Maribel Hearn Quest - ACT 1

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>Avoid the hole and continue on.

>You carefully step around the hole and continue following Reimu.

>"How does this powerful youkai look?"

>"Yukarin is 17 years old~!"
>"There's not really much to say. She looks human-like... has long, blonde hair... purple eyes... and I've only ever seen her wear two outfits..." Reimu replies, "Of course, you'll probably see her soon enough. Before she left she said something about introducing herself to you on 'her own terms'... "
>_

[Neovereign]

>"So how did that fairy make that hole invisible? Can they all do that?"

[Monarda]

(Is it too late to join? If not...)

>Consider where to go after visiting the forest.
>Do we have any idea why there's a youkai interested in us, other than us being able to pierce the barrier? And If he/she/it is so powerful then we aren't any threat to them right?
>Check surrounding area.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"So how did that fairy make that hole invisible? Can they all do that?"

>"That fairy in particular has the ability to manipulate light." says Reimu, "She can make practically anything invisible... Most fairies have different abilities, though most of them either have no practical use whatsoever, or the fairies themselves are too stupid to use them. Most don't even realize they have an ability until they use it on accident."

(Is it too late to join? If not...)

//It is never too late to join! In fact, new players are always welcome. Text adventures are more fun the more players there are anyway.

>Consider where to go after visiting the forest.

>You consider your possible options for after visiting the forest.

>There is that Bamboo Forest of the Lost that Reimu mentioned earlier. You could also probably ask Reimu where to find that mansion from your dreams. There is also that village up ahead, however, you could also hit that on the way to the forest if you wanted to.

>Do we have any idea why there's a youkai interested in us, other than us being able to pierce the barrier? And If he/she/it is so powerful then we aren't any threat to them right?

>You have no idea why a youkai would be interested in you, besides obvious reasons. Hopefully, she doesn't see you as a threat....

>Check surrounding area.

>You look around.
>The village in the distance is a bit closer now. You can also make out what appears to be the top of some kind of temple on the far side of the village. A couple of random fairies are flying in the air nearby, though they all seem too involved in whatever they're doing to notice you.
>Looking off into the distance, between the forest and the village, you can now see what looks like a patch of yellow. It's too far away to make out any details.
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Hey, you'll do something if someone's after us, right?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Hey, you'll do something if someone's after us, right?"

>"Of course." Reimu replies, "As outsiders, you'll probably be easy targets for human-eating youkai, after all. And I doubt either of you know how to defend yourselves... Normally, with outsiders, I'd just direct them to the human village and leave them to fend for themselves, but since that youkai I mentioned is interested in you, you're obviously important in some way..."
>_

[Neovereign]

>"O-oh, so the youkai isn't trying to kill us? That's relieving... Wait, why aren't you taking us to this youkai then?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"O-oh, so the youkai isn't trying to kill us? That's relieving... Wait, why aren't you taking us to this youkai then?"

>"Because she said she'd like to meet you on her own terms. Besides, she lives on the outskirts of Gensokyo, near the border, in an abandoned village called Mayohiga. Which is unbelievably far away... I mean, it takes about five to six hours or so to fly there from where we are, and I'd hate to imagine how long it would take to walk... Not to mention, even if we showed up on her doorstep, there's no guarantee she'll even be awake, if she's even there at all..."
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Oh, okay."
>Look at the sky
>"Renko, do you think it will still work here in Gensokyo? Well, when it's nighttime at least?"

[Monarda]

>Be tempted to try casting Hastega to increase our speed(Actually, no, it will probably seem stupid).
>Ask Reimu what will be of us if we can't get back home (we haven't tested our power after getting here if i'm right, so we might be unable/to weak to make a way back), and think about asking her about herself, couldn't hurt to know more about a person we just met.
>Feel bad for being a speedlimit to Reimu since she could get there way faster flying on her own (kinda like an autoscrolling Mario stage).

