even I wouldn't do anything like that to someone, cursing them like that isn't my style."
>"I'm much more inclined to merely breaking them before me through my own physical power, as opposed to going as far as he did. It's much more entertaining -and rewarding for those involved- when the person who challenged me and failed, lives to attempt again sometime down the line. The fact that spellcards allow such a thing by default is quite wonderful."
>Fistpalm. "I wonder if the old story about him dating back to even the sack of Rome is true? That's been a bit of an enigma among the newer blood as it were. Even some of the older ones weren't sure on it themselves if I'm not mistaken."

[Oldmansour]

>"I might have guessed. There was a little legend involving his disappearance. Apparently one night, April 16th, I believe it was back in the 1700's? That night, the keep he held, which I know know to have been renamed as the Cobalt Keep, -a much better moniker if you ask me, sets a nice contrast with my own domain- vanished in a blast of purple and gold light, never to be seen again. I can only assume that the lights were the demise of the Regal, and the keep's subsequent entry into Gensokyo."

>"Not directly. We remained in the outside world for a few decades more, before coming here. After we found our way back to the material plane."
>"Material plane?" Haridoku asks.
>"The physical world." Sei clarifies. "The spell that defeated the Regal removed the Keep, and us, from the real world to another place. One which I won't claim to truly understand. Nor do I truly understand the means by which we returned. Sorcery is not unknown to me, but there are levels that are far beyond my knowledge. I believe Tsumiko would be able to clarify the matter."

>Fistpalm. "I wonder if the old story about him dating back to even the sack of Rome is true? That's been a bit of an enigma among the newer blood as it were. Even some of the older ones weren't sure on it themselves if I'm not mistaken."

>"I do not know." Sei admits. "I know that some of his victims stretched back centuries, and that some of his genuine artifacts dated back to before the reputed birth of Christ. Of course, a vampire collecting antiques is hardly unique to him."

>Nod. "That said, it certainly explains the feelings and such I felt from the memory."
>Make an expression of disgust. "The thought that I interfaced with a remnant of his presence isn't particularly pleasing. Though I did once feel that I could have beaten him if I'd put my full strength to it. I do wonder what his fate was in the timeline Dio hails from. I remember a tale of a hunter that went after him in this one. Apparently she had went after him back in the 1300's, and resurfaced somewhere in the Gobi Desert in the 1500's. Poor thing kept muttering about eternity and such. Even I wouldn't do anything like that to someone, cursing them like that isn't my style."
>"I'm much more inclined to merely breaking them before me through my own physical power, as opposed to going as far as he did. It's much more entertaining -and rewarding for those involved- when the person who challenged me and failed, lives to attempt again sometime down the line. The fact that spellcards allow such a thing by default is quite wonderful."

>"How is that possible, humans don't live that long." Mystia objects.
>Sei, darkly, informs her, "Humans lived for as long as he wanted them to when they fell victim to him."
>"Right bastard." Haridoku says bluntly.
>"A mild understatement." Sei replies dryly. "We have done much to try and purge his evil, to heal his victims, but his power has baffled everyone we have known, everyone that has tried."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Aha, so that's how it happened. Perhaps he wasn't defeated then. But rather, imprisoned in the teleporter system somehow? After all, even if you eliminate a Vampire's physical body, their spirit can still linger to cause trouble. It would certainly explain why I saw that memory, he might have been reaching out to a 'less pure example' in an effort to escape. Considering that I can hardly be considered a Saint in comparison to Eriza, it's rather logical. I know that's what I would do in that situation. Particularly if I still had friends to protect."
>Nod. "That said, some Vampires are downright evil, little songbird. Thankfully, the ones cropping up of late -including myself- are of much more noble heart and intent. After all, I plan to put on an Opera with the help of those of the Cobalt Keep. Opera is basically a play, but entirely with singing instead of speaking, there a re very few speaking roles, save for certain plot-important characters, and the character designated as the narrator. One such example is Samael, the 'Black Huntsman', one of two antagonists from a classic called 'Der Freischutz'. Which happens to be the planned opera. I was considering either finding a suitable person for that role, or claiming it for my own, on the off chance there is no suitable individual."
>"Of course, this will all happen once the remaining Sin Spirits have been corralled and brought to task for causing trouble. I think Pride's already learned his lesson, so the only remaining ones are wrath and greed."

