Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Evil_Nazgul0616 on January 27, 2018, 06:29:43 AM
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>You are Marisa Kirisame, Gensokyo's resident Ordinary Magician, mushroom fanatic, and kleptomaniac.
>You are considered one of Gensokyo's primary incident resolvers, having had a hand in resolving every incident since the Makai Invasion that took place before the adoption of the spellcard rules. (There were a few times before that, but you don't really consider those to be incidents...) Though you still usually end up second to Reimu Hakurei, your best friend and rival incident solver.
>You live in the Forest of Magic, a hazardous place not far from the Human Village, you primarily live here to increase your magical powers, due to the atmosphere as well as the abundance of mushrooms that grow here. Due to the years you've spent here, you know this place like the back of your hand, and know exactly which parts of the forest to stay away from. You aren't the only person who lives here either. Your neighbor is Alice Margatroid, a fellow magician and daughter of Shinki, goddess of Makai. Though she's made it a point in the past that she does not like discussing her family, and the only relic from Makai she still carries with her (as far as you know) is that Grimoire of hers which she usually keeps locked closed. You've wanted to read it for a long time. Of course, Alice will never let you do that...
>You have a vast arsenal of magic at your disposal, half of it was learned from Mima, your old mentor and a vengeful spirit. She was sealed away and trapped in Reimaden, a world between Gensokyo and Makai and her old base of operations, after her last scheme went a little too far. You regret having to help Reimu seal her, and you're pretty sure Mima has been silently hating you for your betrayal ever since. If you ever got the chance, you would like to try to make amends one day, perhaps once her evil has totally drained from her... The other half of your arsenal was "Borrowed" from others and tweaked to give your own spin to it.
>Today was... rather eventful. After a morning shroom hunt, you went over to Alice's house, where you decided to help her break her doll Hourai's hanging habits. From there, taking Hourai with you, you stopped by the Kourindou to find Hourai some new hobbies... That didn't really work out well, and, to make matters worse, she was abducted by the poisonous doll Medicine Melancholy. After a brief chase that ended with you losing consciousness, you awaken in the abode of Ellen another magician whom you swear you've met somewhere before...
>Anyway, it turned out she had incapacitated Medicine as well, and had tied her to a chair. Hourai was unharmed, miraculously. However, after yet another series of unfortunate events you ended up becoming magically tethered to Ellen and Medicine, seemingly sharing vitality, but unable to move significantly far from each other. Deciding you needed the help of a bookworm, you decided to high-tail it to Patchouli's library. Only there was one problem:
>A time bubble, likely Sakuya's doing, was surrounding the mansion and the surrounding area, preventing access. What's worse is that Yukari said she senses something in there... and she plans to "deal with it"... Luckily, she's giving you some time to solve this incident. After a brief detour to learn the required magic, you, Medicine, Ellen, and her Cat set off into the bubble using Hourai as a tether to normal time flow.
>You have just reached the mansion's gate.
>Inventory:
>Trademark Marisa Outfit (equipped)
>>Your general attire, sans hat. You sometimes don't bother taking it off before sleeping.
>Trademark Marisa Hat (equipped)
>>Your hat. Very important!
>A Novice Guide to Magical Automata
>>A book about basic doll magic, also one of countless books borrowed from Patchouli.
>Tissue
>>A thin piece of paper with many uses, most of them being hygenic.
>Trademark Marisa Broom
>>A magical broom that helps you fly. Your flying utterly sucks without it. You can go pretty fast on it as well.
>Mini Hakkero
>>A portable magic reactor that can generate a ton of power.
>>Required for your more advanced spellcards.
>Edible Mushroom x5
>>Common edible mushrooms. Can be used either as a cooking ingredient or as a quick snack. Can be eaten raw or cooked, but are more filling if cooked.
>MP3 Player
>>A device that plays music. Currently borrowing from Kourin~
>Earbuds
>>A device that makes it so only you can hear the MP3 Player. Currently borrowing from Kourin~
>?1500
>>Cash on hand.
>Spellcards:
>>Love Sign ~ Master Spark*
>>>Your signature spellcard (though it is based on a technique used by Yuuka Kazami). It literally fires a giant laser at your opponent, with some stars thrown in to make it harder to dodge.
>>Love Sign ~ Non-directional Laser
>>>A technique borrowed from one of Patchouli's non-spells, two opposing laser arrays sweep in circles around you, while rotating streams of stars are fired between them
>>Magic Sign ~ Stardust Reverie
>>>A spell where seven streams of stars are fired around you, before firing dense bursts, forcing the opponent to remain within a certain distance of you while dodging the less dense stars within the circle.
>>>The precursor to this spell, as well as a lot of your star magic, was learned from Mima.
>>Comet ~ Blazing Star*
>>>An attack where you charge at the opponent several times, using your Hakkero as a thruster.
>>Ritual Sign ~ Orreries Sun
>>>Another spell carried over from Mima. In this card you call upon Mima's orrery and use it to attack.
>>Magicannon ~ Final Spark*
>>>The strongest spell in your arsenal, an enhanced version of the Master Spark, but using the full power of the Hakkero.
>>>This spell will drain your energy and temporarily overload the Hakkero if used.
>>(Any spellcard marked with a * requires your Mini Hakkero to use.)
> "Oke... Let's join the party."
> Open the gates.
>You open the gates, revealing the front garden of the mansion, lining the short pathway leading to the main entrance. You spot a frozen fairy maid sporting a terrified expression, as if she was fleeing something.
>"W-What do you think she's running from...?" Ellen asks.
>_
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// I didn't even noticed we were at reply 1000.
> "... Hey, would this work?"
> Approach to the fairy maid and hold her. Maybe she will unfreeze?
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// I didn't even noticed we were at reply 1000.
> "... Hey, would this work?"
> Approach to the fairy maid and hold her. Maybe she will unfreeze?
>You grab the fairy, who immediately unfreezes and lurches forward while screaming. Right in your ear...
>_
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> "CALM DOOOWN!"
> Hold her!
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> "CALM DOOOWN!"
> Hold her!
>"G-GOTTA RUN AWAY! GOTTA RUN AWAY! IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE I TELL YOU!"
>"Do you want me to poison her and be done with it?" Medicine asks.
>_
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> "Hey, Hey! Calm down! Nothing is happening!"
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> "Hey, Hey! Calm down! Nothing is happening!"
>"W-WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WORLD!?!" she looks around frantically.
>_
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>"It looks like time is stopped around the mansion. I'm guessing that's Sakuya's work."
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>"It looks like time is stopped around the mansion. I'm guessing that's Sakuya's work."
>"Miss Sakuya stopped the earyhquake so we can run away!? She's so brave!"
>_
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> "What do you mean by that? Earthquake?"
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> "What do you mean by that? Earthquake?"
>"Ok. There was suddenly this REALLY LOUD noise and the whole mansion shook so i ran out the door and suddenly you guys appeared out of nowhere!"
>_
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> "What were you doing and who was with you at the momento of the shook?"
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> "What were you doing and who was with you at the momento of the shook?"
>"Grammar." Says Ellen.
>"I-I was cleaning the foyer with my fellow maids -- oh no! D-did they make it out!?!"
>_
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> "They are probably just frozen in time like you were."
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> "They are probably just frozen in time like you were."
>"But I wasn't frozen. You three just appeared outta nowhere!"
>_
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> "And wouldn't that mean you were frozen in time if we did that?"
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> "And wouldn't that mean you were frozen in time if we did that?"
>"I would feel cold if I was frozen though. "
>_
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> "Not in time."
> Sigh.
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> "Not in time."
> Sigh.
>"What isn't in time?"
>You hear Medicine groan.
>_
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> Sigh.
> "You know what? Just let us take care of this."
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> Sigh.
> "You know what? Just let us take care of this."
>"Aye aye!"
>She pushes away from you, saluting, immediately freezing in time as she does so.
>_
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> "... Let's continue."
> Continue on to the doors of the mansion and open them.
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> "... Let's continue."
> Continue on to the doors of the mansion and open them.
>You open the doors of the mansion and enter the foyer. You notice the fairy's coworkers immediately, all frozen, running in a panic.
>_
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>Is there a specific direction they're running in?
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>Is there a specific direction they're running in?
>Yes, towards the door.
>_
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> "... Okay, I have the feeling that, whatever is happening, it should be happening- happened at the basement of the mansion."
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> "... Okay, I have the feeling that, whatever is happening, it should be happening- happened at the basement of the mansion."
>"What makes you think that?" Ellen asks, petting her cat.
>_
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> "There's a lot of magic there, you know. And it would be the main place to suspect of given that, apparently, an earthquake happened."
> Advance to make our way to the basement. Note everything important we see, though.
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> "There's a lot of magic there, you know. And it would be the main place to suspect of given that, apparently, an earthquake happened."
> Advance to make our way to the basement. Note everything important we see, though.
>"I see..." Ellen pulls out a notebook, "You wouldn't mind if I took some notes about that magic while we're there, would you?"
>"Let's just go already..." Medicine complains.
>You begin making your way towards the basement. Which would involve passing through the library. However, when you get near the library doors you notice something unnerving...
>Tendrils of a shadowy, black and red mass seem to be coming through the wall surrounding the library door at the end of the hall. In fact, the wall seems to be eaten away in the spots where they cross, leaving several holes...
>However, the most unnerving aspect of it is that this thing seems to be moving in the timestop, albeit very slowly. Odd, white cracks seem to form at the tips of the tendrils as they advance at a snail's pace.
>You also spot a few more fairy maids, frozen mid-flight, heading towards he door. A tendril has intersected one of them, and its body seems to be in the process of disintegrating...
>"That... doesn't look normal..." Medicine comments.
>_
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> "Hmm... Let's see. Watch out folks for what I am going to do."
> Fire some danmaku to the strange mass and stay alert for anything.
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> "Hmm... Let's see. Watch out folks for what I am going to do."
> Fire some danmaku to the strange mass and stay alert for anything.
>Your danmaku freezes in the time stop seconds after it leaves your hand.
>Your group falls into silence
>"Tell me..." Medicine frowns, "What did you honestly think was going to happen...?"
>_
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>"I...don't know."
>Wait, did it stop instantly or did it slow down before it stopped?
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> "Magic, maybe? Either way, let's say that touching that thing is not a good idea. We even... have proof of that."
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>"I...don't know."
>Wait, did it stop instantly or did it slow down before it stopped?
>It went about a foot from you and then stopped instantly.
> "Magic, maybe? Either way, let's say that touching that thing is not a good idea. We even... have proof of that."
>"Agreed."
>Ellen nods as well, regarding the fairy with a bit of sadness in her eyes, "So... how much farther until the basement...?"