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Oh, okay."
>Look at the sky
>"Renko, do you think it will still work here in Gensokyo? Well, when it's nighttime at least?"

>You turn your gaze skyward.
>"I'm not sure." says Renko, "It should, in theory..."
>"Will what work?" Reimu asks.
>"My power. I can tell exactly where I am when I look at the night sky."
>"That sounds like the kind of power a fairy would have, to be honest... By the way, how do you have an ability? You're from the outside world. I'm pretty sure most outsiders don't have any powers..."
>"I'm not sure, really. I just have it..."

>Be tempted to try casting Hastega to increase our speed(Actually, no, it will probably seem stupid).

>What do you think this is? Final Fantasy?

>Ask Reimu what will be of us if we can't get back home (we haven't tested our power after getting here if i'm right, so we might be unable/to weak to make a way back), and think about asking her about herself, couldn't hurt to know more about a person we just met.

>You ask Reimu what would happen in the event you can't get home.
>"What kind of question is that? If you can somehow pierce the barrier to get in here, then you should be able to do the same thing to back, right?" Reimu answers, "Though, in the event you can't you'll probably be sent to live in the village. However, I'm pretty sure that youkai can take you home if you ask her, but don't count on it. Of course, as a last resort, I can perform a ritual to send you back as well..."

>You also consider asking Reimu about herself. Would it hurt to ask?

>Feel bad for being a speedlimit to Reimu since she could get there way faster flying on her own (kinda like an autoscrolling Mario stage).

>You feel a bit guilty for forcing Reimu to walk.
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Yeah, Renko's powers are much more useful than mine, especially if they work here. What about you Reimu? Do you have any powers...well, besides flying?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Yeah, Renko's powers are much more useful than mine, especially if they work here. What about you Reimu? Do you have any powers...well, besides flying?"

>"Well, my flying actually extends beyond that of most people in Gensokyo. I can actually float away from reality if I wanted to, but I generally only use that as a last resort, mostly because its very exhausting for me to do so. Other than that, I can also create and dispel barriers and seals... Additionally, I have the powers that run in my bloodline, such as being able to safely handle these..." Reimu reaches into her sleeve and takes out a basket-ball sized orb, adorned with a red and white yin-yang pattern. You can hear a faint resonating sound coming from it.
>"What is that?" Renko asks
>"A Hakurei Yin-Yang Orb. It's extremely volatile. It's capable of inflicting severe or crippling injuries to youkai with a direct hit. However, it can also damage humans if they're not careful, and it will outright burn any human that isn't of Hakurei blood if they touch it unprotected. Back before the spellcard laws, when I was very young, my first truly offensive weapon was one of these... Though, these days I only really use them as danmaku in spellcards, which, fortunately, makes them much less lethal than they'd normally be."
 
>She allows you and Renko to look at it for a few more moments before stowing it back into her sleeve, "So, you said you have powers too, right?" Reimu looks at you, "What are yours?"
>_

[Lollipop]

>"I can create small tears in boundaries."

[Neovereign]

>"Since it feels like we can trust you and you're helping us, then I'll tell you. I can see boundaries and make small tears in them. I can also visit Gensokyo in my dreams. But like I said, it's still not as useful as Renko's..."

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"I can create small tears in boundaries."

>"Since it feels like we can trust you and you're helping us, then I'll tell you. I can see boundaries and make small tears in them. I can also visit Gensokyo in my dreams. But like I said, it's still not as useful as Renko's..."

>Reimu goes silent for a few seconds.
>"Boundaries, huh? I don't know, it sounds more useful than Renko's to me..." she says.
>You hear Reimu saying something quietly to herself, you can barely make it out, but it sounds like, "_{^{So that's why she's so interested in them...}}"
>The fork in the road in front of the village is much closer now. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes until you get there.
>_

[Neovereign]

>"What's at that village?"

