Reimu Quest (Part 6)

[日巫子]

>"Hey ghosts, can you take me to the princess, or Youmu?"

> The ghosts turn away from you and start floating away.

> _

[Sect]

> Floating away with purpose? If so, then follow.

[日巫子]

> Floating away with purpose? If so, then follow.

> A few of them seem to be headed somewhere.  You follow them off the path and towards the grove.
> As you walk, ghosts have mixed reactions to your presence.  Some linger near you, others flee as you draw near.  A little ways off you can see a mansion, surrounded by gardens.  The ghosts split as soon as the roof is visible from over the trees.  Aside from the mansion, you don't recognize any of your surroundings.

> _

[Sect]

> Well, there's the mansion, so let's break from the ghosts and head that way.

[日巫子]

> Well, there's the mansion, so let's break from the ghosts and head that way.

> You wander through the trees, until you come to the clearing where the mansion is.  You see more ghosts floating on the deck surrounding the place.  In any case, it's quite big.  Not tall, like the Scarlet Devil Mansion, but wide.  The grass is trimmed short here and there are flower beds all over.  The plants in them practically glow in the moonlight.  However, you don't see anyone around.

> _

[Sect]

> What's with all these people not being where they should be. Sigh loudly, and go into the mansion.
> Take off our shoes and squeeze out as much of the water that we can first, though, before calling out for that ghost princess and the half baked half ghost.

[日巫子]

> What's with all these people not being where they should be. Sigh loudly, and go into the mansion.
> Take off our shoes and squeeze out as much of the water that we can first, though, before calling out for that ghost princess and the half baked half ghost.

> You walk up the front path and steps.  Before you go to open the door, you take off your shoes and wring the water out of your skirt.  Your clothes still feel heavy, but it's better than not doing anything about it.
> When you try to open the door, you find that it's locked.

> _

[Sect]

> ... Huh. Bang on the door. "Hey, Youmu! Open up!"

[日巫子]

> ... Huh. Bang on the door. "Hey, Youmu! Open up!"

> You bang on the door and call for Youmu, but no one answers you.

> _

[Sect]

> Grumble and put our shoes back on before circling around the mansion looking for an entrance.

[日巫子]

> Grumble and put our shoes back on before circling around the mansion looking for an entrance.

> You reequip your shoes and start looking around for another entrance.  It seems like there are doors every few feet, but none of them are open.  You'd bet they're all locked, too.  As you're walking, you pass by a few ghosts, who scatter at your presence.

> _

[Sect]

> This IS Yuyuko's place, right?

[日巫子]

> This IS Yuyuko's place, right?

> Of course.  Where else could it be?
> As you're wondering, you see a couple of ghosts floating slowly towards you.

> _

[Sect]

> "Hey, perfect timing: where's that gardener of yours?"

[日巫子]

> "Hey, perfect timing: where's that gardener of yours?"

> The ghosts float over and flank you.  There's a sensation not unlike someone holding your hands, and you feel a chill go down your spine.

> _

[Sect]

> Shiver. "Hey I'm soaking wet, there's no reason to make me colder. Just lead on."

[日巫子]

> Shiver. "Hey I'm soaking wet, there's no reason to make me colder. Just lead on."

> The sensation of your hand being held lingers for a few moments as you're lead forward.  Then, it stops, and the ghosts keep going along the deck.

> _

[Hello Purvis]

>Follow that ghost!

[日巫子]

>Follow that ghost!

> You follow the ghosts along the deck, around the side of the house and towards the back.  You go down a small set of stairs onto a cobblestone path, that leads out into a wild-growing garden.  It's chaos, but it's a controlled chaos: none of the flowers here disturb the pathway, leaving you to walk it freely.  Wil-o-wisps cast a pale glow over the scene, and follow a blue-clad woman hovering along under some willows.

> _

[Sect]

> Call out to her. "Yuyuko?"

[日巫子]

> Call out to her. "Yuyuko?"

> The woman hovers in place and looks back at you, offering a small smile and a wave.

> _

[Hello Purvis]

>"So, did things go wacky here, too?"

[日巫子]

>"So, did things go wacky here, too?"

> "Did you say something?" Yuyuko calls softly from across the garden.  "Why don't you come over here so I can hear you?"

> _

[Sect]

> Fine, we'll play her way. Get up close with her and repeat our question.

[日巫子]

> Fine, we'll play her way. Get up close with her and repeat our question.

> You approach her under the willow, and ask her the question again.
> "We've been doing fine here," Yuyuko says.  "Goodness, you're soaking wet."

> _

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yeah, that happens. Anything weird been happening here?"

[日巫子]

>"Yeah, that happens. Anything weird been happening here?"

> "Hmm...right to the point, as usual."  Yuyuko takes out her fan, opens it, and starts...well, fanning herself with it.
> "We've had a decrease in ghosts.  Enough to be noticeable," she says as last.  "That's not the problem, though.  Yukari and I were supposed to have dinner together last night, and she stood me up.  That never happens."

> _

[Sect]

> "Yeah, I was hoping you'd know where she's at. Have you taken a look outside lately?"

[日巫子]

> "Yeah, I was hoping you'd know where she's at. Have you taken a look outside lately?"

> "I don't," says Yuyuko, continuing to fan herself.  "And I have.  What of her shikigami?"

> _

[Sect]

> "Also gone. I've been trying to figure out where they've gone, but they're not even at their home."