Let Your Fists Do The Talking! Akyu Quest Continued!

[Fightest]

>"There can only be one person in the competition standing. At all. Which...well, I think you understand the problem with that."

> "So I gotta litter-alley beat up everyone in the world ta win? Huh. I reckon I'm pretty awesome, but that's takin' it a bit too far. There some awesome people I don't wanna beat up!"
> She lightly punches you in the shoulder.

[Hello Purvis]

>Frown.
>"Possibly more than beat up; given that if they can come back to get you again later, there goes your points. The only way to really end it is to be the last one capable of standing at all."

[Mr_Bob]

>There some awesome people I don't wanna beat up!"

>"That's precisely what I've come to realize as well.  We don't need to fight anybody, and in fact we shouldn't because it causes heaps of trouble, and no one is really off for the better, unless they're really asking for it.  As a group, we'll show the dumb-dumbs who made the tournament that we don't appreciate them stirring up trouble, and we will figure out how to make them stop the tournament in some way or another."

[Fightest]

>Frown.
>"Possibly more than beat up; given that if they can come back to get you again later, there goes your points. The only way to really end it is to be the last one capable of standing at all."

> For the first time since you've met her, Cirno looks genuinely worried.
> "That's, uh, a pretty serious thing to say, chief. I don't like the sound-a that."

>"That's precisely what I've come to realize as well.  We don't need to fight anybody, and in fact we shouldn't because it causes heaps of trouble, and no one is really off for the better, unless they're really asking for it.  As a group, we'll show the dumb-dumbs who made the tournament that we don't appreciate them stirring up trouble, and we will figure out how to make them stop the tournament in some way or another."

> "Hey, that sounds all sorts of smart! You'd give Great Fairy a run for her money! Whatever you want, I gots your back!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I know you do, Cirno. I know you do. When the time is right, I'm going to need you to gather as many faeries as you can, and we shall go and express our displeasure toward them. We shall make sure they never get this kind of idea in their heads again."

(Winamp plays Laibach's  Opus Dei)

[Fightest]

>"I know you do, Cirno. I know you do. When the time is right, I'm going to need you to gather as many faeries as you can, and we shall go and express our displeasure toward them. We shall make sure they never get this kind of idea in their heads again."

> "Yeah! Juss tell me when and I'll go start whippin' the troops inna shape!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll try to give you a day's warning. In the meantime, would you accompany me to Marisa's house? I need to make good on a promise."

[Fightest]

>"I'll try to give you a day's warning. In the meantime, would you accompany me to Marisa's house? I need to make good on a promise."

> "Uh, sorry, chief, I've got some wranglin' to do back at base. Good luck with whatever ye doin', though!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I understand. Make sure everyone is well for me."
>With that, depart toward Casa de Marisa. And have that lunch already!
>And ask Koishi about tales of her many exploits.

[Fightest]

>"I understand. Make sure everyone is well for me."
>With that, depart toward Casa de Marisa. And have that lunch already!
>And ask Koishi about tales of her many exploits.

> As she and Akyu walk to their destination, Koishi regales many tales of her exploits as she traveled the lands, back when the world was so much bigger. She tells Akyu stories of lords and ladies, of demons and monsters, of heroes and villains, her part in the story always that of the silent observer, always watching others play at glory and honour, never participating herself. With a sigh, she wistfully describes the romance and heartbreak of young lovers surrounded by warring states, and with a tinge of envy in her voice she talks of the adulations heaped upon legendary wandering swordsmaidens, who free many towns and cities from many a tyrant's cruel yoke.
> So caught up is she in her storytelling that she only notices herself and Akyu arriving at their destinations when they are practically on the doorstep of the magician's abode - a rough, yet spacious-looking log cabin that looks as if it has been assembled and reassembled many times over.

[Hello Purvis]

>Knock on the front door.

[Fightest]

>Knock on the front door.

> The door slams open on your first knock, nearly taking your nose off, from a strong shove by Marisa, who is just inside.
> "Oh, good. That Satori came in just a bit earlier, and it's been real uncomfortable in that living room ever since. I hope you've solved what you were going to solve."
> She beckons you inside.

[Hello Purvis]

>She's here?! She comes outside?
>Oh well. Try to keep our thoughts small and head inside.
>"Koishi is with me, yes."

[Fightest]

>She's here?! She comes outside?
>Oh well. Try to keep our thoughts small and head inside.
>"Koishi is with me, yes."