[Monarda]

(It's my tactician sense activating, you acquire it after playing countless strategy games [certain RPGs count too], from PC to GBA, the game list is about as big as the number of books Marisa "borrowed" from Patchouli, sorry)

>Evaluate how Renko and i are doing, are we hungry or tired or thirsty?


(Now back to Fire Emblem, if i'm not here later it means i threw my cellphone on rage and went for a relax)

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"What's at that village?"

>"That's the Human Village." Reimu explains, "It's where most of the humans in Gensokyo live. Most youkai tend to stay away, but they are welcome to visit, as long as they don't cause any trouble. Even so, most of the humans there tend to get uncomfortable or distrusting whenever a youkai shows up, though there are a few exceptions... There are also many shops there, including a store that sells outside world books that slip through the barrier... There is a buddhist temple on the outskirts as well."

>Evaluate how Renko and i are doing, are we hungry or tired or thirsty?

>You still feel a little fatigued from opening that tear earlier. You are fine hunger-wise, and not thirsty.
>Renko doesn't seem to be as uneasy as before, but she still looks a tiny bit off. Otherwise, she looks fine.
>_

[AzyWng]

>"A buddhist temple?"_

((I have no idea how to ask questions, apparently. Or maybe I just don't know what to ask about it.))

[Neovereign]

>"What kind of Youkai are at that forest?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

//EDIT: WHOOPS! Missed AzyWing's post! please wait warmly while I edit
//EDIT 2: Fix'd. You may issue the next commands when ready.

>"A buddhist temple?"_.

>"Yeah, the Myouren Temple. The head monk there wants to bring peace between humans and youkai, and there are a lot of youkai who follow her teachings."

>"What kind of Youkai are at that forest?"

>"Well, let's see... You've got your typical fairies, and two magicians, though only one of them is actually a youkai, I think there's also a tanuki or two somewhere in there... Oh, and there's a vengeful spirit who shows up there from time to time..."

>The three of you are almost at the fork in the road.
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Maybe we should check out this village instead. There's no guarantee I'll remember the youkai from before, or if it will chase me again."

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Maybe we should check out this village instead. There's no guarantee I'll remember the youkai from before, or if it will chase me again."

>"Well, we are right here, if you want to take a look around before heading to the forest..." Reimu replies just as you reach the fork.

>"I'm fine with whatever you want to do, Merry." says Renko.
>_

[Lollipop]

>Check out the village

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>Check out the village

>You tell everyone that you want to see the village.
>"Alright, follow me." Reimu replies, before leading you and Renko down the left of the fork.

>The three of you enter the village. You see lots of people walking about. You notice a few of them giving you odd looks, probably because of your outfit.
>Reimu leads you into a large plaza, where a temporary stage of some sort has been set up. A crowd of people are watching a lavender-haired girl perform what appears to be some sort of play.
>"Ugh... When will people ever get tired of that comedy..." Reimu remarks.
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Nothing's wrong with my outfit right? This is one of my favorites. Don't tell me it actually looks weird here..."
>Watch the play.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Nothing's wrong with my outfit right? This is one of my favorites. Don't tell me it actually looks weird here..."

>"It's actually not as weird as it could be." Reimu replies, "I've seen outsiders with weirder outfits..."

>Watch the play.

>You watch the performance.
>The play seems to be halfway done already, but it's still enjoyable. The masked girl on the stage is playing a character exaggerated to such an effect it brings great amusement to the audience.
>However, something catches your eye as you continue to watch the stage. At the front of the audience is a single, human-like figure, with proportions similar to a child. It seems to be shimmering, which, according to your ability, means that there's likely some kind of boundary or barrier surrounding this silhouette.
>_

[Neovereign]

>Make our way through the audience to examine this figure closer.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>Make our way through the audience to examine this figure closer.

>You leave Renko and Reimu to get a closer look at the figure.

>"Huh? Merry!? Where are you going?!" Renko calls out as you go.

>You get within a few feet of the figure. You swear the silhouette turns to face you, and its head cocks to the side as if it were curious.
>_