Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Neovereign on June 19, 2018, 04:57:36 AM
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> You are Alice Margatroid, a magician living within the Forest of Magic.
> You've started to look into the matter of your dreams. It's not impossible that it could be the result of someone's magic in Makai, but there are other possibilities you've considered. You've told Meiling that you've considered returning to Makai. It's well into the day already, and you seemed to have missed most of it in your slumber. Currently, you're crouched near Hatate's home, in hope that someone professional enough can help you find a Baku to resolve this dream matter and let you get back on track with your other goals.
> Fairies seem to have started to attract towards you, though in an especially annoying matter as they're meddling with your mushroom affairs, but just that, so far.
> You are only accompanied by Shanghai, as Hourai's... having a bit of trouble with you at the moment.
>"Come again?"
> "Okay... What do you want?" You hear a sigh, and movement.
>_
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>"I need to find a baku named Doremy Sweet."
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>"I need to find a baku named Doremy Sweet."
> "The name isn't familiar..." Hatate steps out into view.
>_
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>"That's a shame. I was hoping an expert like yourself would know something."
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>"That's a shame. I was hoping an expert like yourself would know something."
> "Sorry."
>_
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>What a second rate reporter...
>"Perhaps you would have some idea who to ask?"
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>What a second rate reporter...
>"Perhaps you would have some idea who to ask?"
> "Aya. Obviously. If you want someone who just snoops around and has something on everyone ever, check on her. Maybe her work's not as great quality as mine, but she has the quantity of knowing people. Maybe she's hoping they become important material later, maybe it's something else."
>_
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>"You wouldn't happen to know where she is, would you?"
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>"You wouldn't happen to know where she is, would you?"
> Hatate shakes her head.
> "So, since you already said the name and such, maybe I could lend a hand?" Your guide asks. "Though the name isn't really familiar..."
> "If I didn't know, why would you?" Hatate questions.
> "Hey, some of us do field work instead of cheating."
> "It's not cheating. I'm not making the situations happen myself."
>_
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>Look to the guide. "Please."
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>Look to the guide. "Please."
> "Well, do you have any other information on her? How she looks, who exactly she is..."
>_
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>"What I know is that she is a baku, who tends to be in the world of dreams. But I need to find her as soon as I can."
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>"What I know is that she is a baku, who tends to be in the world of dreams. But I need to find her as soon as I can."
> "Hm... I'll try to find out more about her then, I guess."
>_
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>"That would be appreciated. Or direct Aya toward me if you catch her."
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>"That would be appreciated. Or direct Aya toward me if you catch her."
> Your guide nods.
> "Oh, gimme a second for something." Hatate speaks, looking to her camera.
>_
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>Glance toward Hatate, and let her have that second.
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>Glance toward Hatate, and let her have that second.
> You wait...
> "Think Aya might be coming back soon at least. If you're willing to wait, or try to meet her on the way."
>_
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>"I do like that latter idea..."
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>"I do like that latter idea..."
> "Alright. Probably keep high, so she notices you or your shadow along the way."
>_
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>"Do you think it is likely that she would miss me?"
>Give an amused glance to Shanghai.
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>"Do you think it is likely that she would miss me?"
>Give an amused glance to Shanghai.
> You glance for a moment.
> "If she decides something else is more important..."
>_
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>"I could just wait by her home..."
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>"I could just wait by her home..."
> "...Right." Hatate blinks.
> Shanghai and your guide chuckle.
>_
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>"Thank you for telling me she was on her way. That was quite helpful."
>Look to the guide. "Show us the way?"
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>"Thank you for telling me she was on her way. That was quite helpful."
>Look to the guide. "Show us the way?"
> "Back to Aya's house?" He asks.
>_
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>Nod. "Please."
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>Nod. "Please."
> The guide starts to head off once again.
> Seeing this, the other Tengu start following as well.
>_
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>Follow that flock!
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>Follow that flock!
> You follow...
> Until you're brought to Aya's home, closer though.
> "So now you'll just wait?"
>_
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>"Yes. I'll must make myself comfortable in front of the front door."
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>"Yes. I'll must make myself comfortable in front of the front door."
> "Alright..." Your guide says. "You three can leave."
> "Or you can. The only reason to stay would be to watch if she does anything to Aya's house. And if she does, you obviously can't stop her."
> "But I could report back."
> "We can too. If she attacks you instead, what would you do."
> "Er... Run?" the guide speaks.
> "Exactly."
> "Let's all just go. It's Aya's problem if something happens, and if nothing does, that's good too."
> All four of them consider...
>_
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>"It'll be fine if you decide to stay our go. I don't intend to harm anyone's house."
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>"It'll be fine if you decide to stay our go. I don't intend to harm anyone's house."
> "Let's just trust her for now..."
> "Alright." Your guide nods.
> The four nod, and start to leave with the guide, leaving you just with Shanghai at the house...
>_
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>To Shanghai, as we pat her head with a finger. "I wonder what kind of stories they'll write about us in the papers?"
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>To Shanghai, as we pat her head with a finger. "I wonder what kind of stories they'll write about us in the papers?"
> "If Aya doesn't come around, probably something about a giant lady stalking Aya..."
>_
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>Chuckle.
>"True, true. Hopefully it won't come to that."
>Settle in to wait for the tengu.
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>Chuckle.
>"True, true. Hopefully it won't come to that."
>Settle in to wait for the tengu.
> You settle down, and Shanghai does too, as you both watch out for Gensokyo's fastest...
> A while passes before you notice her en route, right as you were getting too bored...
>_
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>"Ah, there she is."
>Wave.
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>"Ah, there she is."
>Wave.
> You wave, and it seems to take her a bit to notice you before she starts down.
>_
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>"Miss Aya! I have some things to ask you."
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>"Miss Aya! I have some things to ask you."
> "Hm? And you are? Ah! The puppeteer." The tengu flies down near you. "I'd hardly consider that you would visit here for little ol' me. You've grown a bit since I last saw you."
> "It's not like you're family or anything..." Shanghai speaks.
> "Wha- just one doll today?"
>_
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>"Just a little bit," I say with a giggle. "And it's just Shanghai today. Might I ask you for you help? I need to find a baku."
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>"Just a little bit," I say with a giggle. "And it's just Shanghai today. Might I ask you for you help? I need to find a baku."
> "A baku? Hm, not satisfied with her product?"
>_
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>"You could say that. I've been having...problems while dreaming, so to speak. I need an expert's opinions on it."
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>"You could say that. I've been having...problems while dreaming, so to speak. I need an expert's opinions on it."
> "Well, I'm sure she could help with your problems if she's willing. Though I'm not entirely sure where she is now. If I had to guess, you'd have better luck checking Heaven, higher up on mountain, or other such places. She's already been through the village and the underground with her business." Aya says. "Has she...?" She mumbles to herself.
>_
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>"You sound unsure, all of a sudden..."
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>"You sound unsure, all of a sudden..."
> "Well I haven't been following her, just running into cases occasionally."
>_
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>"I am almost surprised to hear that," I say with a chuckle. "To think Gensokyo's finest reporter doesn't know where everyone is!"
>"But, more seriously, where would you recommend looking of those?"
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>"I am almost surprised to hear that," I say with a chuckle. "To think Gensokyo's finest reporter doesn't know where everyone is!"
>"But, more seriously, where would you recommend looking of those?"
> "You might catch wind of her asking residents for her. Tons have seen her in their dreams. Ah... One moment." Aya darts into her home...
> Emerging a few moments later with a strange pillow.
> "You can use this to meet her. I'm not entirely fond of just handing this off, so I'd like it back if you plan to take it home. Otherwise, if you're just going to camp out for a minute here, I could watch over you. Just try not to take the whole day."
>_
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>"I was hoping to meet her physically. You see...I've had issues with nightmares...and waking up with wounds..."
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>"I was hoping to meet her physically. You see...I've had issues with nightmares...and waking up with wounds..."
> "This is the best I can offer, aside from what I've said before. It should be a direct meeting with her. You could at least try to schedule a real one from there..."
>Status: Alongside you is only Shanghai, add Hourai stayed with Marisa. For how long, you don't know.
> You have just one mushroom pair left on you. Surely Marisa has more, though you've borrowed a bit from her recently already. You don't expect her to object much anyhow.
> You have a bag of just enough butterfly dream pills for a person of normal size.
>_
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>"I will need to ask a favor, then. Wake me after a little while. Another part of the problem is that I don't seem to wake up correctly..."
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>"I will need to ask a favor, then. Wake me after a little while. Another part of the problem is that I don't seem to wake up correctly..."
> "A little while huh? Alright." Aya nods.
>_
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>Nod.
>"And, it may be a little difficult. Shanghai here will help you."
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>Nod.
>"And, it may be a little difficult. Shanghai here will help you."
> Shanghai nods.
> "Thanks." Aya says, still holding out the pillow.
>_
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>Take it and look for a good place to curl up with it.
>Quietly ponder how Aya has such a thing. No need to to interrogate her, though.
>Assuming we can find a nice spot, let's try to get in a short nap.
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>Take it and look for a good place to curl up with it.
>Quietly ponder how Aya has such a thing. No need to to interrogate her, though.
>Assuming we can find a nice spot, let's try to get in a short nap.
> You take the pillow and lie near Aya's house, waiting to fall asleep...
> Eventually, you're taken, last seeing shanghai and Aya nearby...
> ?
> You find your bearings in a lonely alien landscape... It's silent and empty, save for the echo of footsteps and a silhouette in the distance accompanying it.
>_
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>Look around, try to get our bearings.
>"Hello?"
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>Look around, try to get our bearings.
>"Hello?"
> The world is quiet and blue. The ground is blue too, or rather, it's more like there's no ground... Possibly?
> "Hello." The shadow waves a bit. "How has your day been?"
>_
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>"Could be better..."
>Focus on the shadow.
>"Are you the Doremy I've heard so much about?"
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>"Could be better..."
>Focus on the shadow.
>"Are you the Doremy I've heard so much about?"
> The shadow seems to have something behind it's back, and something in it's hands.
> "Now, we shouldn't have this be about me or anything. You can choose to believe I am or not..." The figure clears their throat. "It's nice to rest after all of that, is it not?"
>_
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>"A bit, but rest is part of the problem, and exactly why I need to find Doremy. My dreams are hurting me, I don't wake up on my own anymore."
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>"A bit, but rest is part of the problem, and exactly why I need to find Doremy. My dreams are hurting me, I don't wake up on my own anymore."
> "Oh? More so than just a simple nightmare? How, exactly?"
>_
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>"I keep dreaming of the past, but I'm aware that I'm dreaming, and move around on my own. It was during an incident, so fights tend to happen, and I tend to get hurt, as is expected. I always have to be woken up, it seems. And when I do, I wake up with the wounds that I got during the dream. Today, I didn't even wake up until mid afternoon, despite going to bed the previous evening."
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>"I keep dreaming of the past, but I'm aware that I'm dreaming, and move around on my own. It was during an incident, so fights tend to happen, and I tend to get hurt, as is expected. I always have to be woken up, it seems. And when I do, I wake up with the wounds that I got during the dream. Today, I didn't even wake up until mid afternoon, despite going to bed the previous evening."
> "An interesting problem... I'll do something about it. So please, don't see your next rest as a bother, and welcome it as usual. Do you have anything more to say, about the pillow or otherwise, before we part?"
>_
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>"If you can find the root cause of it all, I would be grateful. And...why did Aya have that pillow? Not that I am complaining, you've been most kind."
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>"If you can find the root cause of it all, I would be grateful. And...why did Aya have that pillow? Not that I am complaining, you've been most kind."
> "She had some questions herself about the product, to say the least."
>_
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>"I suppose that makes as much sense as anything. Should I keep an eye open for you when I sleep next?"
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>"I suppose that makes as much sense as anything. Should I keep an eye open for you when I sleep next?"
> "Just keep your eyes closed and relax~"
>_
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>"Huh?"
>Follow her directions, regardless.
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>"Huh?"
>Follow her directions, regardless.
> You close your eyes and relax.
> "Ah, sorry. I meant for the next time you mean to sleep."
>_
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>Chuckle.
>"I see, I see... My mistake. Still, I will look for you."
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>Chuckle.
>"I see, I see... My mistake. Still, I will look for you."
> "If it helps you sleep at night."
>_
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>Chuckle some more. What a relaxing person!
>"I hope it isn't a problem if ends up being closer to noon for the next few days?"
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>Chuckle some more. What a relaxing person!
>"I hope it isn't a problem if ends up being closer to noon for the next few days?"
> "Your sleep is your own. I'll have your back for this either way."
>_
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>"I will make you any doll that you'd like, once this is over..."
>"May I wake up, now?"
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>"I will make you any doll that you'd like, once this is over..."
>"May I wake up, now?"
> The figure waves.
> "Just close your eyes for a bit."
>_
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>I do so.
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>I do so.
> And within a few moments of such, a calm glows over you.
> You feel... well, it felt like just a brief rest. You're not energized from it, but you aren't tired enough to get back to it.
> "Don't worry." You hear Aya, followed by a giggle. "I wouldn't do anything untoward to you. I'm just joking."
> "Okay..." Shanghai's voice replies.
> "Anyways, I am...?"
> "Shameimaru."
> "...Er, again, please?"
>_
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>Huh...
>Keep our eyes closed and listen for a moment.
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>Huh...
>Keep our eyes closed and listen for a moment.
> You keep your eyes closed...
> "Aya Shameimaru." Shanghai speaks.
> "H-Hey. I said again. That one was different."
> "Shameimaru. Shameimaru, Shameimaru, Shameimaru. Aya Shameimaru."
> "Okaaay? What's the other thing you're saying though? Cute?"
> "No. Aya. Aya, Aya, Aya. Shameimaru Aya. Aya Shameimaru."
> "Ohh? So that's how my name sounds?"
>_
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>Remain where we are, eyes closed. "It sounds like you're making progress, Aya,"
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>Remain where we are, eyes closed. "It sounds like you're making progress, Aya,"
> "Ah." The Tengu speaks in surprise. "When did you wake up?"
>_
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>"Just a moment ago."
>Open eyes and slowly sit up.
>"I think we've arranged things. Thank you so much."
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>"Just a moment ago."
>Open eyes and slowly sit up.
>"I think we've arranged things. Thank you so much."
> You take a moment to gather yourself.
> "You weren't out too long. I'm glad nothing went wrong with it."
>_
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>"I'm glad I wasn't out for long. This was tremendously helpful, Aya. Thank you so much! Is there anything I could do for you in turn?"
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>"I'm glad I wasn't out for long. This was tremendously helpful, Aya. Thank you so much! Is there anything I could do for you in turn?"
> "Hm... Would you mind if I started a story on you and your dolls? If not then at your convenience, also bring the other around."
>_
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>"Certainly! It'll be a little bit with the other, though."
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>"Certainly! It'll be a little bit with the other, though."
> "Hmm... I can wait a while."
>_
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>Nod. "I'll see about fetching her, then."
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>Nod. "I'll see about fetching her, then."
> "Thanks. Was this all you needed?"
>_
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>"I believe so, unless you know about any sudden stirring in Makai?" Chuckle as if we told a joke. On the off chance there is and she knows about it, we won't need to cover it.
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>"I believe so, unless you know about any sudden stirring in Makai?" Chuckle as if we told a joke. On the off chance there is and she knows about it, we won't need to cover it.
> "Nope." She shrugs.
>_
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>I slowly get to my feet. "I'll see what I can arrange," I say. "Thank you so much."
>Once proper valedictions are made, I make my way out of Tengu town and down the mountain.
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>I slowly get to my feet. "I'll see what I can arrange," I say. "Thank you so much."
>Once proper valedictions are made, I make my way out of Tengu town and down the mountain.
> "I'm glad I could help." The tengu takes the pillow back.
> Your departure with Shanghai doesn't seem to meet you up with many Tengu along the way down, and you make it in quicker time than you're used to travelling just yet.
>_
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>"I suppose we should go speak with Hourai now. I'll be honest, I'd rather go tell Meiling about what happened, but I think I'd get drawn in there..."
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>"I suppose we should go speak with Hourai now. I'll be honest, I'd rather go tell Meiling about what happened, but I think I'd get drawn in there..."
> "You could send a doll so you don't get drawn in."
>_
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>"I could, but I'd rather tell her in person... but yes, that's what I should do."
>Let's adjust our course to go directly to Marisa's house, and conjure a doll to deliver a written message to Meiling, reporting we've had some good luck with the dream issue. And once we deal with some family issues, we'll be visiting.
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>"I could, but I'd rather tell her in person... but yes, that's what I should do."
>Let's adjust our course to go directly to Marisa's house, and conjure a doll to deliver a written message to Meiling, reporting we've had some good luck with the dream issue. And once we deal with some family issues, we'll be visiting.
> You create a doll as you decide your route, tasking it with sending a message to Meiling.
>_
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>Let's return to Marisa's house.
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>Let's return to Marisa's house.
> You continue, done with chatting for now...
> You return to the Forest of Magic. There... are a few fairies you see here and there along your way to Marisa's, likely searching for mushrooms...
>_
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>Resist the urge to reflexively blast those faeries. Grumbling will be enough for now...
>"I'm going to need your help with Hourai, alright? If Hourai's being unreasonable, you need to tell her. And...the same goes for me, alright?"
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>Resist the urge to reflexively blast those faeries. Grumbling will be enough for now...