>_
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>Is there another way to either the basement or the library?
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>Is there another way to either the basement or the library?
>The library itself has multiple entrances, but the basement entrance (that you know of) can only be accessed by passing through the library first.
>_
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>Let's go find one of the other entrances then.
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>Let's go find one of the other entrances then.
>You lead your group to one of the other entrances... The eldritch tendrils are protruding through the wall surrounding this door as well.
>_
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> Do we know what would happen to a laser in this place? Or we haven't tried/saw it yet?
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> Do we know what would happen to a laser in this place? Or we haven't tried/saw it yet?
>You have not tried a laser. Nor a Master Spark for that matter...
>_
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>It'll probably just freeze somehow. Better not mess around, that would cause a mess when it's unfrozen.
>"Maybe we should try opening it..."
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>It'll probably just freeze somehow. Better not mess around, that would cause a mess when it's unfrozen.
>"Maybe we should try opening it..."
>"You want to go towards it...?" Medicine blinks.
>"We might not have a choice." Ellen shrugs.
>"Don't encourage her."
>_
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>"To get to the basement we need to go through the library..."
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>"To get to the basement we need to go through the library..."
>"She has a point." says Ellen.
>"Fine..." Medicine grumbles, "If I'm going to be outvoted on this, then don't blame me if something horrible happens to us on the other side of that door..."
>_
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> Examine that mass thing closely (but don't get too close!). Anything remarkable?
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> Examine that mass thing closely (but don't get too close!). Anything remarkable?
>You get closer to the mass...
>It's a pulsating, amorphous, shadowy, black and red mass formed into tendril-like structures. Tiny, white cracks in, what seems to be space itself, are occasionally forming near the tips of the tendrils. The tendrils seem to move forward, at a snail's pace, into the cracked space, despite being in a timestop... You swear tiny ripples in space occur whenever a crack forms, which weren't noticeable at the previous distance...
>The parts of the wall that the tendrils are passing through seem to be disintegrating, leaving several small holes. You can see parts of the library through them.
>_
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//This is all making me think in Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
> Probably not big enough for us to neatly fly through, right?
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//This is all making me think in Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
> Probably not big enough for us to neatly fly through, right?
>No, the holes are too small to fly through, plus there's also the tendril going through the middle of it...
>However, the door itself is untouched, for now it seems.
>_
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> The door? Is it closed or something?
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> The door? Is it closed or something?
>The door is closed, yes. Just like the other one.
>_
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> ... Welp.
> So, it is safe from the thing?
> Open it, if that's the case (and if there's nothing else wrong with doing it).
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> ... Welp.
> So, it is safe from the thing?
> Open it, if that's the case (and if there's nothing else wrong with doing it).
>You think so... Either that or whatever it is hasn't reached the door yet.
>You open the door...
>Hundreds of tendrils are filling the library, entangling their way through the shelves, walls, and ceiling, laying waste to all they touch. The tendrils all seem to be radiating out from somewhere in the library's center.
>_
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> "Watch out for The Thing."
> Advance carefully to the center of the library.
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> "Watch out for The Thing."
> Advance carefully to the center of the library.
>"I think that's pretty obvious considering what it seems to be doing..." Medicine comments.
>You head towards the center of the library with your "companions", maneuvering around the tendrils of the mass, which only increase in density as you get closer to the source.
>You suddenly start hearing the faint traces of voices up ahead.
>_
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> Can we determine whose voices are those?
> Continue being careful and continue.
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> Can we determine whose voices are those?
> Continue being careful and continue.
>One is definitely Sakuya, the other sounds a bit like Meiling.
>You continue on, you can make out what they're saying now.
>"I appreciate the thought, but I already told you that I cannot afford to rest, Meiling." you hear Sakuya say as you get closer, "If I'm not ready, then we could miss our chance and everything will be lost... Besides, what do you think this entity is going to do as soon as I unfreeze time?"
>"I'm not saying you should unfreeze time. I'm just saying maybe let time flow slowly for a few moments... You'd be exerting yourself less that way..." says Meiling's voice, with a tone of concern, "Even with me manipulating your Qi, your energy won't last forever. You should at least try to be more conservative..."
>They sound like they're coming from right around the next corner.
>_
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>Peek around the corner.
>"Hello?"
//How are we able to talk if time is frozen???
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//Obviously we're fine, and I presume Sakuya's just brought Meiling into time-unstoppage?
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>Peek around the corner.
>You peek.
>Sakuya and Meiling are standing in front of what you can assume is the center of the mass, a slowly pulsating amorphous blob of black and red shadows. Gigantic cracks in what seems to be space itself are randomly forming near this blob, seemingly breaking reality into glass-like shards, before they reform and seal themselves.
>The surrounding area seems to be a magic circle drawn on the ground, surrounded by a great many buckets. It seems like some kind of ritual massive ritual was being performed in the library today...
>Meiling seems to be connected to Sakuya by a channel of energy, both of them have their backs to you.
>"Hello?"
>You seem to startle both of them.
>Sakuya looks over, she appears to be physically drained, "What...? What are you doing here...!? ...HOW are you even here!?!"
>"Hello, Marisa." Meiling smiles.
>"So are these the people we need to deal with?" Medicine asks, stepping out next to you.
>"How are they able to move in here?" Ellen questions.
>Sakuya frowns.
//How are we able to talk if time is frozen???
//Pick one:
-Magic
-Eirin's Shady New Drug
-Yukari is Fooling Around Again
-A Moriya Shrine Conspiracy
>_
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>To Sakuya: "It's complicated."
>To our compatriots: "No, Medicine. As to the movement, the time stop is Sakuya's " point at Sakuya "power. She can stop time and move around during it."
>"Templates like that are forbidden."
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>To Sakuya: "It's complicated."
>To our compatriots: "No, Medicine. As to the movement, the time stop is Sakuya's " point at Sakuya "power. She can stop time and move around during it."
>"Templates like that are forbidden."
>Sakuya responds with more frowning, "An explanation would be nice... However, I cannot afford the time to listen to one. However, you should leave while you still can. Meiling and I can handle the situation here."
>"So she is the one behind the bubble..." Medicine replies.
>"Wait, what if they can help?" Meiling asks, "They did make it all the way here after all..."
>"Out of the question." Sakuya shoots her a look, "With more people there will be a greater risk of things going wrong..."
>_
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>"What's going on?"
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>"What's going on?"
>"Something that will likely eclipse every incident we've experienced if we don't put a stop to it." Sakuya frowns, "That's really all you should know. Now, please leave, your presence here will only harm our efforts..." she quickly checks behind her, examining a few new cracks that have formed.
>_
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>"No can do. We're here so that ol' gap hag wont't erase the entire place. Be grateful, will ya?"
>Frown.
>"Besides, it doesn't seem like you're doing so good. If you tell us your plan, we can try to help."
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>"No can do. We're here so that ol' gap hag wont't erase the entire place. Be grateful, will ya?"
>Frown.
>"Besides, it doesn't seem like you're doing so good. If you tell us your plan, we can try to help."
>"So Yukari plans to erase the bubble and everything in it? Hmph. No doubt she sensed this thing..." Sakuya sighs, "Fine, if there's no convincing you to leave--" Sakuya suddenly bends over in pain.
>"Sakuya!" Meiling rushes to support her.
>"Gghh... I'm fine..." the maid stands back up, "--As I was saying, if there's no convincing you to leave, then so be it..."
>She regards the eldritch mass for a moment, "Let's start with telling you what, exactly, this entity is..." she frowns, "From what I understand, this mass is the embodiment of the power that was once within the young mistress... In essence, it is the physical manifestation of destruction itself..."
>_
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>"How did it escape?"
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>"How did it escape?"
>Sakuya goes silent for a moment...
>"About a week ago... m-my mistress... concluded that her sister will never be able to fully control her power... So, together with Patchouli, they devised a plan to suppress it. A simple seal wouldn't have been effective, as the very nature of the young mistress's power would quickly erode it away. So the solution Patchouli came up with was to siphon off the majority of the power to weaken it, and then place a special magic inhibitor on Flandre to regulate the remainder. However, as you would imagine this would require a large ritual to perform. So we spent most of our time making the preparations...."
>"...Patchouli insisted that she was feeling healthy enough to perform the ritual today... everything was going well until she lost consciousness from overexertion... The energy she had managed to siphon off, now with nothing holding it back, coalesced into the entity before you and exploded outwards..."
>_
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>Swallow.
>"So, where is she right now?"
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>Swallow.
>"So, where is she right now?"
>Sakuya looks down in silence, as does Meiling...
>"W-With the Mistress and her sister..." Sakuya holds back some tears as she clenches her fist... "H-Had I froze time half a second sooner... I-I probably could've at least saved Koakuma..."
>_
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>"Patchy... and the Scarlet Sisters..."
>Go silent.
>"This... can't be happening..."
>How are Ellen and Medicine?
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>"Patchy... and the Scarlet Sisters..."
>Go silent.
>"This... can't be happening..."
>How are Ellen and Medicine?
>Ellen and Medicine seem surprised at the revelation. Ellen seems to be the sadder looking of the two...
>"Sorry for your loss..." Ellen looks down.
>Sakuya nods in acknowledgement and turns to observe the cracks forming around the mass again.
>_
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>Frown.
>"Sakuya, what do we do?"
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>Frown.
>"Sakuya, what do we do?"
>"We wait."
>"Wait?" Medicine questions.
>Sakuya nods, "Those cracks that are forming around the entity are actually fractures in space-time. My time powers allow me to stop time, and rewind it for very small regions, I won't be able to reverse time on a scale as large as the mansion for more than a few milliseconds before I deplete my energy. However, these cracks present an opportunity... If one leading to earlier today opens up, then we could jump through it and hopefully end up at a time where we can prevent all of this...However, assuming a crack leading to the correct time does open up, it's likely we would only get one chance... and from there there is a great many things that can go wrong..."
>"L-Like what?" Ellen asks.
>"We could end up at the wrong time, we could unintentionally cause such a bad ripple effect it erases us before we accomplish our objective, we could irreversibly change the future for the worse, among a great many other risks..."
>She sighs
>"If you really want to help, then it would be imperative that, when the time comes, we stick together, and that all of you listen to exactly what I say..."
>_
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> "How much you say we should wait?"
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> "How much you say we should wait?"
>"As long as it takes... Or until either Yukari wipes this place or my strength gives out... whichever comes first..."
>"So that's it, then...?" Medicine asks, "We're just going to wait here for something that might not even happen, until we all die?"
>"Do you have any better ideas?" Sakuya frowns.
>_
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> Adjust our hat to cover our face a bit.
> "... Sakuya, do you think that, if I cross one of the cracks I could go back if it isn't the right time?"
