Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Evil_Nazgul0616 on October 21, 2016, 05:18:13 PM
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>You are Maribel Hearn.
>You are 19 years old, and are a student in a university in Kyoto, Japan. You are not like most humans, you possess the power to see and manipulate boundaries, and that power is growing quickly over the years. Over time you have learned to create tears in boundaries, and, just yesterday, you learned how to create gaps, which are like tears, except far more stable and easier to maintain.
>Four days ago, you and your best friend, Renko Usami, finally entered Gensokyo. During your stay, you learned to (somewhat) fly and shoot danmaku. There was also an incident involving Renko, a shrine maiden named Reimu Hakurei, and an archangel by the name of Sariel, that left Reimu severely injured, and Renko facing pending judgement. However, there were a couple of good things that came out of this as well... You managed to find Renko's long-lost sister: Sumireko Usami. And you and Renko confessed your love for each other. This happiness was short, as you were sent home by Yukari Yakumo, a youkai you befriended during your visit, due to something about your powers developing.
>Yesterday, you returned to Gensokyo against Yukari's wishes. You soon reunited with Renko, and witnessed Sumireko awaken from her coma. Unfortunately, Sumireko didn't seem entirely right in the head, and she escaped, injuring a rabbit by the name of Reisen in the process. You wanted to pursue her, but were stopped by Yukari, who sent you back to the outside world, promising to resolve the issue. When you were outside the barrier, a youkai by the name of YuugenMagan approached you, having slipped undetected through Yukari's gap. Together, the two of you went through Makai and returned to Gensokyo, where you began to search for Sumireko on your own. Along the way you met up with Marisa Kirisame and Renko. And met a lonely youkai named Rengeteki, whom you promised to come back for. You met with Yukari again soon after, who revealed that she was your mother, and has only been acting in what she sees as your best interests. She then let you go, and your group, escorted by a cat youkai named Chen, and sans Marisa, soon found Sumireko. Whom YuugenMagan promptly possessed, revealing her true motives. She then revealed that Sumireko was fused with an angel, whose name you later learned was Matenshi, and then used her powers to destroy Sariel and her counterpart, Uriel. After getting Sumireko and Matenshi to resist YuugenMagan's influence, you destroyed her, freeing them from her control.
>You, Renko, Sumireko (And Matenshi, by extension.), and Chen were then called by Yukari to the Netherworld, where you met her friend Yuyuko and her servant, Youmu. After a large dinner, you discussed with Yukari about deciding to become a youkai. You decided that you will stay in Gensokyo long enough to find a way to separate Sumireko and Matenshi, and then leave to allow your powers to mature in the outside world. You then all went to Yukari's home, where you and Renko fell asleep for the night....
>You had a nightmare involving YuugenMagan. You then noticed visuals of her in the morning, but you and Renko dismissed this as the nightmare still affecting you. You then read the newspaper and learned of an incident involving the kidnapping of young women from the human village overnight.
>You then went to the Scarlet Devil Mansion to look for a solution to Sumireko and Matenshi's problem. Encountering the fairy, Cirno, and her friends along the way. After a brief interaction, you continued to the mansion, where you met with Patchouli knowledge, who told you of a book that may or may not help with the problem.
>You then went to Marisa's house and retrieved the book in question from her. There, you also met Mima. You considered having yourself and Renko become apprentices under Mima, but you have yet to make a decision on this.
>You then went to check on Rengeteki, whom you learned was being targeted by someone from her past, and that her house had been ransacked in an attempt to find her. You also highly suspect a link between this and the incident from the paper, as Rengeteki said soothing music was present. After calming her down, you took her to Eientei to see if anything could be done about injuries she received long ago. Unfortunately, the medical examination hurt her, making her afraid to continue.
>In Eientei, you also met Sanae Kochiya, whom you quickly befriended. You decided to help her investigate the incident. You then briefly went to her shrine, where you met her "family". There, you also learned that Koishi's family is worried about her.
>Afterwards, you and your group went to the Misty Lake to find the home of a group known as the Prismrivers, who are suspected to be possible witnesses of Rengeteki's house being ransacked. However, you didn't get far before you ran into Cirno's group again.
>You are currently outside the Scarlet Devil Mansion gate, talking to Sanae, having tried unsuccessfully to teach Cirno that freezing frogs is wrong.
>INVENTORY:
>Clothes (equipped)
>>Your signature outfit, a purple and white dress with a black belt.
>Hat (equipped)
>>A white cap that you wear almost all the time.
>Satchel (equipped) (capacity: 20/20 units)
>>A bag for carrying items. Has a limited carrying capacity.
>Cellphone (1 unit)
>>A communication device used to call other people. You doubt this would be of much use in Gensokyo...
>Coin Pouch (2 units)
>>A bag filled with coins from Makai. You gave some of them to Kagerou.
>Shopping Bag. (1 unit)
>>A crumpled shopping bag you put your clothes in when you changed in Makai.
>Black and White Shirt (4 units)
>>A shirt obtained in Makai. It's a little too small. It feels tight around your chest.
>Black Skirt (4 units)
>>A skirt obtained in Makai.
>Cloak (4 units)
>>A grey cloak with a hood you obtained in Makai.
>Notebook (1 unit)
>>A blank notebook you can easily tear the pages out of.
>Pen (1 unit)
>>A writing utensil.
>Soma Arcana (2 Units)
>>A spellbook detailing magic involving the body and soul. Property of the Scarlet Devil Mansion library.
>QUESTS: MENTAL NOTES:
>[COMPLETE] You were forced to leave without Renko. You resolved to return. Now you've returned to Gensokyo and reunited with Renko.
>[COMPLETE ]Did ya get that thing I sent ya?: You've repaid Kagerou for her assistance in finding Renko.
>You never knew what Sumireko was doing in Gensokyo. You would like to investigate this further.
>You wanted to find out if Yukari could be your mother, and if she wasn't, then you wanted to ask if she knows her whereabouts. Since then, you have learned that Yukari is indeed your mother, but that still leaves some questions unanswered.
>Two's a crowd: Figure out a solution to Sumireko-Matenshi being one person.
>Judgement: Explain things to Reimu, Mamizou, and Marisa, hopefully having them understand. Enlisting Yukari's help would be really great for this.
>You wanted to accompany Koishi to her home and help her face her family.
>You told Rengeteki you would come back and "help her no matter what." And intend to follow up on this. You recently discovered she is being targeted by someone from her past.
>You would like to get yourself and your friends checked out for strange energy at some point, since YuugenMagan specialized in energy, and you did receive quite a few boosts from her.
>"Where would the mansion be, again?"
>"It should be somewhere over there." Sanae points diagonally across the lake.
>_
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>Are Renko, our half-sister-in-law duo, and Rengeteki near us?
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>Are Renko, our half-sister-in-law duo, and Rengeteki near us?
>They are and have been.
>_
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>"Okay, we should get going ."
>....take a look at Daiyousei, then take a look at Sanae, attempt to compare the two for similarities.
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>"Okay, we should get going ."
>....take a look at Daiyousei, then take a look at Sanae, attempt to compare the two for similarities.
>"Alright. Follow me, then." says Sanae
>You quickly look between Daiyousei and Sanae.
>Their chests are similar in size. And Daiyousei's hair is a little bit lighter than hers. If Daiyousei was a little taller, had her hair untied, lost the wings, and wore Sanae's clothes, the two would look strikingly similar.
>_
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>Start following Sanae.
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>Start following Sanae.
>Sanae begins flying in the direction she pointed. You begin flying as well.
>Matenshi/Sumireko and Chen begin to follow.
>"Oh! Bye Maribel!" says Rumia as you leave.
>"Huh!?" Renko looks over, "H-Hey! Merry! Wait up!"
>"D-Don't leave me either!" Rengeteki exclaims.
>Cirno and her friends seem to distracted by their own conversation to realize you're leaving.
>_
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>"Wait a bit please Sanae."
>Head back over to our friends.
>"Sorry. I should've asked if you guys were ready to go."
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>"Wait a bit please Sanae."
>Sanae nods and stops.
>Head back over to our friends.
>"Sorry. I should've asked if you guys were ready to go."
>You head back to Renko and Rengeteki.
>"It's fine," says Renko, "Just give me a heads up next time, okay?"
>"M-Me too." Rengeteki adds.
>_
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>Nod and start to head back.
>See how far Sumireko/Matenshi and Chen have gone, if they didn't stop.
>Stop and turn back around.
>"U-Uh, you guys ready to go yet?"
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>"Um... hey Sumireko or Matenshi, do you think you can carry Renko ? I don't think i am able to carry both of them..."
>Which of them seems like she is lighter ?
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>We should ask Sumireko/Matenshi to carry her sister, while we carry Rengeteki, since she's probably more comfortable with us.
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//There, editted.
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>Nod and start to head back.
>See how far Sumireko/Matenshi and Chen have gone, if they didn't stop.
>You start heading back to the others
>They stopped and are waiting near Sanae.
>Stop and turn back around.
>"U-Uh, you guys ready to go yet?"
>They nod.
>"Um... hey Sumireko or Matenshi, do you think you can carry Renko ? I don't think i am able to carry both of them..."
>Which of them seems like she is lighter ?
>"Sure thing." says Sumireko, "Actually, there's been something I've kinda wanted to try..."
>Rengeteki, being the smaller of the two, looks lighter.
>_
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>Head to near Rengeteki.
>"So um... you are okay with me carrying you right ? I will be as careful as i can."
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>Head to near Rengeteki.
>"So um... you are okay with me carrying you right ? I will be as careful as i can."
>You head near Rengeteki.
>She nods, "I-I trust t-that you won't h-hurt me..."
>"WAAAH!" you hear Renko exclaim, "O-Okay I didn't expect this... it feels kinda weird... yet cool...."
>_
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>Take a look on those two/three.
>"Okay, i will try my best, please tell me if it starts hurting, and if it does please don't do anything sudden."
>Gently approach Rengeteki, then carefully attempt to lift her the same way we did to Renko, being aware to not grab or touch or hold her right arm.
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>Take a look on those two/three.
>You take a quick look.
>Sumireko is holding an arm out, and Renko seems to levitating in the air.
>"Y-You're not gonna drop me, right?"
>"Of course I will!" Sumireko replies.
>"What!?"
>"Gotcha!"
>Renko frowns.
>"Okay, i will try my best, please tell me if it starts hurting, and if it does please don't do anything sudden."
>Gently approach Rengeteki, then carefully attempt to lift her the same way we did to Renko, being aware to not grab or touch or hold her right arm.
>"O-Okay." says Rengeteki.
>You gently swoop her into a princess carry, she yelps a little in surprise, but otherwise remains relatively calm. Soon you are supporting her comfortably.
>_
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>"Ehehe ! Stop playing around you three, we have a mansion to head towards."
>Head closer to them.
>"So telekinesis huh ? That's really cool, you should show more of your abilities later too."
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>"Ehehe ! Stop playing around you three, we have a mansion to head towards."
>Head closer to them.
>"So telekinesis huh ? That's really cool, you should show more of your abilities later too."
>You get closer
>"Thanks." says Sumireko, "And I'd be happy to."
>_
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>"Alright, lead the way Sanae please."
>Follow !
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>"Alright, lead the way Sanae please."
>Follow !
>"Alright." Sanae nods.
>You begin to follow Sanae with your group, passing over a section of the lake and beginning to fly over the forest. Through the mist you can see the top of a ruined structure, you think it's the same distant structure you saw when you were heading to the Scarlet Devil Mansion earlier today.
>_
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>"Hey Sanae, are you able to bring fairies to life ?"
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>"Hey Sanae, are you able to bring fairies to life ?"
>"Huh?" Sanae stops and turns around, "What do you mean?"
>_
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>"Well, that fairy Daiyousei, she looked awfully like you, almost like you were sisters or some relatives of sort, and she isn't nearly like the other fairies i have seen in my time around here."
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>"She looked like she was special too. She looked like a normal fairy, but her wings were a bit gold. She also looked a bit more... well, mature, than those that I've seen. In a place like this, I wouldn't too unexpected if you made her or something."
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>"Well, that fairy Daiyousei, she looked awfully like you, almost like you were sisters or some relatives of sort, and she isn't nearly like the other fairies i have seen in my time around here."
>"Huh?" Sanae blinks, "Did she?"
>"Maybe if she was taller and let her hair down..." Sumireko remarks.
>"She looked like she was special too. She looked like a normal fairy, but her wings were a bit gold. She also looked a bit more... well, mature, than those that I've seen. In a place like this, I wouldn't too unexpected if you made her or something."
>"Well, even if she somehow resembles me, and is a bit unique for a fairy, I assure you, I didn't make her." Sanae explains, "I mean, I guess I could use a large enough miracle to force a fairy into existence... But I never even considered it. Though you do have me curious now... Maybe I'll try it sometime after this incident is over."
>_
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>"You can really do that sort of thing? Wooow..."
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>"Uh.... but by doing that, wouldn't she be your daughter and all that ?"
>Tilt our head a bit.
>"Well anyways, i thought she was a very nice person to talk with, she even went to the school of this Miss Keine i heard about, and it seemed like she could teleport too."
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>"You can really do that sort of thing? Wooow..."
>"Well, in theory... Like I said, I never actually tried it."
>"Uh.... but by doing that, wouldn't she be your daughter and all that ?"
>Tilt our head a bit.
>"Hmm... I guess technically yes. Though, I don't think the fairy would acknowledge it."
>"Well anyways, i thought she was a very nice person to talk with, she even went to the school of this Miss Keine i heard about, and it seemed like she could teleport too."
>"Yeah, she is a pretty nice fairy. One time I found her literally freezing to death while playing with Cirno during an incident that occurred a decade ago, but she didn't really seem to mind it much."
>_
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> "Wow... She's must be a really good friend then..."
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>"Huh ? Why not ? I mean, fairies are basically just like young human children, they just don't have any parental figure to take care of them, i think that with the kind of person you are, and if you and Kogasa gave her a lot of affection and care, she will definitely consider you family."
>Smile.
>"I know it's a far away dream, but i can see potential in every fairy."
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> "Wow... She's must be a really good friend then..."
>"Yeah."
>"Huh ? Why not ? I mean, fairies are basically just like young human children, they just don't have any parental figure to take care of them, i think that with the kind of person you are, and if you and Kogasa gave her a lot of affection and care, she will definitely consider you family."
>Smile.
>"I know it's a far away dream, but i can see potential in every fairy."
>"You're kinda right about there being potential in them... I mean, a bunch of them started worshiping my goddesses and they built a village of their own at the foot of the mountain. It's actually surprising that it's lasted for ten years."
>"Anyway, we should keep moving. The Prismrivers' mansion isn't far from here."
>_
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>"Huh, maybe i should visit the place and look around sometime then."
>Keep heading forward.
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>"Huh, maybe i should visit the place and look around sometime then."
>Keep heading forward.
>"Heh... It's not every day I hear of someone actually wanting to go there." Sanae chuckles as she continues to lead.
>_
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>"Well fairies are interesting, they are basically children that lived all this time without almost any guidance or aid."
>Smile.
>"Maybe i could try to find some that are willing to learn like the ones that went to the school."
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>"Well fairies are interesting, they are basically children that lived all this time without almost any guidance or aid."
>Smile.
>"Maybe i could try to find some that are willing to learn like the ones that went to the school."
>"I'm pretty sure all of them are willing to learn if given the right motivation."
>Sanae lands in front of the ruined mansion.
>"We're here."
>_
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> Look around.
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> Look around.
>You look around.
>The structure look charred, as if it had been burned by fire, and very old. It's primarily white and purple in coloration, but the paint is definitely wearing off. The mansion's walls are partially overgrown with vegetation, and many windows appear cracked or smashed.
>Sanae walks up to the front door and opens it, sticking her head inside.
>"Hello? Anyone home...?" she calls. Several seconds pass with no response, "They're probably hiding...."
>She pushes the door aside and takes a step.
>_
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>"Hang on, are you sure it's safe to just go inside?"
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>"Hang on, are you sure it's safe to just go inside?"
>"Of course. I've been here before."
>_
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>Sigh and follow.
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>Sigh and follow.
>You follow Sanae into the mansion, the rest of your group follows shortly.
>You end up in a ruined foyer, Sanae once again calls for them, receiving no response.
>"Well... I guess they're hiding... It's a thing they like to do to guests." Sanae explains, "We only really need to find one of them."
>"So, what do they look like anyway?" Renko asks.
>"Well, it's pretty easy to tell them apart. Lunasa is blonde, wears black clothing, and usually will have a violin near her, Merlin wears white clothes and plays the trumpet, and has light blue hair, and Lyrica has a keyboard and likes to wear red. It's hard to miss."
>"So where would we find them?" Chen tilts her head.
>"Honestly, they could be anywhere in the mansion when they're hiding like this."
>"Maybe we should split up, then?" Sumireko suggests.
>_
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>"Sounds like a good idea, we should go split into two groups, so that we can cover a bigger area while still having a degree of attention in case someone misses a spot."
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>"Sounds like a good idea, we should go split into two groups, so that we can cover a bigger area while still having a degree of attention in case someone misses a spot."
>"Sounds like a plan." says Sanae, "So how will we split up?"
>"I-I w-would like to s-stay with Maribel..." Rengeteki responds.
>"Hey, Renko. Maybe you can come with me...?" Sumireko asks, "I was thinking that we could use the time to... catch up... We haven't really had a chance to yet, you know?"
>"Oh... I see..." Renko turns to you, "Would you mind, Merry...?"
>_
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>"Not at all, you two are sisters after all, besides i trust Matenshi and Sumireko to protect you, i will care for Rengeteki."
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>"Um... I'd like it if we could stay together, given how the days have been, but I guess... Sumireko... would like the time..."
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>"Not at all, you two are sisters after all, besides i trust Matenshi and Sumireko to protect you, i will care for Rengeteki."
>"Um... I'd like it if we could stay together, given how the days have been, but I guess... Sumireko... would like the time..."
>"O-Oh... Alright..." Renko turns to her sister, "I guess I'm with you, sis."
>"Should I go with them?" Chen asks.
>_
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>"Depends on Sanae's choice."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Who do you want to go with ?"
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>"Depends on Sanae's choice."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Who do you want to go with ?"
>Sanae shrugs.
>"I guess I could go with you."
>_
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>"Okay."
>Turn to Chen and pet her.
>"So looks like you are going with Renko, Sumireko and Matenshi, take care of them okay dear ?"
>Smile and turn to those three.
>"Be careful you three."
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>"Okay."
>Turn to Chen and pet her.
>"So looks like you are going with Renko, Sumireko and Matenshi, take care of them okay dear ?"
>"Don't worry, Miss Maribel! I will!" Chen smiles.
>Smile and turn to those three.
>"Be careful you three."
>"We will." Renko gives you a reassuring smile.
>_
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>Nod back and turn to our group.
>"Okay, now where do you two wanna head ? This is a really big place after all."
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>Nod back and turn to our group.
>"Okay, now where do you two wanna head ? This is a really big place after all."
>"Let's check upstairs." says Sanae.
>"I'm okay w-with wherever you want to go..." Rengeteki answers.
>_
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>"Alright then."
>Look to Rengeteki.
>"Don't worry Rengeteki, i'm here for you."
>Head with our group upstairs.
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>"Alright then."
>Look to Rengeteki.
>"Don't worry Rengeteki, i'm here for you."
>"I know..."
>Head with our group upstairs.
>You follow Sanae up an old staircase at the end of the foyer, leaving the others down here.
>The path splits at the top of the stairs, you can either go left or right. There is also a large door in front of you that you can go through as well.
>_
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>"Let's stick together still, so..."
>Which direction did Renko and co. go ?
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>"Let's stick together still, so..."
>Which direction did Renko and co. go ?
>They remained downstairs.
>_
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>"Let's take the right first, anyone have any objections ?"
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>"Let's take the right first, anyone have any objections ?"
>Your party shakes their heads.
>_
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>"Okay !"
>Head to the right, searching the area around.
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>"Okay !"
>Head to the right, searching the area around.
>You head to the right, entering a hallway, you see around ten doors lining it.
>_
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>"Alright, we check them separately, then group up again once we are done."
>Do so.
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>"Alright, we check them separately, then group up again once we are done."
>"Got it." Sanae heads to the nearest door.
>"S-Separately!?!" Rengeteki jumps.
>_
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>"You don't have to be scared, if something goes wrong, just call for help from us."
>Smile reassuringly.
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>"You don't have to be scared, if something goes wrong, just call for help from us."
>Smile reassuringly.
>Rengeteki frowns.
>_
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>Look a bit sad.
>"I know you are afraid and want to be close of me, but you can't keep depending on just me like that, if i am not nearby to help you someday then you will have to be brave."
>Tap her shoulder.
>"Just remember, i will always be with you in here."
>Point to her heart.
>"Okay, you can come with me if you feel uncomfortable."
-
//I think we should stick together for this. If we need to split up more, we should only split from Sanae.
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//Well she will have to be brave to face what may come in the future.
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>Look a bit sad.
>"I know you are afraid and want to be close of me, but you can't keep depending on just me like that, if i am not nearby to help you someday then you will have to be brave."
>Tap her shoulder.
>"Just remember, i will always be with you in here."
>Point to her heart.
>"B-But the l-last time I was b-brave..." Rengeteki looks away, "I w-woke up with my f-friends gone..."
>"Okay, you can come with me if you feel uncomfortable."
>"A-Alright."
>_
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//When can start letting her on her own when she starts feeling better. Her wings don't even work and her arm is broken or something.
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>"It wasn't your fault Rengeteki."
>Head with her to a room.
>"Say, you saw little Chen back there didn't you ? The cute and friendly cat youkai girl ? What do you think of her ?"
-
>"It wasn't your fault Rengeteki."
>Head with her to a room.
>"Say, you saw little Chen back there didn't you ? The cute and friendly cat youkai girl ? What do you think of her ?"
>You enter the room after the one Sanae entered. It appears to be a ruined bedroom.
>"Uh... S-She seemed nice, I guess..."
>_
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>Look around.
>"Because she is, a very energetic and eager to help kids, plus she is adorable and persistent."
>Smile.
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>Look around.
>"Because she is, a very energetic and eager to help kids, plus she is adorable and persistent."
>Smile.
>You look around, time seems to have taken its toll on the room. The furniture is decaying and the bed is in shambles, sections of the floor are also damaged and crooked.
>Several items are present on a nightstand, most of them burnt. You note a hairbrush, an alarm clock, and an old photograph in a silver picture frame.
>"Ah, okay..."
>_
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>"They don't seem to be in here..."
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>Wait up, before leaving take a look at the picture in the silver frame.
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>Are the items specifically mentioned (the hairbrush, alarm clock, and photo frame) burnt?
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>"They don't seem to be in here..."
>"I noticed..."
>Wait up, before leaving take a look at the picture in the silver frame.
>You pick up the framed picture and examine it.
>It's a picture of a blonde haired girl, in black clothing, a light-blue haired girl in white clothes, and a brown haired girl in red clothes. They all seem really happy together.
>There is a fourth person as well, but the image is damaged. The person's head and upper body have been burned off, but it seems to be wearing a purple dress.
>Are the items specifically mentioned (the hairbrush, alarm clock, and photo frame) burnt?
>They are.
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>Set it back down where it was. We probably shouldn't have picked it up, just got a bit close to examine it.
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>Set it back down where it was. We probably shouldn't have picked it up, just got a bit close to examine it.
>You return the picture to its rightful place.
>_
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>Are we still carrying Rengeteki?
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>Are we still carrying Rengeteki?
>You set her down when everyone landed.
>_
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>Check under the bed if we can.
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>Check under the bed if we can.
>You check under the bed.
>Nothing but dirty Reisens dust bunnies and damaged floorboards here.
>_
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>Any other good hiding places in here?
>Check our inventory.
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>Take a look around the room.
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>Any other good hiding places in here?
>Check our inventory.
>No.
>INVENTORY:
>Clothes (equipped)
>>Your signature outfit, a purple and white dress with a black belt.
>Hat (equipped)
>>A white cap that you wear almost all the time.
>Satchel (equipped) (capacity: 20/20 units)
>>A bag for carrying items. Has a limited carrying capacity.
>Cellphone (1 unit)
>>A communication device used to call other people. You doubt this would be of much use in Gensokyo...
>Coin Pouch (2 units)
>>A bag filled with coins from Makai. You gave some of them to Kagerou.
>Shopping Bag. (1 unit)
>>A crumpled shopping bag you put your clothes in when you changed in Makai.
>Black and White Shirt (4 units)
>>A shirt obtained in Makai. It's a little too small. It feels tight around your chest.
>Black Skirt (4 units)
>>A skirt obtained in Makai.
>Cloak (4 units)
>>A grey cloak with a hood you obtained in Makai.
>Notebook (1 unit)
>>A blank notebook you can easily tear the pages out of.
>Pen (1 unit)
>>A writing utensil.
>Soma Arcana (2 Units)
>>A spellbook detailing magic involving the body and soul. Property of the Scarlet Devil Mansion library.
>Take a look around the room.
>Aside from the bed and the nightstand, there is a burnt wardrobe with one of the doors detached from the frame and lying on the floor. As well as a couple of drawers and a shelf. Besides that, there is nothing of note.
>_
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>Point to the picture.
>"Do any of them look familiar to you, Rengeteki?"
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>What did Rengeteki say Layla wore again ?
-
>Point to the picture.
>"Do any of them look familiar to you, Rengeteki?"
>Rengeteki studies the picture for a moment, shaking her head, until she gets a worried expression.
>"T-That dress...." she points to the fourth person, "I-It looks hauntingly... f-familiar..."
>What did Rengeteki say Layla wore again ?
>A purple dress.
>_
-
>"Could it be her ?"
>Take the photo and put it in our bag, throw away the shopping back at an trash can if we have to.
>"We should show it to the others, it might be an clue."
-
>"Could it be her ?"
>"M-Maybe..."
>Take the photo and put it in our bag, throw away the shopping back at an trash can if we have to.
>You remove the shopping bag from your satchel and slip the photo inside.
>OBTAINED:
>Burnt Photo
>>A picture found in the Prismriver mansion, it depicts 4 people, one of which has her head and upper body burned off and is suspected to be Layla.
>You see no trash cans to toss the shopping bag in, will you throw it on the floor?
>"We should show it to the others, it might be an clue."
>Rengeteki nods.
>_
-
>Probably best to hang onto the bag for now. Don't wanna litter in someone else's house, anyway.
-
>Probably best to hang onto the bag for now. Don't wanna litter in someone else's house, anyway.
>You decide to hold on to the bag.
>You begin to hear the sound of a beautiful violin somewhere down below, feelings of sadness begin to well up in you, bringing tears to your eyes.
>Rengeteki, on the other end, jumps and turns pale at the sound.
>_
-
>"Rengeteki ?"
>Look worried.
-
>"Rengeteki ?"
>Look worried.
>"I-It's the song... the song!" Rengeteki trembles.
>You begin to hear the sound of a trumpet, in contrast to the beautiful depression of the violin, this sound makes you want to sway in tune with the music, and feel happy.
>Combined with the violin, the result is an odd, yet wonderful feeling.
>_
-
>"Come ! We have to find the others ! Let's go back downstairs !"
>Beckon her and quickly head out of the room.
>"Sanae ! Can you hear me ? Come over here !"
-
>"Come ! We have to-
>The sound of a piano cuts in to the already beautiful music. These notes sound rather odd to you, as if they're flowing through your very being, but they seem to be affecting the other two instruments. The result in an enhanced effect that produces a very soothing and relaxing sound....
>You feel really calm and don't feel like moving.
>Rengeteki is covering her ears and freaking out. Frantically trying to get your attention.
>About a minute passes before, as mysteriously as the music started, it seems to end. Leaving nothing but silence as you suddenly come to your senses.
>"M-Maribel! A-Are you s-still there!?!" Rengeteki still has her hands over her ears.
>_
-
>"Yes ! Quick ! We have to find the others !"
>Make a gap leading to the entrance hall we split up at !
>"Sanae ! Sanae where are you ?!?"
-
//Edit
-
>"Yes ! Quick ! We have to find the others !"
>Make a gap leading to the entrance hall we split up at !
>You create a gap leading to the foyer, when you begin to hear the piano again, playing a menacing tune.
>It seems to be coming from the hall and getting closer.
>"Sanae ! Sanae where are you ?!?"
>You call out for Sanae.
>"COMING!" you hear her voice down the hall, "Huh!?! Lyrica? What are you-"
>You hear sounds of danmaku in the hall, shot in tune to the piano's notes.
>_
-
>"SANAE ! Cmon Rengeteki !"
>Head down the hall towards Sanae !
>Be prepared to fire danmaku.
-
>"SANAE ! Cmon Rengeteki !"
>Head down the hall towards Sanae !
>You leave your gap in the room and head out into the hall with Rengeteki.
>You enter the hall to find danmaku flying through the narrow space. Sanae is at the other end of the hall, firing danmaku from her gohei. Between her and Sanae is the brown haired girl, in red clothes, from the picture. A piano is floating in front of her and firing a stream of danmaku shaped like music notes.
>Be prepared to fire danmaku.
>You prepare to fire danmaku.
>"U-Uh... M-Maribel... I-Is this a g-good idea?" Rengeteki asks.
>At the sound of Rengeteki's voice, the girl immediately takes her focus off Sanae and turns around, revealing an unnatural red glow in her eyes.
>She begins firing danmaku again, this time aimed directly at Rengeteki!
>_
-
>Make another gap in front of the bullets that leads to behind the assailant !
>If the girl flinches and we have enough time, either rush towards her and tackle her, or make a gap right by the instrument and attempt to break it or take it away from her, whichever seems more likely to succeed.
>"Sanae ! They want Rengeteki ! We gotta get this girl under control and find the others, they could be being kidnapped right now !"
-
//Edit.
-
>Make another gap in front of the bullets that leads to behind the assailant !
>You create a gap in front of her danmaku and watch as the entire stream hits her in the back, causing her to flinch.
>If the girl flinches and we have enough time, rush towards her and tackle her !