>"I'm going to need your help with Hourai, alright? If Hourai's being unreasonable, you need to tell her. And...the same goes for me, alright?"
> Another time...
> Shanghai nods.
> Getting within view of the front of her house, you can see Marisa and Hourai. The former seems to be in the middle of a spellcard, or at least, just using part of one...
>_
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>Huh, odd.
>Just observe until it seems like she's done. We don't want to interrupt.
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>Huh, odd.
>Just observe until it seems like she's done. We don't want to interrupt.
> You wait in watch...
> Hourai shoots out a simple sphere which circles around herself, before it vanishes.
> She sighs in frustration.
> "Can't we just-"
> "Are you really gonna give up on trying on your own already?" Marisa interrupts.
> "... No." The doll speaks after a moment.
> Marisa stops.
> "We can try another thing if you want."
>_
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>Let's observe a little longer. Worse comes to worst, we'll be seen.
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>Let's observe a little longer. Worse comes to worst, we'll be seen.
> Hourai tries the previous again as Marisa watches...
> A shot is created, and circles around her once, before dissipating again...
> And she repeats again...
>_
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>Quietly.
>"She's doing her best, isn't she?"
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>Quietly.
>"She's doing her best, isn't she?"
> Shanghai nods enthusiastically.
> "If ya keep practicing, you'll probably get it, but you'll run out of energy like that." Marisa speaks. "Wanna take a break?"
> Hourai shakes her head.
> "Break or not, I'll be wasting energy. You'll refill me with yours when I'm out, right?"
> "Alice needs to. If we'd even see if I could, it shouldn't be when you're all out."
> "Then right now." Hourai stops.
> "And if something bad happens? Alice isn't home. Maybe even spending a night somewhere else..."
> "With someone else..." Hourai looks aside.
>_
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>Let's tap on the door now.
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>Let's tap on the door now.
> The two are in front of the house, meaning you would have to get by them to get to it, or circle around them. Otherwise, your house is near, but it'd need more than a tap to be heard over here.
>_
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>Just approach then, so they can see us.
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>Just approach then, so they can see us.
> You approach, and Shanghai follows behind you.
> Marisa sighs.
> "If you wanna keep trying this one, maybe instead of making outright danmaku, you- ah. Hey Alice." She waves over.
>_
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>Approach.
>"Hello you two, seems like you've been busy together!"
>How is Hourai reacting?
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>Approach.
>"Hello you two, seems like you've been busy together!"
>How is Hourai reacting?
> She's still looking away.
> "Yea. Trying out a few things. And you?" Marisa replies.
>_
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>"Hopefully, it won't be long until I have my sleeping in order, again. How about you two?"
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>"Hopefully, it won't be long until I have my sleeping in order, again. How about you two?"
> "Hmm..." Marisa looks over to Hourai, who's still looking away.
> "Good afternoon Hourai. What are you and Marisa doing?" Shanghai asks.
> The doll looks over to you and her sister, then Marisa.
> "Practicing magic..." She speaks up.
>_
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>Is Hourai still holding the spell card?
>If so, say, "Ah, so that's why you have the spellcard, Hourai?"
>If not, say, "Ah, what sort of practice?"
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>Is Hourai still holding the spell card?
>If so, say, "Ah, so that's why you have the spellcard, Hourai?"
>If not, say, "Ah, what sort of practice?"
> She does not have one in hand.
> You wonder if the two of them could use spellcards of their own...
> "Nothing big. Just trying to learn a few tricks that I do." Marisa says. "But she did want to know if anyone else could supply her."
> "You're not supposed to tell her!" Hourai snaps.
> "Don't you think it's interesting, though? How would your dolls be if they had the magic of other people..."
> "I wanted to know..." Hourai returns her look away.
>_
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>"I think it's a fascinating idea, Hourai. What have you found, so far?"
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>"I think it's a fascinating idea, Hourai. What have you found, so far?"
> Hourai looks aside, catching Marisa's glimpse.
> She fires a shot of danmaku, which revolves around her just once, before dissipating.
>_
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>"That's very good! The orbit is very pretty."
>Beauty is power in danmaku, after all.
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>"That's very good! The orbit is very pretty."
>Beauty is power in danmaku, after all.
> "I-I haven't even gotten the first step down."
> "Actually you have." Marisa corrects her. "Getting it to revolve around you like that. Sure it's not changing directions or staying for a long time, but it actually is the first step."
>_
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>"Marisa is right. You can't overlook the motion. For just a couple hours of practice at most, that's very good."
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>"Marisa is right. You can't overlook the motion. For just a couple hours of practice at most, that's very good."
> Marisa nods. "Mhm. So you're sleeping's gonna be fine? No more being out the entire day?"
>_
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>"It's not wholly put to bed just yet, but I've gotten some expert assistance."
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>"It's not wholly put to bed just yet, but I've gotten some expert assistance."
> "Mm. Good luck with the last of it then."
>_
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>"I am very confident about things."
>"Now, Hourai, might I borrow you for a minute?"
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>"I am very confident about things."
>"Now, Hourai, might I borrow you for a minute?"
> "It's about time we stopped for today anyways." Marisa says. "See you, then?"
> Hourai nods, floating to your side...
>_
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>Nods. "Hopefully we'll have everything fixed by tomorrow."
>Take Hourai, and head toward our house for the time being. "Did you have fun with Marisa, today?"
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>Nods. "Hopefully we'll have everything fixed by tomorrow."
>Take Hourai, and head toward our house for the time being. "Did you have fun with Marisa, today?"
> You wander over to your home...
> "It was more frustrating than fun..." She says.
>_
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>"I can imagine, you had to have been working very hard!"
>"I'm sorry about earlier. I was in a sour mood."
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>"I can imagine, you had to have been working very hard!"
>"I'm sorry about earlier. I was in a sour mood."
> "I... Are we going to bed?" Hourai asks.
> She's at least not longer perpetually frowning.
>_
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>"Not right now. But if you're tired, we can get you a nap."
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>"Not right now. But if you're tired, we can get you a nap."
> "What are we doing instead then?"
>_
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>"Well, I'm not sure yet. I want to spend some of the evening with Meiling, at least. And...perhaps we can do something about the house? It is a big cramped now."
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>"Well, I'm not sure yet. I want to spend some of the evening with Meiling, at least. And...perhaps we can do something about the house? It is a big cramped now."
> "You could just go back to your regular size..." Hourai frowns.
>_
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>"Whyever would I do that?"
>Chuckle.
>"No, I am much too happy as I am, Hourai."
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>"Whyever would I do that?"
>Chuckle.
>"No, I am much too happy as I am, Hourai."
> "We shouldn't have to worry about space when you're the only one wanting to change like this."
>_
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>"Well, I would like to entertain Meiling from time to time. And I would like the front door to fit me!"
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>"Well, I would like to entertain Meiling from time to time. And I would like the front door to fit me!"
> "Time to time seems to be every night..."
> "Would you visit Marisa every night if you could? Just for the time a night is?" Shanghai asks.
> "What!?" Hourai questions.
> "I didn't mean like that. L-Like uh, training. Like you did."
> "...Yeah..."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"Yes, I'm going to be seeing a lot of Meiling for the foreseeable future, with and without you guys. And I don't think it would be a problem if you elected to visit Marisa, when you didn't want to be home by yourselves."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Yes, I'm going to be seeing a lot of Meiling for the foreseeable future, with and without you guys. And I don't think it would be a problem if you elected to visit Marisa, when you didn't want to be home by yourselves."
> "Do you really need to make changes to the house?" Shanghai asks. "Neither of us want any, and it's only for something you're changing about yourself... It doesn't help us in any way or makes us more comfortable... if anything, it's more of a problem for us, like if we're going to check on the door for you or such..."
> Hourai nods feverishly, before speaking to her sister in that private manner of theirs.
> Shanghai responds in similar, looking off to her side.
>_
-
>"You're saying I should leave it too small to actually use?"
-
>"You're saying I should leave it too small to actually use?"
> "We're saying you shouldn't be so selfish." Hourai speaks.
>_
-
>"I don't think it's especially selfish to want to be able to use my own home. But, I did not mean to simply do that much, then walk away. Clearly we would have to adapt things to serve you two as well."
-
>"I don't think it's especially selfish to want to be able to use my own home. But, I did not mean to simply do that much, then walk away. Clearly we would have to adapt things to serve you two as well."
> "Fine... Let's just get whatever you wanted me for over with..." Hourai resigns.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"What I wanted you for is to talk about our recent difficulties, Hourai."
-
>Nod.
>"What I wanted you for is to talk about our recent difficulties, Hourai."
> "That's... tiring. Can't we talk about them tomorrow?"
> "If it's tiring, we can just go to bed after them..." Shanghai speaks.
>_
-
>"Shanghai has it right, I think."
>Thank you, Shanghai.
-
>"Shanghai has it right, I think."
>Thank you, Shanghai.
> "You're the one being difficult anyways..." Hourai says.
> "...Can we talk? Just me and her?" Shanghai asks.
>_
-
>Nod. "Alright."
-
>Nod. "Alright."
> Shanghai tugs her sister doll away just a short distance, and the two speak in their lonely tongue once more.
> Whatever Shanghai is saying seems to be making Hourai mad.
>_
-
>Frown, but observe. How does Shanghai's emotional condition seem to be?
-
>Frown, but observe. How does Shanghai's emotional condition seem to be?
> She's a bit pushy? As-a-matter-of-factly, if such could be put into a state. You wouldn't outright say stuck up though.
>_
-
>Let them go for a little longer, maybe they can work it out...
-
>Let them go for a little longer, maybe they can work it out...
> You let the two bicker...
> Eventually, Hourai seems to be defeated, as she crosses her arms with a frown.
> "I think it's settled," Shanghai says. "but are you gonna stay this big? Will you grow bigger or go back to normal or keep changing every few days, because we don't want to have our home changed so much whenever you want something new for a little bit."
>_
-
>"I am going to at least stay this big," I say. "Perhaps I'll get larger? I think it depends on how things go forward with Meiling."
-
>"I am going to at least stay this big," I say. "Perhaps I'll get larger? I think it depends on how things go forward with Meiling."
> "Just make a big warehouse or something then..." Hourai says.
>_
-
>Laugh.
>"That'd be pretty expensive! But, I'll think about it."
-
>Laugh.
>"That'd be pretty expensive! But, I'll think about it."
> "Better than constantly changing what we have. It could just be an empty room."
>_
-
>"Mmm. Alright. I'll rough it for a little while longer! Once I have a better idea, we'll determine what we do."
-
>"Mmm. Alright. I'll rough it for a little while longer! Once I have a better idea, we'll determine what we do."
> "Then now what?" Hourai questions.
>_
-
>"Well, I am still worried about you, Hourai."
-
>"Well, I am still worried about you, Hourai."
> "Sorry for being a bother then..." She responds.
> Shanghai whispers something to her sister, to which the doll shakes her head.
>_
-
>"It's not about being a bother, Hourai. It's because I care about you, and so does Shanghai. We're not always going to agree on things, but that's alright."
-
>"It's not about being a bother, Hourai. It's because I care about you, and so does Shanghai. We're not always going to agree on things, but that's alright."
> "I think she means by how she's upset with you leaving us to go do things you could bring us for sometimes. But it's not like we need to go with you everywhere every time." Shanghai speaks.
> "You don't need us around then, right?" Hourai asks. "We just do what the rest of your dolls can already do, and also follow you in real time. If that's gone then why have us? I could be really helpful to Marisa instead."
>_
-
>"Well. Because I like to have you around, Hourai. I like having both of you around."
>Smile. "But, I think it's also fine if you help out Marisa from time to time."
-
>"Well. Because I like to have you around, Hourai. I like having both of you around."
>Smile. "But, I think it's also fine if you help out Marisa from time to time."
> "You don't seem like you do..."
>_
-
>Gently: "Why is that?"
-
>Gently: "Why is that?"
> "Can we just go to bed?" Shanghai asks. "You're tired from training with Marisa right Hourai?"
> Hourai nods with a frown.
>_
-
>Smile.
>"Alright, you two. Go rest up. I'll be back sometime tonight. Is there anything you need before I go?"
-
>Smile.
>"Alright, you two. Go rest up. I'll be back sometime tonight. Is there anything you need before I go?"
> The dolls shake their heads.
>_
-
>"Alright you two, go rest up. I'll be home late, it'll take me a little while to get my sleeping back together, I think."
-
>"Alright you two, go rest up. I'll be home late, it'll take me a little while to get my sleeping back together, I think."
> Shanghai nods.
>_
-
>Have we ever kissed these dolls before?
-
>Have we ever kissed these dolls before?
> You sure you've shown your love with a gesture to the forehead before... Perhaps it was long ago.
>_
-
>Heck, give them each a little peck across the cheek. Or the sides of their heads, as it may be.
>"You two stay safe, now."
-
>Heck, give them each a little peck across the cheek. Or the sides of their heads, as it may be.
>"You two stay safe, now."
> You do so.
> "You too." Shanghai replies, as Hourai jumps away in response.
>_
-
>Let them leave, then arc toward Scarlet Devil Mansion.
-
>Let them leave, then arc toward Scarlet Devil Mansion.
> You head towards the Scarlet Devil Mansion... There's only fairy activity around the lake during your trip.
> You don't see anyone upon coming to the front of the mansion, but you could easily peer over the gate too.
>_
-
>Let's peer over the gate, and see if we can see Meiling.
-
>Let's peer over the gate, and see if we can see Meiling.
> You peer...
> There's a bunch of fairy maids. Pretty fairly scattered around the front. They're talking about something maybe being fun.
>_
-
>"Pardon me, could you tell me where Meiling is?"
>Something fun, huh?
-
>"Pardon me, could you tell me where Meiling is?"
>Something fun, huh?
> "Hm? Why you wanna know?"
> "Are you..." The fairy counts. "do something with her?"
> "Hey we can't be playing it with guests."
> "Oh right."
> "Oops."
> "Uh, she's behind the mansion." One of them points.
>_
-
>"Thank you! May I come in and see her? Oh, and what're you guys playing?"
-
>"Thank you! May I come in and see her? Oh, and what're you guys playing?"
> "Sure."
> "We're just having a little fun. Every time one of us says something, the next person to speak has to say what they will but without one of the words. Then the next removes two words, then three, until someone can't speak at all because all the words are gone."
>_
-
>"That sounds like fun! Who is the reigning champion so far?"
>Step over the gate as we speak, taking great care not to step too close to the maids. No need to spook them.
-
>"That sounds like fun! Who is the reigning champion so far?"
>Step over the gate as we speak, taking great care not to step too close to the maids. No need to spook them.
> "Me." Says the fairy who explained, as you step into the gate.
> The fairies float and wander out of your way and away from you, mostly passively, and only the closest.
>_
-
>Smile and nod. We can't say anything now, and she ought to understand that.
>"Thank you."
>Head around back to find Meiling.
-
>Smile and nod. We can't say anything now, and she ought to understand that.
>"Thank you."
>Head around back to find Meiling.
> You carefully make your way to the back.
> Meiling's back here, sitting down. She's bigger. You think she might match the mansion if she stands.
>_
-
>Observe, try not to let our mouth gape. She's so spectacular!
>Is she doing anything in particular, like meditating or focusing, or just sitting there?
-
>Observe, try not to let our mouth gape. She's so spectacular!
>Is she doing anything in particular, like meditating or focusing, or just sitting there?
> She's sitting, having just now noticed you.
> She looks over with a bit of hope in her eyes.
>_
-
>Smile, and try to look reassuring.
>"Hey big lady, You're even more breathtaking than usual!"
>Dangit!
-
>Smile, and try to look reassuring.
>"Hey big lady, You're even more breathtaking than usual!"
>Dangit!
> "Thanks. Things have been growing great lately as you can see. The little messenger you sent was a help too."
>_
-
>Chuckle and walk toward her. "I would have come sooner, but the dolls needed me. Still, look at you! You figured it all out in that space of time? You're a genius, Meiling."
-
>Chuckle and walk toward her. "I would have come sooner, but the dolls needed me. Still, look at you! You figured it all out in that space of time? You're a genius, Meiling."
> "I can't take all the credit. It was mostly just doing more of the same thing you taught me."
>_
-
>"But you did it so quickly! It took me ages to figure it all out, and you put the pieces together in, an evening?"
>"How do you feel?"
-
>"But you did it so quickly! It took me ages to figure it all out, and you put the pieces together in, an evening?"
>"How do you feel?"
> "My method worked differently than yours right? Downsides for mine are things like most clothing not being able to be grown and I don't think I can grow quickly either."
> "I feel like the true wall to the Scarlet Devil Mansion... even though I've got time off now..."
>_
-
>Just how much larger is she than us, now?
>"I don't think those are particular downsides. If anything, I'm a little jealous of your method."
>Lean forward and give her a little peck on the cheek.
-
>Just how much larger is she than us, now?
>"I don't think those are particular downsides. If anything, I'm a little jealous of your method."
>Lean forward and give her a little peck on the cheek.
> You wouldn't say double, but she's almost there.
> You plant a brief one for Meiling.
> "Thank goodness I have such a great teacher, who also spoils me from time to time♪" She smiles. "What will be my reward for the next milestone?"
>_
-
>"Mmm, that's a good question. I might just have to spoil you a little more~"
-
>"Mmm, that's a good question. I might just have to spoil you a little more~"
> "Will you stop if my progress starts to suffer from it?"