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> Adjust our hat to cover our face a bit.
> "... Sakuya, do you think that, if I cross one of the cracks I could go back if it isn't the right time?"
>"...The crack will most likely be a one-way trip, hence why entering the correct time is critical. If we overshoot, or take the wrong crack we could end up years, or even centuries, too early..."
>"What if we're pulled with you?" Medicine asks.
>"Maybe we could first get that um... person... to do that um... what thing were we here for again?" Ellen frowns.
>"You're joking, right?"
>_
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> "Hm?"
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> "Hm?"
>You hm.
>_
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> "Ellen, what was that you were going to suggest?"
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> "Ellen, what was that you were going to suggest?"
>"D-Didn't we originally want to come here for something...?"
>_
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>"We were going to ask Patchouli to help us get un-tethered, but that won't ever happen if we can't fix this."
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>"We were going to ask Patchouli to help us get un-tethered, but that won't ever happen if we can't fix this."
>"Oh..."
>"Tethered?" Meiling asks.
>_
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>"It's a long story of how it happened. In short, the three of us ended up tied by a spell so we have to go everywhere together. Also if something bad happens to one of us, it happens to everyone. Not to mention Hourai, Alice's... doll... She's outside of this bubble and it's because I'm connected to her by a puppet thread right now that we're able to walk around here in frozen time."
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>"It's a long story of how it happened. In short, the three of us ended up tied by a spell so we have to go everywhere together. Also if something bad happens to one of us, it happens to everyone. Not to mention Hourai, Alice's... doll... She's outside of this bubble and it's because I'm connected to her by a puppet thread right now that we're able to walk around here in frozen time."
>"I see..." Meiling studies the three of you for a moment, "If you're all sharing injuries, then it might be tied to your Qi. I'd offer to look at it, but I'm currently supplying Sakuya with energy..."
>"That explains how the three of you managed-- ungh!..." Sakuya suddenly winces, her nose begins bleeding slightly.
>"Sakuya!"
>"I'm... fine..."
>_
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> "... I refuse to wait. We can't give ourselves that pleasure. Yukari will just banish the SDM without any kind of problem if we don't act quickly. I am half tempted to gamble and pick a crack, but are you sure there isn't a better wait, maid?"
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> "... I refuse to wait. We can't give ourselves that pleasure. Yukari will just banish the SDM without any kind of problem if we don't act quickly. I am half tempted to gamble and pick a crack, but are you sure there isn't a better wait, maid?"
>"I don't like waiting either, but there is honestly no other choice here." Sakuya frowns, "If the crack ends up being the wrong one, the chance of causing something worse will increase greatly..."
>_
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> "Tch..."
> Ponder what do do...
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> "Tch..."
> Ponder what do do...
>You start pondering...
>Not long after you begin, a large crack opens. Sakuya examines it for a moment, before immediately locking eyes with you.
>"It would seem luck is on our side... nnngh" she winces again.
>"Sakuya, you're reaching your limit..." Meiling frowns.
>"I only have to hold it... for a little longer... stop worrying about me."
>_
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> "It's decided."
> Is the crack large enough for us to travel it?
> "Alright, one quick request. So Alice's doll doesn't get involved in this, I will sever the connection I am currently sharing with her. Meiling, could it be possible to you to take us and, uh throw us in there?"
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> "It's decided."
> Is the crack large enough for us to travel it?
> "Alright, one quick request. So Alice's doll doesn't get involved in this, I will sever the connection I am currently sharing with her. Meiling, could it be possible to you to take us and, uh throw us in there?"
>Yes.
>"Meiling is coming with us..." Sakuya frowns, "She's just as much a part of this as the rest of us..."
>_
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> "Oh, I thought both of you were staying. Sorry."
> Look at our group. How are they reacting to all of this to go through the crack?
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> "Oh, I thought both of you were staying. Sorry."
> Look at our group. How are they reacting to all of this to go through the crack?
>"Why would we be stay -- Nnngh!" Sakuya staggers. "...We don't have time for this. Everyone get into the crack and lock hands. Whatever you do, DON'T let go!"
>Ellen seems nervous. Medicine seems hesitant.
>_
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> Extend our hand to whoever of our group is closer.
> "This doesn't give me good vibes, hey, but we have to do it either way."
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> Extend our hand to whoever of our group is closer.
> "This doesn't give me good vibes, hey, but we have to do it either way."
>Medicine hesitantly takes your hand, "I think once this is all said and done I'm going to be staying far away from both of you for a while..."
>Ellen carelessly grabs Medicine's free hand. Meiling has already locked hands with Sakuya and extends her free one to you.
>_
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>Lock hands with Meiling and make sure you don't let go.
-
>Lock hands with Meiling and make sure you don't let go.
>You do so.
>Sakuya and Meiling begin pulling your group towards the crack, which is beginning to close.
>_
-
>Keep going, making sure our grips are secure.
>Look at our harem colleagues to see how they're doing.
-
>Keep going, making sure our grips are secure.
>Look at our harem colleagues to see how they're doing.
>You keep going
>They're keeping pace.
>The five of you enter the crack and are plunged into an odd space. Clock sounds seem to fill a void that flicks between black and blue, the top and bottom of the void seem to be infinite planes lined with sine wave patterns that are constantly switching colors. All the sine waves, as well as the planes, seem to converge at some point at infinity.
>Various cracks are spotted in the void as your group floats on...
>"Alright, Sakuya, what now...?" Meiling asks.
>There is no reply.
>"S-Sakuya...?"
>_
-
>Look at Sakuya.
-
>Look at Sakuya.
>Sakuya's nose is bleeding once more... She's limp and seems to have lost consciousness...
>_
-
> "H-Hey, make sure she isn't, uh..."
-
> "H-Hey, make sure she isn't, uh..."
>Meiling pulls Sakuya closer and wraps her under an arm, "...she's alive..." she looks slightly relieved, "but her Qi levels are dangerously low, likely from overexerting herself maintaining that time bubble..."
>"So now what?" Medicine frowns.
>"Maybe we're supposed to go through another crack to get out?" Ellen suggests.
>_
-
> What is ahead of us?
-
> What is ahead of us?
>Infinity. As well as several cracks off to the sides that seem to be gradually changing in color as your group passes them.
>_
-
>Look at the cracks, but don't touch them. Can we see anything through them?
-
>Look at the cracks, but don't touch them. Can we see anything through them?
>You look.
>You only see color... The next set of cracks are a different color. This trend seems to continue the more cracks you pass.
>_
-
> "I assume we are in the 'world between the cracks and other times..."
-
> "I assume we are in the 'world between the cracks and other times..."
>"Okay. So how are we supposed to get to where we're supposed to go?" Medicine frowns.
>"Unfortunately, Sakuya didn't explain this far out..." says Meiling, "I don't think she was intending on passing out..."
>_
-
>"I guess we'll have to wait, then."
-
>"I guess we'll have to wait, then."
>"I'm not sure how long that may be..."
>_
-
> "... That's true. We are already in this and we should continue."
-
> "... That's true. We are already in this and we should continue."
>"Alright..."
>You notice a crack directly in your path up ahead. It's colored red. You note another crack way behind it but slightly off to the side, that's colored blue.
>_
-
> "What's you favorite color? I say red because it's the closest to being scarlet."
-
> "What's you favorite color? I say red because it's the closest to being scarlet."
>"I don't really have a favorite..." says Meiling.
>"It looks rather sinister..." Ellen comments, "Blue is a safer color in my opinion."
>"Red isn't that bad... If anything it's a beneficial warning color for poison." Medicine shrugs.
>"Well we're going to hit it unless we do something..." Ellen frowns.
>_
-
> "Well, up to you Meiling since you don't have a favorite. We have no clue which one is the right one. Red or blue?"
-
> "Well, up to you Meiling since you don't have a favorite. We have no clue which one is the right one. Red or blue?"
> "W-What if I choose wrongly?"
>The red crack is getting closer.
>_
-
> "Y-You will make it."
-
> "Y-You will make it."
>"U-Uh... Re- Blue! I choose blue."
>If you want to avoid the Red crack you should probably start moving now.
>_
-
> "Let's gooo!"
> Maneuver as appropiate to avoid the red crack.
-
> "Let's gooo!"
> Maneuver as appropiate to avoid the red crack.
>Your entire group swerves, avoiding the red crack.
>The blue crack is approaching.
>_
-
> Continue onwards to it!
-
> Continue onwards to it!
>You continue. The crack draws Meiling into it as you get close, and the rest of you, maintaining your grips on each other, are pulled in soon after...
>You land on the ground with a thud.
>_
-
> Get up and look around.
> How are the others?
-
> Get up and look around.
> How are the others?
>You get up...
>You seem to be in a forest. The Forest of Magic, you think.
>Meiling is on the ground, still holding the unconscious Sakuya. Medicine and Ellen are standing up as well...
>There's suddenly a noise, and you feel something bonk you in the head and hear it land on the ground behind you.
>"Oof..." a familiar voice says.
>_
-
> Could it be...
> Look behind us... Is it HER, right?
-
> Could it be...
> Look behind us... Is it HER, right?
>You look to see a very shaken looking Hourai recovering from a fall...
>_
-
> "Uh, I am sorry..."
> Help her.
> "You okay?"
-
> "Uh, I am sorry..."
> Help her.
> "You okay?"
>"W-What happened? One minute I was waiting for you all to come back and the next I'm flying through a scary void being pulled by my thread..." she shudders as you pick her up.
>_
-
> "We went to a journey. A journey into time."
-
> "We went to a journey. A journey into time."
//Why was I expecting a DHMIS reference? XD (Assuming that's what this is.)
>"It's time that's changing all the time?"
>"...What...?" she stares at you confused.
>"So... When are we?" Ellen asks.
>_
-
> "I'll explain when we are more free."
> Give her a small head pat and then look around.
> Is it night or day?
-
> "I'll explain when we are more free."
> Give her a small head pat and then look around.
> Is it night or day?
>"O-Okay..." Hourai accepts the pat and begins floating on her own power.
>You're in the forest of magic, you think. It looks similar to a patch of forest near your house.
>It's sunset.
>_
-
> "I assume that we can't be seen by our past selves, right?"
> Look at Meiling.
-
> "I assume that we can't be seen by our past selves, right?"
> Look at Meiling.
>"I'm not sure, to be honest... Sakuya would be able to answer that better." Meiling sets Sakuya down in the shade of a large tree, "I'm not sure when she'll wake up, but for now she needs some rest..."
>_
-
> "We'll explore, then. We should find out which time this is ASAP."
-
> "We'll explore, then. We should find out which time this is ASAP."
>"I'll stay here with Sakuya in the meantime, then."