>You seize the opportunity and charge at her with all your might, culminating in a leaping tackle.
>You both fall, and her head smacks a damaged floorboard on the ground. Hard.
>She goes limp.
>"Sanae ! They want Rengeteki ! We gotta get this girl under control and find the others, they could be being kidnapped right now !"
>"Got it." says Sanae.
>You begin to hear frantic cries from Chen and Sumireko downstairs, they seem to be calling for Renko.
>_
-
>"N-No... NO !"
>Close the previous one we had opened and make another one leading to the same place we split up at and put our head through it to shout.
>"Girls ! Go check outside ! They can't have gone far !"
>Immediately after get our head out of it,close the gap and make another one leading to the sky a bit above the mansion, then go through it.
>Look around frantically for any signs of Renko.
-
>"N-No... NO !"
>Close the previous one we had opened and make another one leading to the same place we split up at and put our head through it to shout.
>You currently have two active gaps, one in the hallway, and one in the room, which connects to the foyer. Which do you close?
>_
-
>The one in the room, if by room you mean the one where the photo was found.
-
>The one in the room, if by room you mean the one where the photo was found.
>You close that gap.
>_
-
>Make the one we planned to before, put our head through it to shout.
>"Girls ! Go check outside ! They can't have gone far !"
>Immediately after get our head out of it,close the gap and make another one leading to the sky a bit above the mansion, then go through it.
>Look around frantically for any signs of Renko.
-
>Make the one we planned to before, put our head through it to shout.
>You create a new gap to the foyer and stick your head through, you notice Sumireko and Chen are already in the foyer, frantically calling for Renko.
>"Girls ! Go check outside ! They can't have gone far !"
>They nod and quickly rush to the door.
>Immediately after get our head out of it,close the gap and make another one leading to the sky a bit above the mansion, then go through it.
>Look around frantically for any signs of Renko.
>You immediately withdraw, close the gap, and open one to the sky above the mansion.
>You then leave Sanae and Rengeteki with the unconscious girl and step through.
>You look around frantically for Renko, finding nothing...
>_
-
>"CURSES !"
>Go back through the gap shedding tears.
>"This can't be... we just finally got some time to relax without something trying to kill us, and then this happens ! Why couldn't they take ME ?!"
>Hit the wall hard to relieve our rage.
>"I'm worthless, i couldn't even protect the person i love the most... all because of some damned music !"
-
>"CURSES !"
>Go back through the gap shedding tears.
>You head back through the gap, tears in your eyes.
>"A-Are you okay...?" Rengeteki asks.
>"This can't be... we just finally got some time to relax without something trying to kill us, and then this happens ! Why couldn't they take ME ?!"
>Hit the wall hard to relieve our rage.
>"I'm worthless, i couldn't even protect the person i love the most... all because of some damned music !"
>"Hey! Don't talk like that." says Sanae, "You're not worthless."
>"M-Maybe she i-is..." Rengeteki frowns, "S-She couldn't s-save the one s-she loves... J-Just like m-me..."
>_
-
>"...but i can't give up now, she isn't gone, she must be alive, and i will find her."
>Take a breath.
>"We have been through hell and back with the archangel issue and saving Matenshi and her sister, we aren't giving up now either..."
>Look at Sanae.
>"Do you have any clue about what happened just now ? All we know is that your friends are involved in this, although it might not be by their own will, but the music that played..."
-
>"...but i can't give up now, she isn't gone, she must be alive, and i will find her."
>Take a breath.
>"We have been through hell and back with the archangel issue and saving Matenshi and her sister, we aren't giving up now either..."
>Look at Sanae.
>"Do you have any clue about what happened just now ? All we know is that your friends are involved in this, although it might not be by their own will, but the music that played..."
>"No idea..." says Sanae, "And they aren't really my friends. I just know them. Anyway, we have one of them, maybe we can interrogate her when she comes to."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Did you notice her eyes ? Did she ever have those ?"
-
>Nod.
>"Did you notice her eyes ? Did she ever have those ?"
>"I noticed. That definitely wasn't her natural eye color..."
>You start to hear a commotion downstairs.
>_
-
>"So it might be that she was being controlled, let's meet up with the others, cmon !"
>Use our gap to go back downstair and head to the commotion with our group.
-
>"So it might be that she was being controlled, let's meet up with the others, cmon !"
>Use our gap to go back downstair and head to the commotion with our group.
>You create a new gap leading to the foyer and head through it.
>You notice Sumireko with a variety of objects levitating around her, throwing them at thin air, in a seemingly trance-like state. Like how she was when you found her in that clearing.
>Chen is standing there, holding her head, before noticing you.
>"M-Miss Maribel! T-They started fighting! I tried to stop them but they just kept going!"
>Rengeteki emerges from the gap a few seconds later.
>_
-
>"Sumireko ! Matenshi ! Don't fight ! Renko wouldn't have wanted this !"
>Turn to Chen.
>"Why are they fighting ?"
-
>"Sumireko ! Matenshi ! Don't fight ! Renko wouldn't have wanted this !"
>They don't seem to listen.
>Turn to Chen.
>"Why are they fighting ?"
>"W-Well, after we couldn't find Miss Renko... She said 'This is your fault' and, I couldn't hear it, but I think the other one said something along the lines of 'No, this is all your fault, you're the one who wanted her to come with us' or something, and it just went downhill from there..."
>_
-
>Sigh, and with an angry look head a bit nearer to them and shout.
>"STOP IT YOU TWO ! THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF BOTH OF YOU !"
>If we can, make a gap in front of them and attempt to slap them, not too hard however.
>"If anyone in here is to EVER be to blame, it can only be me ! Had i stayed with her i could have gapped her to safety, but i didn't !"
>Shed some more tears.
-
>Sigh, and with an angry look head a bit nearer to them and shout.
>"STOP IT YOU TWO ! THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF BOTH OF YOU !"
>If we can, make a gap in front of them and attempt to slap them, not too hard however.
>You make another gap and slap them across the face through it. It seems to snap them out of it.
>You're starting to feel that slight drain again.
>"If anyone in here is to EVER be to blame, it can only be me ! Had i stayed with her i could have gapped her to safety, but i didn't !"
>Shed some more tears.
>"N-No... I-It's my fault..." Sumireko admits, shedding her own tears, "I-I shouldn't have asked her to come with us... I-I'm sorry Matenshi, y-you were right...."
>Sanae comes down the stairs, holding the unconscious Prismriver in her arms.
>_
-
>"Don't say that ! I told you that it was my fault."
>Relax a bit.
>"First we need to get a grip on the situation, what exactly happened down here ? All we heard was the music that made us stop moving."
-
Never mind.
-
>"Don't say that ! I told you that it was my fault."
>Relax a bit.
>"First we need to get a grip on the situation, what exactly happened down here ? All we heard was the music that made us stop moving."
>"I-I don't know!" Sumireko says, tears running down her face, "We just heard this soothing music that I couldn't help but enjoy, and as soon as it stopped, Renko was gone!"
>_
-
>"It happened to me too. I don't think I could've done anything better to stop it though..."
-
>"It happened to me too. I don't think I could've done anything better to stop it though..."
>Sanae reaches the bottom of the stairs.
>"Is everything alright down here?"
>"Who's that?" Chen points to the unconscious girl in Sanae's arms.
>"Lyrica Prismriver. She's the one that was playing the piano. We might be able to learn where her sisters are from her when she wakes up."
>_
-
>"We have to know more about this music, this is why people were being kidnapped so easily."
>Look to Sanae.
>"How long will she be unconscious ?"
-
>"We have to know more about this music, this is why people were being kidnapped so easily."
>"I agree," says Sanae, "I know their music can affect people, but never to this degree..."
>"I-It's because i-it's not t-their s-song..." Rengeteki murmurs to herself.
>Look to Sanae.
>"How long will she be unconscious ?"
>"It's hard to say." Sanae shrugs, "We could force her awake if you want."
>_
-
>Turn to Rengeteki's.
>"It's Layla's isn't it ?"
>Take out the old photo and show it to Sanae.
>"We found this on the room we were at, there is a fourth person there, with a purple dress, and Layla wears a purple dress..."
-
>Turn to Rengeteki's.
>"It's Layla's isn't it ?"
>She slowly nods, "O-Only s-she w-would know i-it... W-Well... Rin w-would t-too... I-If she w-was still here... t-they w-wrote it together..."
>Tears seem to well up as recollection flashes in her eyes...
>Take out the old photo and show it to Sanae.
>"We found this on the room we were at, there is a fourth person there, with a purple dress, and Layla wears a purple dress..."
>You show the photo to Sanae, who proceeds to study it.
>"Huh... You know... If this is this 'Layla' person, then I wonder what relation she has with them... They seem to all be happy together..."
>_
-
>"We might be able to find out when she wakes up."
-
>"We might be able to find out when she wakes up."
>"Yeah." Sanae nods in agreement.
>_
-
>Put on a look of realization.
>"....Sanae, do you know anything about an ritual to bring someone back into existance ?"
-
>Put on a look of realization.
>"....Sanae, do you know anything about an ritual to bring someone back into existance ?"
>"Huh? What do you mean?" Sanae tilts her head.
>Rengeteki is giving you a curious look.
>_
-
>"Rengeteki and Layla before were friends, but..."
>Look down.
>"An accident erased someone that was important to both of them from existance, which caused Layla to hate Rengeteki... i suspect that the kidnappings could be part of a plan to try and bring that person back into existing."
>Hold Rengeteki firmly to console her.
>"When you were all together, how old was Rin back then ?"
-
>"Rengeteki and Layla before were friends, but..."
>Look down.
>"An accident erased someone that was important to both of them from existance, which caused Layla to hate Rengeteki... i suspect that the kidnappings could be part of a plan to try and bring that person back into existing."
>"Huh... well I never heard of such a ritual, but then again, this is Gensokyo. So it could be possible."
>Hold Rengeteki firmly to console her.
>"When you were all together, how old was Rin back then ?"
>you hold Rengeteki tight.
>"S-she was a y-youkai. I-I don't know h-her exact age... b-but she l-looked about y-you and Renko's age p-physically..."
>_
-
>Close all existing gaps that we made.
>"Chen ? Have you warned Miss Ran about what happened ? This is a serious matter, and it has become even more serious now, also tell her about the clues we have."
-
>Close all existing gaps that we made.
>You close your three active gaps. The drain feeling disappears.
>"Chen ? Have you warned Miss Ran about what happened ? This is a serious matter, and it has become even more serious now, also tell her about the clues we have."
>"I'm doing it right now." says Chen.
>_
-
>Try to put up an smile.
>"Good going Chen."
>Pet her a bit.
-
>Try to put up an smile.
>"Good going Chen."
>Pet her a bit.
>You try to smile and pet Chen.
>"Nnnn...." The girl in Sanae's arms begins to stir slightly.
>"Oh! She's waking up!" Sanae sets her down.
>_
-
>Turn around to them and keep caution.
>"Watch out if she attacks us again."
>Wait for her to wake up.
-
>Turn around to them and keep caution.
>"Watch out if she attacks us again."
>Wait for her to wake up.
>Your group nods.
>Lyrica slowly stirs, here eyes open to reveal the unnatural red glow, which quickly fades. She blinks before looking around, confused.
>"Ugh... What happened...? Where am I...?"
>"We're in your family's mansion, where you attacked us?" Sanae frowns,
>"Huh? Attack you? Why would I attack anyone unprovoked...?" Lyrica looks around, "Who are you people? Are you here to enlist our services?"
>_
-
>"No, we were here to investigate the kidnappings that have been going on."
>Do we still have that amber block thing ?
>If it's with Sanae. "Sanae, could you show her that amber block you said was used for instruments ?"
-
>"No, we were here to investigate the kidnappings that have been going on."
>"Kidnapping...? Huh... Kinda reminds me of a nightmare I had..."
>Do we still have that amber block thing ?
>If it's with Sanae. "Sanae, could you show her that amber block you said was used for instruments ?"
>Sanae has it.
>"Oh, sure." Sanae takes out the block and shows it to Lyrica.
>"Huh? That's Lunasa's rosin. Why do you have it? Lunasa always has it on her." Lyrica looks a bit worried, "D-Did something happen to her...?"
>"Maybe. I mean, you certainly weren't acting like yourself when you attacked us..."
>_
-
>"We found it near one of the places where another kidnapping was attempted, but failed."
>Look curious.
>"Nightmare ? Could you tell us more about it ?"
-
>"We found it near one of the places where another kidnapping was attempted, but failed."
>Look curious.
>"Nightmare ? Could you tell us more about it ?"
>"Well..." Lyrica replies, "I remember me and my sisters... and we were taking these women to... some kind of cave, I think? Sorry, I remember it in fragments... I also remember... being told to kill someone... Anyway the whole thing was horrible..."
>_
-
>Go a bit pale.
>"Because it wasn't a dream Lyrica, you have been mindcontrolled into kidnapping women, everything about that nightmare is true..."
>Take the photo again and show it to her.
>"Here, do you see this fourth person on the purple dress ? Do you know who she is ?"
-
>Go a bit pale.
>"Because it wasn't a dream Lyrica, you have been mindcontrolled into kidnapping women, everything about that nightmare is true..."
>Lyrica pales as well.
>"T-Then does that mean... M-My sisters!!"
>She leaps to her feet, "I gotta find them!"
>Sanae grabs her arm as she tries to run, "Not yet..."
>"B-But-"
>"We need your help first. Then we can all look for them together, got it?"
>"O-Okay..."
>Take the photo again and show it to her.
>"Here, do you see this fourth person on the purple dress ? Do you know who she is ?"
>You show Lyrica the photo.
>"Huh? Wow... That is an old photo... And I feel like I should know her... But... I just can't remember..."
>_
-
>"Her name is Layla Prismriver from what we have gathered, and it seems she is the one that has mindcontrolled you."
-
>"Her name is Layla Prismriver from what we have gathered, and it seems she is the one that has mindcontrolled you."
>"Huh...? Layla Prismriver? But I don't remember ever having a relative named Lay..."
>Something seems to click in Lyrica's mind.
>"Wait... Actually... Oh my gods.... Layla... I can't believe we forgot about her! H-How could we!? S-She was such a big part of our l-lives... How could we just- HOW!?!"
>She seems very confused and distressed.
>"So she's your relative?" Sanae asks, "How come I've never seen or heard of her."
>"Because we- all three of us- forgot about her! S-She died so long ago..." Lyrica looks at you, "And you said she mind-controlled us? That can't be possible, she's dead. She's moved on to a better place."
>_
-
>"Well, turns out you were trying to kill Rengeteki here."
>Point to her.
>"Layla hates Rengeteki over something that happened in the past, so she had you try to kidnap and kill her, which is why we have Lunasa's rosin."
>Frown.
>"Right now we have to find your other sisters..."
>!
>"Rengeteki ! Do you still remember where was that cave where the accident happened ?"
-
>"Well, turns out you were trying to kill Rengeteki here."
>Point to her.
>"Layla hates Rengeteki over something that happened in the past, so she had you try to kidnap and kill her, which is why we have Lunasa's rosin."
>"But she's dead! She's been dead for a long time!" Lyrica frowns, "And even if she wasn't she couldn't mind control us. Unless..."
>She suddenly goes pale, "No... It can't be... She promised us she'd never use it again... S-Someone else must've found it..."
>Frown.
>"Right now we have to find your other sisters..."
>!
>"Rengeteki ! Do you still remember where was that cave where the accident happened ?"
>"Y-Yes... I know e-exactly where it is... but I-I haven't been there since... you know..." Rengeteki looks down.
>_
-
>Look to Lyrica.
>"What ? Use what ? Tell us Lyrica, this could determine the fate of many young women from the village, and Renko's too."
-
>Look to Lyrica.
>"What ? Use what ? Tell us Lyrica, this could determine the fate of many young women from the village, and Renko's too."
>Lyrica takes a deep breath, "Okay... So Layla is our little sister, and also our creator - don't ask, it's complicated... The memories are slowly coming back to me, but when she made us, she also created a conductor's baton, an item that gave her absolute control over us. She only ever used it once. And it felt horrible to us, so we made her promise to never use it again. And she kept that promise for the rest of her life... Anyway, if somebody found and is using that baton... things could be very bad..."
>_
-
>"Alright, look, i'm sorry but we can't take you with us, or else you might fall under their control again, i would like you to head to the Netherworld, that place should be safe, we will take care of Layla or whomever it is that has been using the baton."
>Make a gap to the Netherworld's entrance.
>"Here, this should save you time, but before you go, is there anything about the baton that we need to know ? If we break the baton, will anything bad happen ?"
-
//Edit.
-
>"Alright, look, i'm sorry but we can't take you with us, or else you might fall under their control again, i would like you to head to the Netherworld, that place should be safe, we will take care of Layla or whomever it is that has been using the baton."
>"No way! My sisters need me. I'm coming with you." Lyrica frowns.
>"Lyrica, Maribel is right. It's too dangerous. Look, I promise I won't let anything bad happen to your siblings."
>"But-"
>"Would your sisters want you to get brainwashed again trying to save them?"
>Lyrica sighs, "Alright.... I'll go to the Netherworld... Just make sure they're safe for me, okay?"
>"I will. You can count on that."
>Make a gap to the Netherworld's entrance.
>"Here, this should save you time, but before you go, is there anything about the baton that we need to know ? If we break the baton, will anything bad happen ?"
>You do so.
>"Thanks...." Lyrica steps towards the gap, "And I'm not sure if there's anything else you need to know."
>Turn to Rengeteki.
>"Where is the cave at Rengeteki ?"
>"I-It's a bit northeast of my house." she replies.
>_
-
//corrected, you may continue
-
>"Okay, let's head to your house and from there we head to the cave, i can't gap us directly there for safety, we will have to proceed slowly."
>Close the gap leading to the Netherworld and open another one leading to Rengeteki's home.
>"Since Lyrica isn't with them, the music that played and made us stop moving shouldn't work as well now, still, if the music starts playing again, do your best to not listen to it."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Call you do something so that we don't hear any sounds from their instruments ? If we have to i mean."
-
>"Okay, let's head to your house and from there we head to the cave, i can't gap us directly there for safety, we will have to proceed slowly."
>Close the gap leading to the Netherworld and open another one leading to Rengeteki's home.
>You close the gap to the Netherworld and open one to Rengeteki's house.
>"Since Lyrica isn't with them, the music that played and made us stop moving shouldn't work as well now, still, if the music starts playing again, do your best to not listen to it."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Call you do something so that we don't hear any sounds from their instruments ? If we have to i mean."
>"If it comes to that, then yes." Sanae nods
>_
-
>Take a peek through the gap by outting out head through it first, anything around ?
>"Good, everyone ready ?"
>If so, head through the gap and look around.
-
>Take a peek through the gap by outting out head through it first, anything around ?
>You stick your head through the gap and look around.
>The coast seems clear.
>"Good, everyone ready ?"
>If so, head through the gap and look around.
>Chen and Sanae nod.
>"Yes." Matenshi says through Sumireko's body, "Let's get Renko back."
>"I-I'm ready too..." says Rengeteki, "I-I know I-I probably w-won't be of m-much help... B-But I'll d-do my best..."
>You lead the group through the gap.
>You are outside Rengeteki's house. Nothing seems to have changed much since your last visit.
>_
-
>"Okay Rengeteki, there is something you can do of course, you aren't useless in any way."
>Smile.
>"If you ever see the baton Lyrica talked about, and have the opportunity to safety do it, i want you to use your abilities on it, just like how you used it on the wall of your home to hide, do you think you can do this ?"
-
>"Okay Rengeteki, there is something you can do of course, you aren't useless in any way."
>Smile.
>"If you ever see the baton Lyrica talked about, and have the opportunity to safety do it, i want you to use your abilities on it, just like how you used it on the wall of your home to hide, do you think you can do this ?"
>"I-It's a small object, s-so I should be able to..." Rengeteki nods.
>_
-
>"See ? You will never be useless."
>Smile and prepare to carry her.
>"I'll have to carry you again, i will be gentle."
>Do so.
-
>Rephrase it as "I'll be carrying you again. I will be gentle."
>We don't want to sound like she's burdening us.
-
//Hey ! I am not alone now ! :3
-
//Remember you're never alone. Just ask. :P
-
>"See ? You will never be useless."
>Smile and prepare to carry her.
>"I'll have to carry you again, i will be gentle."
>Do so.
>Rephrase it as "I'll be carrying you again. I will be gentle."
>We don't want to sound like she's burdening us.
>"Okay." Rengeteki nods.
>You gently sweep Rengeteki into a princess carry.
>_
-
>"Let's go now, where is the cave again Rengeteki ?"
>After she tells us, start flying there with our group, staying on treetop height so that we have as much concealment as possible while still having sight.
-
>"Let's go now, where is the cave again Rengeteki ?"
>Rengeteki points in a direction. "That way."
>"Alright, let's go." says Sanae.
>"Hey..." Matenshi looks to an empty space next to her, you notice her hand appear to hold something in thin air, "We'll find her. Stop beating yourself up over this, there is nothing any of us could've done."
>After she tells us, start flying there with our group, staying on treetop height so that we have as much concealment as possible while still having sight.
>You begin to lead your group in the indicated direction.
>"It feels... n-nerve wracking... g-going there again..." Rengeteki remarks.
>_
-
>"Relax, we are here with you."
>Does it look like she is holding someone's hand ?
>Turn to Matenshi, but don't stop.
>"Is Sumireko still blaming herself for what happened ? It wasn't her fault..."
-
>"Relax, we are here with you."
>"I-I know... but still..."
>Does it look like she is holding someone's hand ?
>It did.
>Turn to Matenshi, but don't stop.
>"Is Sumireko still blaming herself for what happened ? It wasn't her fault..."
>Matenshi nods.
>_
-
>"Sumireko, beating yourself over the past won't help, all we can do is work for a better future, for you, for me, for Matenshi, for Renko, for all the other kidnapped girls, for everyone."
>Turn to Rengeteki.
>"And Rengeteki, how much do you know about your abilities ?"
-
>"Sumireko, beating yourself over the past won't help, all we can do is work for a better future, for you, for me, for Matenshi, for Renko, for all the other kidnapped girls, for everyone."
>There is a pause.
>"She understands." says Matenshi.
>Turn to Rengeteki.
>"And Rengeteki, how much do you know about your abilities ?"
>"W-Well..." Rengeteki replies, "I can phase objects. It's like making them partially not exist, so you can pass through them... I can't do it on large objects though, and I-It only works on inanimate objects... T-the first and o-only time I tried it one s-something living w-was..."
>Tears well up in her eyes as she recalls painful memories.
>_
-
>"Well..... then maybe there is still hope for her, if you understand your abilities better... maybe you could rescue her."
>Any sight of the cave ?
-
>"Well..... then maybe there is still hope for her, if you understand your abilities better... maybe you could rescue her."
>Any sight of the cave ?
>"I-I doubt it... s-she was erased. Gone. E-Even her name becomes unreadable i-if you write it down... A-And i-its all my fault..." Rengeteki frowns.
>You see a mountainside in the distance, you notice some kind of dark spot where a hill meets the mountain. That might be the entrance.
>_
-
>"How can you say that ? There is a lot you still don't know about your abilities, Rengeteki, what if Rin can still be saved ? What if she is waiting for you to come ? You can't give up on her."
>Look serious.
>"Renko never gave up on her sister, even with all those years of search that led to nothing, and here she is, alive and well, so you have to do the same, if you truly want her back, keep searching for a way to use your powers to save her, without sacrificing anyone, keep trying until you finally manage to do it."
>Put on a reassuring smile.
>"Will you it ? For her, and for me ?"
-
>"How can you say that ? There is a lot you still don't know about your abilities, Rengeteki, what if Rin can still be saved ? What if she is waiting for you to come ? You can't give up on her."
>Look serious.
>"Renko never gave up on her sister, even with all those years of search that led to nothing, and here she is, alive and well, so you have to do the same, if you truly want her back, keep searching for a way to use your powers to save her, without-
>"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Rengeteki interrupts, "She is gone Maribel! Erased! Do you really think, that if there was even a sliver of hope to get her back, that I'd walk away from that!? I know for a fact it's not possible to use my powers to bring her back. How can powers effect something that doesn't even exist anymore!? It can't be done! I-It just can't..."
>Tears stream down her cheeks,
>"B-besides... E-Even if it w-was possible... w-would s-she even b-be the same...? W-Would s-she even be on f-friendly terms w-with me... a-after what I've d-done...? M-My sin is u-unforgivable. I must spend the rest of my existence repenting... repent... must repent..."
>The rest of the group seems to be at a loss of what to say.
>_
-
>"Rengeteki !"
>Halt and stare in her eyes.
>"Stop with this ! If you think that Rin can't be saved, why do you think what seems like Layla is kidnapping girl the same physical age as her, taking them to the same cave where it happened AND trying to kill you, it's because she CAN be saved, you DON'T know if this is the limit of your abilities, it wouldn't make sense if you could erase things from existance, but not be able to bring things into existance."
>Frown.
>"Tell me what would be better, to keep searching for a way to bring her back, and finally be together again, or to stay recluse in your home repenting, while Rin could actually be waiting for someone, anyone to aid her."
>Shed some tears.
>"I will look for a way to bring her back, even if i must do it alone, now i ask... will you look with me ? Will you hold on to hope ? Will you trust your dear sister ?"
-
>"Rengeteki !"
>Halt and stare in her eyes.
>"Stop with this ! If you think that Rin can't be saved, why do you think what seems like Layla is kidnapping girl the same physical age as her, taking them to the same cave where it happened AND trying to kill you, it's because she CAN be saved, you DON'T know if this is the limit of your abilities, it wouldn't make sense if you could erase things from existance, but not be able to bring things into existance."
>Frown.
>"Tell me what would be better, to keep searching for a way to bring her back, and finally be together again, or to stay recluse in your home repenting, while Rin could actually be waiting for someone, anyone to aid her."
>Shed some tears.
>"I will look for a way to bring her back, even if i must do it alone, now i ask... will you look with me ? Will you hold on to hope ? Will you trust your dear sister ?"
>"Sister?" Sanae asks.
>Rengeteki remains silent, tears still streaming from her eyes.
>_
-
>"Rengeteki... i'm sorry i had to say this, but please, trust me."
>Embrace her as best as we can, being wary of her right arm and making sure to keep supporting her.
>"We will make things better again, together..."
-
>"Rengeteki... i'm sorry i had to say this, but please, trust me."
>Embrace her as best as we can, being wary of her right arm and making sure to keep supporting her.
>"We will make things better again, together..."
>You embrace her.
>"I... I-I do trust you..." she says very quietly, "N-No offense, b-but c-could we t-talk about this l-later? I-I mean... w-we should f-focus on Renko... f-for now..."
>_
-
>Smile.
>"Thanks Rengeteki, and yes you are right."
>Resume our flight, being careful and looking around for anyone nearby.
-
>Smile.
>"Thanks Rengeteki, and yes you are right."
>Resume our flight, being careful and looking around for anyone nearby.
>You resume your flight.
>You are approaching the cave, you spot two figures standing outside of it.
>_
-
>Signal our friends to dive in cover into the trees, then slowly proceed until we have a better look of the figures.
-
>Signal our friends to dive in cover into the trees, then slowly proceed until we have a better look of the figures.
>There is actually a sparse amount of trees out here, it won't provide much cover.
>The only places that could offer cover are near the cave, though the figures will definitely see you before you get to them
>_
-
>Can we gap to one of these places from our current position without figures noticing?
-
//Remember to coordinate our assault with our friends.
-
>Can we gap to one of these places from our current position without figures noticing?
>Possibly.
>_
-
>Turn to the others and very quietly say:
>"There seems to be two figures guarding the entrance, i will try to make two gaps quickly so you guys can make an surprise preemptive attack on both of them, focus on knocking then down and taking away whatever items they can use as weapons."
>Look to Rengeteki.
>"I won't be able to do much other than that, but you can phase any threats to us Rengeteki, be on your guard."
-
>Turn to the others and very quietly say:
>"There seems to be two figures guarding the entrance, i will try to make two gaps quickly so you guys can make an surprise preemptive attack on both of them, focus on knocking then down and taking away whatever items they can use as weapons."
>"Got it." Sanae responds.
>Chen nods in agreement.
>"I got the one on the left." says Matenshi.
>Look to Rengeteki.
>"I won't be able to do much other than that, but you can phase any threats to us Rengeteki, be on your guard."
>"I-I will." Rengeteki nods affirmatively.
>_
-
>We CAN make gaps while holding Rengeteki right ? If so:
>"3...2...1... go."
>Make two gaps where we are right now, one leading to just above the figure on the left, the other leading to just above the figure on the right.
>Once they all rush through, follow them and keep an eye out for any threats.
-
>We CAN make gaps while holding Rengeteki right ? If so:
>You think so...
>"3...2...1... go."
>Make two gaps where we are right now, one leading to just above the figure on the left, the other leading to just above the figure on the right.
>Once they all rush through, follow them and keep an eye out for any threats.
>You create two gaps and your party rushes through, tackling the figures to the ground before they can react. You follow through shortly after.
>The figures, a girl in white and a girl in black, are struggling against their aggressors, you notice a trumpet and a violin on the ground near where they stood.
>The girl in white reaches for the trumpet as she struggles to fend off Sanae. The instrument levitates into the air and begins playing a battle charge fanfare loudly, all on its own.
>_
-
>"Rengeteki ! The trumpet, quick !"
>Put her down on the ground so we have better mobility.
-
>"Rengeteki ! The trumpet, quick !"
>Put her down on the ground so we have better mobility.
>You set Rengeteki on the ground and the trumpet abruptly cuts out as it turns transparent.
>There is a loud sound right next to you and the trumpet instantly becomes tangible again.
>"AAAAAGH!!" Rengeteki shrieks as you see her get flung forward.
>"So you had the nerve to come back here?" a new voice says behind you, "You must be dumber than I thought, Rengeteki. Oh well, at least you made my job much easier..."
>_
-
>Turn to face the voice.