[Oldmansour]

>"Aha, so that's how it happened. Perhaps he wasn't defeated then. But rather, imprisoned in the teleporter system somehow? After all, even if you eliminate a Vampire's physical body, their spirit can still linger to cause trouble. It would certainly explain why I saw that memory, he might have been reaching out to a 'less pure example' in an effort to escape. Considering that I can hardly be considered a Saint in comparison to Eriza, it's rather logical. I know that's what I would do in that situation. Particularly if I still had friends to protect."

>"Imprisoned." Sei repeats the word, chewing it over. "Yes, that's as good a way to put it as any." The samurai rests her wrist lightly on her katana. "When the final spell was cast, the Keep was removed to that other world, but the Ebon Regal was trapped between worlds, caught between the physical world and whatever world Annina sent us to. Of all of us, only she had the power to confront him directly, alone, without being overwhelmed. Only she had a chance of holding him."
>"But I don't believe what you felt was the Regal himself." Sei theorizes. "In all the time we have dwelt there, though we have sensed his lingering evil, we have seen no signs of the Regal himself. Vampires far more evil hearted than you, Remilia, have found the Keep and sought the death of the Countess. If Regal could have reached one of them, he would have. Annina's power was great enough that I believe it would take a mage of surpassing talent, and evil nature, to weave a spell strong enough to free him from his otherworldly jail."

>Nod. "That said, some Vampires are downright evil, little songbird. Thankfully, the ones cropping up of late -including myself- are of much more noble heart and intent. After all, I plan to put on an Opera with the help of those of the Cobalt Keep. Opera is basically a play, but entirely with singing instead of speaking, there a re very few speaking roles, save for certain plot-important characters, and the character designated as the narrator. One such example is Samael, the 'Black Huntsman', one of two antagonists from a classic called 'Der Freischutz'. Which happens to be the planned opera. I was considering either finding a suitable person for that role, or claiming it for my own, on the off chance there is no suitable individual."
>"Of course, this will all happen once the remaining Sin Spirits have been corralled and brought to task for causing trouble. I think Pride's already learned his lesson, so the only remaining ones are wrath and greed."

>"You're passionate about opera, aren't you?" Mystia asks. "I can tell, from your voice."
>"I would agree." Sei says, her face absolutely straight. "It was the first thing she did after rescuing her maid, is start organizing this show."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Ah, but have you forgotten how I freed Sakuya and Pride from each other? I have a suspicion that the Regal himself, or perhaps a shade of the orignal, was attempting to somehow make contact when we used the teleporter. After all, my power would likely be one of the few things capable of making it set that he could possibly return. After all, what split Sakuya and Pride physically was not myself, but the laws governing fate. I simply broke apart their fates and created a causality error that forced the world to recognize their prior fate as false, thus physically forcing them apart. Of course, considering what I know about the fellow, that's the last thing I'd do for him. Gensokyo only has room for one arrogant high-profile vampire. I'd be more likely to give him a taste of Gungnir instead."
>Come to think of it, what's the story behind our Gungnir spellcard? Did we honestly procure the real deal? Or is that just us being our usual arrogant self?
>Look to Mystia. "You'll find that Vampires, just as any other youkai, have wildly varying hobbies and pursuits. Some spend their time idling it away in luxury, others spend their time committing horrendous atrocities, others spend it outwitting their fellow vampire. And even others still collect antiques, weapons, or even books. I myself am more inclined towards the arts. As a proper noble should be."

[Oldmansour]

>Come to think of it, what's the story behind our Gungnir spellcard? Did we honestly procure the real deal? Or is that just us being our usual arrogant self?

>When you developed your spear-shaped burst of magic, it proved to be extremely accurate, so you named it after the lance of Odin. Because it was awesome.