>_
-
>"Alright, let's head for the SDM first. What time was it when Patchy started the ritual?"
-
>"Alright, let's head for the SDM first. What time was it when Patchy started the ritual?"
>"Mid-afternoon I think."
>_
-
>How high is the sun currently? Could we give an estimate of what time it is?
-
>How high is the sun currently? Could we give an estimate of what time it is?
>It appears to be dusk...
>_
-
> What were we doing last night, again?
-
> What were we doing last night, again?
>You were helping Alice out with her Goliath Doll Mk. II
>_
-
> "Alright, let's be silent as the Kirisame and as subtle as the Marisa, 'kay?"
> Start going to where Alice's house is. Don't make a show of it, though. We don't want other to notice us.
-
> "Alright, let's be silent as the Kirisame and as subtle as the Marisa, 'kay?"
> Start going to where Alice's house is. Don't make a show of it, though. We don't want other to notice us.
>"You're silent and subtle...?" Medicine raises an eyebrow.
>You take flight and start heading towards Alice's house, keeping just above the canopy to reduce your visibility. Ellen, Hourai, and Medicine follow.
>You notice your own house first, off to the side of your flight path. However, something seems... off... about it...
>_
-
> W-Which part of it is missing?! It isn't too bad, right?!
> Calm down and examine what is it...
-
> W-Which part of it is missing?! It isn't too bad, right?!
> Calm down and examine what is it...
>It doesn't look as overgrown as it should...
>_
-
> Impossible!
> Take a bit of a side trip. Head to our house instead, but don't just go to plain sight. Examine if there is anyone around first.
-
> Impossible!
> Take a bit of a side trip. Head to our house instead, but don't just go to plain sight. Examine if there is anyone around first.
>How can this be!?
>You head to your house, checking around... There doesn't seem to be anyone out in the open.
>Your house is still overgrown, but not to the extent of what it usually is...
>_
-
>Peek through the window.
>Do we have a calendar at home?
-
> We don't know if, due to the experiments with Goliath or something after that, our house ended more messy?
> Cautiously approach to the door.
-
>Peek through the window.
>Do we have a calendar at home?
>You peek through the window...
>It's dark inside... But the place has an unnerving absence of junk...
>Maybe?
> We don't know if, due to the experiments with Goliath or something after that, our house ended more messy?
> Cautiously approach to the door.
>Unless a doll can affect plant growth, then you don't thin so...
>You approach the door. It's ajar.
>"Why are we here, anyw-AGH!" you hear Medicine exclaim.
>"Oof!" Ellen grunts.
>You feel something small and hard bonk you in the head.
>_
-
> "W-What?!"
> Who was it?! Back off if needed!
-
> "W-What?!"
> Who was it?! Back off if needed!
>You turn around looking for the source.
>There is a red-haired girl, looking no older than 10 or so, behind your group, repeatedly tossing a rock in the air and catching it. She's wearing a purple witch outfit, and is carrying a small broom.
>"Get out of here!" she shouts, "This is my secret base, I found it first ~ze!"
>"Hey, that hurt, you little brat!" Medicine scowls.
>_
-
> WELL. TALK ABOUT WAY BACK.
> "Huh?! HUUUH?!"
> Stare at her in silence.
> "Damn I was such brat."
-
> WELL. TALK ABOUT WAY BACK.
>Something tells you that you might've chosen the wrong crack...
> "Huh?! HUUUH?!"
> Stare at her in silence.
>The girl frowns as you stare at her.
>"What? Is there something on my face...?"
> "Damn I was such brat."
>"Hmm? Did you say something?" Ellen asks.
>_
-
> "I said we were leaving. We were just curious if people lived in the Forest of Magic..."
> Look at our group.
> "Right?"
-
> "I said we were leaving. We were just curious if people lived in the Forest of Magic..."
> Look at our group.
> "Right?"
>"But don't you live in the Forest of Magic?" Ellen asks.
>"You live in the forest?" the girl blinks, "Well then, you better stay away from my secret base! Now scram ~ze!"
>"She honestly doesn't look that tough..." Medicine frowns, "Are you really going to let a human child walk all over- AGH!" a rock hits her in the back of the head.
>"I heard that!"
>_
-
> "W-We aren't looking for problems. That's why we are leaving"
> Look at our group with a look of 'shut up' while emphasizing 'leaving' with our voice. Make sure we aren't seen by this girl. Otherwise, dont' make a show out of it and just say the above sentence without too much problem of looking and whatnot.
-
> "W-We aren't looking for problems. That's why we are leaving"
> Look at our group with a look of 'shut up' while emphasizing 'leaving' with our voice. Make sure we aren't seen by this girl. Otherwise, dont' make a show out of it and just say the above sentence without too much problem of looking and whatnot.
>You're pretty sure she's already seen you...
>"You should listen to your friend with the broom and witch hat. At least she gets the idea!" says the girl, "Wait a minute..." she points at you, "Are you a magician!?!"
>_
-
> "Err... Would you believe me if tell you that my favorite hobby is swipe the forest's dirt?"
-
> "Err... Would you believe me if tell you that my favorite hobby is swipe the forest's dirt?"
>"Do I look like a fairy to you ~ze?"
>_
-
> "What kind of things would you believe, then? Bring forth the craziest one you can think of."
> _
-
> "What kind of things would you believe, then? Bring forth the craziest one you can think of."
> _
>"The craziest thing huh?" she thinks for a moment, "Well, if I said that, it would spoil a surprise... plus it would probably make someone mad at me."
>_
-
> "Surprise?"
-
> "Surprise?"
>She nods, "I guess it counts a surprise, it's still something Lady Mi- I mean someone wouldn't want anyone to know about until it actually happens ~ze."
>_
-
> Do we recall what that surprise is all about?
> Given how this lil' Marisa looks and the things we might remember, how far in the past is this?
-
> Do we recall what that surprise is all about?
> Given how this lil' Marisa looks and the things we might remember, how far in the past is this?
>You think...
>You think this is might be a little before the time you first met Reimu. Seeing as your past self isn't in Reimaden right now, then it's likely Mima hasn't started her "revenge on humanity" plan yet, but will soon...
>_
-
> "Well, you shouldn't make this person wait for the surprise."
-
> "Well, you shouldn't make this person wait for the surprise."
>"As if I'm worried about that. It won't be until tomorrow anyway."
>_
-
>Say, do we remember why Mima decided to get revenge on humanity?
-
>Say, do we remember why Mima decided to get revenge on humanity?
>You don't remember the exact reason.
>_
-
>Do we remember an inexact reason? What, if anything, did she mention as far as why she wanted to destroy humanity?
>Any idea how much time has passed since we arrived at the house?
-
>Do we remember an inexact reason? What, if anything, did she mention as far as why she wanted to destroy humanity?
>Any idea how much time has passed since we arrived at the house?
>You think she told you something along the lines that she "lost faith in most of humanity" or something long ago. You don't remember the exact wording.
>You think not even 15 minutes
>_
-
> "Oh well. Good for you."
-
> "Oh well. Good for you."
>"Aaaaaanyway, back to my question: Are you a magician?"
>"Can we just ditch this brat already...?" Medicine complains
>_
-
> "I guess you can say so, kiddo."
-
> "I guess you can say so, kiddo."
>She twitches a bit in annoyance when you call her 'Kiddo'
>"...Thought so. I don't know if you could tell, but I'm a magician too!" she smirks, "The future best magician in Gensokyo at that!"
>"Aw... she's so ambitious for her age it's kinda cute." Ellen comments.
>_
-
> "Well, it's always nice to have confidence like you do."
-
> "Well, it's always nice to have confidence like you do."
> Your younger self beams a bit, "So... Are you a powerful magician or a weak one ~ze?"
>_
-
> "Aren't you making so much questions?"
-
> "Aren't you making so much questions?"
>"Well you're kinda on my turf, so doesn't that give me the right to question you as much as I want?"
>_
-
> "We just want to leave though..."
-
> "We just want to leave though..."
>"There's nothing stopping the rest of you from leaving. I just have some questions for you ~ze."
>_
-
> "... Me?"
-
> "... Me?"
>"Mhm. One magician to another."
>"What about me, I'm a magician too!" Ellen speaks up.
>"Oh, then I have questions for you too!" younger you smirks.
>_
-
> "We have things to do, you know. And we must be always together."
-
> "We have things to do, you know. And we must be always together."
>Your younger self looks between you and Ellen.
>"So you're married?"
>"P-Pardon me!?" Ellen blinks.
>Medicine snorts while Hourai stifles a giggle.
>_
-
> "Err... no. And I mean all of us."
-
> "Err... no. And I mean all of us."
>"Err... Why...?"
>_
-
> Who asked that?
-
> Who asked that?
>You did
>_
-
> "Sorry, but that's just our business."
-
> "Sorry, but that's just our business."
>Little you frowns.
>_
-
> "Sorry."
-
> "Sorry."
>"Is it some kind of conspiracy or something...?" she guesses.
>_
-
> "Just stuff that we have to do."
-
> "Just stuff that we have to do."
>"...that requires you to always be together..."
>"Just say the word and I'll hit her with paralyzing gas..." Medicine whispers.
>_
-
> "Yea, let's not."
> "Don't think THAT far, girl. We aren't into that stuff."
-
> "Yea, let's not."
> "Don't think THAT far, girl. We aren't into that stuff."
>"Fine, let her delay things even longer then..." Medicine rolls her eyes
> "What stuff?" younger you blinks
>_
-
//edited, adjust accordingly
-
> Sigh.
> "You know what? We'll just leave."
-
> Sigh.
> "You know what? We'll just leave."
>"But you haven't answered my first-- You know what? Fine. You said you lived in this forest anyway, so I'll just track you down later, okay?"
>_
-
> "Sure sure. See you, then."
> Beckon our group and leave.
-
> "Sure sure. See you, then."
> Beckon our group and leave.
>You quickly escape into the treeline.
>"You should've let me paralyze her with my toxins, it would've spared you an annoying visitor..." Medicine frowns when you're safely out of ear shot
>"You'd hurt a child!?!" Ellen gives her an appalled look.
>"I said paralyze. It would've only been temporary. I'd rather not kill a child, human or not, unless I was given no other choice. I'm not heartless..."
>_
-
> "I would punch you if we weren't in this situation, but I will explain things later. I know that girl enough that I am sure she could start following us, so not a single word of anything, 'kay?"
-
> "I would punch you if we weren't in this situation, but I will explain things later. I know that girl enough that I am sure she could start following us, so not a single word of anything, 'kay?"
>"You know her?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
> "I think you can say that, but let's meet with Meiling and Sakuya first."
-
> "I think you can say that, but let's meet with Meiling and Sakuya first."