>"I assume you are Layla Prismriver."
-
//We should probably gap to catch Rengeteki and keep her from getting into their clutches. Unless she's to do something to her. I haven't been following the best...
-
>Turn to face the voice.
>"I assume you are Layla Prismriver."
>You turn to face the voice and see a green haired girl in a purple dress identical to the one in the photo.
>"Oh? So you've heard of me..." she says, "Anyway, I'd love to talk, but it seems I have some garbage to take care of."
>_
-
>Quickly make a gap under the trumpet that leads to the Prismriver Mansion's foyer, then shove the trumpet inside then immediately close the gap.
>Turn to face Layla again and beware of any moves from her.
>"Over my dead body you will hurt her again, it wasn't her fault, you and Rin knew the risks."
-
//First we gotta neutralize the trumpet, since it can quickly become a threat.
-
>Quickly make a gap under the trumpet that leads to the Prismriver Mansion's foyer, then shove the trumpet inside then immediately close the gap.
>You create a gap under the levitating trumpet, then you run over to it and physically shove it inside before closing the gap.
>You hear a loud smack from Merlin's direction.
>Turn to face Layla again and beware of any moves from her.
>"Over my dead body you will hurt her again, it wasn't her fault, you and Rin knew the risks."
>You turn to see Layla deliver a swift kick to Rengeteki's side as she tries to get up.
>Layla glares at you, "You weren't there. You didn't see it happen! This is none of your business." her hand begins to glow and she aims it at Rengeteki, "Now, if you'll excuse me..."
>"Sea Opening ~ 'Moses's Miracle' !" you hear Sanae exclaim.
>_
-
>Gap Rengeteki away from her and into our arms, quickly closing it afterwards.
>Quickly check on the two mind-controlled Prismrivers.
>"I don't need to be there to see what happened ! Stop blaming her because she tried the only thing that could have saved Rin !"
-
>Gap Rengeteki away from her and into our arms, quickly closing it afterwards.
>You gap Rengeteki into your arms as Layla fires a laser from her hand.
>Quickly check on the two mind-controlled Prismrivers.
>You look to the Prismriver in black. She seems to have escaped from underneath Chen and Matenshi/Sumireko and is now retaliating against them.
>You look to Sanae and the other Prismriver. She seems to be unconscious. Sanae is floating in the air, aiming her Gohei at Layla, as two walls of lasers materialize behind her, they seem to be rushing towards both you and Layla, creating a corridor.
>"I don't need to be there to see what happened ! Stop blaming her because she tried the only thing that could have saved Rin !"
>"Tried to save her? HA! That scumbag did it on purpose! Now stop interfering in this, or else!"
>The laser corridor sweeps over both of you, confining you between the walls.
>"Maribel, you might want to move!" Sanae shouts.
>_
-
>Make a gap leading out of this area of fire to a safe space behind Sanae and cross it with Rengeteki.
>Once we are through immediately close it.
>"Let's aid the others quick ! Sanae, keep her busy and buy some time for us to help Chen, Sumireko and Matenshi ! Rengeteki, phase the violin of that girl so she can't retaliate, i will keep you safe."
>Guard Rengeteki and keep an eye for any threats to her while she neutralizes the black-clothed Prismriver.
-
>Make a gap leading out of this area of fire to a safe space behind Sanae and cross it with Rengeteki.
>Once we are through immediately close it.
>You create a gap to the area behind Sanae and close it
>"Let's aid the others quick ! Sanae, keep her busy and buy some time for us to help Chen, Sumireko and Matenshi ! Rengeteki, phase the violin of that girl so she can't retaliate, i will keep you safe."
>"Already on it." says Sanae as she begins firing spreads of blade shaped danmaku at Layla, who begins dodging and retaliating with her own lasers.
>Rengeteki seems dazed, "Ugh... do w-what now?"
>_
-
>Fire some of our own danmaku towards Layla, use lasers and pellets, as many as we can and try to fill the open spaces Sanae leaves behind.
>"Use your abilities to phase the violin of that girl, that way we help the others !"
-
>Fire some of our own danmaku towards Layla, use lasers and pellets, as many as we can and try to fill the open spaces Sanae leaves behind.
>You start firing your own lasers and pellets at Layla, leaving little room to dodge.
>"Use your abilities to phase the violin of that girl, that way we help the others !"
>"O-Okay!"
>Rengeteki phases the violin, which stops shooting danmaku. The girl responds by shooting danmaku from her hands.
>Layla sends a dense burst of lasers and music-note shaped shots towards the three of you.
>_
-
>Gap them back towards her ! As many as we can.
>"Okay, i will be busy for a moment Rengeteki, beware !"
>Once that is done, close said gap and make another one leading to just beside the other Prismriver, and another one to her other side leading to the Netherworld's entrance, in a way that we can go forward with all our might and tackle her through the gap and into the Netherworld.
>Once we do so and if we succeed, quicky retreat back through the gap and close it, then go back to Rengeteki.
-
>Gap them back towards her ! As many as we can.
>"Okay, i will be busy for a moment Rengeteki, beware !"
>Rengeteki nods.
>You open a very large gap to encompass the entire burst and send it back at her.
>A couple shots hit her in the back before she turns around and notices the rest of the burst. She dodges the rest of her own bullets
>You're starting to feel tired.
>Once that is done, close said gap-
>With quick reflexes, Layla suddenly dives through your gap. Emerging right in front of Sanae as it closes.
>She uses the opportunity to pelt Sanae point-blank with a second burst.
>Sanae flinches from the impact and a wave of light emanates from her, causing all her danmaku and the laser corridor to vanish instantly.
>"Enough of this." Layla says, drawing what appears to be a spellcard of her own out of her sleeve, "Requiem ~ 'Ominous Pipe Organ' "
>A spectral organ seems to materialize behind Layla and begins playing itself. With each note struck, a laser emerges from a corresponding pipe, followed by a small ring of music note danmaku. The lasers slowly curve towards Sanae, who dodges them and fires lines of shots from her Gohei.
>A couple of lasers are now curving towards you and Rengeteki. You shouldn't have to worry about the note shots yet.
>_
-
>Move to the side to avoid them , leading Rengeteki along with us and making sure not to move too close to the note shots.
-
>Move to the side to avoid them , leading Rengeteki along with us and making sure not to move too close to the note shots.
>You move to the side with Rengeteki to avoid the lasers, one passes right next to the two of you, and you can feel the heat come off of it.
>_
-
//If we wanna win, we have to do it together with the others.
>Make a gap just big enough for a person to go through leading to the cave entrance.
>"Take cover inside with the rocks."
>Close all the existing gaps we have made.
>If we have time, make another gap just beside the last enslaved Prismriver and tackle her to into another gap leading to the Netherworld, if we can, if we can't, just tackle her to the ground and restrain her as well as possible.
-
//If we wanna win, we have to do it together with the others.
>Make a gap just big enough for a person to go through leading to the cave entrance.
>"Take cover inside with the rocks."
>You do so.
>"O-Okay... but I-I don't think I could g-go through that..."
>A new volley of semi-homing lasers are heading towards you.
>The note danmaku from the first wave is approaching.
>You notice the white-clothed Prismriver get up, rubbing her head.
>"Ugh... what... happened?"
>You also notice Layala draw out a conductor's baton from her sleeve, and she taps it audibly against the side of the spectral organ.
>"A-AGH! N-NO!" The Prismriver clutches her head in pain, before she opens her eyes, revealing a red glow. She begins shooting her own danmaku at both you and Sanae.
>_
-
>Is she still on the ground ?
-
>Is she still on the ground ?
>She is flying.
>_
-
>Continue with the plan to tackle the black Prismriver, that way at least we save ourselves and neutralize a threat.
-
>Also, if we end up tackling the black Prismriver to the ground, make a gap just below both of us to the Netherworld anyways and force her through, force us both if we have to.
-
>Continue with the plan to tackle the black Prismriver, that way at least we save ourselves and neutralize a threat.
>You are still holding Rengeteki, you would need to set her down to tackle the black Prismriver effectively.
>_
-
>"I'm sorry, be brave."
>Force her through the gap.
-
>"I'm sorry, be brave."
>Force her through the gap.
>"N-No I'm not scared, I-It's just t-that it's in the air and I-I can't Fl-AAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIEEEE!" she exclaims as you force her through the gap.
>Rengeteki falls to the ground next to the cave entrance. Layla and the two Prismrivers immediately break off their attack and make a rush for her. Continuing to fire danmaku as they move
>You feel one of the lasers pass through you. It hurts like hell.
>_
-
//Some backup would be nice. ;-;
>Endure the pain and take a step back.
>How long until they reach her ?
>How long does it take to open a gap and close it ?
-
//Some backup would be nice. ;-;
>Endure the pain and take a step back.
>You float backwards a bit, enduring the pain.
>The first wave of note danmaku is almost at your position.
>How long until they reach her ?
>Layla will reach her relatively quickly, since she is close to the cave entrance.
>The white Prismriver, being closer to you, will take a little longer.
>You needn't worry as much about the remaining Prismriver, as she is farthest from the cave entrance, and the combined efforts of Sumireko/Matenshi and Chen are slowing her a bit. Though she could potentially become a threat later on.
>How long does it take to open a gap and close it ?
>It takes a second or two to open a gap, and roughly the same amount of time to close one.
>_
-
>Can we make a gap under Rengeteki and leading to behind the three stopping the black Prismriver before Layla reaches her ?
>How long until the wave reaches us ?
-
>Can we make a gap under Rengeteki and leading to behind the three stopping the black Prismriver before Layla reaches her ?
>You could.
>How long until the wave reaches us ?
>It's practically on top of you. You would need to dodge now or risk taking another hit.
>Layla sends out another volley of lasers from the organ, this time almost all of them seem to be arcing towards Rengeteki.
>_
-
//Not even some time to think ? :(
>Move away to near the trio while making the gap we planned for Rengeteki, if we can't then risk taking a hit while doing the gap, then we move.
>Immediately close it after she is through.
-
//Not even some time to think ? :(
//I'd say you have a few seconds to think. I just said now to emphasize that you will need to dodge quickly. It doesn't necessarily mean "right at this instant."
//Anyway, will be driving for a bit, will parse as soon as I'm able.
-
>Try to take a moment to check our injury.
-
//Not even some time to think ? :(
>Move away to near the trio while making the gap we planned for Rengeteki, if we can't then risk taking a hit while doing the gap, then we move.
>Immediately close it after she is through.
>You move away, dodging a note shot in the process, and make the gap under Rengeteki, sending her behind Sumireko/Matenshi and Chen, immediately closing the gap right before the lasers hit.
>Layla emits a wave of light, and her remaining danmaku vanishes. The spectral organ dissipates as well.
>Try to take a moment to check our injury.
>You examine yourself.
>Aside from a hole in your clothes and a slight scorch mark on your midriff, you seem fine.
>"What is your real reason for being here, anyway?" Layla questions as she pulls out another spellcard, "I mean, delivering that piece of filth to me can't be the only reason..."
>_
-
>"To stop the kidnappings ! And to free these girls from slavery, you promised to NEVER use it on them again !"
>Where are the enslaves Prismrivers ?
>To our friends:"Okay girls, we need to either get rid of that baton, or shove both of the enslaved Prismrivers into a gap leading to the Netherworld, it should be far away enough to cut the mind-control."
>To Rengeteki: "Sorry for being that sudden, i couldn't risk you taking the hit, are you alright ?"
-
>"To stop the kidnappings ! And to free these girls from slavery, you promised to NEVER use it on them again !"
>You notice hints of regret flash across Layla's face at your last sentence.
>"That... was a necessary evil." she frowns, "As for the kidnappings, you can rest assured that they will stop. I no longer have a reason to take any more. In fact, I released almost all our captives. They should be on their way back to the village now, provided they didn't get eaten by youkai or lost."
>"Anyway, you have your answers, if you would just surrender the murderer and leave, that would be great..."
>Where are the enslaves Prismrivers ?
>The one in white clothes is floating next to Layla. The black-clothed one is between you and Rengeteki, still engaged in combat with Chen and Sumitenshi.
>To our friends:"Okay girls, we need to either get rid of that baton, or shove both of the enslaved Prismrivers into a gap leading to the Netherworld, it should be far away enough to cut the mind-control."
>To Rengeteki: "Sorry for being that sudden, i couldn't risk you taking the hit, are you alright ?"
>Sanae is the only one in speaking distance, unless you wish to shout. Continue?
>_
-
>Say it only to Sanae then.
>"Well then where is Renko ?! You took her from me ! And i want her back !"
-
>Say it only to Sanae then.
>"Are you sure it will cut the mind control if you do that?" Sanae asks, "Anyway, if we go for the baton, how do you plan on getting rid of it?"
>"Well then where is Renko ?! You took her from me ! And i want her back !"
>"How should I know? I never bothered to learn their names. It's likely she was one of the ones I let go." Layla replies, "Now, leave before I decide to kill all of you, instead of just her."
>_
-
>"And what about the person you kept ? What will happen to her ?"
>Turn to Sanae and say it only to her again: "Not sure, but at the bare least it will put them out of the fight, making it only her, but yes, destroying the baton once and for all is the main goal."
-
>"And what about the person you kept ? What will happen to her ?"
>"That is none of your business." She holds up her spellcard, "Cello Sign ~ 'Dissonant Serenity' "
>The spellcard glows and vanishes, and a spectral cello materializes behind Layla.
>Turn to Sanae and say it only to her again: "Not sure, but at the bare least it will put them out of the fight, making it only her, but yes, destroying the baton once and for all is the main goal."
>"Alright." Sanae nods.
>_
-
>"So you just plan to sacrifice an innocent person to try to bring back Rin ? How would she react if she heard that ?!"
>Gather up our will to fight.
>"We will never let you do that."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Let's knock out the one in black from the fight first, Lunasa isn't she ?"
-
>"So you just plan to sacrifice an innocent person to try to bring back Rin ? How would she react if she heard that ?!"
>"...I'm sure she'll be alright with it if it's a person nobody will miss..." Layla frowns.
>Gather up our will to fight.
>"We will never let you do that."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"Let's knock out the one in black from the fight first, Lunasa isn't she ?"
>You summon the strength to fight. You're not going to let Layla win!
>"Yes, that's Lunasa." Sanae nods, "Though it looks like the others are almost finished with her."
>The cello fires four parallel lasers that are rushing towards you and Sanae's current positions.
>_
-
>Dodge to the opposite side that Sanae is going.
>To Sanae: "Good, the more of them we free, the easier it gets to subdue Layla."
>How are the others faring ?
-
>Dodge to the opposite side that Sanae is going.
>You dodge and the lasers fly past the both of you. They seem to be continuous and are lingering.
>Layla fires a slow moving shot, which has a long trail, at an angle towards the 4 lasers, which seem to be reminiscent of cello strings.
>To Sanae: "Good, the more of them we free, the easier it gets to subdue Layla."
>"Yeah." Sanae nods, before firing a few pot-shots at Layla.
>How are the others faring ?
>You look over to see Sumireko telekinetically throwing rocks at Lunasa while Chen is firing danmaku.
>One of the rocks strikes Lunasa in the head, sending her tumbling to the ground, unconscious.
>Rengeteki un-phases the violin which clatters to the ground, she seems to be panting.
>_
-
>Make a gap under Lunasa that takes her to the Netherworld entrance, make it lead to as close to the ground as possible so that she doesn't get hurt.
>Once done close the gap and turn our attention to Layla and the last slave, then fire some pot-shots too if we can.
-
>Make a gap under Lunasa that takes her to the Netherworld entrance, make it lead to as close to the ground as possible so that she doesn't get hurt.
>You do so, and send Lunasa to Hakugyokurou. Her violin is still here, however.
>Once done close the gap and turn our attention to Layla and the last slave, then fire some pot-shots too if we can.
>You turn your attention back to Layla.
>The long-trailed projectile slowly slides over the laser strings, generating a spread of note danmaku heading in your direction when it makes contact with one. Each a different color depending on the string struck.
>The last Prismriver is floating idly, seemingly returning to guarding the cave entrance.
>_
-
>Gap that long-trailed projectile far away from us, to the sky of the Forest of Magic.
>Fire some pot-shots at her and prepare to dodge the danmaku coming up.
-
>Gap that long-trailed projectile far away from us, to the sky of the Forest of Magic.
>You open a gap in the trailed projectile's trajectory, only for it to slow down and reverse direction as if to drag itself across the laser strings a second time.
>Fire some pot-shots at her and prepare to dodge the danmaku coming up.
>You fire some shots at Layla, before weaving through the relatively easy to dodge danmaku wave.
>Sanae pulls out a spellcard of her own, "Esoterica ~ 'Gray Thaumaturgy' !"
>The spellcard glows and vanishes, cancelling out any projectiles close to Sanae.
>A star shaped pattern of bullets forms around Sanae, a smaller star pattern soon forms inside of it.
>_
-
>Close the gap and study the projectile's pattern, then once we get an idea of when it will do it's turn to make more note danmaku, make another one of that gap on it's predicted trajectory.
>If we succeed, close the gap and fire more pot-shots at Layla.
>Beckon those three to near us.
-
>Close the gap and study the projectile's pattern, then once we get an idea of when it will do it's turn to make more note danmaku, make another one of that gap on it's predicted trajectory.
>If we succeed, close the gap and fire more pot-shots at Layla.
>You close the gap and study the projectile.
>It drags itself across the strings again, playing another note and sending four more spreads of danmaku at you. Before the projectile disappears.
>The stars around Sanae split and spread out around her, forming two rings of five stars each. Sanae then sends the group a bit towards Layala and the stars start to spin, throwing their danmaku components out in beautiful spirals.
>The lasers fade, and the cello re-orients itself towards Sanae, before beginning to fire another set of lasers.
>Beckon those three to near us.
>You beckon the others closer to you. However, Rengeteki remains where she is.
>"Want us to take out the other one?" Sumireko asks.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Hold on, i gotta check up on Rengeteki, if any of you have a chance, try to go inside the cave."
>After this fly to near Rengeteki.
>"Rengeteki ! I'm so sorry i had to do that..."
-
>And, of course, check her for injuries.
-
>Nod.
>"Hold on, i gotta check up on Rengeteki, if any of you have a chance, try to go inside the cave."
>"Got it." Sumireko nods.
>After this fly to near Rengeteki.
>"Rengeteki ! I'm so sorry i had to do that..."
>You fly away from the battle and towards Rengeteki.
>"I-It's fine."
>And, of course, check her for injuries.
>She doesn't appear to have any notable injuries, aside from those already there.
>_
-
>"At least you didn't take the hit, please take a breath, you seem exhausted."
>Touch our wound, does it hurt bad ?
-
>"At least you didn't take the hit, please take a breath, you seem exhausted."
>"Y-Yeah... Phasing that v-violin so long t-took a lot out of me...."
>Touch our wound, does it hurt bad ?
>You touch the scorch mark, it stings a bit, but it's not bad.
>You hear the sound of a spellcard breaking.
>_
-
>Turn to the battle !
-
>Turn to the battle !
>You turn to see that Layla's card has broken and she seems to be preparing another one.
>The remaining Prismriver has also re-entered the fray.
>_
-
>Go back there and start firing some danmaku at both of them.
>"Sanae ! Is there a limit as to how many spellcards someone can have or use ?"
-
>Go back there and start firing some danmaku at both of them.
>You fly back and fire some shots at both.
>"Sanae ! Is there a limit as to how many spellcards someone can have or use ?"
>"Well, usually people carry no more than five or six at most. It really depends on the person."
>_
-
>"Well this is her third, how are you holding up ?"
>Fire a laser at Layla's location, then 3 spread out ones at the last slave Prismriver.
-
>"Well this is her third, how are you holding up ?"
>Fire a laser at Layla's location, then 3 spread out ones at the last slave Prismriver.
>"I'm fine, I still have a few spellcards left after this one." Sanae replies.
>You fire a laser at Layla, who easily dodges, you fire a spread of three at the last Prismriver, who tries to dodge it only to run into some of Sanae's danmaku.
>Layla holds up her third card.
>"Crescendo ~ 'Brass Cacophony' "
>A spectral trombone materializes near her.
>_
-
>Fire a focused burst towards Layla, then stay alert for the spellcard.
-
>Fire a focused burst towards Layla, then stay alert for the spellcard.
>You focus and fire a burst towards Layla.
>The trombone fires stream of notes, all spread out, as Layla weaves through your burst.
>You notice the note shots are growing bigger as they fly, if they keep growing at this rate, then by the time they reach you and Sanae, there will be no way to weave between them.
>Sumireko and Chen have begun to engage the last Prismriver.
>_
-
>Gap several notes back at Layla (but make sure to put a distance between the exit gap and her to prevent an "accident" like last time).
>Once notes have passed through, close the gaps.
Since notes are big and growing, they going to hinder Layla's dodging. Lets hope Sanae will use the opportunity.
-
>Gap several notes back at Layla (but make sure to put a distance between the exit gap and her to prevent an "accident" like last time).
>Once notes have passed through, close the gaps.
>You gap a few notes behind Layla, leaving a larger distance between her and the exit gap than last time
>After you close the gap you notice the notes are slowing down the bigger they get.
>The rest of the notes reach you, but miss because of the gaping hole you left from the gaping, they seem to stop in place a few meters behind you.
>The notes behind Layla stop just before reaching her.
>_
-
>Create a gap from the end of the trombone leading to right behind Layla. Should be two openings behind Layla and in front of her trombone if correct.
-
>Create a gap from the end of the trombone leading to right behind Layla. Should be two openings behind Layla and in front of her trombone if correct.
>You create a small gap right in front of the trombone, so that the exit is right behind Layla.
>The notes start traveling in the opposite direction, shrinking and speeding up as they move, while the trombone fires another volley at the same time.... right into Layla's back.
>The spellcard breaks almost instantly, and the danmaku disappears
>Sanae's breaks as well, but the effect is less intense.
>_
-
//Alright guys I did a thing :derp: Good Luck
-
> Close gaps that were used for last attack (if they are still open).
> Watch for any actions from Layla.
> Take a glance at Chen and Sumitenshi. How they are faring against last Prismriver?
-
> Close gaps that were used for last attack (if they are still open).
> Watch for any actions from Layla.
>You close the gaps as Layla pulls out another spellcard.
>"Allegro ~ 'Blissful Woodwind Recital' "
>Layla pulls out a physical flute from her sleeve, and holds it to her mouth.
> Take a glance at Chen and Sumitenshi. How they are faring against last Prismriver?
>You glance at your companions.
>They seem to be gaining the upper hand.
>_
-
>Fire a spread towards the last enslaved Prismriver, then return our attention to Layla.
>"Another one... i wish i had a spellcard now..."
-
>Fire a spread towards the last enslaved Prismriver, then return our attention to Layla.
>You fire a spread at the last Prismriver
>Several parallel lines of note danmaku materialize in the space behind Layla and float towards the two of you, they seem way too easy to dodge...
>"Another one... i wish i had a spellcard now..."
>"Maybe once this incident is done, I can teach you how to make one." says Sanae as she cautiously eyes the approaching projectiles.
>_
-
>Eye the danmaku while firing some lasers at Layla.
-
>Eye the danmaku while firing some lasers at Layla.
>You fire some lasers at Layla, who dodges to the side. She begins to play a beautiful melody on the flute.
>The danmaku starts swaying back and forth as it flies, as if it were dancing.
>Layla herself begins firing danmaku in a spiral pattern around her, the velocity of each group of projectiles seems to be proportional to the pitch of the notes played on the flute.
>_
-
>Fire a spread in a converging arc towards Layla, then study the music's rythm to get an understanding of the pattern.
-
>Fire a spread in a converging arc towards Layla, then study the music's rythm to get an understanding of the pattern.
>You attempt to fire a converging spread, but, not knowing how to do so, you end up firing a normal spread instead.
>Sanae fires a few spreads of her own as well, a few of your combined shots seem to hit Layla.
>The speed of the swaying of the projectile lines seems to be proportional to the tempo of the music, while the velocity of each new spiral shot seems to depend on the pitch of the notes.
>The first shots from the spiral are about to reach you, the first shots of the lines are not far behind.
>_
-
>Paying attention to the danmaku, pick the area with the slowest projectiles overall to make dodging the attack easier, keep in mind the music however.
-
>Paying attention to the danmaku, pick the area with the slowest projectiles overall to make dodging the attack easier, keep in mind the music however.
>Keeping wary of the music, you fly to the patch of danmaku with the lowest density and dodge the oncoming wave.
>The music suddenly stops, and all the notes seem to hang in place.
>_
-
>Stop too and fire our own spread at Layla, focusing more to her sides.
-
>Stop too and fire our own spread at Layla, focusing more to her sides.
>You fire at Layla again, who, being focused more on flute playing, takes a few hits.
>She suddenly strikes a chord on the flute, and a massive portion of the note projectiles turn red and start flying at the same target.
>Curiously, it doesn't seem to be either one of you that they're flying towards. But rather, somewhere on the ground behind you.
>The song continues as normal.
>_
-
>Quicly leave that spot and beware of the place in the ground the danmaku hits.
>Continue dodging the danmaku on rythm.
-
>Quicly leave that spot and beware of the place in the ground the danmaku hits.
>You leave the spot you were in and note the spot on the ground it seems to be heading for.
>You notice Rengeteki standing there. Watching the others deal with the other Prismriver, unaware of the approaching danmaku.
>_
-
>"No !"
>Make a gap between her and the danmaku, then have the gap aim the danmaku at the last Prismriver in an ambush style.
-
>"No !"
>Make a gap between her and the danmaku, then have the gap aim the danmaku at the last Prismriver in an ambush style.
>You create a gap near Rengeteki, causing her to jump. Almost all of the danmaku is sent behind the other Prismriver, hitting her. Stunning her long enough for Chen to tackle her.
>You feel something hot strike you in the back.
>_
-
>"Gyah !"
>Retreat away from the feeling and turn around to see what hit us, beware more danmaku.
-
>"Gyah !"
>Retreat away from the feeling and turn around to see what hit us, beware more danmaku.
>You retreat and turn around as the rest of the danmaku spiral races past you.
>You notice a new set of swaying danmaku is approaching, as well as the next arm of the spiral.
>Sanae is weaving through the shots, trying to get closer to Layla.
>_
-
>Provide suppressing fire to her by making Layla busier, send another semi-spreaded burst towards Layla.
>Keep moving on the rythm of the music, and assess our wound.
-
>Provide suppressing fire to her by making Layla busier, send another semi-spreaded burst towards Layla.
>You do so, attempting to distract Layla.
>Keep moving on the rythm of the music, and assess our wound.
>The wound is on your back, and you cannot see it.
>It's about the same amount of pain from the laser wound from what you feel.
>_
-
>We can keep going then, analyze the incoming wave to find the point with the most space to dodge, while firing some lasers towards Layla.
>How is Chen and Sumitenshi doing ?
-
>We can keep going then, analyze the incoming wave to find the point with the most space to dodge, while firing some lasers towards Layla.
>You find an opening to weave through and continue firing.
>Sanae gets very close to Layla, pulling out a spellcard as she does so.
>How is Chen and Sumitenshi doing ?
>They seem to have the other Prismriver subdued, but have not knocked her out yet.
>"M-Maribel! Look!" you hear Rengeteki call out.
>_
-
>"H-Huh ?"
>Look to where she is pointing at !
-
>"H-Huh ?"
>Look to where she is pointing at !
>You look to Rengeteki to notice she's pointing to the cave. You look over yourself.
>You see Renko running out of it.
>"W-What!? How did she-" You hear Layla exclaim.
>"FROG SIGN ~ 'WILY TOAD'! " Sanae yells.
>_
-
>"Renko !"
>Make a gap in front of her path leading to Rengeteki and head to their encounter.
>"Renko ! Oh thank goodness you are safe, we were so worried !"
>Shed some tears.
-
>Make a gap in front of her path leading to Rengeteki and head to their encounter.
>What do you mean by this? Do you mean mean make a gap next to Rengeteki, with one end next to you, and head through it? Or make a gap such that one end is next to Renko and the other is next to Rengeteki? Or make a gap so that one end is next to you, and the other end is between Renko and Rengeteki on Renko's current direction of travel?
>_
-
>Make it so that Renko sees it on her path, then runs towards it knowing that if Rengeteki is there and it's a gap, it means she will be safe and we will be reunited if she goes through.
-
>Make it so that Renko sees it on her path, then runs towards it knowing that if Rengeteki is there and it's a gap, it means she will be safe and we will be reunited if she goes through.
>"Renko !"
>Make a gap in front of her path leading to Rengeteki and head to their encounter.
>You create a gap in front of Renko leading to Rengeteki and fly down to them after Renko heads through.
>You hear a loud explosion behind you, as well as the sound of a spellcard breaking.
>"Renko ! Oh thank goodness you are safe, we were so worried !"
>Shed some tears.
>Renko throws her arms around you and sheds her own tears.
>"I'm glad I'm safe too, Merry."
>_
-
>Break the hug !
>"Sanae ! Renko, please stay here."
>Look back and head towards Sanae's aid.
-
>Break the hug !
>"Sanae ! Renko, please stay here."
>Look back and head towards Sanae's aid.
>You break the hug and look back to see Sanae floating in the air, unharmed.
>Layla is on the ground, picking herself up. She gives Renko a malicious look.
>"How the hell did you get out?" She frowns.
>"I... Untied her..." says a new voice, weakly, in the direction of the cave.
>_
-
>"Eh ?"
>Turn to meet the new person.
-
>"Eh ?"
>Turn to meet the new person.
>You turn to see a blonde girl in a dress-like blouse wearing a red hair ribbon leaning on the cave wall. Two cherry hair pins are in her hair.
>Her body seems to distort at random intervals, almost like a glitch on a monitor. Her face is also strained, as if she was in a state of constant agony.
>"I thought I told you to stay inside." says Layla.
>"And I thought you said that.... nobody... would miss her... and... that she had no connections to anyo-" the girl's eyes seem to fall on Rengeteki, and her expression quickly changes, as if she'd seen a ghost, "W... What is she doing here...? Layla... You told me she died..."