>"Ah, but have you forgotten how I freed Sakuya and Pride from each other? I have a suspicion that the Regal himself, or perhaps a shade of the orignal, was attempting to somehow make contact when we used the teleporter. After all, my power would likely be one of the few things capable of making it set that he could possibly return. After all, what split Sakuya and Pride physically was not myself, but the laws governing fate. I simply broke apart their fates and created a causality error that forced the world to recognize their prior fate as false, thus physically forcing them apart. Of course, considering what I know about the fellow, that's the last thing I'd do for him. Gensokyo only has room for one arrogant high-profile vampire. I'd be more likely to give him a taste of Gungnir instead."

>"I suppose it is possible." Sei admits. "But if it was this, it would have to be a new development, something that has come about as a result of our recent reawakening. The lingering taint of his has never expressed anything that implied conscious effort. Even with other vampires, that has never happened before. I will need to bring this to the Countesses attention when I return home. Just in case."
>"So you think there's a chance this other vamp could be trying to come back?" Haridoku demands.
>Sei shakes her head. "Personally, no. But I am not the sort to take chances, certainly not where he is concerned. It's best to bring the matter to the attention of those better equipped to look into it than I am."

>Look to Mystia. "You'll find that Vampires, just as any other youkai, have wildly varying hobbies and pursuits. Some spend their time idling it away in luxury, others spend their time committing horrendous atrocities, others spend it outwitting their fellow vampire. And even others still collect antiques, weapons, or even books. I myself am more inclined towards the arts. As a proper noble should be."

>"Then consider yourself invited to my next concert!" Mystia says cheerfully, searching her pockets for a moment before giving up. "Oh right, haven't made up the tickets yet. But when I do, I'll get you one."

[Hanzo K.]

>"We have the same opinion then, Sei. Perhaps we could somehow send concentrated sunlight into his prison, or have it spread throughout the keep while the residents are elsewhere for the time. That might be a means of purifying his taint. All the same, warn the others to avoid using the teleport system until we've all got things figured out, hm? I suspect that it might be passing through his prison somehow due to the entry into Gensokyo. Who knows if he might be using that as an escape route. Our best bet would be finding his greatest weakness, and 'finishing the job' somehow. I hate not being thorough. We should consult with Byakuren, Shou, and Reimu. As well as Yakumo, being that she probably knew about all this from the start, and is likely the true reason behind why she put you and the others to sleep in the first place."
>Look to Mystia with a slight smile. "Well then, I'll look forward to it. Just know that Vampires have enhanced senses, so my hearing is better than most."
>Then look to Patchouli, how's she progressing with the antidote? Or did she get sidetracked by all the talk about the Regal?

[Oldmansour]

>Then look to Patchouli, how's she progressing with the antidote? Or did she get sidetracked by all the talk about the Regal?

>Patchouli flew off in a northeasterly direction a few minutes ago to work on a counter agent for the poison.

>Look to Mystia with a slight smile. "Well then, I'll look forward to it. Just know that Vampires have enhanced senses, so my hearing is better than most."

>"Oh, I'm used to that. I do sing for youkai."

>"We have the same opinion then, Sei. Perhaps we could somehow send concentrated sunlight into his prison, or have it spread throughout the keep while the residents are elsewhere for the time. That might be a means of purifying his taint. All the same, warn the others to avoid using the teleport system until we've all got things figured out, hm? I suspect that it might be passing through his prison somehow due to the entry into Gensokyo. Who knows if he might be using that as an escape route. Our best bet would be finding his greatest weakness, and 'finishing the job' somehow. I hate not being thorough. We should consult with Byakuren, Shou, and Reimu. As well as Yakumo, being that she probably knew about all this from the start, and is likely the true reason behind why she put you and the others to sleep in the first place."