>"Got it."
>"So are we traveling on foot or by air?" Ellen asks.
>_
-
> "Eh, doesn't matter."
> Fly if we aren't.
-
> "Eh, doesn't matter."
> Fly if we aren't.
>You take off...
>After about a minute, you return to Sakuya and Meiling.
>_
-
> "Hey. How is everything?"
-
> "Hey. How is everything?"
>"You're back sooner than I thought." Meiling looks over her shoulder, "Sakuya's own Qi levels are starting to recover, it's very slow, though..."
>_
-
> "Well, uh... I think I have news. Do you think you could carry her?"
-
> "Well, uh... I think I have news. Do you think you could carry her?"
>"Certainly." she pauses, "What's going on...?"
>_
-
>?I believe we...?
>Look around for eavesdroppers. If there are none, then continue.
>?...May have traveled back in time. I met a younger version of myself at my house not too long ago...?
-
>?I believe we...?
>Look around for eavesdroppers. If there are none, then continue.
>?...May have traveled back in time. I met a younger version of myself at my house not too long ago...?
> Don't just say that.
> Instead, and after indeed looking for eavesdroppers, simply say "I think we missed where we wanted to be. I don't want to talk too much right here, because someone could have followed us."
> _
-
>?I believe we...?
>Look around for eavesdroppers. If there are none, then continue.
>?...May have traveled back in time. I met a younger version of myself at my house not too long ago...?
> Don't just say that.
> Instead, and after indeed looking for eavesdroppers, simply say "I think we missed where we wanted to be. I don't want to talk too much right here, because someone could have followed us."
> _
>You check for eavesdroppers, finding none that are immediately apparent.
>"Where should we go, then?"
>_
-
>Is there any place we have in mind that could be used to lose a pursuer/eavesdropper?
>Do we know any means of avoiding pursuit or being followed, even?
-
>Is there any place we have in mind that could be used to lose a pursuer/eavesdropper?
>Do we know any means of avoiding pursuit or being followed, even?
>You could try going to the less visited parts of the Forest of Magic, though that risks running into one of the dangerous pockets. Plus the potential pursuer is you anyway... a younger, less experienced you, but still you...
>The Bamboo Forest of The Lost will pretty much guarantee losing a pursuer unless they were following you really close.
>Being in an open area with no cover will deter pursuers unless you're really unobservant...
>There's also the good old Master Spark, which solves everything...
>_
-
> Recall the geography of Gensokyo at this time, if we can.
-
> Recall the geography of Gensokyo at this time, if we can.
>You haven't been to many parts of Gensokyo at the age you were at this time, so a lot of its past geography is unknown to you.
>However, logically thinking, major landmarks like the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, The Garden of the Sun, Misty Lake, Youkai Mountain, and the Sanzu River should still be there.
>The Hakurei Shrine and the Human Village are definitely where they should be at this time.
>The Kourindou should exist at this time as well.
>You recall a lake full of blood somewhere in the mountains, however, your past self shouldn't discover it until about two years from now.
>The Myouren Temple and the Moriya Shrine definitely shouldn't exist in Gensokyo yet. However, you think that the Mausoleum that was underneath the Myouren Temple was there for a while, so it should be there at this time.
>Considering Kaguya is immortal, you think Eientei should exist at this time too.
>You're unsure about the state of the Underground at this time, as your first time down there was during the Geyser incident.
>_
-
> "... We should go to an open area, but one that isn't crowded with people and whatnot. We can be aware of any eavesdroppers like that."
-
> "... We should go to an open area, but one that isn't crowded with people and whatnot. We can be aware of any eavesdroppers like that."
>"Got it." Meiling carefully grabs Sakuya in her arms, "Lead on, then."
>_
-
> Think for a moment...
> "... Let's go."
> ... before deciding to go to the Garden of the Sun.
-
> Think for a moment...
> "... Let's go."
> ... before deciding to go to the Garden of the Sun.
>You think... Past Yuuka should be somewhere else at this time... right? Perhaps she wouldn't mind if you used her garden...
>You begin to lead your group towards that location.
>_
-
>"Let's try not to damage the flowers where we're at. I doubt the owner would be very happy..."
>Keep going, and keep an eye out for anyone who tries to follow.
-
>"Let's try not to damage the flowers where we're at. I doubt the owner would be very happy..."
>Keep going, and keep an eye out for anyone who tries to follow.
>"If we did I could probably vouch for us..." says Medicine, "Depending on how far we've gone back..."
>"You know the owner?" Ellen asks
>"It's more of an acquaintanceship... She does seem to tolerate me and that one insect more than most others..."
>You keep going, glancing back to see if you're being followed...
>You see a speck emerge from the distant treeline.
>_
-
> Don't lose it. Stop advancing if necessary to pay attention.
-
> Don't lose it. Stop advancing if necessary to pay attention.
>It seems to be flying in your general direction.
>_
-
> Keep watching it. Can we determine what it is?
-
> Keep watching it. Can we determine what it is?
>You keep watching... it's definitely riding a broom
>"Why are we stopping?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
> "Well, I know myself a lot, don't I... Well, because someone is following us, just like I thought."
-
> "Well, I know myself a lot, don't I... Well, because someone is following us, just like I thought."
>Hourai blinks.
>"Shouldn't we, I don't know, try to lose them instead of just sitting here...?" Medicine suggests, "Or at least deal with them?"
>_
-
> "If 'deal with them' means attacking, then heck no."
> Look at Meiling.
> "Do you think Sakuya could handle high speed? We'll try to lose our pursuer."
-
> "If 'deal with them' means attacking, then heck no."
> Look at Meiling.
> "Do you think Sakuya could handle high speed? We'll try to lose our pursuer."
>Medicine frowns.
>"I don't think speed will worsen her condition, so it should be fine." Meiling replies
>_
-
> "You will understand soon enough, Medicine. Let's just move!"
> Speed ahead!
> Can we see the Garden already?
-
> "You will understand soon enough, Medicine. Let's just move!"
> Speed ahead!
> Can we see the Garden already?
>Yes, but it's still distant.
>You rocket off on your broom, your top speed being faster than everyone else in the party, before you're nearly yanked off the broom by the chains connecting you to the slower Ellen and Medicine.
>As a result, you lose balance and start falling.
>_
-
> Stabilize and grab our broom.
> "Great..."
> Get on our broom again and continue at a more leisure pace so our group can follow.
-
> Stabilize and grab our broom.
> "Great..."
> Get on our broom again and continue at a more leisure pace so our group can follow.
>You do so, and begin flying at a pace that's still fast but slow enough to allow your companions to stay relatively close.
>"A warning would be nice next time..." Medicine complains, "You sent me into an involuntary front flip."
>"I almost dropped Sokrates..." Ellen adds.
>_
-
> "Yea, sorry. It's hard to get used to this chains."
-
> "Yea, sorry. It's hard to get used to this chains."
> "I really hope we get out of these soon..." Medicine sighs.
>You're about halfway there
>_
-
> Look behind for a moment to see if we are being followed by our uninvited mini us.
-
> Look behind for a moment to see if we are being followed by our uninvited mini us.
>You look.
>She's a bit farther back than before, but seems to be keeping pace with your speed.
>_
-
> Look at the Garden and consider hiding between all the sunflowers.
-
> Look at the Garden and consider hiding between all the sunflowers.
>It would definitely be dense enough, however, you would need to duck into it before she has a chance to see you do it.
>You are 2/3 of the way there. You spot a group of fairies playing with each other in the field below
>_
-
> As in, are they in the direction we are currently taking?
-
> As in, are they in the direction we are currently taking?
>No, they're below the group, and a little off to the side of the direction of travel. You don't think any have noticed you.
>_
-
> Keep going, then! There's no need to worry if they haven't noticed.
-
> Keep going, then! There's no need to worry if they haven't noticed.
>You keep going, reaching the edge of the garden after a while, you see Yuuka's mansion off in the center of the field.
>Now that you're close enough, you realize all the flowers seem to be drooping slightly, with the petals half-closed.
>_
-
> And this means...?
-
> And this means...?
>You don't know what to make of it.
>You remember your first meeting with Yuuka being somewhere different, maybe that has something to do with it?
>_
-
> Wait, did the flowers drooped when we approached or were they like that already?
-
> Wait, did the flowers drooped when we approached or were they like that already?
>the latter
>_
-
>"The sunflowers seem strange."
-
>"The sunflowers seem strange."
>"I don't think I've ever seen them like this..." Medicine remarks as you fly over the field.
>_
-
> "Well, I don't think we'll find out that easily. We should try to lose our pursuer."
-
> "Well, I don't think we'll find out that easily. We should try to lose our pursuer."
>"Right... I suppose we're diving in?"
>_
-
>"Yes."
>Go into the sunflowers.
-
>"Yes."
>Go into the sunflowers.
>You dive!
>You are in the Garden of the Sun, surrounded by tall sunflowers.
>_
-
>Go further away from where we came in just in case we didn't lose our pursuer yet.
>Look to see if we lost our pursuer.
-
>Go further away from where we came in just in case we didn't lose our pursuer yet.
>Look to see if we lost our pursuer.
>You run farther into the field.
>You look...
>It seems you're younger self is engaging the fairies right now.
>_
-
> "Awright! She's busy!"
> Continue going even more away, but maintaining ourselves hidden in the sunflowers.
-
> "Awright! She's busy!"
> Continue going even more away, but maintaining ourselves hidden in the sunflowers.
>You get farther, reaching the halfway point to Yuuka's Mansion
>_
-
> How far did we got from our pursuer?
-
> How far did we got from our pursuer?
>About 60 meters you think
>She finishes with the fairies and seems to look out over the field.
>_
-
> Stop. All this trip surely is making the sunflowers move, right? Better to not let her have a clue where we are.
> Hide even more if possible, but remember to stop! (Tell our group as well about this)
-
> Stop. All this trip surely is making the sunflowers move, right? Better to not let her have a clue where we are.
> Hide even more if possible, but remember to stop! (Tell our group as well about this)
>You tell everyone to stop and get down.
>You have a harder time seeing what the other you is doing from here...
>Suddenly she flies over your heads, not noticing any of you, and continues flying towards Yuuka's Mansion...
>_
-
>"I think we lost her for now."
>Look to Meiling.
>"How's Sakuya doing now?"
-
>"I think we lost her for now."
>Look to Meiling.
>"How's Sakuya doing now?"
>"Her condition seems to be improving." Meiling replies, "Now, care to explain what that was all about?"
>_
-
>Seriously, genuinely check to make sure we're not noticed.
>Be prepared to silence Meiling in the event she shouts "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" Not lethally, mind. Unless you're okay with that...