>"Huh? Rengeteki? Are you okay?" you hear Renko ask.
>_
-
>"She didn't, Layla sent Rengeteki away after what happened to you, and now she was hunting her down in order to kill her."
>Step closer.
>"You are Rin right ? Thank you for setting Renko free, i just... couldn't think of my life without her..."
>Look back at Rengeteki.
>"Rengeteki..."
-
>"She didn't, Layla sent Rengeteki away after what happened to you, and now she was hunting her down in order to kill her."
>She looks appalled at your words.
>"L-Layla.... Is what she saying... true...? D-Did you really try... to murder... Rengeteki?"
>Layla does not answer.
>"Layla... please answer me..."
>Step closer.
>"You are Rin right ? Thank you for setting Renko free, i just... couldn't think of my life without her..."
>"Y-Yes... I am Rin Satsuki.... And you're... welcome..."
>Look back at Rengeteki.
>"Rengeteki..."
>You look at Rengeteki, who also looks like she's seen a ghost. Tears are welling up in her eyes.
>"R-Rin... H-How are you even- Y-You were erased! Y-You can't be real.... th-this is a dream... I-It has to b-be..."
>"Rengeteki..." Rin takes a step closer, but stumbles, "I.... can assure you... I am... real... You see... When you used your... powers.... on me... I ended up... in some kind of... limbo... I felt myself... slowly fading.... And I was like that for.... I can't remember how long... Anyway... A few... days ago... some kind of odd... black wind... came out of nowhere... And... I don't know how to explain it... but... it's like it.... nudged me back here..."
>_
-
>"A black wind..."
>Glance to Sumitenshi.
>"It must have been hard, for all of you... but if you are here, then there must be a way to bring you back fully, i talked to Rengeteki about it, i promised that we would find a way to do so, without sacrificing anyone..."
-
>"A black wind..."
>Glance to Sumitenshi.
>You notice Sumireko looking at thin air, a little concerned.
>"It must have been hard, for all of you... but if you are here, then there must be a way to bring you back fully, i talked to Rengeteki about it, i promised that we would find a way to do so, without sacrificing anyone..."
>"Well... Layla and I... were working on a way... to stop my body from fading... I just need... a vessel... something to anchor my soul... to the world... We were originally going to just make one from scratch... but... we don't have enough time... my body... fades faster by the second... So... Layla thought we could just find a pre-existing vessel... that was compatible... But... if we used a living person, my personality... would overwrite the one already there... I only agreed... on the condition that whoever Layla found had no loved ones... no connections... and was willing to vanish..."
>She smiles faintly,
>"I appreciate... your willingness to help... a complete stranger... but... at my current rate of fading... I only have... about a day left... could you really find such a person... in that time...?"
>_
-
>"A vessel ?"
>Take out the Soma Arcana.
>"What defines if your vessel is compatible or not ? Why did it have to be Renko ? There's gotta be a way, i won't let the love of someone that is like a sister to me die off, i wouldn't let anyone have that fate !"
-
>"A vessel ?"
>Take out the Soma Arcana.
>You take out the book from your satchel.
>"What defines if your vessel is compatible or not ? Why did it have to be Renko ? There's gotta be a way, i won't let the love of someone that is like a sister to me die off, i wouldn't let anyone have that fate !"
>"Layla said there was a variety of factors... to consider... if the vessel was a living person... Among them were... magic potential... similar physical... age... similar body size... among other things... But for an empty vessel... like what we intended to make... before my fading sped up... only requires that it's... large enough..."
>She gives Layla a look,
>"Assuming... she wasn't lying... about all that... either..."
>"I wasn't lying about the compatibility..." Layla frowns.
>Sanae lands near your group.
>_
-
>Light up.
>"Alice ! I remember she said something about having dolls the size of a person, so she might have one just the right size !"
>Turn to Sanae.
>"That way this can all be resolved peacefully, Rin will live and there will be time enough to construct a custom body for her."
>Turn back to Rin.
>"Renko and i have been through very tense moments Rin, we have learned to never give up on our hopes, just like i said to Rengeteki, trust me, there is always a beacon of hope leading to a way out."
//Is it weird i am writing all of this for no need ?
-
>Light up.
>"Alice ! I remember she said something about having dolls the size of a person, so she might have one just the right size !"
>Turn to Sanae.
>"That way this can all be resolved peacefully, Rin will live and there will be time enough to construct a custom body for her."
>"That sounds like a great idea." Sanae smiles.
>"Do you... really think.... it'll... work?" Rin asks.
>Turn back to Rin.
>"Renko and i have been through very tense moments Rin, we have learned to never give up on our hopes, just like i said to Rengeteki, trust me, there is always a beacon of hope leading to a way out."
>"Heh... I suppose so..." Rin smiles as well as she can manage.
>_
-
>"Well make it work, one way or another, we are not giving up on you."
>Nod and turn to Layla.
>"Now before it all... please hand over that baton, it's time to get rid of it, you have done too much evil to your sisters with it, breaking that promise..."
-
>"....And also tell me where the missing women you kidnapped are!"
-
>"....And also tell me where the missing women you kidnapped are!"
>Don't ask this.
//She already said that they were set free after she found Renko, since they only needed one compatible vessel.
-
>"Well make it work, one way or another, we are not giving up on you."
>Nod and turn to Layla.
>"Now before it all... please hand over that baton, it's time to get rid of it, you have done too much evil to your sisters with it, breaking that promise..."
>"I only broke that promise because I had no other choice." Layla frowns, "Besides, once I am finished with it, and dispose of it on my own terms, it's not like they'll ever remember that I broke it, let alone remember me. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave. I no longer have a purpose here."
>Layla begins to fly away.
>"Layla, wait..." says Rin, "If... you must leave... at least tell me... why... why all the lies...?"
>Layla stops, "...Everything I've done has been for your sake, Rin. That is all..."
>"Is that really... it...? Layla... I want.... the truth..."
>Layla continues, not answering.
>"Layla!"
>_
-
>Make a gap just in front of Layla leading back here, without any time to reach.
>Once she is here: "You no longer have a purpose is that what you say ?"
>Frown.
>"I think that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard in my life, you have the person you love here needing as much help as we can and you also have your sisters whom you need to deeply apologize too, i can clearly see a purpose for you."
>Cross our arms.
>"To live with the ones you care about, and make their lifes happier, do you think any good will come from leaving after all this incident ? You won't be forgotten, but you can change how you are seen."
>Close that gap and open the one to the Netherworld.
>"Chen, do me a favor and go get the Prismrivers we freed okay dear ? They should be at the Netherworld, at least Lyrica."
>Stop Layla if she ever tries to run away.
-
>Make a gap just in front of Layla leading back here, without any time to reach.
>Once she is here: "You no longer have a purpose is that what you say ?"
>Frown.
>"I think that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard in my life, you have the person you love here needing as much help as we can and you also have your sisters whom you need to deeply apologize too, i can clearly see a purpose for you."
>Cross our arms.
>You gap Layla back.
>"And it looks like she's found help." Layla frowns, "As for my creations, I already said they will be none the wiser."
>"To live with the ones you care about, and make their lifes happier, do you think any good will come from leaving after all this incident ? You won't be forgotten, but you can change how you are seen."
>Close that gap and open the one to the Netherworld.
>"Chen, do me a favor and go get the Prismrivers we freed okay dear ? They should be at the Netherworld, at least Lyrica."
>Stop Layla if she ever tries to run away.
>You create a gap to the Netherworld.
>"Got it." Chen nods, before heading through.
>_
-
>"And what will you do otherwise ? Rot away alone hoping to be forgotten ? They said you were dead, how can you still be here ?"
-
>"And what will you do otherwise ? Rot away alone hoping to be forgotten ? They said you were dead, how can you still be here ?"
>"I am dead." Layla replies, rather matter-of-factly, "I'm a ghost."
>Chen emerges from the gap, with Lunasa and Lyrica in tow.
>"So... It really is her..." Lunasa remarks.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"You are awake again, sorry for being harsh like that to you."
-
>"Why did you do this for her sake? What was it for if you're just going to leave her and never return?"
-
>Nod.
>"You are awake again, sorry for being harsh like that to you."
>"It's fine." says Lunasa.
>"Why did you do this for her sake? What was it for if you're just going to leave her and never return?"
>"Because I want her to live. She doesn't deserve what that scum did to her because she couldn't have her! I retrieved this baton from where I buried it because I knew we wouldn't have much time to find a compatible vessel and needed more hands. It was a necessary evil. And, for the record, I never intended to leave. But..." Layla eyes Rengeteki with contempt, "Seeing as how she now knows that piece of filth is still alive, I-"
>"Layla. Stop... just... stop!" Rin exclaims, "Stop blaming Rengeteki... for all of this... she did nothing wrong." she sighs, "If you really must... blame someone... blame me.... The two of you probably would've... never become enemies... had I not entered your lives..."
>"Rin, don't say that..."
>_
-
>Look at them and shed some tears.
>"You three... just stop... it was none of your fault, none of you would have predicted the rockslide, the only idea you had at the moment was using Rengeteki's abilities."
>Sigh.
>"Why does someone have to take the blame ? Does that even matter ?! When you kidnapped Renko from us, we were in this exact same position, but then we realized that throwing the blame on someone for something none of us could have stopped was just plain stupid ! Rin herself said she wanted to try using Rengeteki's abilities, and Rengeteki was reluctant herself..."
-
>Look at them and shed some tears.
>"You three... just stop... it was none of your fault, none of you would have predicted the rockslide, the only idea you had at the moment was using Rengeteki's abilities."
>Sigh.
>"Why does someone have to take the blame ? Does that even matter ?! When you kidnapped Renko from us, we were in this exact same position, but then we realized that throwing the blame on someone for something none of us could have stopped was just plain stupid ! Rin herself said she wanted to try using Rengeteki's abilities, and Rengeteki was reluctant herself..."
>"...Maybe she's right..." says Rin, "...What's done is done... let's just... move forward... But still, Layla... I just want to know... why... why did you lie about Rengeteki? I just can't see... how that would be for my sake..."
>Layla looks away.
>_
-
>Wait for Layla's response.
-
>Wait for Layla's response.
>"...Layla..." Rin frowns.
>"...I did it," says Layla "because I knew that if you knew she was still around, you'd choose her over me."
>"What...?"
>"W-What?" Rengeteki seems just as surprised at those words.
>_
-
>"B-But how can you say that ? You never heard it straight from Rin... she could have chosen both of you."
-
>Let's wait to see if they'll resolve this on their own?
-
>"B-But how can you say that ? You never heard it straight from Rin... she could have chosen both of you."
>Let's wait to see if they'll resolve this on their own?
>You were going to say something, but decided that you'd rather watch things play out.
>"I saw the way you look at her, Rin... I knew, even back then, that in the end you'd choose her. I guess I never wanted to believe it..."
>"S-So... you told me Rengeteki was dead... s-so I had no choice but to choose you...?" Rin frowns, "That's so... s-selfish..."
>"Of course it was. But I guess it's nothing new, considering I'm the most selfish person I know."
>_
-
>Look sad.
-
>Look sad.
>You can't help but frown.
>"Layla... you really shouldn't... say things like that about yourself..."
>"But it's true, Rin. Look at me, I created poltergeists with the form and personalities of my older sisters to replace them just because I was too scared to leave my home and the memories it held behind like they did. Can anything be more selfish than that? Not to mention that I lied about Rengeteki just so I could have you all to myself, and then I tried to murder her, using those very same poltergeists to further my goals against their will, to prevent you from ever running into her and exposing the lie."
>"...I see..."
>Lunasa frowns at those last words. Meanwhile, Lyrica seems to be trying to get the attention of the third Prismriver.
>_
-
>"...people can change you know ?"
>Take a step forward.
>"It all depends upon you, do you want to change for the better and live a happy life ?"
-
>"...people can change you know ?"
>Take a step forward.
>"It all depends upon you, do you want to change for the better and live a happy life ?"
>"Perhaps, though I've already lived a happy life.... And It's really too late to change now..."
>"How can you... be so... sure... about that.... Layla?" Rin asks.
>_
-
>"It's never too late to do anything, besides you are a ghost, time isn't your issue."
-
>"It's never too late to do anything, besides you are a ghost, time isn't your issue."
>"Perhaps... Though, I doubt my actions would be considered forgivable..."
>_
-
>"They might, they might not, but every action can be corrected for the better."
>Nod.
>"Do it for Rin and Rengeteki, don't you want to live those times of joy again ? Where you were all happy together ?"
-
>"They might, they might not, but every action can be corrected for the better."
>Nod.
>"Do it for Rin and Rengeteki, don't you want to live those times of joy again ? Where you were all happy together ?"
>"Those times are long gone... And they will never come back. Even if they did, it will never be the same..."
>_
-
>"And you will not even try ? Even if it would make all of you happier ?"
>Frown.
>"I thought a lot of things in life were impossible, yet we had them happen to us, we have two souls inhabiting a single merged body..."
>Point to Sumitenshi.
>"...we have me, someone with the same abilities as one of the most influential youkai around here..."
>Pet Chen's head.
>"Both Sumireko and Matenshi, along with Renko were all taken away by someone in order to be turned into a mindless vessel for someone... can you believe all of this happened in less than a week ?"
-
//We seriously don't need to be (9)ing it up about being like one of the strongest Youkai...
-
>"And you will not even try ? Even if it would make all of you happier ?"
>Frown.
>"I thought a lot of things in life were impossible, yet we had them happen to us, we have two souls inhabiting a single merged body..."
>Point to Sumitenshi.
>"...we have me, someone with the same abilities as one of the most influential youkai around here..."
>Pet Chen's head.
>"Both Sumireko and Matenshi, along with Renko were all taken away by someone in order to be turned into a mindless vessel for someone... can you believe all of this happened in less than a week ?"
>"I see what you're getting at." says Layla, "But... Again, things wouldn't be the same. A friendship between all three of us is irreparable. Someone has got to go, and I seem to be the most likely candidate right now."
>"...Layla... " Rin frowns.
>"Look... I lied to you, and I injured and later tried to kill Rengeteki, the one you truly love. If that's not enough of a reason why I shouldn't be your friend anymore, or Rengeteki's for that matter, then I don't know what is..."
>_
-
>"But you were still doing this for her, right? Don't you still want things to be better, even if it seems like they can't?"
-
>"There is always hope, even when things look the direst, give up now, and you will be being selfish again, since you will be taking the easy way out, and not the best way out."
-
>"But you were still doing this for her, right? Don't you still want things to be better, even if it seems like they can't?"
>"I do, but..." Layla looks at Rin, "My idea of 'better' is pretty much impossible to achieve now..."
>"There is always hope, even when things look the direst, give up now, and you will be being selfish again, since you will be taking the easy way out, and not the best way out."
>"Yeah, you stick to your silly ideals, and I'll stick to mine... heh... hope... for my goal... how amusing..." Layla turns around, "Now, can you please let me go? I have a baton to re-bury..."
-
>"No, that baton can't be allowed to exist anymore, sure you will never use it again, but what if someone else finds it ? There is no reason for it to continue existing after all now."
-
>"No, that baton can't be allowed to exist anymore, sure you will never use it again, but what if someone else finds it ? There is no reason for it to continue existing after all now."
>"They won't find it. Only I know where I bury it. Besides, the first time I buried it, it remained untouched until yesterday, when I personally unearthed it."
>_
-
>"Then why not just destroy it ? Surely there is no need to keep it around, it will only cause more trouble."
-
>"Then why not just destroy it ? Surely there is no need to keep it around, it will only cause more trouble."
>Layla doesn't answer.
>"Please, can I just go now?"
>"Layla... Why do you even need the Baton?" Lunasa asks.
>"Yeah, don't you us...?" says Lyrica.
>"I-It's not like that..." Layla frowns, "Don't worry... This is all going to feel like just a bad dream in a little bit... And you won't have to worry about the Baton any more..."
>"What do you mean by that?" Lunasa raises an eyebrow.
>_
-
>"Enough Layla, they have the right to know, and they have the right to get rid of the baton for good, you owe this to them."
-
//I've got a bad feeling about the baton and what's going on so far, but not enough mind to do something about it.
-
>"Enough Layla, they have the right to know, and they have the right to get rid of the baton for good, you owe this to them."
>"...Let's just say the baton holds sentimental value to me and leave it at that." Layla replies, "Now, are you going to let me go?"
>_
-
>"Well your sisters are begging you to get rid of it for good, or at least disenchant it or something, is that supposed sentimental value more important than your own family ?"
-
>"Well your sisters are begging you to get rid of it for good, or at least disenchant it or something, is that supposed sentimental value more important than your own family ?"
>"...Can we not talk about this with them around?"
>Lunasa and Lyrica frown.
>_
-
>"They deserved to know Layla, they are your family, can't you listen to their wish even after what you did to them ?"
>Frown too.
-
>"They deserved to know Layla, they are your family, can't you listen to their wish even after what you did to them ?"
>Frown too.
>"Please..." Layla frowns.
>_
-
>Sigh and turn to the sisters.
>"Are you three okay with this ?"
-
>Sigh and turn to the sisters.
>"Are you three okay with this ?"
>You turn to the Prismrivers.
>"No. I'm not okay with this..." says Lunasa, "I don't like being left out of the loop like this..."
>"Me neither." Lyrica adds.
>You don't see the other Prismriver with them.
>"Well, I guess that settles things." says Layla, "Now, please, let me go. I won't ask you again..."
>_
-
>"Do you want to let her stay with the baton ? The only other way i can see the baton continuing to exist safely would be if you three stored it somewhere safe instead of her."
-
>"Do you want to let her stay with the baton ? The only other way i can see the baton continuing to exist safely would be if you three stored it somewhere safe instead of her."
>"I'm not sure..." says Lunasa, "I mean, back when she kept her promise, we were fine with letting her keep it- Huh? Merlin, what are you-"
>You feel something really hard club you in the back of the head.
>...
>_
-
>Wake up ! We have no time to waste !
-
>Wake up ! We have no time to waste !
>...
>You open your eyes, to find yourself standing in a forest clearing at night. Staring down at the battered body of a girl, who looks you in the eyes as if begging for mercy. A broken gohei lies on the ground nearby.
>This feels so real... Yet you feel that it isn't... The scary part is that you have an odd feeling that this already happened...
>You speak in a voice that isn't yours.
>"Heh... Heheh... EHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! A barrier around Gensokyo, to 'preserve youkai', bound to a human bloodline?"
>The voice sounds exactly like YuugenMagan.
> "Now, when that senile old sage suggested that idea, I thought it was ridiculous already, but to have chosen such an utterly weak bloodline? Now that's just insulting..."
>You deliver a swift kick to the girl's side.
>_
-
>Resist ! Try to stop moving.
-
>Resist ! Try to stop moving.
>You try to resist, but you don't seem to be able to do anything.
>"Hmm.... I wonder if your clothes would look good on me, because your family obviously isn't worthy of that shrine maiden's outfit."
>You can only watch as five orbs chained to your waist detach and float around her, before morphing into five terrible eyes.
>The girl is engulfed in a blast of light before everything fades to black.
>...
>"...Merry? Merry!? Merry, wake up!" You hear Renko's voice.
>You feel something shaking your side.
>_
-
>"Eagh !"
>Jump awake and take a breath.
-
>"Eagh !"
>Jump awake and take a breath.
>You jump awake. Renko is right next to you, as are Rengeteki, Chen, and Sumireko.
>You are at the cave still. You notice all three Prismrivers on the ground, seemingly asleep, with Layla nowhere to be found. Rin is leaning against the cliff side, staring off into the sky.
>"Merry, are you okay?" Renko asks.
>_
-
>"I-I had another nightmare... but... it looked so real, not like a nightmare, more like a vision of the past..."
>Hug Renko.
>"It was her, it was Yuugen, but before she lost her body... and there was an shrine maiden there too..."
-
>"I-I had another nightmare... but... it looked so real, not like a nightmare, more like a vision of the past..."
>Hug Renko.
>"It was her, it was Yuugen, but before she lost her body... and there was an shrine maiden there too..."
>You hug Renko.
>"A vision of the past...?" she asks.
>You notice a battered Sanae flying towards your position from the distance.
>_
-
>"O-Oh god. It felt like I was the one doing it, a-and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Why is this happening? I-I want this to stop..."
>Hug Renko more.
-
>Make a gap right in front of Sanae leading towards us, to shorten her trip.
>Once she is here: "So she escaped with the baton ?"
-
>"O-Oh god. It felt like I was the one doing it, a-and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Why is this happening? I-I want this to stop..."
>Hug Renko more.
>"I-I don't know... Maybe we should look into this if you keep having nightmares like that..."
>Make a gap right in front of Sanae leading towards us, to shorten her trip.
>You do so. And Sanae flies through. Her clothes are torn and her body is covered in Danmaku injuries.
>Once she is here: "So she escaped with the baton ?"
>She nods sadly.
>"She used a Last Word on me as she was escaping. It caught me completely off-guard..." she looks at the sleeping Prismrivers, "I wonder how we're going to explain things to them when they wake up..."
>_
-
>Gawk at Sanae's clothing damage.
-
>"She controlled them again ?"
>Frown and sigh.
>"This has to end, emotional value or not, it's a tool of slaving."
-
>Gawk at Sanae's clothing damage.
>You just can't take your eyes off of it...
>"She controlled them again ?"
>Frown and sigh.
>"This has to end, emotional value or not, it's a tool of slaving."
>"Sort of..." Sanae frowns, "She brought them under her control and then gave them what she said would be her final command..."
>_
-
>"Which was to forget about everything ?"
-
>"Which was to forget about everything ?"
>Sanae nods and frowns.
>"She said 'Forget that me and the baton ever existed.' and then she commanded them to sleep and presumably released control over them as she was flying away..."
>_
-
>"Guess all we can do is trust her word again... either way we could probably make them remember her again like how it happened to Lyrica, but for now let's let them relax."
-
//If we really wanted to, we could probably have Renko locate her. If no plot clouds got in the way at night, of course.
-
//We have bigger issues than that, besides if she really meant any harm she would have taken them with her.
-
>"Guess all we can do is trust her word again... either way we could probably make them remember her again like how it happened to Lyrica, but for now let's let them relax."
>"Yeah... We have other things to worry about, like finding all the humans that were kidnapped... And we should probably take Rin to Alice too."
>_
-
>Nod and head to Rin.
>"Rin... i'm sorry for everything that happened... cmon, we should get going in order to save you."
>Lead her back to our group.
-
>Nod and head to Rin.
>"Rin... i'm sorry for everything that happened... cmon, we should get going in order to save you."
>You head over to Rin
>"...It's... fine..." she frowns, "I just... wish that could've... ended... differently..."
>Lead her back to our group.
>You start leading her back to the group. She moves quite slow, and occasionally stumbles when she takes a step.
>_
-
>"So do i... why didn't she listen to us... ?"
>Help support her and take her back.
>"Heheheh... this reminds me of the first time i met Rengeteki."
-
>"So do i... why didn't she listen to us... ?"
>"She... probably has her... reasons..."
>Help support her and take her back.
>"Heheheh... this reminds me of the first time i met Rengeteki."
>You support Rin, it feels a little weird whenever she distorts. As if there's less weight for a split second.
>"Does it...? How did you two... meet... if you don't mind me... asking...?"
>_
-
>"I was at the forest looking for my satchel, when i found her holding it, she saw me and ran away scared, while i followed to explain meant no harm and that i just wanted my bag back."
>Adjust ourselves to make it easier to support Rin.
>"Then while going back to her home she tripped and sprained her ankle, i had never seen someone so frightened from just seeing a person... after a while convincing her i wanted to help, i took her back inside and laid her down on the bed, kinda like how i am doing it to you."
-
>"I was at the forest looking for my satchel, when i found her holding it, she saw me and ran away scared, while i followed to explain meant no harm and that i just wanted my bag back."
>Adjust ourselves to make it easier to support Rin.
>"Then while going back to her home she tripped and sprained her ankle, i had never seen someone so frightened from just seeing a person... after a while convincing her i wanted to help, i took her back inside and laid her down on the bed, kinda like how i am doing it to you."
>You adjust.
>"That was.... really kind of you, Miss..." Rin frowns, "Oh... I'm terribly sorry... I never caught your name..."
>_
-
>"Maribel, Maribel Hearn, a human from the outside world."
>Smile.
>"Heheheh... Rengeteki did this exact same thing too, it's such a deja vu."
-
>"Maribel, Maribel Hearn, a human from the outside world."
>Smile.
>"Heheheh... Rengeteki did this exact same thing too, it's such a deja vu."
>"Heh..." Rin smiles a bit, "Anyway.... it's nice to meet you... Maribel..."
>_
-
>"Thanks, now conserve your strength, we have to get you a temporary body while we work on making a new one for you."
>Keep heading.
-
>"Thanks, now conserve your strength, we have to get you a temporary body while we work on making a new one for you."
>Keep heading.
>"Alright..."
>You soon manage to reach your group. Rengeteki and Rin seem to have a long glance at each other.
>"R-Rin," Rengeteki looks away, "I'm-"
>"Don't be... It wasn't... your... fault... what matters now... is... that I'm... back..."
>"S-So... You don't h-hate me for what I've done...?"
>"Of course not....! Why.... would I ever hate.... someone like.... you...?"
>_
-
>Smile and give Rengeteki an "I told you." look.
>"Don't be shy, cmon, come help Rin with me, but be careful about your right arm, it's still badly wounded after all."
-
>Smile and give Rengeteki an "I told you." look.
>"Don't be shy, cmon, come help Rin with me, but be careful about your right arm, it's still badly wounded after all."
>"Huh? You're arm's.... hurt...?" Rin asks.
>Rengeteki nods slowly, "L-Layla broke it a l-long time ago... I-It never healed right..."
>"Oh... I see..." Rin frowns, before perking up a little, "Well... My erhu should be.... in the cave... somewhere... If I had it.... I might be able to do... something about your arm..."
>_
-
>"Erhu ? What is that ?"
>Look around for something around the cave.
-
>"Erhu ? What is that ?"
>Look around for something around the cave.
>"It's an... instrument... it's long... and has two strings... it's played with a bow..."
>you do a quick glance around. There doesn't seem to be an instrument with that description out here, but then again she did say that it was inside the cave.
>_
-
>"Alright, hold on while i look for it."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"I'll be back in a minute."
>Gently let go of Rin, then move inside the cave to search for it.
-
//Shouldn't we remember how this cave looks and come back later? You know, after we get Rin a stable body?
-
//It will only be a minute, besides, we already know how it looks, at least the entrance, so we can always come back anyways.
-
//I'm still cautious about at least going in alone...
-
//We could take Chen then. :3
//Besides, Renko was there right ? So it should.be okay.
-
//Let's hope nothing bad happens then. I'm just extremely on edge since every time we left Renko, something
bad terrible happened. Chen's been getting thrown aside hard every so often watching after us as well.
-
//Then we take Renko along.
-
>"Alright, hold on while i look for it."
>Turn to Sanae.
>"I'll be back in a minute."
>"Alright." says Sanae
>Gently let go of Rin, then move inside the cave to search for it.
>You let go of Rin and then head inside the cave.
>The cavern isn't that deep, and you soon reach the end, where the aftermath of a cave-in prevents you from proceeding further. The area is open, and a large magic circle has been drawn on the ground, some rope is lying in the center of it.
>Off in a corner seems to be a failed attempt to make a body for Rin, crumpled in a heap. You notice a red instrument, battered, but intact, nearby.
>_
-
>Carefully proceed to grab it, being careful to not trip on anything unpleasant, then head back out.
-
>Carefully proceed to grab it, being careful to not trip on anything unpleasant, then head back out.
>You grab the instrument, noting that the bow is actually between both of the strings, and carefully bring it back out.
>You see Rengeteki and Rin in the middle of an embrace.
>_
-
>Smile.
>"Hey Rin."
>Approach her and deliver the instrument to it's rightful owner.
>"Is this it ?"
-
>Smile.
>"Hey Rin."
>Approach her and deliver the instrument to it's rightful owner.
>"Is this it ?"
>You approach Rin.
>"Yes... that's it." she smiles, taking the erhu from you, before weakly grabbing the bow, "Hold out your arm... Renge..."
>Rengeteki does so.
>Rin begins to play the erhu, it sounds beautiful, and a glow starts appearing around Rengeteki's arm, before suddenly Rin distorts and she drops the instrument, stumbling.
>"Aaah.... D... Dammit..." Rin frowns.
>_
-
>"Rin !"
>Help her out.
>"You are still weak and unstable, please conserve your strength for until we transfer you to a temporary body."
>Make a gap leading to Alice's home.
-
>"Rin !"
>Help her out.
>"You are still weak and unstable, please conserve your strength for until we transfer you to a temporary body."
>You support Rin
>"Alright...." she looks at Rengeteki sadly, "I'm sorry... I couldn't-"
>"D-Don't worry. Y-You can fix me when we get you s-safe." Rengeteki smiles, picking up the erhu.
>Make a gap leading to Alice's home.
>You create a gap to Alice's house.
>"I'm going to stay behind." says Sanae, "I need to look for the other humans, as well as get them home..." she gestures to the Prismrivers.
>_
-
>"We should tell them at least some parts about this incident, they wanted to keep knowing about it and we should respect that, Layla has no right to erase their memory like that."
-
>"We should tell them at least some parts about this incident, they wanted to keep knowing about it and we should respect that, Layla has no right to erase their memory like that."
>"Yeah..." Sanae agrees.
>_
-
>"Okay, here."
>Make another gap leading to the Prismriver Mansion's foyer.
>"This should help you take them there, it would take too long and too much effort to carry them all in a flight, not to mention we both aren't the most athletic people around."
-
>"Okay, here."
>Make another gap leading to the Prismriver Mansion's foyer.
>"This should help you take them there, it would take too long and too much effort to carry them all in a flight, not to mention we both aren't the most athletic people around."
>You create another gap, leading to the Prismrivers' Mansion.