>_
-
>Earthy chuckle.
>"Would you want me to?"
-
>Earthy chuckle.
>"Would you want me to?"
> "Of course not! I'll just have to always make good progress."
>_
-
>Low intimate tone: "So, how large are you aiming to become?"
-
>Low intimate tone: "So, how large are you aiming to become?"
> "I don't know. This feels like as large as I'll ever need to be. I could probably physically carry the mansion at this size."
>_
-
>Give her another peck on the cheek, and settle into her arms
>"Ah, you said make good progress, and I wondered. Hmm, I know just how to spoil you, then~"
-
>Give her another peck on the cheek, and settle into her arms
>"Ah, you said make good progress, and I wondered. Hmm, I know just how to spoil you, then~"
> You make yourself comfortable.
> "I wonder how... my mind's been stuck on getting things ready for your next visit." Meiling wraps her arms around you.
>_
-
>Snuggle into her arms.
>"I think I'll let you be the bigger one for as long as you want~"
-
>Snuggle into her arms.
>"I think I'll let you be the bigger one for as long as you want~"
> "Hmhm~ Well then little one, how has your day been?"
>_
-
>"Exhausting, but ultimately fruitful."
>Let's settle into her lap
>"Let's just say I don't want to talk about faeries. And I kind of owe Aya a favor tomorrow for helping me find a baku."
-
>"Exhausting, but ultimately fruitful."
>Let's settle into her lap
>"Let's just say I don't want to talk about faeries. And I kind of owe Aya a favor tomorrow for helping me find a baku."
> You let yourself melt.
> "Mind sharing more?" Meiling straightens your hair out idly...
>_
-
>"I finally had enough of the faeries and their sass, after we had an argument over the mushrooms. They were stealing all of them and just wasting them! So...we came to blows after they rejected my offer to settle things peaceably. And that is how it is going to be until they beg me to stop. Not your faeries, of course. They're unrelated."
-
>"I finally had enough of the faeries and their sass, after we had an argument over the mushrooms. They were stealing all of them and just wasting them! So...we came to blows after they rejected my offer to settle things peaceably. And that is how it is going to be until they beg me to stop. Not your faeries, of course. They're unrelated."
> "Hm. Just fighting won't stop them. Can I suggest you try to... well, whittle their morale and encouragement? Do things to make them feel like they should go away."
>_
-
>"Hm. You'd think declaring open war would do that..."
>Snuggle a bit closer against her.
>"How do you make faeries think they should go away? Assign them homework?"
-
>"Hm. You'd think declaring open war would do that..."
>Snuggle a bit closer against her.
>"How do you make faeries think they should go away? Assign them homework?"
> Meiling giggles.
> "If you could manage that, yes. But perhaps embarrass them or make them feel like it's not worth it. Give them something better to chase after. Think like a fairy. 'Why would I want to stop this?' "
>_
-
>"I wonder if I could bribe them with candy?"
-
>"I wonder if I could bribe them with candy?"
> "That'd probably get them attached to you, maybe even bothering you more for more."
>_
-
>"Ugh... Maybe if I could find something they don't like the smell of and spread it around the area?"
-
>"Ugh... Maybe if I could find something they don't like the smell of and spread it around the area?"
> "You'd have to deal with the smell during and after their leave... And what if they're around and notice the smell is gone after some time?"
>_
-
>"Well, I would hope it wouldn't be so strong at my elevation. But, you're right..."
>"How does one even embarrass a faerie?"
-
>"Well, I would hope it wouldn't be so strong at my elevation. But, you're right..."
>"How does one even embarrass a faerie?"
> "...Make them feel like what they're doing is stupid. Maybe even make up a lie. Like say the mushrooms get much better if they grow for longer, even though they're fully grown or such when you take them. I'm not sure if that'd work, but if it does, they might wait on them to grow. Though nothing stops them from just sitting there watching it until they're bored..."
>_
-
>"Mmm, maybe."
>"Also, I've been thinking...I need to expand my house just a little now. So, while I am planning that...would you be interested in joining me?"
-
>"Mmm, maybe."
>"Also, I've been thinking...I need to expand my house just a little now. So, while I am planning that...would you be interested in joining me?"
> "Sure. Just tell me when so I can try to find time off."
>_
-
>"No no, I meant, should I be planning out room for you, too?"
-
>"No no, I meant, should I be planning out room for you, too?"
> "Oh. You shouldn't go through the bother. A room for me is a bit much, even if I visit every day."
>_
-
>"Well, what if you didn't visit, but moved in with me?"
-
>"Well, what if you didn't visit, but moved in with me?"
> "I can't do that much unless I leave the mansion... They've been like family to me, even with how they act sometimes."
>_
-
>"Well, you wouldn't live here anymore, but you'd still come to guard, I'm sure. And no one says we couldn't visit on the weekends."
-
>"Well, you wouldn't live here anymore, but you'd still come to guard, I'm sure. And no one says we couldn't visit on the weekends."
> "I think it'd take a long time for me to be ready for that. And maybe even longer for them to be, if I take them into consideration..."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"But, does it interest you?"
-
>Nod.
>"But, does it interest you?"
> "A littleee~"
>_
-
>"Obviously, you don't need to come first thing. I don't mind waiting a little bit for you to be ready. And we'll be nearby. Who knows, perhaps they will come and visit us?"
-
>"Obviously, you don't need to come first thing. I don't mind waiting a little bit for you to be ready. And we'll be nearby. Who knows, perhaps they will come and visit us?"
> "Yea, maybe..." Meiling hugs you in closer.
>_
-
>Snuggle closer to the enormous gatekeeper.
>"But, I think I will be planning enough room for two. And, we why don't we get a herd of goats, too?"
-
>Snuggle closer to the enormous gatekeeper.
>"But, I think I will be planning enough room for two. And, we don't we get a herd of goats, too?"
> "A-Are you sure?"
>_
-
>"Of course, it's best to think in long term when making a home. And I can't wait to see all the little goats try to climb their way up you when we relax together, like this."
-
>"Of course, it's best to think in long term when making a home. And I can't wait to see all the little goats try to climb their way up you when we relax together, like this."
> "That'd be a bit dangerous, no? Especially, if we're thinking long term, I grow further..."
>_
-
>"Oh for goats, that is nothing. They'll jump right up a sheer cliffside if you let them."
-
>"Oh for goats, that is nothing. They'll jump right up a sheer cliffside if you let them."
> "Are you thinking this only for them to climb us?"
>_
-
>"...Well, maybe it's a silly thought I've had. But goats are cute, too! And we're so big, it wouldn't be too hard to raise them."
-
>"...Well, maybe it's a silly thought I've had. But goats are cute, too! And we're so big, it wouldn't be too hard to raise them."
> "Maybe..."
>_
-
>"Sharing a herd of little cuties with your lover not an appealing future, huh? Oh, what do you think we ought to do?"
-
>"Sharing a herd of little cuties with your lover not an appealing future, huh? Oh, what do you think we ought to do?"
> "Take things by steps as we go on? Living for the future is good, but we should live in the present too."
>_
-
>"I suppose, but I want to be a bit ambitious, have something to reach for, you know? I mean, you have to have your own little dreams. Let me hear 'em!"
-
>"I suppose, but I want to be a bit ambitious, have something to reach for, you know? I mean, you have to have your own little dreams. Let me hear 'em!"
> "I just have a few silly wonders. I haven't thought about future dreams too much."
>_
-
>"Silly wonders are good, too!"
-
>"Silly wonders are good, too!"
> "Well some of the people I've met have great magic... Sakuya being able to control time... The mistress turning into bats... You controlling so many dolls at once. I wonder how they are sometimes."
>_
-
>Chuckle. "I think you've experienced something quite like it, by this point."
-
>Chuckle. "I think you've experienced something quite like it, by this point."
> "I guess you're right about that. Any more you can teach me?"
>_
-
>Lean up and give her a peck under her chin.
>"I don't know think so, our abilities don't cross over very much. But, as far as I'm concerned, you've exceeded me."
-
>Lean up and give her a peck under her chin.
>"I don't know think so, our abilities don't cross over very much. But, as far as I'm concerned, you've exceeded me."
> You give your giant another brief kiss.
> "Hmmm..." She pouts. "Oh! What about your explosives. I-If it's not too touchy a subject. Are they sheer force or something else?"
>_
-
>"Oh those? They're just a trick. You see, gunpowder is involved..."
-
>"Oh those? They're just a trick. You see, gunpowder is involved..."
> "Aww... So that's all you can teach me?"
>_
-
>"I could try to teach you basic doll manipulation, but I would have to start with the very basics. I don't think it would resonate with your natural skills."
-
>"I could try to teach you basic doll manipulation, but I would have to start with the very basics. I don't think it would resonate with your natural skills."
> "Ah. Anything I could teach you?"
>_
-
>"well. I would sort of like to learn your growth method, but I imagine it's very advanced for a beginner. What do you think you could teach me?"
-
>"well. I would sort of like to learn your growth method, but I imagine it's very advanced for a beginner. What do you think you could teach me?"
> "It's actually not too hard when we figured it out. It's just more of what you taught me. And actually I might not get bigger until we get enough fabric for more clothes this large... It doesn't really work on them..."
>_
-
>"It seems to have worked well enough to from what I've seen. Is it just energy intensive?'
-
>"It seems to have worked well enough to from what I've seen. Is it just energy intensive?'
> Meiling shakes her head a bit.
>_
-
>"What is it, then?"
-
>"What is it, then?"
> "You'll just need a bit of practice with handling your energy. You don't need to have a lot."
>_
-
>"Well, if you say so. And, as long as I have a needle, some thread, and materials, I'll make you all the clothes you like!"
-
>"Well, if you say so. And, as long as I have a needle, some thread, and materials, I'll make you all the clothes you like!"
> "I wonder how you'll make sure they're the right size♪"
>_
-
>"Well, I would need to measure you, first~"
-
>"Well, I would need to measure you, first~"
> "Maybe I'll have you prepare an outfit for me the next time one of us visits the other..."
>_
-
>Nuzzle against her chest. "I'd be delighted~"
-
>Nuzzle against her chest. "I'd be delighted~"
> You enjoy what's here, while it's still here and all yours...
> "Busy now?"
>_
-
>"Not that busy~"
-
>"Not that busy~"
> "Could we do that now then? Or would you rather at your home when we can?"
>_
-
>"Hmm, well. I have the fabric at home...and it shouldn't be too hard to scale it all up...I suppose I could if you liked."
-
>"Hmm, well. I have the fabric at home...and it shouldn't be too hard to scale it all up...I suppose I could if you liked."
> "Well I'm worried about the measurements... I don't think they can really be done here."
>_
-
>"I do have a tape measure, you know."
-
>"I do have a tape measure, you know."
> "Oh. Then we can do it right now."
>_
-
>"Well, let's be off?"
-
>"Well, let's be off?"
> "Mm? To your house? I couldn't get the entire night off, but it has been going really well compared to what I first thought."
>_
-
>"Oh, how much time do you have off?"
-
>"Oh, how much time do you have off?"
> "A few hours. Not enough to spend the night."
>_
-
>"Well, it's enough to get you measured up and take down all the details I need. And maybe a little time for something fun~"
-
>"Well, it's enough to get you measured up and take down all the details I need. And maybe a little time for something fun~"
> "Maybe." Meiling stretches.
>_
-
>"Meet me where we had some time to ourselves last time?"
-
>"Meet me where we had some time to ourselves last time?"
> "Oh? You still have a few things to take care of?"
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose I could just send a doll to get my tape measure, and take some notes for me."
-
>"Well, I suppose I could just send a doll to get my tape measure, and take some notes for me."
> "Ah. They'll do well?"
>_
-
>"As long as I give them proper instructions."
>Conjure a doll to do just that, and meet us at That Spot.
>"So, we can take our time getting there together, now~"
-
>"As long as I give them proper instructions."
>Conjure a doll to do just that, and meet us at That Spot.
>"So, we can take our time getting there together, now~"
> You create a doll tasked with measuring Meiling at That Spot.
> "Oh. And they'll just know it for as long as they're... there?"
>_
-
>Not measuring, fetching supplies for it.
>"There's an art to it. They need to be able to have a clear and simple end goal to make decisions toward, one that doesn't require too much abstract thought."
-
>Not measuring, fetching supplies for it.
>"There's an art to it. They need to be able to have a clear and simple end goal to make decisions toward, one that doesn't require too much abstract thought."
> "Oh. What's the most complex you've told them and they've managed?"
>_
-
>"When I keep a good idea on them, they can do some rather decent construction. But that requires a lot of fine work on my part."
-
>"When I keep a good idea on them, they can do some rather decent construction. But that requires a lot of fine work on my part."
> "It's worth it in the end though, right?"
>_
-
>"Oh yes, it's very satisfying to bring them all together. I have to go out of my way not to do it too much, honestly."
-
>"Oh yes, it's very satisfying to bring them all together. I have to go out of my way not to do it too much, honestly."
> "Hm? What about the practice?"
>_
-
>Pause.
>"You lost me."
-
>Pause.
>"You lost me."
> "They don't get better from doing it? Or you don't?"
>_
-
>"Ah!"
>Shake head.
>"No, the ones I summon don't really have the capacity to learn things in the long term. They can pick up things from trial and error, or basic observation, but they don't really improve from task to task. Shanghai and Hourai, however, do learn and improve."
-
>"Ah!"
>Shake head.
>"No, the ones I summon don't really have the capacity to learn things in the long term. They can pick up things from trial and error, or basic observation, but they don't really improve from task to task. Shanghai and Hourai, however, do learn and improve."
> "Mmm..." Meiling nods. "How much have they grown? No need for specifics, just in general."
>_
-
>"By and large, they can get by on their own now. Perhaps not perfectly, they might need some help for certain situations here and again, but they're reasonably able to be independent if they want to be."
-
>"By and large, they can get by on their own now. Perhaps not perfectly, they might need some help for certain situations here and again, but they're reasonably able to be independent if they want to be."
> "Do you plan on making a third like them?"
>_
-
>"Not right now. I would need to have a significant breakthrough first, some major advance that I would need to try."
-
>"Not right now. I would need to have a significant breakthrough first, some major advance that I would need to try."
> "Haven't you had one already♪ Just look at us."
>_
-
>Chuckle. "This is a different breakthrough, you big beautiful mountain, you! I mean in terms of making one better able to work as a living creature!"
-
>Chuckle. "This is a different breakthrough, you big beautiful mountain, you! I mean in terms of making one better able to work as a living creature!"
> "Alright, what ideas do you have for it then?"
>_
-
>"Honestly, nothing right now. I've kind of hit a wall with it, and moved onto other projects while waiting for inspiration to strike. I would love to improve their instincts a little more, so that they can learn more effectively on their own, but..."
-
>"Honestly, nothing right now. I've kind of hit a wall with it, and moved onto other projects while waiting for inspiration to strike. I would love to improve their instincts a little more, so that they can learn more effectively on their own, but..."
> "Have you tried hitting that wall harder?"
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"Oh you. I'm chipping away at it, bit by bit. But the past few days have been busy."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Oh you. I'm chipping away at it, bit by bit. But the past few days have been busy."
> "Progress even so."
>_
-
>"Perhaps. But short of a bolt from the blue, I imagine it will be awhile."
-
>"Perhaps. But short of a bolt from the blue, I imagine it will be awhile."
> "Guess we'll just have to hope. Or maybe focus on it..."
>_
-
>"It's been a busy week in a lot of ways. But perhaps I'll set aside some time tomorrow."
-
>"It's been a busy week in a lot of ways. But perhaps I'll set aside some time tomorrow."
> "Yeah, I'll try to too then."
>_
-
>"You too? That would just be distracting~"
-
>"You too? That would just be distracting~"
> "Ah, I meant free time in general."
>_
-
>"Well, that would be even better!"
-
>"Well, that would be even better!"
> "Though, speaking of free time, is there anything else you wanted to do?"
>_
-
>"I was looking forward to spending the evening with you, but if you need to get back to work, that will be a problem. In particular, I was hoping I could sleep around you so if something happens, you could see."
-
>"I was looking forward to spending the evening with you, but if you need to get back to work, that will be a problem. In particular, I was hoping I could sleep around you so if something happens, you could see."
> "Darn..." Meiling looks down. "I can't ask for the rest of the night..."
>_
-
>"What I suppose I could do is fetch my futon, and join you in front of the gates, if you don't think that would cause a problem, or be too much of a spectacle?"
-
>"What I suppose I could do is fetch my futon, and join you in front of the gates, if you don't think that would cause a problem, or be too much of a spectacle?"
> "It'll definitely cause a spectacle, I think... But we can just do it innocently and worry about the problems later, if there even are any, right?"
>_
-
>"It should be alright, I'm not planning on sleeping on your lap or anything; however tempting. I could be inside the wall, if that's better."
-
>"It should be alright, I'm not planning on sleeping on your lap or anything; however tempting. I could be inside the wall, if that's better."
> "Well any way might be fine for the mansion's residents at least. They know I'm having you as a guest, or should be."
>_
-
>"That'll work out just fine, then!"
-
>"That'll work out just fine, then!"
> "Glad to hear..." Meiling folds her arms around you.
>_
-
>Snuggle into her huge arms.
-
>Snuggle into her huge arms.
> You get more comfortable...
> "Going to sleep right now?"
