Keine Quest (Part 6): Broken History (Complete)

[DracoOmega]

>"You did, did you? While I am thinking about it; what exact did you do? And does Ran remember any of it? Or anyone else, for that matter?"

>Yukari resumes an innocently puzzled expression with practiced ease. "What did I do? Why, I simply sent you outside. Why shouldn't Ran remember it? She has an exceptional mind for facts and details. It's a most helpful thing."

[Hello Purvis]

>Sigh.
>"Yukari, the only reason I'm not glaring daggers at you at the moment is because I expected that. But I was hoping you could at least let me in on the rest of the facts. If only for what I did for Ran."

[DracoOmega]

>Sigh.
>"Yukari, the only reason I'm not glaring daggers at you at the moment is because I expected that. But I was hoping you could at least let me in on the rest of the facts. If only for what I did for Ran."

>You sigh. As you do so, you think you see the corner of Yukari's mouth curl upward ever so slightly.
>"What else is there to tell?" she says. "Gengetsu passed outside the boundary, and I took steps to correct that. Youkai like her really shouldn't be wandering about outside Gensokyo. It could cause all sorts of problems. On that note..."
>She gestures with her hand, and a large gap opens beside her.
>"I believe it's time for you two to go home," she says, looking towards the sisters.
>Mugetsu eyes the gap dubiously for the moment.
>Yukari smiles. "It leads directly into your domain. No fussing about with the rest of Gensokyo. After all you've been through, I'm sure you'll be more than happy to rest quietly there, no?"
>Gengetsu gives Yukari a carefully appraising look. "...yes, it would be nice to be home," she says, after a moment.
>"Thank you for all your help!" Mugetsu says, bowing deeply before her.
>Yukari makes a dismissive gesture. "Oh, nonsense. I was simply keeping certain strictures intact. After all, there are some curiosities held by people here which should be held in check, yes?"
>Gengetsu nods slowly.
>Yukari smiles back. "I'm glad we agree."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Just remember what I said about learning to interact with people in the waking world. It would have avoided this whole mess."

[DracoOmega]

>"Just remember what I said about learning to interact with people in the waking world. It would have avoided this whole mess."

>Mugetsu nods at you. "I'll do my best. And thank you again. Both of you."
>Gengetsu takes her sister's hand in hers. "Thank you, Keine. I owe you my life in a very real sense. We may not see each other again, but I wish you gentle dreams."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Nothing stopping you from dropping by the village and saying hello. Anyways, fare well."

[DracoOmega]

>"Nothing stopping you from dropping by the village and saying hello. Anyways, fare well."

>"I think I might someday," Mugetsu replies, smiling at you.
>"Perhaps," Gengetsu nods. "Farewell, Keine."
>The two of them step into the gap, and it closes after them.

>Yukari regards you for a moment and a faint trace of a smile creeps onto her face. "I take it you are not inclined to leave so quietly, are you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'd like some answers, first. And perhaps a little something for those two girls for all their trouble that you should be able to provide easily enough. So, yes, quietly."

[DracoOmega]

>"I'd like some answers, first. And perhaps a little something for those two girls for all their trouble that you should be able to provide easily enough. So, yes, quietly."

>"Answers generally require questions," Yukari says. "As for Renko and Maribel, I'm sure they'll find what they search for in time."

[Kasu]

> "Allow me to ask once more then.  Do you know what actually happened?"

[DracoOmega]

> "Allow me to ask once more then.  Do you know what actually happened?"

>"It's much like what I imagine you already suspect. Gengetsu tried to enter Maribel's dream as it wandered in Gensokyo. Her intentions were harmless enough, but she failed to consider how her actions would appear. To her, Maribel was a dream, something to observe and perhaps appreciate, like a work of art. But Maribel was also a powerless human girl, alone in a world of hungry youkai. Gengetsu frightened her, and she ran. Her fear would have awoken her and she was on the very verge of waking when Gengetsu caught her. Maribel may have physically existed in Gensokyo as a dream, but she was still tethered to the mind that slumbered here in Kyoto, twelves years away. When Gengetsu tried to touch her dream, she was pulled across that conduit towards the mind of the dreamer. In and of itself, that would have done no harm to either of them. But whenever the dream ends, this connection is severed. Gengetsu had just frightened Maribel awake. She stepped inside as the path across time was breaking, and it tore her apart. The rest, you saw with your own eyes."

[Kasu]

> "You know that,  but do you know anything about the various alternate timeline crap I had to go through?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"And, did we really prevent that all from happening, or did I just manage to shift back to another branch?"