>Sanae chuckles a bit at those last words, "Thanks."
>_
-
>Smile and nod.
>"It's what friends do."
>Wave, beckon our group and then step inside the gap to Alice's home with our group, helping Rin if she needs it.
-
>Smile and nod.
>"It's what friends do."
>Wave, beckon our group and then step inside the gap to Alice's home with our group, helping Rin if she needs it.
>You wave to Sanae, who waves back, then you escort your group into the gap.
>You are all outside of Alice's house, or rather, Marisa's, since they both live there.
>_
-
>"Okay."
>Head to the door and knock on it.
-
>"Okay."
>Head to the door and knock on it.
>You knock on the door.
>A few moments later, the door opens to reveal Alice. Shanghai is floating behind her.
>"Oh, hello again!" Alice smiles, "Did that book help at all?"
>_
-
>"Not quite, we haven't tested it yet, but wr have a bigger worry to deal with."
>Look slightly concerned.
>"You said that you had life-sized dolls, just like a real person correct ?" Because we are in a desperate need of one."
-
>"Not quite, we haven't tested it yet, but wr have a bigger worry to deal with."
>Look slightly concerned.
>"You said that you had life-sized dolls, just like a real person correct ?" Because we are in a desperate need of one."
>"Yes... Erm... What do you need one for?" Alice raises an eyebrow.
>_
-
>Take a breath.
>"It's a long story, but basically, we found a person whose body can't maintain itself anymore in this world, and will soon vanish if we don't do anything."
>Call our group closer and point towards Rin.
>"There she is."
-
>Take a breath.
>"It's a long story, but basically, we found a person whose body can't maintain itself anymore in this world, and will soon vanish if we don't do anything."
>Call our group closer and point towards Rin.
>"There she is."
>"So, what does a doll have to do with this?" Alice asks as she examines Rin.
>"I need.... a compatible vessel... to anchor me... to the world..." Rin explains.
>"I see... Well, let's head to my old house, hopefully one of the dolls there should work."
>_
-
>"I see, mind describing how it looks ? I need to form an image of the place we have to go in order to make a gap there, since three people of our group can't fly for many reasons."
-
>"I see, mind describing how it looks ? I need to form an image of the place we have to go in order to make a gap there, since three people of our group can't fly for many reasons."
>"I don't think that would be necessary, considering it's just a short walk away." says Alice.
>_
-
>"Oh, how convenient."
>Smile.
>"You don't mind guiding us right ? The sooner the better."
>Have our group follow that dollmaker !
-
>"Oh, how convenient."
>Smile.
>"You don't mind guiding us right ? The sooner the better."
>Have our group follow that dollmaker !
>"No, not at all." says Alice as she steps outside.
>You follow Alice down a small road. Soon, another house comes into view. This one looks larger and more well-maintained than Marisa's at least on the outside.
>_
-
>"That's a nice house Alice, if only Marisa could be a bit more tidy and organized like you."
>Shrug and keep following.
-
>"That's a nice house Alice, if only Marisa could be a bit more tidy and organized like you."
>Shrug and keep following.
>"Thank you." Alice replies, "But it probably won't be neat like that for long once we move into it. Even after organizing Marisa's junk."
>Alice leads your group behind the house, to the entrance of a cellar.
>"All my large dolls are down here." she explains as she opens the door.
>_
-
>Turn around to our group.
>"Let's go, watch your step everyone."
>Head down with Renko by our side.
-
>Turn around to our group.
>"Let's go, watch your step everyone."
>Head down with Renko by our side.
>You let Renko get next to you and she holds your hand as your group descends, following Alice.
>"I-It won't be long now." you hear Rengeteki say.
>When you reach the bottom of the staircase, you are treated to the sight of a truly gigantic doll slumped on over on the floor against the wall. It would easily be taller than Alice's house in height, if it were standing up.
>Several human-sized dolls are standing in neat rows in the rest of the cellar.
>_
-
>How do they look ?
>"So many of them... and they're all hand-made ? That is a lot of effort and talent."
>Turn to Rin.
>"So how do we do the soul transfer ? I saw the big magic circle in the cave, will we have to go back then ?"
-
>How do they look ?
>Most of them look pretty generic, being mostly identical, however, there are a couple that look like blank slates of some sort.
>You also notice that one of them looks exactly like Marisa, and is wearing an identical outfit.
>You also notice one, isolated from the others, that looks exactly like Alice, and seems to be lying on a bed, rather than standing like the rest of the dolls.
>"So many of them... and they're all hand-made ? That is a lot of effort and talent."
>"Thank you." says Alice, accepting your compliment.
>Turn to Rin.
>"So how do we do the soul transfer ? I saw the big magic circle in the cave, will we have to go back then ?"
>"I think... it'll be as simple... as fusing my soul... to a doll... And maybe... I'm not sure... if the circle is necessary."
>_
//Note my laptop is about to die, so my next parsing will be delayed depending on how much there is to parse.
-
>"Then we should hurry, Alice, could you help us prepare ?"
-
>"Then we should hurry, Alice, could you help us prepare ?"
>"Sure." Alice replies.
>_
-
>"Thanks."
>Look again at the Alice doll, can we see any more details ?
>"Huh..."
-
>Make a mental note to ask Alice about the Marisa dolls.
-
>"Thanks."
>"No problem."
>Look again at the Alice doll, can we see any more details ?
>"Huh..."
>From this distance, no. But it appears to be exactly the same size and appearance as Alice herself.
>"Hmm? What is it, Merry?" Renko asks, "See something interesting?"
>Make a mental note to ask Alice about the Marisa dolls.
>You do so.
>_
-
>"Ehh ? No, not really, i was wondering why that doll is on a bed unlike the others..."
>Turn back around.
>"So which one do we take ?"
-
>"Ehh ? No, not really, i was wondering why that doll is on a bed unlike the others..."
>"Oh, that one?" Alice asks, "That's just one of my experiments, the bed is so that I'll have a nice place to wake up on in the event I ever have to use that doll."
>Turn back around.
>"So which one do we take ?"
>"Whichever one you need, aside from the one on the bed."
>"One... of similar... size and proportions... to me... should do..." says Rin.
>_
-
>Search for a doll that matches Rin's size.
>"Experiment ? Like use that body for something that would otherwise be potentially life-threatening ?"
-
>Search for a doll that matches Rin's size.
>You begin searching the dolls.
>"Experiment ? Like use that body for something that would otherwise be potentially life-threatening ?"
>"No, not really." says Alice, "It's purpose is essentially to be my backup in case something bad ever happens to me. Though, the enchantment I'm using to transfer my conscious over to it is experimental, and I can't really test it out either, due to how it's supposed to work..."
>_
-
>"So you are basically seeking immortality ? Defying the laws of nature huh...."
>Shrug.
>"Sounds both tricky and double-edged."
-
>"So you are basically seeking immortality ? Defying the laws of nature huh...."
>Shrug.
>"Sounds both tricky and double-edged."
>"Well, no... I wouldn't want to live that long... It's more of a one-time backup plan in the unlikely event I die. Though, again, I'm not even sure if the enchantment will work as intended, so it's mostly experimental."
>_
-
>"Well, if you are as careful as you are organized, i see no reason to worry so much, then again... this is a signal that you are careful."
>Anything ?
-
>"Well, if you are as careful as you are organized, i see no reason to worry so much, then again... this is a signal that you are careful."
>Anything ?
>"Hey, when you're dealing with magic, dolls, and several metric tons of gunpowder, anything could happen," Alice shrugs.
>You've found two dolls so far that might work. One of them is generic, while the other one is one of the blank slates.
>_
-
>"The one we pick won't have gunpowder in it, will it?"
-
>"Wait... why the heck are you using gunpowder on dolls ?!"
>Look a bit surprised while we grab the generic one.
>"This one should do, we can always make a specially made one for Rin later i guess."
-
>"The one we pick won't have gunpowder in it, will it?"
>"Maybe... About half of the ones in here do." Alice replies.
>"Wait... why the heck are you using gunpowder on dolls ?!"
>Look a bit surprised while we grab the generic one.
>You grab the generic one.
>"To use them as explosives, of course. However, even the ones I don't detonate have it, since they can also use the potential energy in the gunpowder to make their attacks more efficient. It's actually what made Goliath over there so effective in combat, since she contains a massive amount of it..." Alice gestures to the gigantic doll against the wall, "Unfortunately, she was prone to exploding catastrophically during testing and had to be decommissioned because using her wasn't practical..."
>"This one should do, we can always make a specially made one for Rin later i guess."
>"So... How do we know it doesn't have gunpowder in it?" Renko asks, studying the doll you chose.
>_
-
>Look to Alice.
>"Only Alice knows how, it's her work after all."
-
>Look to Alice.
>"Only Alice knows how, it's her work after all."
>"Bring it to me and I'll be able to tell." says Alice.
>_
-
>Attempt to do so.
-
>Attempt to do so.
>You drag the doll over to Alice. She closes her eyes and puts a hand on it.
>"This one does have gunpowder in it." she says after a second.
>_
-
>Sigh.
>"So what do we do now ? The only other one that matches her size is that blank one."
-
>Sigh.
>"So what do we do now ? The only other one that matches her size is that blank one."
>"It... should still... work..." says Rin, "Layla... said... only the size matters... for empty vessels..."
>_
-
>Will she even be able to talk with that body ?
-
>Will she even be able to talk with that body ?
>You're unsure. Then again, almost all of the dolls in here don't have mouths anyway...
>_
-
>Grab that one then.
-
>Grab that one then.
>You place the doll back and grab the blank one.
>_
-
>"How about this one ?"
-
>"How about this one ?"
>Alice places her hand on it, "Yep, no gunpowder here."
>_
-
>Turn to Rin.
>"We should get going then, let's head outside."
-
>Turn to Rin.
>"We should get going then, let's head outside."
>Rin nods.
>_
-
>Head outside with the doll, with the help of our group.
-
>Head outside with the doll, with the help of our group.
>You drag the doll outside, your group assisting you in dragging it up the steps
>Alice closes the cellar door once all of you are outside.
>_
-
>"Now, how do we transfer your soul to this doll ?"
-
>"Now, how do we transfer your soul to this doll ?"
>"I'm... not exactly sure..." says Rin.
>_
-
>Do we still have that burned picture ?
>Sigh and take out the Soma Arcana again.
>"Alice you said that you were studying this before, how do we start ?"
-
>Do we still have that burned picture ?
>You do.
>Sigh and take out the Soma Arcana again.
>"Alice you said that you were studying this before, how do we start ?"
>You take out the Soma Arcana.
>"Let me see it." says Alice, "I need to find the page I found the soul transfer spell on."
>_
-
> Give Soma Arcana to Alice.
> Wait until she finds the spell.
-
> Give Soma Arcana to Alice.
> Wait until she finds the spell.
>You hand Alice the book, and she soon begins flipping through the pages.
>Eventually, she stops. "I found it. Doesn't look like it needs much setup, just a soul, an empty vessel, and a magic circle, the latter of which I could set up rather quickly using my dolls."
>You notice Marisa down the road, walking towards your group.
>_
-
>"Should we clear out for the circle to be made?"
-
>"Or we could use the circle that was made on the cave."
-
>"Should we clear out for the circle to be made?"
>"We shouldn't have to." says Alice, "There's plenty of room out here."
>"Or we could use the circle that was made on the cave."
>"It depends on what kind of magic circle it is. Different variants could have different connotations in a ritual."
>"Oi! What's goin' on here ~ze?" Marisa asks as she gets closer.
>"Oh! Marisa. Good to see you're feeling better."
>"Yeah... Still not feeling 100 percent though... So what's the deal ~ze?"
>"Oh, I'm just helping them with a ritual."
>"A ritual?"
>_
-
>"We need to transfer a soul of our friend here, her body is unstable and will vanish soon, and we won't let her die."
>Examine Marisa.
>"We plan to use one of the dolls Alice had as an temporary vessel for Rin."
-
>"We need to transfer a soul of our friend here, her body is unstable and will vanish soon, and we won't let her die."
>Examine Marisa.
>"We plan to use one of the dolls Alice had as an temporary vessel for Rin."
>Marisa looks about the same as she always does, though she looks a tad bit tired.
>"Okay." says Marisa as she examines your group. "So is it gonna be a big ritual or a small one?"
>"It shouldn't be take too long," says Alice, studying the book, "You can help if you like."
>"Nah, I think I'll pass... Besides, I heard there's an incident going on ~ze. I'd rather be out and about after staying all day in bed ya know?"
>"Well, suit yourself." Alice frowns, "Just be careful out there... I don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday."
>_
-
>"Incident ? You mean the kidnappings ? Because we kinda solved that already, although we still have some things to do about it, mainly that baton...."
-
>Let's not mention the baton. No need to get them involved anymore when they should be trying to clear their mistakes.
-
>"Incident ? You mean the kidnappings ? Because we kinda solved that already, although we still have some things to do about it, mainly that baton...."
>Let's not mention the baton. No need to get them involved anymore when they should be trying to clear their mistakes.
>You omit the part about the baton.
>"Yeah, that- Wait. What!?" Marisa looks surprised, "You solved the incident?" Marisa stares at you for a bit before bursting into laughter, "Aha- Ah... That was a pretty nice joke ~ze..."
>_
-
>"Well not alone of course, i had Sanae's help, alongside Sumireko, Matenshi and Rengeteki."
-
>"Well not alone of course, i had Sanae's help, alongside Sumireko, Matenshi and Rengeteki."
>"Oh... That explains it." Marisa frowns, "Sanae solved it and you guys just watched, huh?"
>You notice a crowd of dolls assembling nearby.
>_
-
>"If only..."
>Rub our head and injuries.
>"...then everything would have been alright, but we ate way more spellcards than one would want."
-
>"You saw what I could do before, right? We sorta got into a situation where we encountered the people who started the incident. Sanae did... take most of the fight well, but the rest of us still helped a lot in our own ways."
-
>"If only..."
>Rub our head and injuries.
>"...then everything would have been alright, but we ate way more spellcards than one would want."
>"Got a little to close to the crossfire, I see." says Marisa as she notes your clothing damage and injuries as you rub them.
>"You saw what I could do before, right? We sorta got into a situation where we encountered the people who started the incident. Sanae did... take most of the fight well, but the rest of us still helped a lot in our own ways."
>"Uh-huh..."
>You notice some of the crowd of dolls forming a ring and descending to the ground.
>_
-
>"Hey it's not like we are completely defenseless you know ?"
>Frown.
>"We can put up a fight if we need, and we weren't gonna let Sanae fight outnumbered."
-
>"Hey it's not like we are completely defenseless you know ?"
>Frown.
>"We can put up a fight if we need, and we weren't gonna let Sanae fight outnumbered."
>"Yeah, who knows what would've happened if we weren't there." says Sumireko.
>"Whatever. I bet Sanae could've taken them. Though I probably would've done better."
>Alice sighs, "You don't have to participate in every incident you know..."
>_
-
>"You would have taken a lot longer to find them, by then it would have been too late..."
>Look down.
-
>"You would have taken a lot longer to find them, by then it would have been too late..."
>Look down.
>"Aaaaanyway, since the incident is solved already, would you like to stay and help with the ritual?" Alice changes the subject.
>"Nah, I think I'll hit up the library ~ze. Maybe if you're still doing it when I get back?"
>"Well, sure, but the ritual shouldn't take that long. Maybe-"
>"Oh, perfect. It's been a while since I did a speedrun!" Marisa hops on an old broom and rockets off, "Want me to grab you anything?" she shouts over her shoulder as she leaves.
>"NO, THANKS!" Alice yells back.
>"Okay ~ze!"
>"...I doubt she'll be back before we finish." Alice focuses back on the dolls.
>You notice the dolls are sticking small lances into the ground, and are now moving around in a perfect circle formation, beginning to draw the outline of the circle.
>_
-
>"Poor Miss Patchouli...."
>Sigh.
-
>"Poor Miss Patchouli...."
>Sigh.
>"Yeah..." says Alice.
>A second ring of dolls is interlaced with the first. They seem to be filling the grooves carved in the ground with some kind of white powder.
>_
-
>Look at the dolls.
>"These dolls are really cute and helpful."
>Check up on our group.
-
>Ask Alice: "Do you think Marisa would notice if books were missing from the house?"
-
>Look at the dolls.
>"These dolls are really cute and helpful."
>The dolls are working in a perfectly organized manner. Soon, they begin cutting across the circle in unison, creating an octogram. The second row of dolls follows, sprinkling the white powder into the grooves.
>"Yeah, they are pretty helpful. Though most are limited to basic, single-minded behaviors when I'm not directly controlling them."
>Check up on our group.
>You do a click glance over your group.
>Sumireko/Matenshi are leaning against the wall, watching the preparations. Rin, Renko, and Rengeteki are close to you. Rengeteki is still holding Rin's erhu.
>Chen is standing around. Before she seems to notice something at the foot of the wall.
>Ask Alice: "Do you think Marisa would notice if books were missing from the house?"
>"It honestly depends on how recently she got them and whether or not she starts looking for one in her pile." Alice replies.
>_
-
>"Huh..."
>Look at Chen and then check for what did she see.
-
>"Huh..."
>Look at Chen and then check for what did she see.
>You look over at Chen and then look at the spot on the wall she's staring at. You wonder just what she's staring- Ah, it's a mouse-hole.
>_
-
>Turn to Rin and Rengeteki.
>"How are you two faring ? Everything alright for now ?"
-
>Turn to Rin and Rengeteki.
>"How are you two faring ? Everything alright for now ?"
>"I still feel myself... growing weaker... as time goes on... but I'm still holding together..." says Rin with a weak smile.
>"I'm mostly fine." says Rengeteki, "I'll feel much better when I know Rin's safe, though...."
>She gently takes Rin's hand.
>_
-
>"We are almost there however, once this is over we can work for an even better future, there is hope for everything and everyone, even for Layla..."
>Look away.
>"...she had no right to ignore her peers' pleas and erase their memories again though..."
-
>"We are almost there however, once this is over we can work for an even better future, there is hope for everything and everyone, even for Layla..."
>Look away.
>"...she had no right to ignore her peers' pleas and erase their memories again though..."
>"Yeah..." Rin frowns.
>"We'll be ready to start soon." says Alice.
>_
-
>"Alright."
>Head to Chen.
>"How are you doing dear ?"
-
>"Alright."
>Head to Chen.
>"How are you doing dear ?"
>"I'm fine." Chen smiles, turning to you, "What about you?"
>_
-
>"If you are fine then i am fine too."
>Smile back and pet her.
>"So you are eyeing that mouse huh ? So adorable."
-
>"If you are fine then i am fine too."
>Smile back and pet her.
>"So you are eyeing that mouse huh ? So adorable."
>Chen accepts your petting. Purring a bit.
>"Uh-huh. I saw it dart in there out of the corner of my eye... Didn't get a good look at it though..."
>_
-
>"Well looks like it won't be leaving anytime soon with you around, ehehe."
>Keep petting her and turn to Renko.
>"Everything okay Renko ?"
-
>"Well looks like it won't be leaving anytime soon with you around, ehehe."
>Keep petting her and turn to Renko.
>"Hehehe..." Chen chuckles as you keep petting.
>"Everything okay Renko ?"
>"Yup." Renko smiles.
>_
-
>"Um... hey Renko, could you use your powers to check on where is Koishi right now ? We gotta help her talk with her sister too."
-
>"Um... hey Renko, could you use your powers to check on where is Koishi right now ? We gotta help her talk with her sister too."
>"Well, it isn't nighttime yet... but I'll try." Renko looks up and concentrates, "Nah... Nothing. We'll have to wait till nightfall. Though it shouldn't be long."
>You notice the dolls have moved the blank doll to the center of the magic circle, which seems to have four smaller circles drawn at 90 degree angles from each other surrounding it. Alice is standing in one of them.
>_
-
>"Huh ? What are the four circles for ? If anything, shouldn't it be only three ?"
-
>"Huh ? What are the four circles for ? If anything, shouldn't it be only three ?"
>"It's to mark the cardinal directions." Alice explains, "The caster needs to be standing south of the circle, while the subject to be transferred needs to be standing at the north end. Speaking of which, I need erm..."
>"Rin" says Rin.
>"...Rin to stand in the circle opposite of me. Then we can begin the ritual."
>_
-
>"Alright, let me help you two."
>Aid Rengeteki in taking Rin to her designated spot.
>"What about the other two circles ?"
-
>"Alright, let me help you two."
>Aid Rengeteki in taking Rin to her designated spot.
>"What about the other two circles ?"
>You help Rengeteki move Rin to the circle opposite of Alice, and allow her to stand.
>"They'll remain unused." says Alice.
>_
-
>"Understood."
>Back off.
>"Shall we begin ?"
-
>"Understood."
>Back off.
>"Shall we begin ?"
>You back away.
>Alice nods before closing her eyes.
>_
-
>Take Rengeteki's left hand and Renko's right hand if we can.
>Watch paciently.
-
>Take Rengeteki's left hand and Renko's right hand if we can.
>Watch paciently.
>You take Renko and Rengeteki's hands and watch.
>Alice begins muttering some kind of incantation and starts slowly weaving her arms through the air. Rin suddenly jolts, and a small, glowing ball erupts from her chest. Rengeteki squeezes your hand, and you can feel her start shaking.
>Rin's body quickly collapses, and seems to fade away within seconds with one final, violent distortion. The glowing ball slowly floats over the doll, and the magic circle begins to glow brilliantly as Rin's soul quickly darts inside the doll.
>The doll floats up and contorts, its physical appearance shifts from its blank slate to something that resembles Rin, even gaining a mouth in the process, before gently floating back down.
>The circle stops glowing, and Alice seems to relax a bit.
>The doll opens her eyes and sits up, looking around. It looks like Rin, though it is still quite obviously a doll, especially without any clothes on.
>_
-
>"Rin ?"
>Keep supporting Rengeteki and approach her.
>"So how do you feel ? Are you alright ?"
-
>"Rin ?"
>Keep supporting Rengeteki and approach her.
>"So how do you feel ? Are you alright ?"
>You approach Rin with Rengeteki.
>Rin flexes her fingers and stands up, "I-I feel...."
>She spontaneously throws herself at you and gives you a hug
>"I-I feel fantastic... You don't know how relieving it feels to be alive... And not in constant pain." she tightens the hug, "T-Thank you... T-Thank all of you... "
>_
-
>"Is it finished? Will you be safe now? From what would've happened, at least."
-
>"It was a pleasure Rin, i try to help everyone i can."
>Smile and hug her back.
>"It's not like i would have let you suffer and fare off by yourself, nobody deserves that fate..."
-
//Let's not speak of YgMg yet. Saying things like this if there's a chance that she's still in us will definitely bite us later.
-
//True. (She still was a complete moron.)
-
//She played
us me. I'm honestly hurt that she betrayed us like that, or rather, that she used us like that.
-
>"Is it finished? Will you be safe now? From what would've happened, at least."
>"I-I think so. I no longer feel like I'm fading."
>"It was a pleasure Rin, i try to help everyone i can."
>Smile and hug her back.
>"It's not like i would have let you suffer and fare off by yourself, nobody deserves that fate..."
>"Yeah..." Rin nods, before breaking the hug, before Rengeteki gives her a hug of her own.
>"I-I'm so g-glad you're okay..." Rengeteki says through tears of joy.
>Rin returns the hug, "I am too..." her own happy tears running down her cheeks.
>Alice starts heading towards the house. "I'll be right back, I'm just going to get Rin some clothes."
>"Huh?!" Rin breaks the hug and looks at herself, "A-A-AAAAAH!" she covers herself, despite having barbie-doll anatomy, and blushes profusely, "W-WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME I WAS NAKED!?!"
>_
-
>"O-Oh. Sorry."
-
>"O-Oh. Sorry."
>"C-Cover! I need cover!"
>Rin tries to move to some nearby bushes but after taking one step she loses her balance and falls flat on her face. Rengeteki immediately rushes to her side.
>"Ugh... I guess walking in this doll body will need some getting used to..." Rin groans.
>_
-
>"U-Um..."
>Head there to help, then look away and use our body to cover up Rin.
>"This s-should help, don't worry, i won't look."
-
Is Makai outfit still in our bag? Maybe it can help.
-
>"U-Um..."
>Head there to help, then look away and use our body to cover up Rin.
>"This s-should help, don't worry, i won't look."
>You head over and assist Rengeteki in helping Rin to her feet. When you are finished, you strategically move in front of Rin.
>"T-Thanks..." She replies.
Is Makai outfit still in our bag? Maybe it can help.
>It is.
>Alice comes out of the cellar, holding one of the outfits worn by the non-blank dolls.
>_
-
>"Here she is, that outfit should fit you."
-
>"Here she is, that outfit should fit you."
>"Okay..."
>Alice comes over and hands the outfit to Rin, looking away. "Here, put this on."
>You hear movement behind you.
>_
-
>Is it Rin ? If not check it.
-
>Is it Rin ? If not check it.
>You assume it is.
>"Okay. I'm done... You all can look now." says Rin.
>_
-
>Look at her.
-
>Look at her.
>You look at Rin. She's wearing the same outfit as the first doll you picked, and is examining herself.
>"I look ridiculous, I know..." she says.
>"Oh, y-you don't look that bad..." says Rengeteki.
>That dress really isn't her style... But it doesn't look completely terrible.
>_
-
>"Um... i might have something for you..."
>Is Rin smaller or bigger than us ?
>Retrieve the Makai outfit and show it to her.
>"I have these from when i had to hide my identity, you could try them."
-
//But that's the outfit Renko likes on us. She has one that fits her well already...
-
//Ugh...
>Don't, just check our inventory.
-
>"Um... i might have something for you..."
>Is Rin smaller or bigger than us ?
>Retrieve the Makai outfit and show it to her.
>"I have these from when i had to hide my identity, you could try them."
//Ugh...
>Don't, just check our inventory.
>Rin is around Renko's size, so slightly smaller than you.
>INVENTORY:
>Clothes (equipped)
>>Your signature outfit, a purple and white dress with a black belt.
>Hat (equipped)
>>A white cap that you wear almost all the time.
>Satchel (equipped) (capacity:18/20 units)
>>A bag for carrying items. Has a limited carrying capacity.
>Cellphone (1 unit)
>>A communication device used to call other people. You doubt this would be of much use in Gensokyo...
>Coin Pouch (2 units)
>>A bag filled with coins from Makai. You gave some of them to Kagerou.
>Burnt Photo (1 unit)
>>A picture found in the Prismriver mansion, it depicts the four Prismrivers, except Layla has her head and upper body burned off.
>Black and White Shirt (4 units)
>>A shirt obtained in Makai. It's a little too small. It feels tight around your chest.
>Black Skirt (4 units)
>>A skirt obtained in Makai.
>Cloak (4 units)
>>A grey cloak with a hood you obtained in Makai.
>Notebook (1 unit)
>>A blank notebook you can easily tear the pages out of.
>Pen (1 unit)
>>A writing utensil.
>The Soma Arcana is in the possession of Alice currently
>"O-Oh! Rin. Your erhu." Rengeteki picks the instrument carefully off the the ground and offers it to her.
>"Oh! Thank you." Rin takes it.
>_
-
>"Right ! Do you think you can try it again now ?"
-
>"Right ! Do you think you can try it again now ?"
>"I think so." says Rin, before getting into a playing position.
>_
-
>"Okay, hold still and extend your arm Rengeteki."
>Watch.
-
>"Okay, hold still and extend your arm Rengeteki."
>You notice Rengeteki has already done so.
>Watch.
>You watch as Rin begins to play the erhu. It sounds beautiful.
>Soon, a glow appears around Rengeteki, nothing happens for a few seconds before you hear a nasty snapping sound. Rengeteki winces for a second.
>The song ends and Rengeteki holds up her arm. And manages to close her hand all the way.
>She flexes her fingers in disbelief and she throws herself at Rin in a warm embrace.
>"I-I love you, Rin." she says.
>"I love you too. Renge." Rin replies as she returns the hug.
>Rengeteki's wings flap in her happiness, prompting her to suddenly break the hug.
>"Wha?" she looks to her wings, surprised, "M-My wings... I-I can feel them again!"
>_
-
>Smile warmly.
>"I'm really happy for you two... Thank goodness you're both alright now..."
-
>Be filled with joy and join the hug, shedding some tears.
>"Thank god Rengeteki... i'm so happy for you, i told you that things could always be better, we are like sisters after all remember ?"
-
>Smile warmly.
>"I'm really happy for you two... Thank goodness you're both alright now..."
>Be filled with joy and join the hug, shedding some tears.
>"Thank god Rengeteki... i'm so happy for you, i told you that things could always be better, we are like sisters after all remember ?"
>You smile and join the hug, they don't seem to mind.
>"I'm glad we're both okay too." says Rin.
>"Yeah..." says Rengeteki, "And I-I'm sorry... for doubting you..."
>_
-
>"Rengy... don't be sorry, what matters is that both of you are happy."
>Tilt our head.
>"And you even got your wings working again ! Now all we need to do is fix up your home."
>How big was her home ? Would it be able to hold 6 people living in it ?
-
>"Rengy... don't be sorry, what matters is that both of you are happy."
>Tilt our head.
>"And you even got your wings working again ! Now all we need to do is fix up your home."
>"...My home? I-I mean it was already pretty run down before Layla's sisters came... It'll take a lot of work to fix it up."
>How big was her home ? Would it be able to hold 6 people living in it ?
>It was a small shack, probably big enough for one or two people. Though you might be able to cram in more, it would probably crowd out the place.
>_
-
>"Well it seemed like a good place for two people, plus Renko and i could build a home there too for the other four of us without a real home here."
-
//Just building a home like that seems like a pretty unrealistic standard...
-
>"Well it seemed like a good place for two people, plus Renko and i could build a home there too for the other four of us without a real home here."
>"You want to live near me...?"
>"Eh?" Chen interrupts, "You want to build a house? That's a lot of work, Miss Maribel. Oh! Maybe you can live in Mayohiga! Then we can be like neighbors!"