>Sei shakes her head, almost sadly. "It's funny you mention sunlight. We had that on our side when we stormed his keep. Regardless, I don't think you should concern yourself too much with him, Remilia. For him to try and break out from his side, or even for someone to try and release him from this side, they would have to get past his jailor. Though on behalf of the Countess, I do appreciate the concern."
>"Thought you said he was caught between worlds." Harodiku counters.
>"I did. But I didn't say he was alone there."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Ah yes, the old 'Sealed Evil In A Duel' routine. A classic method of getting unspeakable evils out of the picture. But in the end, only a temporary measure. I've read enough stories, and seen enough things, to know that even the most unbreakable of seals will always lose their power someday, or be broken by some well-meaning but foolish hero."
>Shrug in an unsurprised way. "Alternatively, it could be broken by someone foolish enough to think they can bend the suppressed evil to their will. I need not explain just how foolish that is. We'd be stuck here until this time next month no doubt."
>What exactly were the limits to our fate-altering power again? Most-specifically, what have we found them to have little to no effect on?

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Ah yes, the old 'Sealed Evil In A Duel' routine. A classic method of getting unspeakable evils out of the picture. But in the end, only a temporary measure. I've read enough stories, and seen enough things, to know that even the most unbreakable of seals will always lose their power someday, or be broken by some well-meaning but foolish hero."
>Shrug in an unsurprised way. "Alternatively, it could be broken by someone foolish enough to think they can bend the suppressed evil to their will. I need not explain just how foolish that is. We'd be stuck here until this time next month no doubt."

>Sei's expression sours. "There is some logic to that. After all, our own seal was broken by an unsuspecting human. But if you knew the woman who sacrificed herself, you would understand why I have complete faith in her."
>"Who was she?" Amitsu asks her.
>Sei thumbs her katana partially out of its blade, then sniks it back again. "Her name was Annina. She came to us from Finland, a region in the northern part of the outside world, and she was the chosen one of Belobolg, the God of light and sun of that area."
>"So that's what you meant by havin' the sun on your side." Haridoku says, crossing her arms.
>"Indeed. Were it not for her power, we would have had no chance against Ebon Regal and the weapons he brought to bear against us." Her expression softens. "If she wasn't the person she was, we would not have felt we had a chance, either. She gave us a hope that we would not have had otherwise."

>What exactly were the limits to our fate-altering power again? Most-specifically, what have we found them to have little to no effect on?

>There are some people whose fate you can neither affect nor sense. These are largely the insane, but children also. Not that you'd meddle with the destinies of children, anyway, even if you could. You're not sure why you can't affect children, but centuries of living with Flandre have given you a theory as to why you can't affect the insane. Like their minds, their fates are unstable, in a state of flux. They, along with certain other individuals, exist outside the influence of fate.
>You also can't completely change someone's fate, but you can make alterations to it. For instance, if you read Dio's fate and saw that she will become "The greatest Vampire Hunter of her age by slaying the Ebon Regal but perishing in the doing", you could push her fate to read "Will become the greatest vampire hunter of her time by slaying the Ebon Regal, nearly dying in the doing." Some alterations are of course easier to do than others, but you couldn't, say, make Reimu stop being the Hakurei miko, or undo Kaguya or Mokou's immortality. That would be beyond your power.
>In order to sense the fate of someone, you must be in proximity to that person; within the same room, essentially. Or be in possession of an item that is close to them- Meiling's hat, for instance, or Sakuya's watch- and you must also know their name.

[Branneg Xy]

>"I might be prying into a sensitive topic,but by sacrifing herself do you mean Annina had to be regretfully flung into another dimension alongside your foe?"
>"And about that,do you possess some kind of memento from her or even fro Ebon Regal?For I believe this needs a little information gathering
someone so vile is capable of emanating his presence through the planes".
>"Besides,I recall that a rather peculiar character divined that the seal on the
Cobalt Keep was fated to expire in centuries but,proven wrong,it is possible
 she referred to the Ebon's seal,somehow linked to yours...."
 
A recap:I'm talking about the Oracle of the mountain,thread 2,here.Might be a path.

[Oldmansour]

>"I might be prying into a sensitive topic,but by sacrifing herself do you mean Annina had to be regretfully flung into another dimension alongside your foe?"

>"Yes. It was the only way, she said." The samurai lays her hand on the top of a chair, her eyes downcast. "To this day, I don't know that she was wrong."