>"Well.... The person who was following us a while back? She's... A younger version of myself..."
-
>Seriously, genuinely check to make sure we're not noticed.
>Be prepared to silence Meiling in the event she shouts "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" Not lethally, mind. Unless you're okay with that...
>"Well.... The person who was following us a while back? She's... A younger version of myself..."
>You spill the beans.
>Meiling is about to shout something, but you swiftly cover he mouth.
>Unfortunately, it doesn't stop Ellen from shouting "E-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?!"
>_
-
> "MASTAAAAH SPAAAARKU!"
> Rush to Ellen and cover her mouth.
> "Let's move before she finds uuus!"
> Start moving again! Not to the direction that mini-us took, though, but neither backtrack! Just go where more sunflowers are!
-
> "MASTAAAAH SPAAAARKU!"
> Rush to Ellen and cover her mouth.
> "Let's move before she finds uuus!"
> Start moving again! Not to the direction that mini-us took, though, but neither backtrack! Just go where more sunflowers are!
>You end up obliterating a large portion of the field, the eventual Yuuka rampage this causes changes the future forever
>You hastily cover Ellen's mouth and lead your group away...
>Younger you doesn't come rushing over, surprisingly...
>"So... were you always that bratty as a kid?" Medicine frowns.
>"You had red hair?" Hourai tilts her head.
>_
-
> "I... guess you could say so. Hey, I think so too, now."
> "And yea... My hair was, uh, red."
> Why was our hair red and now we are blonde? Did we dyed it?
-
> "I... guess you could say so. Hey, I think so too, now."
> "And yea... My hair was, uh, red."
> Why was our hair red and now we are blonde? Did we dyed it?
>Your natural color is blonde. There was a phase of your childhood where you decided to dye it red for some reason...
>"So now what?" Ellen asks.
>Hourai seems to be staring at your hair.
>_
-
>"Well, I'd appreciate it if you kept this secret a little better... If I were to find out about me, things might get... Complicated."
>When we were little, did we ever remember running into a weird blonde-haired intruder or the like?
>Or, rather, do we remember running into us when we were little?
-
>"Well, I'd appreciate it if you kept this secret a little better... If I were to find out about me, things might get... Complicated."
>When we were little, did we ever remember running into a weird blonde-haired intruder or the like?
>Or, rather, do we remember running into us when we were little?
>You do n--
>Actually, a new memory seems to be forming in your head. You vaguely remember a group of weirdos at what you would eventually turn into your house. You faintly remember finding them weird enough that you followed them, you never actually found them, but they did lead you to a place you've never been before, the memory ends at you entering a mansion...
>Your head is beginning to hurt and a feeling of dread is starting to well up within you.
>_
-
>Check on what young us is doing.
>Welp, we're not dead so we haven't lead ourselves to our doom yet, in any sense of that phrase. Presumably.
>If we're not about to be spotted or anything...
>"Actually... I don't think it's such a good idea to interact with her too much at all. I... I already remember me running into me, and I think I might risk my head exploding or the two of us imploding if we interact too much. I'd advise the same sort of caution when interacting with our other past selves. I'd rather not have one of us suddenly cease to exist on us 'cause of something we thought was nothing. Got it?"
-
>Check on what young us is doing.
>She's at Yuuka's mansion it look like, flying around it curiously before setting down on the front porch.
>Welp, we're not dead so we haven't lead ourselves to our doom yet, in any sense of that phrase. Presumably.
>If we're not about to be spotted or anything...
>"Actually... I don't think it's such a good idea to interact with her too much at all. I... I already remember me running into me, and I think I might risk my head exploding or the two of us imploding if we interact too much. I'd advise the same sort of caution when interacting with our other past selves. I'd rather not have one of us suddenly cease to exist on us 'cause of something we thought was nothing. Got it?"
>There is general agreement.
>_
-
>"Looks like I'm heading inside that mansion... I just hope I don't get killed in there or whatnot. Anyway, we should go somewhere else while I'm distracted.
>What options for going somewhere do we have?
>"Is Sakuya doing any better than she was before, Meiling?"
-
>"Looks like I'm heading inside that mansion... I just hope I don't get killed in there or whatnot. Anyway, we should go somewhere else while I'm distracted.
>What options for going somewhere do we have?
>"Is Sakuya doing any better than she was before, Meiling?"
>"Well... you're still here, so does that mean you don't get killed in there?" Hourai asks.
>That feeling of dread gets worse...
>There's back to the forest. Alice's house should be unoccupied at this time. There's also that entrance to Makai in the mountains behind the Hakurei Shrine, you know for a fact that you, Yuuka, Reimu, and Mima won't visit that spot for several years.
>There's also the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, the only thing that could find you in there is either Mokou or a random passing rabbit...
>"Her condition is still improving, but it hasn't changed much since the last time you asked me." Meiling replies.
>_
-
>"I dunno why, but I'm getting a very, very foreboding feeling..."
>The feeling wouldn't happen to be something like our very existence being threatened, would it?
>If this feels like the feeling, "I think I might actually be at risk... ceasing to exist for some reason... I think we should try to follow younger me... Just in case anything happens. I'd rather not disappear because I did nothing when a younger me was in danger... That is Yuuka's mansion she's entering, after all."
-
>"I dunno why, but I'm getting a very, very foreboding feeling..."
>The feeling wouldn't happen to be something like our very existence being threatened, would it?
>If this feels like the feeling, "I think I might actually be at risk... ceasing to exist for some reason... I think we should try to follow younger me... Just in case anything happens. I'd rather not disappear because I did nothing when a younger me was in danger... That is Yuuka's mansion she's entering, after all."
>It might... You'd rather not take the risk.
>"Didn't we just spend the entire trip here avoiding her like the plague?" Medicine scowls.
>_
-
> What is the verbal thing we considered the most as an insult to us when we were a brat?
> "I know. Let's keep an eye anyway. We must not forget that, whatever happens to me there, it doesn't mean I am going to die or anything. I shouldn't be here if that's the case. It might be that I am feeling this because I will have a bad time 'cuz that's Yuuka's house, but nothing trascendental should happen... I think, at least."
-
> What is the verbal thing we considered the most as an insult to us when we were a brat?
> "I know. Let's keep an eye anyway. We must not forget that, whatever happens to me there, it doesn't mean I am going to die or anything. I shouldn't be here if that's the case. It might be that I am feeling this because I will have a bad time 'cuz that's Yuuka's house, but nothing trascendental should happen... I think, at least."
>People dissing your magic. Plus a lot of things you would consider insulting at your current age.
>"Should we get going then...?" Hourai asks.
>"I'll stay here with Sakuya." says Meiling, "It'll probably be better with a smaller group."
>_
-
> Nod.
> "Leave if you have to. Better if we aren't found."
> Start to stalk mini-us while still between the sunflowers. Advance carefully so we can have a better sight of what she is doing, but remember to remain hidden.
-
> Nod.
> "Leave if you have to. Better if we aren't found."
> Start to stalk mini-us while still between the sunflowers. Advance carefully so we can have a better sight of what she is doing, but remember to remain hidden.
>"Got it."
>You begin following yourself with the rest of your group. She seems to try the mansion door...
>_
-
> "I surely liked to meddle in things from a young age~"
-
> "I surely liked to meddle in things from a young age~"
>"You never grew out of that it seems..." Medicine frowns.
>As you continue to approach, you see your younger self give up on the door and try the nearest window, finding that it slides open a bit.
>_
-
> "Though this mini-me surely doesn't give up."
> Keep an eye on her.
-
> "Though this mini-me surely doesn't give up."
> Keep an eye on her.
>She pokes her head into the window, before looking around and climbing inside.
>_
-
> "Why you so curious mini meee..."
> Sigh.
> "Well, it's too risky going inside..."
-
> "Why you so curious mini meee..."
> Sigh.
> "Well, it's too risky going inside..."
>The dreadful feeling gets worse.
>"Why?" Hourai asks.
>"The flower youkai isn't fond of trespassers... " Medicine explains, "She's also rather powerful."
>"If your younger self is going in there, and it's so risky, wouldn't that be even more reason for us to follow...?" Ellen blinks "What if she gets hurt by this... who?"
>"Her name is Yuuka Kazami."
>"What if she gets hurt by Yukari Kagami?"
>_
-
>Try to get closer to the building, preferably to a window so we can see what's going on.
>"Yuuka Kazami. If she gets hurt by her... well, I wasn't the witch I am today. It could be pretty bad, and in the worst-case scenario, we might get to witness yours truly fade away..."
>Prepare our Mini-Hakkero for a master spark.
-
>Try to get closer to the building, preferably to a window so we can see what's going on.
>"Yuuka Kazami. If she gets hurt by her... well, I wasn't the witch I am today. It could be pretty bad, and in the worst-case scenario, we might get to witness yours truly fade away..."
>Prepare our Mini-Hakkero for a master spark.
>"W-Would we fade away too if you did!?!" Ellen jumps.
>You get closer to the building. Preparing your Mini-Hakkero, peering inside the nearest window.
>The interior is dark, and eerily silent. You spot your younger self wandering around, using the light of an orrery to navigate.
>_
-
> Keep an eye on her subtly. (don't just get inside)
-
> Keep an eye on her subtly. (don't just get inside)
>"W-Well, will we?" Ellen asks.
>Time seems to slow as the other you begins to turn around to investigate the sudden noise.
>_
-
> Hide with our group.
> Cover Ellen's mouth.
-
> Hide with our group.
> Cover Ellen's mouth.
>You get down and silence the dumb blonde.
>"Mmmph!?" she exclaims.
>"Who's there!?!" you hear your younger self exclaim, "Show yourself!"
>_
-
> Try to drag our group away and to the sunflowers again. While still covering Ellen's mouth, of course!
-
> Try to drag our group away and to the sunflowers again. While still covering Ellen's mouth, of course!
>You start leading your group away from the window.
>"I swear I heard someone, ~ze..." you hear your younger self mutter to herself.
>_
-
> Slow to a stop if she doesn't sound like coming to the window (Still cover Ellen's mouth).
-
> Slow to a stop if she doesn't sound like coming to the window (Still cover Ellen's mouth).
>You slow to a stop.
>"Mph Mmmph Mph Mph Mmph Mph Mph Mph Mmph?" Ellen tries to speak.
>_
-
> Reach Ellen's ear.
> "Just shut up for a moment!"
-
> Reach Ellen's ear.
> "Just shut up for a moment!"
>"Mph?" she asks in a tone that sounds like "Why?"
>_
-
> "..."
> Sigh.
> "Just make sure don't make too much of a noise. We are on a mission and we don't want to get caught."
> Uncover her mouth.
-
> "..."
> Sigh.