>_
-
//Mayohiga sounds like a good idea.
-
>"Well the forest looked pretty, and i would have the best of neighbors."
>Turn to Chen.
>"Mayohiga ? What's that ?"
-
//We went there with Yukari to train before. Remember the tree and lasers?
-
//We were never told the name of the place before, so with just the name we will be clueless.
-
//We were told the name.
>"Because she said she'd like to meet you on her own terms. Besides, she lives on the outskirts of Gensokyo, near the border, in an abandoned village called Mayohiga. Which is unbelievably far away... I mean, it takes about five to six hours or so to fly there from where we are, and I'd hate to imagine how long it would take to walk... Not to mention, even if we showed up on her doorstep, there's no guarantee she'll even be awake, if she's even there at all..."
-
//Okay fair point.
>"Mayohiga ? What's that ?"
>Change this to: "Mayohiga ? But isn't it like, VERY far away and abandoned ?"
-
>"I guess it'd be quiet... And being neighbors with your family sounds nice."
-
>Itch a bit after saying that, since we technically ARE part of her family too.
-
Besides "far away" is not a problem with our abilities, isn't it?
-
>"Well the forest looked pretty, and i would have the best of neighbors."
>Turn to Chen.
>"Mayohiga ? What's that ?"
>Change this to: "Mayohiga ? But isn't it like, VERY far away and abandoned ?"
>"Well, you know it's not completely abandoned, because you've been in our house." Chen smiles.
>"I guess it'd be quiet... And being neighbors with your family sounds nice."
>Itch a bit after saying that, since we technically ARE part of her family too.
>You itch.
>"Yeah. And it'll make keeping an eye on Miss Renko easier too!"
>_
-
>"Well Chen don't worry about her, we can make sure she is safe."
>Ponder.
>"Hm... Mayohiga looks like a great place, but the forestbis also beautiful, maybe we could have a house on both of these or something."
-
>"Well Chen don't worry about her, we can make sure she is safe."
>Ponder.
>"Hm... Mayohiga looks like a great place, but the forestbis also beautiful, maybe we could have a house on both of these or something."
>"Both?" Chen asks, "But that sounds like a lot of work though... And which one will you live in?"
>_
-
>"We could alternate, some months in one, some on the other."
-
>"We could alternate, some months in one, some on the other."
>"Well, I guess that could work..." says Chen.
>"Wouldn't that feel a bit draining, though?" Renko asks, "Having to constantly move between two houses, rather than just settling down?"
>_
-
>"Not really with the gaps, we would just need to take clothes to both places, and arrange furniture for both, and we could make one place an area to work and research on, while the other is for living at."
-
//Now that the clusterfuck in Daiyousei Quest is nearing a close, I'm calm enough to start this up again.
>"Not really with the gaps, we would just need to take clothes to both places, and arrange furniture for both, and we could make one place an area to work and research on, while the other is for living at."
>"Huh... So one would be a research station." Renko thinks for a moment, "I like that idea. But which house would be the one we live in?"
>_
-
>"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
>What time is it ?
>"...hey Chen, was there anything troubling Miss Ran when we were heading for the cave and settle the incident ?"
-
>"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
>"Alright."
>What time is it ?
>It is sunset.
>"...hey Chen, was there anything troubling Miss Ran when we were heading for the cave and settle the incident ?"
>"Nope, why?" Chen asks.
>_
-
>"...does that mean we could have sent a message to her asking for help to make things easisr for everyone ?"
-
>"...does that mean we could have sent a message to her asking for help to make things easisr for everyone ?"
>"Well yeah... But it probably would've taken a while for Ran-sama to get there anyway."
>_
-
>"Well i could have just made a gap for her."
-
>"Well i could have just made a gap for her."
>Chen shrugs, "It's too late now anyway."
>"Incomiiiing!" You hear Marisa's distant voice shouting.
>_
-
>"Eh ?"
>Look over towards her.
-
>"Eh ?"
>Look over towards her.
>You look to see Marisa approaching at high speed with a sack over her shoulder.
>_
-
>Sigh.
>"And there you have it again..."
-
>Sigh.
>"And there you have it again..."
>Marisa lands nearby. "So, did I miss it ~ze?"
>"Eyup..." Alice replies monotonically, "But on the bright side you still managed to do your thing quicker than normal..."
>"Eh, still not fast enough. Now if I still had my old broom I probably would've got back in time ~ze..."
>_
-
>"Sorry about that..."
-
>"But you do know that someday you WILL have to return them to make up space for more right ?"
-
>"Sorry about that..."
>"Don't be..." says Marisa, "Besides, I can find a better broom now."
>"But you do know that someday you WILL have to return them to make up space for more right ?"
>"I know ~ze. They'll be returned when I die!"
>Alice silently shakes her head.
>_
-
>"...well then..."
>Sigh and turn to Sumitenshi.
>"Are you two okay ? No strange feelings or anything right ?"
-
>"...well then..."
>Sigh and turn to Sumitenshi.
>"Are you two okay ? No strange feelings or anything right ?"
>"We're fine." says Sumireko.
>_
-
>"Great."
>Smile.
>"Also, good to see that you two are getting along well together, ehehe."
>Wink our left eye.
-
>"Great."
>Smile.
>"Also, good to see that you two are getting along well together, ehehe."
>Wink our left eye.
>Sumireko gives you a curious look when you wink at them.
>_
-
>Get closer and whisper:
>"I saw you two holding hands, well, partially saw, i won't tell Renko if you don't want me to."
-
>Get closer and whisper:
>"I saw you two holding hands, well, partially saw, i won't tell Renko if you don't want me to."
>Sumireko jumps a bit when you say that.
>"W-Wait. What!? W-We didn't do anything like that!" she denies.
>"H-How dare you!" Matenshi's voice suddenly takes over, "W-What are you trying to imply here!?"
>_
-
>"Strange, i definitely saw you holding something when we were flying to the cave, and it looked like you were holding someone's hand..."
>Look confused.
-
>"Strange, i definitely saw you holding something when we were flying to the cave, and it looked like you were holding someone's hand..."
>Look confused.
>"Oh, that?" Matenshi frowns, "I was just trying to comfort her, she was worried about her sister... T-There was nothing more than that at all... Gods, it's not like I LIKE her or anything! She just needed support. T-That's all."
>_
-
>So tsundere...
>"Okay i get it now, well still, it makes me happy you cared for her like that Matenshi, thanks for doing that."
>Smile and head back to Renko.
-
>So tsundere...
>It's so obvious...
>"Okay i get it now, well still, it makes me happy you cared for her like that Matenshi, thanks for doing that."
>Smile and head back to Renko.
>"Yeah yeah...." Matenshi replies.
>You return to Renko.
>_
-
>"So what now ?"
-
>"So what now ?"
>"I'm not sure." says Renko, "Didn't you want to find Koishi too?"
>_
-
>"Yeah, but you couldn't find her right ? The only thing we can do is pray she is still at Eientei."
>Make a gap leading there.
-
>"Yeah, but you couldn't find her right ? The only thing we can do is pray she is still at Eientei."
>"Well, I haven't tried to find her yet." Renko frowns, "It's not night..."
>Make a gap leading there.
>You create a gap leading to Eientei.
>_
-
>Turn to Rin and Rengeteki.
>"I'm gonna try and find another person that needed my help to support her, will you two come too ?"
-
>Turn to Rin and Rengeteki.
>"I'm gonna try and find another person that needed my help to support her, will you two come too ?"
>"U-Um..." Rengeteki looks between you and Rin, "Rin, w-would you like to? I-I mean... she's like the big sister I never had... I-I wouldn't want to be rude..."
>"Well, I get to stay with you either way." Rin replies, "Though we could also use the time to fix up this house of yours... Or maybe see if mine's still around after all these years... It's up to you, Rengy."
>_
-
>Smile.
>"It's your choice Rengey, i don't wanna push my sister to do a choice hastily."
>Turn to Rin.
>"Where is your old house at ?"
-
>Smile.
>"It's your choice Rengey, i don't wanna push my sister to do a choice hastily."
>"Then I... I-I... I think I'd rather stay with Rin, for now..."
>Turn to Rin.
>"Where is your old house at ?"
>"It's a bit of a flight from the cave we were at." says Rin "If it's even still there."
>_
-
>Nod happily.
>"Well then we'll go with you to find it, that was once we go find the person we are searching we can meet again more easily."
>Close all the active gaps, then pick the noteblock and pen and write a report of our current capabilities, amount of gaps we can maintain, that we can't make a gap leading to the eye space in specific, and the likes.
-
>Nod happily.
>"Well then we'll go with you to find it, that was once we go find the person we are searching we can meet again more easily."
>"Sounds like a plan." Rin nods.
>Close all the active gaps, then pick the noteblock and pen and write a report of our current capabilities, amount of gaps we can maintain, that we can't make a gap leading to the eye space in specific, and the likes.
>You close all gaps and take out the notebook and begin to write a report.
>You note that you cannot seem to make a gap to the eye-space, though you are actually unsure of exactly how many gaps you can maintain. You start feeling slightly drained after three, but you feel like you can make more beyond that...
>"What are you doing?" Rin asks.
>_
-
>"Making a report to Lady Yukari."
>Finish up by putting details of our battle then put the paper inside our hat.
-
//We might wanna shorten it to just "making a report about myself."
Maybe the battle and our experience in it is worth mentioning too?
-
//Edit.
-
>"Making a report to Lady Yukari."
>Finish up by putting details of our battle then put the paper inside our hat.
>"Lady Yukari?" Rin asks.
>You finish up by recording your battle with Layla in detail, before tearing out the paper, folding it up, and neatly dropping it in your hat.
>_
-
>Send Yukari a cute doodle of us, Renko, Chen, Her, and Ran as a family~
-
>Send Yukari a cute doodle of us, Renko, Chen, Her, and Ran as a family~
>You send a doodle through. A note pops back out of your hat, reading "Your artistic talents leave much to be desired." followed by a detailed drawing of a troll face.
>_
-
>
Send her an: "At least i am not an old perverted gap hag" note.
-
>"You know her?"
-
>Send her an: "At least i am not an old perverted gap hag" note.
>And that was the last note you ever sent before you found yourself in the outside world, stripped of your powers.
>"You know her?"
>"Well... No..." Rin replies.
>_
-
>"She is an ancient youkai of boundaries that watches over Gensokyo... she is known to be extremely powerful and influential around here."
-
>"She is an ancient youkai of boundaries that watches over Gensokyo... she is known to be extremely powerful and influential around here."
>"Huh... I think I heard about a youkai sage that does that once. So you know that powerful youkai?"
>_
-
>"When you have the same ability as her, you tend to draw attention."
-
>"When you have the same ability as her, you tend to draw attention."
>"Oh, I see..."
>You feel something lightly bonk you in the back of the head.
>_
-
>"Hold on."
>Take off our hat and pick it up.
-
>"Hold on."
>Take off our hat and pick it up.
>You take off your hat and find nothing. Of course, this was to be expected, as you were bonked in the back of the head, not the top.
>"Huh? Where did that come from?" you hear Renko ask.
>_
-
>Look at her and pick up whatever she is looking at.
-
>Look at her and pick up whatever she is looking at.
>You look at Renko and notice she's looking at your feet. You glance down to find... a paper airplane?
>You pick it up, it looks like its nose has been bashed in from a recent impact.
>_
-
>"She is so lazy that she didn't even walk to the gap..."
>Take it and read whatever is written on it.
-
>"She is so lazy that she didn't even walk to the gap..."
>"That's Yukari for you..." Marisa remarks.
>Take it and read whatever is written on it.
>You unfold the paper airplane.
Ah, you remembered. I was about to pay you a visit myself.
Anyway, it seems your power growth is mostly stable judging from what I've read, though the lack of details makes it difficult to determine how accurate that statement is. For instance, you mentioned that you start to feel fatigued after three gaps, but have you ever even tried to determine your current limit? I'd estimate you can maintain about five or six at your current level of power, of course, I cannot be certain about that unless either you tell me, or I have you demonstrate for me.
Also, it's quite surprising how you've managed to assist in resolving the incident mentioned in the paper today. Granted, you had assistance, but nonetheless I guess I must congratulate you. Though this brings me to my next point: If, for some reason, you are involved in another incident in the future, then you may not have as much assistance, or perhaps none at all. In that case, your basic danmaku is not going to cut it. I'd advise that you at least consider creating a spellcard or two, since that would greatly improve your chances of success in combat. I'm not going to force it on you just yet, though it's a precaution I implore you to consider. That is all.
Also, it is getting a bit late. I assume you're going to come back here when you feel the need to sleep? If not, then let Chen know and she'll relay the message to me.
Thank you,
-Yukari Yakumo
PS: Also, I have to admit, you gave me quite a chuckle when you said you couldn't access the so called "eye space." You've always been able to access it ever since you've learned to create gaps. Of course, it's obvious that you still need to figure out how to do it.
>_
-
>"Wow..."
>Show them the letter.
>"Talk about a unusual letter..."
-
>"She writes quick..."
-
>"Wow..."
>Show them the letter.
>"Talk about a unusual letter..."
>You consider showing them the letter, though, since these letters are meant to be a private communication between yourself and Yukari, showing them off could possibly be seen as a breach of privacy if she ever found out. Do you continue?
>"Huh? How so?" Renko asks.
>"She writes quick..."
//Writers have no sense of time scale, you yourself should know this Mini. Considering how fast/slow days pass in your quest.:P
>"Really? That's why?"
>"I mean, it's been more than a couple of minutes since you wrote that up, hasn't it?" Rin asks.
>_
-
>Shrug and return the letter to our hat.
>I wonder how to state that a letter has been 'Read'. Since, if you just write 'Read', it could be interpreted as "Read this!" or "This has been Read!"
-
>"Yep..."
>Don't show it, yeah.
>"And also because of how many details she put in, along with the fact she actually complimented me."
-
>Shrug and return the letter to our hat.
>I wonder how to state that a letter has been 'Read'. Since, if you just write 'Read', it could be interpreted as "Read this!" or "This has been Read!"
>You drop the letter back in your hat.
>It's simple, paint the letter red because "red" rhymes with "read" and not "read", so that way they know that if it's red it's red!
>"Yep..."
>Don't show it, yeah.
>"And also because of how many details she put in, along with the fact she actually complimented me."
>"She did?" Renko asks.
>_
-
>"Yeah, 'Also, it's quite surprising how you've managed to assist in resolving the incident mentioned in the paper today. Granted, you had assistance, but nonetheless I guess I must congratulate you.'. Seems like a compliment to me."
>Smile a bit.
-
//That's still quoting from the private messages Yukari's sending us, but it's your choice..
-
>"Yeah, 'Also, it's quite surprising how you've managed to assist in resolving the incident mentioned in the paper today. Granted, you had assistance, but nonetheless I guess I must congratulate you.'. Seems like a compliment to me."
>Smile a bit.
>"Yeah, it certainly does." Renko smiles as well.
>The sun is beginning to fall below the horizon.
>_
-
>"Okay ! Let's get going !"
>Ready up and have our group head through the cave gap, then follow Rin's lead.
-
>"Okay ! Let's get going !"
>Ready up and have our group head through the cave gap, then follow Rin's lead.
>"Goodbye." says Alice.
>You create a gap leading back to the cave, then head through with your group.
>_
-
>"You take the lead Rin."
>Follow !
-
>"You take the lead Rin."
>Follow !
>Rin nods, before attempting to take to the air. She seems a bit shaky at first, but she soon stabilizes.
>Rengeteki tries to fly as well, only to promptly faceplant.
>"Rengy!" Rin suddenly turns around.
>"I-I'm fine." Rengeteki says as she gets up, "I guess I'm a bit rusty from not using my wings for so long..."
>_
-
>"Rengeteki !"
>Help her up.
>"Take it easy dear, you have just recovered after years of lack of use, you need to take it slowly, like a rehabilitation program okay ?"
-
//We should probably stick to calling her by her complete name. Sure we helped massively in getting the two together, but the two are closer to each other than we are with Rengeteki.
-
//Well i started calling her that because she admitted that we do have a sisterly relationship going on, plus it's easier to type and feel nice.
-
>"Rengeteki !"
>Help her up.
>"Take it easy dear, you have just recovered after years of lack of use, you need to take it slowly, like a rehabilitation program okay ?"
>She is already up.
>"Like a what?" Rengeteki gives you a confused look.
>_
-
>"A program where they help people that were severely hurt on their arms or legs to recover their movement, your case is similar."
>Look worried.
>"Okay now, let's take it slowly, try using your wings again, but just to hover a bit."
-
>"A program where they help people that were severely hurt on their arms or legs to recover their movement, your case is similar."
>Look worried.
>"Okay now, let's take it slowly, try using your wings again, but just to hover a bit."
>Rengeteki nods before lightly flapping her wings, after a bit of fumbling, she eventually manages to hover about a foot off the ground.
>_
-
>"See ? That's the way !"
>Smile.
>"Now try slowly going forwards, they turning around and coming back."
-
>"See ? That's the way !"
>Smile.
>"Now try slowly going forwards, they turning around and coming back."
>Rengeteki nods, before attempting to do so. She seems quite wobbly, but she manages to do it.
>_
-
>"Great ! You are getting the hang of it again sis, try to do it again, but maintaining stability."
-
>"Great ! You are getting the hang of it again sis, try to do it again, but maintaining stability."
>"I-I'll try." she replies.
>"You can do it, Rengy. I believe in you." Rin smiles.
>Rengeteki flies back and forth again, it seems a little less wobbly this time.
>_
-
>"Keep it up !"
-
>"Keep it up !"
>She continues, getting progressively more stable with each iteration.
>_
-
>Wait a bit more.
>"Excellent ! We should have no trouble getting there now Ren."
>Smile and fly to her side.
>"Still, if you feel like you are going to lose stability tell us."
-
>Wait a bit more.
>"Excellent ! We should have no trouble getting there now Ren."
>Smile and fly to her side.
>"Still, if you feel like you are going to lose stability tell us."
>You wait as Rengeteki gets more and more stable. Before approaching her.
>"Okay." Rengeteki nods.
>_
-
>Has Renko learned to fly yet?
-
>Has Renko learned to fly yet?
>Nope.
>_
-
>Nod and turn to Renko.
>"Guess it's that time again."
>Lift her up the same way we did before and take off.
>"All ready."
>Follow !
-
>Nod and turn to Renko.
>"Guess it's that time again."
>Lift her up the same way we did before and take off.
>Renko nods before you sweep her into your arms.
>"All ready."
>Follow !
>"Alright." says Rin, before she takes off, allowing Rengeteki to fly next to her.
>You follow the duo, as does the rest of your group.
>_
-
>"So what kind of place is your house Rin ?"
-
>"So what kind of place is your house Rin ?"
>"It's not really much." says Rin, "Just an abandoned wagon that I found and decided to live in."
>_
-
>"Wow a abandoned train wagon ?! That actually sounds really neat."
>Look around, anything on sight ?
-
>Glance down at Renko. Examine her a bit.
>Are our hands at any places they probably shouldn't be if this was a different situation?
-
>"Wow a abandoned train wagon ?! That actually sounds really neat."
>Look around, anything on sight ?
>"Train wagon?" Rin asks.
>You take a look around. Nothing of interest yet.
>Glance down at Renko. Examine her a bit.
>Are our hands at any places they probably shouldn't be if this was a different situation?
>You glance at Renko, who is in your arms. Holding you. She has a couple of light scratches here and there, but she seems mostly unscathed from today. She is still wearing what she had on yesterday.
>Your hands are in acceptable positions at the moment.
>_
-
>"Oh it's not that ? So is it an old wagons of those that were pulled by animals ?"
-
>At the moment you say?
>Shift our hands to less acceptable positions as we speak (as long as we believe we can keep carrying her).
>If this succeeds...
>>Look to Renko.
>>"Our first actual fight... Are you alright Renko?"
-
>"Oh it's not that ? So is it an old wagons of those that were pulled by animals ?"
>"I guess so." Rin shrugs.
>At the moment you say?
>Shift our hands to less acceptable positions as we speak (as long as we believe we can keep carrying her).
>You move your hands to slightly more perverted positions. Prompting Renko to jump and blush slightly.
>If this succeeds...
>>Look to Renko.
>>"Our first actual fight... Are you alright Renko?"
>"Yeah, I'm fine, Merry." she answers, "What about you?"
>_
-
>"Everyone's alright, so I'm alright." Nod. "I'm glad things were settled well enough."
>Shift our hands a bit, before returning to the same perverse position we were before starting to move them like this.
-
>"Everyone's alright, so I'm alright." Nod. "I'm glad things were settled well enough."
>"Yeah, but I guess it could've been done differently. That Layla girl had no right to do those things..."
>Shift our hands a bit, before returning to the same perverse position we were before starting to move them like this.
>You return your hands to their previous position.
>Renko holds you tighter.
>_
-
>"Huh?"
-
>"Huh?"
>"What is it, Merry?"
>_
-
>"Don't worry, I won't drop you. No need to be afraid of falling."
>Smile and shift our hands a bit again, holding her more securely.
-
>"Don't worry, I won't drop you. No need to be afraid of falling."
>"Oh, no, I wasn't worried about that, Merry. Sorry if it seemed that way."
>Smile and shift our hands a bit again, holding her more securely.
>Renko continues to hold you tightly and affectionately.
>_
-
>"Alright Renko."
>Keep the smile. Where are we headed, and how are the others.
>Return our attention to Renko afterwards.
-
>"Alright Renko."
>Keep the smile. Where are we headed, and how are the others.
>You check on your bearings and group.
>You seem to be coming to a field, you can see something in the middle of it.
>Your group seems to be doing fine. Rengeteki is keeping pace with Rin, who seems to support her whenever she wobbles. Chen and Sumireko are flying in front of you to your right and left.
>Return our attention to Renko afterwards.
>You do so.
>_
-
>Keep going.
-
>Keep going in the other sense as well.
>"Thinking about trying flying yet, or after everything's over? I have no problem carrying you like this to places we wanna go."
>Smile.
-
>Keep going.
>You continue to approach the thing in the field, it seems to be a decaying wagon.
>You think you can see someone standing in the field as well.
>Keep going in the other sense as well.
>You do so.
>"Thinking about trying flying yet, or after everything's over? I have no problem carrying you like this to places we wanna go."
>Smile.
>"Maybe, though on the other hand, I don't mind this at all..." Renko returns the smile.
>_
-
>"Look, someone is over there, let's hide."
>Have our group search for some cover on the ground to hide on.
>Can we identify the person ?
-
>Make sure to speak quietly.
-
>"Look, someone is over there, let's hide."
>Make sure to speak quietly.
>"Hide where, exactly?" Sumireko asks.
>"There's a small hill right there." Chen points.
>Have our group search for some cover on the ground to hide on.
>Can we identify the person ?
>You quickly fly down behind the indicated hill and peek over the top, the figure has their back to you, so you are not noticed.
>You do not recognize her, but she has long, purple hair with a white ribbon affixed to it, and she seems to be wearing what appears to be a labcoat. She is busily writing on a clipboard.
>_
-
>"I have never seen her before, should we intervene ?"
-
>"I have never seen her before, should we intervene ?"
>"I don't know..." says Chen, "She hasn't done anything bad, has she?"
>The woman stops writing on the clipboard and slips it into her labcoat, before retrieving what looks like an empty test tube.
>_
-
>"Seems like a researcher... but what is she doing here ?"
>Keep an eye on her.
-
>"Seems like a researcher... but what is she doing here ?"
>"No clue..."
>"Maybe she's an environmentalist?" Renko asks.
>"In Gensokyo?" Sumireko answers.
>"Well this IS Gensokyo we're talking about... And judging from what Merry and I have seen so far, almost anything can happen."
>"I guess that's true..."
>Keep an eye on her.
>The woman stoops to the ground and fills the test tube with some soil, before capping it with a cork.
>She takes what appears to be a walkie talkie and begins speaking into it, but you cannot hear her at your current distance.
>_
-
>"Let's go take a look, she doesn't seem dangerous."
>If our group agrees, head over to the mysterious researcher.
-
>"Let's go take a look, she doesn't seem dangerous."
>If our group agrees, head over to the mysterious researcher.
>"We have strength in numbers too if it turns out she is." says Sumireko as your group gets up.
>You begin to approach the woman.
>"--site A seems promising, I'm going to have to conduct a soil analysis, but it's a prime candidate for the test." she says, "Have you received any reports about site B?"
>"She hasn't reported in yet, but she seems to be staying on task. I'll give you and update when she makes the call." Another voice crackles over the walkie talkie.
>"And what about the status of our assets?"
>"No problems yet."
>"Splendid, and the professor?"
>"She's making great progress as well."
>"Excellent." the woman pushes her glasses up, "Anyway, I'm heading back. Call me if anything come up."
>"Will do."
>The woman puts the walkie talkie away.
>_
-
>"Excuse me, who are you Miss ?"
>Be wary of anything she may attempt.
-
>Are we still grop-, er, carrying Renko?
-
>"Excuse me, who are you Miss ?"
>Be wary of anything she may attempt.
>The woman jumps and turns around, bringing her hand to her hip, before realizing your presence.
>She straightens up and composes herself, "Oh, why hello there. I honestly didn't expect anyone to be all the way out here."
>Are we still grop-, er, carrying Renko?
>You set her down when you got to the hill, as that made hiding behind it easier.
>_
-
>"Yeah, this is the old home of my friend here, we came back to check on it, who are you maam ? And what are you studying here ?"
-
>"Yeah, this is the old home of my friend here, we came back to check on it, who are you maam ? And what are you studying here ?"
>"Ah, yes, where are my manners." she bows slightly, "I am Rikako Asakura. And if you must know, I am studying the magic content of this field."
>_
-
>"I see, the name is Maribel Hearn, so what is so special about this magic on this place ?"
-
>"I see, the name is Maribel Hearn, so what is so special about this magic on this place ?"
>"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Rikako replies, "And well, what's so special is that this place actually seems to have a lower density of ambient magic than other parts of Gensokyo. Which is good for me, since the ambient magic has been known to interfere with the results of my scientific experiments."
>_
-
>"Well, unfortunately this is right on someone's home..."
>Look a bit surprised.
>"Wait scientific experiments ? Are you also from the outside world ?"
-
>"Well, unfortunately this is right on someone's home..."
>"Well, all I see is a rotting wagon, someone can't possibly be living there, can they?"
>Look a bit surprised.
>"Wait scientific experiments ? Are you also from the outside world ?"
>She seems a bit surprised.
>"Well, no, actually. I was born right here in Gensokyo. Though while most people pursue magic and their religious beliefs, I chose to follow the path of science."
>She pushes up her glasses, light from the rising moon glares off of them briefly.
>"Though, you do have me curious. You come from the outside world? The place where magic supposedly doesn't exist anymore and science and technology reigns supreme?"
>_
-
//Drat. Too slow to try and correct it to "Are you from the outside world?" Then add that we are too if she was...
Guess I'll just go back to waiting for chances to enhance our relationship with Renko...
-
>"Well, yes, why do you ask ?"
>Nod.
-
>"Well, yes, why do you ask ?"
>Nod.
>"I've always had an interest in that place. Or, rather, the technology that's developed there. I hope to one day help Gensokyo attain a similar, or perhaps greater, technological and scientific level."
>_
-
>"A fine dream indeed."
>Smile.
>"So what are you experimenting with at the moment ?"
-
>"A fine dream indeed."
>Smile.
>"So what are you experimenting with at the moment ?"
>"Well, let's just say I'm trying to find a way to completely eliminate a certain disease from an area while leaving other forms of life unharmed. Though I need an environment that has little to no ambient magic in order to get accurate readings. Unfortunately, since this is Gensokyo, such spots are quite rare."
>_
-
>"A disease ? What kind of disease ? Maybe we can aid in some way later."
-
>"A disease ? What kind of disease ? Maybe we can aid in some way later."
>"It's nothing you should worry about. Humans can't catch it. It's mostly a plant disease. Though I do hope to extend the application of my procedure to actual human diseases in the future." says Rikako.
>"Can youkai catch it, Miss Rikako?" Chen asks.
>"I'm unsure. My studies generally don't focus on your kind... Anyway, I really must be going. So I do believe this is farewell."
>She walks over to a patch of tall grass nearby and takes out some kind of odd backpack.
>_
-
>Unless we have any other things to say...
>"It was nice meeting you Miss Asakura. I hope your studies yield successful results, and that we can meet again."
-
>Turn to our group.
>"We should check the wagon now."
>Do so.
-
>Get close to Renko and a bit apart from the group.
>"H-Hey... sorry about being sorta perverted when carrying you Renko..."
-
>Unless we have any other things to say...
>"It was nice meeting you Miss Asakura. I hope your studies yield successful results, and that we can meet again."
>"It was a pleasure to meet you as well." Rikako nods, before strapping on the backpack which you notice has rocket thrusters built into it. "Goodbye, Miss Hearn."
>The jetpack soon roars to life, and Rikako takes off towards the horizon.
>"Huh, neat." Renko remarks as the scientist fades into the distance, "And here I thought almost everyone here used magic to fly."
>Turn to our group.
>"We should check the wagon now."
>Do so.
>Rin nods.
>"That's what we came here for, right?" Rengeteki asks.
>Your group begins to proceed towards the wagon.
>Get close to Renko and a bit apart from the group.
>"H-Hey... sorry about being sorta perverted when carrying you Renko..."
>You pull Renko to the side.
>"I-It's fine, Merry. I wasn't complaining." Renko smiles with a slight blush.
>_
-
>Take a look at said wagon's interior.
-
>Take a look at said wagon's interior.
>You haven't reached the wagon yet.
>"Huh? What's this?" You hear chen ask.
>_
-
>"Something wrong ?"
>Look at what she is looking at.
-
>"Something wrong ?"
>Look at what she is looking at.
>You turn to see Chen holding something small in her hand.
>"I found this thing on the ground. It's shiny!" Her tails swish back and forth.
>_
-
"Oooo ! Shiny !" -Goblin Mage.
>Approach her and examine the shiny thing.