>"And about that,do you possess some kind of memento from her or even fro Ebon Regal?For I believe this needs a little information gathering
someone so vile is capable of emanating his presence through the planes".
>"Besides,I recall that a rather peculiar character divined that the seal on the
Cobalt Keep was fated to expire in centuries but,proven wrong,it is possible
 she referred to the Ebon's seal,somehow linked to yours...."

>Sei nods, her face dour. "The Keep is rife with memento's of his evil. You probably saw a number of them and didn't even realize. But I have none on me now, if that is what you mean."
>"Ah, that. I was not sure if the Countess or Celes would have told you." The samurai pulls out the chair she'd been handling and sits. "Eriza's seal was longer than ours. When Yakumo and her Hakurei cohort sealed us away, Celes suggested that Eriza's friends and servants should be awakened first. That way, we could gather information on how Gensokyo had changed, and whether or not we had a place in the world as it was. If we deemed it necessary, we could either extend Eriza's seal until a time when we felt she would be welcome, or allow it to expire."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, that is also a possibility, but it never hurts to be careful all the same. That said, I could possibly at the very least see the Regal's fate with a possession of his. Specifically, a something that is important to him, such as a treasured piece of headgear, or a favorite cloak. Or something else of import to him, perhaps even a fragment of his body. After all, if I can affect his fate, then we can potentially imprison him for good without the need of someone to accompany him, or we could even bring an end to him. I've already achieved something I had once considered impossible, so who knows what I could achieve with this newly-discovered facet of my ability?"
>Nod. "Who knows, perhaps there was a version of the Regal who did not become evil. Judging from how Dio spoke, I can only assume that the me from that timeline is also quite famed. Possibly in the same manner as the Regal for all I know. We will have more information on that matter once either the antidote is completed, or the toxin wears off."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, that is also a possibility, but it never hurts to be careful all the same. That said, I could possibly at the very least see the Regal's fate with a possession of his. Specifically, a something that is important to him, such as a treasured piece of headgear, or a favorite cloak. Or something else of import to him, perhaps even a fragment of his body. After all, if I can affect his fate, then we can potentially imprison him for good without the need of someone to accompany him, or we could even bring an end to him. I've already achieved something I had once considered impossible, so who knows what I could achieve with this newly-discovered facet of my ability?"

>The samurai considers that for several moments. "It is possible." she concedes at last. "Nothing of his body remains, but there are many of his..." With a sigh of resignation, she settles on the word, "creations, objects that once belonged to him remaining in the Keep. One of them could suffice for your purposes."
>"But if you try to affect the fate of the Regal, Remilia, do so with extreme caution. Trying to affect him where he is now could very well open the same doorway you seek to shut forever. You said it yourself. 'A well-meaning hero'."

>Nod. "Who knows, perhaps there was a version of the Regal who did not become evil. Judging from how Dio spoke, I can only assume that the me from that timeline is also quite famed. Possibly in the same manner as the Regal for all I know. We will have more information on that matter once either the antidote is completed, or the toxin wears off."

>"From what I understand, the wisdom is that anything that could happen DOES happen, in one timeline or another. If I was given to speculation, I would say there were any number of timelines where I was a vastly different person than I am now, as you would be yourself. As anyone would be."
>Haridoku snorts derisively. "Ain't that a bit much?"
>"Is it really?" the samurai counters. "You yourself were once a normal bee before you miraculou-"
>"Hornet."
>"I beg your pardon?"
>The large bugs wings buzz. "I'm a hornet, not a bee. My sister's the bee."
>Sei looks between the two sisters. "I stand corrected."

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "You have a point, Sei. So for now, all I could do safely is examine it. So that we could at least see if he'll show himself properly at any time. I could do the same with something of Annina's, if any of her effects remain in the keep. I suppose altering his fate indirectly should he escape is an option. For example, say that Dio here is fated to defeat him. I don't know if she actually is or not, but following that example, making it so that she does defeat him, and lives to tell the tale, is something within my power."
>Look to Haridoku. "And in her defense, bees and hornets are related. Rather like cousins really. One's smaller and more docile, the other is larger and more aggressive."
>Chuckle a bit while looking at Haridoku with a slight smirk. "Which certainly explains why you have such a volatile temper, and why Amitsu is the more subdued of the two. Remnants of your lives as normal insects. That said, it's not surprising really, nearly every youkai has traces of their original state to them. Tsukumogami, Animal, even myself."
>Sigh. "But I digress. These latest events have brought light to a new facet of my power, as well as brought about new allies and comrades....Lust still annoys me, though I am grateful to her for her help. I wonder if Pride's involvement was part of the cause behind Dio's sudden arrival in this timeline? DIo certainly has a strong amount of pride and conviction."
>When was the last time we ever saw anyone with this much? Besides our Sakuya that is.