>_
-
>"Oh I could. But, you did want me to take some measurements, right?"
-
>"Oh I could. But, you did want me to take some measurements, right?"
> Meiling nods.
>_
-
>"Once my doll gets back, we'll go someplace private."
-
>"Once my doll gets back, we'll go someplace private."
> "T-This big? Are there many places that cou- is that her?" Meiling points.
>_
-
>Glance over.
>Assuming so, say "Ah yes," and accept the tape measure. Then ask the doll to follow, we will need someone to write down the numbers.
-
>Glance over.
>Assuming so, say "Ah yes," and accept the tape measure. Then ask the doll to follow, we will need someone to write down the numbers.
> The doll is still quite a long way away.
> You wait for it to arrive and take it.
> You give the doll a new order.
>_
-
>"Now, do you have time to come with me to where we had our time before? That should be reasonably private."
-
>"Now, do you have time to come with me to where we had our time before? That should be reasonably private."
> "If we're coming back after, then yes."
>_
-
>"If we must."
-
>"If we must."
> "I have to, at least."
>_
-
>"I know, I was just lamenting. Carry me?"
-
>"I know, I was just lamenting. Carry me?"
> "With pleasure!"
> You feel her hands manage their ways to your legs and back as Meiling sits up herself, then starts to stand with you in a princess carry.
> The doll loyally floats up towards your new height.
>_
-
>Snuggle up against the much bigger woman. "Mmm, wonderful."
-
>Snuggle up against the much bigger woman. "Mmm, wonderful."
> Your lady can't help but smile.
> "Maybe I should take my time bringing us there..."
>_
-
>"I wouldn't complain~"
-
>"I wouldn't complain~"
> "On we go then." Meiling starts away from the mansion.
>_
-
>Snuggle up and enjoy the ride.
>"So how does it feel?"
-
>Snuggle up and enjoy the ride.
>"So how does it feel?"
> "A bit funny. Someone being in my care like this..."
>_
-
>"Just think about how large and powerful you are, to lift the likes of me so easily~"
-
>"Just think about how large and powerful you are, to lift the likes of me so easily~"
> "Not at all. You just hardly weigh a thing~"
>_
-
>"Drop me on a house and we'll see how much I weight!"
>"...Please don't drop me."
-
>"Drop me on a house and we'll see how much I weight!"
>"...Please don't drop me."
> "I wouldn't let you down even if I lost my hands."
>_
-
>"Please don't lose your hands, either! You're much too good with them."
-
>"Please don't lose your hands, either! You're much too good with them."
> Meiling giggles.
> "As you wish~"
> Time seems to have flown... Meiling's already brought you near that night's area...
>_
-
>Let her set us down; though no need to hurry, then focus some power into the tape measure and grow it to our size.
-
>Let her set us down; though no need to hurry, then focus some power into the tape measure and grow it to our size.
> You wait.
> "I know I said I wouldn't let you down but... Is it fine to now?"
> You agree, and she does so carefully.
> You take the tape measurer from the doll and focus energy into it, growing it to your size.
> "...Does that still, uh, measure the same amounts? Since it's bigger?"
>_
-
>"Well, a foot from this isn't a normal foot. But as long as I use it to measure out the cloth, it'll be fine since it's a consistent scale."
-
>"Well, a foot from this isn't a normal foot. But as long as I use it to measure out the cloth, it'll be fine since it's a consistent scale."
> "Ah, I get it."
>_
-
>"Now let's start, hold out your arms, please?"
-
>"Now let's start, hold out your arms, please?"
> Meiling stands up tall, holding her arms out towards you...
>_
-
>Frown for a moment, then stretch up on tippy toes to try and get a good measurement; then have the doll take it down if we can get it.
-
>Frown for a moment, then stretch up on tippy toes to try and get a good measurement; then have the doll take it down if we can get it.
> You reach up on her and have your doll take it down...
>_
-
>"Alright, I'll take your waist next."
-
>"Alright, I'll take your waist next."
> "Take all the time you need."
>_
-
>Move on, taking her waist, then leg length, hips, and bust. And linger a bit more and perhaps a bit more handsy on each successive one.
-
>Move on, taking her waist, then leg length, hips, and bust. And linger a bit more and perhaps a bit more handsy on each successive one.
> You measure more of Meiling, taking your time as she preferred...
> "If I do leave the mansion, I'll really miss a lot about it..."
>_
-
>"Like what?"
>Maaaybe linger a little more on that measurement taking, just to be accurate.
-
>"Like what?"
>Maaaybe linger a little more on that measurement taking, just to be accurate.
> You... take a bit more measurements. You absolutely can't just be careless and miscalculate her sizes?
> "Like how spacious it is... The young mistress... Patchouli's spells..."
>_
-
>"Patchouli's spells?"
-
>"Patchouli's spells?"
> "Things like her messing with the garden or doing something flashy. "
>_
-
>"I don't know if I would trust her to do something flashy with the garden..."
-
>"I don't know if I would trust her to do something flashy with the garden..."
> "It wasn't too much, at least."
>_
-
>"What did she do?"
-
>"What did she do?"
> "She turned a bunch of the flora white, and in a pattern too."
>_
-
>"Impressive, I have to admit,"
>Let's make sure those measurements were recorded correctly.
-
>"Impressive, I have to admit,"
>Let's make sure those measurements were recorded correctly.
> You could do one more measurement, just in case she was moving a bit...
> "Yea, I was really stumped on how I would fix it."
>_
-
>At this point, just drop the pretense of measuring, we're just loving on our big girlfriend now.
>"Were you able to fix it?"
-
>At this point, just drop the pretense of measuring, we're just loving on our big girlfriend now.
>"Were you able to fix it?"
> It's not like you can't redo the outfit if it's wrong.
> "She eventually fixed it herself. I couldn't just plant new ones as that would take too long... Painting them seemed like a good idea for a while though."
>_
-
>"So even when she did good, she still made a mess."
-
>"So even when she did good, she still made a mess."
> "I think it may have been more of the mistress not liking how it turned out..."
>_
-
>"...Was it a bad pattern?"
-
>"...Was it a bad pattern?"
> "I don't think so, but I didn't like it too much anyways."
>_
-
>"Still, it's something to miss."
-
>"Still, it's something to miss."
> Meiling nods...
>_
-
>"So if you absolutely can't leave, then...well, I do expect you to stay overnight fairly often, at least.'
-
>"So if you absolutely can't leave, then...well, I do expect you to stay overnight fairly often, at least.'
> "I'll do my best. How's my measurements? Do you think you can get the supplies for it?"
>_
-
>Do we have what we need onhand, accounting for enlargement spells?
-
>Do we have what we need onhand, accounting for enlargement spells?
> No, you still need all the actual fabric. You could probably have your doll do another trip.
>_
-
>"I am very satisfied with your measurements~ But aside from the fabric at home, I have what I need."
-
>"I am very satisfied with your measurements~ But aside from the fabric at home, I have what I need."
> "Should we start then?"
>_
-
>"Well, first I'll need to examine your clothes, and work out a pattern for them, but that shouldn't be too hard. I could do some of it by ear, though."
-
>"Well, first I'll need to examine your clothes, and work out a pattern for them, but that shouldn't be too hard. I could do some of it by ear, though."
> "That wouldn't be any fun, would it?"
>_
-
>"Well, there's some excitement to be had from riding by the seat of your pants."
-
>"Well, there's some excitement to be had from riding by the seat of your pants."
> Meiling giggles.
> "Sure."
>_
-
>"Would you prefer here, or come back to my place where all the stuff is?"
-
>"Would you prefer here, or come back to my place where all the stuff is?"
> "Maybe here."
>_
-
>Nod, and send off a faerie to get the necessary things.
-
>Nod, and send off a faerie to get the necessary things.
> You don't note any fairies nearby to bother you nor any under your command.
>_
-
>Send the doll who was taking notes, rather.
-
>Send the doll who was taking notes, rather.
> You send your doll off...
> "Hm... I wonder how often you send them far... You could probably do news better than the tengu could, as you at least have quantity and tireless dolls, right?"
>_
-
>"I try not to do it too often, honestly. But today, there's a fine reason. I don't know if they would be good at recording events."
-
>"I try not to do it too often, honestly. But today, there's a fine reason. I don't know if they would be good at recording events."
> "Hm, confident in at least delivery then?"
>_
-
>Nod.
>"I'm sure as long as I send them somewhere easy to find, it shouldn't be a problem."
-
>Nod.
>"I'm sure as long as I send them somewhere easy to find, it shouldn't be a problem."
> "What about intrusions?"
>_
-
>"I've honestly never tested that. I haven't really had the need or opportunity."
-
>"I've honestly never tested that. I haven't really had the need or opportunity."
> "Nothing's got in their way? That's a bit hard to believe."
>_
-
>"Oh, when you said intrusions, I thought you mean...well, break-ins."
>How do they tend to do with obstacles?
-
>"Oh, when you said intrusions, I thought you mean...well, break-ins."
>How do they tend to do with obstacles?
> "Ah, sorry."
> They can escape humans, but only sometimes get away from fairies, given they can fly as well. Anything tougher, and they aren't getting away if their pursuer doesn't want them to. The doll you've been using seems to have been lucky enough not to get intercepted so far..
>_
-
>"They can adapt a little, but if they encounter any youkai, the youkai holds all the cards. Even faeries can be a problem when they are out on their own."
-
>"They can adapt a little, but if they encounter any youkai, the youkai holds all the cards. Even faeries can be a problem when they are out on their own."
> "I see... Do they fight back or try to avoid conflict altogether?"
>_
-
>"It depends on the orders I give them, but usually they try to save themselves."
-
>"It depends on the orders I give them, but usually they try to save themselves."
> "I hope that one doesn't have trouble."
>_
-
>"I don't think she will. She's done well thus far."
-
>"I don't think she will. She's done well thus far."
> "Do they grow any better from staying longer? You don't always have the same ones around aside from Shanghai and Shourei right?"
>_
-
>"They do learn to a degree, but I don't think it really sticks between summoning and de-summoning."
-
>"They do learn to a degree, but I don't think it really sticks between summoning and de-summoning."
> "How does all your doll magic and summoning work? Is it something you can teach at least a little bit to others?"
>_
-
>"I've never tried, honestly. I think you do need a knack for it to get to the point where I'm at, but I think the basics could be picked up by a dedicated student."
-
>"I've never tried, honestly. I think you do need a knack for it to get to the point where I'm at, but I think the basics could be picked up by a dedicated student."
> "What do you mean with the basics? Just puppeteering, or controlling a bunch of them?"
>_
-
>"Controlling, I mean. It's not that different than making golems, just more intricate."
-
>"Controlling, I mean. It's not that different than making golems, just more intricate."
> "Hmm..."
> Your doll returns once again.
>_
-
>"Ah, there you are!"
>Take the materials, and expand them to a useful size; the tools to our scale and the cloth to Meiling's scale. Then let's see what we can pattern out here, based on her clothing she has now.
-
>"Ah, there you are!"
>Take the materials, and expand them to a useful size; the tools to our scale and the cloth to Meiling's scale. Then let's see what we can pattern out here, based on her clothing she has now.
> You retrieve from your doll, then size up the materials.
> She's in her usual, so you could figure something out easily...
>_
-
>Set to work on some easy parts; measuring out as needs be from our notes. Let's take care not to be sloppy on this one.
-
>Set to work on some easy parts; measuring out as needs be from our notes. Let's take care not to be sloppy on this one.
> Will you be replicating the outfit to the best of your ability, or changing it in some way purposely, aside from size?
>_
-
>We'll replicate for now. Changing it on the fly would be hard, and she hasn't requested anything.
-
>We'll replicate for now. Changing it on the fly would be hard, and she hasn't requested anything.
> You continue on.
> "How are your thoughts on miss Patchouli?"
>_
-
>Measure measure, snip clip~
>"Oh, she's a bit dour, but she's ultimately a good person. Or can at least be nudged toward it. Frighteningly knowledgeable, sometimes."
-
>Measure measure, snip clip~
>"Oh, she's a bit dour, but she's ultimately a good person. Or can at least be nudged toward it. Frighteningly knowledgeable, sometimes."
> "That's good. I don't think I've ever had many moments to just sit and chat with her." Meiling watches.
>_
-
>Keep at it. Lean against the bigger woman for some comfort.
>"She is difficult to approach. Honestly, best thing you could do would be to just plop down across from her table and start talking. ...Well, no. Best thing you coudl do woudl be to just pluck her up and maybe stick her in your pocket."
-
>Keep at it. Lean against the bigger woman for some comfort.
>"She is difficult to approach. Honestly, best thing you could do would be to just plop down across from her table and start talking. ...Well, no. Best thing you coudl do woudl be to just pluck her up and maybe stick her in your pocket."
> "S-She'll burn up the clothes you just made for me then." Meiling chuckles. "You've seen when she's in a less than happy mood haven't you?"
>_
-
>"Not if she doesn't want you to flick her in the head with your fingers! I think she would be too awed by your vast presence to complain much. At least the first time or two."
-
>"Not if she doesn't want you to flick her in the head with your fingers! I think she would be too awed by your vast presence to complain much. At least the first time or two."
> "Hmm, I don't think she's gotten to see either of us like this. Nor when we were starting this either."
>_
-
>Think back. Didn't we visit Patchouli after we started growing?
>"I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't seen you, at least. All the more loss for her."
-
>Think back. Didn't we visit Patchouli after we started growing?
>"I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't seen you, at least. All the more loss for her."
> You did.
> "Sadly I don't think she'd be very surprised... Oh well, that's just her."
>_
-
>"Well, she might be speechless for other reasons," shift our leaning against her to press against her chest a bit for emphasis.
>"Oh, is there anything special you'll want me to do with this?"
-
>"Well, she might be speechless for other reasons," shift our leaning against her to press against her chest a bit for emphasis.
>"Oh, is there anything special you'll want me to do with this?"
> "I'm fine with however you make it." Meiling holds you in a bit.
>_
-
>"Okay, I won't try anything particularly flashy."
>Lean into her arms a little as we work.
-
>"Okay, I won't try anything particularly flashy."
>Lean into her arms a little as we work.
> You let Meiling hold you as you work towards, and finish, an outfit for her size.
>_
-
>"It's a bit rough. We'll need to fit it and do some adjustments, but what do you think?"
-
>"It's a bit rough. We'll need to fit it and do some adjustments, but what do you think?"
> "Hmmh?" Meiling sports a grin of her size. "I wanna try it on now!"
>_
-
>"By all means!"
-
>"By all means!"
> "Should we make it a surprise or do you wanna watch?"
>_
-
>"I think I need to watch, sweetie."
-
>"I think I need to watch, sweetie."
>"Don't worry if you miss anything. This shouldn't be the only time." Meiling starts to change...
> She halts midway.
> "Wanna take some more? I'll need these two articles as well. Or, at least the lower..." She thinks to herself for a moment."
>_
-
>"Well, since we're here and all~"
>Realistically, she could just lend us something, but why not do it the fun way?
-
>"Well, since we're here and all~"
>Realistically, she could just lend us something, but why not do it the fun way?
> "Um, are you suggesting we spend more time here like before? Or something else."
>_
-
>"I'm open to either, really. But no matter what, we'll have fun, no?"
-
>"I'm open to either, really. But no matter what, we'll have fun, no?"
> "What kind of things would we be doing if they weren't?"
>_
-
>"Well, at the very least, I'm going to need to look them over in order to make new ones. I don't mind if you're modeling them, so to speak, while I do. Or you could just hand them over. After that, well, we'll see what you feel like, hm?"
-
>"Well, at the very least, I'm going to need to look them over in order to make new ones. I don't mind if you're modeling them, so to speak, while I do. Or you could just hand them over. After that, well, we'll see what you feel like, hm?"
> "Oh. Sure."
> Meiling resumes, then hands you the two giant articles.
>_
-
>Take a few moments to appreciate her vast form.
>Then take some measurements and write down some notes.
-
>Take a few moments to appreciate her vast form.
>Then take some measurements and write down some notes.
> You take in the sight for a bit, to which she smiles...
> You start to record...
> "So I'll be keeping these sizes for a while then? At least, until we figure out if I'll be staying with you or at the mansion like I have been?"
>_
-
>"Well, that's your choice, Meiling. If you need to be bigger, then do it. I can adjust things."
-
>"Well, that's your choice, Meiling. If you need to be bigger, then do it. I can adjust things."
> "I'll consider it..."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Just do as you feel, sweetie."
-
>Nod.
>"Just do as you feel, sweetie."
> "Well, I feel like just dropping everything and staying with you, but I know that's just acting without thinking too much, ahaha."
>_
-
>"How much time do you have left?"
-
>"How much time do you have left?"
> "Not too much longer, but nothing we need to rush." She looks up.
>_
-
>"Well then, I suppose you have a choice. You can true your new clothes on, or you could leave them off. Up to you."
-
>"Well then, I suppose you have a choice. You can true your new clothes on, or you could leave them off. Up to you."
> "I'm sure you could make them a perfect fit. It'll be fine not to try yet."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"Well, with that decided~"
-
>Chuckle.
>"Well, with that decided~"
> "Lets hope time doesn't fly too fast, so there can still be some for things to do after..."
>_
-
>Set her stuff aside, and make our way toward her. "Then we'll have to be efficient~"
-
>Set her stuff aside, and make our way toward her. "Then we'll have to be efficient~"
> "I won't lose track of time this time. But I won't be watching any clocks either... You better hold up part of this responsibility too, Alice." She covers herself.