> "Just make sure don't make too much of a noise. We are on a mission and we don't want to get caught."
> Uncover her mouth.
>"Ooooh... Okay"
>"I can paralyze her mouth if you want..." Medicine offers, "Wait... scratch that. That'll shut all of us up..."
>_
-
> "Let's, uh, continue... Let's not make too much questions..."
> Go to other window and, subtly, very subtly, peek.
-
> "Let's, uh, continue... Let's not make too much questions..."
> Go to other window and, subtly, very subtly, peek.
>You go to a different window, peeking over ever so slightly...
>To find yourself making eye contact with yourself as she rounds a corner.
>_
-
> Back off slowly. M-Maybe she will get the impression it was just her imagination...
> Are there any places to hide near us? For the four of us, that is...
-
> Back off slowly. M-Maybe she will get the impression it was just her imagination...
> Are there any places to hide near us? For the four of us, that is...
>There's plenty of sunflowers.
>You back away as slow as possible, only to hear the little you's voice.
>"I thought you lived in the Forest? I have to say, this is a pretty nice, if not creepy place you got here ~ze."
>_
-
> Just back awaaay with our groooup~
-
> Just back awaaay with our groooup~
>You keep backing away, only for her to poke her head out the window.
>_
-
> Was it actually open?
-
> Was it actually open?
>Yes. The younger you probably didn't notice this one before entering the other one...
>_
-
> "... Meh. This isn't my house."
-
> "... Meh. This isn't my house."
>"So it's a secret hideout then? I have to say, it's pretty roomy... Maybe I'll borrow it for a while..."
>_
-
> "Uh, I don't recommend that. This place isn't mine whatsoever, and the owner is actually someone you wouldn't want to buzz with anything..."
-
> "Uh, I don't recommend that. This place isn't mine whatsoever, and the owner is actually someone you wouldn't want to buzz with anything..."
>"Well, if they get fussy about it, then they'll have to deal with the second best magician in Gensokyo ~ze!"
>"Second best...?" Medicine asks
>Younger you frowns and looks aside, a bit embarrassed, "Y-Yeah... The strongest is my master..." she smirks and pumps her fist, "But one day I'm going to end up much stronger than her! You'll see!"
>_
-
> "I, uh, don't think that's an option... Dealing with the owner, I mean..."
-
> "I, uh, don't think that's an option... Dealing with the owner, I mean..."
>"She can't be that tough..."
>_
-
> "She is, in fact."
-
> "She is, in fact."
>"Really."
>_
-
> "Really."
-
> "Really."
>There is silence as she stares at you in contemplation
>_
-
> "What? I am just saying the truth. She's dangerous to deal with. Don't even try it."
-
> "What? I am just saying the truth. She's dangerous to deal with. Don't even try it."
>"And how am I supposed to know this ain't a bluff to scare me off?" she crosses her arms.
>_
-
> "Why would it be?"
-
> "Why would it be?"
>"Like I said, this is a pretty nice place, after all..."
>_
-
> "And what would I win from this? I already told you this isn't anything mine..."
-
> "And what would I win from this? I already told you this isn't anything mine..."
>"I mean, if it actually is yours, then you would drive me away from here~"
>_
-
> "What, you don't think I am giving you a warning about the person that actually owns this mansion?"
> Sigh. Then frown.
> "Look. This is no joke. The person living here is just too much."
-
>"I bet I could take--"
>A sudden cloud of gas obscures the window, and you hear a thud.
-
> Do we remember anything like that in the past? Like, from Yuuka and stuff?
> Stay silent.
-
> Do we remember anything like that in the past? Like, from Yuuka and stuff?
> Stay silent.
>No.
>The smoke clears, revealing an irritated looking Medicine holding an unconscious you in her arms.
>"Are you just going to keep staring like a bunch of idiots or what...?" she frowns.
>"E-Eh!?!" Ellen exclaims, "How did-"
>"While you were all distracted by that annoying conversation I snuck in through the other window and hit her with a toxin that will knock her out for a few hours..."
>The dreadful feeling is nearly gone...
>_
-
> "... Huh. Nice one, Medicine."
-
>"Now let's get out of here before anything else happens."
>Leave the fields.
-
> "... Huh. Nice one, Medicine."
>"Says the one who wouldn't let me deal with her earlier..."
>"Now let's get out of here before anything else happens."
>Leave the fields.
>You wait for Medicine to come out with younger you and start flying.
>"So where are we going to drop you off?" Medicine asks.
>_
-
> "You said hours, right? Well, let's take her back home. At best, she will think everything was a bad dream."
-
> "You said hours, right? Well, let's take her back home. At best, she will think everything was a bad dream."
>"Hopefully... I'd hate to run into her again..."
>"She doesn't need to be anywhere for a few hours, right...?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
> "Hm? You want to take her with us?"
-
> "Hm? You want to take her with us?"
>"E-Eh!?! What!? No!" Hourai frowns, "I'm just saying, what if she needs to be somewhere and she misses it because she's out cold?"
>_
-
> Do we recall if we have to be anywhere important at this time?
-
> Do we recall if we have to be anywhere important at this time?
>You think back...
>You don't think, ah wait...
>You were going to meet up with Mima in a few hours after lounging in your "secret" base, as she would begin her incident the following morning...
>_
-
> And where is the secret base?
-
> And where is the secret base?
>Your "secret base" was what eventually became your house...
>You were going to leave and meet with Mima after a couple of hours of lounging there...
>_
-
> "Oh, I remember now. Ye, no worries. She'll be fine if we leave her at her house. It will make no difference."
-
> "Oh, I remember now. Ye, no worries. She'll be fine if we leave her at her house. It will make no difference."
>"If you say so..."
>You reach the outer edge of the sunflower field.
>"Is it just me or are we forgetting something?" Ellen asks, "U-Um... this is a bit embarrassing, but...Why are we here again?"
>_
-
>"We're here because we are trying to prevent a bad thing from happening in our time. Anyway we should probably find Meiling and Sakuya again before going further."
-
> "Ye, let's take them."
> Go for them.
-
>"We're here because we are trying to prevent a bad thing from happening in our time. Anyway we should probably find Meiling and Sakuya again before going further."
>"Oh yeah! Them."
> "Ye, let's take them."
> Go for them.
>You circle back around, eventually reuniting with Meiling and Sakuya.
>"You're back." Meiling greets, before noting the other you in Medicine's arms, "What happened to, um... you...?"
>_
-
> "Stuff that you shouldn't worry about. So, we are taking her to her home. We'll be free from this mini me for a bit, according to Medicine."
-
> "Stuff that you shouldn't worry about. So, we are taking her to her home. We'll be free from this mini me for a bit, according to Medicine."
>"Wouldn't that be risky? How would her... erm... your parents react? Or are you... erm..."
>_
-
>"I don't want to talk about it... Let's just go."
-
>"I don't want to talk about it... Let's just go."
>"O-Oh... sorry..."
>_
-
> "Don't worry."
-
> "Don't worry."
>"So, should be get moving?" Meiling asks.
>_
-
> "Yes, lets."
> Resume our way to our- mini us house.
-
> "Yes, lets."
> Resume our way to our- mini us house.
>You begin the flight back.
>"So... is there anything else we should know about this time...?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
> "Like what?"
-
> "Like what?"
>"Anyone we should avoid? Any major events we should be aware of that might be an obstacle?"
>_
-
> "Well... there will be this thing that mini-me will do with my master."
-
> "Well... there will be this thing that mini-me will do with my master."
>"Your master?" Hourai asks
>_
-
>"Any of you folks know of a 'Mima'? Cause that's her."
>What is this big thing?
-
>"Any of you folks know of a 'Mima'? Cause that's her."
>What is this big thing?
>"Nope." says Medicine
>"Doesn't ring a bell." Ellen adds.
>"I've heard of her." Meiling comments.
>"Me neither." Hourai replies.
>It's the incident where Mima tried to take revenge on humanity. The one where you first met Reimu.
>_
-
> "Well, basically, we will start an incident tomorrow or so."
-
> "Well, basically, we will start an incident tomorrow or so."
>"Oh."
>"Will it affect us at all?" Medicine frowns.
>You are approaching the Forest of Magic
>_
-
> Which will be the more affected areas by this incident?
> "Well, we shouldn't if we don't get into the way of mini-me, Mima-sama or Reimu herself. She might think we are suspicious and proceed to kick ass."
-
> Which will be the more affected areas by this incident?
> "Well, we shouldn't if we don't get into the way of mini-me, Mima-sama or Reimu herself. She might think we are suspicious and proceed to kick ass."
>You think...
>You recall that Mima paid an engineer to level the Hakurei Shrine with a small army, so you should probably stay away from there.
>There was also that swordswoman, Meira, you think that's what her name was... who wanted to take Reimu's power too. You think she ambushed Reimu at some point during the incident, but don't know exactly where.
>Once Reimu enters the World of Fantasy, there really isn't much to worry about, since every other major event of the incident was localized in there and Reimaden.
>However, you're pretty sure that engineer did stick around for a while while Reimu was away.
>"Wouldn't Reimu be pretty young at this time too, though?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
>"Yeah, but she was already pretty darn strong. And since the spell card rules aren't a thing yet, no one stands a chance against her..."
-
>"Yeah, but she was already pretty darn strong. And since the spell card rules aren't a thing yet, no one stands a chance against her..."
>"So... we've ended up in pre-spellcard rules Gensokyo?" Medicine questions, "Good to know."
>_
-
> "Yup."
> Continue.
> "There are some places that we will avoid, but it shouldn't be too hard. Not like we will bump into them by accident if we are cautious."
-
> "Yup."
> Continue.
> "There are some places that we will avoid, but it shouldn't be too hard. Not like we will bump into them by accident if we are cautious."
>"I see."
>You can see your future house up ahead.
>_
-
> "Oke, let's deposit her in there and take our leave."
-
> "Oke, let's deposit her in there and take our leave."
>"Where will we go?" Ellen asks.
>_
-
>"Uh... I haven't thought about that yet..."
-
>"I guess we should go somewhere where we won't bother anyone and wait for Sakuya to wake up."
>Open the door to "our house" but slowly.
>get on the floor
>everybody walk the marisasaur
-
>"Uh... I haven't thought about that yet..."
>"I guess we should go somewhere where we won't bother anyone and wait for Sakuya to wake up."
>Open the door to "our house" but slowly.
>get on the floor
>everybody walk the marisasaur
>You do a cringy dance
>You land and open the door.
>"Hmm.... Does Alice live in the forest at this time...?" Hourai asks.
>_
-
> "Nope, she shouldn't."
> Walk inside and go to the bedroom with mini-us.
-
> "Nope, she shouldn't."