[Oldmansour]

>When was the last time we ever saw anyone with this much? Besides our Sakuya that is.

>Youmu actually comes to mind. It's no secret that she's frequently put upon by her mistress, but it's even more obvious the pride with which Youmu serves her. And then there's Eirin, the so-called brain of Eientei. This seems to be a bit of a trend among the 'servant class', if you will, of Gensokyo. Well, perhaps apart from that rabbit Reisen. But her masters aren't as beneficent as Youmu's. Or yourself, for that matter.
>There was also that celestial that caused all sorts of trouble a couple of years ago, but 'arrogance' isn't quite the same as 'pride'.
>Celes was certainly proud of her service to the Countess. You saw that yourself tonight- she and Sakuya could have been cut from the same bolt.
>When you get down it, there's no shortage of pride to be found in Gensokyo. But of course, few of them have as much reason to be proud of themselves as you do.

>Nod. "You have a point, Sei. So for now, all I could do safely is examine it. So that we could at least see if he'll show himself properly at any time. I could do the same with something of Annina's, if any of her effects remain in the keep. I suppose altering his fate indirectly should he escape is an option. For example, say that Dio here is fated to defeat him. I don't know if she actually is or not, but following that example, making it so that she does defeat him, and lives to tell the tale, is something within my power."

>The paralyzed hunter makes another grunting sound, but nothing intelligible.
>"Settle down, will ya, you'll be fine soon enough." Haridoku chides Dio.

>Look to Haridoku. "And in her defense, bees and hornets are related. Rather like cousins really. One's smaller and more docile, the other is larger and more aggressive."
>Chuckle a bit while looking at Haridoku with a slight smirk. "Which certainly explains why you have such a volatile temper, and why Amitsu is the more subdued of the two. Remnants of your lives as normal insects. That said, it's not surprising really, nearly every youkai has traces of their original state to them. Tsukumogami, Animal, even myself."
>Sigh. "But I digress. These latest events have brought light to a new facet of my power, as well as brought about new allies and comrades....Lust still annoys me, though I am grateful to her for her help. I wonder if Pride's involvement was part of the cause behind Dio's sudden arrival in this timeline? DIo certainly has a strong amount of pride and conviction."

>"Indeed." Sei agrees. "I should have made the connection sooner."
>Haridoku waves her hand dismissively. "Happens all the time. People think we're the same species because we're sisters. 's only normal."
>"But... you're not, really." Mystia says carefully. "Are you?"
>"Birth and blood are not the only things that make family." Amitsu says, smiling at her sister.