>_
-
>Laugh.
>"Don't worry, I'll be just as quick as you like~"
-
>Laugh.
>"Don't worry, I'll be just as quick as you like~"
> "Then I'm all yours..."
>_
-
>Let's be just as quick she likes.
-
>Let's be just as quick she likes.
> A brief, yet pleasant period, though it's shorter than either of you desired... Still, it's unanimous without word that it's time well spent. Arguably, the gradual flow with her back to the rest of reality forgives having to return so soon....
> The sky maintained it's earlier form, trying to convince you that time has stopped, and more couldn't hurt. Meiling stares through it, either considering the idea or trying to find the source of the sky's choice.
>_
-
>"It's about time, isn't it?"
-
>"It's about time, isn't it?"
> "Almost... We can send each other off still." Meiling turns to you. "Ah, should I take the outfit with me, or will you make more based on it?"
>_
-
>"Take it for now, I don't think I'll have time tomorrow."
-
>"Take it for now, I don't think I'll have time tomorrow."
> "Alright." Meiling nods, starting to get up.
>_
-
>Let her up, hand her her clothing. Let's get dressed as well.
>Once she's ready: "I'll be along shortly to sleep."
-
>Let her up, hand her her clothing. Let's get dressed as well.
>Once she's ready: "I'll be along shortly to sleep."
> You hand her the new clothing, as well as her previous.
> "Why don't wet just go together then? Or are you still doing something at home or such?" Meiling starts to dress.
>_
-
>"I want to get my futon, but it if won't take you too far out of your way..."
-
>"I want to get my futon, but it if won't take you too far out of your way..."
>"Sure thing."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Then let's not linger."
>Gather up our stuff, and head homeward.
-
>Nod.
>"Then let's not linger."
>Gather up our stuff, and head homeward.
> You grab your things and dress, starting for your home.
> "Have you been thinking about anything else for your old home?"
>_
-
>"I've been thinking I'll let Shanghai and Hourai have it as their quarters. And maybe use it as a guest home?"
-
>"I've been thinking I'll let Shanghai and Hourai have it as their quarters. And maybe use it as a guest home?"
> "I wonder how are the residents there... Generally nice to have around?"
>_
-
>"Well, it's just the three of us. And Marisa down the road, which isn't too bad most of the time. The faeries can be a pain, when they get too courageous."
-
>"Well, it's just the three of us. And Marisa down the road, which isn't too bad most of the time. The faeries can be a pain, when they get too courageous."
> "Ooh, I meant for Makai. Sorry."
>_
-
>How were they, now that we think about it?
-
>How were they, now that we think about it?
> The residents were pretty friendly for the most part. Or at least, not aggressively unfriendly. Fighting was common for the times you were around there... Last you recall, Makai was probably big enough that you could just set off on your own and be secluded if you wanted to... Some places might have been changed by people there, like Mai's, you think...
>_
-
>"It's like here, but...less pretty and more aggressive. Your neighbors could vary pretty wildly."
-
>"It's like here, but...less pretty and more aggressive. Your neighbors could vary pretty wildly."
> "That doesn't sound too bad."
> Home's in sight.
>_
-
>"It...varies. Oh, just let me grab my futon and check on the dolls."
>Are the lights on? If not, peek into the window of the room where they tend to rest. If so, peek where the lights are.
-
>"It...varies. Oh, just let me grab my futon and check on the dolls."
>Are the lights on? If not, peek into the window of the room where they tend to rest. If so, peek where the lights are.
> They aren't.
> Things are still... You don't see your dolls up, but it's too dark to discern if they're in bed..
>_
-
>Smile and whisper "Nighty night, you two."
>Then retrieve our futon from the tower, and put our stuff in there for now.
>Rejoin Meiling.
-
>Smile and whisper "Nighty night, you two."
>Then retrieve our futon from the tower, and put our stuff in there for now.
>Rejoin Meiling.
> You wish the dolls goodnight regardless and head to the tower section of your home.
> You swap your current on person belongings with the futon, heading back to Meiling.
> "All set?"
>_
-
>Nod. "Let's not keep you away any longer."
-
>Nod. "Let's not keep you away any longer."
> "Alright then. We can take our time getting there, I'm still on pace."
>_
-
>"Well, yes, you can cover about twice as much distance as me with a step."
>Back to the mansion.
-
>"Well, yes, you can cover about twice as much distance as me with a step."
>Back to the mansion.
> "Only thanks to you."
> You start back to the mansion..
> "Hey! Big lady!" You hear a voice that you suspect belongs to one of the thieving fairies from before.
>_
-
>...
>Oh we do not have time or patience for this.
>Look directly toward the voice.
-
>...
>Oh we do not have time or patience for this.
>Look directly toward the voice.
> You look over.
> It is indeed one of the night fairies of before...
> "Do you have any bags or stuff to hold thingies?" She questions.
>_
-
>...
>"...Why do you ask?"
-
>...
>"...Why do you ask?"
> "We can't really get enough mushrooms for everyone to have one to use and it's not really fun. Nothing looks like it even hits and everyone's too good at everything when it's happening."
> Meiling chuckles a bit.
> "So we don't want them anymore. We're gonna throw them out anyways, bag or not. But using a bag means no one can hide any and we throw them all at once."
>_
-
>"Really now?"
>Do we happen to have any bags onhand?
-
>"Really now?"
>Do we happen to have any bags onhand?
> You do not.
> "Really." She replies. "Now."
>_
-
>"Come with me."
>Head back toward our house.
-
>"Come with me."
>Head back toward our house.
> The fairy flies down, following you back...
>_
-
>Head back to the tower portion of our house and dig out some old bags, or a length of canvas or something that can be folded into a sack.
-
>Head back to the tower portion of our house and dig out some old bags, or a length of canvas or something that can be folded into a sack.
> You search for, and soon retrieve, a trio of bags.
>_
-
>Present one to the faerie. "Will this do?"
-
>Present one to the faerie. "Will this do?"
> "Yeah, that will." She nods.
>_
-
>Hand it over!
-
>Hand it over!
> You give the fairy one of the bags.
> "Thanks big lady." She starts to fly off.
>_
-
>"I'll be with Meiling."
>Go to rejoin her.
-
>"I'll be with Meiling."
>Go to rejoin her.
> You return to Meiling.
> "Not enough mushrooms for them to play with?" Meiling questions.
>_
-
>"Apparently they ruin all the faeries' games? Either way, I won't complain. It's a good enough peace offering."
-
>"Apparently they ruin all the faeries' games? Either way, I won't complain. It's a good enough peace offering."
> "Ooh, so it was war before?"
>_
-
>"It became one, and I was perfectly content to see it through to its conclusion. But, this is better by far."
-
>"It became one, and I was perfectly content to see it through to its conclusion. But, this is better by far."
> "A war against fairies..." Meiling considers...
>_
-
>"What's with that tone, honey?"
-
>"What's with that tone, honey?"
> "Just considering how it would go... If more fairies would get involved than you could handle..."
>_
-
>"I think, if that were the case, they'd be too numerous to organize themselves."
-
>"I think, if that were the case, they'd be too numerous to organize themselves."
> "Fairies are good in numbers. Even if you're a fairy yourself, a huge group could still know to go against you and not each other."
>_
-
>"It seems like they would get in each other's way, past a point."
>Keep an eye out for that faerie.
-
>"It seems like they would get in each other's way, past a point."
>Keep an eye out for that faerie.
> "They sorta do sometimes, yeah. That's bound to happen..."
> You make sure to keep an eye out for her, though she doesn't seem to be showing up on your way to the mansion...
>_
-
>Probably got lost. We'll need to get another sack someday.
>"And, I imagine they have a tendency toward friendly fire when there's too many."
-
>Probably got lost. We'll need to get another sack someday.
>"And, I imagine they have a tendency toward friendly fire when there's too many."
> "They care about dodging... until things get too hectic and they seem to just want to get out what they can while they still can."
>_
-
>"I, on the other hand, can keep my dolls in proper control and act in concert as needs be. If it a contest between between and I, there is no contest."
-
>"I, on the other hand, can keep my dolls in proper control and act in concert as needs be. If it a contest between between and I, there is no contest."
> Meiling giggles.
> "I kind of do want to see how the war was going..."
>_
-
>"After all I've done for you, you'd wish to see me embroiled in a fruitless war?"
>Giggle as well.
>"It would be interesting to watch from the outside."
-
>"After all I've done for you, you'd wish to see me embroiled in a fruitless war?"
>Giggle as well.
>"It would be interesting to watch from the outside."
> "Who says you can't be a fighter and a lover?"
>_
-
>"Oh, you're volunteering to help, miss fighter?"
-
>"Oh, you're volunteering to help, miss fighter?"
> "I wouldn't just want to watch from the sidelines... It'd be my problem too anyways, right?"
> You've made it to the lake, and nearly the mansion as well.
>_
-
>Glance around for any faeries with bags. If we find none, let's continue toward SDM.
-
>Glance around for any faeries with bags. If we find none, let's continue toward SDM.
> You peel your eyes once more...
> There are a few fairies holding mushrooms. The one from before does have the bag, and from what you can see, it's not empty. Too far to make out if they're saying anything.
>_
-
>"There they are."
>Approach the faeries.
-
>"There they are."
>Approach the faeries.
> "Hm?" Meiling questions.
> Some of the fairies stumble a bit as you approach, getting defensive.
> "H-Hey, why are you here?" They ask.
> "We're giving them to her? No way!"
> "It's not like that." The one you spoke to before speaks up. "We're just throwing them away."
>_
-
>"I'm just here to get my sack back."
-
>"I'm just here to get my sack back."
> "But we're putting the mushrooms in it."
> "Do we take them, out?"
> "We don't need them anymore, remember?"
> "Hmm..."
> "I say we drop everything and leave. I don't wanna fight her again."
> "Yeah, this is taking long anyways."
> Some of the fairies drop their mushrooms, flying away as others observe and do the same...
>_
-
>Let them do so. They're just leaving off unwanted things.
>Once they are done, however, start gathering them up into the sack.
-
>Let them do so. They're just leaving off unwanted things.
>Once they are done, however, start gathering them up into the sack.
> You wait for the fairies to finish scattering among the same direction...
> Then start gathering the mushroom. Meiling aids you shortly.
> The bag is full, yet there's still some left...
>_
-
>Gather what is left, and take a quick inventory.
-
>Gather what is left, and take a quick inventory.
> You store the rest where you can...
> You aren't sure how many mushroom pairs you have... It's much more than a single harvest at least...
>_
-
>"Yes, I'll consider this proper recompense."
>Grin toward Meiling. "Want a few, sweetie?"
-
>"Yes, I'll consider this proper recompense."
>Grin toward Meiling. "Want a few, sweetie?"
> "Now? Well, it might help in getting bigger, but I don't want to grow too much more right now actually..."
>_
-
>"Well, last time, after you first made yourself larger, it didn't make you any taller. Just...more-ish, we'll say."
-
>"Well, last time, after you first made yourself larger, it didn't make you any taller. Just...more-ish, we'll say."
> "Hm... I guess I've just been forgetful lately. There uh, wasn't anything else I forgot earlier, was there?"
>_
-
>"I don't think so, at least."
-
>"I don't think so, at least."
> "Sweet. Let's hurry on?"
>_
-
>Nod, and hurry on.
-
>Nod, and hurry on.
> You make haste to the mansion.
> "That's still a lot of mushrooms..." Meiling notes as she steps near the building.
>_
-
>"Mhm. I'm going to have to think about what I want to do with them all."
-
>"Mhm. I'm going to have to think about what I want to do with them all."
> "Try riskier things since you have more of a supply?"
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"You sound like you have an idea, hon."
-
>Chuckle.
>"You sound like you have an idea, hon."
> "Well, have you tried eating more than one at once?"
>_
-
>"Oh yeah, we've been eating them in pairs for awhile now. Didn't I give you a pair the other day?"
-
>"Oh yeah, we've been eating them in pairs for awhile now. Didn't I give you a pair the other day?"
>"Mm...they all seem to be in pairs anyways..."
>_
-
>"I suppose now we could try a quartet..."
-
>"I suppose now we could try a quartet..."
> "Oh. I wonder if we could actually handle double the effects..."
>_
-
>"Only one way to find out. Say ah, sweetie!"
-
>"Only one way to find out. Say ah, sweetie!"
> "Ahh~" Meiling waits.
>_
-
>Gently place four mushrooms in the huge woman's mouth, then step back to watch the results.
-
>Gently place four mushrooms in the huge woman's mouth, then step back to watch the results.
> You lay the mushrooms on and move a bit to watch...
> The flashing begins, and a giant towers over you and the mansion in the aftermath... Her proportions seem similar, if not the same to how she was the first time she partook in a single pair.
> She seems to, very slightly, stumble a bit from the ground shifting. Or perhaps she was simply taking a step for more comfort...
>_
-
>Did she get larger? How much larger?
>Call up: "How do you feel?"
-
>Did she get larger? How much larger?
>Call up: "How do you feel?"
> She's well past the mansion's size itself now.
> "Same as before... Aside from being larger since, well... Yeah... But this doesn't feel too different from the last time."
>_
-
>"You've gotten pretty huge!"
-
>"You've gotten pretty huge!"
> "Yeah. This always feels nice." She sighs. "Well, from the few times I've had it."
>_
-
>"I guess four really do have an enhanced effect."
>Do we even reach her knees now? Her ankles?
-
>"I guess four really do have an enhanced effect."
>Do we even reach her knees now? Her ankles?
> You do.
> "But is it the big difference or just additive with each extra pair?" Meiling bellows.
>_
-
>"Well, there is really only one way to find out. Kneel down here and say ahh, honey."
-
>"Well, there is really only one way to find out. Kneel down here and say ahh, honey."
> The giantess carefully kneels, wary of the mansion, it's gates, and you. She opens up, though without saying "ahh"
>_
-
>Toss six of the mushrooms into her mouth.
-
>Toss six of the mushrooms into her mouth.
> You lob some more mushrooms into Meiling...
> She gets back up, watching herself...
>_
-
>Watch her as well.
-
>Watch her as well.
> You both observe...
> ?
> Nothing seems to happen...
>_
-
>"We'll have to note that down. Sequential doses don't seem to have an effect."
-
>"We'll have to note that down. Sequential doses don't seem to have an effect."
> "Wouldn't want to waste more like that." Meiling nods.
>_
-
>"So, enjoying yourself?/"
>"I wonder, from a purely theoretical standpoint, how much of the mansion you could gather into your hands."
-
>"So, enjoying yourself?/"
>"I wonder, from a purely theoretical standpoint, how much of the mansion you could gather into your hands."
> "Just being like this already feels good. And I feel like I could lift the entire mansion... Minus the basement, possibly..."
>_
-
>"Lucky mansion."
-
>"Lucky mansion."
> "Nono, see, part of it would come off if I were to try. You, on the other hand, should stay intact."
>_
-
>"For a short time, it would be lucky. But, I can't deny you're wrong about the second part!"
-
>"For a short time, it would be lucky. But, I can't deny you're wrong about the second part!"
> "Oho? How so?"
>_
-
>"What could be luckier than being caressed by the soft hands of such a huge dragon?"
-
>"What could be luckier than being caressed by the soft hands of such a huge dragon?"
> "We could add a few things to that sort of scenario. The owner of those hands sheltering you from the rain, for example..."
>_
-
>"Certainly lucky, yes."
-
>"Certainly lucky, yes."
> "And a beautiful tune could be playing..."
>_
-
>"Hm, I like the way you think, I never considered music."
-
>"Hm, I like the way you think, I never considered music."
> "Are there any instruments you'd like to learn? Or already know even?"
>_
-
>"Well...maybe the koto? They always sound so pretty."
-
>"Well...maybe the koto? They always sound so pretty."
> "String and wind instruments are quite fun, and equal parts enjoyable. I wish I could gather a couple for us to try and play... Hm, do you believe the mushroom effects would increase one's proficiency in music?"
>_
-
>"That would be an interesting angle to research, wouldn't it? We'd have to find some instruments..."
-
>"That would be an interesting angle to research, wouldn't it? We'd have to find some instruments..."
> Meiling nods.
> "May I try another pair?" She requests, before beginning to flash.
>_
-
>"Of course!"
>Offer up two more.
-
>"Of course!"
>Offer up two more.
> The giant takes the pair, down the hatch...
> The blinking stops. But she doesn't seem to change anymore.
> "Hmm. No extra changes..."
>_
-
>"It was a good thing to test, though. I should have thought of it beforehand!"
-
>"It was a good thing to test, though. I should have thought of it beforehand!"
> "Maybe... Something will happen if one stays like this for a long time? Continuously eating whenever it would run out?"
>_
-
>"Hm. Well. It would be an interesting experiment. And I suppose we do have more coming...If you want to try, I certainly won't naysay it!"
-
>"Hm. Well. It would be an interesting experiment. And I suppose we do have more coming...If you want to try, I certainly won't naysay it!"
> "I'm afraid of it doing nothing in the end though."
>_
-
>"Then we learn it did nothing. That's useful research, too. But really, you just want to have more mushrooms, don't you?"
-
>"Then we learn it did nothing. That's useful research, too. But really, you just want to have more mushrooms, don't you?"
> "I'd say it wouldn't hurt, especially with how much you have now, but it's not an infinite supply."