> A deep feeling of tension and unease washes over you, like a wave of tar, as you cross the threshold.
> The log cabin was built for one, with every facility necessary for a magician of Marisa's calibre crammed into one space. At the far end, in a corner where even light seems to twist and turn, sits Satori, her expression the most worried you've ever seen, despite her attempts to put on a brave face.
> Utsuho lies in the bed opposite Satori's chair, looking extremely uneasy.
> Satori notices you come in, and a ripple of relief breaks through the mire of worry.
> Success?
> Koishi grits her teeth against her sister's small thoughts and determinedly strides forward, braving the deluge of emotion not her own.
> Satori winces, but tries to keep her composure.
> Please.
> Time lost.
> Koishi concentrates her attention on the profoundly confused girl in the bed, and gasps in surprise as parts of herself start to fade away. With an understanding nod, and a reassuring smile for Utsuho, she
> starts
> being
> as Satori shuts her eyes in pain, drops of sweat beading up on her forehead
> Koishi's exertions matching her sister's
> Time.
> Take it.
> memories run like footsteps in shallow puddles
> a warm embrace
> a quiet evening
> a noisy morning
> caverns, deep and dark

> The torrent of thoughts and images weighs down on your mind.
> Marisa looks at you, then nods towards the door and raises her eyebrows.

[Hello Purvis]

>Have a seat, and see if we can make sense of these images.

[Fightest]

> Marisa
> flight inside the palace, playing with the spirits
> shrugs, and
> Orin's favourite spot, just under the roof
> steps outside.
> back home to Sa-
> see the festival
> Oni festival
> lights and colours
> Orin and Sa-
> fight with Orin
> stupid fight
> upset, unhappy, friends again
> smile from Sa-
> The images keep coming, free of bias, free of context, always breaking down upon reaching a critical stage, like ripples breaking a perfect reflection in a pond from a violently thrown rock
> Yet each time, Koishi redoubles her effort to reweave frayed memories, tears streaming from her eyes from the pain and frustration
> And each time Satori's strain washes over you, squeezing your breath away, narrowing your vision, scene upon scene from another's life playing out at the corners of your sight. You hear sombody grinding their teeth, loudly and painfully, before realising that it is you who is doing the grinding.

[Mr_Bob]

>Unclench teeth
>Ease in breathe, hold it, let it go.
>Meditate

>Are the sisters within reach of each other?

[Fightest]

>Unclench teeth
>Ease in breathe, hold it, let it go.
>Meditate

>Are the sisters within reach of each other?

> As the thoughts invade your mind, so do you let them go, becoming as a hollow log caught in a stream, through which a torrent of water flows unimpeded.
> You can feel the tumultuous flow polishing your mind, carrying away worries and doubts, removing the detritus of bias and uncertainty, exposing the hard, shining truth of your deepest essence that will forever resonate with every action you take.
> Brawling increased to 5. You are a warrior paragon, capable of performing Moves and adopting Stances that stretch the limits of mortal capability. You are nigh-invincible against mortal opponents, and many Youkai will think twice before challenging you to combat. Many of your Moves and Stances have improved directly as a result of your new-found prowess. Governs attack power and difficulty, also physical strength and general fitness.

> Yes.

[Hello Purvis]

>Do the feelings we got from Satori and Koishi remain the same?
>Can we recall the memories that have passed through us?

[Fightest]

>Do the feelings we got from Satori and Koishi remain the same?
>Can we recall the memories that have passed through us?

> The psychic pressure is immense, crushing, far stronger than when the process started, but the feelings at the core of it have not changed.
> Yes, to a worrying degree. If your Martial Arts were any lower, a small part of you would have become Utsuho by now.

[Mr_Bob]

>Establish a direct conduit between the sisters, maybe together they can focus their abilities.  After all, conscious memory and unconscious memory are different sides of the same coin?

[Fightest]

>Establish a direct conduit between the sisters, maybe together they can focus their abilities.

> How do you propose to do this?

[Mr_Bob]

>Join the the sisters' hands together.

[Fightest]

>Join the the sisters' hands together.

> Well why didn't you say so?

> Koishi starts from Akyu's sudden touch as the girl enters the system on her own free will.
> Shock.
> and the pressure rises
> what you felt before
> Conduit
> was akin to a small
             > stream
> The pull of a fresh, clean mind is too great, and Koishi, feeling the briefest of pangs of guilt, sends the
> tidal wave
> of
> Thought
> Being
> through her companion, feeling horror at how, even now, the unfathomable current ravages Akyu's mind but unable to hide her joy at the sight of such a glorious display of the raw psyche

                        > your thoughts
> screaming
             > disjoined, as if
                                              > crushed to breaking
> point

> losing yourself

[Hello Purvis]

>Let go, if their hands are joined now.

[Fightest]

>Let go, if their hands are joined now.

> no
                      > body
       

    > control
> Irrelevant

[Mr_Bob]

>Who's thinking?
>I am.
>Akyu.

[Fightest]

>Who's thinking?
>I am.
>Akyu.

> Koishi, near despair at what she'd done, gazes in shock as a pillar of self rises above flood of thoughts. Akyu was still there, she realises, braving the torrent.
> Have thoughts to yourself.
> Hard to concentrate.
> Your bastion stands.

[Mr_Bob]

>What's our status?

[Fightest]

>What's our status?

> Stable.
> Locked in place.
> Torrent uncontrolled, chaotic.