[DracoOmega]

> "You know that,  but do you know anything about the various alternate timeline crap I had to go through?"

>"I know a few things," Yukari says. "But I believe you should be satisfied with the Gensokyo waiting for you now."

>"And, did we really prevent that all from happening, or did I just manage to shift back to another branch?"

>Yukari frowns. "I should think you would understand history better than I. But I'll say simply that you prevented certain things, and I prevented certain others. As far as the rest of Gensokyo is concerned, nothing ever happened."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>"I just needed to be sure. I wonder, though, did you intend to trap Ran for that long, or was it just a side effect that couldn't be dealt with?"

[DracoOmega]

>Nod.
>"I just needed to be sure. I wonder, though, did you intend to trap Ran for that long, or was it just a side effect that couldn't be dealt with?"

>"Whatever are you talking about?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"She was trapped in there with you for seven years. And...well...it took its toll upon her."

[DracoOmega]

>"She was trapped in there with you for seven years. And...well...it took its toll upon her."

>Yukari smiles. "Oh, Ran's been 'trapped' with me far, far longer than that without complaint. You needn't trouble yourself over her well-being."
>She feigns an injured expression. "Do you think my company that unpleasant?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"When in a little bubble with someone who is, frankly, as good as being in a coma? I would say that's rather lousy company. Related to that, did you hear me at all when I talked to you, then?"

[DracoOmega]

>"When in a little bubble with someone who is, frankly, as good as being in a coma? I would say that's rather lousy company. Related to that, did you hear me at all when I talked to you, then?"

>Yukari looks taken aback. "As good as being in a coma? Why, I never... If that's really what you think of me, perhaps I should trouble you no further. I'm sure you can manage here on your own devices."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yukari, please. You were as unresponsive as Maribel in that little bubble of the proper timeline you were preserving."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yukari, please. You were as unresponsive as Maribel in that little bubble of the proper timeline you were preserving."

>She resumes a more serious expression. "I think you are recalling things which never happened. After all, If nothing were broken, what should need to be preserved, hmm? Ran is well; she has performed her duties without interruption since before you were born and knows nothing of the events of which you speak."

[Hello Purvis]

>"They happened. Otherwise I wouldn't recall them, would I? She might not know, but I do. I'm not condemning you, its rather clear you took a hasty action to deal with the situation, just I want to know the truth."

[DracoOmega]

>"They happened. Otherwise I wouldn't recall them, would I? She might not know, but I do. I'm not condemning you, its rather clear you took a hasty action to deal with the situation, just I want to know the truth."

>"Ah, but you have a unique ability to remain untouched by changes in history around you. You may have experienced certain events, but this does not mean they ever truly happened, as far as the world is concerned. I can say only this: I would not bring Ran to harm were it not necessary."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ah, but you have a unique ability to remain untouched by changes in history around you. You may have experienced certain events, but this does not mean they ever truly happened, as far as the world is concerned. I can say only this: I would not bring Ran to harm were it not necessary."

>"Then another question. What is the connect between yourself and Maribel? And, is that what is dragging her out of a place that shouldn't exist?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Then another question. What is the connect between yourself and Maribel? And, is that what is dragging her out of a place that shouldn't exist?"

>Yukari raises an eyebrow. "What place is this, which shouldn't exist?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Here. This is not the present. The only reason it even exists is that people of the present are here observing it. Once we leave, if it really is the future, then it will cease to be. As since it didn't exist to begin with, there's really no way she could have come on her own, unless something was drawing her."

[DracoOmega]

>"Here. This is not the present. The only reason it even exists is that people of the present are here observing it. Once we leave, if it really is the future, then it will cease to be. As since it didn't exist to begin with, there's really no way she could have come on her own, unless something was drawing her."

>"You have some interesting ideas about time," Yukari replies. "But who can say? Perhaps this is our future, perhaps it's someone else's, or perhaps, as you say, it's merely a potential one, whose existence is realized only by our presence here. I will say that I do not know what first drew Maribel back through time. The flow of past and future is something even I don't fully understand."

[Hello Purvis]

>"It's not too difficult, really. It works exactly like it seems to. Otherwise, there would be no need for Hakutaku at all, everything would already be set. But if you don't know what drew her, that is fine."

[DracoOmega]

>"It's not too difficult, really. It works exactly like it seems to. Otherwise, there would be no need for Hakutaku at all, everything would already be set. But if you don't know what drew her, that is fine."

>Yukari smiles slightly as you explain, but says nothing.
>"Is there anything else you wish to know, before we return?"