>_
-
>"I think. if you want to. we should do it."
-
>"I think. if you want to. we should do it."
> "No no, you shouldn't only do it for me."
>_
-
>"Oh it's not just for you, sweetie."
-
>"Oh it's not just for you, sweetie."
> "Mm... Well is it in your thoughts? Surely you have other ideas? I wouldn't want to waste so many of them on only mine. I hadn't even helped gather any."
>_
-
>"I have a few other test subjects in mind, but I have no problem with you taking the lion's share."
-
>"I have a few other test subjects in mind, but I have no problem with you taking the lion's share."
> "Alright, but you have to tell me your other test subjects then."
>_
-
>"Let's see, Reimu is definitely on the list. She is powerful, but so much of it comes from skill rather than raw might that I wonder what will happen. Ideally, I would like to find Yukari and her familiar, as well. Perhaps even the Yama and her shikigami if I can."
-
>"Let's see, Reimu is definitely on the list. She is powerful, but so much of it comes from skill rather than raw might that I wonder what will happen. Ideally, I would like to find Yukari and her familiar, as well. Perhaps even the Yama and her shikigami if I can."
> "Isn't Yukari already like this? I hear she is at least..."
>_
-
>"You mean hundreds of feet tall?"
-
>"You mean hundreds of feet tall?"
> "Alriiight, I get why you want to try for that part, at least."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"It would be interesting to see. Who knows, it might even put her in an affable mood for once?"
-
>Chuckle.
>"It would be interesting to see. Who knows, it might even put her in an affable mood for once?"
> "I hope you find some new food that makes people drastically different. These have been fun."
>_
-
>Laugh lightly
>"Haven't they? who knows what else we may find?"
-
>Laugh lightly
>"Haven't they? who knows what else we may find?"
> "Perhaps we could create our own one. A fungus, or plant."
>_
-
>"Hm. Well, with your latent genius and my knowledge base, it isn't impossible, is it? Follow that line of thought, hun. What do you suggest?"
-
>"Hm. Well, with your latent genius and my knowledge base, it isn't impossible, is it? Follow that line of thought, hun. What do you suggest?"
> "We haven't bisected these yet have we? Only eaten them... maybe there's something in them that makes it like this."
>_
-
>"Hmm, worth a try. Not as though they can't be eaten afterward."
-
>"Hmm, worth a try. Not as though they can't be eaten afterward."
> "Mhm, mhm. Though... what will we do if something goes wrong? Like we eat a changed one and we start growing and don't stop?"
>_
-
>"I suppose there would be little for it but to wait it out..."
-
>"I suppose there would be little for it but to wait it out..."
> "But if it doesn't stop?"
>_
-
>Shrug.
>"Then it doesn't. I suppose we'd have to try to combine our knowledge to do something to stop it."
-
>Shrug.
>"Then it doesn't. I suppose we'd have to try to combine our knowledge to do something to stop it."
> Meiling nods a bit, resting.
>_
-
>Have we reached the mansion yet?
>If so: "But, I suppose we'll have to consider that later, I should be trying to get to sleep."
-
>Have we reached the mansion yet?
>If so: "But, I suppose we'll have to consider that later, I should be trying to get to sleep."
> You are here.
> "Mm... Alright. Another time then?"
>_
-
>"Just for. For now...well, let's see what happens when you continue to have them? I am curious if the interval changes."
>"...Also I am terribly tempted to just throw my futon onto your lap."
-
>"Just for. For now...well, let's see what happens when you continue to have them? I am curious if the interval changes."
>"...Also I am terribly tempted to just throw my futon onto your lap."
> "What's stopping you? I'd just have to eat one every... what is it, three minutes?"
> Meiling begins to flash on cue.
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose so. I wonder if their duration will get longer the more you do it? I guess you're large enough you won't need to move to do your job."
>and her another mushroom.
>Then let's toss that futon on her lap, and climb on!
-
>"Well, I suppose so. I wonder if their duration will get longer the more you do it? I guess you're large enough you won't need to move to do your job."
>and her another mushroom.
>Then let's toss that futon on her lap, and climb on!
> You pass Meiling another mushroom, and she obliges.
> With the flashing ceased, you rest your sleeping accommodation on her lap and get on.
> "Maybe my size will be enough to deter trespassers."
>_
-
>"You'll certainly be able to reach most of them from here, at least. Good night, hon."
>Let's see if we can make that sleep business happen.
-
>"You'll certainly be able to reach most of them from here, at least. Good night, hon."
>Let's see if we can make that sleep business happen.
> "Sweet dreams." Meiling replies as you hunt for a rest...
> Your sight returns to you, but with a view of Makai's landscape... You seem to be standing/grounded but still with this view, somehow...
>_
-
(welcome back! I was a little worried!)
>Look around.
>"Miss Doremy Sweet?"
-
(welcome back! I was a little worried!)
>Look around.
>"Miss Doremy Sweet?"
(I've started to end up neglecting quests more and more. It's bad and I should refocus, if not for myself too, for the few people that are involved in them.)
> "Over here, dear." The previous dream's voice responds from behind you.
>_
-
>Look over there!
-
>Look over there!
> You turn quickly!
> You appear to be in a room... There's a small table with some tea on it, at least, you suspect that's what it is. On your side is an empty chair, and on the opposing, the figure from the previous dream, now given details.
> The view you had previously seems to have been from a window...
>_
-
>Is this figure, or any of the furniture, on scale with us? Or are we still exceptionally large?
-
>Is this figure, or any of the furniture, on scale with us? Or are we still exceptionally large?
> They seem to be on scale with you. Even the other person. Rather, with how everything within this room seems to be, you'd assume you're normal sized again.
>_
-
>How curious!
>"I'm surprised to see you so large. Thank you for coming."
-
>How curious!
>"I'm surprised to see you so large. Thank you for coming."
> "In a dream? Well, you could maybe do with opening your mind a little more. So these have been your nightmares?"
>_
-
>"Just so. They have been irritatingly consistent."
-
>"Just so. They have been irritatingly consistent."
> "This dream seems to be a bit of a delicacy. Are you sure you want to be rid of it?"
>_
-
>"A...delicacy?"
-
>"A...delicacy?"
> "Some of this here isn't too common is all."
>_
-
>"I think I'll not miss it. I don't need to be oversleeping or waking up with wounds anymore."
-
>"I think I'll not miss it. I don't need to be oversleeping or waking up with wounds anymore."
> "Hm... One last thing." The Baku stands up, and the walls around you seem to crumble.
> "We're going to have a battle... You don't seriously believe this would be something free now, do you? I've my own interests as well... Why someone like you has been haunted by such dreams. Why you want nothing to do with them past the wounds. I'll figure them out through this."
>_
-
>"Is there a price if I lose?"
-
>"Is there a price if I lose?"
> "Of course. I won't help you with this if you lose."
> The Baku seems to blink for a moment, and sits back down.
> "Hah... Just kidding. You do take matters seriously, but I gave you my word, I'd help you with this. No fight. Just wanted to poke a it of fun and make this dream less of a bad memory. It wasn't going well that way though, and I apologize."
>_
-
>Wave a hand. "It's fine, it's fine! This is just the Gensokyo way, and I don't mind it if you were serious."
>"Now, may I ask, what exactly is causing this? Why am I waking up hurt after fights here?"
-
>Wave a hand. "It's fine, it's fine! This is just the Gensokyo way, and I don't mind it if you were serious."
>"Now, may I ask, what exactly is causing this? Why am I waking up hurt after fights here?"
> "It seemed to have been something bringing you these dreams. Though, mostly from here. Being harmed from them is another matter..."
>_
-
>"Something bringing them? And what is this other matter?"
-
>"Something bringing them? And what is this other matter?"
> "Nothing to worry about. It doesn't seem like it could happen without these dreams being forced in the first place."
>_
-
>Frown.
>"If something is forcing it, doesn't that sound like the opposite of a thing to not worry about? Who's forcing it? How?"
-
>Frown.
>"If something is forcing it, doesn't that sound like the opposite of a thing to not worry about? Who's forcing it? How?"
> "I'm not quite sure... My advice would be to be wary of what you did when these started to happen in the first place. Be that a prayer for dreams or something else."
>_
-
>Did we do anything like that?
(It's been ages, a reminder would be great)
-
>Did we do anything like that?
(It's been ages, a reminder would be great)
> You don't recall praying to anyone for help.
> You did take the usual Butterfly Dream Pills around the time this all started to happen.
> Perhaps one of the little detail changes on Goliath before these. Though it was so small...
>_
-
>Let's think about those detail changes.
>"...Mmm, Butterfly Dream Pills, perhaps? But this hasn't happened before."
-
>Let's think about those detail changes.
>"...Mmm, Butterfly Dream Pills, perhaps? But this hasn't happened before."
> Racking your memory, you think it was just sitting her in a different spot... But it couldn't have been that small... Though you don't exactly want to have your house as cluttered as your neighbor's...
> "Hm?"
>_
-
>"I take them sometimes."
>Think a bit more about the Goliath situation.
-
>"I take them sometimes."
>Think a bit more about the Goliath situation.
> It was an attempt to keep Goliath from being visible through windows in that part of your home, but still didn't work out.
> "If they're dream related, it might be worth checking out. Though, try not to let this happen again. It might end up being much more troublesome for your life."
>_
-
>"I don't even want to imagine... But is that really the cause?"
>Hm, there's probably no logical link between Goliath and our dreams...
-
>"I don't even want to imagine... But is that really the cause?"
>Hm, there's probably no logical link between Goliath and our dreams...
> You rule out the logical, but this is Gensokyo...
> Doremy nods.
>_
-
>"And the only cause?"
-
>"And the only cause?"
> "Yes."
>_
-
>"Hmmm. I suppose there wasn't anyone doing this to me after all..."
-
>"Hmmm. I suppose there wasn't anyone doing this to me after all..."
> "At least, not anyone capable of the cause outright."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"I'm disappointed in myself. I was convinced someone, somewhere, was trying something."
-
>Chuckle.
>"I'm disappointed in myself. I was convinced someone, somewhere, was trying something."
> "You may not be entirely wrong. But again, you should be fine if you avoid what caused and started this."
>_
-
>"...Do you think something might have been done to the pills?"
-
>"...Do you think something might have been done to the pills?"
> "Perhaps. It's most likely if they're 'dream pills'."
>_
-
>"Hm. Do you think they may have been affected by the maker, or someone else along the way?"
-
>"Hm. Do you think they may have been affected by the maker, or someone else along the way?"
> "I couldn't tell."
>_
-
>Do we have any left that we could examine when we wake up?
>"Ah, I see. Either way, thank you so much, Miss Doremy. I am in your debt. Is there anything you might need?"
-
>Do we have any left that we could examine when we wake up?
>"Ah, I see. Either way, thank you so much, Miss Doremy. I am in your debt. Is there anything you might need?"
> Yes, you should.
> "Nothing in particular right now, and I don't want to hold you to anything for the future. Though, if you mean anything..."
>_
-
>"I can at least hear you out."
-
>"I can at least hear you out."
> "Pardon me for my curiosity, but I would like to see what would happen if this continued, and especially rather, if you were afflicted with these again. Something more would happen now that it's been stopped here..."
>_
-
>Frown.
>"Hm. I can certainly understand your feelings. Why would something different happen?"
-
>Frown.
>"Hm. I can certainly understand your feelings. Why would something different happen?"
> "While those pills might be the only cause, there seems to have been something else making it this serious."
>_
-
>"So there was something else! Do you have any idea what it was?"
-
>"So there was something else! Do you have any idea what it was?"
> "It could be something from this land you dream of. Or someone."
>_
-
>"Is that a conjecture, or do you have some sort of reason to suspect that?"
(Will be sporadic at best for the next week)
-
>"Is that a conjecture, or do you have some sort of reason to suspect that?"
(Will be sporadic at best for the next week)
> "The dream was being influenced from another world." Doremy puts a hand to her chin.
>_
-
>"It would seem to be Makai, given what I've seen here. But...is that true?"
-
>"It would seem to be Makai, given what I've seen here. But...is that true?"
> The Baku nods decisively.
>_
-
>"May it be traced any more precisely than someone or somewhere in Makai?"
-
>"May it be traced any more precisely than someone or somewhere in Makai?"
> "Unfortunately not. I myself would at best say Makai itself."
>_
-
>Could Makai do that, in our experience?
>"Now, if I were to continue this on, what do yu hope it would reveal? And what would be the best way to get those revelations?"
-
>Could Makai do that, in our experience?
>"Now, if I were to continue this on, what do yu hope it would reveal? And what would be the best way to get those revelations?"
> Not that you recall. It did have a strong ambient magic though. Makes the forest of magic almost laughable.
> "It's a bit late to continue right now. The best way might be too just do as you normally would've."
>_
-
>"So next time I go to sleep, then. Should I call for you then?"
-
>"So next time I go to sleep, then. Should I call for you then?"
> "Oh, do you plan on sating my curiosity?"
>_
-
>"I too am curious, of course."
-
>"I too am curious, of course."
> "Well, if you're sure you want to do it sooner than later, I'd suggest doing what caused these in the first place..."
>_
-
>"Another dose of dream pills, then. You did not answer my question, though."
-
>"Another dose of dream pills, then. You did not answer my question, though."
> "I should be able to come for your next dream, regardless of if you call or not."
>_
-
>Nod
>"Should I expect you to keep to the background, or will you contact me?"
-
>Nod
>"Should I expect you to keep to the background, or will you contact me?"
> "I don't want to hurt too. If it ends up being trouble and you want me to try and help, I could though."
>_
-
>Nod
>"So you'll be in the proverbial shadows. That is fine. Will you be able to help from there without exposing yourself? Or would that compromise what we're trying to find."
-
>Nod
>"So you'll be in the proverbial shadows. That is fine. Will you be able to help from there without exposing yourself? Or would that compromise what we're trying to find."
> "The former. Though I am a bit worried about if whatever was making this more serious can understand and even impede me."
>_
-
>Nod
>"I will give you my trust, then. And if things go poorly or become dicey, just yank me out."
-
>Nod
>"I will give you my trust, then. And if things go poorly or become dicey, just yank me out."
> "Will do."
>_
-
>"Splendid. I feel safer already!"
-
>"Splendid. I feel safer already!"
> "Good. Enjoy the rest of your dream."
>_
-
>"I'll do my best."
-
>"I'll do my best."
> Doremy excuses herself, heading through a door in the "room".
>_
-
>Let's look around for where we are supposed to go, then go there.
-
>Let's look around for where we are supposed to go, then go there.
> The room seems the same. The door is still present, and the window outside shows a fairer landscape than that of Makai's. Almost feels like the Forest of Magic, though an interesting perspective being this high up.
>_
-
>If there is a door, let's exit through it.
-
>If there is a door, let's exit through it.
> You follow though the door, which seems to lead to a set of staircases after a while. You can see Dorey a bit before, going down.
>They go down before a bit of walkway, then down back this way and under your current position. You can't see what it would lead you after, but you'd suspect repetition.
>_
-
>Mutter, "Maybe I should just try to wake up..."
>Let's do that, if Doremy is going this way, it is probably not where we need to be.
-
>Mutter, "Maybe I should just try to wake up..."
>Let's do that, if Doremy is going this way, it is probably not where we need to be.
> You try to will yourself awake, the dream becoming a memory as reality returns.
>_
-
>"Mmm..."
>Take stock of our location, the apparently time, and so on.
-
>"Mmm..."
>Take stock of our location, the apparently time, and so on.
> You still rest on your futon, and still in Meiling's lap. The giant guard seems to still be awake, and yet, still massive.
> The sky is dark... Though a few danmaku fights light the air a bit.
>_
-
>"Mmm. How long was I out?"
-
>"Mmm. How long was I out?"
> "Oh. Just a while. I've been trying to find out how to make the mushrooms last longer while you slept. Was it good?"
>_
-
>"Very good. We've discovered a few things. What do you mean, longer? How long was I asleep?"
-
>"Very good. We've discovered a few things. What do you mean, longer? How long was I asleep?"
> "Because the mushroom's effects don't last too long."
>_
-
>"No no, I mean what were you doing, exactly?"
-
>"No no, I mean what were you doing, exactly?"
> "I was trying to see if the mushrooms changed my magic or my energy, and if so, could I maybe make it last longer or copy the effects."
>_
-
>"Tell me more!"
-
>"Tell me more!"
> "I-I don't think I got anywhere else, ehehe."
>_
-
>Pat her lap companionably.
>"I'm sure if anyone can do it, it would be you."
-
>Pat her lap companionably.
>"I'm sure if anyone can do it, it would be you."
> "I wonder what makes you think such~"
>_
-
>"How many have you had? Have there been any changes?"
-
>"How many have you had? Have there been any changes?"
> "Not too many..." She pauses. "...at least compared to how many are in there. But none have been different from the last."
>_
-
>"Shame. I had posited there would be a kind of build up, and the effects would become more potent."
-
>"Shame. I had posited there would be a kind of build up, and the effects would become more potent."
> "Maybe I could do something if you feel asleep again~"
>_
-
>"I am considering it..."
>Do we know where were left out dream pils? Could we conjure a doll to get them reliably?
-
>"I am considering it..."
>Do we know where were left out dream pils? Could we conjure a doll to get them reliably?
> Yes, it should work.
>_
-
>Let's do that, not bothering to get up from Meiling's lap if we need not.