>"She does seem to have that much in common with the Sakuya of this timeline." Sei agrees. "The vampire you stopped from emerging may well have as well."
>"Why were you sealed by Yukari-san?" Mystia asks the samurai suddenly. "You're not a bad person, and from the way you talk, your friends aren't bad people. Why would you let Yukari and the red-white seal you?"
>Sei lets out a long breath. "Gensokyo, when we arrived, was not the same as it is now. The youkai of that time were much more hostile towards both humanity and each other. But more, there were many more vampires in Gensokyo at the time. A vampire is very territorial by nature, and most vampires at the time saw the whole of Gensokyo as their territory. The Countess, the woman I live with, wanted to live in peace here in Gensokyo, but she never would have been left alone. Her mere presence added more fuel to a fire that was already barely controlled. Had we taken part, we could have done some good, but Yukari suggested that we sleep. That Gensokyo would handle itself and that, one day, we would find a Gensokyo at peace."
>"How bad could it have been?" Haridoku asks.
>The dour samurai replies, "A 'turf war' between two vampires can be more destructive than a small scale war. A 'turf war' between dozens of vampires...." Sei trails off, letting the hornet's imagination fill in the blank.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "To put it in a way you can understand much easier, imagine many rival hives all in the same tree."
>Wait a moment for her to realize the implications.
>"Not a very peaceful tree, hm? Personally-speaking, my territory these days is somewhat smaller than it used to be. Not by much though, so it's something I'm used to. I did once try to cover Gensokyo in a scarlet mist though, but that was more out of convenience than anything else, not for added territory or anything of that sort. Carrying around a parasol makes it somewhat difficult to do things with both hands you know."
>Shrug a little. "That said, Gensokyo's certainly big enough for at least two high-profile Vampires, maybe a few more like-minded ones. Especially considering that both of us get along rather decently."
>Pause. "Colors seem to be a strong theme among Vampires. Scarlet, Cobalt, Ebon. All elaborate ways of saying Red, Blue, and Black. Which are actually good indications of their temperaments. Blue is universally seen as a soothing color, and it shows in Eriza's docile and even-tempered personality. Red is generally seen as fiery and spirited, which you already know I fill quite effectively once something has me riled up enough. And Black..? Well, we've already discussed how evil he was."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "To put it in a way you can understand much easier, imagine many rival hives all in the same tree."
>Wait a moment for her to realize the implications.
>"Not a very peaceful tree, hm? Personally-speaking, my territory these days is somewhat smaller than it used to be. Not by much though, so it's something I'm used to. I did once try to cover Gensokyo in a scarlet mist though, but that was more out of convenience than anything else, not for added territory or anything of that sort. Carrying around a parasol makes it somewhat difficult to do things with both hands you know."

>As her sister shudders at the idea, Haridoku's lip curls into an ugly grin. "Bad times. Makes you wonder how Gensokyo's still here."
>"It's a terrible thought." Amitsu adds.
>Sei hmms an affirmative. "One thing I intend to do now that I am active again is to find out just how things have come to this, and who was responsible. Apart from Yakumo, of course." she adds in her emotionless voice. "Her goals and abilities, I am rather familiar with."
>"And the red-white." says Mystia.
>"True. Though it would be an interesting thing to hear of the current one's predecessors."  The samurai turns her dark blue eyes to Mystia. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name."
>"Mystia Lorelei."

>Shrug a little. "That said, Gensokyo's certainly big enough for at least two high-profile Vampires, maybe a few more like-minded ones. Especially considering that both of us get along rather decently."
>Pause. "Colors seem to be a strong theme among Vampires. Scarlet, Cobalt, Ebon. All elaborate ways of saying Red, Blue, and Black. Which are actually good indications of their temperaments. Blue is universally seen as a soothing color, and it shows in Eriza's docile and even-tempered personality. Red is generally seen as fiery and spirited, which you already know I fill quite effectively once something has me riled up enough. And Black..? Well, we've already discussed how evil he was."

>"'zat mean you plan to go lookin' for some more vampire company?" Haridoku asks. With one of her evil grins, she continues, "Maybe you can add a green one to the fold."
>"Speaking of green, Remilia." Amitsu says, stepping up to stand beside her sister. "I'd like to go back and visit Meiling-san, to make sure she and Sakuya-san are all right."
>"Might as well. And let em know we got this hunter tied down."

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle slightly. "If they show up, then who knows? As long as they don't cause too much trouble of the dangerous sort, then we'll see."
>Then nod slightly. "When I saw them with my scouting bat, they seemed alright. But since you wish to, I won't stop you. Do be sure to bring them back here as well though, I think we could all learn from such experiences as the ones that have been had today."

[Branneg Xy]

>"Another note,Amitsu:in the eventuality that you find or hear that Sakuya is keeping company to Flandre,my sister,tell her to join us in the library only after she has finished her business with Flandre".
>"It is nothing but fair since Sakuya's unjustified and prolonged absence was deeply felt by her as well."
>The time for the two Sakuyas to meet is drawing nearer and nearer.