> Walk inside and go to the bedroom with mini-us.
>"Do you think her house exists yet...?"
>You take yourself from Medicine and carry her upstairs to the bedroom.
>It feels so empty...
>_
-
> "Not really sure. We'll check just in case."
> Sigh at the sight.
> Leave mini-us at the bed.
-
> "Not really sure. We'll check just in case."
> Sigh at the sight.
> Leave mini-us at the bed.
>You leave yourself in the old, worn bed.
>"Wow, it looks so clean in here..." Ellen remarks, "Er... aside from the wear from age..."
>_
-
> "Eh, I don't like it. I prefer the way it is in our time."
> "Either way, let's get going."
-
> "Eh, I don't like it. I prefer the way it is in our time."
> "Either way, let's get going."
>"Agreed." Medicine nods.
>"Lead the way." Ellen adds.
>_
-
> Depart from our-not-totally-OUR house.
> "You said you wanted to check if Alice's house was here, right?"
-
> Depart from our-not-totally-OUR house.
> "You said you wanted to check if Alice's house was here, right?"
>You exit.
>Hourai nods.
>_
-
> "Let's pay a quick visit and see what's up over there."
> Go to where Alice's house is supposed to be.
-
> "Let's pay a quick visit and see what's up over there."
> Go to where Alice's house is supposed to be.
>You head to where Alice's house is supposed to be...
>Surprisingly, it's there. Though it's in worse condition than it was in the present. Alice must've fixed it up when she moved here.
>_
-
> "Hoh?"
> Investigate it a bit.
-
> "Hoh?"
> Investigate it a bit.
>You investigate...
>The door is open and half-off its hinges. The paint is chipped and wearing away. This place seems to have been here for a long time...
>It seems to be deserted from here.
>_
-
> We really don't remember it?
> "Curious... Let's make a quick check!"
> Do so! Is the house actually the same structure as Alice house, but just in a worse state? Or did Alice modified it when moved here?
-
> We really don't remember it?
>You never had reason to go to this part of the forest at that young of an age. You really didn't find this place until after Alice moved here, which was after Mima got sealed away and you were starting to truly map this forest mentally.
> "Curious... Let's make a quick check!"
> Do so! Is the house actually the same structure as Alice house, but just in a worse state? Or did Alice modified it when moved here?
>You enter...
>It's really empty and abandoned, the general structure is there, but none of the old, decrepit furniture is Alice's or in the same spots as Alice's. It feels weird, to be honest...
>_
-
> "Hmm... Not the big deal..."
> Look at Hourai.
> "Well, it's clear that she doesn't live here yet."
-
> "Hmm... Not the big deal..."
> Look at Hourai.
> "Well, it's clear that she doesn't live here yet."
>"I can see that." she answers.
>_
-
> "Are you satisfied, then? I mean, not like this is the big deal... We already know she isn't here, so eh."
-
> "Are you satisfied, then? I mean, not like this is the big deal... We already know she isn't here, so eh."
>"Well I was going to suggest that we holed up here since we don't have to worry about Alice coming home."
>_
-
> "...?"
> How near is this house to the mini-us house?
-
> "...?"
> How near is this house to the mini-us house?
>The same distance as in the present.
>_
-
> Yea, but how much? Would it be fairly easy for mini-us to spot it while coming out from her house and whatnot.
> "I am not really sure. You know, in the past I didn't saw this old house, but since we came here and altered things a bit when mini-me saw us, a different story can come out. Besides, she also thinks I live in the forest, so she might start searching for us..."
-
> Yea, but how much? Would it be fairly easy for mini-us to spot it while coming out from her house and whatnot.
> "I am not really sure. You know, in the past I didn't saw this old house, but since we came here and altered things a bit when mini-me saw us, a different story can come out. Besides, she also thinks I live in the forest, so she might start searching for us..."
>It depends on the altitude and direction of approach.
>"Oh..." Hourai frowns.
>"I'd suggest Nameless Hill, but we'd probably run into my past self..." Medicine comments.
>"W-We could try bunking with my past self!" Ellen suggests, "S-She um... probably won't remember the experience..." she looks aside with a hint of shame and embarrassment in her eyes...
>_
-
> Do we know a place that isn't actually inhabited by someone we know?
-
> Do we know a place that isn't actually inhabited by someone we know?
>The dangerous parts of the Forest of Magic, barring the spot Ellen lives in. Would be rather risky, though...
>There's also various random fields and caves in the wilderness. Though you would need to set up shelter for this as well.
>Those are the ones that come to mind that aren't inhabited by anyone you know. For now.
>As for mostly deserted areas that might be options, you think some of the more remote places of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost might be viable, though you'd still risk coming into contact with Tewi or Mokou, who seem to know that place like the back of their hands.
>_
-
> "... I... am not really sure what to do..."
-
> "... I... am not really sure what to do..."
>"Nnn..." Sakuya begins to stir.
>_
-
> "Oh."
> Wait for Sakuya to properly wake up.
-
> "Oh."
> Wait for Sakuya to properly wake up.
>Sakuya seems to open her eyes for a moment, before promptly jolting up into a sitting position, causing Meiling to lose balance and fall forward, landing on top of her.
>"M-Meiling... get off of me..."
>"S-Sorry..." Meiling sits up.
>_
-
> Help her.
> "You okay?"
-
> Help her.
> "You okay?"
>You help Sakuya to her feet.
>"I'm fine..." she winces, "...how long was I out...?"
>_
-
> "Uh..."
> Do we know, at least a bit from how we went here and there, how much time has passed?
> If so, tell her.
-
> "Uh..."
> Do we know, at least a bit from how we went here and there, how much time has passed?
> If so, tell her.
>You want to say it was least an hour you think
>"I see..." Sakuya sighs, "Please tell me we ended up at the right time."
>"A-About that... Were we supposed to take the red crack?" Meiling asks.
>"...You were supposed to take the white one near the beginning..." Sakuya sighs again and rubs her temples, "...Please tell me none of you did anything stupid while I was out..."
>_
-
> "Let's relax. Not like you will get any better, uh, upset..."
-
>"We've only, uh, had two encounters with one past self... No lasting damage was done... I think..."
>Try to think of what happened to us after we got knocked out, if we can remember anything.
>"Have mercy..."
-
> "Let's relax. Not like you will get any better, uh, upset..."
>"We've only, uh, had two encounters with one past self... No lasting damage was done... I think..."
>Try to think of what happened to us after we got knocked out, if we can remember anything.
>You don't seem to be able to.
>"Have mercy..."
>You're knifed.
>Sakuya sighs, "Well I hope you're right, because if you aren't there's a chance we won't come back to the same Gensokyo we came from..."
>She walks to the other side of the room and gazes out one of the aged windows.
>"When are we anyway?"
>_
-
> Can we recall how many years in the past is this?
-
> Can we recall how many years in the past is this?
>You think...
>You believe this is roughly 18 years ago.
>_
-
> "... Around 18 years in the past, if I am correct..."
-
> "... Around 18 years in the past, if I am correct..."
>Sakuya blinks.
>"I see... Then this would be the year the mansion arrived in Gensokyo..." she continues to look outside, "Judging from the season, we're ahead of the mansion's arrival by several months."
>_
-
> Look curiosu.
> "Err... no? As far as I know, there's still time for the mansion to be at Gensokyo..."
-
> Look curiosu.
> "Err... no? As far as I know, there's still time for the mansion to be at Gensokyo..."
>Sakuya frowns
>"We didn't always live in Gensokyo, you know... The Mansion actually existed in the outside world for a while before we came here. We arrived during the winter of the outside world year 1998, or Gensokyo Season 113, to you. The present that we came from was Gensokyo Season 131, though you probably already knew that."
>_
-
> "Uh-huh."
-
> "Uh-huh."
>An awkward silence is created as the conversation suddenly dies...
>_
-
> "... So..."
-
> "... So..."
>"We should find a way back to the future, closer to our intended destination."
>_
-
> "What do you suggest?"
-
> "What do you suggest?"
>"Well, fast-forwarding time is out of the question. Not only will it take me a while to fully recover from sustaining a localized time stop on that scale for so long, but fast-forwarding on such a large scale could put me into a similar situation, even if I had Meiling's help like before... Meaning it would take several trips with an unknown amount of time in between them..."
>_
-
> "What are the chances of making some cracks to travel like you did before?"
-
> "What are the chances of making some cracks to travel like you did before?"
>"Those cracks were the result of space-time itself being fractured. Creating one ourselves would be difficult without the younger mistress or something else capable of ripping apart reality like that, plus it could threaten the future..."
>_
-
> "... So the best bet is finding a way ourselves in this time?"
-
> "... So the best bet is finding a way ourselves in this time?"
>"Unfortunately, yes..."
>Sakuya begins thinking.
>_
-
> Let Sakuya think for herself for a bit.
-
>You do so...
>"M-Maybe we can get the ice fairy to freeze us for a while...?" Hourai suggests.
>"Ice fairy?" Ellen asks.
-
> "... Freeze us?"
-
> "... Freeze us?"
>"Couldn't we wait out the years frozen in some spot?" Hourai aks.
>"Sounds scary..." Ellen remarks.
>_
-
>"That... could technically work, maybe. But it'd be too risky to ask for outside help, we might change the future in unwanted ways... I'm only supposed to meet that fairy in a few years."
-
>"That... could technically work, maybe. But it'd be too risky to ask for outside help, we might change the future in unwanted ways... I'm only supposed to meet that fairy in a few years."
>"Oh..." Hourai deflates a bit.
>_
-
> "... Either way. I just suggest that we should rest for tonight. And since we have no other place to be at, we should stay here."
-
> "... Either way. I just suggest that we should rest for tonight. And since we have no other place to be at, we should stay here."
>"This place is safe, right?" Medicine asks.
>_
-
> "There is no one here, apparently. We should make sure of that and search just to be safe. Then, we'll settle for the night if everything is alright."
> Ponder.
> "Plus, one of us will need to stay on guard. I don't want mini-me or someone else to bust in for whatever reason."
-
> "There is no one here, apparently. We should make sure of that and search just to be safe. Then, we'll settle for the night if everything is alright."
> Ponder.
> "Plus, one of us will need to stay on guard. I don't want mini-me or someone else to bust in for whatever reason."
>"Oh! I want first guard duty! Pick me! Pick me!" Ellen jumps excitedly.
>"NO." Medicine and Hourai respond almost in unison.
>_
-
> "Err... I will do it, no need to worry."
-
> "Err... I will do it, no need to worry."
>Ellen pouts.
>_
-
> "Don't pout to me, hey. If anything, I will just blast anyone that attempts to harm us."
> ...
> "Well, maybe not like that, but if they shoot, then I shoot."