>"So, has anyone tested the gates this morning?"
-
>Let's do that, not bothering to get up from Meiling's lap if we need not.
>"So, has anyone tested the gates this morning?"
> You task a doll with getting your bag here.
> "Not yet. The fairies seemed a little interested, but none of them are coming over."
>_
-
>"I'm surprised you haven't just grabbed a few. Surely you have the reach for it."
-
>"I'm surprised you haven't just grabbed a few. Surely you have the reach for it."
> "What would I have to bother them for though? Surely I'm enough to guard the gate, and there's already a bunch securing the mansion within."
>_
-
>"I meant for your own amusement."
-
>"I meant for your own amusement."
> "Oh. Well I have been busy with those attempts I mentioned.
>_
-
>"That's fair. Now that you've had awhile to soak it in, honey, what does it feel like, being so immense?"
-
>"That's fair. Now that you've had awhile to soak it in, honey, what does it feel like, being so immense?"
> "Everything's so small. But not in the usual way it's said. It all feels insignificant. Like I'm the center of the world..."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"Sounds like a grand feeling."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Sounds like a grand feeling."
> "It is. I don't think there's anything or anyone that'll make me feel like the lesser one."
>_
-
>"I think that's just fine. My big genius~"
-
>"I think that's just fine. My big genius~"
> "Aw, I haven't done that much brainstorming for praise~ At least, not alone."
>_
-
>"It's not just brainstorming, it's ability. You've done so much in such a short time!"
-
>"It's not just brainstorming, it's ability. You've done so much in such a short time!"
> "I suppose. I wonder how useful this will really be when I do need to stop intruders."
>_
-
>"Well, it is easy enough to just put your hand in their way, is it not?"
-
>"Well, it is easy enough to just put your hand in their way, is it not?"
> "Yes, but I'm at a greater risk if they decide not to let that stop them. I can't be as nimble as I'd like without bumping into the mansion like this."
>_
-
(Blah! Sorry! Hectic weekend!)
>"Risk of...what, exactly?"
-
(Blah! Sorry! Hectic weekend!)
>"Risk of...what, exactly?"
(It's alright~)
> "If intruders aren't put off by my intimidating size. Or even try to go straight for the mansion past me."
>_
-
>"There's a lot of you to get past to start with. And just putting your hand in the way ought to be enough to stop them long enough to take some other measure, you canjust about reach anywhere on the grounds now."
-
>"There's a lot of you to get past to start with. And just putting your hand in the way ought to be enough to stop them long enough to take some other measure, you canjust about reach anywhere on the grounds now."
> "Hm... I should probably just trust you in this."
>_
-
>"Well, take what I say with a grain of salt. But I don't think there will be much that can get past you as you are now, my sweet."
-
>"Well, take what I say with a grain of salt. But I don't think there will be much that can get past you as you are now, my sweet."
> "Nothing's proved you wrong yet in that." Meiling pats you with a finger.
>_
-
>Luxuriate under her huge finger for a few moments.
-
>Luxuriate under her huge finger for a few moments.
> You enjoy your position as the night goes by...
> The danmaku play does the sky quite well at this hour. Though still a bit messier than one, it almost looks like the fairies playing are someone's spellcard...
> Hardly before you get to hear Meiling begin humming much, your doll returns with your bag of Butterfly Dream Pills.
>_
-
>"Ah, here we are."
>Accept the pills, dismiss the doll with a thank you.
-
>"Ah, here we are."
>Accept the pills, dismiss the doll with a thank you.
> You take the bag and dismiss the doll.
> "Mmm?" Meiling inquires.
>_
-
>"These things are part of the culprit. A sleeping aid or sorts from the good doctor at Eientei. But, not the entire culprit, and I mean to find out the rest."
-
>"These things are part of the culprit. A sleeping aid or sorts from the good doctor at Eientei. But, not the entire culprit, and I mean to find out the rest."
> "Oh? Gonna teach them a lesson?"
>_
-
>"Well, first I just need to track them down. But, afterward, I may well need to get my blackboard and pointer out."
-
>"Well, first I just need to track them down. But, afterward, I may well need to get my blackboard and pointer out."
> "Be sure to invite me. I'd love to learn another thing or two."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"Oh, I'd love to see them meet with you."
-
>Chuckle.
>"Oh, I'd love to see them meet with you."
> "Do you have any clues to who it could be?"
>_
-
>"I suspect they may hail from Makai, but we shall see..."
-
>"I suspect they may hail from Makai, but we shall see..."
> "Ah. I wonder if I could get enough time off to go with you..." Meiling considers. "...Mmm, that might be too long though."
>_
-
>"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, I just need you do as you have before."
-
>"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, I just need you do as you have before."
> "Before all of this?" The guard questions.
>_
-
>"I mean, if it seems like I'm becoming too injured, or if I've been asleep for too long, please rouse me."
-
>"I mean, if it seems like I'm becoming too injured, or if I've been asleep for too long, please rouse me."
> "Oh. Of course."
>_
-
>"Thank you."
>If there's nothing else, let's enlarge this until it is enough to give us an appropriate dosage, and do just that.
-
>"Thank you."
>If there's nothing else, let's enlarge this until it is enough to give us an appropriate dosage, and do just that.
> You size your medicine up and take it.
> "You can count on me, Alice."
>_
-
>Smile.
>"I know, honey."
>Take a dose of that medicine!
-
>Smile.
>"I know, honey."
>Take a dose of that medicine!
> You've taken some after growing it already.
> "In case I can't manage, though, is there anyone I should seek out?"
>_
-
>"The doctor of Eientei. I'm sure you can acquire her attention."
-
>"The doctor of Eientei. I'm sure you can acquire her attention."
> "Alright." Meiling nods, repeating under her breath: "Eientei... Well, I'll be able to handle it..."
>_
-
>"I know you will, Meiling. That's why I'm not worried."
>Snuggle into our futon.
>"Ah, to sleep in my lover's lap, is there anything more enviable?"
-
>"I know you will, Meiling. That's why I'm not worried."
>Snuggle into our futon.
>"Ah, to sleep in my lover's lap, is there anything more enviable?"
> "You look so comfortable... Maybe I could try it out next time?"
>_
-
>"I suspect, even with the mushrooms' aid, my lap would never fit you. But...that doesn't mean I would say no."
-
>"I suspect, even with the mushrooms' aid, my lap would never fit you. But...that doesn't mean I would say no."
> "Come on, it's worth a shot~ It's enough if my head can fit."
>_
-
>"I agree entirely, my dear."
-
>"I agree entirely, my dear."
> Meiling nods with a yawn, lowering her head some.
>_
-
>We should chide her about falling asleep on duty, but are we wakeful enough to do so?
>If so: "Meiling, you mustn't drift off."
-
>We should chide her about falling asleep on duty, but are we wakeful enough to do so?
>If so: "Meiling, you mustn't drift off."
> You're awake enough. It'd actually be a bit difficult to get to sleep now, at least, it would've if you weren't in such a comfortable spot and mood.
> "Not even a little bit?" The giant guard asks.
>_
-
>"It would be a bad look, don't you agree?"
-
>"It would be a bad look, don't you agree?"
> "Aww..."
>_
-
>"Be strong, dear. I may need you to wake me yet."
-
>"Be strong, dear. I may need you to wake me yet."
> "Okay. Sleep well then."
>_
-
>Follow that order!
>Try to recall if we were asked to call for Doremy this time, or just let her lurk in the background.
-
>Follow that order!
>Try to recall if we were asked to call for Doremy this time, or just let her lurk in the background.
> You recall negotiating a bit of both. That Doremy would watch over you as a bystander and if you really needed, you could call her.
> Letting the comfort finally get to you, you return to the world of dreams...
> Or at least, you wanted to. Your surroundings, as you wake, are composed of the same scene as last night, albeit brightened by the sun. Meiling seems to be looking down at you, lost in some thought...
>_
-
>"Mmmrph."
>"...Wha?"
-
>"Mmmrph."
>"...Wha?"
> "Morning." Meiling greets. "I stayed up, just like you wanted. And you seemed to have a good rest in the end... Was it good?"
>_
-
>"...Nothing happened?"
>It was meant to be a statement, but waking up...
-
>"...Nothing happened?"
>It was meant to be a statement, but waking up...
> "Nothing happened~" Meiling repeats your words.
> You feel... unusually light. This definitely isn't the weight of your current size, despite you still being such. In fact, a lot about you feels pleasant. Well rested... Energized... The suspicion arises that this is a dream. Though, one of the better ones...
>_
-
>Hmm. Let's experiment...
>Focus, see if we can make Meiling just a little bit bigger without any kind of magic, just imagining it.
-
>Hmm. Let's experiment...
>Focus, see if we can make Meiling just a little bit bigger without any kind of magic, just imagining it.
> You try to imagine Meiling bigger...
> ...
> And she grows. Just a tad. Hardly noticeable if you weren't looking at her at the time...
> "This doesn't seem quite right." You hear the Baku's voice from the direction of the lake. "Something go wrong?"
>_
-
>Let's imagine time froze for the moment, to keep things from getting muddled.
>"I don't know... I took the medicine."
-
>Let's imagine time froze for the moment, to keep things from getting muddled.
>"I don't know... I took the medicine."
> Perhaps something was off this time. Shall I try to change this myself? At least until that third party meddles again."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Go ahead."
>"...But maybe leave Meiling."
-
>Nod.
>"Go ahead."
>"...But maybe leave Meiling."
> "Hmm... You sure? I can't guarantee you won't end up making her nightmarish."
>_
-
>"Mm, point taken. Let's not take her along, then."
-
>"Mm, point taken. Let's not take her along, then."
> "Alright. Here goes." You hear a splash from the baku's possible direction
> The sky ripples like water with Doremy's image, spreading out and darkening it with each wave.
CRACK
> The process is... interrupted, by a large laceration on your view. Rather than at a specific place, the tear seems to be in your eye.
> "Alice?" Doremy voices, before the cracks increase. With a shattering sound, your vision cuts.
> ...
> "Don't you think there's too many gateways for us to do anything about 'em?"
> "I'm starting to agree... But if there are others interested in it, we-"
> "Yes yes, it's our duty as the gatekeeper, after all. We'll help out if someone brings it up. But remember, only if it's our job. I have other things I'd like to do than charity work."
> "You'll warm up to exploring there eventually, hmhm~"
> Your vision reforms to the sight of a few floating-eye creatures gazing near you. Your surroundings... Might be Makai?
>_
-
>Frown with obvious confusion, but freeze up with the sight of the eyes. Have we seen things like these before?
>Observe them for a moment.
-
>Frown with obvious confusion, but freeze up with the sight of the eyes. Have we seen things like these before?
>Observe them for a moment.
> Floating... eyes? You don't believe so.
> The eyes begin to move away, still observing you.
> They... start to use magic. Or at least, emit electricity, chaining between each of them. It seems there's 5 of these creatures immediately present.
>_
-
>"Who-?"
>Take a step back.
-
>"Who-?"
>Take a step back.
> You attempt such, but find a wall behind you.
> The creatures quickly cease, darting off in the direction away from you.
>_
-
>Look around.
>How does our height compare against the wall, given the size of its bricks or whatever?
-
>Look around.
>How does our height compare against the wall, given the size of its bricks or whatever?
> It's too dark to see any individual pieces of this wall, but up close, you can tell that it's more natural than man-made. Cracks can be felt at certain parts here and there. The surface in it's entirety seems a bit rough.
> Nothing around gives you a good tell of your size. The best you can consider were the creatures. Larger than normal eyes, maybe even larger than heads. They were looking down at you somewhat, but given their floating in the air, it doesn't seem like that could help much either.
>_
-
>Can we see where the eyes went?
>What other terrain is around?
-
>Can we see where the eyes went?
>What other terrain is around?
> They are heading straight away from you, though after a bit, they dive down. Your current perspective can't follow them.
> The terrain is rough. There isn't a ceiling above you, but behind you, the wall continues upwards beyond your sight.
> Given how the eyes left, you suspect you're on some elevated ground, or at least, near a slope.
>_
-
>Let's go in the general direction of the eyes, but not downward just yet.
-
>Let's go in the general direction of the eyes, but not downward just yet.
> You start, seeing that after a short bit, there is a sudden steep and far drop...
> There's some... civilization? Far in the distance.
> You can see the eyes below you as well, though, they're heading what would be under your previous position now...
>_
-
>Let's watch the eyes for now, and get a sense of what is immediately below us.
-
>Let's watch the eyes for now, and get a sense of what is immediately below us.
> You follow the eyes with yours, but soon enough, they are once again out of sight. It seems you're above the entrance to a cave, and that where you appeared was atop the cave.
> Below you, the drop is, again, far, but not ridiculously so. The area around the drop doesn't hold anything of interest.
>_
-
>Let's fly down, see what we can see. Be ready in case those eyes or some such get ornery.
-
>Let's fly down, see what we can see. Be ready in case those eyes or some such get ornery.
> You descend, seeing that it is indeed a cave.
> The eyes aren't too deep in, but they've stopped, and are staring out of the exit.
> Their gaze meets with you, and they simply... stare. 5 of them, all seem to be emitting sparks.
>_
-
>"...There was a person between you, I'm sure of it."
-
>"...There was a person between you, I'm sure of it."
> The eyes continue their gaze, before positioning themselves as the vertices of a star.
> The sparks become more frequent as they look into the center of the star. Eventually, the electricity seems to form a figure in the center.
> "Somewhat foreign... Sara slacking?" The figure... attempts to speak. "Newborn?"
>_
-
>Does that name have any meaning to us?
>"Who are you?"
-
>Does that name have any meaning to us?
>"Who are you?"
> You do remember a Sara.
> "Bit rude to ask... Without giving... first." The voice speaks a bit more clearly as the figure in the middle is visualized better.
>_
-
>How large is she compared to us?
>"I am Alice. Forgive me for being a little off guard."
-
>How large is she compared to us?
>"I am Alice. Forgive me for being a little off guard."
> She seems to be similar to your size. Possibly taller...
> "It's wise to be on one's guard. Collect yourself."
>_
-
>So hard to tell if she's our scale, or we're just human scale again...
>"Now that I've introduced myself...?"
-
>So hard to tell if she's our scale, or we're just human scale again...
>"Now that I've introduced myself...?"
> "Yuugen Magan. Gatekeeper, at least, for this side..."
> It's possibly the latter, given there are more things to compare your height to in here.
>_
-
>Vexing. A problem for later...
>Do we know this name?
-
>Vexing. A problem for later...
>Do we know this name?
> You do not.
>_
-
>"Gatekeeper for what?"
-
//Apologies for any delays. Sick.
>"Gatekeeper for what?"
> "Gatekeeper to the entrance of Makai. But it seems there's more than one..." The figure looks towards the inside of the cave.
>_
-
>Are any bells ringing now?
>"Where in Makai is this?"
-
>Are any bells ringing now?
>"Where in Makai is this?"
> Faintly. You couldn't tell which direction, but there's definitely something. Something like this might be familiar to your past. YuugenMagan's claims aren't complete gibberish..
> "The start. From the other realm's perspective, at least. If you can manage to get through this cave, I believe you could leave Makai. If it's anything like my gate, you'll have to best it's gatekeeper or get permission. But it looks like you already have."
>_
-
>"And what do we find the other way, heading into Makai?"
>Are we aware that we're dreaming? Do we have any reason to even think that?
-
>"And what do we find the other way, heading into Makai?"
>Are we aware that we're dreaming? Do we have any reason to even think that?
> "The city. It's not too far..."
> It seems real...
> "Alice!" You hear... Doremy, from the caves inner direction.
>_
-
>"The city..."
>Does Yuugen appear to have heard that?
-
>"The city..."
>Does Yuugen appear to have heard that?
> She isn't making a show of it, at least.
>_
-
>Look deeper into the caves.
-
>Look deeper into the caves.
> You peer over into the darkness...
> You can't see anything...
> The space around you cracks some, and it seems like existence falters for a moment as everything goes dark, however, things return to normal.
> "...Are you alright? What was that?" YuugenMagan questions.
>_
-
>What the heck?!
>"I-I'm fine. What about you?"
>Look around again.
-
>What the heck?!
>"I-I'm fine. What about you?"
>Look around again.
> "You don't seem fine." The eyes peer around you, bringing the figure at the center around as well. "I don't mean to offend, but am I talking to a real person or just an illusion?"
> You look around again, but see nothing different than before.
> "You won't fool me a second time, dream ruler." You hear... The goddess of Makai's voice. Yet again, a voice coming from the cave... "You slipped up dangling her so close to me again."
> "Or maybe I'm just seeing things. Sorry if it is me." YuugenMagan apologizes.
>_
-
>It couldn't be...
>"Pardon me, I need to go here."
>Try to move further into the cave.
-
>It couldn't be...
>"Pardon me, I need to go here."
>Try to move further into the cave.
>"Careful. You don't seem to be at your best."
> You proceed in...
> ...
> You can see... Shinki. Despite the darkness of the cave, she seems illuminated and brilliant.
> She seems to be looking for something.
>_
-
>What sort of relationship did the two of us have? How did it usually go? How did it end?
-
>What sort of relationship did the two of us have? How did it usually go? How did it end?
> Shinki was a bit annoying. She held you up high all the time and didn't treat you much like a normal person. You were special to her. She wasn't a bad person, at least. It might take you a bit to recall the specifics, and possibly some things to jog your memory.