-
"Oooo ! Shiny !" -Goblin Mage.
>Approach her and examine the shiny thing.
>You approach Chen and examine the shiny object.
>It appears to be a flash drive.
>_
-
>"Oh ! It's something we use on my world to store information, she must have dropped it."
>Take it and examine it further.
-
>How far away is Rikako?
>How's Renko faring?
-
>"Oh ! It's something we use on my world to store information, she must have dropped it."
>Take it and examine it further.
>You take the flash drive and examine it. It's a silvery color, but it otherwise looks pretty generic. There is a label on it that reads "Personal files."
>"So... It's like a book?" Chen asks.
>How far away is Rikako?
>You can no longer see her.
>How's Renko faring?
>Renko is doing well.
>_
-
>"Yeah... and it seem like it's Rikako's... we will have to give it back to her later."
>Do we have anything on us that can read it ? Or will we have to go back to the outside world ?
-
>"Yeah... and it seem like it's Rikako's... we will have to give it back to her later."
>Do we have anything on us that can read it ? Or will we have to go back to the outside world ?
>"Okay." says Chen, "Do you think we can find her later?"
>You have a laptop back at your place in the outside world, but currently you do not have anything on you that can read the flash drive.
>_
-
>"Uh huh, it also seems to be her personal files, so it should something about this disease too, which makes it important to give back."
-
>"Uh huh, it also seems to be her personal files, so it should something about this disease too, which makes it important to give back."
>"I see."
>_
-
>"Hm... we should check the place now, let's go."
>Go check the wagon already !
-
>"Hm... we should check the place now, let's go."
>Go check the wagon already !
>You head to the wagon, Sumireko, Rengeteki, and Rin are already there. Rengeteki seems to be patting Rin's back.
>Rin herself seems to be holding a small pile of objects.
>_
-
>"So there were some things left here, good for you Rin !"
-
>"So there were some things left here, good for you Rin !"
>"It's not much..." Rin replies, "But it's better than nothing."
>_
-
>"It's okay, things can be reacquired, people like you can't."
>Smile.
>"Besides you have Teky over here, i know how much she cares for you."
-
>"It's okay, things can be reacquired, people like you can't."
>Smile.
>"Besides you have Teky over here, i know how much she cares for you."
>"Yeah." Rin smiles a bit.
>_
-
>"So ? Need any help ?"
-
>"So ? Need any help ?"
>"No, I think I'll be fine. What I have in my arms is literally all that's left to salvage, so I'm done here."
>_
-
>"Okay, so i'll take us to Rengeteki's shack okay ?"
-
>"Okay, so i'll take us to Rengeteki's shack okay ?"
>"Okay." Rin nods.
>_
-
>Get out, then make a gap leading to Rengeteki's shack.
>What time is it ?
-
>Get out, then make a gap leading to Rengeteki's shack.
>What time is it ?
>You are already outside.
>You create a gap to Rengeteki's place.
>It is the beginning of the night. The moon rose not long ago.
>_
//Also, lol, according to Pesco, this game stopped existing past act 2 part 1. Seriously, check the game archive.
-
>Have all of us go through it.
>"Hey Renko, mind trying to find Koishi now please ?"
-
>Have all of us go through it.
>"Hey Renko, mind trying to find Koishi now please ?"
>You all head through the gap, ending up outside the old shack.
>"Yeah, give me a second." Renko replies, before looking skyward.
>"Are you ready to head inside, Rin?" Rengeteki asks.
>"Yeah..."
>"I-I'd like to apologize in advance for everything written on the walls... I... I kinda lost it after you disappeared and Layla..."
>Rengeteki clutches her arm.
>_
-
>Look worried and put a hand on Rengeteki's arm.
>"Rengeteki, it's the past, we all know how of a shock it was to you... things written on the walls won't scare us away, they didn't scare me away when i first met you remember ?"
>Smile.
>"Sisters don't abandon each other."
-
>Look worried and put a hand on Rengeteki's arm.
>"Rengeteki, it's the past, we all know how of a shock it was to you... things written on the walls won't scare us away, they didn't scare me away when i first met you remember ?"
>Smile.
>"Sisters don't abandon each other."
>You comfort Rengeteki.
>"I know it's in the past, but it's hard to get those horrible memories out of my head..." she turns to you, "Thanks, Maribel. For not abandoning me."
>"I think I found her." says Renko.
>_
-
>"I just couldn't even if somehow i wanted to, seeing you at that condition... just switched something on me awake."
>Turn to Renko.
>"Where is she Renko ?"
-
>"I just couldn't even if somehow i wanted to, seeing you at that condition... just switched something on me awake."
>Turn to Renko.
>"Where is she Renko ?"
>"...Several kilometers south." Renko answers, "It seems to be near the Human Village's coordinates."
>_
-
>"Let's go find her, i promised her to help talk with her sister."
>Make a gap to the human village's outskirts.
>"We have to go now, please be strong Teky, for all of us."
-
>"Let's go find her, i promised her to help talk with her sister."
>Make a gap to the human village's outskirts.
>"We have to go now, please be strong Teky, for all of us."
>You make a new gap.
>"I'll try to." Rengeteki smiles, "Good luck."
>_
-
>"Thanks Rengeteki."
>Smile and wave, then cross the gap with our group, closing all active gaps once we a through.
>"Okay Renko, where to now ?"
-
>We should try a test to see how many gaps we can make and sustain sometime... We still have to report to Lady Yukari about our skills, else she'll interrupt what we're doing and come on her own.
-
>Yeah, forget undoing the gaps, make as many gaps that lead to whatever places we think of as we can.
-
>Briefly scan the area to make sure no one's looking aside from our crew.
-
>"Thanks Rengeteki."
>Smile and wave, then cross the gap with our group, closing all active gaps once we a through.
>You say your goodbyes and cross the gap with your remaining group.
>We should try a test to see how many gaps we can make and sustain sometime... We still have to report to Lady Yukari about our skills, else she'll interrupt what we're doing and come on her own.
>Yeah, forget undoing the gaps, make as many gaps that lead to whatever places we think of as we can.
>Briefly scan the area to make sure no one's looking aside from our crew.
>You look around. Nobody seems to be here aside from your group.
>Rather than closing the two active gaps you have, you decide to make more gaps to random areas.
>Upon making the third gap, you feel that draining feeling again.
>You then make a fourth, and that feeling gets much stronger.
>You create a fifth, and that feeling is almost overwhelming, though you can still function. Will you create more?
>"Okay Renko, where to now ?"
>"It's that way." Renko points to a structure on the village outskirts, "What's with all the gaps?"
>_
-
>Close all of them.
>"I was testing my limits."
>Take the notebook and pen again, write a simple not saying:
>"Seems like my limit is 5, i might have been able to create a sixth, but it was just so overwhelming i decided to not risk."
>Send it via Yukarinet (Cap Gap).
-
>Close all of them.
>"I was testing my limits."
>"Ah, I see."
>Take the notebook and pen again, write a simple not saying:
>"Seems like my limit is 5, i might have been able to create a sixth, but it was just so overwhelming i decided to not risk."
>Send it via Yukarinet (Cap Gap).
>You jot down a quick note to Yukari and send it through the CapGap.
>_
-
>Wait for a reply.
-
>Wait for a reply.
>You wait...
>...
>Nothing.
>_
-
>Wait HARDER!
-
>Wait HARDER!
>...
>Still nothing.
>_
-
> Then lets do what we came here for - track Koishi down.
> Is our laptop charged?
-
>"Okay, hold on Renko."
>Lift Renko again, like we did before.
>"Lead the way dear."
>Follow her directions.
-
>Who's all in our party right now again?
>Like we did before as in they way she didn't complain about...
-
> Then lets do what we came here for - track Koishi down.
> Is our laptop charged?
>Yukari will probably get to it later, in the meantime you decide to do what you came here for.
>The laptop is. However, you do not have it on you, as it's back home in the outside world.
>Who's all in our party right now again?
>You, Renko, Sumireko/Matenshi, and Chen.
>"Okay, hold on Renko."
>Lift Renko again, like we did before.
>"Lead the way dear."
>Follow her directions.
>Like we did before as in they way she didn't complain about...
>You lift Renko into your arms, with your hands in the more perverted positioning from before. And begin flying.
>She continues to direct you towards the structure.
>"She's somewhere inside." she says as you get close.
>_
-
>"Okay."
>Keep going.
-
>"Okay."
>Keep going.
>Your group flies over the wall surrounding the large structure and spot two figures standing on the stone path below, at the foot of a staircase.
>_
-
>Head there and identify them.
-
>Head there and identify them.
>You descend to them. One of them is a girl with teal hair and a pair of doglike ears on her head. She is wearing a brownish-white dress.
>The other figure is a woman garbed in black and white. She has a rather unique hair coloration, it's purple near her head, but it fades to a light brown as you get further away.
>"...but Hijiri-sama, we have fans who are looking forward to our performance!" the teal-haired girl whines. She looks like she's on the verge of tears.
>"Well, they will unfortunately have to be disappointed." The woman states calmly, "I am sorry, Kyouko, but I have told you time and time again that this behavior is very unbecoming of you, and yet you choose not to heed my words. Now, why don't you head and partake in a more appropriate activity, such as practicing sutras or medidation."
>"B-But Mystia is waiting on me--"
>"No buts. Now I do not wish for this argument to continue any further tonight. Do not worry about your... friend... I will personally let her know you will not be attending, and perhaps I can convince her to realize how much of a bad influence she's being on you while I'm at it."
>_
-
>"Bad influence?" (Directed towards the new people.
-
>"Um... excuse me..."
>Land there.
-
>"Bad influence?" (Directed towards the new people.
>"Um... excuse me..."
>Land there.
>"Oh!" The gradient-haired woman turns to you, "It's not often we have human visitors at this hour." she bows apologetically, "My apologies for not noticing you sooner."
>_
-
>"Did you say Mystia? I think I know someone by that name."
-
>"Did you say Mystia? I think I know someone by that name."
>"You know her?" The dog-eared girl asks.
>"Hey, wait... I know you!" Chen exclaims, "Aren't you another member of that band Choujuu Gigaku? You guys are amazing!"
>"Yeah, I'm the vocalist." she smiles, "And thank you. So you're a fan of us?"
>"Kinda. I've been to a couple of your concerts. I don't think Ran-sama likes your music though... I don't know why."
>You notice the woman frowning slightly.
>_
-
>"Yeah, Mystia is that girl with the food stand right ? She is a nice person to talk with."
>Smile.
>"And you two make up a band ? That's incredible !"
-
>Look to the woman.
>"Oh... is that what this is about? You, um, believe it's not good to be in a band?"
>Look a bit sad.
-
>"Yeah, Mystia is that girl with the food stand right ? She is a nice person to talk with."
>Smile.
>"And you two make up a band ? That's incredible !"
>"She is a nice person." she smiles, "And yeah, we do. We actually have a gig toni- err... I mean... we were going to have a gig tonight..."
>Look to the woman.
>"Oh... is that what this is about? You, um, believe it's not good to be in a band?"
>Look a bit sad.
>"Oh, no. I don't believe that." the woman replies, "It's just that the content of the music they create, as well as the behavior the two demonstrate... well... it's very unbecoming for young Kyouko here-- Oh! Where are our manners? We haven't been properly introduced yet."
>She does another apologetic bow.
>"Welcome to the Myouren Temple. I am Byakuren Hijiri, and this is Kyouko Kasodani. Please forgive me for the late introduction."
>_
-
>"The name is Maribel Hearn, and this is Renko Usami, nice to meet you."
>Smile, then frown a bit.
>"And what would said behavior be ?"
-
>"The name is Maribel Hearn, and this is Renko Usami, nice to meet you."
>"I'm Chen." says Chen.
>"We're Sumireko Usami and Matenshi... It's complicated" says Sumireko.
>"It's a pleasure to meet you all." says Byakuren.
>Smile, then frown a bit.
>"And what would said behavior be ?"
>"Well, they don't seem to put much thought into their lyrics, for one. It just seems to be them screaming their problems out to the world. It's very unfitting behavior, especially for a priestess in-training like Kyouko here. Not to mention the music is loud and, at times, somewhat obnoxious, and I'm certain those in the village who are trying to sleep don't appreciate it..."
>Byakuren looks at Sumireko curiously, "So, Sumireko, was it? I do recall that Mamizou spoke of someone with that name occasionally. I remember her saying that she disappeared one day."
>"Oh yeah, Mamizou lives here, doesn't she? She probably doesn't even know I'm back yet... I should probably find Mokou too..."
>"She does. So then, I presume you're the same Sumireko she knew? The one apparently responsible for the Urban Legend incident?"
>"Y-Yeah... That was me..." Sumireko awkwardly rubs the back of her head.
>"Well, then it is a great pleasure to finally meet you in person. Perhaps you should visit Mamizou while you're here, I'm sure the two of you will have much to catch up on."
>_
-
>"Yeah, we kinda have some issues to solve before that though..."
>Ponder.
>"Well Miss Hijiri, if the music is loud, then they could simply move to a better place that wouldn't disturb others, and regarding their lyrics, i can't see how that would be harmful for both of them, it is far better than keeping said problems stored away within their hearts don't you agree ?"
-
>"Yeah, we kinda have some issues to solve before that though..."
>Ponder.
>"Well Miss Hijiri, if the music is loud, then they could simply move to a better place that wouldn't disturb others, and regarding their lyrics, i can't see how that would be harmful for both of them, it is far better than keeping said problems stored away within their hearts don't you agree ?"
>"But we can't just move to some other place!" Kyouko blurts out, "How will our fans find-"
>"Kyouko, it is impolite to speak out of turn." Byakuren frowns
>"Ah... S-Sorry Hijiri-sama."
>"And while I can agree that expressing their problems instead of keeping them bottled up inside can be seen as healthier, I do not agree with they way they choose to express them. It seems improper and unnecessary. A simple discussion, or perhaps meditation would be far better alternatives."
>_
-
>"However not everyone has the same personality or attitude, people have a wide variety of doing the same thing, this is just one of them, if everyone used the same method to do something, the world would be a lot more bland and uninteresting."
>Nod.
>"Besides, isn't it worse to supress who they are just because one does not agree with their thoughts ?"
-
>"However not everyone has the same personality or attitude, people have a wide variety of doing the same thing, this is just one of them, if everyone used the same method to do something, the world would be a lot more bland and uninteresting."
>"And I agree. However, for one seeking enlightenment, such as those living at this temple, expressing oneself in such a manner is unbecoming..."
>Nod.
>"Besides, isn't it worse to supress who they are just because one does not agree with their thoughts ?"
>"You are mistaken. I am not intending to actively suppress her, as that would be an act of ill will. I am merely helping her stay on the path to enlightenment."
>_
-
>"Yet you are forbidding her of taking part on the band, along with calling Mystia a "bad influence", tell me, did you actually see any negative signs resulting of what she is doing ? Or are you simply speculating ?"
-
>"Wouldn't it be nice to give a break though? Or... is the path to it continuous..."
-
>"Yet you are forbidding her of taking part on the band, along with calling Mystia a "bad influence", tell me, did you actually see any negative signs resulting of what she is doing ? Or are you simply speculating ?"
>"The action in and of itself is deviating from the noble eightfold path, which is unbecoming of a priestess in-training. My opinion of Mystia is justified in that her presence encourages this deviation."
>"Wouldn't it be nice to give a break though? Or... is the path to it continuous..."
>"All buddhists must strive to follow the eightfold path, always and whenever possible."
>_
-
>"And what part of this path would this deviate from ?"
-
>"And what part of this path would this deviate from ?"
>"The third practice: Right speech. Which advocates abstinence from lies and rudeness. And it encourages speaking in a such a way that it leads to salvation."
>_
-
>"And i assume it violates the part about "rudeness" on your sight ?"
-
>"And i assume it violates the part about "rudeness" on your sight ?"
>"You are correct."
>_
-
>Turn to Kyouko.
>"Would you mind if i could see some of your lyrics please ?"
-
>Turn to Kyouko.
>"Would you mind if i could see some of your lyrics please ?"
>"Wha!? Y-You mean like, sing? Here?! Without Mystia? In front of Hijiri-sama!?" Kyouko asks, before immediately bowing apologetically to Byakuren, "Ah! Sorry, Hijiri-sama! I didn't mean any offense."
>"There was none taken."
>_
-
>"Well... i could take us to a more private place for a second if you want, it's easy to me."
-
>"Well... i could take us to a more private place for a second if you want, it's easy to me."
>"W-Well, it'll still sound kind of weird without Mystia..." says Kyouko, "And even if it didn't, I don't know if Hijiri-sama would even allow it..."
>_
-
>"Then how about writing them ? I have a notebook and a pen here."
-
>"Then how about writing them ? I have a notebook and a pen here."
>"You can't convey the proper tone in writing, though... And they'd look silly written down..."
>_
-
>Sigh.
>"...where were you going to perform and when then ?"
-
>Sigh.
>"...where were you going to perform and when then ?"
>"At our usual spot on the road between the human village and the Hakurei Shrine. Around midnight. "
>_
-
>"Then i will be there to see it, that will show me what is it that makes Miss Hijiri so troubled."
>Nod.
>"Either way, have any of you seen Koishi around here ? I have promised to go with her talk to her sister, to give her support."
-
>"Then i will be there to see it, that will show me what is it that makes Miss Hijiri so troubled."
>Nod.
>"Either way, have any of you seen Koishi around here ? I have promised to go with her talk to her sister, to give her support."
>"Well, thanks for showing interest in seeing it, but Hijiri-sama won't let me go..."
>Byakuren sighs, "I will allow you to go just this once so that Miss Hearn may see for herself what has me concerned. But after tonight, I do not wish for you to continue these activities. Understood."
>"I-... I understand, Hijiri-sama... thank you..."
>"And Koishi is in the temple, meditating." says Byakuren, "She has requested not to be disturbed."
>_
-
>"How long will she take ? It is a very important matter concerning her third eye..."
-
>"How long will she take ? It is a very important matter concerning her third eye..."
>"It depends on what she is meditating on and what she seeks to accomplish by doing so. She's been at it for most of the day, so I'd estimate she would be finished in a few hours or perhaps by tomorrow morning at the latest."
>_
-
>"Hm... that's quite a while, but i want to help her and i promised to."
>Look to our group.
>"Do you have any objections towards waiting for now ? We could also ask for help with Sumireko and Matenshi's issue here too."
-
>"Hm... that's quite a while, but i want to help her and i promised to."
>Look to our group.
>"Do you have any objections towards waiting for now ? We could also ask for help with Sumireko and Matenshi's issue here too."
>"Nope." says Chen.
>"I'm fine with whatever you want, Merry." Renko replies.
>"No objections from us." Sumireko answers.
>_
-
>Nod and turn to the two.
>"Well will wait for her then."
>Smile.
-
>Nod and turn to the two.
>"Well will wait for her then."
>Smile.
>"Very well." says Byakuren, "Would you like to come inside in the meantime? It would be better than standing out here, would it not?"
>"Y-You're still going to see us perform at midnight, right?" Kyouko asks.
>_
-
>"Of course, i want to see how good you are, and what is it that makes it so 'rude' to Miss Hijiri."
-
>"Of course, i want to see how good you are, and what is it that makes it so 'rude' to Miss Hijiri."
>"Okay. A-Anyway, I should get going now. I-If that's okay with you Hijiri-sama."
>"It's fine."
>Kyouko gives a quick bow and starts running down the stone path, taking to the air not long after.
>_
-
>"Hehehe..."
>Smile.
>"So may we have a place to seat ? I apologize for abusing of your hospitality..."
-
>"Hehehe..."
>Smile.
>"So may we have a place to seat ? I apologize for abusing of your hospitality..."
>"Of course. And no need to apologize, the Myouren Temple welcomes all, human and youkai... well, there is also that Taoist faction we don't exactly see eye to eye with, but even they won't be turned away in the event they actually and truly wanted our aid and hospitality."
>_
-
>"Huh ? What's the matter between you ?"
-
>"Huh ? What's the matter between you ?"
>"Oh, a number of things. I sense great evil from one of them in particular, but the others. Well, their leader in particular are advocates of humans, while we at the Myouren Temple seek to promote peace and equality between humans and youkai, so we are naturally at odds simply on the basis of our ideals."
>_
-
>"Huh..."
-
>"Huh..."
>Byakuren leads your group inside the temple. You are in a large, open room, with several doors leading off into other parts of the structure.
>A grey-haired girl holding a couple of large dowsing rods appears from one of the doors, looking quite annoyed. Her most striking features, however, are her mouse ears and tail.
>"I swear, one of these days I'm going to chain that pagoda to her wrist." she mutters as she proceeds to do a sweep of the room. Before noticing Byakuren.
>"Ah, good evening, Hijiri-sa-AAAAGH!" was all she could say before Chen was on top of her.
>"Look, Miss Maribel, I caught a mouse!" Chen exclaims, holding the girl up with difficulty, considering they're around the same height.
>You hear a few chuckles from your group.
>_
-
>"Eheheheh... good job Chen, but let the poor girl go, she is also a youkai like you too."
-
>"Er... it's a bit impolite to suddenly pounce on and start carrying someone you haven't met before Chen..."
-
>"Eheheheh... good job Chen, but let the poor girl go, she is also a youkai like you too."
>"Er... it's a bit impolite to suddenly pounce on and start carrying someone you haven't met before Chen..."
>"Yes, despite how somewhat amusing this situation may be, I'm sure Nazrin here would appreciate it if you let her go." says Byakuren.
>"But it's a mouse!" Chen pouts adorably.
>"I hate cats so much..." the mouse girl mumbles
>_
-
>"But she is still a youkai just like you, so let her at peace okay ?"
>Approach and gently pet Chen.
>"Please ? I will ask Miss Ran to make some fish for you~."
-
>"But she is still a youkai just like you, so let her at peace okay ?"
>Approach and gently pet Chen.
>"Please ? I will ask Miss Ran to make some fish for you~."
>"Aw... Alright..." Chen lets the mouse girl go.
>The girl quickly steps away from her and your group, "Hmph! The nerve of some people..."
>_
-
>"Please don't mind Chen, she is just an eager little neko girl, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss... ?"
-
>"Please don't mind Chen, she is just an eager little neko girl, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss... ?"
>"Nazrin." the girl answers.
>"So, Nazrin, are you just visiting, or did Shou call upon you?" Byakuren asks.
>Nazrin sighs, "She did... We're going to have to start chaining that pagoda to her, I swear..."
>Byakuren chuckles a bit, "Yes, it does seem to get old after a while, but I'm sure we could find a solution that's much less... extreme... have you checked the usual areas?"
>"I was in the middle of it, until this demon jumped me." she shoots Chen a quick glare.
>"Now, Nazrin, don't be impolite..."
>"Oh, sorry..."
>_
-
>"Hey don't call Chen a demon, you have no idea what a true demon is like..."
>Look a bit upset.
-
>"Hey don't call Chen a demon, you have no idea what a true demon is like..."
>Look a bit upset.
>"Hey, if you had a natural predator, you'd think of them as demons too..." Nazrin returns the frown.
>"Nazrin, enough." Byakuren says sternly.
>"Sorry... Anyway, I should get going. I still have a pagoda to find."
>_
-
>"I see, good luck !"
>Smile and turn to Miss Hijiri.
>"So how often does Koishi come here ?"
-
>"I see, good luck !"
>Nazrin leaves the room, holding her dowsing rods in front of her.
>Smile and turn to Miss Hijiri.
>"So how often does Koishi come here ?"
>"Quite often." says Byakuren, "She's a laywoman here. I encouraged her to join the temple because she seemed to have been in a state close to enlightenment at the time."
>_
-
>"Huh ? 'At the time ?' What about now ?"
>Look puzzled.
-
//We should've (well, since we missed it, next time we see her) apologized about the situation with Chen again before she left.
-
>"Huh ? 'At the time ?' What about now ?"
>Look puzzled.
>"Well, at the time, she was in a mostly thoughtless state. Though now it seems her third eye was unsealed." Byakuren explains, "However, I do not mind this change. Koishi's status within this temple will not change either. If she still wishes to pursue enlightenment, she is welcome to do so."
>_
-
>"Yeah... because i unsealed it by accident..."
>Look sad, but stay firm.
>"...but she shouldn't have sealed away something that was part of her, it's like taking away part of someone's personality."
-
>"Yeah... because i unsealed it by accident..."
>Look sad, but stay firm.
>"...but she shouldn't have sealed away something that was part of her, it's like taking away part of someone's personality."
>"Yes, it's unfortunate that she had to do that to herself. Perhaps if I had met her before then I might've been able to lead her away from such a course of action... "
>Byakuren begins leading you to a nearby door.
>_
-
>"I will aid her, if her friends don't want to stay with her when her third eye is open, then they aren't true friends, mind reader or not, she is my friend and i will help her, just like i did to Rengeteki."
-
>"I will aid her, if her friends don't want to stay with her when her third eye is open, then they aren't true friends, mind reader or not, she is my friend and i will help her, just like i did to Rengeteki."
>"That is very kind of you." Byakuren smiles.
>You enter a room with a Kotatsu.
>"Have a seat, I'll fetch you some tea."
>_
-
>"Thank you."
>Sit down.
-
>"Thank you."
>Sit down.
>You have a seat around the Kotatsu with your group.
>"I'll be back shortly." Byakuren bows before exiting.
>_
-
>Take a breath and smile.
>"Please don't pounce on the poor mouse girl again Chen, i know you like to catch them, but it's not right to do it to other youkai okay ?"
-
>Take a breath and smile.
>"Please don't pounce on the poor mouse girl again Chen, i know you like to catch them, but it's not right to do it to other youkai okay ?"
>Chen gives you the most adorable frown, "Okay..."
>_
-
>"Hey, you wouldn't want a dog youkai pouncing on you would you ?"
>Pet her.
-
>"Hey, you wouldn't want a dog youkai pouncing on you would you ?"
>Pet her.
>"No..." she says as you pet her.
>You hear sounds of chatter from outside the room, in the direction you came from.
>_
-
>"Then you should respect Nazrin's wishes too."
>Look over there.
-
>"Then you should respect Nazrin's wishes too."
>Look over there.
>You look over, seeing nothing.
>The sounds seem to be coming from the previous room you were in. They seem to be voices.
>_
-
>Head over to the door and listen in, don't peek though.
-
>Head over to the door and listen in, don't peek though.
>You head over and eavesdrop.
>"But why wouldn't she want to be disturbed?! That's so unlike her!" says a voice you do not recognize.
>"It's a personal matter." you hear Byakuren's voice reply.
>"So what? Can't I just talk to her? We're practically family."
>"I understand your concern, but Koishi personally asked me to not allow her to be disturbed while she meditates, I must honor that request."
>"That's so dumb though! You know what, I'm starting to think you're just holding her captive!"
>"W-What made you jump to THAT conclusion."
>"It's obvious! You said she's here, and you're not letting anyone see her!"
>"If she was a captive, then why would I tell you that she's here?"
>"Um... uh... For ransoming of course!"
>"And do you really think a buddhist temple, which has nothing to gain, would hold someone for ransom?"
>"Unyu? Boo-dest? What's a boo-dest?"
>"...You do realize this is a buddhist temple, right?"
>"Well DUH! I know it's a temple! But I thought it was a 'Moron temple' or something not the 'boo-dest temple'..."
>There is a brief pause
>"*Ahem*... I'll have you know that this is the Myouren Temple, and it is a buddhist temple. I'm sorry for your confusion. Now, why don't you head over to the next room and have a seat? I'll make you a cup of tea."
>"Oh, tea sounds pretty good. I think I'll-- Wait! You're playing mind-games on me, aren't you!"
>"No, I'm being quite since--"
>"No! I won't fall for it! I was given a mission to find Koishi-sama and I'll be damned if I come back empty-handed. Now tell me where you're holding her or you'll be nuked faster than an alpha particle can escape a sample of plutonium undergoing neutron-induced nuclear fission!"
>"...Please forgive me, but I didn't understand what you were saying at all... nuclear-what-now?"
>"Nuclear fission! You know, when an unstable isotope of a radioactive element spontaneously..."
>The unknown voice begins to describe the mechanics as if she were quoting a textbook.
>_
-
>Be a bit confused, then open the door.
>"Um... is anything okay there ?"
-
>Be a bit confused, then open the door.
>"Um... is anything okay there ?"
>There is no door to open, so you just step out from your hiding place behind the doorframe and into the room.
>A woman with large, black wings is enthusiastically describing the mechanics of nuclear fission getting progressively more excited as she goes.
>Byakuren is standing there holding a tray with some tea cups. She has an utterly confused expression.
>A few other people, Nazrin among them, are peeking out of other doorways, with equally confused faces.
>"...And then the action of splitting the nucleus generates alpha and beta particles, and some gamma radiation, and it'll kill you if you don't have protection. But it generates a lot of power which can be used to heat water to create steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity. But of course it's not indefinite, and you need to keep feeding new radioactive material into it to continue the process. But FUSION, on the other hand..."
>_
-
>"Um... Nuclear Fusion you say ? Isn't that very VERY dangerous to do ? Combining two atoms into one releases a tremendous amount of energy..."
-
>"Um... Nuclear Fusion you say ? Isn't that very VERY dangerous to do ? Combining two atoms into one releases a tremendous amount of energy..."
>"Unyu?" The winged girl suddenly looks to you, "No it's not as long as you know what you're doing."
>She holds out her hand, and an intensesly glowing ball suddenly manifests above it.
>"See? You might feel a little heat, but it's not going to deal lasting harm to you. I use these as Danmaku all the time!"
>_
-
>"Ehhhh ?! You can control something as complex as that ?!"
-
>"Ehhhh ?! You can control something as complex as that ?!"
>"Uhuh! I even manage a whole reactor underground!"
>_
-
>"...by yourself ?"
>Look amazed.
-
>"...by yourself ?"
>Look amazed.
>"Well, those Kappa and the nice shrine goddesses help, but I'm like the overseer there, and I do the major work if things look like they're going to go wrong. As well as maintain its stability..."