> You left Makai, which you believe saddened her a lot. Though it wasn't exactly to get away from her.
>_
-
>Just observe her for a moment, prepare ourselves for this.
-
>Just observe her for a moment, prepare ourselves for this.
> You watch...
> Through looking around, her eyes eventually spot you, to which they light up.
> "Ah! Alice? It must be you!" She starts to approach.
>_
-
>"It's me..."
>Get a feeling so complicated!
-
>"It's me..."
>Get a feeling so complicated!
> "It's so great to see you again." Shinki hugs you. "It may not be in the flesh, but this is the best I could do."
>_
-
>Just sort of hug back by reflex. It's not that we don't mean it, but...complicated feelings!
-
>Just sort of hug back by reflex. It's not that we don't mean it, but...complicated feelings!
> You let your body return the hug. It does feel good... And the nostalgia is overwhelming... You feel like you should be smaller for this...
> "You've grown." Shinki separates a bit. "And so much so too. I am sorry about not letting you be as you hoped you could, dear, but I wanted to see how you really looked first."
> Shinki pulls away fully.
> "If you'd like, you can return to how you looked. It should be just like a dream. But... a little different."
>_
-
>Try to be grave, but end up sounding kind of lame due to conflicting feelings.
>"It's...not important right now."
-
>Try to be grave, but end up sounding kind of lame due to conflicting feelings.
>"It's...not important right now."
> "Ah, what's important. Well... There was a bit of an accident... The chance to finally do this sort of thing and make contact with you had arrived a few days ago, days to you at least, but the chance... made some poor things happen. It was like trying to force everything into a nightmarish reality. I am sorry for allowing it to go on until now." Shinki apologizes, lowering her head. "It must have caused you so much grief."
>_
-
>"Just...how much of this was because of you?"
-
>"Just...how much of this was because of you?"
> "Now, I couldn't do it alone. All of Makai lent a hand. We only brought your dreams here. None of us did any harm. Though, I did have to talk to Yuki and Mai a bit..."
>_
-
>"But, I was harmed..."
-
>"But, I was harmed..."
> "Your dreams took place in Makai thanks to us. What happened in them was not of our control. But we have full influence now. It should be fine, Alice. Even so, I'm still sorry."
>_
-
>"I think I need you to start from the beginning."
-
>"I think I need you to start from the beginning."
> "Mm... Well, to begin with, I've been trying to find a way to get you to notice Makai once more for quite a while. Only recently has something made it somewhat possible for me to do so without going to Gensokyo itself. Do you know what you did to make this chance?" Shinki asks.
>_
-
>"...Is it the pills, or...?"
-
>"...Is it the pills, or...?"
> "Pills? Or what? What all have you done prior to this, dear? Not to pry, of course."
>_
-
>"I thought you were asking rhetorically because you already knew. The pills, they cause dreams to happen, nice ones..."
-
>"I thought you were asking rhetorically because you already knew. The pills, they cause dreams to happen, nice ones..."
> "Pills for nice dreams? Maybe it was something of Makai's that hurt you... I'm sorry on our behalf, then..."
>_
-
>"I don't know what it was, it's what we're trying to find out."
-
>"I don't know what it was, it's what we're trying to find out."
> "You seemed to resolve it. Ah, and I was believing our chances would be over. Until that Baku helped you out, I believe."
>_
-
>"We tried again, to see if we could find the cause of everything. But if you don't know why I was being hurt..."
-
>"We tried again, to see if we could find the cause of everything. But if you don't know why I was being hurt..."
> "If it was our doing, it most certainly wasn't on purpose..."
>_
-
>"I assumed so, yes."
-
>"I assumed so, yes."
> "I won't let something like that happen again while you're here in a dream. And even as a dream, I'll make it like reality for you!"
> "Hey, are you still there?" YuugenMagan questions, out of view still.
>_
-
>"I mean...you don't have to do that..."
>Let's ignore Yuugen Magan for now. If they're real, they'll make it known and apologize.
-
>"I mean...you don't have to do that..."
>Let's ignore Yuugen Magan for now. If they're real, they'll make it known and apologize.
> "Oh but I must. I want you to know the land of Makai exactly as it is without coming here yourself, so you can decide if you want to come later. Think of this as... a trial. Would you like me to guide you, or will you explore on your own?"
> Shinki glances over towards the entrance of the cave.
>_
-
>"...Why don't you guide me?"
-
>"...Why don't you guide me?"
> "Of course. We'll start with this cave itself." Shinki gestures around. "This place is a passage between Makai and Gensokyo. Here, Sara guards the entrance to Makai."
>_
-
>"I didn't see them. I saw Yuugen Magen."
-
>"I didn't see them. I saw Yuugen Magen."
> "Yuugen- Hmm... She isn't usually around here. Perhaps Sara is still on the other side then~" Shinki clasps her hands together. "Near that Hakurei person's shrine is a cave. There, you can find little Sara and the entrance to Makai. I'm sure she'll let you through if you want to visit in person."
>_
-
>Chuckle.
>"I might have to find a slightly more...fitting way, these days."
-
>Chuckle.
>"I might have to find a slightly more...fitting way, these days."
> "Oh? What's wrong with the door?"
>_
-
>"It may be too small for us, these days."
-
>"It may be too small for us, these days."
> "I-I suppose you wouldn't want to crawl through either... No matter, There is another entrance I can get you accessibility to." Shinki smiles.
>_
-
>"Oh, do tell?"
(as a warning, I'm gonna be super spotty for the next week and a half.)
-
>"Oh, do tell?"
(as a warning, I'm gonna be super spotty for the next week and a half.)
> "It's another sa... way into Makai without breaking through the barrier." She nods.
>_
-
>"Well, tell me more while you show me around?"
-
>"Well, tell me more while you show me around?"
> "I-I still need to work some things out with the gatekeeper there. They aren't one of my realm. However, YuugenMagan monitors our side of it in Makai, so you'll have a safe arrival if you manage to go through there, just like with Sara." Shinki assures.
> Returning back to the opening, you can see YuugenMagan again.
> "Ah...So she did come here..." Yuugen murmurs.
>_
-
>"Well, tell me more while you show me around?"
-
>"Well, tell me more while you show me around?"
> "Not too far beyond here is the Makai City. You might be able to spot some of it even now. It may surprise the locals a bit much if you tour it as you are now..."
>_
-
>Snicker.
>"THey'll be even more surpised when they see Meiling, then~"
-
>Snicker.
>"THey'll be even more surpised when they see Meiling, then~"
> "Hmm? Who?" Shinki questions in interest, tilting her head.
>_
-
>"We're seeing each other, and I doubt she would let me come alone. She's, ah, quite the genius with the enhancements I've taken an interest in."
-
>"We're seeing each other, and I doubt she would let me come alone. She's, ah, quite the genius with the enhancements I've taken an interest in."
> "Oh? I hope I am not interrupting something with this."
>_
-
>"Well, there have been some worries, but nothing directly."
-
>"Well, there have been some worries, but nothing directly."
> "Good. Though, I meant in the state of you being in a dream. Is this Meiling also in a dream? I don't think we'd be able to pull her here as well, especially not if that Baku is on her toes now..."
>_
-
>"Well... I was dreaming about her, but Meiling is awake right now. She's on guard duty for a local mansion. But, I am sure she will be pleased to visit!"
-
>"Well... I was dreaming about her, but Meiling is awake right now. She's on guard duty for a local mansion. But, I am sure she will be pleased to visit!"
> "Hm. It shouldn't be too much of a problem to bring someone along with you the next time you visit."
>_
-
>"Oh, I don't know, she's quite the handful, even for me as I am now~"
-
>"Oh, I don't know, she's quite the handful, even for me as I am now~"
> "You don't have to worry about that, as long as she behaves reasonably enough."
>_
-
>"I imagine that she'll behave, yes,"
-
>"I imagine that she'll behave, yes,"
> "Good. Would you like to at least see the city from the outside? Or, save it for when you visit with miss Meiling?"
>_
-
>"Let's save it. I want to see how we'll get in."
-
>"Let's save it. I want to see how we'll get in."
> "Alright." Shinki smiles again. "If you don't mind me going away for a while, I have a short thing I should attend to."
>_
-
>"Should I know about this thing?"
-
>"Should I know about this thing?"
> "It's a bit related, but it's nothing you need to directly involved in or anything." Shinki waves her hand back and forth.
>_
-
>"So be it. What shall I do in the meantime?"
-
>"So be it. What shall I do in the meantime?"
> "It should be short, so you can stay here if you want. I won't stop you if you choose to wander a bit, though. Just take care not to cause an uproar among any of the residents with your current state."
>_
-
>"Oh, but uproars are half the fun. I shall wait here."
-
>"Oh, but uproars are half the fun. I shall wait here."
> Shinki nods, before departing towards the cave.
> You notice that she vanishes before she gets fully out of sight...
>_
-
>Let's have a look around the immediate area, while we wait.
-
>Let's have a look around the immediate area, while we wait.
> You examine this area of Makai.
> You are just past the cave entrance. It's quiet here, and you don't see anyone else, not even the usual residents of Makai. The atmosphere feels a bit dark and gloomy, and there's some natural miasma blowing through the air. Yet something about this world still makes you feel alright - Maybe not good, but alright - even with this part of Makai.
>_
-
>Let's venture a bit further in.
-
>Let's venture a bit further in.
> You head further into the land of Makai.
> You start to see some familiar sights. Part of the city. Further seems to be some frozen lands likely another area on your mind.
> A few residents are starting to come into view, still too far to recognize anyone you might've known though.
>_
-
>What do we recall about the frozen lands?
>Wander in a bit further, taking an idle pace.
-
>What do we recall about the frozen lands?
>Wander in a bit further, taking an idle pace.
> There were a couple of magicians or something that made it their usual spot. It wasn't mentioned without them being mentioned too, and vice versa.
> You progress with no real destination. There's something a bit different than the last time you were here. The sky? The ground and terrain? It doesn't seem like anything that stands out, but you just have the thought.
> You notice Doremy in your field of vision, though she looks like she's moving away, leaving her in the corner of your eye.
>_
-
>Give the baku a wave. We should be able to handle things.
>Let's stop and try to remember, what might have changed? Do the colors seem to be the same? The light? The feeling of miasma in the air?
-
>Give the baku a wave. We should be able to handle things.
>Let's stop and try to remember, what might have changed? Do the colors seem to be the same? The light? The feeling of miasma in the air?
> You wave to the Baku as she tries to stay in your vision. She doesn't seem to reappear after such...
> You think the miasma might be a bit stronger? It's hardly noticeable...
>_
-
>Let's see see if we can pick a direction where the oddity seems most odd, and move that way, to see if we can make more sense of it.
-
>Let's see see if we can pick a direction where the oddity seems most odd, and move that way, to see if we can make more sense of it.
> You wander just a bit in a few directions... Though the oddity doesn't stand out any more than elsewhere. Perhaps it's just something general about Makai?
> Well, you haven't been here in a long time. Though if not that, maybe something else.
> You recall the part of Makai you had been creating... Your "wonderland". Though it's so far from here that you wouldn't believe it to be the cause of the unfamiliar. In the end, maybe Makai just changed a bit, or you're homesick.
>_
-
>Let's go have a look at that wonderland!
-
>Let's go have a look at that wonderland!
> You head for your wonderland, feeling nostalgia along the way, but also that things are different...
> Before the entrance, the familiar faces of your card soldiers greet you.
> Many of them seem to be surprised, while a few still keep up their caution and seem prepared to fight.
>_
-
>Wave a hand. "Don't worry, it's just me. You've all done very well."
-
>Wave a hand. "Don't worry, it's just me. You've all done very well."
> The guards don't seem to budge from their defenses. A few do, though they return as they witness the others.
>_
-
>How well made were these card soldiers, compared to our current dolls?
>...Did we make them?
-
>How well made were these card soldiers, compared to our current dolls?
>...Did we make them?
> Well... They are pretty comparable to your regular dolls. Their firepower is higher than most of your dolls, but there isn't much to them past that. They are even pretty fragile, enough so that your dolls should be able to take them out before they can create a significant offense against you, should you attack. However, the Trump King would end up being more of a problem than the rest of the card soldiers.
> You feel like you remember making them... though if you had to guess, it was either partially Shinki or your Grimoire that helped. Given Makai's possession of materials with will of it's own, it could be that they were mainly from that too. They probably wouldn't be standing before you now, ready to fight with their own minds if you had made them fully. You haven't managed an independent doll yet, and these are acting on their own from what you can tell.
> Or perhaps, they are still just trying to defend your wonderland.
>_
-
>"It's okay, soldiers. It's just me, Alice."
-
>"It's okay, soldiers. It's just me, Alice."
> The soldiers stay ready...
> Though after a few moments, they seem to give in and part out of your way.
> They still focus on you, however...
>_
-
>Approach them in a our normal, causal manner.
>"I'm so proud of you guys."
-
>Approach them in a our normal, causal manner.
>"I'm so proud of you guys."
> The guards seem mostly placated... They are on edge, but they do not draw their weapons at you anymore.
>_
-
>Give one a friendly pat, then another.
>"You've been keeping the riff raff out all this time. You're such good guards!"
-
>Give one a friendly pat, then another.
>"You've been keeping the riff raff out all this time. You're such good guards!"
> Your actions calm the card soldiers even further. You don't expect them to mind if you pressed onward.
>_
-
>Be sure to give them all some friendly pats and congratulatory words. We really are proud of them! They're such early projects, but they're doing so well!
>Once that is done, proceed.
-
>Be sure to give them all some friendly pats and congratulatory words. We really are proud of them! They're such early projects, but they're doing so well!
>Once that is done, proceed.
> You praise each and every one of the card soldiers. There isn't an incredible amount of them, so you get done quickly.
> You travel further into your Wonderland. It feels as though you should have your eyes on your book, but the muscle memory isn't enough to do so instinctively - nor do you need its magic right now.
>_
-
>Let's just look around for now, we'll worry about books and such later.
-
>Let's just look around for now, we'll worry about books and such later.
> It seems pretty barren... The few creatures you do spot are simply other card soldiers. It looks a bit duller than you recall it being. The red terrain is simple, unkempt, and uninteresting. It's either your vision, or the sky is also somewhat red...
>_
-
>Let's examine the sky for a little bit, and see if it's red everywhere, or if it's patchy or if it's perhaps concentrated somewhere?
-
>Let's examine the sky for a little bit, and see if it's red everywhere, or if it's patchy or if it's perhaps concentrated somewhere?
> The color seems to be constant across the sky here. There aren't any notable dips or spikes in change either.
>_
-
>Could we reasonably expect a card soldier to be able to give us any details about the sky, or is that beyond them?
-
>Could we reasonably expect a card soldier to be able to give us any details about the sky, or is that beyond them?
> You don't expect them to be able to provide you any answers... though it shouldn't hurt to ask.
>_
-
>Find a soldier we feel can answer us well, and says, "The sky seems different since I've last been here. Do you know what has happened?"
-
>Find a soldier we feel can answer us well, and says, "The sky seems different since I've last been here. Do you know what has happened?"
> The soldier shrugs as best as it can without shoulders, before doing a... bowing motion? It points to it's head, putting a hand against the side of it and waving the hand pointed away from it. The soldier then crosses it's arms in an x formation, pointing to where you came from.
>_
-
>Glance back the way we came. "I think I understood you saying "Not this way"."
-
>Glance back the way we came. "I think I understood you saying "Not this way"."
> The card soldier points to one of it's colleagues, nodding. It then points to the way you came, then you, and shakes it's hea-... body.
> The soldier motions more card soldiers over, seemingly communicating with them, before they line up in a row where you can only see the front.
> The ones behind the front one hold their weapons, so as to have 3 jutting out and away from the soldier and to one side, and another 3 doing the same for the opposite side. It reminds you somewhat of arms, though they aren't using their own ones, for whatever reason.
>_
-
>"Someone with many arms?"
-
>"Someone with many arms?"
> The soldiers split apart, looking to each other. Perhaps they've given up?
> "Ah, you've wandered back to your world, I see." Shinki's voice descends from above.
> The card soldiers point towards Shinki, though quickly take a formal stance again.
>_
-
>...Try not to laugh now that we know what the "many arms" actually were.
>"It felt like the right thing to do. These little dears have been doing such a diligent job in my absence!"
-
>...Try not to laugh now that we know what the "many arms" actually were.
>"It felt like the right thing to do. These little dears have been doing such a diligent job in my absence!"
> You sigh internally...
> "I'm sorry I took so long, but the outcome became better than I expected♪"
> "Ah, you guys." Shinki looks back to the card soldiers, before turning to you again. "I had them help make sure your world was untouched by the rest of Makai. Though uh..." She looks around the area. "It looks like having no one to take care of it made a bit of things unwell, huh. I wanted it to be just the way you left it, which meant not even touching it myself, but look how it got, ehehe..." Shinki smiles a little, holding her hands together and averting her gaze from you.
>_
-
>"We'll figure out what to do with it. Now, better than expected, you say?"
-
>"We'll figure out what to do with it. Now, better than expected, you say?"
> "Oh, nothing much nothing much♪" Shinki smiles. "It'll be a surprise."
>_
-
>"Oh dear..."
-
>"Oh dear..."
> "There's nothing to worry about, dear."
>_
-
Is it possible that we can continue this on the new forum?