>She looks at Byakuren, "Hang on, we're going off topic... What were we talking about again? I swear it was something important... I think it was something about Koishi-sama..."
>"You were th--" Byakuren stops herself, before smiling, "You were saying how you wanted some tea and wanted to wait patiently until Koishi has finished her business..."
>"Really? Was that it...? Well I am a bit thirsty... Okay, yeah, I remember now. So where do I go?"
>"There is a kotatsu in the next room."
>_
-
>Look at Miss Hijiri with a frown.
-
>Sigh a bit and return to our smile. Resolving things peacefully is better than fighting over it, even if it ends up not being the complete truth.
-
>Look at Miss Hijiri with a frown.
>Sigh a bit and return to our smile. Resolving things peacefully is better than fighting over it, even if it ends up not being the complete truth.
>Byakuren raises an eyebrow.
>The bird woman pushes past you and makes her way into the room.
>"Unyu? Who are all these people?"
>_
-
>"They are my friends, we are also here to see Koishi too."
-
>"They are my friends, we are also here to see Koishi too."
>"Oh, so you all know her?" she tilts her head, before adopting a serious expression, "Friends or enemies?"
>_
-
>"Friends of course, Koishi is a really nice person, she asked me for help and i intend to help her out."
>Smile.
>"So you are part of her family ?"
-
>"Friends of course, Koishi is a really nice person, she asked me for help and i intend to help her out."
>Smile.
>"So you are part of her family ?"
>"Good!" she smiles, "And yes, she's practically family. She's my master's little sister after all!"
>She holds out her hand, "I'm Utsuho, by the way. Utsuho Reiuji. But my friends call me Okuu."
>_
-
>"Nice to meet you Okuu, the name is Maribel."
>Nod.
>"So how is her sister like ?"
-
//I don't think telling or hinting about her condition is good... Wouldn't it be better for Koishi to tell them herself?
-
//Edit.
-
>"Nice to meet you Okuu, the name is Maribel."
>Nod.
>"So how is her sister like ?"
>"You mean Satori-sama? Well, she's a little strict, but she's also really nice... But she doesn't get out much. And even when she does, she almost never goes to the surface..."
>"Pardon me." says Byakuren, who is standing behind you, still holding the tea tray.
>_
-
>"Oh right !"
>Accept the tea.
-
>"Oh right !"
>Accept the tea.
>You grab a cup from the tray, and Byakuren moves past you, setting the tray on the Kotatsu, where the group begins to divide the cups among themselves.
>"I will fetch you a cup shortly, Miss Reiuji" says Byakuren before she exits once more.
>_
-
>"You can have mine Okuu, i can wait."
>Offer our tea to Okuu.
-
>"You can have mine Okuu, i can wait."
>Offer our tea to Okuu.
>"Oh, why thank you!" she smiles, before absentmindedly reaching for the cup with her other hand or rather, forearm, which is sheathed in some kind of orange, hexagonal... arm cannon...? thing...
>_
-
>"Uh... what is that on your arm Okuu ?"
-
>"Uh... what is that on your arm Okuu ?"
>"It's my super powerful third leg, of course!"
>You notice your group is now staring at her.
>"What? You haven't seen a third leg before? It's an amazing weapon! I mean, you should really see what happens when this thing discharges and sends a nice, hot surprise into an enemy's face! It's pretty awesome and satisfying!"
>You notice Renko stifling a giggle while Sumireko or Matenshi is struggling to contain imminent laughter.
>_
-
>"So it's like a cannon that you power with nuclear energy ?"
-
>"So it's like a cannon that you power with nuclear energy ?"
>"Kinda... it's not powered by nuclear energy per say, but it does fire it. Think of it more like a control rod... that happens to also act like a cannon when I want it to."
>_
-
>"I see... isn't it uncomfortable though ?"
-
>Blush a bit and giggle a bit as well.
>"E-Er, that description sure is... s-something."
>Blush more.
-
>"I see... isn't it uncomfortable though ?"
>"Nope, and I can take it off too."
>She demonstrates by using her free hand to slip the third leg off her arm, revealing a perfectly normal hand underneath, which wiggles its fingers.
>Blush a bit and giggle a bit as well.
>"E-Er, that description sure is... s-something."
>Blush more.
>That description finally caught up with you, and you can't help but snicker.
>"Unyu? What do you mean? It's just a giant rod that I take great pleasure in using."
>Sumireko almost loses it, but, with much struggling manages to contain it, for now...
>Renko, on the other hand, lets an audible giggle slip out.
>Chen either doesn't get it, or is too innocent to pick up on it. She is staring at the others confusedly.
>_
-
>Hold on to any noises we might make, this girl is really innocent or unaware, or both.
>"I-I see."
-
>How is Hijiri?
-
>Hold on to any noises we might make, this girl is really innocent or unaware, or both.
>"I-I see."
>You stifle your urge to giggle.
>How is Hijiri?
>She is not in the room currently, however, you would expect her to be back very soon.
>_
-
>"So why don't you sit with us ?"
-
>"So why don't you sit with us ?"
>"Because we're talking. I didn't wanna be rude. I can sit down now if you want."
>_
-
>"Cmon, you are welcome here."
>Nod and sit down with her on the kotatsu.
-
>Sit next to Renko.
-
>"Cmon, you are welcome here."
>Nod and sit down with her on the kotatsu.
>Sit next to Renko.
>You take a seat next to your lover while Okuu takes a seat at a vacant spot near Chen. You noticed that she never took the tea you offered her, and that you're still holding it.
>Byakuren comes in shortly afterwards, and hands Okuu a cup.
>"Thank you." she smiles
>"You are welcome." Byakuren bows.
>_
-
>"Did Koishi ever say anything about why she was meditating ?"
-
>"Did Koishi ever say anything about why she was meditating ?"
>"She did not give any specifics, though I'd guess that she's likely doing it to clear her mind, perhaps to reflect deeply on something." says Byakuren.
>_
-
>"I see... i just hope for her to be alright..."
-
>"I see... i just hope for her to be alright..."
>"Me too." says Okuu before taking a sip of tea.
>"We all do." Renko nods.
>_
-
>Smile.
>"So are there any other family members you didn't mention yet ?"
-
>Smile.
>"So are there any other family members you didn't mention yet ?"
>"Well, aside from Satori-sama and Koishi-sama, there's my friend Orin." Okuu replies, "She's also one of Satori-sama's pets."
>_
-
>"Oh... wait pets ?!"
-
>"Oh... wait pets ?!"
>"Yup, Orin and I are Satori-sama's pets." Okuu smiles.
>_
-
>"But... you are youkai, like Chen here, and she isn't a pet, so why are you two ?"
-
>"But... you are youkai, like Chen here, and she isn't a pet, so why are you two ?"
>"It's complicated." Okuu shrugs.
>_
-
>"Well seems like we have a lot of time for you to tell that complicated story."
>Take a sip of our tea if it isn't too hot.
-
>"Well seems like we have a lot of time for you to tell that complicated story."
>Take a sip of our tea if it isn't too hot.
>You take a sip of the tea, it's refreshing.
>_
-
>"So ? Tell us."
>Smile.
-
>"So ? Tell us."
>Smile.
>"Tell you what?" Okuu asks, finishing a sip of her own tea.
>_
-
>"About how you two are her pets."
-
>"About how you two are her pets."
>"Well, we're her pets because we're her pets, of course!"
>_
-
>"No, i mean like why aren't you just a servant like Chen here is? You don't seem to be any different."
-
>"Like Chen is a shikigami, but Miss Ran and her are so close that they feel more like mother and daughter really."
>Smile.
-
>"No, i mean like why aren't you just a servant like Chen here is? You don't seem to be any different."
>"Because we're pets. Well, I guess that's kinda the same as being a servant. I don't know." Okuu shrugs.
>"Like Chen is a shikigami, but Miss Ran and her are so close that they feel more like mother and daughter really."
>Smile.
>Her eyes widen, "Whoa! You mean she reaps the souls of the living!?!"
>"Um... She said Shikigami, not Shinigami..." Chen corrects.
>"Unyu? Aren't those the same thing?"
>"They really aren't..." says Sumireko.
>_
-
>"The only thing she does to souls is so soothe them with her adorableness and cuteness."
>Rub Chen's ears.
>"See ?"
-
>"The only thing she does to souls is so soothe them with her adorableness and cuteness."
>Rub Chen's ears.
>"See ?"
>You rub Chen's ears, causing her to purr adorably.
>"Aww, it's just like Orin!" Okuu smiles.
>_
-
>"Huh ? Orin is also a cat ?"
>Keep doing it to Chen.
-
>"Huh ? Orin is also a cat ?"
>Keep doing it to Chen.
>That would be quite a silly question to ask, considering you've met Orin before and already know the answer.
>Continue?
>Chen continues to act adorable.
>_
-
>Did i... ? Oh right !
>"Yeah, Orin is also really cute."
-
>Did i... ? Oh right !
>"Yeah, Orin is also really cute."
>"Yeah, she really is, especially when Satori-sama is petting her." Okuu takes another sip, "But don't call her that to her face. It'll probably embarrass her."
>You notice Nazrin enter the room carrying both her dowsing rods in one hand, and some kind of object in the other.
>_
-
>"Uh huh."
>Look at Nazrin, what is she carrying ?
>Take another sip.
-
>"Uh huh."
>Look at Nazrin, what is she carrying ?
>Take another sip.
>You continue to enjoy your tea
>Nazrin seems to be carrying a glowing round object with a roof that resembles a miniature pagoda.
>_
-
>"Hey Nazrin, what is that pagoda thing for ?"
>Keep rubbing Chen's ears, doubles as a way to neutralize the odds of another incident.
-
>"Hey Nazrin, what is that pagoda thing for ?"
>Keep rubbing Chen's ears, doubles as a way to neutralize the odds of another incident.
>"It's none of your business." says Nazrin as she exits through the other side of the room
>"I found it!" you hear her say in the next room.
>_
-
>Wow, rude.
>Peek over to see.
-
>Wow, rude.
>Peek over to see.
>That mouse girl could really work on her manners.
>You peek around the next doorway.
>"Ah, thank you, Nazrin." a woman with blonde, striped hair says as she takes the item from Nazrin, "What would I ever do without you?"
>"I dunno." Nazrin crosses her arms, "But please try to keep better track of it this time... You wouldn't want me to start chaining it to you, would you."
>the woman chuckles, "Oh, heavens, no! Anyway, don't worry, I promise I'll hold on to it."
>"You say that every time." Nazrin smirks.
>"Ah, yes, I suppose I do..." the woman scratches her head, somewhat embarrassed, "Good point."
>_
-
>"Ehehe..."
>If they don't notice us, go back to our room.
-
>"Ehehe..."
>If they don't notice us, go back to our room.
>You return to your group.
>_
-
>Take some more sips.
-
>Take some more sips.
>You enjoy your tea some more.
>_
-
>"So, how are things usually at your home? Are they nice?"
-
>"So, how are things usually at your home? Are they nice?"
>"Uhuh." Okuu nods, "It's really big and spacious too."
>_
-
>"Well that's nice, can't wait to go there with Koishi."
>Smile.
>"So... if you two are her sister's pets... do you also like being pet ?"
-
>"Well that's nice, can't wait to go there with Koishi."
>Smile.
>"So... if you two are her sister's pets... do you also like being pet ?"
>Okuu shrugs, "I guess? But only from Orin, Satori-sama, or Koishi-sama."
>_
-
>"Aw... well i have Chen, she must be better to pet anyways."
>Smile and keep petting Chen.
-
>"Aw... well i have Chen, she must be better to pet anyways."
>Smile and keep petting Chen.
>Chen smiles as you pet her.
>_
-
>"So i was told that Koishi's eye was sealed, what happened that made her do i ?"
-
>"So i was told that Koishi's eye was sealed, what happened that made her do i ?"
>Okuu shrugs, "All I know is that she apparently did it out of fear of being disliked or something. Satori-sama will be able to tell you more. "
>_
-
>"Yeah... i heard that people didn't like having her read their minds, even if she didn't mean it..."
>Look upset.
>"That is no basis to just isolate her though, she is a lovable person, mindreader or not, and she wouldn't go around telling secrets either."
-
>"Yeah... i heard that people didn't like having her read their minds, even if she didn't mean it..."
>Look upset.
>"That is no basis to just isolate her though, she is a lovable person, mindreader or not, and she wouldn't go around telling secrets either."
>"Yeah..." says Okuu.
>_
-
>"...what would you think if she unsealed her eye ?"
-
>"...what would you think if she unsealed her eye ?"
>"I think it would be nice! Then she'd be like Satori-sama!" she realizes what she's saying, "I-In the good way, I mean! Not the bad stuff! ...I think Satori-sama would be happy about it too. She always talks about wanting to make Koishi 'open her heart' again..."
>"Is everything alright in here?" Byakuren asks as she enters the room.
>_
-
>Turn to Miss Byakuren.
>"Yeah, why ?"
-
>Turn to Miss Byakuren.
>"Yeah, why ?"
>"Oh, nothing. I was merely checking in."
>_
-
>"Okay."
>Turn back to Okuu.
>"Open her heart again....oh ! Gimme a second please."
>Get up and make a gap leading to Rengeteki's shrine, then check over the place.
-
>"Okay."
>Turn back to Okuu.
>"Open her heart again....oh ! Gimme a second please."
>Get up and make a gap leading to Rengeteki's shrine, then check over the place.
>You don't recall Rengeteki ever owning a shrine, so you make one to her shack instead.
>Peering through the gap, the shack looks about the same from the outside, though the stuff strewn about the front of the structure seems to have been cleared.
>_
-
>"Just a second."
>Head to the shack and enter, then look for them.
-
>Are we going to knock?
-
>Yeah, knock first.
-
>"Just a second."
>"Okay..." Renko responds.
>Head to the shack and enter, then look for them.
>Are we going to knock?
>Yeah, knock first.
>You head through the gap, approach the door, and knock on it.
>Rengeteki opens it a few seconds later, "Oh, hi Maribel!" she smiles, "Back so soon? ...Where is everyone else?"
>_
-
>"I'm just checking up Ren, Koishi is busy, so how are you doing ?"
-
>"I'm just checking up Ren, Koishi is busy, so how are you doing ?"
>"We're doing fine. We've just been cleaning this place up a bit... I-I don't know how we'll remove what I um... carved into the walls... though... Rin says not to worry about it, but still, the thought of her reading those, I just don't want her to worry..."
>_
-
>"Hey..."
>Put a hand on her shoulder.
>"You will get through it, i can see your love, and it's too strong to be broken by some mere words written on walls."
-
>"Hey..."
>Put a hand on her shoulder.
>"You will get through it, i can see your love, and it's too strong to be broken by some mere words written on walls."
>"Thanks." she says as you reassure her.
>_
-
>"Now, i should go back, be safe you two."
>Start to leave but stop.
>"Oh right ! If you need help reforming the house, don't hesitate to call me."
-
>"Now, i should go back, be safe you two."
>"We will."
>Start to leave but stop.
>"Oh right ! If you need help reforming the house, don't hesitate to call me."
>"Um... How will we do that?" she looks slightly confused.
>_
-
>"Just ask the Shrine Maiden at the Hakurei Shrine, or find Chen, i will also make an item that you can use to send me messages later, so don't worry."
>Smile.
-
>"Just ask the Shrine Maiden at the Hakurei Shrine, or find Chen, i will also make an item that you can use to send me messages later, so don't worry."
>Smile.
>"B-But how will we find Chen? And the Hakurei Shrine is pretty f-far..."
>_
-
>"Well Renko's powers can locate anyone as long as it's nighttime, so if you can't find us, we will find you."
-
>"Well Renko's powers can locate anyone as long as it's nighttime, so if you can't find us, we will find you."
>"O-Okay." Rengeteki nods.
>_
-
>"Be safe okay sis ?"
>Wave and head back to the gap.
-
>"Be safe okay sis ?"
>Wave and head back to the gap.
>"You too... sis." She smiles and waves as you return.
>You step back through the gap.
>"--won't be able to help with a situation like that. I specialize in enhancements, not soul splitting, my apologies." you hear Byakuren say as you return.
>Sumireko frowns, "It's fine."
>"Though, that being said, I have heard rumors of a youkai sighting that has been described as several beings sharing a body. It's not much to go on, but perhaps they might be able to help with your predicament? Assuming the rumors are true and you can find them."
>"Really?" Sumireko perks up.
>"Oh, welcome back, Merry." says Renko, "We were talking about solutions to Sumireko and Matenshi's problem."
-
>"Yeah, so an youkai with several beings sharing a body huh ? Are there any more details ? Where was that youkai seen or how does it look like ?"
-
>"Yeah, so an youkai with several beings sharing a body huh ? Are there any more details ? Where was that youkai seen or how does it look like ?"
>"All I know is that the sightings seem to come from the mountains near the Hakurei Shrine," Byakuren replies, "and that the rumored Youkai never seems to settle on one form, instead it's been described as shifting between three."
>_
-
>"Maybe the beings are in conflict with each other or are taking turns."
>Turn to the others.
>"Let's ask Miss Reimu about that later."
-
>"Maybe the beings are in conflict with each other or are taking turns."
>Turn to the others.
>"Let's ask Miss Reimu about that later."
>"Sounds like a plan." Sumireko nods.
>"Okay." says Chen.
>Renko discreetly mouths "Which one?" as she nods
>_
-
>Discreetly do the same to her saying: "Both."
-
>Discreetly do the same to her saying: "Both."
>Renko nods in understanding.
>_
-
>"So any news about Koishi ?"
-
>"So any news about Koishi ?"
>"She is still meditating. " Byakuren replies.
>_
-
>"Hm... would you mind if we stayed the night here if needed ? I want to be here once she finishes."
-
>"Hm... would you mind if we stayed the night here if needed ? I want to be here once she finishes."
>"No, I wouldn't mind at all. Should I prepare a room then?"
>_
-
>Turn to Okuu.
>"Do you want a room too ?"
-
>Turn to Okuu.
>"Do you want a room too ?"
>"Sure. I'm not leaving without Koishi-sama!" Okuu answers.
>_
-
>"Two for me, my group and Okuu here."
-
>"Two for me, my group and Okuu here."
>"Very well, " says Byakuren, "Will you and your group be sharing a room?"
>_
-
>"Yup."
-
>"Yup."
>"Alright. I will prepare the rooms then." Byakuren bows, before exiting.
>_
-
>Nod and wait.
-
>Nod and wait.
>You wait a bit.
>"So," says Renko, "Are we going to see that Kyouko girl perform before we go to bed?"
>_
-
>"Yeah, i want to know what stirs Miss Hijiri so much."
-
>"Yeah, i want to know what stirs Miss Hijiri so much."
>"Okay." Renko nods, "Want me to let you know when it's getting close to midnight?"
>_
-
>"Sure, thanks Renko."
>Smile
-
>"Sure, thanks Renko."
>Smile
>"You're welcome." Renko smiles back.
>"So we're staying here tonight?" Chen asks.
>_
-
>"Yeah, at least if Koishi stays here for the night."
-
>"Yeah, at least if Koishi stays here for the night."
>"I'll let Yukari-sama know then."
>_
-
>"Good going Chen."
>Smile and give her a thumbs up.
>"I almost forgot myself."
-
>"Good going Chen."
>Smile and give her a thumbs up.
>"I almost forgot myself."
>Chen grins at your praise.
>_
-
>"Okay..."
>Turn to Okuu.
>"So what kind of youkai are you ?"
-
>"Your wings look very nice by the way."
-
>"Okay..."
>Turn to Okuu.
>"So what kind of youkai are you ?"
>"I'm a hell raven." Okuu replies, "Though I guess I'm technically a Yatagarasu too, 'cause I ate the corpse of one and got its powers."
>"Your wings look very nice by the way."
>"Thank you," she smiles.
>_
-
>"And what is a Yatagarasu exactly ? I heard that it's some sort of bird on my school."
-
>"And what is a Yatagarasu exactly ? I heard that it's some sort of bird on my school."
>"It's a three-legged crow with sun powers." Okuu states matter-of-factly.
>_
-
>"Ooooh, that explains your nuclear abilities."
>Light up.
>"We also work with nuclear technology on the outside world, but in the past, people didn't use it for the greater good..."
-
>"Ooooh, that explains your nuclear abilities."
>Light up.
>"We also work with nuclear technology on the outside world, but in the past, people didn't use it for the greater good..."
>"Yeah, Miss Kanako told me what the outside world does with it, and how what we do is something the outside world hasn't even achieved yet. Have you met Miss Kanako? She's this really nice goddess lady."
>_
-
>"I did, very tall lady, lives in the Moriya Shrine ?"
-
>"I did, very tall lady, lives in the Moriya Shrine ?"
>Okuu nods vigorously, "Uhuh! That's her alright!"
>_
-
>"Yeah i met her, she is pretty focused on bringing technology to Gensokyo it seems."
-
>"Yeah i met her, she is pretty focused on bringing technology to Gensokyo it seems."
>"Yeah, she, the kappa, and I are going to do a... what was it... Industrial revolution! Yeah, that was it!"
>_
-
>"I see, that will be a lot of work."
-
>"I see, that will be a lot of work."
>"But we've made a lot of progress, though. Almost all of Youkai mountain has electricity now, and we're thinking of ways to expand the power grid radially from it."
>_
-
>"How did you manage to bring power there all the way from the underground though ?"
-
>"How did you manage to bring power there all the way from the underground though ?"
>"Those kappa that live in the ravine at the bottom of the mountain are really smart engineers, they did all the wiring."
>_
-
>"Incredible..."
>Smile.
>"You should also plan for a media revolution too."
-
>"Incredible..."
>Smile.
>"You should also plan for a media revolution too."
>"Huh?" she tilts her head.
>_
-
>"It's one here you completely change communication altogether, making it much more faster to send and receive info at distances."
-
>"It's one here you completely change communication altogether, making it much more faster to send and receive info at distances."
>"Oh, you mean like those phone thingies the kappa developed?"
>_
-
>"Yeah, but there is so much more, do you have computers yet ?"
-
>"Yeah, but there is so much more, do you have computers yet ?"
>"The kappa have a few I think, we also have a couple terminals in the reactor observation chamber, otherwise I think they're pretty rare in Gensokyo."
>_
-
>"I see, well you gotta show me that reactor later ! It's not everyday someone can see nuclear fusion with their eyes."
-
>"I see, well you gotta show me that reactor later ! It's not everyday someone can see nuclear fusion with their eyes."
>"Sure! Maybe once we go back with Koishi-sama I can show you the reactor!"
>She pauses for a second,
>"...Well, if Miss Kanako and Satori-sama allow you access... that is..."
>_
-
>"I know better than to tamper with something so dangerous, so they should be okay with it."
>Smile.
>"And i helped Sanae solve an incident, so Miss Kanako should be okay with it too."
-
>"I know better than to tamper with something so dangerous, so they should be okay with it."
>Smile.
>"And i helped Sanae solve an incident, so Miss Kanako should be okay with it too."
>"Oh, okay."
>"Hey, if Merry gets to see it, can I see it too?" Renko asks, "A working fusion reactor would be amazing to see."
>"Maybe. Maybe your other friends too! Just gotta get access for all of them."
>Byakuren returns to the room.
>"Pardon my intrusion, but your rooms are ready."
>_
-
>"I see, but for now we will stay here and keep talking, Koishi might still be done today."
-
>"I see, but for now we will stay here and keep talking, Koishi might still be done today."
>"Very well," says Byakuren. "I will be in the next room over if you need me."
>Byakuren leaves once more.
>_
-
>Sigh.
>"So much we have solved, and yet so much we have yet to do..."
-
>"Oh, wait miss Byakuren!"
>Head into the other room a bit.
>"You said something about enhancements, right? May we talk of something a bit?"
-
// ?
//What is that for ?
-
//She who shall not be named... ... YgMg
-
>Sigh.
>"So much we have solved, and yet so much we have yet to do..."
>"Yeah..." says Renko.
>"Oh, wait miss Byakuren!"
>Head into the other room a bit.
>You quickly follow Byakuren and poke your head into the other room.
>"Yes?" Byakuren turns around.
>"You said something about enhancements, right? May we talk of something a bit?"
>"I did. And sure." Byakuren nods.
>_
-
>"Um..."
>Point back into our room a bit.
>"I kinda wanna talk with the others too about this..."
>If she agrees and follows...
>>"There was this... person, I got help from when trying to help Renko and my friends. She seemed to be a group of eyes with electricity between them, and was proficient in energy. It turns out though, that she had been using me for her own goals..."
>>Look really upset.
>>"A-And, we... dealt, with her, but I keep having these visions and sensations that she's in my body. There was a point where I was in the middle of doing something subconsciously, and every time I felt that way, one of her eyes appeared on my hand. She helped boost my abilities a few times before she betrayed us, and I fear that she might still be alive or something, but in me."
-
>"Um..."
>Point back into our room a bit.
>"I kinda wanna talk with the others too about this..."
>"Very well."
>If she agrees and follows...
>>"There was this... person, I got help from when trying to help Renko and my friends. She seemed to be a group of eyes with electricity between them, and was proficient in energy. It turns out though, that she had been using me for her own goals..."
>>Look really upset.
>>"A-And, we... dealt, with her, but I keep having these visions and sensations that she's in my body. There was a point where I was in the middle of doing something subconsciously, and every time I felt that way, one of her eyes appeared on my hand. She helped boost my abilities a few times before she betrayed us, and I fear that she might still be alive or something, but in me."
>"So, you want to confirm if she is indeed alive inside you?" Byakuren asks.
>Everyone at the kotatsu is now looking at you.
>_
-
>Didn't we head to the room ?
>"Yes, that would either ease my fears, or warn me to take action."
-
>Didn't we head to the room ?
>You did, then Byakuren followed you back.
>"Yes, that would either ease my fears, or warn me to take action."
>Byakuren frowns, "Unfortunately, the most I could do would be to detect residual magic from these enhancements to your abilities you mentioned, it'll let you know if there's some inside you, but it wouldn't necessarily tell you if her life force is inside you or not."
>_
-
>"Do you know anyone that could check that for me ?"
-
>"Do you know anyone that could check that for me ?"
>Byakuren ponders for a moment. Before she shakes her head. "I do not. My apologies..."
>She taps her chin
>"Hmm... you're considering finding that rumored Youkai I told you about, correct? If they end up being able to help your friends' predicament, then that would mean they should have a good knowledge of life force, should they not?"
>_
-
>Look at her confused, then light up.
>"I see ! Yes that would definitely work ! If only we had an description of one of the form of said youkai, we could have Renko try and track her..."
-
>Look at her confused, then light up.
>"I see ! Yes that would definitely work ! If only we had an description of one of the form of said youkai, we could have Renko try and track her..."
>"Sadly, the rumors weren't very descriptive of the forms, so I unfortunately can't help you there..."
>"Well, she did say where we could start looking, right? Wasn't it near the Hakurei Shrine?" Renko asks.
>_
-
>"Yes, on the mountains around there."
-
>"Yes, on the mountains around there."
>"Alright then. So do you want to check that place out?"
>_
-
>Turn to Byakuren.
>"If Koishi comes out while we are out, would you please tell her to wait ?"
-
>Turn to Byakuren.
>"If Koishi comes out while we are out, would you please tell her to wait ?"
>Byakuren nods.
>_
-
>"Okay, so the Hakurei Shrine..."
>Make a gap leading there.
>"Everyone ready ?"
-
>"Okay, so the Hakurei Shrine..."
>Make a gap leading there.
>"Everyone ready ?"
>You create a gap to the Hakurei Shrine.
>Renko nods.
>"We're ready when you are." says Matenshi.
>"Yup!" Chen smiles.
>"Bye." says Okuu.
>_
-
>"Bye ! Alright let's go everyone."
>Head through the gap, close it, then search for "Miss Reimu".
-
>"Bye ! Alright let's go everyone."
>Head through the gap, close it, then search for "Miss Reimu".
>You head through the gap with your merry band group.
>You end up outside the Hakurei Shrine, and you close the gap behind you. You begin looking for "Reimu," soon finding her inside.
>"Ah, hello." she says, "I wasn't expecting you. Is there something you need?"
>_
-
>"Actually, we're looking for a certain youkai who might be able to help us with a few problems our friends and I have. We heard they might be around this area so we're looking for them."
-
//It's been a long time, Azy
>"Actually, we're looking for a certain youkai who might be able to help us with a few problems our friends and I have. We heard they might be around this area so we're looking for them."
>"Oh. Alright then. Is there anything I could do to help?"
>_
-
>"Um... It has multiple forms we don't even know, so just asking for you to keep an eye out for it might not work much..."
>Think a bit...
//Not as long as Wod TT_TT
-
//*plays taps in memory of Wod.*
>"Um... It has multiple forms we don't even know, so just asking for you to keep an eye out for it might not work much..."
>"I see..."
>Think a bit...
//Not as long as Wod TT_TT
>You think about what you know about this youkai.
>All you know is that it has multiple forms and that it's located somewhere around here... You wonder if there are any specific spots or landmarks around here that it might frequent.
>_
-
>"We heard that it has been sighted around this area near the shrine, so the obvious choice was to ask you and ummm..."
>Fidget.
>"You know we can't ask that other person."
-
>"We heard that it has been sighted around this area near the shrine, so the obvious choice was to ask you and ummm..."
>Fidget.
>"You know we can't ask that other person."
>"I understand, though I personally do not know of such a Youkai. If it has indeed been sighted around here, than you-know-who would know more..."
>"Reimu" ponders,
>"Though, there is someone else around here we could ask. She frequents this shrine almost as often as Yukari-sama. Fortunately, she happens to be here right now."
>_
-
>"Huh?"
>Gap Renko's clothes.
-
>"Where ?"
-
>"Huh?"
>Gap Renko's clothes.
>You gap away Renko's clothes on impulse, leaving her in the nude. You feel your nose start bleeding.
>"Where ?"
>"Right behind you." Is all you hear before you feel something stick into your back.
>New thread preparing, please wait warmly.